No Action by City Council on Job Descriptions

(THE EFFINGHAM CITY COUNCIL PRESENTED MARTIN'S IGA+ ITS BUSINESS APPRECIATION AWARD AT TUESDAY NIGHT'S MEETING. OWNER NEWLIN MARTIN BROUGHT ALONG HIS MANAGEMENT TEAM, GIVING SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO RETIRING GENERAL MANAGER KEN LANSING AT LEFT AND RETIRING STORE MANAGER DON BUSHUE, WHO IS FIFTH FROM LEFT)

Considerable time was spent at Tuesday night's Effingham City Council meeting on proposed job descriptions, but more on the issue of who has authority to fill the positions involved.

The Council was to consider approving job descriptions for Assistant Fire Chief, Assistant Director of Public Works, Deputy City Clerk, and Deputy Chief of Police. None of those positions are currently filled, but there has been discussion about appointing an assistant fire chief, who could oversee the inspection program to make sure buildings are in compliance with the fire code.

The discussion devolved into whether City Administrator Jim Arndt should make the appointments, or whether they should be made with the advice and consent of the Council. Some of the current and proposed legislation indicates Arndt can act as administrator, some says the Council has the final say.

Commissioner Kevin Willis asked that all legislation be consistent on the issue.

There was also considerable discussion on whether to amend the liquor ordinance. One change would grant Joe's Liquor Cabinet on South Banker a reclassification to a Class P-1 license. The change would allow the establishment to add a wine and craft beer tasting room in addition to package sales. The other change would grant Trucker's Pub a reclassification to a Class B/E license to add an outdoor area for consumption of products. There were no questions regarding the Joe's Liquor Cabinet proposal, but Commissioner Merv Gillenwater had several questions on the Trucker's Pub issue, wondering whether a change in license was even necessary to accomplish what David Draves wants to do at the establishment.

City Attorney Tracy Willenborg acknowledged that she needed more information on the request to make an informed recommendation. Since the legislation tied the two requests together, the entire request was tabled to a future Council meeting.

Also Tuesday, the Council established a funding policy for the downstate fire and downstate police pension funds, including Effingham; passed a new policy regarding the downtown and southtown business area redevelopment program, making funds available for exterior renovations to buildings; approved the purchase of an easement from the Unit 40 school district for water and sewer line work along US 40 at Effingham High School; contracted with Bodine Electric to maintain traffic signals in the city; authorized a $5,000 allocation to the Golden Circle Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels; approved a $25,000 contribution to Effingham City/County Committee on Aging; accepted a proposal for oil and chip work and hot and cold mix material work on city streets; and then approved a downtown rehabilitation agreement under the newly-enacted program to improve a building for BHR Investments.

Council members approved a development agreement with Huels Land Holdings for a veterinary clinic on Outer Belt West at Evergreen Avenue; approved a water line easement with Illinois Central Railroad; amended language regarding the Ford Avenue Business District to bring it into compliance with new State guidelines; and approved some change orders regarding thickness of street surfaces on some projects underway around the city.

The City Council voted to award a project to improve North Raney Street from Ford Avenue to Rickelman Avenue. Kieffer Brothers Construction of Mt. Carmel was the low responsive bidder at $677,463.50. The project basically will take the dips out of the roadway and add some utilities along the roadway. Council members also voted to grant $50,000 to Arts Council of Central Illinois for improvements at the Effingham Performance Center. The funds will help pay for an outdoor marquee and will pay for permanent lighting and rigging, a lighting board and TV advertising.

It was also agreed to vote next time to amend a development agreement with Heartland Dental; agreed to vote next time on raising cemetery burial fees by $25/year for each of the next four years; agreed to vote next time to retain West and Company to do audit work for the City; agreed to vote next time on a proposed $25,000 allocation to Mid America Motorworks to cover some costs of this year's Corvette Funfest; agreed to vote next time on painting the north water tower; and to vote next time on carbon equipment for the water treatment plant.

(MARTIN'S IGA+ OWNER NEWLIN MARTIN POSES WITH MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER AFTER RECEIVING A BUSINESS APPRECIATION AWARD)

The City also took time at Tuesday's meeting to honor Martin's IGA+ with its Business Appreciation Award, recognizing the store's more than 75 years in business as well as its many civic endeavors.