City Council Amends Municipal Code

Effingham City Council members Tuesday amended the municipal code as it governs fire prevention efforts. 

Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza and City Attorney Tracy Willenborg worked on the changes, which have already been approved by the Illinois Capital Development Board.

Also approved was a change concerning outside numbering of buildings. The change will require six-inch high numbers of buildings developed in the future to comply with the code.

The Council approved a memorandum of understanding with National Trail Amateur Radio Club. The Club will make their communication system available in case the City system goes down.

Council members also purchase a strip of land along Jaycee Avenue near the intersection with 4th Street from John Kingery for $18,300 for right-of-way and utility purposes. The Council also amended the municipal code as it allowed wind energy conversion systems.

There was discussion on lawn care services being renewed with Herrmann's Landscaping; adding a 10-year lease for Effingham Performance Center for the overflow parking lot across Outer Belt West from the EPC; and heard about a bid letting later this week on a sewer relining project. 

In other reports, City Administrator Steve Miller said there will be a special session ahead of the Council meeting on the 17th on contract negotiations; Fire Chief Brant Yochum said the department will be taking Santa Claus through town December 16th thru the 18th; and Assistant Police Chief Kurt Davis reported that 90 kids will be hosted in this year's "Shop With a Cop" event. Also, Tourism Director Jodi Thoele reported that 25 units are entered in the Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown Effingham this Saturday evening.