City of Effingham City Council met Feb. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. OPENING
1.1 Mayor Calls Meeting to Order
Time: 5:00 PM
1.2 Roll Call
Present: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Moeller, and Stephens Absent: Commissioner Niebrugge
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
2. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA
2.1 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (02/03/2026) – City Clerk Nosbisch
2.2 Ordinance No. 009-2026, An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of Real Estate for the Right of Way and the Purchase of a Permanent Easement at Rickelman Avenue & Fourth Street Intersection – Kenneth C. & Mary T. Dasenbrock Trust – Public Works Director Heuerman
This ordinance authorizes the purchase of real estate for right of way and the purchase of a permanent easement for the Ford Avenue Connector and Rickelman Avenue/Fourth Street Intersection Project from Kenneth C. & Mary T. Dasenbrock Trust in the total amount of $45,300.
2.3 Ordinance No. 010-2026, An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of Real Estate for Right of Way and the Purchase of a Permanent Easement at Rickelman Avenue & Fourth Street Intersection – D. & A. Farm, Inc., an Illinois Corporation – Public Works Director Heuerman
This ordinance authorizes the purchase of real estate for right of way and the purchase of a permanent easement for the Rickelman Avenue/Fourth Street Intersection Project from D. & A. Farm, Inc. in the total amount of $20,700.
2.4 Resolution 011-2026, A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Proposal from Farnsworth Group, Inc. for Evergreen Avenue Box Culvert Construction Engineering – City Engineer Thoele
This resolution authorizes acceptance of a proposal for construction engineering services associated with the Evergreen Avenue Box Culvert Project from Farnsworth Group, Inc. in total amount of $110,500. Payment for these services will be made from the General Fund.
2.5 Resolution No. 012-2026, A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Quote from Ideal Landscape Group for Installation of Playground Equipment at Bliss Park – Public Works Director Heuerman
This resolution accepts the lowest, responsive quote from Ideal Landscape Group in the total amount of $33,650 for the Installation of Playground Equipment at Bliss Park. Payment for the project will be made from the Central TIF Fund.
2.6 Certificate of Project Completion and Release of Bonding – 2025 Street Maintenance Aggregate Stockpiling – City Engineer Thoele
Heuerman Bros. Trucking has completed the 2025 Street Maintenance Aggregate Stockpiling in the total amount of $28,397.17. Requests approval of project completion and release of bonding.
2.7 Omnibus Vote Agenda Approval
Motion to approve by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Micenheimer Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Stephens, Moeller, and Micenheimer
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Employee of the Quarter – City Administrator Miller
City Administrator Miller recognized Josh Tegeler as Employee of the Quarter.
3.2 Customer Service Citation Award – City Administrator Miller
City Administrator Miller recognized Officer Jared Purcell, Officer Dave Myers, Officer Jesse Brandt, and Officer Brittany Lowery, for extraordinary actions.
4. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS – ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Resolution No. 014-2026, A Resolution Supporting the FY 2026 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program Application – City Engineer Thoele
City Engineer Thoele stated this resolution supports the (BUILD) Grant Program Application for the Ford Avenue Connector and the Improvements to the Intersection of Fourth and Rickelman.
Motion to adopt by Commissioner Stephens, second by Commissioner Moeller Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Stephens, Moeller, and Micenheimer
5. OTHER ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Bills and Requisitions
A. Payroll Check Register dated 02/06/2026 $ 390,482.94
B. Check Register dated 02/17/2026 $ 884,369.64
Motion to approve by Commissioner Micenheimer, second by Commissioner Moeller Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Stephens, Moeller, and Micenheimer
6. DISCUSSION
6.1 Resolution No. 016-2026, A Resolution Granting Permission to Allow a Portion of City Streets to be Temporarily Closed for Outdoor Movie Night – Tourism Director Thoele
Tourism Director Thoele stated this resolution grants permission to close city streets for Outdoor Movie Night on June 19, 2026.
There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.2 Resolution No. 017-2026, A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of Bids for the Design, Construction, and Installation of a Regional Fire Training Center – Fire Chief Yochum
Fire Chief Yochum stated this resolution grants the acceptance of bids for Fire Training Center. There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.3 Resolution No. 018-2026, A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of Bids for the Concrete Work in Preparation for the Regional Fire Training Center Project – Fire Chief Yochum
Fire Chief Yochum stated this resolution accepts bids for concrete work in conjunction with the Fire Training Center Project.
There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.4 Christmas Light Displays – Tourism Director Thoele
Tourism Director Thoele discussed the purchase of Christmas light displays for the FY27 year. There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.5 Square Southtown Put Option Agreement – Commissioner Moeller & Commissioner Stephens
City Attorney Willenborg stated the attached document allows for the sale of the Village Square Mall, upon completion and finalization of the foreclosure proceedings with the Appellate Court, from Square Southtown to the City of Effingham.
Scott Kabbes withdrew his Speaker’s Card to address the Council regarding this topic. There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
7. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
8.1 Reports from Commissioners
8.2 Reports from Staff – City Administrator Miller; Deputy City Administrator Presley; Public Works Director Heuerman; Economic Development Director Hull; Fire Chief Yochum; Police Chief Davis; City Engineer Thoele; Tourism Director Thoele; City Treasurer Polk; City Clerk Nosbisch
City Administrator Miller announced Economic Development Director Todd Hull’s upcoming retirement.
City Engineer Thoele noted the need to get design going for sanitary sewer on Merchant Street and requested a change order to the current contract with CDI in the amount of $30,800 be voted on at the next City Council Meeting.
City Administrator Miller stated the recovery home topic is being discussed in closed session and no action will be taken when the Council resumes in open session. City Attorney Willenborg stated a text amendment should be forthcoming.
8.3 Public Participation
Mark Mayhood submitted a Speaker’s Card and addressed the Council regarding progress on updating the process for the request of Tourism Funds.
9. RECESS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
9.1 Recess into Executive Session For the purpose of consideration of the following subjects, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c); Personnel- Section 2 (c) (1); Collective Bargaining- Section 2 (c) (2); Purchase or Lease of Real Estate – Section 2 (c) (5); Sale or Lease of Property – Section 2 (c) (6); Litigation – Section 2 (c) (11); and Review of Executive Session Minutes – Section 2 (c) (21). (If the Council desires to recess into executive session, the Council shall specifically indicate the desired topic of discussion for public record.)
Motion to recess into executive session by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Micenheimer
Purpose: Collective Bargaining- Section 2 (c) (2); ); Litigation – Section 2 (c) (11); and Review of Executive Session Minutes – Section 2 (c) (21)
Time: 5:39 PM
Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Stephens, Moeller, and Micenheimer
9.2 Roll Call
Present: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Moeller, and Stephens
10. ADJOURNMENT
10.1 Adjournment
Time: 7:00 PM
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Micenheimer Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Stephens, Moeller, and Micenheimer
https://effinghamil.community.highbond.com/document/6e3df66e-b602-46a3-b2d8-4fe14a93b396/
