City Council Approves Contract Extension for City Administrator Steve Miller

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Published on October 5 2021 6:08 pm
Last Updated on October 6 2021 9:15 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Steve Miller 2021

The Effingham City Council Tuesday approved a new contract with City Administrator Steve Miller.

The contract will extend retroactively from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2025. Miller will be paid $132,080 the first year, with a 3% increase in salary each subsequent year of the contract. 

The vote was unanimous. 

Miller was named City Administrator when Jim Arndt left Effingham to become City Manager in Paducah, Kentucky.

Counciil members discussed a couple of projects that could boost local businesses. One is the the sale of a .67 acre tract at the corner of Fayette and Willow to ICLAND Holdings. The property is valued at $196,110 per acre. Kevin and Beth Stundon, the owners of ICLAND Holdings, are planning to build a new home for Homewood Grill, now located just south along Willow Street from the proposed building site. The new 1,800 square foot facility would include a drive-thru.

The other project is a street extension north from Kentucky Avenue to Effingham Veterinary Clinic. The project is expected to cost $33,700 with City funds covering $30,000 of the cost. The additional access would be an option for those who now have to enter and exit off Keller Drive.

The Council also discussed a change in the liquor license for Chili's that would allow alcoholic beverages to accompany to-go orders, and the surrender of the liquor license held by Chipotle as Mayor Mike Schutzbach said the operators can't meet residency requirements.

Council members contracted with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association for executive recruitment services to secure a fire chief. Schutzbach said they attempted to handle the matter internally, but said it hasn't proved successful. The Association will be paid $6,260. 

The Council approved a revised harassment poilcy; approved a revised agreement with Kabbes Development Group regarding retail development along Ford Avenue to address delays due to COVID-19; and declared the properties located at and on 100 West Fayette "dangerous and unsafe" allowing the City to take steps to clear the property at the owner's expense.