City Council Moves Ahead w/Engineering on Santa Maria Extension Project

Effingham City Council members Tuesday awarded the contracts for work on the extension of Santa Maria Avenue between 4th Street and Maple Street.

The award was for $420,184 in preliminary engineering services and $294,128.80 for construction engineering services with Milano and Grunloh Engineers of Effingham.

The Council also approved a Housing and Economic Recovery Plan. The document is described as a "plan to grow Effingham's workforce and economy through housing and non-housing initiatives". Also approved was the rezoning of a lot owned by Mark and Dianne Mayhood on the southwest corner of Rollin Hills Boulevard and Keller Drive from single-family residential to neighborhood shopping district.

Council members approve an agreement with Brycer LLC for the use of fire protection funds for a web-based service to manage inspections and code compliance. The Council also agreed to apply for $1.5 millon in grant funds to go with $300,000 in available local funds for a storm sewer project to prevent flooding near South Side School.

The Council voted to authorize City Administrator Steve Miller to negotiate for a supply of electricity for residential and small business customers. There was also discussion of disaster management software and services, as well as changes to the city code concerning zoning for duplexes and triplexes.

Mayor Mike Schutzbach was not present for Tuesday's meeting.