Charleston residents wishing to share their opinions of the annexation of the University Village housing complex property will have an opportunity at tonight’s City Council meeting.

The council will hold a public hearing at the beginning of its meeting before voting on the annexation of the property later in the meeting. The annexation would make the property located between Wal-Mart and the Campus Pointe housing complex part of the city of Charleston.

“This means we can begin collecting taxes, and we can get water out there,” said Mayor John Inyart.

With leases scheduled to begin this August, it is important to finalize the annexation soon so that city provided utilities, such as water, can be supplied, said Inyart.

According to Inyart, the council has been aware of all stages throughout the development of the property and has approved the plans for the project.

“This is the final step in the process to actually bring the property into the city,” said Inyart. “We’d be foolish at this point to not annex the land.”

The council will also be voting on the installation of stop signs at the intersections of Franklin and McComb streets and Olean Place and McComb Street.

At the June 6 meeting of the council, Lewis Coon, a Charleston resident, addressed the council about his appreciation for sidewalk repairs near Jefferson Elementary School. At the same time, Coon addressed the issue of traffic in the area near the school.

Members of the city staff looked into the situation and decided the best option would be to put in the proposed stop signs.

“[The stop signs] will make it a safer area,” said Inyart. “There’s a lot of traffic there before and after school.”

Due to the resignation of the city’s comptroller, the council will also be voting to approve the appointment of a new Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund agent.

According to Inyart, the council will vote to approve the designation of the director of human resources into the position. The city is currently advertising for the position of comptroller.

In other business, the council will:

Award bids for various street materials including rock, concrete and asphalt to be used by the Street Department in the coming year,

Approve a bid award for decorative street lights to be used in the continuation of improvements downtown and

Authorize the closure of certain portions of streets on the Square to be used to display antique automobiles in conjunction with the Burl Ives Film Festival in September.