Effingham council appoints Jacob Niebrugge to fill Gillenwater seat; allows remote attendance for commissioner

The Effingham City Council approved a resolution appointing Jacob Niebrugge to the City Council to fill the seat vacated by Merv Gillenwater and permitted Commissioner Meisenheimer to participate remotely. The appointee took the oath of office and addressed the council.

The resolution (No. 82025) was introduced as the council moved to address ordinances and resolutions. City staff said the appointment would satisfy the 30-day requirement for filling the vacant seat. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded; the measure was approved on the council’s recorded roll call, with one recorded dissent by the mayor and other members voting in favor.

Before the appointment vote, the council voted to allow Commissioner Meisenheimer to attend by telephone. The presiding official confirmed that a quorum was present and that the remote attendance met the procedural requirements; Meisenheimer then joined the meeting by phone and confirmed he could hear participants.

Following the resolution’s adoption, the appointee repeated the oath of office for Commissioner of Public Health and Safety for the City of Effingham. Jacob Niebrugge said he was "humbled" and described himself as a longtime Effingham resident who had returned to raise a family and volunteer on the council. officials noted the appointment is effective immediately.

There were no public comment speaker cards and no executive session scheduled. The council later moved to adjourn; that motion carried and the meeting was closed.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 82025 (appointment of Jacob Niebrugge) — adopted (mayor recorded a no vote; other members on the record voted to adopt). Motion to permit remote attendance for Commissioner Meisenheimer — adopted. Motion to adjourn — adopted.

The council did not schedule further meetings or committee actions on the record during this session.