City Council Reaches Agreement on Fire Truck Purchase, Agrees to Reject Bids and Reduce Scope of Bike Path Project

Effingham city council members Tuesday agreed to the purchase of a fire engine, but decided to reject bids on a bike path project for now.

Fire Chief Bob Tutko said the foreign fire agency fund, which involves funds raised by firefighters on fire calls outside the city limits, will contribute toward the purchase cost. The truck will be purchased under a five-year lease-purchase plan at a cost to the City of $97,000/year, rather than $138,000/year.

Commissioner Hank Stephens, who has concerns over the size of the fire department budget, said he would support the purchase "for the maintenance of the fleet." Commissioners Libby Moeller and Larry Micenheimer also said the fund kicking in a share of the cost is a good move on their part and helps them support the purchase.

As to the bike path project, the bid came in at $350,000 over the estimated cost. The decision was to reject the bids, reduce the scope of the project, and re-bid the work. Grant funds were received that will pay much of the project cost, but even with 10% each in matching funds from the City and from TREC, the amount of the bid led to the decision to re-bid.

The Council agreed to consider a $15,000 allocation to Effingham City/County Committee on Aging after allocating $10,000 last year; and voiced favorably a project that would give the City a model for water system improvements needed in the next several years. Also, City Engineer Luke Thoele reported that bids will be opened this month on rebuilding the city parking lot north of Joe Sipper's Cafe as well as the alley north of the parking lot.

Council members heard from Economic Development Director Todd Hull that legislation to extend the life of the City's Tax Increment Financing District by a maximum of another 12 years is moving ahead in the General Assembly.

Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman reported that an agreement allocating motor fuel tax funds for engineering work on the intersection of Evergreen Avenue and Willenborg Street has been reached. Heuerman said the goal is to widen the turning radii of the intersection with a goal of construction improvements on the intersection in the Spring of 2022. There was also discussion of work on a generator for the waste water treatment plant, a proposal for purchase of four vehicles for City use, and an agreement on closing roadways around the Effingham High School athletic complex for the 4th of July fireworks display sponsored by Effingham Noon Rotary Club. There was also tentative agreement on allocating motor fuel tax funds on a box culvert replacement project on Evergreen Avenue including raising the roadway height out of a flood plain and for bridge work.

The Council recognized Chris Huelsbusch as City Employee of the Year. A different employee is recognized each quarter, and Huelsbusch, who serves as the City's Public Works Operations Manager, was chosen as the annual honoree.

(CHRIS HUELSBUSCH)

The Council approved zoning changes allowing development of a solar energy field on a portion of the land purchased by the City from the Hawickhorst Family Land Trust south of town off US Route 45; a special use permit for an earth terminal antenna for television transmissions in an area along West US 40 near Country Club Road for a company called Viasat; allocated $15,000 toward the cost of the 4th of July fireworks display; purchased a Christmas light display to complement the displays already in town; and renewed the use of an outdoor billboard just on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River at St. Louis promoting Effingham.

City officials also reminded citizens not to place signs on rights-of-way; the signs have to be placed on private property.