The Charleston City Council met March 17 while Eastern dismissed its students for spring break.

During the meeting, the council placed a proposed 2010-2011 budget on file. The projected expenditures are $27.17 million and the projected revenues are $27.71 million.

The council will vote on the budget on April 20, said City Manager Scott Smith.

The council also accepted a bid from Ne-Co Asphalt of Charleston for a street resurfacing project in the amount of $367,151. Overlay work will be done on Harrison Street from 18th Street to 11th Street, on 11th Street from Harrison Street to Madison Avenue and on Jackson Avenue from Seventh Street to 14th Street.

“Overlay work will be done based on the Director of Public Works work plan for street improvements approved by (the) council during our annual retreat,” Smith said.

The council approved funding for five businesses for outside repairs from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) grant.

“All work approved is to the exterior front or side facades of the properties,” Smith said. “Each of the awards were given based on the type of work and amount of original project estimates.”

Owners also share in the cost of the work by funding the remaining costs of the projects.

Work will be done at Swanson Jewelers for $8,000; The Giraffe for $3,690; South Side Cafe for $2,950; County Office Products for $2,000; and Mike & Stan’s 504 Club for $1,417.

The council also approved the amendments for the unified development code.

The amendment clarified the necessary permits needed to build a wind turbine tower within the zoning jurisdiction of the city and added five feet to the distance a fire lane must be from a commercial building.

Finally, Mayor John Inyart appointed Ann Fritz to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or kzyskowski@eiu.edu.