East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met Nov. 25.

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, Letizia, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Others present were City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Engineer Lee Beckman, Billie Chambers, Rick Luckey, and Brandi McCoy.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular session minutes from November 12, 2024, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Commissioner Letizia abstained. Motion carried. 4-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

SQUAD CAR

Chief Schabbing informed the council that he checked on the city’s liability to have the 2008 Dodge Charger decommissioned by students at the high school. The city’s insurance is okay with it as long as the students are using safety equipment and are working under the guidance of school personnel. Since the car was purchased with a grant, Schabbing also contacted the grant administrators. They will send the city a letter confirming that the car can be taken out of service. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to decommission the car as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Letizia, Edwards and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 5-0.

PURCHASE OF MINI PONTOON BOAT

Superintendent Durbin explained that they have used a john boat to clean the pods at the sewer plant in the past, but the boat is not steady and poses a safety risk for the employees. Durbin would like to purchase a pontoon boat for $1,599 to replace the john boat. The pontoon boat would be much more stable. Durbin would install a board on the end of the boat to hold the pods as they are being cleaned. Commissioner Edwards informed the council that there is already a company that has been hired to clean the pods in the next few days. Durbin said that if he had the pontoon boat the employees could do the cleaning themselves, and it would not have to be outsourced. Edwards stated that City Clerk Evans is working on a contract with the company, and he wanted to see that estimate before making any decisions.

FINANCE, COMMISSIONER SCHABBING

MONTHLY BILLS

After reviewing the bill list, Commissioner Williams made a motion to pay the monthly bills as presented in the amount of $759,013.27. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

UPDATES FROM MILANO & GRUNLOH

Engineer Lee Beckman handed out the project update sheet to the Council and explained the following:

• Nothing new to report on the sewer plant or the CDAP Water Grant.

• ITEP sidewalk project should be completed in 2 weeks, depending on the weather.

• Lead Service Line Inventory – The bids will be awarded at the next meeting.

• Rebuild Il/RISE Grant – Nothing new to report

AWARDING OF ADMINISTRATION FOR THE CDBG INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT

Milano & Grunloh was the only applicant. With no further discussion, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to award the administration of the CDBG infrastructure grant to Milano & Grunloh, Engineers, LLC. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

RESOLUTION #09-11-24 A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR CDBG GRANT

With no discussion being heard, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve Resolution #09-11-24. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Letizia, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

ITEP SIDEWALK AT 6TH & WILSON AVENUE

Rick Luckey addressed the council about the sidewalk on East 6th & Wilson Ave. He feels that the sidewalk should extend across the ditch on this corner so pedestrians on the other side of the street can get to the sidewalk without having to walk through a ditch or walk down the road to a driveway to access the sidewalk. Lee from Milano & Grunloh responded that the path of the sidewalk was somewhat regulated by the grant. He suggested that the city could apply for phase 2 of the grant in 2026.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT BLOWERS

Superintendent Durbin said that the fans on both of the blowers at the wastewater treatment plant are not working. Lee from Milano & Grunloh Engineers is checking if the blowers are under warranty since they were replaced last May. He will report back when he has an answer.

WASTEWATER LAGOON CONTRACT

Commissioner Letizia made a motion to accept the estimate from Air Diffuser Systems to clean the pods at the wastewater treatment plant for a cost of $3,250.00. After reviewing the contract, The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

Commissioner Edwards commented that the sidewalk project is coming along good. Mayor Helm voiced concerns about East 6th Street where the sidewalk has about a 10-yard section that is very close to the street. There is also a 2-block section of sidewalk on East 9th Street that is also very close to the street. He feels that it is a safety hazard, and he would like the council members to look at both of these areas. Delbert suggested putting up a cable guardrail. Helm asked that it be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS TREE REMOVAL BIDS

The city received four (4) bids to remove a very large oak tree on West 5th:

• Jordan Rentfrow & Jonathan Lawyer (Dead End Tree Service) $4,000.00

• Shade Shifters $3,950.00

• JT’s Tree and Crane Service $3,000.00

• Ordner’s Tree Service $3,600.00

After reviewing the bids, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to accept the estimate from JT’s Tree and Crane Service in the amount of $3,000.00. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Letizia, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

The city received three (3) bids to remove a large elm tree at 691 E. 7th Street.

• Jordan Rentfrow & Jonathan Lawyer (Dead End Tree Service) $3,300.00

• JT’s Tree and Crane Service $3,000.00

• Ordner’s Tree Service $2,450.00

After reviewing the bids, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to accept the estimate from Ordner’s Tree Service in the amount of $2,450.00. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Letizia, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Letizia made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Letizia, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Minutes-November-25-2024.pdf