19-04-2025
Bids for Effingham projects open soon
City Engineer Luke Thoele informed the Effingham city council on Tuesday that bids will open on April 29 for several city projects, such as street resurfacing, sidewalk replacements, pavement patching and crack sealing.
Bids will also open on April 24 for the Santa Maria Extension project, which includes a half mile of street, water and sewer.
The streets being resurfaced are Circle Drive, Temple Avenue from Willow to Healy, Minnie Hills Drive, Lustig Lane and Steger Drive.
'That sidewalk replacement program is a huge asset and component in reducing liability costs for the city big time, and when you don't have that done on a regular basis, you'd be amazed at how many more trips you'll have in a potential liability claim for the city,' said Deputy City Administrator Dennis Presley. 'It's all critical, and I think a lot of people don't realize how all that is critical and what it means directly to the residents.'
'This is great because there is a homeowner out there that is in dire need of a new sanitary sewer right now,' said City Administrator Steve Miller. 'This is going to help fix some of that stuff. It's a big deal if you're in that block.'
Public Works Director Jeremy Heuerman presented the low bid of $96,195 from Illinois Meter Company Utility Supply to replace the water main on West Jefferson from Maple Street to Oak Street. The work will be performed by the water department, and the materials will be paid for with the water funds.
Heuerman also announced the city was awarded about $19,000 from the Illinois Department of Transportation for a truck access route program to extend McGrath Avenue. This grant along with the other $960,000 in grant money will help the project move along.
'We could extend the roadway about 1,100 feet out there almost entirely by grant funding,' said Heuerman. 'So that's almost zero tax dollars that would be used for this.'
In other news, Tourism Director Jodi Thoele requested street closures for Fourth of July fireworks at Effingham High School. Thoele asked for the street closures of West Grove Avenue at Rainey Street, West Grove Avenue at Schwerman Street and Schwerman Street at Route 40 from approximately noon to 10:30 p.m. Thoele said they'll be working closely with the Effingham Police Department since they've had issues previously with people attempting to go through their barricades.
Thoele also requested street closures for Outdoor Movie Nights on Friday, June 20 and Saturday June 21, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Group. For June 20, she requested Jefferson Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street be closed from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and for June 21, she requested Jefferson Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street, Washington Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street and Fourth Street from Washington Avenue to Jefferson Avenue from approximately the same time.
Effingham Noon Rotary Club member Amanda McKay requested $20,000 from the city's tourism fund to help fund the city's Fourth of July fireworks, while the Club will raise the remaining $7,000.
The next Effingham City Council meeting is scheduled for May 6 at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
