The Champaign City Council met Tuesday night to discuss a number of resolutions, including one that would approve a public hearing on the expansion of the East University Avenue Tax Increment Finance, or TIF, district.

The TIF district generates money from property taxes on commercial and residential properties included in the district; this money can only be used toward improvements within the district.

The city planning department has proposed extending the TIF district for another 12 years, and the new plan will include a smaller taxed body. Fewer residential properties and some commercial properties will be cut out in order to allot more money for the school district, the park district and the Champaign-Urbana Health Public Health District among other places.

Council members voted to approve a public hearing set for Nov. 16, said Assistant City Manager Dorothy David.

Council members also voted to approve the use of federal money for the Fourth Street extension project.

Chris Sokolowski, city engineer, said the street will follow a different alignment than originally planned and has changed the scope of the project somewhat.

The $533,520 price tag of the project will come from a federal earmark that was acquired by the University.

The project aims to construct a two or three lane street connecting Saint Mary’s Road to Windsor Road. New features will include bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Sokolowski said the long process that has only just led to the council voting on the financial aspect of the project can be attributed to the lengthy federal process.

The city council also recognized city employees for their service to the Champaign community.

Several people were named including Public Works Director Dennis Schmidt and Neighborhood Programs Manager Kerri Spear, among other city employees.

Joan Walls, the deputy city manager, was also recognized. She said the best part of working for Champaign is serving the community.