East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met May 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, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Building Inspector Jeff Morrison, Engineer Lee Beckman, Tom Strohl, Amanda Wines, Kelly Lockhart, Kasey Wickiser, and Mel Workman.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular and executive session minutes from May 12, 2025, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Kasey Wickiser, owner of Hula Ice, told the council that she is still waiting for her solicitors’ permit to open Hula Ice. Wickiser explained that she received a quote in the amount of $3,235 to move the electrical pole to a different location due to the city requesting her move from the Chestnut parking lot. Wickiser said it took her two (2) weeks to get the quote from Ameren, and it may take her two (2) to four (4) weeks to move the pole. Commissioner Williams said since the new businesses are opening downtown, the parking lot will be very busy, and there is a concern for children’s safety. But since the city is requesting she move her trailer to a different location, the city should pay the cost to move it. The council discussed options for relocating her business, but Ms. Wickiser wasn’t fond of the places that were suggested. After a lengthy discussion, businessman Workman offered her a parking spot in his bowling alley parking lot for the remainer of the year or until she can figure out a new location.

Tom Strohl informed the council that he met with Superintendent Durbin, a Milano & Grunloh Engineer, and the sidewalk contractor about boring Shaffer Avenue. Strohl said that the current plans to replace the waterline on that street require part of it be bored under two (2) large trees. Strohl asked if they could bore in front of his garage in the event he needs access to the garage for his mowing company. The City Administrator / Clerk asked Engineer Beckman approximately how much it would cost to bore the entire block. Beckman said he would have to get back to her with that cost.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

PURCHASE OF STALKER RADAR

Police Chief Schabbing gave the council a cost estimate of $1640 to purchase a new hand-held radar that would be cordless with a longer radar range. Schabbing said the price is on the state purchase program, and it would be paid for with the DUI funds. Schabbing said the radar has the ability to print a speed study too. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the purchase of the Stalker hand held radar in the amount of $1,640. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

ORDINANCE #1111-05-2025 An Ordinance Authorizing a Variance in Accordance with Appendix B of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Neoga, in

the County of Cumberland, and State of Illinois.

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

ORDINANCE #1112-05-2025 An Ordinance Authorizing First Amendment to Contract for Private Development Pursuant to the City of Neoga, Illinois, Redevelopment Plan for Tax Increment Area (Lauren Massengill)

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

ORDINANCE #1113-05-2025 An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of an Easement for Utility Purposes (Faith Southern Baptist Mission – 770 Grove Avenue)

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

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Coles County Regional Planning representative Kelly Lockhart gave a proposal to the council for an updated Comprehensive Plan. Lockhart explained that a comprehensive plan guides future growth and development of a city or county. The plan will outline long-term goals and objectives for a community including land use, transportation, housing, and public services. Lockhart also explained that a grant application may ask if the applicant has a comprehensive plan. If a community applies for a grant, there is usually a question about this, and it will add points for the community. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Letizia said that he would like to think about the plan first due to the cost proposed and the length of time it will take to complete the plan. It was the consensus of the council to table it until the next meeting.

HULA ICE

This was discussed during Public Comments, and the location was agreed upon with a private party for this year.

FINANCE, COMMISSIONER SCHABBING

MONTHLY BILLS

After reviewing the bill list, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to pay the monthly bills as presented in the amount of $266,138.49. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

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 – The City needs to draw down the remaining funds by July.

• CDAP – Construction begins April 28th, and they are making great progress.

• ITEP – Grass seeding and mulch will begin when the ground is dry.

• RFL – No change in the past month.

• Lead Service Line Inventory grant – This project is completed.

• Rebuild Il/RISE Grant – No change in the past month.

• Community Facilities Grant – The city needs to write a letter committing the funds for any excess expenses if granted.

INVOICE #31411 FOR WATERMAIN IMPROVEMENTS

After reviewing the invoice, Commissioner Letizia made a motion approving the invoice in the amount of $1,317.50 for the watermain improvements on the East side of Rt. #45. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing, Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

INVOICE #31525 FROM MILANO & GRUNLOH

After reviewing the invoice, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to approve the invoice in the amount of $1,320 for various projects. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams, Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PAY REQUEST #1 FOR WATERMAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

After reviewing the invoice, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to approve the pay request in the amount of $103,001.78 for the watermain improvement project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams, Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PURCHASE OF A VAC TRAILER

Superintendent Durbin told the council that Coe Equipment has a used 2020 Vac Trailer for sale and will be here Tuesday, June 3rd at 8 am to have the employees look at it. Durbin asked the council members to come look at it as well.

BORING ON SHAFFER AVENUE

This was discussed in the public comments and was tabled until the next meeting.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

No report was given.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams told the council that he took some pictures & videos on 6th Street and Walnut Avenue during a private event at the bowling alley. Williams said the vehicles parking on 6th Street limited his vision when trying to cross 6th Street. Williams recommended an ordinance making 6th Street a no parking zone from Chestnut to Walnut Avenue, with the exception of two parking spots on the north side between Chestnut and the alley for the residents in the apartments. City Administrator / Clerk Evans said she would talk with Attorney Willenborg to have the ordinance updated.

OTHER REPORTS

Police Chief Schabbing told the council that the old squad car has had all the equipment removed and he is researching the best option to sell the car. Schabbing also said that all the officers are current on state required training as of last Friday.

EXECTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Letizia made a motion to move into executive session for Personnel Section 2 (c)(1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance at 8:40 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was reconvened at 9:19 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Letizia. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Those present for roll call were Commissioners Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Letizia made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Schabbing and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Minutes-May-27-2025.pdf