Published on February 6, 2026 9:39 am
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 9:39 am
The Effingham City Council has agreed with New Hope Baptist Church and the church’s Oneighty facility on North Route 45. The agreement is to utilize Oneighty for emergency management purposes. Weather emergencies are one way the facility could be utilized.
The Council accepted a proposal from Civil Design for a storage building at Community Park. The building will be used to store the “Wonderland in Lights” Christmas decorations. The City agreed to construct a restroom facility at the park as part of the agreement.
Council members released the bond posted against completion of storm sewer improvements along Jaycee Avenue, south of Wabash Avenue. The work cost $448,000. The Council also received the bid tabulations on a fire department training facility.
The Council repealed a transitional duty policy of the City, amended a Workers Compensation policy, and established a new Return-to-Work program for the City. Also, the Council approved a professional services agreement with Milano and Grunloh Engineers for grant-funded storm sewer improvements south of Wabash Avenue. The engineering work is valued at $30,000.
There was discussion on the intersection of Rickelman Avenue and Fourth Street. One concerned an agreement with the Kenneth and Mary Dasenbrock Trust for $45,300, the other involves an agreement with D&A Farm for $20,700. The agreements will be finalized at the next Council meeting and involve the proposed roundabout for the intersection.
An agreement is close on construction engineering for the installation of a box culvert on East Evergreen Avenue. Farnsworth Group will do the work for $110,500. Also, agreement is near on a project to be handled by Ideal Landscape Group for installation of playground equipment at Bliss Park. The installation will cost $33,650. The firm put Harmony Playground at Evergreen Hollow Park together.
Council members also were updated by City Engineer Luke Thoele on capital improvement infrastructure undertaken during 2025.
