Liquor License Granted to Mall Theatres; Council Discusses Fire and Building Code Changes

Effingham City Council members voted 3-2 Tuesday to grant a liquor license to Village Square Mall Cinemas. There will be a two-drink limit, and purchasers will be required to remain in the theatre area and not out in the Mall proper.

The move is part of making the theaters more attractive, rather than having potential customers stay home and watch Netflix.

Mayor Jeff Bloemker and Commissioners Kevin Willis and Kevin Esker voted in favor of issuing the licenses, while Commissioners Don Althoff and Merv Gillenwater voted against.

Bloemker said he thought the City was "overstepping our bounds if we don't allow it", but Gillenwater countered that is why the State requires liquor licenses so governments can have some discretion about what they permit to operate.

The licenses are part of an upgrade of the theaters to include new plush seating and other amenities.

The Council also heard from Building Official Michelle Wilkins and Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza on proposed changes to the fire codes and building codes under which the City operates. Wilkins and Kulesza are part of a committee of City officials who have been meeting for several months on the changes. They said the consensus is the changes will help projects move ahead and potentially cost less. Plans are to invite contractors, architects and the general public to gatherings to discuss the changes before action by the Council.

There was brief discussion of a development to be known as Lucky Dogs that would be located next to Family Video. The project would reportedly include food, alcohol and a gaming parlor, but consideration of the item was short since the developers did not show up for the meeting. Bloemker said he would check to make sure the developers knew last night's meeting was the meeting when the matter would be discussed.

The Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Unit 40 School District, granting up to $100,000 in each of the next two years for the school district vocational education instructional costs; rezoned lots at 505 West Shelby Avenue and 203 South Walnut Street from multiple dwelling district to general commercial district allowing the expansion of Niebrugge A-1 Furniture; agreed to let upstairs dwellings exist in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 zoning districts, instead of just in the downtown area; and amended the fiscal year budget allowing the City to pay $63,500 toward the cost of the Haney Street railroad crossing since the railroad is not going to cover the cost, although the City will be reimbursed the cost.

Council members hired Economic Development Resources for $6,500 to amend the Ford Avenue Business District plan. The work would work with a preliminary plat approval of Meijer Effingham Subdivision, the 29-acre project that will include a Meijer store next year and seven other lots along either Ford Avenue or North Raney Street for commercial development.

(MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER POSES WITH BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK VOLUNTEERS)

The Council concurred with Bloemker's proclamation of Blessings in a Backpack Day and Fire Chief Joe Holomy recognized three youngsters...Dillon Weber, Ian McQueen and Jalyn McQueen...for their work in spotting a recent residential fire and contacting adults and authorities along with checking to make sure no one was at home. Holomy presented the kids Civilian Recognition  Awards for their service.

(CITY FIRE CHIEF JOE HOLOMY WITH JALYN McQUEEN, DILLON WEBER AND IAN McQUEEN AND THEIR PROUD PARENTS RECEIVING CIVILIAN RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR THEIR SERVICE THAT HELPED LESSEN THE IMPACT OF A HOUSE FIRE THIS SUMMER)

Althoff reported that Chili's officials were highly complimentary at their ribbon cutting of City staff for their help in the conversion of the old Ruby Tuesday's restaurant into their new home on Avenue of Mid America; and Holomy reported the new city fire engine should arrive by the end of next month.