City of Effingham City Council met March 3.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
1. Opening
1.1 Mayor Calls Meeting to Order
1.2 Roll Call
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
2. Omnibus Vote Agenda
2.1 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (02/17/2026) – City Clerk Nosbisch
Approve
2.2 Treasurer’s Report (January 2026) – City Treasurer Polk
Receive and File
2.3 Resolution No. 013-2026, Resolution Accepting Public Infrastructure Improvements Golden Fields Subdivision Third Addition – City Engineer Thoele
This resolution accepts the public infrastructure improvements in Golden Fields Subdivision. This was discussed at the October 7, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Adopt
2.4 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
This resolution grants permission to close city streets for Outdoor Movie Night on June 19, 2026.
Adopt
2.5 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
This resolution grants the acceptance of bids for the Fire Training Center.
Adopt
2.6 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
This resolution accepts bids for concrete work in conjunction with the Fire Training Center Project.
Adopt
2.7 Resolution No. 019-2026, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Christmas Light Displays from Holiday Outdoor Decor – Tourism Director Thoele
This resolution authorizes the purchase of Christmas lights for the City’s Wonderland in Lights display.
Adopt
2.8 Resolution No. 023-2026, Resolution Accepting Public Infrastructure Improvements, Releasing and Accepting Bond – Hidden Hills Subdivision and Hidden Hills Subdivision, First Addition – City Engineer Thoele
This resolution accepts the public infrastructure improvements in Hidden Hills Subdivision and Hidden Hills Subdivision, First Addition. This was discussed at the October 7, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Adopt
2.9 Resolution No. 024-2026, Resolution Accepting Public Infrastructure Improvements, Releasing and Accepting Bond – Oak Point Subdivision – City Engineer Thoele
This resolution accepts the public infrastructure improvements in Oak Pointe. This was discussed at the October 7, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Adopt
2.10 Illinois Housing Development Authority’s City of Effingham Community Revitalization Plan – Economic Development Director Hull
Receive and File
2.11 Heritage Avenue RFP Proposal – City Administrator Miller
The City received Request for Proposals for the Heritage Avenue Residential Development.
Receive and File
2.12 City Staff Letter – Effingham 2050 Comprehensive Plan – City Planner Koester
The Plan Commission recommendation to adopt the Effingham 2050
Comprehensive Plan was subject to adding a clarification of actions to take for housing. This letter presents the clarification.
Receive and File
2.13 Plan Commission Letter of Recommendation – Effingham 2050 Comprehensive Plan – City Planner Koester
Receive and File
2.14 Plan Commission Letter of Recommendation – Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Recovery Homes and Recovery Residences – City Attorney Willenborg and City Planner Koester
Receive and File
2.15 Petition to Vacate and Release a Portion of a Utility Easement, 307 S. Willow Street – Wright at Home – City Planner Koester
Receive and File
2.16 Certificate of Approval City of Effingham Plan Commission, Preliminary Plat No. 861 – P, Final Plat No. 861 – F – Golden Fields Subdivision, 3rd Addition – City Planner Koester
Receive and File
2.17 Certificate of Approval of the City Planner / Subdivision Coordinator, Final Plat No. 26-001F – Dalton Subdivision – City Planner Koester
Receive and File
2.18 Certificate of Approval of the City Planner / Subdivision Coordinator, Final Plat No. 25-015F – Butcher Block Subdivision, First Addition – City Planner Koester Receive and File
2.19 Final Change Order – Ford Avenue Extension – City Engineer Thoele
Final Change Order reflecting a savings of $105,734.26 for the Ford Avenue Extension Project – Section 21-00146-01-PV.
Approve
2.20 Certificate of Project Completion and Release of Bonding – Ford Avenue Extension – City Engineer Thoele Feutz Contractors has completed the Ford Avenue Extension Project in the total amount of $917,066.19. Requests approval of project completion and release of bonding.
Approve
2.21 Pick It Up, Effingham Litter Abatement Program Application
Good Bug Club has applied to adopt Outerbelt West from Fayette to Rt. 40 as part of the City’s “Pick It Up, Effingham” Program
Receive and File
2.22 Omnibus Vote Agenda Approval
Consent Action
3. Presentations
3.1 Todd Hull Retirement – City Administrator Miller
Economic Development Director Todd Hull announced his retirement after 38 years of service.
3.2 Bernardi Securities – Municipal Bond Specialist – City Administrator Miller
John Vezzetti with Bernardi Securities will provide a brief overview of the current market and potential opportunities to refinance existing bonds.
4. Ordinances/Resolutions – Action Items
4.1 Ordinance No. 011-2026, An Ordinance Authorizing Acquisition of a Public Utility Easement (Golden Fields Subdivision, 3rd Addition) – City Planner Koester
Some of the public infrastructure installed for Golden Fields Subdivision, Third Addition was extended for future additions beyond the easements and right of way dedicated. These easements are for those improvements to be operated and maintained by the City.
Pass
4.2 Ordinance No. 012-2026, An Ordinance Vacating and Releasing a Portion of a Utility Easement – 307 S. Willow Street – Wright at Home – City Planner Koester
In connection with Butcher Block Subdivision, First Addition, a replat of Lots 1 and 2, an existing easement between the 2 lots is being vacated.
Pass
4.3 Ordinance No. 014-2026, An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of Put Option and Right of First Refusal Agreement (Square Southtown, LLC) – City Administrator
Miller
The attached document allows for the sale of the Village Square Mall, upon completion and finalization regarding the foreclosure proceedings with the Appellate Court, from Square Southtown to the City of Effingham.
Pass
4.4 Ordinance No. 015-2026, An Ordinance Amending Appendix B of the Municipal Code of the City of Effingham, Illinois (Recovery Homes and Recovery Residences) – City Attorney Willenborg, City Planner Koester
This ordinance amends the Zoning Ordinance with language regarding Recover Homes and Recovery Residences. The Plan Commission held a Public Hearing on January 15, 2026.
Pass
4.5 Resolution No. 015-2026, A Resolution Approving Preliminary Plat No. 861–P and Approving Final Plat No. 861–F for Recording – Golden Fields Subdivision, 3rd Addition – City Planner Koester
Golden Fields Subdivision, Third Addition was originally recommended for approval by the Plan Commission on August 9, 2022. The developer proceeded with infrastructure plans and installation. The improvements were completed and the plat was resubmitted to the Plan Commission on January 13, 2026 with a recommendation for approval.
Adopt
4.6 Resolution No. 020-2026, A Resolution Approving Final Plat No. 26-001F for Recording – Dalton Subdivision – City Planner Koester Dalton Subdivision is a Minor Plat – replat of 3 lots and parts of 2 lots into 2 lots.
Adopt
4.7 Resolution No. 021-2026, A Resolution Authorizing Approval of Change Order #1 to a Contract with Civil Design, Inc. – Merchant Street – Phase 2 – City Engineer Thoele
Change Order #1 in the total amount of $30,800 is recommended for additional surveying and design services needed for Merchant Street – Phase 2 to add sanitary sewer to the contract.
Adopt
4.8 Resolution No. 022-2026, A Resolution Approving Final Plat No. 25-015F for Recording – Butcher Block Subdivision, First Addition – City Planner Koester Butcher Block Subdivision, First Addition is a Minor Plat – replat of 2 lots into 1 lot.
Adopt
5. Other Action Items
5.1 Bills and Requisitions
Motion to Pay Bills & Requisitions
6. Discussion
6.1 Ordinance No. 016-2026, An Ordinance Adopting the Effingham 2050 Comprehensive Plan – City Planner Koester
The Plan Commission held a Public Hearing on February 10, 2026 with the recommendation to adopt the Plan with a clarification of action to take for housing. The clarifications are incorporated into the plan presented and as provided in a letter from City Staff.
6.2 Ordinance No. 017-2026, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 13-2012, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 4 of the Municipal Code of the City of Effingham, Illinois (Liquor Control) Hampton Inn & Suites Effingham & Home2 Suites Effingham – Deputy Liquor Commissioner Kemper
Hampton Inn & Suites and Home2 Suites have changed ownership; therefore, the number of Class HM (Hotel/Motel) automatically decreased from 2 to 0. Subsequently, the new owners have applied for liquor licenses, which would increase the Class HM liquor license back up to 2. The increase is subject to the issuance of a license to Hampton Inn & Suites Effingham and Home2 Suites Effingham.
6.3 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Special Use (42) Vacation / Short Term Rental – City Planner Koester
Letter dated February 3, 2026 to the Plan Commission with the proposed Text Amendment attached. The Plan Commission did hear testimony and discussed the Text Amendment. The Plan Commission voted to table and reconvene the Public Hearing on March 10, 2026.
6.4 Heritage Avenue RFP – City Administrator Miller
The City received Request for Proposals for the Heritage Avenue Residential Development. One proposal was received to purchase the property for $200,000 and develop single family attached homes (similar to duplexes) over a three-year period.
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
8.3 Public Participation
9. Recess in 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.)
10. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn
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