The Charleston City Council accepted a $500,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant at its meeting on Tuesday. 

The grant allows for the purchase of services or equipment for the treatment plant. 

The City Council also voted 4-1 to remove parking restrictions for The Fields subdivision between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. 

42 residents signed a petition for the removal, which was presented at the last City Council meeting. 

Charleston Mayor Brandon Combs said that he heard from an individual who was against removing the restrictions because of concern about the overnight parking of a commercial vehicle. 

“Other than that, I have heard no other comments relating against this,” Combs said. 

Councilman Tim Newell said that he spoke to the same person and agreed with him. Newell voted against removing the restrictions.  

Also at the meeting, Charleston Community Unit School District’s agreement with the school resource officer program was extended for four more years. The program was initially adopted in October 2022 with the Charleston Police Department.  

“The program has proven to be a valuable partnership that enhances school safety [and] fosters positive relationships between students and law enforcement,” Combs said. 

Additionally, the City Council voted to enter into an agreement with the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission to provide planning and development services for Charleston. 

The agreement lasts from Dec. 1, 2025 to Nov. 30, 2026, and the services provided will cost $46 per hour with a maximum of $7,000 per month. 

According to Combs, the wording of the agreement remains the same as last year and with the same prices. This comes after a review from the municipal attorney. 

The City Council then approved an application for a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Lead Service Line Inventory Program for the purpose of finding lead pipes within the water system of Charleston.  

With the application, the city will send an inventory of its water service lines to the Illinois EPA to help complete the lead service line inventory.  

The council also approved the release of $11,000 from the city tourism fund for three events: $5,000 for Christmas in the Heart of Charleston, $4,000 for the Red, White and Blue Days, and $2,000 for the 2025 season of the Charleston Speedway. 

The City Council voted to enter into a purchasing agreement with OMNIA Partners, which allows the mayor to authorize OMNIA to procure goods for the city from vendors and contractors, Combs said. 

Finally, the City Council approved an amendment to the city code to establish procedures for the sale of water to wholesale commercial customers outside of city limits. 

Combs said that in situations such as the Mattoon algal bloom over the summer, Charleston’s water may be requested.  

“We updated our code to make sure it is good and sound,” Combs said.  

There will be a creation of a master water sale agreement that outlines the area in which water can be sold, the rates for water and sewer services, the minimum and maximum amount that can be sold, and the responsibilities of having, maintaining and using the water.

Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at jmcoulombe@eiu.edu.