City Police Obtains Large Grant for In-Car Cameras

Effingham City Council members Tuesday learned that the Effingham Police Department has obtained a grant of almost $100,000 that will pay for in-car cameras for city squad cars.

City Administrator Steve Miller and City Police Chief Jason McFarland reported the grant totals $93,060 and will pay for 18 cameras to bring the fleet up-to-date. McFarland reported another $14,000 will be needed to cover installation and related costs, but said funds are already available to cover that cost. He also shared that the current cameras no longer operate.

McFarland said Deputy Chief Kurt Davis has worked for several months on obtaining the grant that escaped state budget cuts. The project will be finalized at the next Council meeting.

Speaking of squad cars, the Council heard from City Tourism Director Jodi Thoele that local resident Elizabeth Huston is working on a "Back the Blue Rally" in support of the law enforcement community. The event will take place August 7 in downtown Effingham and will feature live music and various other activities. Permission was sought to close some of the downtown area to make way for the event, with final approval expected at the Council's next meeting.

The Council also discussed updating the City's parking ordinance and the oil and chip program for City streets this summer with final action next meeting, along with a municipal electric agreement at rates projected to be lower than a year ago.

Council members updated the City's agreement with Arts Connection of Central Illinois that operates Effingham Performance Center. The agreement eliminates monthly charges to be paid through the end of 2020 since the EPC has not been operating due to the pandemic. Also approved was an amendment to the city's personnel policies and procedures ordinance to provide clothing allowances for the deputy police chief, assistant fire chief and lieutenant at the same amount as union agreements allow. The Council contracted with Outfront Media for a billboard for another year for just over $14,000; and replatted properties on two lots on North Avenue and some properties in Country Aire Subdivision. The Council also created interested parties registries for the South-Central Industrial TIF District.

City Commissioner Hank Stephens was not present for Tuesday's meeting.