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East Central Reporter

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

City of Neoga City Council met Sept. 22

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Welcome to Neoga sign | City of Neoga / Facebook

Welcome to Neoga sign | City of Neoga / Facebook

City of Neoga City Council met Sept. 22.

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, Billie Chambers, Kevin Haarman, Brian Morris, Bob Thomas, Kirby Davis and Pam Storm.

MINUTES

After reviewing the regular and executive session minutes from September 8, 2025, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Superintendent of the Neoga Community Unit #3 School District Kevin Haarman informed the Council that the school board approved and signed the lease agreement to rent the Neoga Community Center for the next school year. Haarman wanted to thank the city for its immediate offer to use the building after the tornado on March 17, 2025. Because of the Community Center, the students were able to finish the school year and begin this year all in Neoga. If not for the Community Center, they would have had to bus the students to other school districts, Lake Land College, or area churches, which would have been an additional expense and hardship on the students. Haarman said that he would love to give the council an update on the status of the high school, but the rebuilding of the school has to be updated to the new 2025 code. Many items have to be updated, including ADA, insulation, and the sprinkler systems. The school is moving forward, and he hopes to return to a meeting in a couple of months with more information. Commissioner Williams gave kudos to Mr. Haarman, staff, and students for adopting so well.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR HELM

ORDINANCE #1123-09-2025 An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of Lease Agreement (Board of Education of Neoga Community Unit School District No. 3, of Coles, Cumberland and Shelby Counties, Illinois)

After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Letizia made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Letizia, Williams, Edwards, Schabbing, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

FENCE AT NEOGA COMMUNITY CENTER

Brian Morris, spokesperson for the Strong Beginnings Early Learning Center, informed the council that the daycare would like to have a fence extended from the existing fence to the building on the north and south sides of the building. Morris explained that with the extra traffic in the area, they are willing to install the fence with a gate. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Schabbing made a motion to allow Strong Beginnings to have a fence installed with two (2) gates large enough for mowers to access the area. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Ayes, Commissioner Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, Williams, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. motion carried. 5-0.

REPLACING FIRE HYDRANTS

Neoga Fire Board member Bob Thomas asked the Council to replace three (3) fire/water hydrants in Neoga. One is located at the alley by W. 8th Street and Walnut Avenue, 9th and Walnut Avenue, and 10th and Cedar Avenue. Thomas also mentioned that nine (9) hydrants are turned the wrong way for firefighters to access. It was the consensus of the council to discuss the replacement or repair of the mentioned hydrants with Superintendent Durbin.

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 $481,421.02. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Williams, Schabbing, Edwards, Letizia, and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER LETIZIA

UPDATES FROM MILANO & GRUNLOH

The council reviewed the handout from Lee Beckman, who was unable to attend. After reviewing the handout no questions were asked.

SELLING DIRT BY I-57

City Clerk Evans asked the Council if they would be interested in selling dirt out by the I-57 exchange to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Evans said the IDOT project to raise two (2) bridges requires enough dirt to raise the bridges four (4) feet, which would be approximately eight (8) to ten (10) acres of dirt and about twelve (12) to fifteen (15) feet deep. It would give the city a nice interstate pond, but would take a large portion of the ground for future development. After a very brief discussion, Mayor Helm asked for a motion. None heard.

STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS 2025 MFT BID AWARDING

After reviewing the one bid for the 2025 MFT project, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to award the bid to Larry Haarman Trucking in the amount of $140,161. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Williams. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS

Commissioner Williams told the council that handrails were installed at Jennings Park and on 6th Street along the new sidewalk. Williams said this has eliminated any potential risk of someone getting hurt, and they look great.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Letizia. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Letizia, Williams, Schabbing and Mayor Helm. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.

https://neoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Minutes-September-22-2025.pdf

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