The diversion program for students who violated city ordinances for underage possession is gaining credence.

City Attorney Brian Bower said during the City Council’s two-day retreat, which concluded Friday, that 622 students have participated in or signed on to the 9-month-old diversion program.

“We are booked out until February 2010,” Bower said.

The program is for first-time offenders of underage possession. It’s meant to give students an option from more severe consequences.

Bower said the program is designed to give students insight on why police ticket for alcohol-related activity, along with education about sexual transmitted diseases and incidents that result from alcohol-related activity, such as

battery.

He said the program, which the Charleston Police Department administers, is a benefit for the city because it curbs illegal activity. He said it is a benefit for first-time offenders because they avoid lifetime consequences.

“The goal is to keep them safe,” Bower said.

He said CPD added another class to the program to have it transpire twice a month, as opposed to once a month, because the program has seen so much activity.

Police Chief Bryan Baker said other Illinois college communities usually are more lenient when it comes to student drinking.

“This community has drawn a line, not to be mean, but for safety,” he said.

Here are the other highlights from the final day of the retreat:

Treatment Plant upgrade

Curt Buescher, public works director, said his department is currently examining plans for the $7.9 million wastewater treatment renovation in an attempt to curb costs.

Preliminary construction work started in early November. Changes to the project include trying to implement energy efficiencies.

Buescher said change orders would have to be approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency because the city financed the project through an IEPA loan. Change orders more than $10,000 would need council approval.

Buescher said turbine type blowers could save an estimated $50,000 to $65,000 in electrical savings.

“It makes sense,” he said.

Buescher said the project should be completed in May 2011. Loan repayment is tentatively scheduled to begin September 2011.

He said the point of looking for more energy efficiencies is to ensure that the renovation withstands years of aging.

“We want to do a full, thorough project,” Buescher said.

Chamber of Commerce

Cindy Titus, executive director for the Chamber, said the organization is expected to start an advertisement package that would encourage residents to buy local.

The campaign, called “Buy Local Tuesdays,” would include deals every Tuesday from homegrown businesses in hopes to facilitate sales, Titus said.

She said the organization is also experiencing budget difficulties because members have left the Chamber in an attempt to cut costs because of the economic recession.

“It’s tough,” Titus said.

She said the Chamber would look to partner more resources with the city and Eastern Illinois in hopes to use fewer resources and decrease costs.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or at sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.