Boards and Commissions
See the Agendas and Minutes page for agendas and minutes for Council, boards, and commissions.
If interested in serving on a City board, commission, or committee please click here for application form. Return completed form to : Charleston City Clerk, 520 Jackson Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920; call (217) 345-5650; or email cityclerk@co.coles.il.us
If resigning from a board, commission, or committee, please submit a signed and notarized letter (click here for a template) to the Charleston City Clerk, 520 Jackson Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920; call (217) 345-5650; or email cityclerk@co.coles.il.us
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
This committee has 5 members and meets 4 times per year.
Current Members
Current Members
- Jeffrey Browning
- Ruth Cooper
- Greg Culp
- Aaron Lock
- Brendan Lynch
- Tim Zimmer
Board of Zoning and Appeals (BZAP)
Acts in an advisory capacity to City Council. The Board conducts public hearings and recommends action on variances, conditional uses, planned unit developments (P.U.D.'s), subdivisions, and zoning amendments; Recommends changes and amendments to Zoning Map and Zoning Code Text; Hears and acts on all appeals of any order, requirement, decision or determination by the Building Official; Makes recommendations on items referred to it by City Council.
(7 members, 5-year terms)
Current Members
(7 members, 5-year terms)
Current Members
- Paul Brown
- Darlene Greathouse
- Tim Jacobs
- David Martin
- Jill Nilsen
- Ryan W. Siegel
- Scott Stevens
- Jason Wavering
Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees
Supervises the administration of Carnegie Public Library. The Library is a semi-autonomous organization of the City of Charleston. The Charleston Carnegie Library Board of Trustees meets regularly on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. unless there is a holiday. If there is a holiday, the Board will meet on the second Monday of the month.
(9 members, 3-year terms)
Current Members
(9 members, 3-year terms)
Current Members
- Andreea Chiritescu
- Deborah Cuddy
- Brandalyn Curry
- Chelsea Doughty
- Brooke Ferguson
- Jessica Killoughs-Meadows
- Judith Looby
- Mike Monahan
- Kathy Olsen
- Gregory Ricciardi
- Jacob Smallhorn
Charleston Tree Commission
The Charleston Tree Commission meets at 8:00 am in the Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall on the 4th Thursday of every month. Typically, no December meeting is planned.
For more information on the Tree Commission's activities and recommendations, please click here for their page.
Mission Statement
The City of Charleston recognizes that the protection of its natural resources is vital to the aesthetic appreciation of our community. Specifically, the City feels it is necessary to take an active role in the maintenance of its existing trees, as well as planning for the ongoing addition and replacement of trees within the city.
The mission of the Charleston Tree Commission is to advise and consult the City Council in serving the interests of the Charleston community regarding any and all matters pertaining to trees located within the city.
Charleston Tree Commission - (9 members)
For more information on the Tree Commission's activities and recommendations, please click here for their page.
Mission Statement
The City of Charleston recognizes that the protection of its natural resources is vital to the aesthetic appreciation of our community. Specifically, the City feels it is necessary to take an active role in the maintenance of its existing trees, as well as planning for the ongoing addition and replacement of trees within the city.
The mission of the Charleston Tree Commission is to advise and consult the City Council in serving the interests of the Charleston community regarding any and all matters pertaining to trees located within the city.
Charleston Tree Commission - (9 members)
- Stan Adkins
- Pete Frey
- Marissa Grant
- Kenton Macy
- Cynthia Nichols
- Brian Nordin
- Ian Pendergast-White
- Gordon Tucker
- Rich Wandling
- CJ Applegate, City Representative
- May 1993—First Charleston Tree Commission appointed by City Council to survey and inventory all trees on public rights of way.
- July 1993—Tree Commissioner Dr. John Ebinger leads the development of “Arboricultural Specifications and Standards Manual” for City of Charleston.
- December 1993— City of Charleston submits an application for “TreeCity USA” designation.
- January 1994—City applies for Tree Planting Initiative Grant through Illinois Department of Conservation.
- March 1994—“TreeCity USA” designation granted for the first time.
- March 1994—City receives $38,690 Tree Planting Initiative Grant.
- March 1994—Requisite $25,000 in Matching Funds for Tree Planting Initiative is met through generous donations of private citizens, businesses, and charitable groups. NOTE: No tax monies required from the City, and a total of 754 trees are planted on public property.
- March 1994—Informational slide presentation on tree planting is developed to motivate community involvement. A Charleston Community Forest Management Plan with Objectives is formulated.
- End of 1995—Tree Commission deactivated; ongoing projects suspended.
- December 2005—City Council reestablishes Tree Commission; update of original tree survey initiated.
- March 2007—Charleston again achieves “TreeCity” USA designation and continues to date.
Charleston City Council
The City Council is the duly elected legislative and policy-making body of the City of Charleston. The fundamental job of the City Council is to make policy decisions for the City based on relevant and accurate information received from the full-time City Manager and his staff. Committees and Advisory Boards of the City Council render recommendations to the full body regarding municipal projects, facilities, services, finance and personnel as well as issues of health, safety, and welfare of the community at large. The City Council solicits and receives the support of many volunteer citizen committees to ensure a democratic, citizen-centered process.
A responsible government is critical to a city's welfare. In Charleston, a responsive representative government is headed by the Chief Executive Officer, an appointed City Manager. The Mayor and City Council make municipal decisions based on state statutes, local ordinances and recommendations from a full-time City Manager and his staff. Many volunteer citizen committees support the work of elected officials to represent the wishes of their constituents to encourage a democratic, citizen-centered process.
Click here for the Council's webpage.
Click here for Agendas and Minutes..
A responsible government is critical to a city's welfare. In Charleston, a responsive representative government is headed by the Chief Executive Officer, an appointed City Manager. The Mayor and City Council make municipal decisions based on state statutes, local ordinances and recommendations from a full-time City Manager and his staff. Many volunteer citizen committees support the work of elected officials to represent the wishes of their constituents to encourage a democratic, citizen-centered process.
Click here for the Council's webpage.
Click here for Agendas and Minutes..
Coles County Airport Authority Board
Oversees the management of the Coles County Airport. (1 City-Appointed Member)
- Jim Campbell
- Angela Griffin
- Mark Nelson
- Bill Rasmussen
- Curt Schaefer
Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Committee
City appoints 7 Member, 2-Yr. Term
- Jay Gatrell
- Tina Held
- Deb Hutti
- Jeff Lahr
- Jill Nilsen
- Hadley Phillips
- Ryan Siegel
Corridor Review Committee
Reviews projects located in the "Corridor Development District" (CD) of both the Cities of Charleston and Mattoon for compliance with a joint zoning district code. The CD District is located along and near Illinois Route 16 between both Cities.
(7 members, 4-year terms)
(7 members, 4-year terms)
- Gary Boske, Mattoon Planning Commission Member
- Angela Griffin, Coles Together Director
- Jeff Lahr, Charleston City Council Member
- Rick Hall, Mattoon City Council Member
- Curt Schaefer, Coles County Airport Authority
- Jason Wavering, Charleston Appointee
Electrical Commission
Recommends electrical codes and ordinances to the City Council. Hears and decides on appeals of the Electrical Inspector's decisions and determinations. Charleston Electrical Commission meets twice annually in City Hall. For Information Contact: Electrical Inspector, City of Charleston at elecinspector@co.coles.il.us or call (217) 345-8461
(7 members, 5-year terms)
(7 members, 5-year terms)
- Terry Allen
- Steve Bennett
- Al Green
- Tom Neal
- Bob Olson
- Scott Gossett, City Liaison
EIU External Relations Committee
The External Relations Committee consists of members of the Eastern Illinois University Student Senate, Administration and Faculty, and members of the Charleston City Council. The Committee addresses University/Community relations in an effort to improve and maintain cooperation, coordination and communication.
(4 members)
(4 members)
- Brandon Combs, Mayor
- Jeff Lahr, City Council Member
- Dennis Malak, City Council Member
- E.I.U. Student Government Representative
Firefighters Pension Fund Board of Trustees
Meets quarterly at 3:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month (February, May, August, November).
- Steve Hutti
- Dustin Lowry
- Tim Meister
- Justin Schumacher
- R. Scott Smith
Fire and Police Board of Commissioners
The Fire & Police Board of Commissioners meets at 3 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of each month in the Basement Conference Room, City Hall, 520 Jackson Avenue, Charleston, Illinois.
For more information contact:
Tabatha Ferguson
Legal Secretary
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Email: TFerguson@co.coles.il.us
(3 members, 3 year terms)
For more information contact:
Tabatha Ferguson
Legal Secretary
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Email: TFerguson@co.coles.il.us
(3 members, 3 year terms)
- Brendan Lynch, Chairman
- Adam Fifield
- Carl Wolff
GOVTC -- Government Telecommunications Consortium--(CECOM-911 Coles -Moultrie County Emergency Communications)
Government Telecommunications Consortium (GovTC) will meet at 3:00 p.m. in the conference room at CECOM--911 Coles-Moultrie County Emergency Communications located at 10500 State Highway 16, Suite 1, Mattoon, Illinois.
5 Members--Multi-Governmental Consortium
5 Members--Multi-Governmental Consortium
- Steve Bennett
- Tyler Heleine
- Michael Lusk
- Dalton Roberts
- Jeffrey Branson
- Marisol Gamboa
- Kyle Gill
- Brian Huston
- Steve Pamperin
- Mark Harris
Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission was created in 2004 by Ordinance 04-O-51.
The HPC meets on the third Friday of every month unless otherwise noted. Meetings convene at 8:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall.
For more information contact:
Deborah Muller, M.A., R.M.C., C.M.C.
City Clerk
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
217.345.8426
(7 Members, staggered terms)
The HPC meets on the third Friday of every month unless otherwise noted. Meetings convene at 8:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall.
For more information contact:
Deborah Muller, M.A., R.M.C., C.M.C.
City Clerk
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
217.345.8426
- Application form for Certificate of Appropriateness
- Landmark Designation Application Instructions
- Landmark Designation Application - It is highly recommended that prospective landmark nominations be presented to the Commission before preparing application.
(7 Members, staggered terms)
- Bob Bertand
- Guiliana Dongu
- Merry Lichtenberger
- Kathy Lynch
- Stacy Lynn
- Kathryn "Kit" Morice
- Glenna Starkey
- Matt Madigan, Ex Officio Member
- Nora Pat Small, Ex Officio Member
- Deborah Muller, Staff Liaison
Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC)
- Steve Bennett
- Dan Deeken
- Dan Ensign
- Joe Fehrenbacher
- Valerie Goodwin
- Mara Hildebrand
- Jim Hilgenberg
- Brian Houston
- Sean Junge
- Jeff Lahr
- Tim Meister
- Christina J. Miller
- Brian Peterlich
- Steve Skidmore
- Gloria Spear
- Rob Stroud
- Jason Taylor
- Kiley Willison
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Reviews issues and recommends Council action on all matters related to parks, recreation, and tourism activities.
(5 members, 5 year terms)
(5 members, 5 year terms)
- Ken Baker
- Tina Held
- Bill Moore
- Donnagene Quivey
- Tory Wilson
Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees
(7 members)
- James Blagg
- Brett Compton
- Steve Hutti
- Erica Roa
- R. Scott Smith
Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District Joint Review Board
Holds yearly meetings to advise the City of Charleston on TIF District expenditures and plans. Membership is determined by State Statute, which requires representatives of certain taxing bodies in Coles County.
For more information contact:
Steve Pamperin, City Planner
CityPlanner@co.coles.il.us
Phone: (217) 345-8452.
(7 members, appointed by the taxing body they represent)
For more information contact:
Steve Pamperin, City Planner
CityPlanner@co.coles.il.us
Phone: (217) 345-8452.
(7 members, appointed by the taxing body they represent)
- Brandon Bell, Charleston Township Supervisor
- Rance Higgins, Public Member
- Chad Burgett, Charleston CUSD No. 1
- Josh Bullock, Lake Land Community College
- Curt Schaefer, Coles County Airport Authority
- R. Scott Smith, Charleston City Manager
- Crystal Smith, Multi-Township Assessor
- Dan Corrie, Charleston Township Park District
Tourism Advisory Board
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of even numbered months.
(9 members, 3 year terms) -
(9 members, 3 year terms) -
- Jim Davis
- Heather Kelly
- David Kirsch
- Matthew Mittelstaedt
- Ginger Stanfield
- Michael Watts
- Dale Wolf
