The city council executed an agreement with Upchurch and Associates, who will design and plan the Jackson Avenue Bridge replacement, last Tuesday at the city council meeting.

“It is really used a lot and is in desperate need of replacement,” said city council member Lorelei E. Sims, in reference to the current Jackson Avenue Bridge.

The council also agreed to “appropriate money to pay them” which “seems appropriate,” Mayor John Inyart said.

The council agreed to pay them $55,500 in MFT funds, a fund that “takes a portion out of each gallon of gas you buy,” Inyart said.

Sims added that “the public should be aware of possible design options” and that the “historic ambience should be maintained.” The bridge has been in existence since 1937.

The council also authorized an application for “HOME” – a Single-Family, Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program that funds those in need. Last year there was $30,000 in funds and seven houses were built. This year the total was bumped up to $40,000.

In order for someone to be eligible for such funds they must have a low income, they must own their house, and it can’t be in tip-top condition, Inyart said.

The council also authorized temporary street closures, mostly between Jackson Avenue and Madison Avenue, for “Christmas in the Heart of Charleston” that will take place on Dec. 2, between 5 and 9 p.m.

At the end of the meeting, council member Jeff Lahr said he appreciated the “common-sense approach” the mayor took concerning the roofing tax that requires anyone who is hired to put on a roof on a house must have a $50 permit. A permit is required by state law, an ordinance that the city of Charleston can’t overturn.

At the last council meeting a number of Charleston residents vehemently expressed their disdain for such a permit.

“The direction it was going it just wasn’t making sense. It was costing us and our citizen’s money,” Inyart said.

Inyart said he would like to find a way to fit under the state ordinance but it was obvious the current resolution was upsetting the citizens.

Charleston resident Dick Goodrick also expressed concern about the possible Charleston ethanol plant that has been proposed.

Inyart said they are still in “fact-finding mode” and no final decisions have been made. He did say that about 100 ethanol plants in Illinois have been planned, but he wasn’t sure if it was possible to fuel all them.

Inyart also said that the plant won’t affect the outtake from the lake and a comprehensive water plan study that is under way.