Council Delays Action on Change in Liquor License for Elks; Discusses Sale of Land to Gabby Goat

Action had to be delayed Tuesday on a revised liquor license for the Effingham Elks Club since the Elks property isn't large enough for a proposed project at the location.

The Elks are seeking a license that would permit a fenced-in area behind the Elks building on South Banker for outdoor events. The hindrance is that the ordinance currently requires a one acre tract of land for such a project. The requirement was included in the ordinance to serve as a buffer from neighboring properties. The Elks property only totals .82 acres. 

City Attorney Tracy Willenborg said it would be wiser to change the requirement of the ordinance to, say, .75 acre rather than tailor an ordinance especially for the Elks project. The Council is expected to consider a change in the ordinance and action on the Elks request at the next Council meeting.

There was a tense moment between Mayor Jeff Bloemker and Commissioner Don Althoff over a tentative agreement with Gabby Goat over the sale of City-owned property behind the business to the business. Althoff said the price has been reduced from what the land is worth. Bloemker asked City Engineer Jeremy Heuerman whether a review of closed session minutes discussing the transaction would show that all of the Council agreed to the transaction and Heuerman said he believed they would. Althoff said after the meeting that a higher price was discussed when the transaction would make room for a building for the business. As now proposed, 92 parking spaces could be developed on the property.

There was also discussion last night of a proposal by Don and Patrick Schutzbach for Top Shelf Beer Wine and Spirits. The business would be located along Ford Avenue in the strip mall in front of Kohl's. The location would include alcohol tastings, a smoking lounge and gaming. A sticking point could be some restriction in landowner Todd Kabbes' agreement with Kohl's regarding gaming, but Don Schutzbach said the project could proceed even if their plans for gaming had to be revised.

The Council heard about an agreement with Farnsworth Group for design of the second phase of the Jefferson Avenue water main replacement project in the downtown area. The next phase would stretch from Merchant Street to Maple Street, and would not exceed $10,500 in design costs.

Heuerman reported that bids are to be let September 11 on the reconstruction of Second Street from Fayette to Jefferson Avenues and on the resurfacing of Wabash Avenue from Fourth Street to the CN Railroad tracks and an area in Oakridge Cemetery.

The Council granted permission for temporary closure of certain streets for upcoming celebrations, purchased property from Ralph Goeckner and Joan Goeckner for a sewer lift station and force main along Airport Road, welcomed Jennifer Alwardt as new Fire Department Executive Secretary, approved Jared Chesnut as a new member of the Effingham Public Library Board to fill a vacancy created by a resignation, and heard from City Tourism Director Jodi Thoele about this Friday night's Effingham Cruise Night including a 5pm parade from St. John's Lutheran Church into downtown along Jefferson Avenue as well as the fall Hobnob Harvest Market this Friday and Saturday at Effingham County Fairgrounds.