Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Effingham council approves sidewalk easements, rezoning requests and a renewed MOU; reschedules Hometown Christmas
Summary
Council approved multiple ordinances including a partial vacation of Linwood Street to allow a future 10‑foot center easement for sidewalks, two sidewalk easement purchases, two rezonings (M‑1 and R‑3A), an automatically renewing MOU with an amateur‑radio group, and a date change for Hometown Christmas.
The Effingham City Council voted Dec. 2 to approve a package of ordinances and resolutions affecting right‑of‑way, easements, zoning and event scheduling.
Ordinance No. 69‑2025: The council voted to vacate part of Linwood Street, retaining a 10‑foot center strip intended for a future sidewalk. City staff said the ordinance reduces 15 feet on each side while keeping a 10‑foot corridor; earlier planning staff recommended denial but council directed staff to negotiate a compromise. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Mohler and seconded by Commissioner Meissen; the roll call recorded affirmative votes.
Ordinances 88‑2025 and 89‑2025: Council approved purchases of real property for sidewalk easements needed to complete a sidewalk project; staff said the city will construct a 5‑foot sidewalk by December 2026 and include the work in the project budget. Motions to pass were made and seconded and the council voted in favor.
Ordinance 84‑2025 (MERS Heating & Air Conditioning): The council voted to rezone a parcel on South 2nd Street from R‑2 (single‑family) to M‑1 (light industrial) to allow parking and storage for trucks and trailers. Planning staff noted resident testimony opposing the rezoning over drainage and erosion concerns and said those issues will be addressed at the site plan stage; the planning commission had unanimously recommended approval. The motion passed on a council vote.
Ordinance 85‑2025 (Accent Design Concepts): Council approved rezoning at 302–304 North 1st Street from R‑2 to R‑3A (attached single‑family) to allow back‑to‑back single‑family attached units; plan commission recommended the rezoning, citing housing need despite some density concerns raised by neighbors.
Resolution No. 165‑2025: Council authorized a memorandum of understanding with the National Veil Amateur Radio group. City staff said MOU language was amended so the agreement will renew automatically each year unless terminated by either party, avoiding annual council action. Motion to adopt was made by Commissioner Meisenheimer and seconded by Commissioner Mueller; the council voted in favor.
Hometown Christmas: The council approved an amendment to reschedule the previously approved Hometown Christmas (Resolution 138‑2025) from Nov. 29 to Saturday, Dec. 6 because of inclement weather. Staff said they will investigate whether future inclement‑weather rescheduling can be handled administratively.
Other items: The council approved payment of bills and requisitions and heard staff reports on upcoming events and capital projects, including two right‑of‑way/easement ordinances (86‑2025 and 87‑2025) authorizing property purchases for the Rueckleman Avenue/Fourth Street roundabout and the Ford Avenue connector (amounts cited in the meeting: $29,375 and $19,500 respectively). The council concluded the public portion of the meeting by voting to recess into executive session to discuss litigation pursuant to statutory citation referenced in the meeting.
