City Council Discusses Allowing Liquor Delivery

Effingham City Council members Tuesday discussed delivery of liquor throughout the city.

Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach, who serves as Liquor Commissioner, broached the subject. Schutzbach said City officials have been approached in the past about the issue, and he understands a merchant outside the city is planning to begin deliveries. He said the original understanding was that the State didn't permit such services, but that was incorrect. 

City Commissioner Merv Gillenwater, traditionally a cautious voice on the Council when it comes to liquor issues, said he favors the idea since it might keep those who don't need to be driving to purchase liquor home.

Commissioner Larry Micenheimer has some misgivings, worried that an adult could supply a "house party" for underage consumers by ordering the liquor delivery.

City Attorney Tracy Willenborg said it would still be on the license holder to ensure that the product is getting to legal consumers.

The Council amended the new Appointment Ordinance for the fiscal year that began May 1, naming Fire Chief Bob Tutko the interim City EMA Director, succeeding Kim Tegeler, and agreed to apply for a block grant to help finance upcoming improvements.

Billie Bales was officially sworn in as City Communication Manager, succeeding the retired Jodi Moomaw.

(BILLIE BALES)

Several appointments to various boards and commissions were approved. Those include Sarah Ruholl Sehy and Charlene Topel to new terms and Shelby Dasenbrock and Lisa Koerner to their initial terms on the Effingham Public Library Board; Alan Harris, Clint Spruell, Mark Thies and Cindy Vogel to new terms and Doug Wohltman and Michael McHugh to new terms on the City Plan Commission; Mark Thies and Gary Welton to new terms and Doug Wohltman to an initial term on the Zoning Board of Appeals; City Treasurer Caitlin Phillips to a two-year term on the Police Pension Board; Phillips to a three-year term on the Fire Pension Board; Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman, Economic Development Director Todd Hull and Greg Sapp to new three-year terms on the Human Relations Board; Gerald Steppe to a new three-year term on the Fire and Police Commission; and Jeff Althoff, Lori Worman and Wanda Pitcher to new terms and Kim Stanfield to her initial term on the Tourism Advisory Board.

The Council also agreed to a one-year extension to complete development of the outlots along Ford Avenue in front of the Meijer store site to match the Meijer store development plan and due to the pandemic; agreed to a TIF rehabilitation agreement of the former library building along Market Avenue as a home for Community Opportunities; and agreed to allocate $15,000 toward the cost of a 4th of July fireworks display sponsored by Effingham Noon Rotary at Effingham High School's athletic complex. Final votes on those items will come at a future meeting.