City Council Finalizes Acquisition of Fire Engine

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Published on June 18 2021 11:04 am
Last Updated on June 18 2021 11:04 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Effingham city council members this week finalized the payment plan for a fire engine.

The five-year lease-purchase agreement will cost the City an average of $132,000 annually. The actual acquisition had been approved at a previous Council meeting.

The Council approved a design agreement with Farnsworth Group for $36,600 for water main replacement work along Kreke Avenue from Banker to Park Streets; Fourth Street from Wabash to Eiche Avenues; and Eiche Avenue from the first alley east of Banker Street to Fourth Street. Another agreement was approved with Farnsworth Group for a Tax Increment Financing District drainage study. The Industrial TIF District is bounded by Wabash Avenue on the north, Banker Street on the west, Fourth Street on the east, and Canadian National Railroad to the south. That work will also cost $36,600.

Council members also approved a Downtown/Southtown Business Area Redevelopment Program agreement with Fox Holler Coffee, which is developing a location along South Banker Street. Redevelopment costs total $26,910, with the City's share of the project cost totaling $6,727.50. The agreement is similar to others developed by the City to assist in startup or modernization costs for new or expanding businesses. 

There was also informal approval to letting Effingham High School hold a Homecoming parade on October 6, utilizing the traditional route from downtown west to Cherry Street, south on Cherry to Grove Avenue, and west on Grove to the high school. It was also agreed to let certain streets and alleys downtown be closed for the 2021 EffingHAM-JAM celebration on July 23-24. 

(EFFINGHAM CITY EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR MATT WORTMAN WITH DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR KELSEY LOCK, WHO MADE THE PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD TO WORTMAN)

The Council also acknowledged Matt Wortman as City Employee of the Year; heard from Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman that some manholes along Temple Avenue need repairs or replacement and will be done as part of the resurfacing project on Temple; acknowledged the retirement of Fire Chief Bob Tutko as of July 2 and the retirement of police department Sergeant Tony Stephens after 24 years' service; and heard from local resident Kesney Estrada who suggested that a change should be made as to who serves as School Resource Officer in Unit 40 schools.