The City Council approved its $19.9 million budget Tuesday night despite objections from residents on funds allocated for the design of Fourth Street.

Duke Bagger, spokesperson for the Charleston Neighborhood Council, questioned the $100,000 allocated for the design of Fourth Street from Lincoln to Madison Avenues, as well as funds for water and sewer work.

Mayor Dan Cougill said although the funds have been set aside for the design of the street, no definite plans have been made yet.

The budget will make a $2 million deficit for the city, which will be reimbursed to the general fund from the water and sewer fund during the fiscal year 2002 and 2003.

Members of the Charleston Neighborhood Council also expressed concerns to the City Council about the proposed purchase of right-of-way at 714, 744 and 746 Fourth St.

The members of the Charleston Neighborhood Council believed the City Council went behind their backs in discussing acquiring the 2 1/2 foot by 50 foot and 2 1/2 foot by 128 foot strips of land on Fourth Street.

“This is a serious violation of trust and only comes into light after being put to a vote,” Bagger said.

Bagger suggested that the City Council not vote on the resolution at the current time until further discussion took place.

Council member Larry Rennels said although he is opposed to the widening of Fourth Street, he believes it is a good idea to purchase right-of-way when it is available for a reasonable sum. There are a lot of options the city could consider with the right-of-way, he said.

“This council has not discussed this. We have not discussed this privately. We have not discussed amongst ourselves. The allegation that we have done this secretly upsets me,” Cougill said.

The City Council unanimously passed the ordinance to purchase right-of-way on Fourth Street.

The City Council also finalized plans for the Eastpointe Subdivision on 20th Street adjacent to Wal-Mart Supercenter that will be a strip mall.

The council passed a resolution to straighten 20th Street and add a turn lane on the intersection of Illinois Route 16 and 20th Street, depending on if the Illinois Department of Transportation agrees to give the land to the city.

An ordinance approving the Briarwood II Subdivision off of Douglas Drive was also approved by the City Council.

The developer of the property has met with residents of Douglas Drive and presented to them his plan to alleviate the flooding problem on their street, Cougill said.

In other business, the City Council approved a bid of $25,000 by American Carbon Services to replace the filters at the Water Treatment Plant.

“This was a low bid,” Cougill said.

In closing the final meeting of this council, the City Council said goodbye to Bruce Scism, who decided not to run for another term in office for the City Council.

“I appreciate (Scism’s) candor and desire to get to the bottom of everything that comes before the council,” Cougill said.