Kurt Davis New Deputy Police Chief

Kurt Davis was introduced as Effingham Deputy Police Chief Tuesday night.

Police Chief Jason McFarland said Davis is a detail-oriented individual and has been serving as a sergeant on the police department. He's a 17-year veteran of the force.

Davis succeeds Danny Lake, who retired.

Council members also approved the promotion of Howard Janis to 2nd Assistant Fire Chief, succeeding the recently-retired Jim Wolters.

The Council voted to declare the structure at 323 Austin Avenue as dangerous and unsafe, allowing the City to take action to clean up the site, at the owner's cost.

Council members also approved several appointments: reappointing Dave Ring, Betsy Yager and Angie Jones and naming John McHugh to a new spot on the Tourism Advisory Board; reappointing Dave Storm and naming Jim Wolters to replace Larry Micenheimer on the Fire and Police Commission; and reappointing John Richards to a term on the Police Pension Board.

Council members heard that bids will be opened later this month on improvements to Ford Avenue in the vicinity of the proposed Meijer store including a turn lane, and discussed a capital improvement plan for maintaining the wastewater treatment plant.

The Council was also reminded by Tourism Director Jodi Thoele of the VW Welcomefest Downtown Party this Friday night.

The Council approved changes in what is charged for services by the fire department for extrication work and for fire protection services outside the city corporate limits.

Council members also voted to move up the start time of Council meetings. Meetings will now begin at 5pm on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The Council also approved an agreement for engineering services with Milano and Grunloh Engineers for the Second Street reconstruction project in the area of a proposed apartment complex. 

Council members spent just over $34,000 for additional Christmas decorations; and approved $15,000 toward the cost of 4th of July fireworks. 

Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko introduced Ben Siemer as a firefighter, and introduced Tyler Veatch and Aaron Mason as new paid-on-call firefighters.