Published on May 7, 2025 11:04 am
Last Updated on May 7, 2025 2:06 pm
Effingham City Council members Tuesday discussed the possibility of a downtown mural.
The mural would be a joint project of HSHS Medical Group and Stang Arts. The site would be the west wall of the parking lot across from Big Papa’s along Jefferson Avenue.
Commissioner Hank Stephens shared concerns that the work would mean that some parking spaces in the lot wouldn’t be available. The first shutdown would be from May 12-22, with another round in June.
(JAKE BURRELL AND CHAD BERG WERE INTRODUCED AS PAID-ON-CALL SECOND LIEUTENANTS FOR THE EFFINGHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT. CITY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS JEREMY HEUERMAN LOOKS ON)
Council members also discussed a TIF housing rehabilitation project at 1007 South 5th Street, which would involve about $6,000 in work. There was also a Downtown/Southtown TIF rehabilitation project at Effingham Storage Solutions along West Wabash Avenue. While only a portion of the project would qualify for the program, the entire project is expected to total $316,000 in cost.
The Council heard that tentative agreement was reached on a three-year contract with Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council #209, involving police telecommunicators. The agreement calls for pay hikes of 5%, 4%, and 4%. There was also discussion of filling two appointments, that being Grant Bushue on the Effingham Public Library Board and our own Tonya Siner on the Tourism Advisory Board, replacing our own Dave Ring.
(BLAKE POE WAS INTRODUCED AS A NEW FIREFIGHTER, CONCLUDING A 20-YEAR PROCESS TO GET TO THIS POINT. HIS WIFE DANA PINS ON HIS BADGE)
City Planner Greg Koester discussed the next Effingham 2050 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meeting on May 15. Koester said the meeting will involve special meetings of the City Council, Plan Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. This will be another Open House session, where residents can come and go as they please.
Information was shared that a Notice to Proceed was finally received on the Amtrak pedestrian crossing at the train station. The work is expected to cost $481,000, all grant-funded.
The Council also heard from Boy Scout Gabe Koester, who would like to install a Gaga Ballpit at Bliss Park. The work would be for Koester’s Eagle Scout project.
Also, the Council approved rezoning land for Stacey Durbin along South Banker Street, some from non-urban to M-1 light industrial and some to B-2 general commercial district; approved renewal of group medical and health insurance coverage; renewed an employee assistance program with Sarah Bush; accepted quotes for a West Jefferson Avenue water main replacement project; and approved temporary street closure for some upcoming event nights and weekends.
