City Council Wades Through Funding Requests

The Effingham City Council waded through an armload of requests for funding Tuesday night, including from the Effingham Park Board and from the Helen Matthes Library Board.

The Park Board is seeking City dollars to cover part of the cost of the Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Center, after bids came in well over the architect's estimate.

The estimated cost was $12.5 million, but the low bid is $16.3 million. Park Board President Dave McDevitt said research has already reduced the cost by $1.5 million. McDevitt said the Park Board has enough bonding authority to borrow another $500,000, and Dr. Richard Workman, who has already pledged $5 million toward the project, has agreed to match up to another $1 million in contributions. Other donations total $2.8 million, leaving the Park Board $2.4 million short.

McDevitt said, "The City has helped with (past) architect's fees and the land (donated by the City to the Park District that is to serve as the site for the Center). I didn't want to ask (for additional funds), but you see where we are."

Mayor Merv Gillenwater, who opposed the project as a City Commissioner and in his campaign for mayor in 2011, said he has reviewed the Park District's proposal and said, "They've convinced me they (the Park District) can operate it, but I can't support tax dollars (going for the project)." The mayor did say he would support allocating tourism dollars for the project.

Commissioner Alan Harris said he likes the project, but remembers that it was indicated to him by his constituents when the City considered the project that they opposed the project, so voted against the City's attempt. Commissioner Don Althoff said he was concerned about the architect's fees involved in the project, in that this was not the first time Holabird and Root has designed the project and the bids came in well over the estimated cost. Althoff said he'd like to see the firm "kick in" on the project. Commissioner Matt Hirtzel said he's always supported the project and is still in favor and notes there is support in the community judging by the private contributions already seen. Commissioner Brian Milleville indicated opposition to another contribution, saying, "It's deja vu", telling McDevitt "when we gave you the land, we washed our hands of it."

Park District Director Jeff Althoff reminded Council members that they are seeking tourism dollars, not property tax dollars, and said the project will generate tourism dollars. McDevitt said, "We think it will attract people from all over the state and all over the nation for 30 to 40 years."

The discussion led to comments from David Draves of Draves Trim, Tone and Tan who said of the Park District's decision to buy Get Fit Family Fitness and locate the business in the Workman Center, "At this time I'd like to announce that we are for sale, too." McDevitt asked for Draves to contact him and they'd talk.

Council members decided to further consider the request, with City Administrator Jim Arndt agreeing to review available funds to see how much the City could contribute to the project.

The Council was also approached by Helen Matthes Library Director Amanda McKay, who asked for City funds for the planned conversion of the former Fifth/Third Bank into a new library home. McKay asked for $500,000 in TIF dollars, and up to another $500,000 in matching funds against any contributions received through the end of 2014. McKay said potential donors are wondering about additional City contributions beyond buying the building for the library, saying, "Why hasn't the City done more?"

Gillenwater said, "We should show some support, or else others might wonder why they should support it?"

The matter is to be revisited at the next Council meeting.

The most acrimonious moment of a rancorous meeting came when The Alliance asked for a $25,000 annual membership contribution from the City. Gillenwater, who had opposed a contribution to the group last year, said he hadn't seen much in the way of results from the group and told The Alliance's director Dan Woods, "Economic development means action; we shouldn't have to give you funds; I'm offended that we have to give money to show our commitment to economic development." The mayor also accused Woods of "talking down to (the Council)". 

Milleville also voiced disappointment in the results of the organization, saying, "You have no Facebook page, no Twitter account, no website; I have egg on my face because I encouraged people (last year) to support you."

Woods responded that the efforts of The Alliance are to build a warchest of funds, "so we are prepared when the need arises". Hirtzel said he could see The Alliance buying a site and putting up a building and then landing someone to locate their business or industry there.  

The Council also heard a request from the Effingham Performance Center for $55,000 for a sound system upgrade and added marketing, and a request from Mid America Motorworks for funding for a security fence, with the City ready to consider a contribution of $25,000.

None of those requests were up for a vote last night; the only request for funding acted upon was first made at the previous Council meeting. The Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association received $25,000 to help with renovation work on the restrooms on the second floor of the Courthouse Museum to help ready that floor to be open to the public.

There was more rancor last night when the topic turned to protocol for public participation at City Council meetings and the issue of needing to obtain a speaker's card before someone can address the Council. Several commissioners have expressed a desire for changes in the policy, but things got hot between Gillenwater and Hirtzel over the issue when the Mayor asked whether Hirtzel or any commissioner had been contacted by people against a recent appointment to a City position. Althoff said he'd been contacted about having a meeting over the appointment, but not advised by anyone. Hirtzel said he had heard about a desire to hold a meeting, but never met with anyone. Hirtzel said, "No one controls me."

Also Tuesday, the Council added a Class R liquor license for Formaggio's Pizza, which is relocating from South Banker to the former home of Bangkok Thai Restaurant on Keller Drive; approved a resolution approving and adopting job descriptions for City workers; rejected a bid received on the City pavement marking program and rejected a bid for exterior painting at City Hall; awarded a bid from Freedom Billing Services to handle water and sewer utility billing at a price less than what the City pays to do the work in-house; and agreed to move ahead with demolishing structures at 201 West Wernsing Avenue and 906 Cherry Street after they were declared unsafe; agreed to take bids on a strip of land on the corner of Old Maple Street and Grove Avenue; chose a health benefits program for City employees; and approved a three-year contract with the Illinois FOP Labor Council Telecommunicators with a 2.5% retroactive pay hike for the past year and 2% pay hikes in each of the next two years, as well as a 20% employee contribution for health insurance premiums and their participation in the Joint Labor/Management Insurance Committee.

The Council approved a new agreement to sell potable water to Lake Sara Water Cooperative; approved a replat of two lots into one on Maple Street; and discussed an ordinance establishing standards for the construction of cable TV on City right-of-way, a Social Media policy for the City, a proposal for six inflow and infiltration projects to disconnect combined sewers from the sanitary sewer system, and the reconstruction of a small portion of Kreke Avenue west of South Banker Street to provide better access to the new NAPA store, Nuxoll's Food Center and Casey's General Store.