City of Neoga City Council met March 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Hartke. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Those present were Commissioners Helm, Hakman, Schabbing, and Mayor Hartke. Commissioner Edwards was absent. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, Treasurer Diana Foor, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Public Works Supervisor Shawn Durbin, Engineer Lee Beckman, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, and Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers. Others present were Katie Hakman, and Sarah King,
MINUTES
After reviewing the regular session minutes from March 13, 2023, Commissioner Hakman made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Schabbing, and Helm. Mayor Hartke abstained. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
After reviewing the executive session minutes, Commissioner Hakman made a motion to approve the February 13, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Helm. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Schabbing, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HARTKE
HENS IN CORPORATE LIMITS
Commissioner Hakman told the council that this was the third time it was discussed at the council level, and he would like to have a vote on it. Hakman said that hens have been a hot topic for the past three (3) or four (4) years, and Neoga does not want to be the last community to allow them. According to Hakman, younger families are looking at this type of ordinance when moving to a community. Commissioner Schabbing said that she has spoken to several residents, and has not received a positive response. Schabbing asked who would monitor the hens? Hakman said he would recommend the Building and Zoning Administration. Resident Katie Hakman said that she would like the Council to approve having hens so that she could use this as a teaching tool to teach her kids as well as supply eggs for her family. Resident Sarah King said that her brother also has hens and her family goes to his house to work with the chickens. Building Inspector Morrison asked if anyone had experience with chickens. Morrison said that he has, and the work and smell is more than most will want to deal with. Commissioner Helm said that he is not totally against the idea, but agreed with Morrison, they are more work than most people know, and the smell is horrific. Helm said that his family had a pet farm, and there were always predator problems as wwll. Police Chief Schabbing said that there is a limit of three (3) pets per family, however the police don’t do anything unless there is a complaint. Mrs. Hakman said that the waste from the hens will be used as compost for gardens. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Hakman made a motion to draft an ordinance to follow the City of Champaign ordinance and allow up to 6 hens. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, Commissioner Schabbing. Motion passed. 3-1.
DONATION TO CUMBERLAND VETERANS MEMORIAL
The Council discussed a donation to the Cumberland County Veteran’s Memorial. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the council to get additional information.
AUTO READERS FOR MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Schabbing explained to the Council that he received quotes to have two (2) auto readers for the police building, and two (2) for the municipal building. Schabbing explained that this will allow the city to know who comes into the front door, and what time they leave. The other reader would be for the evidence room. Currently, the department only has one key for the evidence room, and the other is in a locked location. If an officer needs to return evidence to someone, they wouldn’t have access unless the evidence officer was available. City Clerk Evans said she has requested two (2) readers as well. One for the front door, and one for the office. The front door reader would be for the same reason, and the office would be for security purposes. Mayor Hartke recommended that readers go on the back doors as well of both buildings. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Hakman made a motion to approve the readers including the back door readers for both the police department and the municipal building. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Helm. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Schabbing, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
RESOLUTION 02-03-2023 A Resolution of Adoption of the 2023 Cumberland County Multi Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan
City Clerk Evans explained the Cumberland County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation plan is a county wide plan which will be used in the event of a disaster where Cumberland County is declared a disaster. This will allow residents to file for FEMA funds. Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hakman. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Helm, Hakman, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4- 0.
ORDINANCE #1049-03-2023 An Ordinance Authorizing First Amendment to Contract for Private Development Pursuant to the City of Neoga, Illinois, Redevelopment Plan for Tax Increment Area (T & S Auto Sales & Service, LLC)
After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Hakman made a motion to approve as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Helm. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Schabbing, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
CAMERAS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Schabbing updated the Council on a camera quote. Schabbing explained that the current set up is not reliable, and they are now using the body cams for all interviews. According to Schabbing, this is not very effective because the person being interviewed sees a blinking red light all the time. The proposed new cameras will be active by flipping a “light switch”, and both audio and video will begin. Commissioner Hakman made a motion to purchase the cameras for the police department at approximately $5,500. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Helm. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Schabbing, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
FINANCE, COMMISSIONER SCHABBING
MONTHLY BILLS
After reviewing the bill list, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to pay the monthly bills as presented in the amount of $60,723.84. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hakman. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Helm, Hakman, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER HAKMAN
UPDATE ON PROJECTS
Engineer Lee Beckman updated the council on the current projects. Beckman said that the Council approved the bids for the waste water treatment plant bathrooms at the last meeting. Beckman said that he would recommend installing a handrail around the MMBR so no one will fall into the pit. The funds to pay for this would be from leftover money from the project. Beckman also informed the council that Superintendent Durbin has contacted him regarding the Stormwater overflow at the wastewater treatment plant. According to Beckman, the overflow pipe from the lift station is a 12” pipe which flows into a 6” and then a 4” pipe before it hits the clarifier. Beckman said that this will be a problem when there is heavy rain. Beckman said that Durbin recommended a 10” gate valve be installed along with a 12” line for the heavy flow. This will require a permit before anything is started.
PAY REQUEST #28486 FOR M & G ITEP PROJECT
After reviewing the pay request, Commissioner Hakman made a motion to pay the request in the amount of $7,476.66. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Schabbing, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC PROPOSAL
Superintendent Durbin said that he has received a quote from Commercial Electric, Inc., to rewire the gas pump at the shop due to the wiring is extremely frail, and to rewire the fuel tanks so they can be plugged into a generator should extreme weather cause the power outage for a few days. Durbin said that after getting the estimate, he spoke with Equity about purchasing fuel from them and they are willing to place new pumps and wiring if the City purchase fuel from them. The Council asked him to check on a contract before agreeing to it.
PURCHASE PUMP FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Superintendent Durbin told the council that one of the three pumps at the wastewater treatment plant is not working and is beyond repair. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Helm made a motion to purchase a new pump in the amount of $11,851.95. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hakman. Ayes, Commissioner Helm, Hakman, Schabbing, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS
2023 MFT
No report was given.
HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER HELM
No report was given.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chief of Police Schabbing told the Council that the police department has been very busy. Schabbing said that he is also looking for a hiring grant which would pay 70% of an officer’s wages for three (3) years and the city would have to pay for the fourth (4) year. Schabbing will get additional information when he can. Schabbing said that he is also working on a grant for the in-car camera reimbursement.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Hakman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Hakman, Schabbing, Helm, and Mayor Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
https://neoga.org/sites/default/files/meetingminutes/March%2027.2023.pdf
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