The City Council also voted to approve authorization of selling a vacant lot at 1414 Jackson Avenue to Habitat for Humanity.

Council member Larry Rennels said the sale of the property will benefit the community because the city has been forced to pay for mowing the property.

“We’ve been eating the cost of mowing the lot. Now it will end up going back on tax role,” he said. “Everybody will win.”

Rennels said the council was able to purchase the vacant lot because the previous owner had not paid taxes on the lot.

The lot was appraised at $4,294.

The City Council also voted to approve entering into a contractual agreement for technical assistance services with the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission at Tuesday’s meeting.

Rennels, who led the council meeting, said the contractual agreement with Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission will offer the various items in which the city may need their assistance, such as planning zoning ordinances, drafting budgeting assistances and census assistance.

Rennels said while the contract is for a maximum of $7,000, the city is only billed of services they use.

“It’s a pay as you go,” he said.

The City Council also voted on entering into a contractual agreement for revolving loan fund and administration and coordination services with the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Rennels said this is a separate contract for a maximum of $2,100 specifically administering revolving loan fund and is also only paid for by service use.

The City Council also voted to approve granting a petition to Blake Coffey for approval of a minor subdivision in the 1100 block of West Polk.

The lot is .8 acres and will be split into two .4 acre lots.

Rennels said because the lot is considered to be a minor subdivision, it did not require to go through zoning board.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or smhall3@eiu.edu.