City Council Discusses Changes to Liquor Ordinance

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Published on August 18 2015 8:43 pm
Last Updated on August 19 2015 7:23 am
Written by Greg Sapp

(EFFINGHAM CITY CLERK KELSEY LOCK WAS RECOGNIZED AS CITY EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER BY MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER AT TUESDAY NIGHT'S COUNCIL MEETING)

Effingham city council members Tuesday heard from a number of citizens on proposed changes to the city's liquor ordinance.

The changes were proposed by Mayor Jeff Bloemker who, as mayor, serves as liquor control commissioner.

Bloemker told those gathered that some of the current provisions of the ordinance were in conflict with changing demographic and buying trends. He said he had spoken with some in the liquor industry, and gave an example of his wife's family business, Ludwig Lumber, that went out of business several months ago. The mayor said that was due to the arrival of Walmart and Menard's, saying you could see the handwriting on the wall. He said restrictions couldn't have been placed on the number of lumber stores and feels the same way about restricting the number of liquor sales establishments. That led to a proposal that sales of liquor only be prohibited at businesses where fuel is also sold, or where zoning issues prohibit such sales.

There is also a proposal that would allow liquor sales at hotels even if they don't have restaurant facilities. 

Another proposal would allow wine and beer tasting for free, for a fixed price for any quantity consumed, or sold by the drink. It also would allow consumption anywhere on the grounds of a festival such as the Effingham Artisan Fair, rather than in a designated area off city property. 

The other proposal would allow those 19 or older to sell alcohol, rather than 21, at retail establishments and would allow liquor to be displayed openly in stores, rather than in designated areas.

A number of citizens spoke to the proposals. Cottie Dial, who has helped head the Artisan Fair, Lori Worman of Village Wine and Gifts, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce President Norma Lansing and City Tourism Director Jodi Thoele supported opening up the consumption of alcohol at festivals.

Worman, though, and Clay and Liz Stevenson of Lions Liquors along with Jerry Jansen of Orchard Inn spoke against opening up sales to additional establishments by eliminating the restrictions on the number of liquor licenses allowed. Worman and the Stevensons were concerned for the viability of their businesses if liquor sales were made possible at a number of retail locations. Jansen opposed the sales of liquor throughout businesses such as grocery stores, saying the local liquor association had worked with Mayor Clyde Martin in the 1970s on restrictions on liquor sales, and that subsequent mayors had maintained that practice.

When it came to the Council members' turn, no one voiced objections to allowing hotels to sale of liquor; Commissioner Don Althoff suggested issuing two tickets good for two drinks to those attending events at hotels.

Commissioner Merv Gillenwater, who as mayor in the last Council term, served as liquor control commissioner, had several questions. Gillenwater objected to expanding the consumption of beer and wine at festivals, saying he wasn't sure everyone would want to take their families to an event where they'd be around people who had been drinking all day. He also felt that allowing those under 21 to sell liquor was an invitation to them giving into temptation to supply their underage buddies, a belief that Commissioner Kevin Esker said he shares.

Commissioner Kevin Willis said those who've developed their liquor sales businesses have operated with a certain understanding of the City's guidelines, and now the City is considering changing the rules.

Some or all of the mayor's proposals could appear on the agenda for a vote at the next Council meeting on September 1.

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Council members discussed some restructuring of the City hierarchy, with a vote expected at a future Council meeting. Under City Administrator Jim Arndt's proposal, the Accounting Administrator position would be combined with the part-time City Treasurer position, the part-time Treasurer's position would be eliminated, Janice Moomaw would be named Accounting Administrator and City Treasurer, and an Accounting Assistant position would be created. Arndt said the upshot would be a reduction in positions from 1-1/2 to one, in that three part-time positions would be eliminated and one full-time position would be created. Another goal of the restructuring would be the employment of a full-time customer service specialist who would act as a receptionist for City Hall. The person would be stationed at the main entrance on the west end of the main floor of City Hall. Arndt said the hiring would address a problem he has seen, that citizens come into City Hall and "not have a clue where to go".

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The Council authorized Arndt to enter into an agreement with PublicStuff, an app that could appear on residents' phones or other electronic devices. The citizens could use the app to notify City officials of a problem they see around town. The cost to the City is $5,000. Council members also approved closing certain City streets for the Effingham County Old Settlers Reunion on September 26 and for the Corvette WelcomeFest Downtown Party on September 17; contracted with Farnsworth Group for design work on a reconstruction of the Third Street CSX Railroad crossing and realignment of the street at the crossing; finalized a change in the Municipal Code restricting where indoor shooting ranges could be located; and approved a measure that removes former employee Marlene Brandt from Board of Trustees of the Police Pension Fund and the Fire Pension Fund. A plat was approved of St. John's Subdivision, involving the St. John's Lutheran Church property where the church hopes to build a pre-school.

City Engineer Jeremy Heuerman reported that bids will be taken on August 25 for reconstruction of a block of Park Street from Wabash to Douglas related to access to and from South Side School and on the West Fayette frontage road past Culver's to the end of the road, and Library Director Amanda McKay reported that the relocation of materials from the Helen Matthes Library site to the Effingham Public Library location has been completed. McKay said they are awaiting the arrival of furniture, which should occur around September 9. She said they hope to open the new facility sometime on or around September 14, but indicated that is a very fluid date at this time.