Proposed Changes to City's Liquor Ordinance Voted Down

Sales of liquor would only have been prohibited at businesses where fuel is also sold, or where zoning issues prohibit such sales, with more open display of merchandise.

There was also a proposal that would have allowed liquor sales at hotels even if they don't have restaurant facilities. 

Another part of the proposal would have allowed wine and beer tasting for free, for a fixed price for any quantity consumed, or sold by the drink, with the proposed change allowing consumption anywhere on the grounds of a festival, rather than in a designated area off city property. 

Also proposed was permitting those 19 or older to sell alcohol, rather than 21, at retail establishments and would have allowed liquor to be displayed openly in stores, rather than in designated areas.

The proposed legislation was worded such that it was an all or nothing proposal. Some commissioners that voted No Tuesday favored some provisions of the proposal, but not all of them. 

Commissioners Merv Gillenwater, Kevin Esker and Don Althoff voted No on the proposal, while Mayor Bloemker and Commissioner Kevin Willis voted Yes.

Althoff said he could support sales at hotels, but could not support the expansion of sales communitywide. Esker's chief concern was allowing sales by those under age 21. Gillenwater said it's true that there is no hard and fast cap on the number of liquor licenses allowed in Effingham, but feared that expanding where liquor could be sold would hurt existing businesses.

Willis said he'd gone back and forth on the issue, but said the Mayor is the Liquor Commissioner so his role was to be supportive of the initiative.

The Mayor said the issue was about consumer convenience, and he is not trying to turn Effingham into "Partytown".

Since some of the commissioners who voted No on the total package said there were some provisions they could support, some amended legislation could be forthcoming.

Council members also took comments from residents on open burning. Under a proposal reviewed Tuesday night, leaf burning would be curtailed to Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 6pm, would allow burning of only yard waste, and would prohibit burning on city streets, sidewalks and manholes. 

Gillenwater said he is opposed to any burning, City Administrator Jim Arndt acknowledged that fewer cities are allowing burning, and Esker said it makes no sense that a community the size of Effingham doesn't have some sort of recycling program in place. There was indication that negotiations might be underway to address that situation. Gillenwater said while he is against burning, he wouldn't push for a ban until an alternative is in place.

City Council members honored Mid America Motorworks with a Business Appreciation Award. Michael and Blake Yager, sons of Mid America's "chief cheerleader" Mike Yager were on hand to accept the award. Mayor Bloemker said, "Mike (Yager) has done more to put Effingham on the global map than any other person." The Mid America Funfest for Corvette will take place later this month, with guests from across the nation and several foreign countries expected to be on hand.

The Council approved some reassignment of duties and changes in the city's corporate hierarchy where accounting and finances is concerned. The Council also approved a person to staff a welcome desk at the main entrance to City Hall to direct visitors to various City offices. It's done in conjunction with physical relocation of several offices to different locations in City Hall.

Council members also approved Mark Thies filling a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals following Clint Spruell's resignation; awarded a contract to Effingham Asphalt for work on Park Street near South Side School for $114,000; allocated state funds for construction of the next phase of the TREC trail network; heard from Del Wortman about a proposed refurbishing at Wortman Printing on South Banker; and heard that bids will be taken on the next phase of reconstruction of North Raney between Ford and Rickelman on September 8.