City of Effingham City Council met Nov. 18.
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, Niebrugge, and Stephens
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
2. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA
2.1 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (11/04/2025) – City Clerk Nosbisch
2.2 Ordinance No. 080-2025, An Ordinance Adopting an Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP) for the City of Effingham – Public Works Director Heuerman
This Ordinance allows the Urban Forest Management Plan to create goals, budgets, and a sustainable urban forestry management program for the greatest public good and management of the trees in the City of Effingham.
2.3 Resolution No. 152-2025, A Resolution Declaring Certain Real Property and Improvements Thereon as Being Dangerous and Unsafe (510 W. Indiana Avenue, Effingham) – City Administrator Miller
The City Administrator for the City of Effingham, Illinois, and/or his or her designee, is hereby authorized to issue such orders and take such actions that are necessary for the enforcement of applicable building codes to cause the demolition, repair, enclosure or remediation of the property, buildings or improvements.
2.4 Resolution No. 155-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement – Evergreen Avenue from Sherwood Park to Oceola Street – City Engineer Thoele
This Resolution authorizes execution for the Preliminary Engineering Services in the amount of $159,548 with Farnsworth Group, Inc. for the Evergreen Avenue from Sherwood Park to Oceola Street Project.
2.5 Resolution No. 157-2025, A Resolution Adopting a Tax Increment Finance Housing Redevelopment Program Agreement (Schroedter) – Economic Development Director Hull
Blake Schroedter requested TIF funds through the Housing Redevelopment Program for 406 S. Fifth Street.
2.6 Resolution No. 158-2025, A Resolution Adopting a Tax Increment Finance Housing Redevelopment Program Agreement (DGH Holdings, LLC) – Economic Development Director Hull
DGH Holdings, LLC requested funds through the TIF Housing Redevelopment Program at 114 S. Fourth St.
2.7 Resolution No. 160-2025, A Resolution of Support and Commitment of Local Funds for a Community Block Grant (CDBG) – City Engineer Thoele
This Resolution supports the City of Effingham with applying to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the extension to McGrath Avenue in the total amount of $1,920,002.
2.8 Final Change Order 2 – 2025 Pavement Patching – City Engineer Thoele
Final Change Order 2 in the amount of ($10,551.20) for the 2025 Pavement Patching Project is due to quantities being reduced for the contract.
2.9 Certificate of Project Completion and Release of Bonding – 2025 Pavement Patching – City Engineer Thoele
Esker & Walker has completed the 2025 Concrete Pavement Patching Project in the total amount of $333,482.40. Request approval of project completion and release of bonding.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Micenheimer Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens 3. PRESENTATIONS
4. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS – ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Ordinance No. 077-2025, An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Effingham – Dusty’s Outdoor Media LLC and Midland States Bank, as Custodian for the Cindy Kabbes Roth IRA – Rezone NU Nonurban to B-2 General Commercial District – 1219 E Rickelman Avenue – City Planner Koester
At the Public Hearing, there was opposition testimony presented to the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission upon consideration of all testimony and information provided at the Public Hearing, unanimously recommends the rezoning be approved.
Motion to pass by Commissioner Stephens, second by Commissioner Niebrugge Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-1
Yea: Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
Nay: Mayor Schutzbach
4.2 Ordinance No. 083-2025, An Ordinance in Relation to Tax Levy for the City of Effingham, Illinois – City Administrator Miller
This Ordinance establishes the 2025 Tax Levy for the City of Effingham, including the Library. The total levy requested is $1,236,858 (City of Effingham $13,000 and Library $1,223,858).
Motion to pass by Commissioner Niebrugge, second by Commissioner Moeller Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
4.3 Resolution No. 151-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Contract with Dusty’s Outdoor Media for Billboards for the 2026-2027 Calendar Years – Tourism Director Thoele
This Resolution authorizes the renewal of a contract with Dusty’s for billboards in Vandalia and Kankakee, Illinois for two years.
Motion to adopt by Commissioner Micenheimer, second by Mayor Schutzbach Final Resolution: Motion Failed. 0-5
Nay: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Michenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
4.4 Resolution No. 156-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Quotation from Hutchinson Recreation & Design – Bliss Park Playground Equipment Project – Public Works Director Heuerman
This Resolution authorizes purchase of new playground equipment for Bliss Park from Hutchinson Recreation & Design in the amount of $96,505.
Motion to adopt by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Niebrugge Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-1
Yea: Commissioners Moeller, Michenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
Nay: Mayor Schutzbach
4.5 Resolution No. 159-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Quotation from ACP International for Additional Decorative Street Signs Project – Public Works Director Heuerman
This Resolution authorizes acceptance of quotation in the amount of $91,489 from ACP International for additional decorative street signs.
Motion to adopt by Commissioner Micenheimer, second by Commissioner Stephens Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Michenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens 5. OTHER ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Bills and Requisitions
A. Payroll Check Register dated 09/02/2025 $ 502,753.35
B. Check Register dated 09/16/2025 $1,094,666.93
Motion to approve by Commissioner Micenheimer, second by Commissioner Moeller Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens 6. DISCUSSION
6.1 Resolution No. 161-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Proposal with Stantec for Water Rate Study – Public Works Director Heuerman
This Resolution authorizes execution of a comprehensive water retail and wholesale rate study with Stantec in the total amount of $43,700. Payment for services will be made from the Water Fund.
There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.2 TIF Housing Redevelopment Program (Beals) – Economic Development Director Hull
Barbara and Kevin Beals are requesting funds through the TIF Housing Redevelopment Program for 511 S. Fifth Street.
There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.3 Bid Letting for Tree Pruning Program – Public Works Director Heuerman
Bids for Tree Pruning Program will be accepted on December 9, 2025,
at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.
There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.4 An Agreement for Engineering Services with Milano & Grunloh for Jaycee Avenue Improvements – Route 45 to Veterans Avenue – City Engineer Thoele
Milano & Grunloh will provide design engineering of street reconstruction, including pavement, curb & gutter, sidewalks, storm sewer, etc. for the Jaycee Avenue Improvement project from Route 45 to Veterans Avenue.
There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.5 Text Amendment – Site Plan Requirements for Pavement in Commercial Districts – Public Works Director Heuerman
Text Amendment – Site Plan Requirements for Pavement in Commercial Districts There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.
6.6 Resolution No. 148-2025, A Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding between discussion only to consider amending the Special Use and welcome any ideas or suggestions from the City Council.
This item will be brought back as a discussion item.
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
Deputy City Administrator Presley stated there are going to be health insurance changes in 2028.
Fire Chief Yochum stated they have received funds from their Grant from Congressman Bost for a new firetruck. The Grant total is $700,000. He also stated Santa will be going around to neighborhoods, and they will send out a list.
Police Chief Davis stated they had received a grant for 400 toys to be handed out at the Wonderland in Lights event. He also stated they will be doing Shop with a Cop again this year.
Tourism Director Thoele stated the Walking through Wonderland opens next Thursday. The Christmas Card deadline is this Friday. The Wonderland in Lights opens next weekend, and Downtown Christmas is next weekend. The Holiday Lights and Festive Lights will be happening this year.
8.3 Public Participation
Diana Dragnea submitted a speaker’s card and presented to the Council regarding the opposition of the rezoning of Rickelman Avenue.
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: Purchase or Lease of Real Estate – Section 2 (c) (5)
Time: 5:53 PM
Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
9.2 Roll Call
Present: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens 10. ADJOURNMENT
10.1 Adjournment
Time: 6:24 PM
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Micenheimer Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
Motion to recess into executive session by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Micenheimer
Purpose: Sale or Lease of Property – Section 2 (c) (6)
Time: 6:26 PM
Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
9.2 Roll Call
Present: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
10. ADJOURNMENT
10.1 Adjournment
Time: 6:53 PM
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Moeller, second by Commissioner Micenheimer Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 5-0
Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Moeller, Micenheimer, Niebrugge, and Stephens
https://effinghamil.community.highbond.com/document/967dc292-698a-4ad1-bc8d-179a9615a2aa/
