Council Discusses Changes in Amusement Tax, Liquor Ordinance

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Published on August 1 2017 8:15 pm
Last Updated on August 1 2017 8:28 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham City Council Tuesday discussed changes in the amusement tax and the liquor ordinance.

The changes in the amusement tax came after concerns were heard from various sources over what was proposed.

Mayor Jeff Bloemker said the City should have "got out ahead of " the issue. Bloemker said the City worked on the measure and feels input was sought, but when the vote came to enact the ordinance, the complaints followed.

The amendments discussed Tuesday created new exemptions for educational endeavors, but also included movie theatres as locations that should have to pay the tax. There was also a goal of simplifying reporting requirements. City Administrator Jim Arndt said amusements can estimate the revenue that will be generated and then "true up" after the event. He said he's had one event that came back to the City after an event and told them "we didn't pay you enough" and settled up on the difference. 

One other change is that Tourism Director Jodi Thoele will now be the "go-to" person if anyone has questions or concerns about administering the ordinance, rather than a variety of voices in City government trying to address the issue.

The goal is to act on the revised ordinance at the August 15 meeting with the measure being effective September 1. In the meantime, a moratorium was imposed Tuesday by the Council on enforcement of the amusement tax through August 31.

As to the liquor ordinance, the Council is attempting to address how outdoor areas at liquor sales establishments should be administered. 

Commissioner Merv Gillenwater, who was LIquor Commissioner during his term as mayor, proposed a separate class for establishments allowing liquor outside. Gillenwater found a revision proposed by City Attorney Tracy Willenborg as confusing, so suggested the additional license class.

Commissioner Kevin Willis, who dealt with liquor establishments for many years as a city police officer, proposed licensed establishments be allowed to operate outside under guidelines administered by City staff.

Mayor Jeff Bloemker said he didn't really have a preference as long as establishments knew the rules, but said Willenborg's proposal seemed to address any concerns he has. Bloemker encouraged Council members to contact him with input so a measure can be drafted and enacted.

Council members joined City Police Chief Jeff Fuesting in recognizing three individuals for their help in stopping a group of individuals passing counterfeit $100 bills in Effingham in July. James Sharp, Deadra Kline and Justin Heitkamp were presented Citizens Service Citations for their assistance.

(FROM LEFT, EFFINGHAM POLICE CHIEF JEFF FUESTING, DEADRA KLINE, JAMES SHARP, JUSTIN HEITKAMP AND CITY COMMUNITY POLICING OFFICER JASON CARAWAY)

The Council also recognized Jim Zumbahlen and Lustig Custom Cabinets with a Business Appreciation Award for their more than 90 years in business in Effingham.

(LUSTIG CUSTOM CABINETS OWNER JIM ZUMBAHLEN AND EFFINGHAM MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER)

Council members voted to declare properties at 707 South Park Street and 306 West Crawford Avenue as "dangerous and unsafe" and authorized corrective measures to be taken to remedy the situation. The properties have the same owner, who has not responded to contacts by the City regarding the situation.

The Council appointed Caitlin Phillips as City Treasurer. Phillips, an Altamont native, will succeed Randy Bukas, who plans to retire in September after being hired in recent months as Accounting Administrator and City Treasurer. Bukas said after the meeting that he liked his co-workers but didn't enjoy a desk job, and was in a position where he could retire.

(NEW CITY TREASURER CAITLIN PHILLIPS {in dark suit} IS SWORN INTO OFFICE BY CITY CLERK KELSEY LOCK)

Council members agreed to purchase a replacement City Council chambers sound system from Al's Tire Mart for just over $24,000; granted permission to Effingham High School to hold its Homecoming Parade on September 27; and approved a Downtown/Southtown Business Area Redevelopment Program agreement with Goeckner Accounting and Financial Services for work on the exterior of their building at 2001 South Banker Street. Under the agreement, the City will split the cost of the improvements with the Goeckners. A separate proposed agreement was discussed with Niebrugge Furniture, planning to repaint the exterior of the business at 500 West Fayette Avenue.

The Council appointed Jill Dust and Stacey Gibson to fill vacancies on the City Ethics Commission through May 1, 2019; heard that bids on annual pavement marking will be opened August 8 but that work to stripe the city for bike paths is being held up by paperwork and will not likely happen for yet another year; Arndt announced that August 15 will be National City Hall Selfie Day complete with Dunkin Donuts, Culver's Frozen Custard and eclipse glasses a part of the Effingham observance; City Economic Development Director Todd Hull reported that he and other City officials will be in Springfield Wednesday for a meeting of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Board with hopes that the scores posted by hopefuls for a new Enterprise Zone designation will be made available; Thoele discussed an Our Town event in downtown Effingham on August 11 and the annual Ham City Jam skateboard event at Hendelmeyer Park on August 12 that draws skaters from throughout Central Illinois and even greater distances; and Arndt reported a meeting of downstate City Managers will again be held in Effingham this Thursday and Friday.