Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Finance Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:                  

1. Call to Order

Chair Talluto called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

2. Roll Call 

Committee Members Present: Talluto, Jensen (Remote), Nudera, Irby

Committee Members Absent:

Other Elected Officials Present: Curran

City Staff and Others Present: Coyle; Bruns; Kravets; David Giuliani

3. Public Comment – None.

4. Receipt of Written Communication – None. 

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Minutes of the December 11, 2023, meeting of the Finance, Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee

A motion to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2023, FCA&AS Committee meeting was made by Alderman Irby and seconded by Alderman Nudera. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

B. Water Wheeling Agreement

Director Coyle presented a report to the Committee for renewal of the City’s water wheeling agreement with Illinois American Water Company (IAWC). City Council approved a renewal of the City’s water purchase agreement with the DuPage Water Commission (DWC) at the end of 2023. The final piece required of the City is renewal of the wheeling agreement with IAWC, which provides water from DWC via the City to IAWC for their customers in an unincorporated area on the north side of the City. The agreement proposed is consistent with other communities along the Union Pacific West line, which also have water wheeling agreements with IAWC. The agreement allows the City to increase the wheeling rate proportionate to the rate increase the City charges its customer base.  A motion was made by Alderman Nudera and seconded by Alderman Irby. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

C. Water & Sewer Rate Study

Director Coyle re-oriented the Committee on the topic, providing a summary of previous discussion and presented a memo with information requested at the previous meeting. She also asked the Committee about increasing the DuPage Water Commission portion of the City’s water rate to match the current commodity charge incurred by the City, and to consider adopting future increases from DWC into the rate as they happen. Director Coyle also requested input from the Committee on their interest level in evaluating a change from a bi-monthly billing cycle to a monthly billing cycle.

Chair Talluto initiated the discussion by emphasizing several points. She explained that the capital projects proposed to be funded are positioning the City to be ready for mandated phosphorus removal, and that the longer the City waits the more costly the projects will become, therefore having a larger impact on customers in the long-term. She also felt the Committee was nearing a consensus on a wanting to address funding sooner rather than deferring it into the future.

Committee members extensively discussed three rate scenarios for 2024 presented for consideration, which included funding the full capital plan, an Option A which reduces watermain replacement, and an Option B which eliminates watermain replacement for 2024. With both options, the watermain replacement is proposed to increase over future years to make up what was deferred for 2024. There was also significant discussion on ways to assist fixed income customers. Director Coyle informed the committee that most communities do not maintain their own low-income assistance programs, and instead rely upon referrals to other agencies to assist those who need help paying their bill. Staff did find a limited number of communities that provide senior discounts or rates to their customers. The Committee agreed that the full capital plan should be funded and asked staff to provide suggestions for senior rates and communications on assistance available. The Committee intends to decide on the final 2024 water and sewer rate increase recommendation at the next meeting.

6. Other Business

None.

7. Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Nudera and seconded by Alderman Irby.  Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

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