EFFINGHAM, IL—The Effingham City Council approved the first step toward a new fire station.
The city purchased the property at 500 West Jaycee Avenue and recently hired Civil Design Inc. to design facility improvements at what will be Fire Station 2. The city currently has two fire stations — Central Fire Station and Fire Station 3.
Public Works Director Jeremy Heuerman said the design services agreement, which will cost the city $74,500, will include services to make the former Apria Healthcare building into "a fully operational fire station." The building will need a new floor, new overhead doors, new windows, HVAC system and lighting.
The Fire Station 3 building on South Banker Street has been appraised for $276,000. The city is expected to sell it for $200,000 to Russ Braunecker Buick-Cadillac-GMC, which will spend an estimated $76,000 in renovation and use it as an extension of its business.
Fire Chief Bob Tutko said the Jaycee Avenue facility will be updated to accommodate today's fire equipment and needs. The Banker Street fire station was built in the 1970s, and Tutko said the building has outlived its usefulness as a fire station.
Purchase of the Jaycee Avenue building will cost the city $405,000, with another $600,000 estimated for renovation. The total cost is less than the $2 to 3 million estimated to construct a new station, according to City Administrator Steve Miller.
In other business, the council:
- Heard a request of $15,000 to help fund fireworks display hosted by the Effingham Noon Rotary, which typically comes out of the Hotel-Motel Tax fund. No action was taken.
- Heard a request to get approval for the purchase of four new light displays to be added to Community Park's Wonderland in Lights Christmas Display, at the cost of $34,447. No action was taken.
- Heard bids will be taken for construction work at the Street and Sewer Maintenance Building at 901 E. Eiche, on June 11.
- Accepted the lowest responsive bid from Denler, Inc. of $209,719.52 for the 2019 Pavement Preservation Program. The project will be funded by TIF Main, Central TIF, and the Street/Sewer Maintenance Department funds.
- Authorized the purchase of a Christmas light display from Artistic Holiday Designs for $26,421.88. It will be paid for with local Hotel Operator’s Occupation Tax for purposes which promotes tourism in Effingham.
- Approved the replat and rezone of property for the Eastland Apartment TIF Redevelopment Project. The lots have access to street, water and sewer. The Plan Commission unanimously recommended the plat for approval and zoning change for the apartments proposed on the former Boos factory site on South Second Street.
- Approved rezoning two tracts of land by OBW Land Trust, located at Fayette Avenue and Outer Belt West, for what is to be an “upscale plaza” development in that area. The property had three zonings, but this action will make the zones consistent to B-5, highway commercial.
- Approved a text amendment that will allow medical facilities in residential areas with a special-use permit to have signage for the business.
- Hired Ben Siemer as a new firefighter. Approved new paid-on-call firefighters Aaron Mason and Tyler Veatch.
- Approved a professional services agreement for Construction Engineering Services with Farnsworth Group for a total cost not to exceed $9,950 for the Jefferson Avenue reconstruction project.
- Approved several appointments and reappointments to the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Brad Meinhart and Rob Macklin were reappointed to the Plan Commission for three-year terms to expire May 1, 2022, and appointed Alan Harris to fill the vacancy left by Libby Moeller, who was elected to City Council in April. Harris will finish out that term to expire May 1, 2020. Also, reappointed Mike Mumm and Kurt Buehnerkemper to five-year terms on the Zoning Board of Appeals; and appointed Alan Harris to finish Moeller's term to expire May 1, 2022.
- Approved to the Effingham Public Library Board the reappointment of Amanda Emmerich and Jared Chesnut to three-year terms to expire April 30, 2022; and newly appointed Steve Miller to a three-year term to expire April 30, 2022; and appointed Jennifer Wilson to finish a term left by Emily Gravenhorst, to expire April 30, 2021. Gravenhorst moved out of town.
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