HomeMy WebLinkAbout2a. COW Minutes 11/22/2011COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
November 22, 2011
I. CALL TO ORDER — ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village
Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Pro Tern John Matuszak. Trustees present
included Arlene Juracek, John Korn, Paul Hoefert, Steven Polit, and Michael Zadel.
Mayor Irvana Wilks was absent. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis
and Assistant Village Manager David Strahl.
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF
SEPTEM BER 27, 2011.
Motion made by Trustee Juracek seconded by Trustee Polit to approve the minutes.
Minutes were approved. Trustee Zadel abstained.
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
None
IV. ELECTRIC AGGREGATION DISCUSSION
Assistant Village Manager David Strahl provided a general outline the regarding steps
necessary to consider and to proceed with an electric aggregation referendum. He
provided an outline regarding the details of the regulations from the state statutes. He
also provided a summary of what other communities have provided in terms of general
information to the citizens, the process that they undertook to complete the referendum
education campaign and the process to set up the aggregation for the customers.
Among the items that he highlighted was the fact that some communities have been able
to obtain an electrical rate savings of 10 to 20 %.
He also stated that a referendum would create, if approved, a process in which residents
could opt out on a voluntary basis. Otherwise without opting out they would remain part
of the majority customer base for pricing purposes. If customers or residents currently
had contracts for alternative suppliers, those contracts would continue and the customer
would have the opportunity to take advantage of the alternative rates provided through
the bid process that the Village undertook. If a referendum were to be approved, there
would be a need to create an Ordinance outlining the program and creating a plan of
governance for the program included in an applicable intergovernmental agreement. The
alternative electrical suppliers would have to be considered through a public bid process
and there would be a need for at least two public hearings for discussions regarding the
alternative supplier.
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He also stated that ComEd would remain the contact for any power outages and all
electricity would be supplied over ComEd power lines. ComEd would also provide billing
services and only electrical supply services would be from the alternative supplier and
acknowledged on the bill.
General comments from the Village Board members included the following items:
• There was some discussion regarding the process of public education and the
options to consider consultants.
• There also was clarification regarding how the opt out process would be
undertaken.
• There was a general discussion regarding the creation of intergovernmental
agreements and how that process would be undertaken.
• It was noted that customers would still have individual choice for an electrical
supply just as they do now even with electric aggregation in place.
Consensus the Village Board was to recommend a referendum be placed on the March
20, 2012 ballot to consider electric aggregation.
V. MANAGER'S REPORT
Manager Janonis stated there would be no need for a Close Session this evening. He
also noted that there would be no Committee the Whole meeting on November 29
since it is a fifth Tuesday. He stated that there is a tree lighting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on
November 26 at the Keystone Plaza of Village Hall.
VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Trustee Paul Hoefert provided an overview of the upcoming holiday activities including
the Teddy Bear Walk and the Holiday Open House.
Trustee Steven Polit wanted to remind everyone that the leaf pick up at curbside is not
occurring any longer and all leaves need to be bagged and placed at the curb for pickup
at this time.
Resident Jake Wiszer of 708 Glendale Lane spoke. He stated that he is a new
resident and would come to observe the Village Board in action. He apologized for not
being present at the beginning of the meeting under Citizens To Be Heard.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
DAVID STRAHL
Assistant Village Manager
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