City Council Allocates $10,000 for Veterans Memorial

Effingham city council members Tuesday approved the allocation of $10,000 for the Effingham County Veterans Memorial Fund.

Representatives of the Memorial spoke to the Council in recent weeks seeking funding help, but not specifying an amount.  The City had already allocated $10,000 toward the project in 2011.

Council members approved engineering work on an extension of the Calico Multi-Use Trail, part of the network of trails being developed by TREC.  The State is covering 80% of the design cost.

The Council discussed design work on a concrete patching and pavement project around town, and also discussed going halves with Global Technical Systems on East Jefferson on the cost of an exterior upgrade of the business, costing the City just over $5,200.  The Council also reviewed bid plans for work on the Fifth Street storm sewer and on pavement striping around town.  Bids on both projects are to be opened later this month.

There was also discussion of a study to determine the locations of storm sewer and sanitary sewer connections and to provide mapping data for the City's GIS program.

Council members promoted Jeremy Heuerman to City Engineer retroactive to May 1 and a corresponding increase in pay.  Steve Miller has been serving as City Engineer and Director of Public Works.  The Council also approved the purchase of a vehicle for the Administration Department for just under $18,000.

The Council executed an agreement with Ancel Glink for work as a Special City Attorney, and approved Jeff Althoff to the City Tourism Advisory Board.  Althoff is director of the Effingham Park District.  Also approved was closing portions of streets for a block party on Santa Monica Avenue and for the VW Welcome Fest on May 31.  Approval was also given for Effingham High School to hold its Homecoming Parade on September 25.