05-04-2025
More sidewalks and bike paths in the works for Effingham
Effingham Public Works Director Jeremy Heuerman presented a preliminary study agreement during Tuesday's city council meeting for securing right-of-way easements, a profile and cost estimates to add a bridge over Slate Creek, along with sidewalks and bike paths along Veterans Drive and Jaycee Avenue.
The 5-foot wide sidewalk would start at Banker Street and go east on Jaycee Avenue. One of the 10-foot wide bike paths would start at Banker Street and go east on Jaycee Avenue, and the other would run along the west side of Veterans Drive from Jaycee Avenue to Blohm Avenue.
The estimated cost is $75,000, which would come from the city's Motor Fuel Tax fund. But Heuerman is planning to apply for a $3 million Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant in 2026 in hopes it will cover the cost. By having this preliminary study complete when applying for the grant, the city will be more likely to receive the full amount.
If the city has leftover grant money, they plan to add additional sidewalks on Jaycee Avenue from Banker Street to 4th Street.
'Pedestrian access is always a big deal out there, too. Right now, it's just old country roads, and sight distance isn't very good,' said Heuerman. 'So this would take the pedestrians completely off the road to a safe path that they can go from the north side of town to the south side of town.'
'This is an important first step,' said City Commissioner Larry Micenheimer.
In other news, Heuerman also presented a resolution authorizing a $52,000 reconstruction project for North First Street from Temple Avenue to Roadway Avenue. The proposal was from Civil Design, Inc., and Heuerman hopes to start the project in May when school is dismissed for the summer.
City Administrator Steve Miller presented an ordinance to renew the downtown and southtown business tax increment financing districts. There are no changes, but the city will budget $200,000 for the Downtown/Southtown Business Area Redevelopment Program policy.
Heuerman presented another resolution to authorize an agreement with Ameren Illinois to relocate one of its high-pressure gas mains on Evergreen Avenue for about $307,000. Ameren will do the work to relocate and reinstall it so the city can continue working on Evergreen Avenue.
Mayor Mike Schutzbach appointed and reappointed several people to the library and different boards and committees:
* Steve Miller and Lisa Koerner as members of the Effingham Public Library Board of Directors
* Jake Buhnerkempe as a member of the Enterprise Zone Commission
* Dave Storm as a member of the Board of Fire and Police Commission
* Clara Koester as a member of the Human Relations Commission
* Ken Wohltman and Andrew Grunloh as members of the Plan Commission
* John Richards to the Police Pension Board of Trustees
* Michael McHugh and Betsy Yager as members of the Tourism Advisory Board
* Mark Thies, Brandon Weber and Andrew Grunloh as members of the Zoning Board of Appeals
Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE) advocate Donna Rouleau asked the council if she could hang up teal bows and signs to represent Sexual Assault Awareness Month. There were no objections, and they are hanging up on a few different blocks and in front of the sheriff's department, city hall and the police department.
The next Effingham City Council meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
