Council Hears Work Progressing on Jefferson Avenue Downtown

(NEW CITY POLICE LIEUTENANT ANDY WARNER HAS HIS NEW BADGE PINNED ON BY WIFE ERIKA)

Effingham City Council members Tuesday heard that work is progressing on Jefferson Avenue downtown.

City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said work should be completed by early next week on the intersection of Jefferson and 5th and then move east to 4th Street. Heuerman added that the businesses along Jefferson planning to operate outdoor cafes are starting to move those operations into place.

Heuerman also reported that work continues on Rickelman Avenue where efforts are underway to take a big dip out of the roadway. He said the rains are hampering the work.

Heuerman added that work began this week on Ford Avenue, some of which will include addition of a turn lane to allow access to the site of a Meijer store east of Kohl's, and traffic signals at that intersection.

The Council approved a contract under which the City and the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance will each allocate $15,000 toward the establishment of a business incubator site downtown. The plan is to utilize the former Studio T Fitness location at 109 W. Jefferson and to relocate the incubator site from the Dieterich Bank headquarters on North 3rd Street. Commissioner Merv Gillenwater voted against the agreement, saying it establishes a precedent that could lead to private entities approaching the City for similar assistance. For his part, Commissioner Hank Stephens said he believes the project is great idea that shows a co-operative spirit in attempting to assist fledgling businesses wanting to get started locally. The vote was 4-1 in favor of the agreement.

Council members were updated by Heuerman on a request for rezoning of property along Airport Road owned by Billy and Florence Genaust. Billy Genaust told City Plan Commission members in July that he thinks rezoning the property to multiple dwelling district status from non-urban zoning would make his land more marketable to potential purchasers. Heuerman said the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan does not call for residential development at the location. The County Airport Commission voted 3-1 to keep the zoning as is. Contact with the Illinois Division of Aeronautics brought a response that housing developments in close proximity to an airport is not banned, but is not desired. The Plan Commission eventually voted earlier this month to recommend the City Council deny the rezoning. The Council will likely vote on the rezoning request in September.

Council members rezoned three parcels of land owned by The Equity to general commercial district. Heuerman said The Equity's Bruce Vernon said the co-op plans to use the parcels, which are along Roadway Avenue and Merchant Street, for additional parking and storage.

The Council approved an agreement to close out work on Calico Trail East, allocating remaining funds to cover remaining engineering costs, since the construction costs have been covered. It was agreed to close portions of downtown streets for a Village Wine Block Party fundraiser that will replace the fall Cruise Night for this year, and to approve a plat for Butler Supply Subdivision along South Willow Street. Also discussed was allowing Effingham High School to hold its Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, October 2. Due to the Jefferson project downtown, the parade this year will stage along Maple Street at Evergreen Avenue, similar to the Halloween Parade. The procession will head south on Maple to Jefferson Avenue, west on Jefferson to Cherry Street, south on Cherry to Grove Avenue, and then west on Grove to the high school. The Council also discussed design engineering work to replace water mains along Hickory Hills Drive and Marvon Drive, just off Keller Drive, valued at $13,000; and discussed the next phase of street resurfacing work that will involve Slate Creek Drive and portions of 3rd Street and 4th Street in Slate Creek Subdivision. Bids on the work will be opened next week.

Also discussed was replacing a sewage lift station project on West Fayette; a permanent easement for a light pole at Waupaca Foundry; and pending three-year contract agreements with Teamsters Local #26 and with the Fraternal Order of Police local representing telecommunicators, as well as pay rates for non-union personnel. All three groups would receive 3% annual increases.

(CITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANT CATELYN VAIL IS RECOGNIZED AS EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER BY ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR KELSEY LOCK)

Council members recognized new Police Lieutenant Andy Warner, who was promoted to succeed Kurt Davis, named Assistant Police Chief earlier this year. Also recognized was Technical Assistant Catelyn Vail, who was recognized as City Employee of the Quarter, and Beanstalk Boutique as the city's Business Appreciation Award recipient. City Clerk Abbey Nosbisch also reported that a committee is being gathered to oversee efforts to promote the 2020 Census. Nosbisch said work will begin this fall and continue until Census Day on April 1, 2020.

The Council voted to commit $10,000, or 2% of the cost of a housing rehabilitation project for which a half million dollars in grant funds is being sought. Also approved was an agreement with Civil Design for design engineering services for storm sewer work on the east end of Jefferson Avenue by Oakridge Cemetery.