The Charleston City Council tonight will discuss a resolution that would allow the director of public works to sign loan application forms for a potential Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan for the new water treatment plant.

Although they think the chances of getting a loan from the state are slim, they still have hope. “We are trying to get some money out of the state,” Mayor Dan Cougill said.

The loan would come from a “revolving” bucket of money that IEPA has. However, the council has started the process to sell bonds to pay for the water treatment plant. Cougill said the city is at the point to start advertising to sell the bonds.

Also on the agenda is the proposed bid award to allow Lake Rip Rap, Inc. to install 750 feet of rip rap shoreline protection at the reservoir at Lake Charleston for the amount of $37,440.

The city has received a grant from the IEPA to help pay for the project. Rip rap are big rocks that prevent erosion.

“This will about finish what we need to do,” Cougill said.

In addition, the council will discuss a resolution that would allow the city to purchase flood insurance for any portion of a IEPA loan funded project.

“We have to say we will buy flood insurance if we build in a flood zone, but we aren’t building in a flood zone,” Cougill added.

The council will table passing a proposed ordinance that would authorize the approval to divide one acre tract of land from an eight acre tract at 350 Decker Springs Road, so a house can be built.

Also on the agenda is the proposal to approve spending $500 in tourism funds for the Coles County Classic on June 29 and 30. The Coles County Classic is a model airplane flying club that flys model airplanes at the Coles County Airport.

The event is sponsored by the Charleston Stone Flyers Club.

“It’s a great place to do it because there are no planes flying in and out,” Cougill said.

In other business, the council will discuss authorizing Toon Town Remote Control Car Club to hold a raffle to raise funds for their lap counter, restricting parking on Yearling and Deer Run Trail in Deer Run Subdivision, changing two existing parking spaces at the square to handicap spaces, adjusting the amount of MFT funds for the City’s share of the IDOT project on State Route 130 south of Madison Avenue to match the final cost and closing certain streets in Charleston on May 11 for the annual “Friendly City Five” foot race.