City Council Discusses "Big Picture" Items

The Effingham City Council met with City staffers Saturday to discuss the "big picture" for Effingham.

City Administrator Jim Arndt said it was a time to consider long-term development.

One item mentioned is a southern interchange. Another interstate interchange south of the main part of the city has long been discussed, although it hasn't gained much traction in recent years. The old proposal was to build the interchange to connect with Dutch Lane, but Arndt said it might involve Airport Road. The bottom line is that City forces wanted to find out what Council members think about pursuing such initiatives. Arndt said sufficient interest could encourage pursuit of grant funds that could pay for a feasibility study of the project.

Improvements to 4th Street was another project mentioned during Saturday's meeting.

There was also discussion about working on the more than 40 lot residential subdivision being developed just across the roadway from Effingham Country Club including providing sewer service to the subdivision, and partnering with Effingham County on the Effingham County Airport Authority. 

Other discussion topics included updating the city Building Code to comply with international guidelines as it has in the past, ways to encourage replacement of aging residential properties with new development within the city, additional quarterly reports that indicate to Council members what's happening in the City, and ways to measure customer service when citizens visit City Hall.

Arndt said Saturday's discussion was a way for Council members to know what initiatives City staff would like to pursue and to indicate whether they think the initiatives should be pursued.