The Charleston City Council will introduce a resolution at tonight’s meeting, which would submit a Request for Proposals to search for firms to find ways to reduce energy.

City Manager Scott Smith said upgrades to city equipment and buildings could lower electrical costs, gas costs and other energy costs.

With a firm’s proposals, the city can enter a guaranteed savings contract, which the city would pay for upgrades through energy savings.

Smith used a furnace for an example.

If the city installed a $5,000 heater, which saved $1,000 a year on energy costs, the savings would go towards paying for the furnace.

When the price of electricity froze last year, the city purchased power from another service provider, which saved an estimated $250,000, Smith said.

However, the city saw an increase in energy costs between $162,000 and $165,000 from the previous year.

“We need to find ways to cut energy costs to provide services,” Smith said.

In order to pay for energy costs the city has increased water rates and Smith said another increase would be requested this year.

The city is also in the planning process to upgrade the waste treatment plant.

Smith said the city is applying for a low interest loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to cover engineering costs to create plans.

The upgrade to the waste treatment plant would not begin at least until the next fiscal year, he added.

Charleston is not the only government to look into guaranteed savings contracts.

Eastern, Lake Land College and Charleston and Mattoon school districts all have entered into these types of contracts.

Jeff Cooley, vice president for business affairs, said Eastern is entered into two guaranteed performance contracts.

“Over the 10 year recovery periods of those projects, we’re guaranteed to save about $15 million,” he said.

The city is working with the request for proposals with Mattoon, Oakland, the Oakland School District and Coles County.

In other business the council will vote on a resolution to apply for a Community Development Assistance Program grant not exceeding $850,000.

The grant would be used for water main work from the water treatment plant, Smith said.

The council will also vote on a resolution annexing 2900 Fourth Street and a bid purchasing “Toughbook” computers for the fire and police department.

Two ordinances that were on file for public inspection are also being voted on.

The first would restrict parking from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Ridgefield, Fairfield, Woodfield, Copperfield and Stonefield lanes.

The second would allow university to operate smaller, “neighborhood” vehicles on city streets within its boundaries.

Mayor John Inyart will also issue a proclamation which states February is Black History Month.

The city council meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 520 Jackson Ave.

Prior to the meeting a public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. to consider the application for the Community Development Assistance Program grant. Another hearing is set for 7:15 p.m. in regards to the annexation of 2900 Fourth Street.

Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7945 or at mthopf@eiu.edu.