The City Council capped off a quick meeting Tuesday night with the unanimous approval of another energy contract that is estimated to save the city $24,000.

The contract with Ameren Energy Marketing Co. will be effective this month and last until October 2010. The council approved an energy contract on Oct. 20 for 2010-2011 that will save the city an estimated $120,000.

City Manager Scott Smith said in an interview that the newly approved contract would exist simultaneously with a contract with AmerenCIPS. The new contract allows for a fixed rate, unlike the AmerenCIPS contract, on four locations.

Those locations are City Hall, the wastewater treatment plant, the water treatment plant and the Reynolds Drive Lift Station.

Smith said at the meeting that his office is still examining electrical quotes that would extend the 2010-11 contract with Ameren Energy another year. He said his office has not locked-in a rate so far because the rates have not been appealing.

Mayor John Inyart also officially announced that the city received a $350,000 grant from the Community Development Assistance Program. The grant will go toward replacing water mains that connect water from the water treatment plant with the city’s water system.

The project is estimated to cost $787,000. The city will pay the rest of the project through the water and sewer fund. The mains, which are 100 to 125 years old, are located on 20th Street, one block east of Casey’s.

Construction is not expected to start this year. This is the third time the city applied for the grant.

“We wore them out,” said City Planner Steve Pamperin.

The council also unanimously approved these items:

-Amending the official depositories ordinance that would allow the city to invest its reserves with the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Fund.

-Awarding $1,500 in tourism funds each to the Embarras River Valley Film Festival, which lasts from Nov. 12 to Nov. 14, and the Christmas in the Heart of Charleston festival, which is Dec. 5.

-Awarding $500 in tourism funds for the 40th anniversary celebration of Sesame Street, hosted by WEIU. The event takes place Sunday in Kiwanis Park. All awarded tourism funds go toward marketing efforts.

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