City Council to discuss stop signs, speed limits

The Charleston City Council will discuss various traffic-related ordinances regarding speed limits on stop signs located in the downtown Charleston Square today.

The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

One ordinance will call for a change in traffic flow on Jefferson Avenue with the council proposing that traffic traveling on Jefferson Avenue stop at Ninth Street.

Traffic traveling on Seventh Street and 10th Street will also face stops at Jefferson Avenue.

The ordinance also calls for the removal of the stop sign at Jefferson Avenue and 10th Street, with the traffic traveling on Jefferson Avenue.

Another ordinance proposes limiting the 20 mph speed limit on Sixth Street, currently ranging from the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Sixth Street to the intersection of Harrison Avenue to Sixth Street.

The proposed ordinance would limit the speed limit to the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Sixth Street to the intersection of Van Buren Avenue and Sixth Street.

The hill between Jefferson Avenue and Van Buren Avenue on Sixth Street was once home to the entrance of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library and the entrance to the former senior citizens’ home, Mayor John Inyart said.

Inyart said the speed limit was reduced because of the entrance of the library and the entrance of the senior citizens home, where the members of Meals on Wheels would often load their vans.

According to today’s agenda, the city council will also vote on an “emergency purchase” of a Ford F250 pickup truck valued at $28,328.40 said to be needed for “continued maintenance during the spring season.”

The pickup truck will be used as a utility truck.

Two resolutions will also be voted on during today’s meeting, both concerning construction at 513 Seventh St.

The first resolution to be voted on will determine whether or not a bid award from Bowsher Roofing in Springfield, who agreed to construct and renovate the roof of the building for $33,387, will be accepted.

The money used to fund the construction and renovation project will be reimbursed by the Community Development Assistance Program’s FLEX Grant.

The FLEX Grant was awarded to the City of Charleston by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The second resolution will be accepting a bid for construction concerning the same building. The construction includes the repair of masonry party walls and will be done by the Kross Masonry & Restoration, located in the city of Newman, for $13,629.65.

This project will also be reimbursed with money awarded by the FLEX Grant.

The council will also vote on a proclamation that will make the month of March American Red Cross Month.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].