The Charleston City Council will vote Tuesday on a resolution for declaring a local state of emergency with a termination provision.  

Depending on the results of that vote, there may be a declaration of an end to the local state of emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Two resolutions will be discussed that will authorize various street closures. One is for a temporary closure on July 3 for the annual “4 for 4th: 4-Mile Foot Race” which is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity for the safety of participants. 

The other street closures would be for the Fourth of July Parade and related festivities. 

Specifically, the schedule for street closure for Fourth of July Parade and related festivities is listed in the resolution as follows: 

“CLOSED TO PARKING AND TRAFFIC:  

1. July 3, 2021–6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on July 4, 2021 Pierce Avenue from Division Street to 2nd Street.  

1. July 4, 2021–11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monroe Avenue from 6th Street to 7thStreet; Jackson Avenue from 6th Street to 7th Street; 7th Street from Jackson Avenue to Monroe Avenue; 6th Street from Monroe Avenue to Polk Avenue; Polk Avenue from 6th Street to Division Street; and Division Street from Polk Avenue to Grant Avenue;  

“CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:  

1. July 4, 2021–7:00 AM to 11:00 AM 1st Street from Polk Street to Pierce Avenue.  

1. July 4, 2021–11:00 AM to 3:00 PM 6th Street from Jackson Avenue to Polk Avenue; Polk Avenue from 6th Street to Division Street;  

1. July 4, 2021–3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Division Street from Pierce Avenue to Lincoln Avenue.  

“CLOSED TO PARKING:  

1. July 4, 2021–6:30 AM to 5:00 PM Division Street from Pierce Avenue to Lincoln Avenue.” 

Another item on the agenda is the approval of raffle license for the Red, White & Blue Days at various times on June 27 and July 3 to July 4 at the Charleston VFW and Morton Park to raise funds for festivities. 

The council will also vote on a resolution to authorize the execution of an agreement between the City of Charleston and the International Union of Operating Engineers in accordance with terms and conditions listed in their contracts for workers. 

Authorizing the disposal of surplus equipment for the Public Works Department will be discussed and potentially approved for the department to get rid of older equipment by selling it via sealed bid after advertising and using the scrap value as the minimum sale price. Proceeds for the disposal will go to the city fund. 

An ordinance will be discussed to approve the amendment to the Central Area Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Central Area Redevelopment Project Area. This will deal with adopting Tax increment Financing and the requirements on times in which redevelopment projects must be completed and obligations issues to finance costs. 

Following the action items, members of the public are given the opportunity to contact the council. On matters not on the agenda, no action will be taken, and the Council is not obligated to take any further action or to address the matter further. Public comment can be sent to cityclerk@co.coles.il.us in person or by email.   

Those interested in sending public comment should send emails to the city clerk by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, with the subject line: CC: 05/18/2021, so the city clerk knows it is for the meeting. 

 Theo Edwards can be reached  at heedwards@eiu.edu.