East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met Jan. 27.

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 Schabbing, Building

Inspector Jeff Morrison, Engineer Lee Beckman, Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers, Bill Niblett with Wellspring Solar, Rob Welt with AGE Electric Supply, Mel Workman, and Tim McConnell.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular and executive session minutes from January 13, 2025, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Commissioner Edwards abstained. Motion carried. 4-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

MUNICIPAL ELECTRICAL SUPPLY CONTRACT

Rob Wielt with Affordable Gas Electric, presented to the council an updated quote for the city’s government electrical rates. Wielt explained that the current contract with AEP Energy will expire in April 2025, so the new quotes were from Constellation, Direct Energy, and Homefield Energy. The quotes were as follows:

Constellation: .08311 (12 mo.), .08529 (18 mo.), .08541 (24 mos.), and .08736 (36 mos.) 

Direct Energy: .08224 (12 mos.) .08366 (18 mos.), .08370 (24 mos.), and .08638 (36 mos.) 

Homefield: .08719 (12 mos.), .08982 (18 mos.), .08820 (24 mos.), and .09140 (36 mos.)

Wielt said that Ameren is currently charging .095 per kWh and is expected to have another increase June 1st. Wielt recommended that the city go with Direct Energy. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to sign a contract with Direct Energy for a 24-month period at the .08370 rate. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

BINGO SPONSORSHIP FOR AMERICAN LEGION

City Clerk Evans explained that the Neoga American Legion will be holding two (2) BINGO nights and are requesting sponsorships. Commissioner Williams made a motion to donate $100 to the American Legion for the first BINGO night. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

FIRST NEIGHBOR BANK SOLAR VARIANCE

Bill Niblett with Wellspring Solar discussed with the council the need to have both the roof and ground mount solar panels to do the requested project. Commissioner Edwards said that he is not in favor of having ground solar panels inside corporate limits; however, he would not have an issue with the roof mount as per the variance request. Commissioner Letizia said that he doesn’t have an issue with either roof or ground mount. Commissioner Schabbing and Williams both agreed with Commissioner Edwards that they were not in favor of the ground solar panels. Edwards asked if Niblett could redesign the roof mount to make the project work without the ground solar. Niblett said that he will go back and review the drawings again.

ORDINANCE #1103-01-2025 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Neoga, Illinois (Alcoholic Beverages)

Commissioner Williams said that he spoke with Lewis Ryder, who owns the property behind the proposed bowling alley. Williams said that he didn’t vote for this ordinance before because he wanted to check with Mr. Ryder to make sure they are in favor of the bowling alley selling alcohol. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the ordinance as presented. Commissioner Schabbing seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

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 $172,905.44. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, Williams, 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:

• SWTP – No updates.

• CDAP – The project was awarded to Kieffer Bros Construction and should be starting in the next few weeks.

• ITEP – has been completed except for seeding which will not be done until spring.

• RFL – no updates.

• Lead Service Line Inventory grant – will be holding a construction meeting soon. This project will require one of the city employees onsite when the work is being done.

• Rebuild Il/RISE Grant – this great will not be awarded for another two (2) months.

ITEP SIDEWALK GRANT PAY REQUEST #7

Commissioner Letizia made a motion to pay the request in the amount of $172,905.44. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

BID FOR ZERO TURN MOWERS

City Administrator Evans informed the Council that the Neoga Park District is taking sealed bids on two (2) of their zero turn mowers. Evans said that she would like to place a bid on the mowers for the public works department. Commissioner Letizia made a motion to allow Evans to place a sealed bid between $1,500 and $5,000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

INVOICE #30974 FOR WATERMAIN IMPROVEMENTS

After reviewing the invoice, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to pay the invoice in the amount of $868.75. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

PURCHASE OF PICKUP

City Administrator Evans informed the Council that T & S Auto has a 2005 Ford F250 for sale that the public works employees believe would make a great replacement truck for the one lost in the fire. Commissioner Letizia made a motion to purchase the truck in the amount of $10,900. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 5-0.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

Commissioner Edwards asked Evans if the city held back any funds for the ITEP Sidewalk grant project until it was completed and approved. Evans said there are still funds and work that needs to be completed before the project is done.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams expressed major concerns regarding the railroad crossing at 7th and Burrows Avenue. Williams said that if the tracks are not repaired, someone will have major damage to their vehicle or be injured. Williams said that he has driven to other communities that have the same railroad company running through it, and none of their crossings are as bad. Commissioner Williams asked for the company name and any contact information for them as well.

Commissioner Letizia mentioned that he received a request from the Neoga Pickle Ball players regarding waiving the insurance requirements for playing in the Neoga Community Center. It was the consensus of the Council that we do not waive the requirements at this time.

Commissioner Letizia left at 7:53 pm.

Commissioner Edwards asked if any of the employees in the public works department have their CDL license. Evans said no but Superintendent Durbin said he would be taking it in February.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Minutes-January-27-2025.pdf