Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia Committee of the Whole met Feb. 19

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. ROLL CALL

Aldermen in attendance at roll: Barraza (7), Lanci (6), Beck (5), Pieper (4), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Bearren (1), Ajazi (3), Malay (4), Uher (5), Cerone (6), Vogelsinger (7).

2. REMINDER: Please Speak Into The Microphone For BATV Recording

3. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

None seen

4. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: (For Items NOT On The Agenda)

None seen.

8. Discussion: Illinois House Bill 5021 – Electric Utility Planning And Transparency Act

Chair Chanzit invited Gary Holm to address the Council in Illinois House Bill 5021. Holm noted that he completed a 7 page summary memo of the Bill for the City Council. He noted that the Council had recently approved a strategic plan that will include a review of the energy portfolio. Holm noted that under the new Bill, the City Council would need to seek approvals from the State on these timelines.

Ald. Chanzit asked if Holm is seeking direction tonight or just a discussion. Holm responded that he hoped the Council would give direction to State legislators to oppose the Bill.

Ald. Chanzit asked if a Resolution representing the Council’s consensus opinion would help Ald. Baerren asked if other states have similar approval processes for energy purchasing.

Holm responded that local control is the national norm.

Ald. Lanci asked what the motivation is for State legislators who support this Bill to pass it. Holm responded that the stated goals are for increased transparency.

Ald. Wolff asked if other municipalities are opposed to this Bill. Administrator Newman responded that Brad Cole is preparing to state opposition.

Ald. Chanzit asked what authority the City would surrender by approving the Bill. Holm said that the Bill would add another step for approval.

Ald. Wolff noted that road projects that involve IDOT take much longer to approve than projects where the City has local control.

Ald. Chanzit invited Mayor Schielke to comment. Mayor Schielke said that he is not confident that much legislation will be passed for the rest of the year, due to political races.

Ald. Chanzit opened the floor to members of the public.

Susan Russo, of Batavia, rose to address the Council. She encouraged the City Council to develop their own independent position on the Bill. She stated that contrary to the memo by City Staff, nothing in the Bill strips authority or imposes oversight by the Illinois Congress Commission. She also stated that this Bill is not in a final form and encouraged the Council to advocate for amendments, but not to ignore the positive qualities of the Bill. She said that one of the positive qualities of the Bill is an amendment to the Open Meetings Act that would restrict the use of Closed Meetings by NIMPA and INEA and provide more transparency to the public. Russo also said that another positive quality of the Bill is the provision for an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process. Finally, Russ stated the Bill benefits the entire state of Illinois, including rural cooperatives downstate.

She asked the Council to consider the views of constituents and legislators when forming their opinion.

Holm objected to Russo’s comments and said that he was representing Batavia.

Ald. Chanzit asked who is sponsoring the Bill. Newman noted there are no co-sponsors yet. Russo noted that the Bill was introduced less than two weeks ago. Ald. Chanzit said that he doesn’t get excited about legislation with so few sponsors. He asked the Council to commit to following the progress of the Bill.

Ald. Beck said that she is not inclined to weigh in on this Bill tonight without more time to investigate.

Ald. Chanzit said he appreciated raising this issue for discussion

9. OTHER

10. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Malay, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 pm.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02192024-2215