East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met June 24.

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, and Mayor Helm. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Engineer Lee Beckman, Billie Chambers, Wes Chambers, Cindy Johnson, Jenny Welsh, Jill McCue, and Natalie Miller.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular session minutes from June 10, 2024, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments were heard.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

PICKLEBALL

Cindy Johnson, spokesperson for the Neoga Pickleball group, explained that the group currently has thirty-six members and seventy-seven followers on social media. Johnson said that the group plays numerous times per week at the Jennings Park tennis courts; however, it limits them to nice weather. Johnson said they would like to start playing at the Neoga Community Center where the gym would allow them to play during inclement weather. According to Johnson, the group has brought citizens of all ages, men, women, and children together to play a sport that is growing in numbers every day. Johnson said that Bob Short and Deb Hatti have started a beginner’s class teaching skills and drills. Johnson informed the Council that she has spoken to the office about using the gym, but the pickleball players felt the fee was too much. Johnson said they have spoken to Megan Coy about playing under the park’s insurance, and she said the park board denied them because of the insurance cost. City Clerk Evans explained that the charge for other people to use the gym on a weekly basis was $20 per day, and that is the same amount that was quoted for the Pickleball players. Jenny Welsh said that the group feels that they should be able to use the building since they pay property taxes to Neoga. Evans explained that the Community Center is paid for by the citizens within the corporate limits. Evans further explained that if they live outside of city limits their tax bills do not have a tax for the City of Neoga, just Neoga Park district, Neoga Township, etc., but not the city. It was recommended that the group attend another park district meeting and ask again about paying a fee just like baseball and softball players do.

NEOGA BOOSTER CLUB GOLF SPONSORSHIP

The Council received a request from the Neoga Boosters to sponsor a hole at their annual golf outing. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Williams made a motion to donate $100 for the golf outing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

IML ANNUAL CONFERENCE

City Clerk Evans informed the Council that registration is open for the IML Annual Conference in Chicago. Evans said the conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency and rooms cannot be booked until conference registration is complete. Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to send City Clerk Evans and Treasurer Foor to the IML Annual Conference. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Wiliams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

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 $78,103.56. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

UPDATES FROM MILANO & GRUNLOH

Engineer Lee Beckman handed out the project update sheet to the Council. Beckman said the City applied for an IEPA Public Water Supply Loan, which offers some principal forgiveness ($159,818) to cover the cost of the leverage. The grant agreement was received from DCEO. The city made the Intended Use Plan for IEPA funding, but the funding was exhausted prior to Neoga. The CDAP Water project will have a bid opening on August 22nd at 2:00 pm.

The ITEP bid opening was on April 26th, and the low bidder was McCarthy Improvement Company. The city will be awarding that bid at the next meeting. There will also be a preconstruction meeting on July 3rd. The start date will depend on the results from the Indiana bat study.

The bid opening for replacing the clarifier forcemain line was held. One quote from 808 Enterprises was received in the amount of $24,576.18.

Beckman also discussed the Rebuild Illinois Grant agreement which is a 75/25% grant to rebuild the downtown city property. Beckman shared a proposed map to resurface the alleys and streets between 5th -7th Street, replace the sidewalks, and repave the parking lots. A resolution will be available at the next meeting because the deadline for the grant application is July 22nd.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS No report was given.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS No report was given.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Minutes-June-242024.pdf