Lake County Gazette

Lake County Energy & Environment Committee met June 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

Chair Wilke called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Chair Wilke led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Roll Call of Members

Present 5 - Member Altenberg, Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh, Member Wasik and Chair Wilke

Absent 2 - Member Barr and Member Hewitt

Others Present:

Abby Krakow, Communications

Al Giertych, Division of Transportation

Alex Machon, State's Attorney's Office

Angelo Kyle, Board Member

Carissa Casbon, Board Member

Carl Kirar, Facilities and Construction

Chad Wright, Facilities and Construction

Elliot Hull, State's Attorney's Office

Eric Waggoner, Planning, Building and Development

Frank D'Andrea, Finance

Gavin Good, Lake County News-Sun

George Wohlgemuth, Standard Solar

Harry Benson, Standard Solar

James Hawkins, County Administrator's Office

Janna Philipp, County Administrator's Office

Joel Sensenig, Public Works

Jolanda Dinkins, County Board Office

Kelly Shelton, Shelton Solutions

Kevin Quinn, Communications

Krista Braun Barkley, Planning, Building and Development

Kristy Cechini, County Board Office

Marenny Gonzalez, State's Attorney's Office

Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office

Michael English, Tradition Energy

Michael Wheeler, Finance

Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald

Nick Principali, Finance

Patrice Sutton, Finance

Robin Weller, Public

RuthAnne Hall, Purchasing

Sandy Hart, County Board Chair

Stacy Davis-Wynn, Purchasing

Lake County Illinois Page 2 of 6

Energy & Environment Committee Meeting Minutes - Final June 8, 2022

Steve Rice, State's Attorney's Office

Theresa Glatzhofer, County Board Office

4. Addenda to the Agenda

There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.

5. Public Comment (Items not on the agenda)

There were no public comments.

6. Chair's Remarks

There were no Chair's remarks.

7. Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business to discuss.

8. New Business

CONSENT AGENDA (Item 8.1)

*APPROVAL OF MINUTES*

8.1 22-0669

Minutes from April 6, 2022.

A motion was made by Member Wasik, seconded by Member Hunter, that the minutes from April 6, 2022 be approved. Motion carried by the following voice vote:

Aye: 4 - Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh, Member Wasik and Chair Wilke

Absent: 2 - Member Barr and Member Hewitt

Not Present: 1 - Member Altenberg

REGULAR AGENDA

8.2 22-0833

Presentation and discussion regarding current electricity rates and options for renewable energy credits.

RuthAnne Hall, Purchasing Agent, gave a brief summary of the item, noting that the County went out to bid and has received pricing for non-renewable ("brown") energy.

Ms. Hall introduced Michael English from Tradition Energy. Mr. English gave a presentation regarding supply, demand, and pricing for natural gas and renewable energy. Ms. Hall explained that staff is seeking the Committee's recommendation regarding the potential purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Discussion ensued.

Member Altenberg entered the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

Ms. Hall noted that the County is not required to purchase RECs; rather, it is an opportunity to invest in renewable energy. She further explained that RECs can also be purchased at a later date and added to the existing "brown" energy contract, if desired.

Further discussion ensued.

The consensus of the Committee was to purchase RECs for one year at 50 percent. After the one-year mark, the Committee will reevaluate the purchasing percentage of the RECs. 8.3 22-0834

Joint resolution accepting the electricity rates proposed by Standard Solar, Inc., Rockville, MD for solar installations at Lake County’s Mill Creek Waste Water Treatment Facility, and on the Libertyville Campus near the Central Permit Facility.

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, provided background information about the resolution, noting that staff is seeking the Committee's acceptance of the proposed electricity rates with Standard Solar, Inc., in order to proceed with the continued planning, design, and acquisition of solar panels to be installed at two County sites (at the Mill Creek Waste Water Treatment Facility and near the Central Permit Facility on the Libertyville Campus).

Harry Benson, Standard Solar, noted that the Des Plaines River Water Reclamation Facility location is not being considered as part of the current resolution, due to the necessity of further site work.

RuthAnne Hall, Purchasing Agent, explained that the County's energy costs could be reduced through the implementation of solar power at the aforementioned two County sites.

Mr. Benson reviewed the timeline for receiving and constructing the solar equipment at both sites.

Discussion ensued.

A motion was made by Member Wasik, seconded by Member Altenberg, that this resolution be approved and referred on to the Financial and Administrative Committee. The motion carried by the following voice vote:

Aye: 5 - Member Altenberg, Member Hunter, Vice Chair Parekh, Member Wasik and Chair Wilke

Absent: 2 - Member Barr and Member Hewitt

9. County Administrator's Report

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, noted that the new Sustainability Program Manager will begin on Monday, June 13.

10. Executive Session

The Committee did not enter into Executive Session.

11. Members' Remarks

Member Wasik noted that the County should consider offering incentives for residential and commercial property holders to purchase renewable energy. Member Altenberg agreed and also suggested looking into the consortium that was started by Vernon Township.

Vice Chair Parekh requested that Committee members receive a brief, informal update regarding the County canopy cover project.

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, provided a brief Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program status update, noting that two pre-approvals for potential projects were submitted. Assistant County Administrator Meyers will provide further updates when more information becomes available.

Chair Wilke provided an update regarding new electric vehicles that are available for the public to purchase.

County Board Chair Hart mentioned an incentive she found in Tucson, Arizona, which allowed residents to turn in their old, gas-powered lawn and garden devices for a $150 credit towards purchasing electric devices. The incentive was made possible through grant funding and a partnership between the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and The Home Depot.

12. Adjournment

Chair Wilke declared the meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

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