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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/22/2011 COW MinutesCOMMITTEE 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. Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 2 11/22/11 J: \Projects\Agenda Packets \2012 \COW \January 10 2012\COw Minutes 11- 22- 11.docx 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 Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 2 11/22/11 J:\Projects\Agenda Packets \2012 \COW \January 10 2012\COw Minutes 11- 22- 11.docx