City to Put Moratorium on Burning During Pandemic

Effingham City Council members Tuesday agreed to a moratorium on open burning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tuesday night's meeting was held online with City Administrator Steve Miller, City Clerk Abbey Nosbisch and City Planner Greg Koester at City Hall, but all of the Council and other City staffers at remote locations.

The City has struggled with whether to continue permitting open burning for many years. City Commissioner Merv Gillenwater has opposed the practice for many years and said now is not a time to aggravate existing respiratory problems.

City Commissioner Libby Moeller agreed, especially under current conditions, and Commissioners Larry Micenheimer and Hank Stephens concurred.

Mayor Mike Schutzbach said he will issue an emergency declaration through May 15 and then see where things stand. City Attorney Tracy Willenborg reminded that the declaration will have to be renewed every seven days under the emergency provisions in effect in Illinois. 

The Council reviewed plans for the City budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1. The measure will be placed on file April 14 with a vote to adopt the measure at the Council meeting on April 21.

There was agreement on the proposed budget, with the understanding that no one can be certain at this point regarding revenues. Motor fuel tax revenues are expected to be lower with less vehicle travel, and the State has cautioned the City against expecting sales tax revenue soon.

The Council approved a liquor license for the former Scrubby's location at Jefferson and 4th, now to be known as Big Papa's. The establishment will sell drinks to be consumed on site and will have package sales. Also approved was the acquisition of an easement from Effingham Regrinding and from Holmes Real Estate for the Banker Street water main project.

City Police Chief Jason McFarland recognized Police Communication Manager Jodi Moomaw, who is retiring at the end of the month after 37 years working for the City. A formal recognition will take place once gatherings can again take place.

The Council amended the City's Comprehensive Plan to include future land use maps. Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said the maps were realigned to coincide with a future Tax Increment Financing District to serve the area in the south part of the City. Also approved was a three-year agreement with Local #3084 of the Effingham Firefighters Association with a 3% pay raise each year of the agreement, retroactive to May 1, 2019. The Council also adopted quotes for chemicals for use at the water treatment plant.

Council members discussed updated sewer rates, which will see an increase of 3% each year for the next four years. Heuerman said the increase will keep the City current with the cost of sewer service. They also discussed pay ranges for the non-union salaried and hourly workers, which will amount to the same 3% increases that contracted employees will receive.

The Council discussed the annual Appointment Ordinance that will take effect May 1. The appointments will include Billie Bales as the new communication manager, succeeding Moomaw. Also discussed was the annual contribution to Senior Services of Effingham County, which has been $25,000 in recent years, but is being reduced to $10,000 this year with the concerns over revenues.

Council members also discussed a joint grant request with Effingham County to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The funding would help on the construction of a segment of Thies Avenue in the area of the John Boos and Company operation and renovation of a portion of Airport Road, east from Route 45 to the site of a prospective commercial project.

Miller shared that City Fire Chief Bob Tutko is working with IDOT and the Altamont Fire Protection District on providing service during the reconstruction of eastbound I-70 from Altamont to the Little Wabash River, west of Effingham. A similar agreement was utilized when the westbound lanes were rebuilt last year. Economic Development Director Todd Hull reporting on work being done on programs designed to assist businesses during the pandemic.