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Saint Charles forms IMEA task force, hires consultant to evaluate power contract
Summary
The Government Services Committee reviewed a task force and consultant retained to analyze the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA/IMEI) power-service contract and present findings to Council before an August deadline; no formal council action was taken at the meeting.
A task force appointed by Mayor Clint Hall and composed of aldermen and staff has begun a rapid review of the proposed Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA/IMEI) power-service contract and has retained an independent consultant, Kessler Energy Consulting, to produce data-driven analysis before committee and council votes this summer.
The review was presented Monday to the Government Services Committee in Saint Charles. The task force — which the mayor said includes Alderman Bongard, Alderman Warball, Heather Maguire, Chris Sodesso and others — has been meeting with the Tri City Clean Energy Group and with power marketers and plans a legal review and market analyses. Mayor Clint Hall told the committee the group will provide public updates on the city website and by other means.
The consultant, Sean Kessler of Kessler Energy Consulting, outlined the scope of work and schedule. "The scope that I've been asked to provide basically is to take a look at all of your power supply options going forward starting today," Kessler said. He told the committee he will model historical power pricing for the city's contract versus other retail contracts, review options ranging from signing the proposed IMEA contract to contracting with third-party full-requirements suppliers, and arrange meetings with prospective suppliers. "My goal is to be non biased and present both sides of the story, but I'd be more than happy to present those recommendations as well," he said.
Committee members and staff explained the timing constraints. The city did not meet IMEA's original April 30 contract deadline; an IMEA board meeting later in the week could extend that deadline to Aug. 21. The task force described an aggressive schedule: a consultant presentation to the Government Services Committee on July 28, followed by additional committee meetings in early August and a potential City Council final vote Aug. 21 if the extension is granted.
Committee members pressed on contingencies. The task force said it will present information-only at the July 28 meeting to allow council members time to digest the consultant's findings, and that follow-up questions to the consultant will be possible in writing or in subsequent meetings. The task force also said it is gathering legal review and coordinating outreach to local businesses and stakeholders.
No formal motion or vote on the IMEA contract was taken at the meeting; committee members emphasized the need for more information and for the task force and consultant to complete their work before any recommendation. The mayor and staff encouraged council members to raise questions now, saying the committee will continue meeting — weekly at minimum — to complete its work in the coming weeks.
Public comment at the meeting included residents who thanked the council for delaying a decision and forming a task force that includes an independent consultant. One speaker, Hewlett Prueter, said, "Thank you for appointing a task force to help gather and sort through information, and thank you for hiring a consultant to work with you and to gather more information and data."
