East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met July 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, Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Billie Chambers, Tom Strohl, and Mel Workman.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular session minutes from June 24, 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. Commissioner Edwards and Letizia abstained. Motion carried. 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Tom Strohl addressed the Council to inform them that an elderly lady fell into a hole that the fiber company has not repaired since they installed the fiber. According to Strohl, the hole was on city property, and Mr. Strohl said this was one of many that he has seen around town. Strohl said he had mentioned this concern recently at a council meeting. Strohl also mentioned that drainage ditch next to the railroad between Grove and Burrows Avenue is extremely high and full of mosquitoes. Mr. Strohl also mentioned a couple of additional concerns that he had around town.

Mel Workman also updated the council on the downtown building restoration project. PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

CIVICPLUS INVOICES

City Clerk Evans asked the Council to consider paying the two invoices for CivicPlus for the coming year. Evans explained that when they attend the IML Conference, they will be able to research additional companies that do the same thing. After little discussion, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to pay the invoice in the amount of $1,406.48. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the CivicPlus invoice in the amount of $3,800.75. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motin carried. 5-0.

TIF APPLICATION FOR WORKMAN REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, LLC

Mel Workman informed the council that he is requesting $639,883 to assist in roof replacement, tuckpointing exterior, and window replacement. Workman said that the $639,883 is part of the $2,365,883 that will be put into the building. Commissioner Schabbing said that she was thinking about granting him $500,000 over a few years so that it doesn’t deplete the TIF account. Commissioner Edwards said that he was considering $400,000 and Commissioner Letizia said he was comfortable between $400,000 to $500,000 either way. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to grant Workman Real Estate Holdings $400,000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

LAUREN’S PAWS N CLAWS TIF APPLICATION

City Clerk Evans said that Lauren Massengill, owner of Lauren’s Paws n Claws has applied for a $12,000 grant to replace the roof and siding on the building on north Rt. #45. The total project is $16,000 which she will be putting in $4,000. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to grant Lauren’s Paws n Claws $12,000 from the TIF account. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

RESOLUTION #05-07-2024 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 Williams made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Nays none. Motin carried. 5-0.

812 GROVE AVENUE LIEN REMOVAL

City Clerk Evans told the council that she has received another request from Dusty Hay regarding the removal of liens at 812 Grove Avenue. Evans said that court papers have been filed to have the property abandoned, which means if no one files papers stating that it is not abandoned, the city can request a deed to the property. If that deed is granted, the city will have ownership and can sell the property. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to not remove the liens at this time. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motin carried. 5-0.

PURCHASE OF PAYMENT DROP BOX

City Clerk Evans requested that this be tabled to see if the repair to the old box works.

TRICK OR TREAT

The Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of having Trick or Treat on a weeknight. After discussion, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to set Trick or Treat from 6-8 p.m. on October 31st. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, Wiliams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motin carried 5-0.

FINANCE, COMMISSIONER SCHABBING

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.

ORDINANCE #1090-07-2024 An Ordinance Setting Forth a Budget of Estimated Receipts and Disbursements and Making Appropriations for City Purposes of the City of Neoga, Cumberland County, Illinois, for the Fiscal Year 2025 Commencing on May 1, 2024, and Ending on April 30, 2025

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

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

RESOLUTION 06-07-2024 A Resolution Supporting and Committing Funds for Rebuild Downtown & Main Streets (RDMS) Grant

Commissioner Letizia made a motion to approve the resolution for committing funds for the Rebuild Downtown & Main Streets (RDMS) Grant. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioners Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

RESOLUTION #07-07-2024 A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Proposal for Service for Wastewater Treatment Plant Project (Overflow Clarifier Forcemain Bypass)

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

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

MOWING DITCHES

Superintendent Durbin asked the Council what they wanted him to do about mowing ditches this year. Durbin said he could contact David Myers to do it again this year, purchase a sickle bar, or rent a tractor. It was recommended to get a quote for a new sickle bar 6’ long, and bring it back to the council.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams told the board that Mr. Strohl took him around town and pointed out problem areas that could be a liability to the city. Williams said the public works department has filled holes left by the fiber company, fixed the sidewalk by the War Room, purchased new safety equipment for the bucket truck, and more.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:19. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Minutes-July-8.-2024a.pdf