Council Approves Renewal of Alliance Agreement

Effingham City Council members Tuesday approved renewed membership in the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, and a contribution of $110,000. The Council also agreed that City Commissioner Hank Stephens and Economic Development Director Todd Hull should remain as the City's representatives on the Alliance. The new Alliance year will begin on August 1.

The Council discussed a property swap with Todd and Doug Kabbes of 4.81 acres along West Route 40 near the water treatment plant. City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said the property to be conveyed to the Kabbes' would be more conducive to residential development, and said whatever is conveyed to the City is of no more benefit to the City than the property they currently hold.

The Council awarded sewer main relining downtown to Visu-Sewer. While the project has a total cost of $528,791, 80% of the project cost will be grant funded. Also approved was a resolution declaring a structure at 1001 Ford Avenue as dangerous and unsafe. The declaration allows the City to take action to address the deteriorating structure. There was also unofficial consensus to the sale of 9.83 acres of City-owned land adjacent to the Koerner Distributor location to Koerner's for future development. The sale price would be $35,000/acre. 

Council members approved $4,942 for housing redevelopment program work at 1200 South 5th Street; and declared property at 1001 Ford Avenue as dangerous and unsafe so remedial steps can be taken to correct the problem.

The Council discussed issuing liquor licenses for the Home2Suites hotel under construction and for a business to be known as Wandering Whistler Cafe with final issuance of the licenses to come later. There was discussion of extending improvements on Hendelmeyer and Blohm Avenues and on sidewalk replacement work. 

City Commissioner Larry Micenheimer and City Assistant Police Chief Kurt Davis reminded that school will be starting next week and to be watching for children. There was also mention of steps taken to heighten awareness of school crossing guards around town.