East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met Sept. 9.

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,

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular session minutes from August 26, 2024, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments were heard.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

EXTENSION FOR PROPERTY ON JENNINGS AVENUE

City Clerk Evans told the council that the contract with Eric Fritts, who purchased four (4) lots on Jennings Avenue, is due this month and has requested additional time to complete the project. Mayor Helm said that Fritts has not completed one home at this time, and he doesn’t know if extending his contract will benefit anyone. Commissioner Williams said that he would be interested in having the three vacant lots revert to the city, but he feels that Fritts has invested money in the house on Lot 1, and he should be able to finish the house and sell it. City Clerk Evans said she would recommend the same with Lot 1 due to any liability if the city sold the house. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Williams made a motion to revert Lots 2, 3, & 4 of Walk Subdivision back to the city. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 3-0.

EXTENSION FOR PROPERTY AT 498 WALNUT AVENUE

City Clerk Evans informed the council that the contract with Mike Drennan, who purchased 498 Walnut Avenue, and has a contract with the city, is requesting a two (2) year extension to have a house built on that property. According to Evans, Drennan is finishing a house on Locust Avenue. He should be able to start next spring and might have it completed within one (1) year, but in the event it isn’t he didn’t want to come back to ask for another extension. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to extend the contract for two (2) more years. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

MODERN FAMILY DINNER CONTRACT

Commissioner Schabbing told the council that she is still concerned about the expenses that the city is incurring at the Neoga Community Center. Schabbing said that she reviewed the contract with Modern Family Dinner and needed clarification on a few items. After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the council to get a quote for the grease pit and the electricity.

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.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

NEOGA MEMORIAL CEMETERY REPAIRS AND SIGN

City Clerk Evans informed the council that at the last meeting she told them that the repairs to the pillars at the main entrance of the cemetery were $5,800 for one company and the other estimate came in at $2,357.92. Evans apologized and said that the correct estimate was $2,357.92 for one contractor and the other contractor was $840.00. Evans explained that the $5,800 was for the contractor to construct a new sign in conjunction with the school. Evans told the Council that she noticed the error the day after the previous meeting, and did not contact the higher company. After a brief discussion about the cost savings, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to award the repairs to Illini Restoration Inc., in the amount of $840. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

Evans also explained that the new sign is being drawn by the high school, and the council should have drawings soon. After discussing the construction of the new sign, Commissioner Williams made a motion to have Illini Restoration build the brick sign for $5,800. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

TREE REMOVAL AT NEOGA MEMORIAL CEMETERY

The council opened bids for removal of a large catalpa tree. The bids came in at:

John Thomas $2,675

Shade Shifters $2,375

Ordner’s Tree $2,400

Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to award the bid to Shade Shifters for $2,375. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 3-0.

SHARED PATH INVOICE

The council reviewed the Shared Path invoice. Commissioner Williams made a motion to pay the invoice in the amount of $133,142.10. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

SHARED PATH ADDITIONAL CONCRETE

City Clerk Evans said the sidewalk was poured in the driveway of the Neoga Package Liquor store, but the concrete had additional calcium so it would dry faster. The extra cost is $1,010.60. It was the consensus of the council to table this until other council members were in attendance.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

PURCHASE OF NO SEMI SIGNS

City Clerk Evans said that the cost to purchase fifteen (15) no semi-truck signs would be $749.40. Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to purchase fifteen (15) no semi-truck signs in the amount of $749.40. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 3-0.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams didn’t have anything else to report currently.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Minutes-September-9-2024.pdf