City Council Hears About People-Helping Effort, Recycling Business

Effingham City Council members Tuesday heard about a people-helping effort that could benefit people in the Effingham area.

Miranda Smith is developing an effort called Emerald Gardens. The project would involve food production on an 18-acre tract near Owaneco, south of Taylorville. Smith said the food production is designed to be therapeutic, particularly when it comes to mental health needs and food insecurity.

Smith is hoping to develop a network stretching from Effingham to Taylorville to Vandalia to Decatur. She said she is funding the effort "out of pocket" at this point, but is hoping to gain 501(c)3 status.

The Council also heard from Emily Hartke, whose family is beginning a recycling effort to be known as Polygone, involving the proper disposal of industrial plastic types 2 and 5 through shredding. To start, the Hartkes want to get the business going on their property outside Effingham, then relocate it elsewhere once the business gets its wings. City Planner Greg Koester suggested an amendment to the city code allowing recycling centers to be located in non-urban areas after complying with a host of requirements. Those same guidelines would have to be met for any subsequent project.

The Council voted to declare a property at 607 South 3rd Street as "dangerous and unsafe" with the chief concern a lack of a safe water source. The declaration gives the City some options as far as correcting problems with the house. 

Council members rezoned 801 West Jefferson to neighborhood shopping district. Mark Schackmann plans to move his auction and realty business from Fayette Avenue when the reconstruction work begins. Also approved was the rezoning of lots owned by Scott Conant to single family residential on Country Club Road just off US Route 40. Also approved:

--water meter replacements for $14,000 from Schulte Supply

--a replat of three lots in the second addition to Historic Hills Subdivision

--construction of a detention outfall that will serve John Boos and Company as well as City-owned property north and west of the Boos site for $370,000

--replacement of water main from along South 4th Street from Eiche to Wabash Avenues and sidewalk replacement along the east side of 4th Street for $664,000

--an agreement with WCR Enterprises to amend the Enterprise Zone to add a housing component to the Zone

--appointment of Adam Bohnhoff, Edward Grunloh, William Mette, Donald Niebrugge and William Utz as members of the Building Code Board of Appeals

--a contract with Outfront Media for billboards promoting Effingham to tourists

--approval of downtown redevelopment agreements with W.S. Broom and Company and Boots and Soles, both in downtown Effingham for exterior improvements with the City paying 25% of the improvements cost

--introduction of Jared Harris as a new engineering tech for the City.

The Council discussed a number of items as well. Those items included contract agreements with city telecommunicators and with most city public works employees, a retainer agreement with a firm regarding particles from firefighter foam, a quote for the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus, street light improvements on Technology Drive with the City paying for the five lights and Quik Trip paying all other costs related to the installation of the lights, and an increase in the clothing allowance for city workers.

There was also a report that the City has obtained some $5 million in grants in recent years for the bike lanes around town, and for street and sewer projects.