City Council Approves Downtown Cafe Areas Proposal

Effingham city council members Tuesday voted to allow outdoor cafe areas downtown that could feature the sale of food and alcohol.

The Public Property Cafe permit classification is part of the upcoming reconstruction of Jefferson Avenue through the downtown area. The measure includes specific guidelines for what could be contained in the cafe areas and how they could be operated. 

Commissioner Don Althoff noted that the outdoor cafes would not be operating during much of the year, and wondered whether some accommodation could be made to allow the parking area that would be utilized by the cafes to be used when the cafes aren't operating.

City officials indicated that they want the cafe areas to be permanent fixtures so as to be aesthetically pleasing, not a temporary setup. It was noted that the final design of the reconstructed Jefferson is yet to be completed, so the layout can still be adjusted.

The Council approved a South Central Industrial TIF District agreement with Effingham Storage Solutions. The plan is to construct a 46,750 square foot warehouse with loading docks off South Banker, replacing a facility damaged by fire last year. The owners would be reimbursed up to $79,340 in development costs. Also approved was a proposal from Dan's Glass to replace the west entrance doors to City Hall to make them accessible to all. The work will cost $5,625. The Council also discussed a modification to the mezzanine area at Fire Station #1 at Fayette and Maple. The work is to cost just over $25,000. Also discussed were quotes on chemicals used in the water treatment process.

The City recognized John and Lisa Schafer and Baseball Card Connection at Tuesday's meeting as the latest Business Appreciation Award recipient, and Mayor Jeff Bloemker issued a proclamation on Celebrating Women 2019.

Council members discussed a request from The Alliance for a financial reimbursement for a trip to Europe in hopes of establishing ties there to attract business to Effingham, discussed a request for $814.75 in amusement tax funds for items at Evergreen Mini-Golf, and heard from City Administrator Steve Miller on a street and sewer building feasibility study.