The grant would give funds to the city to improve city-owned buildings using green practices and also to explore ideas for alternative energy.

“We have a number of ideas we will be incorporating into the city,” said Tim Schmitt, an East Lansing community development analyst.

After President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which became effective Feb. 17, funds became available to municipalities to help reduce total energy use and improve energy efficiency.

The Green Task Force, a part of the Michigan Municipal League, put together the application for the grant as well as another resolution on the agenda about the Green Communities Challenge. Both resolutions passed.

Mayor Pro Tem Diane Goddeeris, who is council liaison to the Commission on the Environment, said the efforts made by the Green Task Force and the Department of Planning and Development reflect what the commission already has done to make the city more green.

“The Commission on the Environment are working on this as well for the present and for the future,” she said.

Councilmember Nathan Triplett commended city officials on their environmental efforts.

“The work of the (Green) Task Force has made it able for us to be first in line for any funding made available to make our city more green,” he said.

Along with the application, the Department of Planning and Development also would prepare an energy efficiency and conservation strategy, which outlines the city’s plan for the funds.

“For this first round of funding, we will recommend to take the money and allocate it towards city buildings,” Schmitt said.

Also on the council’s agenda was the 90-day extension for the $116.4 City Center II development project. The council voted unanimously to approve the extension.

The developer, Strathmore Development Company, asked for the extension to find alternative funding for $54 million of the $112 million they are required to fund for the project.

Strathmore Development Company will have until Sept. 31 to secure funding.

A resolution also was passed at the meeting updating the city’s handgun laws. The ordinance will detail additional restrictions on sale, transfer and possessions of fire arms. Specifically, it would restrict minors from buying fire arms, unlawful selling of handguns and using handguns while intoxicated.

The resolution was originally introduced Feb. 17, but because of a typographical error had to be reintroduced as a revised bill.