City Council Awards Rickelman Reconstruction Project

Effingham City Council members Tuesday awarded a contract for more reconstruction of Rickelman Avenue on the city's north side.

Feutz Construction of Paris was awarded the work for $1,199,729.05. City Engineer Luke Thoele said another 1,000 feet of the roadway will be rebuilt. Provision will be made to make sure access to the businesses along the street in the construction zone will be maintained. $58,000 in engineering on the project was also awarded to Milano and Grunloh of Effingham.

The Council and City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman honored Rick Kinkelaar for his 35 years of service to the city. Kinkelaar is retiring from duties as an operator of the city's wastewater treatment plant. 

Council members Tuesday also:

--declared property at 711 South Park as dangerous and unsafe allowing the process of taking down the building there to begin

--purchased portable radios for the fire department under a grant-funded program

--approved agreements with Simpleview and Proud City for web platform and website management services for the City and for the City tourism site

--approved the Department of Insurance annual statements on the city police and firefighters pension funds.

The Council discussed a change in the license agreement with the new owner of Gabby Goat, discussed selling two lots along Keller Drive as surplus property, discussed an agreement for work at the wastewater treatment plant, and discussed extending an agreement with McHugh Hospitality Group by another month where a motel is to be built near South Raney Street.