East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met Dec. 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, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Commissioner Letizia was absent. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, Police Chief Andy Schabbing, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Scott Shumard, and News Editor Billie Chambers.

MINUTES

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments were heard.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

ORDINANCE #1100-12-2024 An Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of a Lease Agreement (Toters, Inc.)

After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

FINANCE, COMMISSIONER SCHABBING

TREASURERS REPORT

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

Ordinance #1101-12-2024 An Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Corporate Purposes of the City of Neoga, Cumberland County, Illinois, for the Fiscal Year Commencing May 1, 2024, and Ending April 30, 2025

After a brief discussion regarding the allotted tax rate under PTEL, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4- 0.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

ITEP PAY ESTIMATE #6

After reviewing the pay estimate, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to pay the estimate in the amount of $177,025.50. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 4-0.

ITEP SIDEWALK EXTENSION AT 6TH & WILSON

City Clerk Evans presented a cost estimate for extending the ITEP sidewalk at the corner of East 6th & Wilson Avenue. Evans said that this was discussed at the last meeting, but they didn’t have an estimate. Evans presented an estimate for $4,000 from M & G Engineering. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to table this matter till March of 2025.

ITEP SIDEWALK ON EAST 9TH STREET

The Council discussed the sidewalk being so close to the street and asked the public works Superintendent Durbin to paint a white line on the south side of the street to let drivers know where the edge of the street was.

EAST 6TH STREET SIDEWALK

The Council also discussed the sidewalk along 6th Street, which is near the street. Mayor Helm mentioned that he would like to install a guard rail to protect those walking in case a vehicle left the roadway. Some other ideas would be a sign with reflectors or pedestrians’ signs with an arrow towards the sidewalk. After a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the council to discuss it at the next meeting.

PURCHASE OF PONTOON BOAT

Superintendent Durbin asked the council to revisit the purchase of a pontoon boat. Durbin explained the process when the company came to clean the air pods at the wastewater treatment plant. The company required two city employees to assist with lifting the pods out of the water. Durbin said that this was very difficult due to the weight of the pods, which put a strain on the employees’ backs and arms. Durbin said if they purchased a small pontoon boat they could adapt an easier system, which would be less strain on their bodies. After discussing the idea, it was the consensus of the council to contact local marinas for pontoon boats.

LEAD SERVICE LINE BIDS

City Clerk Evans informed the council that the city received three bids for the lead service line grant. They were as follows:

Wiggs Excavating Inc. $29,500

NWN Cable Construction $35,000

B & T Drainage $40,000

Evans recommended they award the bid to the lowest bidder. Commissioner Williams made a motion to award the bid to Wiggs Excavating for $29,500. Commissioner Schabbing seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 4- 0.

PURCHASE OF WATER METER SYSTEM

Evans informed the Council that we are still waiting for the quote from the company, so this was tabled.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS No report was given.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS Commissioner Williams said that the tree service was taking the dead tree down on 5th Street, and when you look at the inside of the tree it was hollow.

OTHER COMMENTS

Chief Schabbing told the council that he had moved the old squad car to the fenced area at the shop so that it was secured until after the holidays.

Superintendent Durbin informed the council that the old public works truck was at the T & S Auto having a new fuel pump installed when the business caught fire. The truck was a total loss.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Williams made a motion to move into executive session for Personnel Section 2 (c)(1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was reconvened at 9:44 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Williams. Commissioner Schabbing seconded the motion. Those present for roll call were Commissioners Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Commissioner Edwards left at 9:04 p.m.

CHRISTMAS BONUS

Commissioner Williams made a motion to give all employees Community Bucks as a Christmas bonus in the amount of $100 for full time employees, and part time employees, including Zoning Board members, $50. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3-0.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 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/2024/12/Minutes-December-9-2024.pdf