City Council Approves Funding for Construction Trades Class

The Effingham City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to contribute $50,000 toward the cost of the Construction Trades Education Course for a second year.

The course is designed to make workers ready for the building trades. Another 20 people have been approved for the coming year.

Commissioner Merv Gillenwater voted No on the funding. Although he says he supports the class, Gillenwater wonders why the City is having to cover so much of the expense. He said he'd like to see more support from area schools. He was glad to hear from Commissioner Don Althoff that contractors and others have pledged funds over a three-year period to help cover the costs, and was also pleased to hear that the organizers of the program plan to stick to their pledge of only seeking City funds for the first two years of the course.

Mayor Jeff Bloemker said he understood Gillenwater's argument, but said he believes in the people that "are getting this over the threshhold". Althoff, who has been an organizer of the project since its inception, said, "if we get these kids jobs here, we are already getting a return on our investment."

Council members discussed instituting speed zones along Rickelman Avenue and Willenborg Street in the area of Silverlake Estates Subdivision, but couldn't reach a consensus. City officials said they are getting complaints from the residents of the subdivision over speeders, saying they are worried about the safety of their kids. The matter is going to be researched further.

The Council was scheduled to discuss a requested rezoning of property near the intersection of Routes 32/33 and Nazarene Road, but the petition was withdrawn from consideration. The City Plan Commission last week recommended the requested rezoning be denied.

Also Tuesday, the City Council:

--added the Sports Complex route to the list of 5K and 10K routes from which event coordinators can choose when sponsoring races on City property

--revised the city personnel policy to give employees more options about buying back vacation time

--approved the closing of some downtown parking lots and streets for the EffingHAM JAM in July

--reapproved a plat of Voyles-Utz Subdivision

--accepted a bid of $809,106.95 for the West Fayette water main project

--recognized City Sexton and Public Property supervisor Matt Wortman as the City Employee of the Quarter

(MATT WORTMAN AND MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER)

--acquired real property or easements for the West Fayette Avenue water main project

--authorized issuance of a liquor license for Outer Limits Bar and Grill on East Route 40

--awarded water treatment plant carbon and a carbon silo tank for the water plant for $302,000

--contracted for engineering work on those water plant improvements

--discussed engineering work on the reconstruction of 3rd Street from Fayette Avenue across the CSX Railroad crossing including rebuilding of the crossing

--discussed a new employment agreement with City Administrator Jim Arndt for another three years

--approved street closures for the Effingham Artisan Fair on May 13-14

--discussed an agreement with FGM Architects for a space needs study for a new or renovated police station

--discussed a business services agreement with Consolidated Communications to increase City bandwidth

--discussed reconstruction of Luther Drive from the Fayette frontage road north to Hillside Apartments

--discsused water main replacement on Henrietta Street and Lakewood Drive

--discussed street and drainage improvements to Lakewood Drive

--and discussed sidewalk work on Second Street and Grove Avenue