A public hearing was required for the Community Development Assistance Program grant project; however, no one from the community was present to comment.

The city considered reapplying for a $575,000 state grant for various repairs in the city.

The grant will be used to bring improvements in and around the town square by replacing sidewalks, resurfacing roads and adding new lights.

This project alone is estimated to cost around $300,000.

A vacant commercial building located on 513 7th St. is also in need of repair.

The city had first applied for the grant in June 2009 but was denied.

The authorizing of certain city streets for the annual Eastern Homecoming parade on Oct. 23 was also discussed.

The streets that will be used for the parade route are Seventh Street going north toward the square then south on Sixth Street to Polk Avenue then west toward Division Street and ending in front of O’Brien Stadium.

“The map did not line up with the plan from the last meeting and now it does. The staging questions have also been resolved,” said Mayor John Inyart.

The streets will be closed between the hours of 3 a.m. and 12 p.m.

The Charleston Police Department is authorized to direct towing and manage traffic at the time of the parade.

The council unanimously passed the authorization to sell surplus equipment.

Two generators at the Waste Water Treatment Plant will be sold due to city personnel finding no better use of the equipment.

“They are being considered surplus after the (WWTP) upgrade,” Inyart said.

The proceeds of the sale will be deposited in the City of Charleston Water Sewer Fund.

Mayor John Inyart was pleased to announce the trick or treat hours for this year’s Halloween.

“I really do get joy out of this, this is the one thing I can decide by myself every year,” Inyart said.

The hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m.

The consent agenda included four raffle licenses and was approved as presented.

The Charleston United States Bowling Congress Association will conduct a raffle during the month of October for the Illinois morning and midday Pick 3.

The Charleston City High School Band boosters will hold a drawing Dec. 1 to help benefit the Charleston High School Band with competitions, instruments and other needs.

The Gary Craig Memorial Scholarship will be provided to Lake Land College students Oct. 10.

Finally, HOPE of East Central Illinois is conducting a raffle to raise awareness of domestic violence education along with supplies and prevention on September 24.

Allison Twaits can be reached at 581-7943 or altwaits@eiu.edu