VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
JUNE 17, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mark Gaffino. Not in attendance: Trustee Ryan Lambert.
Staff in attendance: Water Superintendent Paul Young, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Interim Village Administrator and Police Chief Dave Summer, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Economic and Development Director Mike Toth, Attorney Carolyn Jansons.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion on Wind vs. Gas Made Electricity
Trustee Faber said that Dave from Nimec indicated that the bidding he has seen has been less than a tenth of a cent difference between buying traditional coal energy and 100% green energy. Faber said there are only 3 registered green power communities in the State of Illinois with Evanston about to be the 4th. Evanston accepted a bid of 5.2 cents for 100% green power. Faber asked the Board if North Aurora is interested in becoming the fifth green powered community in the State of Illinois. If the bids come back at a tenth or two tenths difference, the Village should consider going with green power. Faber added that the average household in the country uses 11,000 kw/yr which is a difference of $11. Curtis said that a resident could opt in or opt out and therefore why mandate the green power. Faber said that if the Village does not elect green power as a whole, there is still a possibility of an option where the individual homeowner could take the green option. Faber added that we should allow people the option but should adopt it as a community and get enough of a percentage to be qualified as a green powered community which may open doors for some grant opportunities.
Faber said that going green would be the Village’s statement that that we are in favor of being environmentally friendly and leading by example. Trustee Guethle agreed and felt that if there is a small additional fee, it is money well spent.
Mayor Berman said that he has had residents contact him about this subject and all were in favor. Trustee Gaffino said he likes the idea and that it is a nice statement to say we support being green.
Trustee Curtis said we should offer residents the lowest price regardless and if residents want to participate in a green program, they have that option. Curtis said she is not comfortable making that decision and that it should be left to the individual.
The Board decided on the following guidelines: Keep the rate under the September ComEd rate. If the rate comes in within 2/10ths of the ComEd rate, to go green. If the gap is bigger, Staff will discuss further.
Mayor Berman directed Bill Hannah to come up with a green statement.
Trustee Lowery said that in reference to our primarily responsibility to the citizens, there is a small focus to keep the prices low, but a broader view is the reputation of North Aurora which will be enhanced by going green and draw more business. It will also improve the Village’s image among other cities and Village’s within Illinois. This may be a better kind of service to the citizens than focusing simply on price.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Trustee Gaffino and seconded by Trustee Lowery to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel. All in favor. Motion approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
