The Charleston City Council voted to proceed with the application process for the Illinois Power Agency’s Adjustable Block Program as well as the approval of six other agenda items.

The application will put the City of Charleston into a lottery-style drawing. If the city is selected and “is successful in constructing Solar Energy at the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, the City could save a significant amount per year for approximately 25 years on electrical energy,” according to the resolution.

Several changes were made to the city’s laws on liquor licenses.

Liquor license holders will no longer have to live in Charleston for a year before they can hold a license.

“There are some people who may want to develop in places they may not live and that can hold someone back from possibly investing in our community,” Mayor Brandon Combs said. “We feel like this is a very positive change to make to allow for outside people to develop and invest in our community.”

Class D liquor licenses will no longer be offered in Charleston. Upon renewal, those with Class D licenses will receive a Class C license as long as they meet the existing requirements. The number of allowed Class C licenses will also increase from 19 to 20.

Combs appointed John Inyart, Jeff Lahr, Brad Oyer, and Eastern President David Glassman to the Local Liquor Control Advisory Commission, with terms to be served simultaneously with Comb’s term of office.

Members of the Charleston Tree Committee, Historic Preservation Committee and Board of Zoning and Planning were re-appointed to their positions.

No public presentations were brought to council.

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].