East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met July 28.

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, City Treasurer Diana Foor, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, Toledo Democrat Editor Billie Chambers, Tom Strohl, Joanna Kingery, Patricia Ehrhart, and Gary Hatten.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular session minutes from July 14, 2025, Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Joanna Kingery asked the council if they would repair the pothole located by the mail boxes on Shaffer Avenue.

Tom Strohl thanked the council for having the property at 812 Grove Avenue mowed. Mr. Strohl proceeded to mention numerous concerns; 6th & Park Avenue the wood railing by the new sidewalk should be on both sides; 7th & Grove sidewalk where the waterline was installed is uneven and a trip hazard; the low shoulder area on 6th Street and Wilson Avenue needs additional rock on the shoulder; property located at 6th Street and Shaffer Avenue has bad drainage issues. He would still like to know the total cost for boring under the two ash trees on Shaffer Avenue and the cost of sending two city employees to the IML Conference in Chicago. He also has concerns about not being notified when the city had an arborist look at the ash trees on Shaffer Avenue, and a city employee is parking in a handicap space with a personal vehicle.

Patricia Ehrhart told the council that if they made exceptions by boring utilities for one resident, then they would have to do it for any resident who requested it. Ehrhart also expressed how important it is to attend the IML Conference in Chicago. Ehrhart said that it was very important that the City Clerk and Treasurer attend, but she encouraged the mayor and council members to attend as well.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

CLOSING OF LOCUST AVENUE FOR CHURCH PICNIC ACTIVITIES

Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to close part of Locust Avenue from 6th to 7th Street for the church picnic on September 7. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

TRICK OR TREAT

Commissioner Williams made a motion to set trick or treat for Friday, October 31st from 6-8 motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

BID OPENING FOR 812 GROVE AVENUE

Mayor Helm opened the only sealed bid for 812 Grove Avenue. After reading the bid, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to award the bid to Workman Real Estate Holdings, LLC for $1,000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

NPP SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE

City Administrator Evans told the council that NPP has requested a special event liquor license for the Sooeyfest, to be held on September 27th. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the license. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, and Edwards. Nays, Mayor Helm. Motion carried. 3-1.

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 $317,180.03. 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

UPDATES FROM MILANO & GRUNLOH

Engineer Lee Beckman submitted a monthly report as follows:

• Sewer plant - all remaining funds need to be drawn by July 31, 2025

• CDAP Water Grant - meter installation between Oak and Grove is complete and the contractor will be starting the east side of Burrows next week.

• ITEP - the project is complete except for a couple of repairs outside of the project, grass seeding, and final inspection.

• RLF & State Grant - completed but still in litigation.

• Lead Service Line Inventory - completed

• Rebuild IL/RISE Grant - the city was not awarded the grant

• Community Facilities Grant - the grant was applied for, but was not awarded to the city

• IDOT - has $400,000,000 for qualifying projects and Beckman will research to see if the city is eligible.

INVOICE #31766 FROM M & G

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to pay Invoice #31766 in the amount of $297.50 for miscellaneous service. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

INVOICE #31698 FROM M & G

After reviewing the invoice, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to pay the invoice in the amount of $12,465. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PAYMENT #3 FROM KIEFFER BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION

After reviewing the invoice for the waterline improvements, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to pay the invoice in the amount of $122,226.71. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT BLOWERS

The Council discussed the blowers at the wastewater treatment plant. Engineer Beckman explained the blower that has a bearing out will cost over $9,000 to repair. Beckman recommended purchasing a new blower to replace it. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Edward made a motion to purchase three (3) new blowers to replace the current blowers that have had issues for the past 4 years. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

PURCHASE OF HANDRAILS FOR IDOT SIDEWALK PROJECT

Commissioner Williams made a motion to purchase three (3) black powder coated handrails to be installed at 6th Street & Park Avenue (both sides of the sidewalk) and 7th Street between 718 and 772 E. 6th Street between the sidewalk and the street. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4- 0.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS

RESOLUTION 04-07-2025 2025 MFT

The council reviewed the 2025 MFT estimated cost from IDOT. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve Resolution #04-07-2025 with the understanding that the maximum amount to spend is $155,000. Commissioner Schabbing seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

ASH TREES ON SHAFFER AVENUE

The Council reviewed a report from arborist Ian Pendergast-White regarding the health of the two (2) ash trees on Shaffer Avenue. After a discussion on the liability of not taking the trees down, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to remove the trees as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schabbing. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

Commissioner Edwards also mentioned a tree that needs to be removed at Jennings Park due to it being dead. Evans stated that the park is aware of the tree and is going to take care of it.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams discussed a concern regarding the sidewalk area on Grove Avenue and 7th Street. Williams said that the waterline installation required the sidewalk section to be removed, but the rock backfill has settled leaving a small trip hazard. Evans said that the public works employees would work on that immediately.

Commissioner Williams informed the council that the 7th Street crossing construction will begin next week to have the approach and rail work done. 7th Street from Grove to Burrows will be closed until next Friday, August 8th. Williams also explained that the signals will not be installed until later.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to move into Litigation at 8:06 p.m. for - Section 2 (c)(11- Pending, probable or imminent litigation. Probable or imminent litigation requires specific findings to that effect be recorded in closed session minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was reconvened at 8:21 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Williams. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Those present for roll call were Commissioners Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Williams, Schabbing and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Minutes-July-28-2025.pdf