he Charleston City Council voted to put a 3.9 percent increase on sewer and water rates on public inspection as well as 14 other agenda items.

Eastern will see an increase from $14.19 to $14.75 per 1,000 gallons.

Water and sewer services within corporate limits will see an increase from $14.75 to $15.33 for the minimum charge and $14.19 to $14.75 if the ordinance is approved after public inspection.

Water and sewer services that are only within corporate limits will see an increase from $13.41 to $13.94 for the minimum charge and $12.89 to $13.40 if the ordinance is approved after public inspection.

An ordinance was approved that added regulations to fireworks sales in Charleston.

Under the new regulations, those selling fireworks must obtain a license from the Chief of the Fire Department for a cost of $2,500 per each site where fireworks are sold.

The ordinance will also give the chief of police the authority to seize “all stocks or fireworks or combustibles offered or exposed for sale, stored or held in violation of this subchapter,” according to the ordinance.

No fireworks should be stored within 100 feet of “any inhabited school, hospital, church or other public institution or any building used as a place of public assembly,” and the location where fireworks are stored will need to be inspected and approved by the chief of the Charleston Fire Department.

The official zoning map was amended for phase two of the Sister City subdivision.

The number of Class C liquor licenses business owners are allowed was increased from 20 to 21.

The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Decatur to lease a ladder truck.

The lease will be for 90 days (not to exceed two renewals), and the City of Charleston will be charged $300 a day for the ladder truck.

The council also approved an agreement with Homefield Energy that will begin on October 2020 and end October 2023 in which the city will be charged $0.04399 per kilowatt.

Brendan Lynch was reappointed to a three-year term on the Tourism Advisory Board.

Three proclamations were approved by the council.

The council recognized the month of April as Parliamentary Law Month “to honor President Thomas Jefferson, born April 13, 1743, author of the first American manual of parliamentary practice, in his birth month,” according to the proclamation.

The week of April 7-13, 2019 was recognized as National Library Week with the theme “Libraries = Strong.”

The proclamation asks residents to visit Charleston Carnegie Library and remember that “libraries build strong communities.”

The council also recognized April 26, 2019 as Arbor Day “to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands.”

Amanda Bryant addressed the council regarding the Sister City concept map approval.

Bryant was concerned about the destruction of trees behind her home.

“They do provide a screen for us as far as privacy, light and noise as well as house a lot of wildlife,” Bryant said.

Bryant asked that the council make every possible effort to preserve the trees behind her home for the residents of her subdivision.

Mayor Combs said the Tree Commission always takes existing trees into consideration when building.

“If we can keep (the trees) there, we’re going to keep them there,” Combs said.

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at cebrock@eiu.edu.