The City Council intends to decide an electrical contract with Ameren during its regular meeting today that would allow the city to cut costs in coming years.

Mayor John Inyart said City Manager Scott Smith was in charge of finding a company that would offer the best rate for Charleston. If approved, the contract would start October 2010 and last until October 2011.

Inyart said the contract with Ameren would decrease electricity costs by 27 percent, which amounts to $120,000 in savings.

“He was able to find us a lower rate,” Inyart said.

Inyart said this is the first year the city has to renew an electrical contract. He said the city used to buy electricity directly from the provider.

The city is now able to observe market trends and compare prices from different providers to lock-in an electrical rate, Inyart said.

Aside from the electrical contract, the council has a quick meeting on tap, with only nine agenda items needing decisions.

“It’s a very quiet meeting,” Inyart said.

The council will announce the appointment of Don Schaefer to the Corridor Review Committee. The committee is an advisory board that examines projects slated to be located along Illinois Route 16, between Charleston and Mattoon. The committee is comprised of members representing Charleston, Mattoon, the Coles County airport authority and the Coles County Board.

Schaefer will represent the airport authority – a position Inyart originally appointed him to serve.

The council will also authorize street closings for the Christmas in the Heart of Charleston festivity on Dec. 5.

Eighth Street from Jackson Avenue to Madison Avenue; Monroe Avenue from Sixth Street to Ninth Street; and Jackson Avenue from Fifth Street to Eighth Street are among the streets that will be closed from 3 to 7 p.m. for the event.

The council will also decide a proclamation that would declare Nov. 10 as the start of Sesame Street’s 40th birthday celebration. The popular kids show is entering its 40th season this year.

Inyart will make the proclamation at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 in Kiwanis Park as part of a celebration hosted by WEIU-TV.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.