Council hears fireworks funding request, approves event street closures and schedules community open house

City officials briefed the council on upcoming community events and related street‑closure requests.

A representative of the Effingham Noon Rotary, introduced by Amanda (tourism director), said the Rotary has sponsored the city fireworks for 10 years and requested $20,000 from the tourism fund to support the event; the speaker said, "It cost about $27,000 to actually, shoot off the fireworks," and the Rotary fundraises the remaining amount. The council directed staff to bring the item back under the omnibus when the paperwork is ready.

Staff also asked for permission to temporarily close several streets for Fourth of July fireworks (West Grove at Rainey, West Grove at Shoreman, Laying at Fayette, and Shoreman at Route 40) from 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM on July 4 with a rain date of July 5; police, fire and public works will coordinate enforcement and safety. Council signaled support and asked staff to file the OVA (official street‑closure authorization).

For downtown events, staff described a two‑day outdoor movie night (June 20–21) with requested closures of Jefferson Street, Washington Street and parts of 4th Street near the courthouse square from about 6:30 PM–11:00 PM, with the scheduled movie start later in the evening; organizers said downtown businesses had been contacted and the county was aware. Council asked staff to return the closure request under the proper OVA process.

Planning staff also noted a May 15 open‑house format meeting for the Effingham 2050 comprehensive plan to present sections nearing finalization and to solicit public comment.

The council endorsed the event permissions in principle and requested the formal paperwork and OVAs be filed for final action.