TREC Board Readies for 2015

The TREC Board readied for 2015 at their meeting Thursday.

The Board re-elected Frank Brummer as President. Brummer said Job 1 for TREC this year is implementation of the Effingham Comprehensive Bike/Pedestrian System. He said the City Council has already adopted the Plan; it just needs implemented. 

Brummer said, "We've completed $8 million in projects, and still can't get anyone to them (from town)."

Another 2015 goal is developing the Brumleve Nature Center, a 53-acre tract located along the trail. The parcel was purchased earlier by TREC.

A third goal is completing Phase 4 of the trail network; a short stretch connecting two legs at the south end of Nazarene Church Road. The easements are now in hand to facilitate the project, and the Board voted Thursday to award the work to low bidder John L. Lewis Construction for $24,036.64, slightly under the engineer's estimated cost.

Another project for this year is a stretch of trail running under Outer Belt West to the east. The project would end the need to cross Outer Belt West to gain access to the trail. It's hoped the project will be on the State's late July bid letting, and could possibly be completed by year's end.

There was also discussion of naming the trail segments and placing markers to determine distances along the trail network. It would help those who use the trail network know how far they've traveled, and would also help if someone is in distress along the trails to let emergency crews know where they're located.

The Board elected Larry Micenheimer, Jann Rhodes, Brad Beesley, Robbie Sams and Glenn Pankonen as board members. Sams, who manages Bike N Hike in Effingham, replaces former County board member Mike Brown.

Officers were chosen. In addition to Brummer as President, Bill Austin was re-elected Vice-President, Gary Welton succeeds Dan Woods as Secretary at Woods' request, and Ken Vogt was re-elected Treasurer.