City hears $100K request for airport projects

Sep. 20—EFFINGHAM — Effingham City Council commissioners were receptive this week to a $100,000 request from airport officials to help pay for runway extension and road relocation projects.

City Commissioner Hank Stephens said during the council's meeting Tuesday he had talked with Effingham County Regional Airport Superintendent Greg Koester over a year ago about the city possibly contributing money toward some of the projects.

"I think we are prepared to do that," he said. "The airport is kind of a well-kept secret. I don't want it to be a well-kept secret. I want everybody to know about what you're doing and things that are happening out there."

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held at the airport for the runway extension project, which will extend the runway nearly 900 feet to 6,000 feet and extend a taxiway for increased safety and capacity. It also improves aircraft safety on the runway during rain, snow and ice and replaces some existing pavement.

Ninety percent of the $5 million project, which includes a 2,200-foot taxiway extension, is being funded by the Rebuild Illinois Capital Improvement grant, with the county providing the 10% local match. Another $150,000 was spent to relocate a quarter-mile stretch of township road on the east end of the airport property to make room for the extension.

The project, slated to be completed sometime next year, will allow for larger aircraft and provide regional access for additional jet traffic, including corporate business jets.

Koester and Airport Commissioner Ken Wohltman formally presented the request to the council Tuesday.

"I think it's amazing the growth that we've seen and I know anything that the city could assist us with could only make it a better airport, a better economic tool for the community," said Koester, noting that growth was recognized when the airport was named Illinois General Aviation Airport of the Year in 2019.

Wohltman said the airport currently has 20 single-engine aircraft housed on the field, of which maybe 25-30% is used for business in the area.

"One went out today and took a local businessman to Cincinnati. I think sometimes people misconceive that the airport's for people just to have fun and go do things, but it's really not. It's a business airport," he said.

He noted that four businesses in the community own a turboprop aircraft that flies in and out of the airport weekly, and Beck's Hybrids comes in with a jet.

"We even have transient people that have business corporation jets that will stop and take fuel and pick up fuel as they go on. It's kind of exciting what's going on down there; even for me, it's exciting to be a part of that," said Wohltman, who is a pilot.

Mayor Mike Schutzbach said the airport is a selling point for economic development, adding even if businesses don't use it, it still gives them the ability.

Council Commissioner Larry Micenheimer also noted the airport's role in local economic development.

"I think we all realize from the city standpoint how big an economic engine the airport is as far as new people coming to town as well as retaining the ones we got," he said. "If we can put people in here, corporate guys can travel in and out like they do. That's a huge asset to have a bigger runway, bigger planes and bigger dreams from the city's perspective."

Koester said there are more projects in the works, including strengthening the runway, expanding the apron and constructing a T-hangar.

Schutzbach noted the city planned to earmark the money in its budget.

"I know we've discussed it in our budget process. We discussed it back in February, March, and so now is the time, and however it moves forward, we need to get it documented," he said.

The proposal will brought back to the council for consideration at a future meeting.

In other business, the council authorized a purchase and real estate exchange.

The council authorized $274,473 for the purchase of 27 APX NEXT portable radios for the Effingham Police Department after Police Chief Jason McFarland said the department's current APX 7000 radios are no longer supported by Motorola.

"As a police officer, this is the most important piece of equipment we have on our belt," he said.

McFarland noted with the current radios, the city had to switch to high band when the tower failed several times in the last few months, which he said isn't ideal. However, he noted the fire department has two of the new radios and they continued to work. In addition, he said the new radios will have wi-fi capability.

The council authorized an exchange of real estate with Doug Kabbes and Todd Kabbes. The two own property next to the water treatment plant and proposed exchanging an equal 4.81 acres of their property with property the city owns to develop River Ridge Subdivision. The water treatment plant is located along U.S. Route 40, and the property they own is located just west of it.

Public Works Director Jeremy Heuerman said the city has determined the property next to the treatment plant would not be needed for any future improvement and would be better used for development. However, as part of the agreement, the developers must vacate an existing ingress/egress easement that is near the pump station at the bottom of the hill off Fayette Avenue. Heuerman said that would provide greater security and less access to the property at the water treatment plant for the public. Each property is valued at $60,000.

Heuerman said the developers are proposing a 22-acre lot subdivision called River Ridge, which will hopefully be in the near future. The property is not currently within city limits but is contiguous, so he said the city would be annexing it.

The council heard an update on the city's 2050 Comprehensive Plan survey.

The city is seeking public input, and as of Tuesday, had 261 responses. City Planner Greg Koester said of those responding, 69% live within city limits. He said the city has been getting the word out on water bills. The survey is available on the city's website, effinghamil.com .