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The Quincy City Council Monday night heard the first reading of an ordinance to renew the city's franchise agreement with Ameren Illinois.

The ordinance, which should have two more readings, is for 10 years and would bring the city $3.7 million over that period. The city is coming off of a 50-year franchise agreement that expired in September.

The Council also adopted a resolution for the city to apply for a Community Development Block Grant. It's for the Disaster Recovery "IKE" program.

The grant is for $370,000 for one raw water pump diesel generator for emergency backup services for the water treatment facility. The city has committed $50,000 from the utility department funds.

Councilmen also remembered Eugene "Smoky" Mueller, a former City Council member who died Sunday. The Democrat had been an alderman in the Second Ward for 40 years.

Spring before the meeting asked the audience to remember Mueller and his family.

He said Mueller was an "independent council member" who made decisions on what he believed to be right for the city and his constituents. Spring called Mueller a "good friend to the community."