City Council Acts on Development Projects

Effingham City Council members Tuesday discussed a proposed 500-foot extension of Thies Avenue. The extension is related to an almost 100,000 square foot expansion of the metal plant at John Boos and Company. 

Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said the City is seeking a matching grant of $310,000 for the project, designed to retain 174 jobs at the plant. Heuerman is hopeful the project will be undertaken this summer.

Also approved were three projects related to Tax Increment Financing districts. One is an amendment to the South Central Industrial TIF District adding property on the north side of the City Business Park and the Unit 40 property around the high school and junior high school, as well as property along South 4th Street south of Wabash Avenue where infrastructure improvements are needed in the residential areas. Another is an amendment to the same TIF District designated the project development area. The third item adopts Tax Increment Financing to make the improvements planned in the area.

The Council approved an ordinance declaring a mobile home in Easy Breeze Mobile Home Court dangerous and unsafe. City Attorney Tracy Willenborg and City Administrator Steve Miller said the designation would allow steps to be taken to assist the mobile home owner to protect her health and safety. Willenborg said the City has consulted with State officials for the best way to facilitate the project.

There were no comments at a public hearing at the start of the meeting regarding the issuance of $4.5 million in bonds to refinance the debt of the Effingham Performance Center that is expected to save the City $100,000 in interest costs and to finance the purchase of a better than 150 acre tract of land north of John Boos and Company. The acquisition was approved at a previous Council meeting.

The Council approved a downtown/southtown business area redevelopment project at SC3F Enterprises at Jefferson and Willow, and discussed a similar project at Joe Sipper's Cafe and Roastery at 4th and Section

The Council voted to prohibit parking on Fitzpatrick Way in the northeast part of the city; and granted a special use permit for Montessori Kids Universe, a kids care facility in East Pointe Center at 2201 North Willenborg. City Engineer Luke Thoele said the facility would accommodate up to 95 students and more than one dozen employees. The Council also rezoned a building immediately north of the Unit 40 office building on South Banker owned by Brandt Investments. The rezoning to general commercial district will allow the development of three apartments on the second floor of the building.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko reported that he has applied for grant funds that would pay for replacement of the department's air packs and for replacement of the city's aerial ladder truck. Tutko said the funds would be awarded in June.