Prairie Art Tile will be expanding its business.

Charleston City Council members approved a revolving loan fund for the company that will not exceed $165,000.

The business, located at 1550 N. 5th St., has been in Charleston for about a year.

Also, an ordinance was approved making various changes to the Unified Development Code put on file for public inspection. The changes will tweak requirements for off-street parking requirements and the density and dimensional standards of buildings.

One amendment will require signs with flashing messages have an interval of two seconds between new messages or scenes. It also allowed for 45 feet (three stories) for buildings in general commercial and central business zoning districts.

“It’s been no secret that for the last couple years we have been trying to attract additional hotel space in the community,” Mayor John Inyart said. “In reviewing our ordinances, we found that we really didn’t have anywhere it could be built under the current guidelines. This will make us look a little bit more attractive to someone who is trying to come here to build.”

The council also approved a resolution to renew its annual contract agreement for Technical Assistance Services with the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission. Council Member Jeff Lahr abstained from voting on the resolution because he works for the Coles County Regional Planning.

After a presentation of the event’s of this year’s National Fire & Emergency Services Exploring Conference events, Colonel Richard Jaehne and retired firefighter Greg Fisher presented the Charleston Fire Department with a framed panoramic picture of the conference attendants.

The gift was in thanks of the department’s contributions to the Illinois Fire Service Institute during the conference by providing an ambulance and personnel to help with the events and competitions.

“Explorer programs are significant assets to the Fire Service Institute. They really are the proving grounds for young men and women,” Jaehne said.

The National Explorer Conference is a hands-on firefighter-training program for 14 to 18 year olds held in Champaign this summer.

“It teaches kids what they are going to be getting into so they can tell if that’s the job they want to go into,” Charleston Fire Chief Kris Phipps said. “I believe there were 800 explorers there. And they came from coast to coast, top to bottom.”

“It allows for these young people to get a sense of the various types of responsibilities a lot of fire services have,” Fisher said. “It’s not just putting wet stuff on the red stuff anymore.”