The Charleston City Council approved the hiring of an engineer group to design an additional left turn lane at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Ninth Street on Tuesday.

During the meeting, a presentation was given by Brad Townsend, a strategic and financial adviser from Ehlers, Inc., on the results from the issues discussed during the city’s planning retreat.

Townsend presented the priorities that each department had identified during the retreat, as well as the master list of the city of Charleston’s top 22 priorities.

“It is not just a master to-do list,” Townsend said. “It is really a set of self-imposed challenges.”

Out of the 22 items on the master to-do list, Townsend said 19 of those items have been completed, partially completed, or started.

Townsend also noted that the items on the list could be subject to change depending on the circumstances.

“You make it a working document, not a blind one that you just follow,” Townsend said.

Townsend also said the police reported alcohol and drug incidents decreased and that 85 percent of the concrete streets in Charleston are in good shape.

Townsend also said he hopes the renovations of hotels in the area a sign the economy is taking a turn for the better.

Townsend said the hospitality and hotel industry is usually at the forefront of economic trends, meaning when the economy is good, the hospitality and hotel industry see those benefits quicker, but when the economy decreases, the industry is the first to show that.

Charleston City Manager Scott Smith said he was proud of the way his staff worked together.

“I think that bringing (Townsend) in has helped opened up the dialogue in discussion,” Smith said.

The city council also approved the purchase of four power cots that would be placed in each ambulance belonging to the city.

Mayor John Inyart said each cot cost about $11,000 each and the city had received a grant of $46,000 in order to purchase the new equipment.

The city council also approved an agreement with an engineering company that would design the poles for overhead banners that would be displayed at two different areas in town.

Inyart said the banners are a collaboration with Eastern and would advertise both city and university events.

The city council also approved the ordinance that would outlaw parking within twenty feet of a crosswalk that would be located in a school zone.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or kjrichter@eiu.edu.