EFFINGHAM – Ameren’s rate of 11.895 cents per kilowatt-hour will fall this month to 8.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, said Effingham City Administrator Steve Miller during this week’s council meeting. City staff sought bids for a more satisfactory combination of price and duration but couldn’t find a better rate than Ameren’s.
If the city cannot find a better rate than Ameren’s by the end of its current contract with Homefield Energy, which ends in December, the city will automatically connect with Ameren. They must then stay with Ameren as their electric supplier for 10 months.
Residents can choose to stay with Ameren or seek another electric supplier. If residents decide to stay with Ameren’s electrical aggregation program, no action is needed; they will be automatically enrolled with Ameren in December. They will also have to then stay with Ameren as their electric supplier for ten months.
“You have two months to make an additional change, and then for 10 months, you have to stay with them [the supplier]. So, you’re committed,” said Miller. “They don’t want you changing every month, basically.”
“This whole thing’s odd to me because ten years ago, you never even thought about going out and trying to shop for electricity,” said Mayor Mike Schutzbach.
In other news, City Planner Greg Koester updated the city council with the status of the Comprehensive Plan. The Steering Committee is still working out the kinks to implement the goals, such as which party is responsible for making certain aspects a reality. Although the plan is on track to be completed by the end of the year, the Steering Committee may need an extra few weeks to finalize details of the Future Land Use map.
“I think it’s shaping up to be a really good plan, and I can’t wait to let the public see it and hear their comments,” said Koester.
Meanwhile, Miller requested that the city pay a portion of its $9.415 million bond for the construction of the police station and other public works buildings. The bond expires in 2037 and is paid from the General Fund. Since the city has sufficient funds, the city’s payment will not be reflected on residents’ property tax bills.
Miller also requested that the city pay its second-to-last installment of its $1.635 million bond for the Effingham Performance Center. The city re-issued this bond for a better rate, and it expires in 2027. The payment will come from the city’s tourism funds.
Miller informed the council that a draft agreement has been made between the city and the Effingham Public Library to use the library’s facilities as a storm shelter when needed. Miller credited Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Thies with creating the agreement, although he was absent from the meeting.
City staff conducted a trial run earlier this year using the library’s facilities for a storm shelter, and more people showed up than they expected. The city is looking for volunteers to help run the shelter.
The city recently received two grants totaling $79,435 to install an electric vehicle charging station containing two chargers. After installation is complete, Miller hopes to use the remaining funds to install a second charging station.
“It will be a fast charge, so the idea is – hopefully – to bring people off the interstate, get them downtown and do some shopping,” said Miller.
The city received the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity RISE Implementation Grant for $373,500 to purchase 2.6 acres of land north of Heritage Avenue. The land will be used for 14 to 17 lots of residential development. The grant money will also help cover stormwater work and zoning costs.
Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis introduced new Police Officer Grace McDowell to the city council. McDowell has two years of police experience, and she’s a Mattoon native.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to work for the City of Effingham,” said McDowell. “It’s a very nice community from what I’ve seen so far, and I’m ready to get going.”
Tourism Director Jodi Thoele requested that the Halloween Parade be on Oct. 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The parade will follow its normal route of beginning at Maple Street and Evergreen Avenue, traveling from Maple Street to Jefferson Avenue and ending at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Second Street.
Thoele also requested that Hometown Christmas be on Nov. 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be tractor train rides, carriage rides, the lighted Christmas parade at 5 p.m. and a choir performance from Fine Arts, County of Effingham (FACE) at 6: 15 p.m. to close out the night. Thoele requested the following road and parking lot closures:
Washington Avenue from Third Street to Fifth Street from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 29Fourth Street from Washington Avenue to the alley across from Big Papa’s from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 29Jefferson Avenue from North Front Street to Third Street from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 29The city parking lot on the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Fourth Street from 12 p.m. on Nov. 28 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 30.
“We always have a good crowd out there for Hometown Christmas,” said Thoele.
The next Effingham City Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.