The city will see a little more than $100,000 in electrical savings in the future.

The City Council unanimously approved the electrical contract with Ameren Energy Marketing Co. that will reduce electrical costs by 27 percent, which amounts to about $122,000 in savings. The contract goes into effect October 2010.

City Manager Scott Smith said the city is negotiating a one-year option with Ameren that could extend the contract to October 2012.

“We are in discussions with them,” Smith said.

He said the savings in electrical costs is a significant reduction for Charleston.

This is the first year the city has renewed an electrical contract. Historically, the city has bought electricity straight from the provider. The new approach allows the city to compare prices and lock-in a rate.

Smith announced the first phase of minor road projects will begin in coming weeks. The city is using $639,000 of its federal stimulus money this year to retrofit intersections along Lincoln Avenue. The rest of the stimulus money – $400,000 – will be used on similar projects next year.

Public Works Director Curt Buescher said construction would start on the 14th Street intersection.

The council also unanimously approved the appointment of Dan Schaefer to the Corridor Review Committee, which is an advisory board that reviews development projects along Illinois Route 16, between Charleston and Mattoon.

The committee is comprised of members from Charleston, Mattoon, the Coles County Board and the Coles County airport authority.

The council unanimously proclaimed Nov. 10 the 40th birthday of Sesame Street. The popular kids show entered its 40th season this year.

WEIU-TV will host a Sesame Street celebration on Nov. 8 at Kiwanis Park. With the proclamation, the city renamed the street that runs through Kiwanis Park, “Sesame Street.”

The council unanimously approved the temporary 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.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at

581-7942 or sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.

City Manager Scott Smith talks about an agreement for the purchase of electrical services which was approved during the City Council meeting in City Hall on Tuesday evening. The new contract, which will run from October 2010 to October 2011, will save the

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