An ordinance to lower the posted speed limit on Lincoln County Road between Fourth Street and University Avenue was voted to be placed on file for public inspection at Tuesday’s Charleston City Council meeting.

Under the ordinance, the 55 mph county road would slow to 45 mph and eventually drop to the city speed limit of 30 mph at Coolidge Avenue.

“The drop to 45 miles per hour was a state suggestion and the posted speed limit drop to the city speed limit would begin where the city limits start,” said council member Larry Rennels.

This would adjust the speed limit on the section of Lincoln Highway Road from where Coolidge connects to University Drive where the limit is 45 mph after the curve and 55 after the church, Mayor Dan Cougill said.

A unanimous vote approved the filing, giving the public until the next council meeting to look over the ordinance.

An authorization of the Coles County Historical Preservation Society’s ordinance was tabled by the council because of a list of discrepancies found within the ordinance.

“It is obvious to me an awful lot of work and an awful lot of thought went into the ordinance, and I have no problems with the basic premise, but I have a few specific concerns,” Rennels said.

Most of the concerns revolved around the powers the society’s document specified over council powers and also with the request for owners of historic property to submit tax records for restoration and determining economic hardship.

“This ordinance in no way, shape or form requires anyone to restore their house before issuing certification of economic hardship,” said Nora Pat Small, a member of the preservation society.

The society turned to net income to determine economic hardship.

City Attorney Brian Bower said a person’s net worth reflects more than yearly net income, and that tax records were not the proper source. He recommended the document be tabled for “fine-tuning.”

The city will develop a list of questions and suggestions and meet with the historic society to form an agreeable document.

Cougill said he and council member Marge Knoop met with Eastern external relations and Homecoming planning representatives to discuss resolutions to last year’s parade problems.

“We have had serious problems with Homecoming parades,” Cougill said.

He mentioned troubles causing area bands to stop participating in the parade including injuries to participants.

Cougill said the city enjoys the parade and children love to see parades so city officials were eager to find a resolution.

The resolution involved added parade marshals and “security” to the parade route.

Cougill said the University Police Department and Charleston Police Department would be working in conjunction with parade security and assigning fines to people and organizations for inappropriate behavior.

“We appreciate the students trying to protect tradition in controlling the handful who don’t give a crap about tradition,” Cougill said. “That’s the best way I can put it.”

Council member Marge Knoop also voiced gratitude toward Eastern students’ efforts at resolving parade problems.

Other issues covered by the council were the tabling of a lease agreement for land on Fifth Street and Jackson Avenue to be used as a parking area. In order to conform to the Unified Development Code, changes beyond the lease agreement had to be made.

Dean Barber, head of the Public Works Department, said the owners were already reluctant to make the lease and suggested the offer be withdrawn. The council unanimously voted to table the agreement indefinitely.

The city budget for the May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2004 fiscal year will be discussed at a meeting beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday.