City of Neoga City Council met May 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Tony Kepp. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Those present were: Commissioners Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Groves. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Officer Emily Oberg, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Dustin Hakman, Tom Helm, Shari Morrison, Walt Altman, Gary Hartke, LuAnn Hartke, Mindi Haarman, Kevin Haarman, Grady Haarman, Lucy Haarman, Ashley Hartke, Nora Hartke, Lola Hartke, Katie Lindley, and Nathan Bergin.
MINUTES
After reviewing the regular session minutes, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from April 22, 2019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Ayes, none. Commissioner Groves abstained. Motion carried. 4-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HARTKE
Mayor Kepp explained that the swearing in of newly elected officers was next on the agenda, however, he would like to say a few words first. Mayor Kepp thanked the citizens of Neoga for allowing him to serve on the City Council both as Commissioner and as Mayor. Kepp stated that he has had the opportunity to work with a great team of Council members, employees, and especially City Clerk Evans and City Treasurer Foor. Mayor Kepp said that he is confident that the new council and Mayor will have a very prosperous term and can’t wait to see the things they will accomplish.
SWEARING IN OF NEW OFFICERS
City Clerk Evans asked Marty Kepp Hartke, who was elected Mayor, and Ron Edwards, Ronnie Groves, Dustin Hakman, and Tom Helm, who were elected Commissioners, to stand and raise their right hand as they were sworn in.
APPOINTMENT OF DEPARTMENTS
After the swearing in, Mayor Hartke recommended Tom Helm as Commissioner of Public Health and Safety, Dustin Hakman as Commissioner of Public Property, Ronnie Groves as Commissioner of Finance, and Ron Edwards as Commissioner of Streets and Alleys. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to appoint each Commissioner as recommended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Groves, Hakman, Helm and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
CITY WIDE CLEANUP
City Clerk Evans told the council that the bids to have the clean up this year were as follows:
Howards.$495 for a 30 yard roll off Advanced Disposal.$425.00 for 20 yard roll off Shred-It.$800 Com2.$525 / trailer
After a brief discussion, Commissioner Groves made a motion to have Howards, Shred-It and Com2 assist with the city wide cleanup. However, this year charge $5 per electron item. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Edwards, Hakman, Helm and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0
POLICE SOFTWARE UPDATE
Chief Schabbing told the council that he is looking at updating the software program for the police department. Schabbing said that he is discussing options with Browning to create a cloud base version which would save space on the server and the police officer would be able to access all information while in the cars. Chief Schabbing said that he has also been working with Cumberland County Sheriff Maroon who is also looking at a CAD system which could be an option as well. It was the consensus of the Council to wait for additional information before acting on the software update.
MOWING BID FOR COMMUNITY CENTER
Mayor Hartke read the bid for mowing of the community center from M & E Lawn care which was in the amount of $175 / mowing. Superintendent Durbin explained that the public works department has been mowing the property and can have it done in about three (3) hours. The bid was not awarded due to a lack of a motion.
AMENDING THE LIQUOR LICENSE
City Clerk Evans told the Council that she has been asked by the American Legion, about amending the current liquor license so that entertainers under the age of 21 can stay at the Legion after 9:00 p.m. or 10:30 with a parent. After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to not amend the ordinance.
FINANCE, COMMISSIONER GROVES
TREASURER’S REPORT
Commissioner Groves told the Council that after reviewing the report you will notice the expenses are over the income which is something the Council should be aware of. However, the City did have to purchase a new blower at the waste water treatment plant in the amount of $14,000 which didn’t help. After a brief discussion, Mayor Hartke ordered the financial report to be placed into the files of the City Clerk.
ORDINANCE #937-05-19
An Ordinance Setting Forth and Amended Budget of Estimated Receipts and Disbursements and Making Appropriations for City Purposes of the City of Neoga, Cumberland County, Illinois, for the Fiscal Year 2019 Commencing on May 1, 2018 and Ending on April 30, 2019
After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Groves made a motion to approve Ordinance #937-05-19 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Edwards, Hakman, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER GROVES
REVOLVING LOAN FUND CLOSEOUT DESIGN ENGINEERING AGREEMENT After reviewing the agreement, Commissioner Groves made a motion to accept the agreement as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Edwards, Hakman, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
REVOLVING LOAN FUND CLOSEOUT CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AGREEMENT
After reviewing the construction engineering agreement, Commissioner Groves made a motion to accept the agreement with Steve Pamperin as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Edwards, Hakman, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS
PURCHASE OF 16’ TRAILER
Commissioner Edwards reminded the Council that at the last meeting it was discussed to purchase a trailer to assist with mowing around town. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to purchase a 16’ trailer for $2000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hakman, Helm, Groves, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
COMPLAINT AT 9TH & WALNUT AVENUE
City Clerk Evans said that they have received a written complaint regarding the inability to clearly see to the north from 9th & Walnut Avenue. Evans explained that according to the letter, the resident has a wagon parked next to the road and when they park vehicles around the wagon, people are unable to see if oncoming vehicles are coming when they pull onto Walnut Avenue. Commissioner Edwards asked Chief Schabbing if he has received any other complaints or has noticed a problem with the vision. Schabbing said that if drivers are patient and wait a few seconds before pulling into the intersection, they should be able to see fine. It was the consensus of the Council to review the situation at a later date.
VACATING BURROWS AVENUE NORTH OF 7TH STREET
Nathan Bergin, owner of the property east and west of Burrows Avenue, requested that the city abandon Burrows Avenue from 7th Street north to the alley. According to Bergin, the street has not been maintained and the previous owners used it as a parking lot. Bergin also said that there was a manhole to the north of Burrows and the ground would have to be surveyed, and appraised before it could be abandoned. It was the consensus of the Council to review the sewer manhole first.
HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER HELM
No report was given.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chief Schabbing announced that Officer Oberg has completed Police Academy after 14 weeks, and should know before too long if she passed the state test.
Superintendent Durbin told the Council that he found a leaf vac from the City of Casey. According to Durbin, they are willing to give it to the City of Neoga for free however, it does have some engine problems.
Building Inspector Morrison said that he has an appointment with the City Attorney to work on amending the zoning ordinance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Hakman made a motion to move into executive session for Personnel Section 2(c) (1) – employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance, Sale or Lease of Real Estate – Section 2 (c)(6) – Limited to actual setting of price for sale or lease of public property, as well as Litigation – Section 2(c)(11) – Pending, probable or imminent litigation. Probable or imminent litigation requires specific finding to that effect in closed session minutes at 8:10 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Helm, Groves, Edwards, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was reconvened at 10:48 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Groves. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Those present for roll call were: Commissioners Groves, Edwards, Hakman, Helm, and Mayor Hartke.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Groves made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:49 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Edwards, Hakman, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
https://neoga.org/sites/neoga.org/files/meetingminutes/May%2013%2C%202019.pdf
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