Council Hears Pros and Cons on Medical Marijuana Facility

 

The Council voted earlier, 3-2, against rezoning a site southwest of town to allow development of a production facility by Effingham Medicinal Farms. The decision drew much comment, pro and con, and the City Council chambers were packed out for Tuesday's meeting.

 

Eight people spoke; Joe Fatheree, Susan Petty and Brad Hibdon against the project; Jeremy Grigg, Derek Marrell, Evan and Susan Dunlap, and Chris Kinkelaar in favor. At the end of the speakers, though, there was no comment by the Council members and the meeting was adjourned.

 

The proposed developers are now looking at locating the operation at Edgewood, where the Village Board has agreed to let the facility be built. Identifying a site is key for the developers, as the State's deadline for submitting applications for a site is approaching. One production facility is to be located in each of the state's 22 Illinois State Police districts.

 

In other business Tuesday, the City Council passed a fiscal year tax levy based on a one percent increase in the equalized assessed valuation of property within the City limits. The levy is actually a three percent decrease under last year's levy request. The Council also authorized Helen Matthes Library to borrow up to $2 million in order to convert the former 5th/3rd Bank building into a new library home. The library will be solely responsible for the retirement of the debt service.

 

Council members voted to abate the levy where bond payments are concerned, since enough interest was earned on the bonds to make the payments without levying for funds. The Council also hired Buxton to complete a Visitor Targeting and Acquisition Solution. The firm will determine what is driving tourism to Effingham, who's the City's best visitors are, and where most of the best visitors can be found. Council members also accepted a quote from Effingham Asphalt for asphalt patching on Kreke Avenue and Fourth Street near Fayette Avenue. The work will cost close to $14,000. The Council also contracted with Economic Development Resources to help create an Outer Belt West Business District plan. The District will be created around the intersection of Outer Belt West and Keller Drive.

 

The Council rezoned land at 404 West Temple Avenue from single family residence district  to single family attached residence district for Greg and Irene Lilley, rezoned land at 1014, 1016 and 1018 North Merchant Street from single family residence district to multiple dwelling district for Jason Wrone and Bryan Wenthe, and granted a special use permit for mini-warehouses in a light industrial district at 201 West Virginia Avenue for Richard Cornell and Jean Cornell. The Council also recognized Director of Public Works Steve Miller for receipt of a Special Act Award. Miller was recommended for the honor by the City's Insurance and Safety Coordinator Dan Bledsoe for his work that helped in finalizing the City's property/casualty and workers compensation insurance renewal. The package was reviewed at the meeting, reflecting a 14.7% decrease in the quote, with a vote on the package expected at the next Council meeting.

 

Council members approved a multi-year intergovernmental agreement with the Effingham Unit 40 School District, allocating up to $300,000 for TIF eligible expenditures, and also agreed to earmark $75,000 to fund the proposed Construction Occupations class scheduled to begin in August 2015. The money will come from TIF funds to cover fees and costs associated with the course instructor, cost of materials and supplies, and costs associated with the facility where the course will be offered. The Council also annexed the J&R Collision Centers property at 3241 South Banker Street into the city.

 

The Council discussed participating in the abatement of real property tax for the area to be included in a proposed new City/County Enterprise Zone, discussed terminating participation by elected officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, and discussed the need of concrete wall repairs at the CIPS Lake spillway, with action on those matters expected at the next Council meeting. The Council was to discuss a proposed project downtown, but took the matter off the agenda. No word on what the proposed project involves.

 

Council members also heard that Janet Ohnesorge received the quarterly Customer Service Award, and heard from City Tourism Director Jodi Jackson Thoele about the City's new Christmas lighting contest and about plans for Wonderland in Lights in Community Park this Christmas season.