The council will vote on a resolution to continue the agreement with Eastern to provide the city with update information on their infrastructure today.

Steven DiNaso, a professor of geography and the coordinator of the Geography Information Services Initiative, said the department has worked with the city since 2005 and provided them with updated maps about water utilities such as hydrants and water valves.

The map shows every part of the infrastructure such as water lines, stoplights and property lines, DiNaso said.

Mayor John Inyart said the maps have helped public works officials, because before officials only knew the waterlines position by memory.

Now, public works officials can access the maps on their laptops when they are on the field, DiNaso said.

“The city is on the forefront and has mapped all of their infrastructure,” DiNaso said.

The department of geology and geography has provided students internships to input the raw data into the GIS system, DiNaso said.

The agreement has given students the opportunity to work on the system and provides the city with updated information on its infrastructure, DiNaso said.

“This is a win-win relationship between Eastern and the city,” he said.

If passed, the city will pay $6,250 to Eastern for additional mapping services though DiNaso said most of the money will go toward fees for the equipment and toward student internships.

On other matters, the council will vote on approving the city budget for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal year.

The proposed budget has $25,605,198 in revenues and $25,006,223 in expenses and a net income of $598,975.

At the last council meeting, the ordinance for the increase water/sewer rate was put on file for public inspection and the council will vote on the ordinance.

Inyart said the he has not received any feedback from the community regarding the water/sewer rate.

If passed, Eastern will pay $ 11.21 per 1,000 gallons of water. Eastern currently pays $10.72 per 1,000 gallons, which is paid in a bulk rate.

Also, the council will vote on a proportion of the tax incrementing finance, which the TIF helps businesses in downtown Charleston improve their buildings.

Karate USA at 505 7th St., Southside Café at 614 Jackson Ave., and the Charleston Police Department at 614 6th St. will use the tax incrementing finance to update their buildings if the ordinances are passed.

The council plans to also vote on an ordinance to change the Yield sign to a Stop sign of 15th and 16th Streets and Adams Avenue.

The council will also vote on granting tourism fund for Celebration: A Festival of the Arts, IHSA Girls State Badminton Championships, and IHSA State Track Meets, and the Red, White & Blue Days.

Inyart said the tourism fund helps these events advertise and increase tourism in Charleston.

The council will also vote on the raffle licenses for the Sixth Annual Autism Benefit, CASA at the Coles County Fair and the Cornerstone Christian Academy, and Coles County Fair Queen Pageant.

The council meets at 7:30 p.m. today at City Hall at 520 Jackson Ave.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at 581-2812

or eaedwards@eiu.edu.