City Council Narrowly Votes to Allow Golf Cart Use

Effingham City Council Tuesday narrowly passed an ordinance authorizing the operation of golf carts on streets and alleys in the city.

The vote was 3-2. Mayor Mike Schutzbach and Commissioners Libby Moeller and Larry Micenheimer voted for the measure, while Commissioners Hank Stephens and Merv Gillenwater voted against. Both commissioners voting No felt that Effingham is not set up for such vehicles with too many highways as part of the equation.

Golf carts will not be allowed on streets where the speed limit is greater than 30MPH. There are exceptions where golf carts can cross certain streets at 90 degree angles. Those include Wabash Avenue, from Wernsing to Willow; 4th Street, from Wabash to Fayette; Jefferson Avenue, from 4th to 3rd; Willow Street, from Fayette to Temple; Temple Avenue, from Keller to Willow; Evergreen Avenue from Outer Belt West to Keller; Rickelman Avenue, from Raney to Cumberland; Rickelman Avenue, from 4th to 3rd; Raney Street, from Ford to Rickelman; Technology Drive, from 3rd to Willenborg; and Evergreen Avenue, from Keller to 3rd. 

Direct crossings will be allowed at North Route 45, 3rd Street, and Virginia Avenue, and Route 40 and Route 33, and the pedestrian bridge crossing over Fayette Avenue from Jefferson to the Amtrak train station.

The ordinance also restricts parking on sidewalks and bike paths or multi-use paths. 

Those who want to use a golf cart in town has to purchase a permit annually at the City Clerk's office. The cost is $50; $40 for those over age 62. 

The Council voted to enact guidelines where intermodel shipping containers and semitrailer and box truck bodies can be utilized. The items are already located throughout the city. When they are spotted in a non-permitted location, the City will serve notice that they must be removed.

The Council voted to permit Fritz Krampe to locate such items as miniwarehouses at 806 South Vine Street under a special use permit. Also approved was a proposal for $20,000 from Sandschafer Electric for the placement of new equipment to read and transfer data from city water meters. The Council also approved a six-month extension of an agreement with Flex-N-Gate as they continue to make improvements on their planned location on South Banker Street. Economic Development Director Todd Hull said the company still plans to open by year's end, but the extension gives them a bit of a cushion.

Council members voted to amend the boundaries of the City-County Enterprise Zone to include property along North 3rd Street for development. The County Board approved the amendment on Monday; the Teutopolis Village Board is to vote on the modification at their meeting on Wednesday night. Also approved was an agreement with NextSite for economic development data research and business recruitment services. Also approved was the temporary closure of certain downtown streets for Cruise Night in September, and an engineering services agreement with Civil Design for reconstruction of a several block stretch of Merchant Street. 

(CITY OFFICER DAVID MYERS)

City Police Officer David Myers was recognized as city employee of the quarter for his actions to make residents aware of danger at an apartment fire; Fire Chief Brant Yochum shared that Effingham firefighters assisted with the large warehouse fire in Madison recently; Commissioner Moeller reminded of the start of the school year and the need to be watchful for young walkers and bike riders along city streets; Commissioner Micenheimer commended Deano Tull and all of those who assisted in making Saturday's Ham City Jam such a success; and Commissioner Stephens pointed out that city tax bills went up, despite the city's tax rate decreasing, and suggested that revisiting passing a sales tax referendum to lessen the property tax burden might be worthwhile.