Work on Effingham's New Comprehensive Plan Beginning; You Can Help!

Effingham city council members were updated Tuesday on the start on the city's new comprehensive plan, and were reminded that the input of city residents is needed.

The work on the plan, which is expected to take more than a year to complete, is starting with a Community Survey. The survey is available on the City's website and can be found on the front page of the website. Click on Comprehensive Plan and fill out, then submit the survey. 

City representatives also plan to be downtown for Cruise Night this Saturday, where you can also offer input concerning the Comprehensive Plan.

Effingham City Planner Greg Koester said, "We want as much information from community members as we can obtain."

Council members Tuesday discussed whether to invest funds in The Illinois Funds. City Treasurer Bridget Polk said it would be another investment option to consider, at no cost to the City. 

City Commissioner Hank Stephens has reservations about the idea as it competes with local financial institutions. Stephens said, "the State Treasurer has no interest in the City, he employs no one here, and we have corporate interests here."

Mayor Mike Schutzbach said he understood Stephens' feelings, but said that if additional interest could be earned utilizing the State account, it might be worthwhile. The matter will be revisited.

Council members heard from Economic Development Director Todd Hull concerning four TIF rehabilitation programs. One would be a commercial project at 1009 South Vine for Magoo and Associates for just under $17,000 in TIF funds; one would be a residential project at 205 West Kagay for just over $3,000; one would involve improvements at Downtown Lounge for just over $5,000; and a housing rehab project at 216 West Clark involving just under $2,900 in funds. There was also discussion of selling city-owned property at 713 Park Street for a residential project, and of closing off a portion of downtown streets on October 5 for an Oktoberfest celebration. All of those items will be revisited later.

The Council voted to contract with Kieffer Brothers Construction of Mt. Carmel for a major sidewalk replacement project along South Banker Street for just over $227,000; and approved payment to Robert Simmons for the demolition of structures at 1401 and 1403 North 4th Street for just under $50,000.