City Council Hires Miller as City Administrator

The Effingham City Council Tuesday voted to approve a three-year contract with Director of Public Works Steve Miller as the new City Administrator for Effingham.

(STEVE MILLER)

Miller will begin his duties immediately. City Clerk Kelsey Lock has been working as Acting City Administrator since July 1. Lock was one of the first to offer public congratulations to Miller, saying she appreciated the Council considering him and looks forward to working with him in the new role. 

Miller has served in his current position for more than eight years, and served as City Engineer for nine years before that. His hiring comes after Effingham's first city administrator Jim Arndt departed at the end of June for the City Manager's job in Paducah, Kentucky. 

More than three dozen candidates applied for the job, and three finalists were interviewed in December. Effingham Mayor Jeff Bloemker said the Council didn't feel that any of the candidates were the right fit. Bloemker said there was discussion about another open invitation to apply for the job, but also to look within to see if an existing staff member should be considered. One of those was Lock, but she recently built a home in Clay County and Bloemker said she wasn't desirous about moving back into the city limits to be eligible for the post. 

Bloemker then talked with Miller, who had not applied for the job. Once Miller indicated interest, the Council discussed him and decided he was the right person. Bloemker said, "Steve certainly has the skill set for the job, and I feel wants to do what's right for the City and so agreed to apply for the job."

We talked with Miller after the meeting about his hiring...

The vote to authorize execution of an employment agreement with Miller was 3 to 2. City Commissioners Don Althoff and Kevin Esker voted No. Both said after the meeting that their votes were not against Miller, but against the compensation package. The agreement includes an annual stipend in lieu of longevity pay.

Miller will be paid $117,332.80 the first year of the three-year agreement with a 3% increase in each of the final two fiscal years of the package. In addition, the stipends are $4,834.11 the first year, $6,223.92 the second year, and $6,410.64 the third year.

Lock was quick to thank all of those City employees who have worked to assist during her months as Acting Administrator.

Mayor Jeff Bloemker said earlier Tuesday that the Council will now consider the ramifications of Miller's appointment on the rest of City government, particular the Director of Public Works position.

Also Tuesday, the Council contracted with Tick Tock Energy to develop a solar energy plan at several City sites. The plan is designed to generate cost savings on the City's energy bill. The Council also awarded lawn care services to low bidder Herrmann's Landscaping. Herrmann's has been doing the City mowing but some Council members decided to put the work out for bids. The Council also granted a six-month extension to Fieldcrest Development to complete the rehabilitation work at their location at Front and St. Anthony.

Council members established a procurement policy that is part of utilizing a $500,000 grant that will pay for water main installation west of downtown along Franklin Avenue and the north-south streets from Main to Keller Drive. City Engineer Jeremy Heuerman also secured Council approval for a change order on the Jefferson Avenue watermain project downtown. Since the project came in under budget, Heuerman obtained Council approval to tie in the watermains with the side streets. He said that will guarantee new water lines under new roadway when Jefferson is reconstructed in the near future. The work will cost just over $40,000.

The Council approved adding another Class B liquor license. The license is being sought by Jennifer and Robert Howell, who want to open an establishment in the Effingham train station. Jennie's Place, said Jennifer Howell, would offer food items and someplace warm for people waiting on trains to spend time. She said they will likely only serve beer and wine, and said they would go ahead with the project even if gaming wasn't part of the equation. Commissioner Kevin Willis said the Council has consistently opposed those who might seek to open a gaming parlor under the guise of a restaurant or bar. Willis voted No on the additional license.

The Council welcomed new City Police Officer Justin Quandt who will soon leave for the Academy and Samuel Larch, a new police telecommunicator who began his affiliation with the City in the Explorer program.

(INCOMING POLICE OFFICER JUSTIN QUANDT AND CITY POLICE CHIEF JEFF FUESTING)

(TELECOMMUNICATOR SAMUEL LARCH WITH CHIEF FUESTING)

Council members approved textual changes in the City Code specifying where animal kennels, animal shelters, animal clinics and veterinary hospitals can be located in light industrial and general commercial zones as well as non-urban areas. Another change approved governs how RVs, campers and trailers can be maintained in the city. Heuerman said the goal is to insure no one is living in an RV or trailer. The Council also rezoned the lot on the northeast corner of Third and Temple to limited office and retail district. The change allows Lindsay Miller to operate a one-chair beauty salon in the location. A second chair may be added, but the building has to maintain its residential look on the exterior.

Commissioner Althoff asked for some resolution to vehicles using Oakridge Cemetery as a pass-through to get from Fayette Avenue to the subdivision to the north of the cemetery or on farther north to the businesses in that area. Police Chief Jeff Fuesting said he would work with City Sexton Matt Wortman to remedy the situation. Resuming the practice of locking the north gate off Temple Avenue toward evening was mentioned as a possible remedy.

We at Premier Broadcasting also thank the City for presenting us with the latest Business Appreciation Award. Mayor Bloemker made the presentation in recognition of our 25th anniversary on the air this year and our involvement in a variety of community activities. The award is very much appreciated.

(AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE BUSINESS APPRECIATION AWARD, LEFT TO RIGHT: EFFINGHAM MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER, OUR BOSS DAVE RING, TONYA SINER AND GREG SAPP)