East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met Dec. 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 Helm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Those present were Commissioners Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Frank Rupel, Steve Ballinger, and Rick Pemberton.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular session minutes from December 11, 2023, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

After reviewing the executive session minutes from December 11, 2023, Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

RESOLUTION # 10-12-23 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Neoga, Illinois, Establishing a Schedule of Meetings for the Council and the Board of

Zoning Appeals and Planning

After reviewing the resolution, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to accept the resolution as presented. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Willimas, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

ORDINANCE #1081-12-23 An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of an Easement for Utility Purposes (Dave Varner & Kim Varner – 660 W. 7th Street)

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, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. 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 $93,181.92. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

TREE AND STUMP REMOVAL

Mayor Helm read the bids on multiple tree and stump removals from the following:

Shade Shifters $11,650

Ordner’s Tree Service $ 9,952

Tree Fellas $12,610

After reviewing the quotes and services, Commissioner Williams made a motion to award the bid to Ordner’s Tree Service in the amount of $9,952. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioners Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

ITEP INVOICE #29494

After reviewing the invoice, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to pay the invoice as presented for $866.03. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

PURCHASE OF TRASH CANS

Commissioner Edwards read the quotes for eight (8) new trash cans from the following companies:

Outdoorsiness $4,393.73

Uline $4,456.28

After a lengthy discussion about the need for the trash cans, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to purchase the eight (8) trash cans from Outdoorsiness for $4,393.73. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS None was given.

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 7:28 p.m. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was reconvened at 8:29 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Williams. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Those present for roll call were Commissioners Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm.

PAY RAISES FOR 2024

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to increase the salary for Police Officer James Fuller to $63,000 and Police Chief Andy Schabbing to $66,000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

Commissioner Williams made a motion to increase the Building Inspectors wages by 3% as well. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motin carried. 4-0.

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to hire Steve Ballinger for the public works department for $22 per hour. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Commissioner Schabbing seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

 https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Minutes-December-26-2023.pdf