East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met April 8.

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, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, and Billie Chambers.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular session minutes from March 25, 2024, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments were heard.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

WEST 12TH STREET ONE-WAY

City Clerk Evans informed the Council that they had received a request from a resident on West 12th Street to make it a one-way street. Evans said that years ago it was a one-way going from east to the west. It was the consensus of the Council to send letters to those living in the area to get their feedback on the one-way.

NEOGA MEMORIAL CEMETERY MAPPING PROPOSAL

City Clerk Evans said that the current cemetery maps are becoming very tattered and need to be replaced. Evans said she spoke with Dr Steve Di Naso from Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Di Naso is a professor who is having had students complete a field assessment and inventory of all known interments in the Neoga Memorial Cemetery. The students will take photos of the area and construct aerial reconnaissance, lot and burial status maps, a map of veteran locations, and two indexed, bound record of interment books, one by block, lot, and plot and the other by last name. Evans said that the cost would be $7,500 and the students could have this done by summer. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to proceed with the field assessment and inventory for $7,500. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried 4-0.

RESTAURANT FEASIBILITY STUDY

According to City Clerk Evans, the city could have a restaurant feasibility study completed which would assist with attracting additional businesses in Neoga. Evans said the same company that completed the hotel feasibility study would do the restaurant feasibility study for $7,500. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to have the restaurant feasibility study done for $7,500. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

FINANCE, COMMISSIONER GROVES

TREASURER'S REPORT

After reviewing the treasurer's report, Mayor Helm ordered that the treasurer's report be filed in the City Clerk's records.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

MOVING ROCK PILE ON CHESTNUT AVENUE

Commissioner Edwards informed the Council that he spoke with Kevin McKay about moving the rock and getting a quote for it. McKay explained that it is hard to make that estimate, because they don't know how many tons of rock there is. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the council to find out how many tons of rock is stockpiled in the parking lot and get additional quotes.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

No report was given.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams told the council that he has received additional complaints about the railroad crossing at East 7th Street. Williams asked if City Clerk Evans could reach out to them again about getting the crossing fixed. Williams said that maybe the city could give out the company phone number so residents could contact the railroad as well.

Police Chief Schabbing informed the Council that the city received a camera grant which would purchase two body camaras and one in-car camera. Schabbing said that he would have additional information later.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Minutes-April-8-2024.pdf