City Council Discusses Grant Applications, Derelict Properties, Youth Opportunities

Effingham City Council members Tuesday passed a resolution supporting an application for $7.8 million in Federal funding for Phase 2 of the easterly extension of Ford Avenue. The City agreed to commit 20% of the project cost, or $1.562 million. The deadline to apply for the funds is this Friday, toward the City's goal of extending Ford Avenue east to 4th Street.

Meanwhile, City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman reported that the City has received $1,275,000 in grant funds for sewer line work. The funds are being received from the State Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

City Commissioner Libby Moeller reported that she has received a number of contacts from city residents complaining about derelict properties. Moeller and other commissioners said that they share the residents' frustrations. City Attorney Tracy Willenborg said some of the cases have been taken to court and some have been torn down. Commissioner Hank Stephens voiced support for Moeller's remarks and said, "We're not going to tolerate it." Mayor Mike Schutzbach agreed with what was shared, but said the process is sometimes slow going.

Moeller also urged motorists to remember that school starts this week and to slow down. 

The Council concurred with the Plan Commission's recommendation to rezone 412 West Temple from single-family residential to multiple-dwelling district for construction of an eight-unit apartment building, and concurred with the recommendation to rezone 605 West Jefferson from general commercial district to limited office and retail district. 

A third rezoning request that was recommended for denial by the Plan Commission at 800 South 5th Street was withdrawn from consideration, but the use of the property might be revisited. City Planner Greg Koester suggested that a special use permit be issued that would specify how the parcel could be used. The property is already used as a multi family structure and has been for decades. Koester said the special use permit could guarantee that the property would continue to be used as it is currently. He said that would be good for the developer and for the neighbors in the area who would know what they would be getting. The matter will be taken back to the Plan Commission for a review of Koester's idea.

City Police Chief Jason McFarland shared that the paperwork is ready for a partnership involving the police department and the Unit 40 School District that would get more officers into local schools. The mentoring effort would be paid for by the school district.

The Council approved temporary use permits and the purchase of easements for sewer line projects along Fayette Avenue, and approved the use of streets and parking areas for Cruise Night on September 9 and the following weekend for the 2023 Corvette Welcomefest.

City Clerk Abbey Nosbisch was honored as City Employee of the Quarter, and Ashlyn Davis, a student at Effingham High School, was recognized with a certificate of recognition for her participation in a FBI Youth Leadership Program, an eight-day leadership program involving 62 participants from throughout the nation and from foreign nations. We plan to talk with Ashlyn more about her opportunity in future newscasts.