City Council Votes to Compel Improvements to Damaged House

The Effingham City Council voted Tuesday night to declare the house at 1000 South 4th Street as dangerous and unsafe, giving City officials the authority to make sure needed repairs are completed.

City Administrator Jim Arndt explained that officials have been working for two years to get improvements made. Arndt said that if the property owners make the improvements, they face no penalties. 

The Council heard in person from three neighbors who live across the street from the house and heard a letter from another neighbor. They described tall weeds and grass and animals moving in and out of the structure.

Commissioner Matt Hirtzel voted against the motion, saying the owners have begun improvements. Arndt said the measure will make sure the improvements are completed.

Also Tuesday, the Council established Pike Avenue and Bourgeois Drive as a Class II Truck Route, allowing for allocation of additional state dollars on a resurfacing project. The street will be upgraded to make way for a development planned by Beck Seeds. The Council also approved a new water supply agreement with Heartville Water Cooperative for a 28-year term. Rates have been established through April 2018. A rate review will be completed every four years. Heartville has been operating under a Water District, but voters in November decided to dissolve the Water District and convert to the not-for-profit cooperative.

Council members named Betsy Haynie to fill a vacancy on the City Tourism Advisory Board; authorized an agreement with the Illinois Department of Revenue allowing the City to inspect data provided by the Department of Revenue; and approved paying $51,000 for additional sewer repairs made in the backyards of homes in Shenandoah Subdivision between Rickelman and Shiloh Avenues. 

The Council was updated by City Economic Development Director Todd Hull on developments in Effingham since his previous report in September. Improvements include Lexington Inn on the West Fayette frontage road, work on the new city library home, Midland States Bank's new downtown facility, the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex, a new VA Clinic next to the new Hodgson Mill location, the Grunloh Buildings location, Schultheis Garage and Classics, West and Company, Advanced Veterinary Care, redevelopment of the former Fedders facility to Dial and Dial, and United Strip Center next to Hibbett Sports.