The Charleston City Council voted to restrict parking 65 feet north of Orchard Drive’s intersection, but to some residents, 65 feet may not be enough.

Steven Bridges, of 5 Orchard Drive, would like to see the entire street restricted from any parking.

With any event that brings in crowds onto Eastern’s campus, such as football games, track meets or Homecoming, cars are overpopulating both sides of the street, Bridges said.

This is a safety hazard for both pedestrians and vehicle drivers.

In the past, the Charleston Police Department has placed signs along the street during busy weekends notifying non-residents that parking is not permitted.

Bridges made an effort to collect signs himself to place in his yard to also get rid of unwanted tailgaters.

“If I don’t, there is a barbeque grill in my yard,” said Bridges.

Bridges suggested to the council to only allow residents to park along the street.

Mayor John Inyart said this could cause confusion for police to be able to decipher between those who are full-time residents and who are guests.

Serious enforcement would be required.

Inyart then addressed to Bridges a petition from the residents living along Orchard Drive to hear what they want from the city.

The ordinance is to be kept on file for the next meeting.

A new 2010 Chevy G400 Cutaway Medtec ambulance for the Charleston Fire Department will arrive by the end of next week.

The department replaces an ambulance every four years or so.

An ordinance to enforce false fire alarm activation fee to those who misuse or have regular occurrence of false alarm activation was passed.

The ordinance pertains to businesses owners.

Businesses with four to six false fire alarms per calendar year will be charged $100 per occurrence.

Businesses with seven or more false fire alarm activations will be charged $200 per occurrence.

“The city sees a few from time to time that cause multiple alarm activation. This is just our way of encouraging people to upgrade their systems so we can prevent the trucks from rolling out on a false alarms,” said Inyart.

The council approved three ordinances to no longer permit parking along certain streets.

West Vine Street, Tyler Avenue and Meadowlake Drive were among the streets.

The ordinances carried over to this week’s agenda to allow residents to put in their concerns to this ordinance.

The council received none.

A resolution to approve change orders for Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade project.

An approval by the council was required because the order exceeded $10,000.

During public presentations, a resident addressed her concern about not having a sidewalk from O’Brien Stadium to McDonald’s.

The Council approved one raffle license.

Allison Twaits can be reached at 581-7942 or altwaits@eiu.edu.