East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met Sept. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Helm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Those present were Commissioners Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Milano and Grunloh Engineer Seth Flack, Frank Ruple, Travis Haskett, and Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular and executive session minutes from September 11, 2023, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

ORDINANCE #1065-08-23 An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of Property Lease Agreement (Illinois Central Railroad Company -Beautification and Parking Site)

After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

RESOLUTION 09-09-23 A Resolution Authorizing Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Neoga and Neoga Unit #3 Board of Education for School Resource Officer

After reviewing the resolution, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

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 $232,969.41. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER

UPDATE ON PROJECTS

Engineer Seth Flach updated the Council on the current projects. Mr. Flach said that the sewer plant project and the RLF & State Grant project had no change in the past few weeks. The CDAP Water Grant plans and specifications are 95% complete and the next step is to have a final field check with Superintendent Durbin. Currently we are waiting on the grant agreement and then the project will go out for bids. The ITEP project has been sent to IDOT for ADA approval and for bidding review next week.

ITEP INVOICE FROM MILANO & GRUNLOH

After reviewing the invoice, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to pay the invoice to Milano & Grunloh in the amount of $11,575.42. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

MFT 2023 PROGRAM

Commissioner Edwards explained to the Council that the streets were completed, with the exception of slurry sealed streets, Ash, Hickory, Willow, Walk, 9th and 10th Streets. With the remaining funds that were not used, Earl Walker could come back in and finish the streets and use the rock that is on site. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Williams made a motion to complete these streets as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams said that the citywide cleanup went very well, and the city received over $365 for metal recycling. Williams also said he is still working on the household waste cleanup with City Administrator Evans.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No comments were heard.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to move into executive session for Personnel – Section 2 (c)(1) Employee hiring, firing, compensations, discipline, and performance at 7:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was reconvened at 9:23 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Edwards. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Those present for roll call were: Commissioners Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm.

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to hire Travis Haskett at $24 per hour. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Commission Schabbing abstained. Motion carried. 4-0.

It was the consensus of the Council to encourage the public works employees to continue to take class D water tests, Class 3 and 4 wastewater tests, Right of Way, Aquatics, Spraying, and Mosquito spraying tests. This would allow each employee to increase their rate of pay.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:29 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

https://neoga.org/sites/default/files/meetingminutes/September%2025%2C%202023.pdf