City Council Honors Wortman for Years of Service

Effingham City Council members took time Tuesday to recognize Matt Wortman for his service as City Foreman of Public Property and City Sexton. 

Wortman is retiring after 33 years of service to the city. As Foreman of Public Property, he and his department have maintained every city-owned building. As City Sexton, Wortman has overseen operation of Oak Ridge Cemetery. He also leads in the placement and takedown of the Wonderland in Lights Christmas display in Community Park and in downtown Effingham.

Also Tuesday, the Council decided to move ahead with declaring certain properties as dangerous and unsafe. A quote was accepted from Robert Simmons for $8,600 for demolition of a building at 1606 South 4th Street. The work will begin in February. The Council also discussed taking the same action against the property at 711 South Park Street. The City earlier took similar action against a neighboring property at 713 South Park Street.

Council members discussed the purchase of portable radio programming and annual maintenance for four radio units. Those would be used by the fire chief, assistant fire chief and those in charge of fire engines at fire scenes. It was also agreed to secure Vickers Consulting Services to write grant requests for funding the purchase of the radio units.

The Council agreed to move ahead with a change in vendors to handle the City website and the Tourism website. A vendor currently handles both websites and city officials say they need to make a change. An entity called Proud City will handle the City website and Simple View will handle the tourism website. City Commissioner Libby Moeller said the websites will show up better on phones and other portable devices with the new vendor.

City Engineer Luke Thoele announced that a bid letting on a portion of Rickelman Avenue from east of 4th Street to the east where the street has already been reconstructed will take place on January 10. Thoele also presented a video report on infrastructure projects completed in Effingham. He said $8 million in projects were completed including street, water and sewer projects during the fiscal year.

The Council also voted to purchase right of way for work on the East Evergreen Avenue box culvert. The work will be part of the reworking of Evergreen and Willenborg Street to make for easier access and egress east and south off Technology Drive once the Quik Trip facility on the west end of Technology Drive opens.

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