Charleston public meetings in 2025
18 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will consider several action items including resolutions for a water system interconnection agreement with Mattoon, architectural services for City Hall roof replacement, and engineering services for the aquatic center renovation. An ordinance approving the annual tax levy for fiscal year 2026-2027 and a temporary amendment to building and plumbing codes are also on the agenda.
- Resolution authorizing First Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Mattoon for Water System Distribution Interconnection
- Resolution approving proposal for architectural services for Charleston City Hall Roof Replacement
- Resolution approving proposal for engineering services for Rotary Community Aquatic Center Renovation Project (520 Jackson Avenue)
- Ordinance approving Annual Tax Levy Ordinance for Fiscal Year May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027
- Ordinance temporarily amending City Code regarding Residential Building Code and Plumbing Code
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will consider an annual tax levy ordinance for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and process the appointment of a new council member to fill a vacancy. The body will also review grants and pension code reports.
- Annual Tax Levy Ordinance for Fiscal Year May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027
- Resolution to accept a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
- Declaration of vacancy and appointment of a new City Council member
- Acceptance of a personal property donation and grant from Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation
- Raffle licenses for Rotary Club of Charleston, Charleston Carnegie Public Library, International Youth Exchange, and Charleston Sports & Recreation
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will discuss several administrative resolutions, including insurance renewals and a purchasing agreement. The body will also consider site hosting agreements for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Site Hosting Agreements for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Project
- Insurance Program Renewal Agreement with Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT)
- Master Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with NPPGov
- Raffle license for Blue Fusion (EIU A Cappella Group) for January 12, 2026
- Appointment of Tina Held to the Board of Zoning Appeals & Planning (BZAP)
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will vote on several infrastructure projects, including sidewalk and road resurfacing. The body is also considering ordinances regarding TIF district rehabilitation and specific land-use petitions.
- Ordinance for Sensible Rehabilitation within the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District
- Bid award for ADA Sidewalk Ramp Upgrades on Madison Avenue
- Bid award for Williamsburg Drive and Pierce Avenue Resurfacing Project
- Conditional Use Permit for short term rental at 1515 2nd Street
- Intergovernmental Agreement for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Project
City Council Regular Meeting
The Charleston City Council will meet to approve minutes from the October 7 meeting, audit claims, and vote on several resolutions and ordinances. Key decisions include accepting a $500,000 grant for wastewater treatment plant improvements and amending sewer and water rates.
- Accept $500,000 grant from Illinois DCEO for Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements
- Amend sewer and water rates via Ordinance (Title 8-3-2)
- Approve $4,000 tourism funds for 2026 Red, White and Blue Days
- Approve $5,000 tourism funds for 2026 Christmas in the Heart of Charleston
- Authorize MOU with Charleston CUSD #1 for School Resource Officer Program
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will review requests for short-term rental conditional use permits and proposed changes to the Unified Development Code. The body will also consider street closures for local events and a scavenger license transfer.
- Short-term rental conditional use permits for 717 and 723 Coolidge Avenue
- Text amendment to UDC Title 10-4-3 regarding easements in minor subdivisions
- Text amendment to Title 10-8-1 (B)(8)(a) for 24-foot maximum residential driveway width
- Street closures for CHS Cross Country Meet and EIU Homecoming
- Transfer of Scavenger License from Morgan Disposal, Inc. to Waste Management of Illinois, Inc.
City Council Regular Meeting
The Charleston City Council will meet on September 16, 2025, to approve minutes, payroll, and bills, and to recognize the Charleston Police Department's accreditation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The council will also vote on multiple street closure resolutions for upcoming local events, including Fire Prevention Week, EIU Homecoming Parade, and school parades.
- Approve minutes from September 2, 2025 meeting
- Approve payroll for regular pay period ending September 6, 2025
- Approve bills payable for September 19, 2025
- Recognize Charleston Police Department's ILEAP accreditation
- Approve street closures for Fire Prevention Week Touch-A-Truck Event (October 4, 2025)
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the IDOT Safe Routes To School grant program. The body is also deciding on a concrete bid for FY 2025/2026 and a contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local #3200.
- Public hearing for IDOT Safe Routes To School (SRTS) grant program
- Acceptance of Concrete Bid for FY 2025/2026
- Contract approval for International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local #3200
- Three separate $1,000 tourism fund expenditures for IHSA State Track Meets, EIU Comic Fest, and Harvest Frolic
- Street closures for Tour de Charleston (611 Monroe Avenue), Marty's Bar (1666 4th Street), and Scare on the Square
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will meet to discuss several resolutions and one ordinance amendment. Key items include a service agreement for electric aggregation and the sale of surplus firearms.
- Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2025-O-10 regarding local implementation of the Grocery Tax
- Resolution authorizing a service agreement for electric aggregation for residential and small commercial customers
- Resolution authorizing the sale or trade of surplus firearms
- Resolution for temporary street closures for the Charleston High School Homecoming Parade
- Raffle licenses for Coles County Farm Bureau Foundation and 5 O'Clock Floozies
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will discuss several service agreements, including engineering for a pickleball facility at Linder Sports Complex. The body is also considering ordinances regarding property maintenance and a new scavenger license.
- Architectural and engineering services for Pickleball Facility at Linder Sports Complex
- Geotechnical services for Pickleball Facility at Linder Sports Complex
- Ordinance amending the Property Maintenance Code (IPMC Section 111.42)
- Ordinance creating a Standard Scavenger License
- Temporary street closure for EIU Squared Event on Courthouse Square for September 6, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will meet to fill a vacancy in the council office and consider an ordinance to amend the Unified Development Code regarding short-term rentals. The body will also review contracts for city signage and a new pickleball facility.
- Ordinance to amend Unified Development Code regarding short-term rentals
- Ordinance for the acquisition of 0.311 acre of real estate
- Resolution to award contract for construction and installation of two Charleston entrance signs
- Resolution to accept RFQ for architectural/engineering services for a new pickleball facility at Linder Sports Complex
- Resolution to authorize financing with Prairie State Bank & Trust for a fire truck purchase
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will discuss various resolutions and ordinances, including infrastructure improvements and event-related street closures. The body is also considering a text amendment to the Unified Development Code regarding short-term rentals.
- Ordinance for Text Amendment to the Unified Development Code regarding Short Term Rentals
- Resolution to authorize financing of a dump truck for Public Works Dept. with Prairie State Bank & Trust
- Bid award for Linder Sports Complex Auxiliary Field Earthwork Project
- Ordinance accepting public improvements on 12th Street
- Street closures for Red, White & Blue Days food trucks on 2nd Street and the Butterfly Festival 2025
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will discuss several ordinances regarding property rehabilitation within the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and the acquisition of two real estate parcels. The body is also reviewing street closures for local events and the acceptance of a housing grant.
- TIF rehabilitation ordinances for 609 Monroe Avenue and 714-718 Monroe Avenue ($6,835 and $8,445)
- Real estate acquisition ordinances for 1401 Madison Avenue and 256 W. Vine Avenue
- Resolution for $2,500 in tourism funds for the 2025 Butterfly Festival
- Resolution accepting a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority's Strong Communities Program
- Street closures for July 4th festivities and a Margarita Fest on Monroe Avenue
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will vote on several zoning variances for properties on Lincoln Avenue and an agricultural parcel. The meeting also includes requests for street closures for local celebrations and raffle licenses.
- Three setback variances for Spy Glass Charleston at 411-459 Lincoln Avenue
- Lot width and flag lot variances for Dustin Clodfelder in the Agricultural District
- Street closure for WB's Pub-n-Grub anniversary on June 28, 2025
- Street closure for Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2025
- Ordinance for disposal of surplus personal property (K9--Kye)
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will review an ordinance regarding the number of alcoholic beverage licenses and several street closure requests. The meeting includes presentations on a student class project and new police drone equipment.
- Ordinance amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Section 12 regarding the number of alcoholic beverage licenses
- Street closure for Matthew 25 Annual Fundraiser on 2nd Street from Pierce Avenue to Lincoln Avenue
- Street closure requests for outdoor bands at the Uptowner on May 17 and May 18, 2025
- Bid award for sand delivery and waiver of bidding for scoreboards at Linder Sports Complex
- Resolution for IDOT Local Road Fund Grants and waiver of bidding for COBAN In-Car Cameras
City Council Regular Meeting
The Charleston City Council will inaugurate newly elected officials and consider a consent agenda including payroll and bills. Action items include bid awards for sports lighting and aggregate subbase at Linder Sports Complex, a contract for resurfacing Madison Avenue from 7th to 18th Streets, employment contracts for City Manager and City Manager Emeritus, several ordinances for conditional use and zoning map amendments, and appointments to boards and commissions.
- Bid award for sports lighting at Linder Sports Complex
- Bid award for CA-7 aggregate subbase for Linder Sports Complex volleyball sand lot
- Contract for resurfacing Madison Avenue from 7th to 18th Streets
- Employment contract for City Manager
- Ordinance granting conditional use permit for 956 6th Street
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote to approve the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025. The meeting also includes several resolutions for street maintenance funding and TIF district rehabilitations.
- Public hearing and vote on the FY 2025-2026 annual budget
- Appropriation of $992,137 for FY 26 Street Maintenance and Construction
- MFT Fund appropriations for street work totaling $510,000 across FY 22, 23, and 24
- TIF District rehabilitation ordinances for 705-715 Monroe Avenue, 501 Jackson Avenue, 611 Monroe Avenue, and 609 Monroe Avenue
- Ordinance amending sewer and water rates
City Council Regular Meeting
The City Council will discuss updates to sewer and water rates and the implementation of municipal sales and grocery taxes. The body is also reviewing a subdivision plat and a water main easement acquisition.
- Ordinance amending sewer and water rates
- Ordinance implementing non-home rule municipal sales tax
- Ordinance implementing locally imposed municipal grocery tax
- Ordinance for permanent easement from Coles County Community Mental Health Board for water main construction
- Resolution for contract with Variety Attractions, Inc. for Red, White & Blue Days