Agenda Preparation Guidelines Debated at Council Meeting

A roomful of local residents attended Tuesday night's Effingham City Council meeting to hear a discussion over whether the city should continue operating under current guidelines outlining how the agenda for Council meetings is crafted, or whether changes should be made.

The current guidelines were amended prior to the current City Council taking office. The City Code for Effingham includes a provision that "an agenda shall be prepared by the city administration with the oversight of the city administrator and approved by the mayor."

Several residents were present Tuesday and some took out speaker's cards because of allegations that Mayor Mike Schutzbach declined to put the issue of financial assistance to the proposed developers of Square Southtown on the agenda. Square Southtown is the group of developers attempting to purchase Village Square Mall.

Jean Anne Highland, who is part of a local community support group, shared a legal opinion that the currrent guidelines violate the City Code, violates state law, and "is likely unconstitutional."

The matter is complicated by the transaction being held up in Federal court due to objections by Durga Properties, who has owned the Mall. 

As to the preparation of the agenda, Mayor Mike Schutzbach said the guidelines seem "silly" to him, and he is glad to see it changed if that's the will of the rest of the Council. He also asked the commissioners present to name an item they had asked to be on the agenda, and it hadn't been on the agenda? Commissioner Libby Moeller said an item seeking funding for the nurses statue at the hospital came to mind, but that funding was later approved.

One of the trio seeking to purchase the Mall, Scott Kabbes, said "this issue is much larger than (the mall)". Kabbes said, "The question is does the Mayor have the right to control the agenda?"

Schutzbach took issue with the statement and said he believes "this is all about the mall and TIF." That refers to a TIF agreement that could provide funds for the Square Southtown project. That agreement has not been finalized. 

Kabbes responded that the current Council should be removed from the equation, to look ahead to 2027 when the next Council is elected. He asked that the matter should be clarified, something echoed by others who spoke at Tuesday's meeting.

The current Council has a practice of discussing an issue at a meeting, then voting at the next meeting. We will keep you up to date on how the issue progresses.

Also Tuesday, the Council rezoned two parcels of property. One parcel owned by Brad and Sandra Kabbes along Outer Belt West was rezoned from highway commercial to non-urban. The other, being purchased by Farm Credit Illinois so they can relocate to a larger facility on land along Althoff Avenue was rezoned from non-urban to general commercial district.

The Council approved an amendment to the liquor ordinance allowing caterers to provide alcohol at events, and awarded a storm improvements project along Jaycee Avenue to Effingham Asphalt, the low of five bidders, at $465,162. 

City Planner Greg Koester reminded that the next Effingham 2050 Comprehensive Plan meeting is set for Thursday at 5:30pm at City Hall.

Council members also recognized Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland on his 25th anniversary with the police force.