City Has Plan in Place in Case We Go to Remote Learning

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Published on September 1 2020 5:42 pm
Last Updated on September 2 2020 9:10 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The City of Effingham has a plan in place in case we go to remote learning in the community.

Deputy City Administrator Kelsey Lock said the program regards city employees who have children in local schools. Lock said 21 city workers have indicated they would utilize the program. The program would let City staffers oversee the project while still taking care of their duties for the City. Even some employees without children in the program say they would be willing to help.

Lock said the program would operate at no cost to the City since employees would utilize vacation time or sick leave or off-hours. 

Council members were enthusiastic, since it would involve "employees helping other employees in an organized fashion."

Also Tuesday, City Economic Development Specialist Sasha Althoff reported that Bike N Hike at Jefferson and Banker has a downtown redevelopment plan they'd like to pursue. Part of the project would involve installing third floor windows to replace the boarded-up windows, and exterior work related to the fire escape on the building. The project will be voted on at a future meeting.

City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman shared that the City has secured a $310,000 matching grant. The funds will help with an extension of Thies Avenue in the area of John Boos and Company. Heuerman is hopeful work on the extension could begin later this year.

The Council accepted a proposal for just under $101,000 from Esker and Walker to surface the City parking lot east across 2nd Street from City Hall. Also approved was a utility extension agreement between the City and Hetzel's Overland Transport for sanitary sewer service to the Hetzel project site along Airport Road.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko said Country Financial, led by local agent Wayne Donsbach, secured a $5,000 grant for training opportunities for firefighters, and reminded citizens that Friday, September 11 is the 2020 National Day of Service and encouraged us to do something on that special day to help others.