City Council Holds Off on Action on Two Recommendations from Plan Commission

Two matters considered by the City Plan Commission last week were not acted on by the Effingham City Council at their meeting Tuesday night.

One proposal would rezone property along Blohm Avenue, east of Veterans Drive for a medical facility for Meraki Health that would address individuals with autism or other spectrum disorders. City Commissioner Hank Stephens said since the findings from the Plan Commission weren't available for review by the Council until last night's meeting, he asked for time to review them further and asked whether a vote could be continued until the Council's next meeting and the remainder of the Council concurred with that suggestion.

Another issue on the agenda for discussion was a recommendation from the Plan Commission to deny a rezoning of property at 909 West St. Anthony Avenue from single-family residential to two- and three-family dwelling district. The developer, W Squared Properties, asked at last night's meeting for the proposal to go back to the Plan Commission for further review. Bryan Wenthe of W Squared said they will have additional information as to their plans to share with the Commission at their next meeting. The Council that since the item was only on the Council agenda for discussion, they will vote at their next meeting to refer the item back to the Commission.

Also Tuesday, the Council amended the Zoning Ordinance to regulate cryptocurrency mines or data centers; renewed contracts with Lamar Companies for billboards promoting Effingham at Champaign, Mt. Vernon and Putnam Company; and authorized certain city staff members to purchase salt to treat weather-affected streets.

The Council discussed an amendment to the master lease on the Effingham Performance Center regarding insurance claims on the Center; discussed the annual appointment ordinance identifying certain positions; discussed pay ranges for non-union salaried and hourly city positions with a suggested 3% raise for the new fiscal year; and discussed quotes for chemicals for treating city water.

Council members also approved an agreement with Civil Design for engineering work on the rebuild of Merchant Street from Flamingo Avenue to Evergreen Avenue. The portion of Merchant is to be rebuilt from Eden Avenue to Flamingo in 2024 with the stretch from Flamingo to Evergreen to be rebuilt in 2025.