East Central Reporter

City of Effingham City Council met Feb. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. OPENING

1.1 Mayor Schutzbach Called the Meeting to Order

Time: 5:00

1.2 Roll Call

Present: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Stephens, and Gillenwater

Absent: Commissioner Moeller

1.3 Pledge of Allegiance

2. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA

2.1 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (02/04/2025) - City Clerk Nosbisch

Resolution: Approve

2.2 Executive Session City Council Meeting Minutes (January 7, 2025) - City Clerk Nosbisch

Resolution: Approve

2.3 Treasurer's Report (January 2025) - City Treasurer Polk

2.4 Ordinance No. 009-2025, An Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of an Easement for Utility Purposes at 1401 N. Keller Drive - BHKT LLC - City Engineer Thoele

Resolution: Pass

2.5 Ordinance No. 015-2025, An Ordinance Amending Division 10, Section 2-369 (Personnel Policies and Procedures) of the Municipal Code of the City of Effingham, Illinois – Information Technology Policy - Deputy City Administrator Presley

Resolution: Pass

2.6 Ordinance No. 016-2025, An Ordinance Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN) - Public Works Director Heuerman

Resolution: Pass

2.7 Ordinance No. 017-2025, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code of the City of Effingham (Rules and Regulations) - City Administrator Miller

Resolution: Pass

2.8 Ordinance No. 018-2025, An Ordinance Authorizing Purchase of Real Property for Utility Purposes at 211 Austin Avenue - Caleb E. & Louis E. Schwing - City Engineer Thoele

Resolution: Pass

2.9 Resolution No. 010-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Quotes from Schulte Supply, Inc. & Core & Main for Water Main Replacement Project - Banker Street and Southernaire Avenue - Public Works Director Heuerman

Resolution: Adopt

2.10 Resolution No. 011-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Quotes from Schulte Supply, Inc. & Core & Main for Water Main Replacement Project - Henrietta Street - Public Works Director Heuerman

Resolution: Adopt

2.11 Resolution No. 012-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Quote for First Street and Roadway Avenue Water Main Replacement Project - Public Works Director Heuerman

Resolution: Adopt

2.12 Resolution No. 013-2025, A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of Quote for the Purchase of an Outdoor Storm Warning Siren - Fire Chief Yochum

Resolution: Adopt

2.13 Certificate of Project Completion and Release of Bonding - 2024 Sidewalk Replacement - City Engineer Thoele

Resolution: Approve

2.14 Omnibus Vote Agenda Approval

Resolution: Approve

Motion to approve by Commissioner Micenheimer, second by Commissioner Stephens Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0

Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Stephens, and Gillenwater

3. PRESENTATIONS

3.1 Lifesaving Award - Police Chief McFarland and City Administrator Miller This item was tabled until a future City Council Meeting.

3.2 Employee of the Quarter Award - City Administrator Miller

City Administrator Miller presented Bridget Polk as Employee of the Quarter.

4. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS - ACTION ITEMS

4.1 Ordinance No. 019-2025, An Ordinance Correcting an Error Within Ordinance No. 102- 2024, an Ordinance Amending Article II of Chapter Seven, Article IV of Chapter 7 and Sections 10-20 and 10-22 of Article II of Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code of Effingham, Illinois, and by Adopting by Reference Various Standard Codes - Building Official Polk

Building Official Polk stated this corrects an error within the building code ordinance. The only change is a typographical error going from R320.12.1 to R302.12.1.

Motion to pass by Commissioner Gillenwater, second by Commissioner Micenheimer Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0

Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Stephens, and Gillenwater

4.2 Ordinance No. 020-2025, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 057-2022, An Ordinance Authorizing the Operation of Golf Carts on Streets and Alleys Under the Jurisdiction of the City of Effingham, Effingham County, Illinois - City Administrator Miller

City Administrator Miller stated this ordinance amends Ordinance No. 057-2022 to allow an additional permitted golf cart crossing at the intersection of Willow Street and Grove Avenue.

Mark Mayhood submitted a speaker's card on this topic in favor of approving the crossing.

Motion to pass by Commissioner Micenheimer, second by Mayor Schutzbach Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 3-1

Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, and Stephens Nay: Commissioner Gillenwater

5. OTHER ACTION ITEMS

5.1 Bills and Requisitions

A. Payroll Check Register dated 02/07/2025 $ 350,271.29 B. Check Register dated 02/18/2025 $ 1,150,848.98

Motion to approve by Commissioner Gillenwater, second by Commissioner Stephens Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0

Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Stephens, and Gillenwater

6. DISCUSSION

6.1 Ordinance No. 021-2025, An Ordinance Amending the Interior Boundaries of the City of Effingham Central Redevelopment Tax Increment Area - Economic Development Director Hull

Economic Development Director Hull stated this ordinance amends the Central Redevelopment Tax Increment Area to remove a parcel for a proposed project. Hull provided background on the project.

There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.

6.2 Ordinance No. 022-2025, An Ordinance Amending Section 16-66, Chapter XVI of the Municipal Code of the City of Effingham (Stop Sign - East Market Avenue at North Second Street) - City Engineer Thoele

City Engineer Thoele stated this ordinance amends section 16-66, Chapter XVI of the Municipal code of the City of Effingham. This revision is recommended to add stop signs to stop eastbound and westbound traffic on East Market Avenue at its intersection of North Second Street.

There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.

6.3 Resolution No. 016-2025, A Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Service Agreement to the Lowest Responsible Bidder for the Supply of Electricity for Residential and Small Commercial Retail Customers Who Do Not opt Out of Such a Program (Municipal Electric Aggregation) - City Administrator Miller

City Administrator Miller stated this resolution would allow the City Administrator to execute a municipal electrical aggregate contract to the lowest bidder.

There were no objections to bring this item back to a future City Council Meeting.

6.4 Resolution No. 017-2025, Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Facility Use Agreement for the use of the St. Anthony Facilities - EMA Coordinator Thies

EMA Coordinator Thies stated this resolution would authorize the City of Effingham to enter into an agreement with St. Anthony to allow for the use of St. Anthony School Facilities in the event of certain emergency situations and/or occurrences.

There were no objections to bringing this item back to a future City Council Meeting.

6.5 Bid Letting - City Engineer Thoele

Bids for the Austin Avenue & Park Street Storm and Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project will be accepted on February 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

6.6 The Square TIF Agreement - City Administrator Miller

City Administrator Miller stated the City has been working with the developers of The Square and the discussion of a TIF agreement. Miller went over the $2 million draft agreement.

City Attorney Willenborg noted the sale of the mall has a stay in appellate court and this agreement cannot be entered unless the stay is lifted.

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 McFarland; City Engineer Thoele; Tourism Director Thoele; City Treasurer Polk; City Clerk Nosbisch

8.3 Public Participation

Mark Mayhood submitted a speaker’s card regarding building codes.

Scott Kabbes submitted a speaker's card to offer clarification to The Square TIF agreement that was previously discussed.

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

Time: 6:18 PM

Purpose: Litigation - Section 2 (c) (11); and Review of Executive Session Minutes - Section 2 (c) (21)

Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0

Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Gillenwater, Stephens, and Micenheimer

9.2 Roll Call

Present: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Gillenwater, and Stephens

10. ADJOURNMENT

10.1 Adjournment

Time: 6:52 PM

Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Gillenwater, second by Commissioner Micenheimer Final Resolution: Motion Carried. 4-0

Yea: Mayor Schutzbach and Commissioners Micenheimer, Stephens, and Gillenwater

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