HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 Annual ReportCity of Evanston Utilities Commission
2023 Annual Report
PURPOSE: To protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens,
businesses and institutions of Evanston, it is necessary to participate in the planning and
improvement of electrical, natural gas, telephone, water and sewer services in Evanston to
insure reliable and competitive service. Members of the Commission will listen to citizens'
concerns. (49 0-93) (103-0-93) (89-0-10).
COMMITTEE COMPOSITION: The Mayor appoints commission members with the advice and
consent of the City Council. In making appointments, the Mayor may consider an individual's
engineering or finance experience and their familiarity with utilities industries and regulations.
Members must be residents of the City or work in the City.
PERIODIC REVIEW OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Pursuant to the requirement of the ordinance
creating the Utilities Commission, the following report is prepared and presented to the City
Council through the Administration and Public Works Committee as a summary of the
accomplishments of the Commission.
Number of Members: Seven (7) members appointed by the Mayor.
Term: Four (4) year terms, Members may serve no more than two (2) terms.
Meeting Dates: 2nd Friday of each month at 7:15 A.M.
Location: Evanston Water Treatment Plant (555 Lincoln St.) —All meetings held online pursuant
to the Governors executive order related to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Reports to: Administrative and Public Works Committee
Staff Contact: Darrell King, Water Production Bureau Chief
Member Term
Richard Shure 05/12/2023
David Everhart 05/12/2023
Chris Skey (Vice Chair/Chair) 06/09/2023
Carl Bova 02/09/2024
Michael Sutton 02/14/2026
Stephen McComb (Vice Chair/Chair) 02/14/2026
Kameeshia Lackey 07/25/2026
Steve Waters (Vice Chair) 08/08/2026
Samuel Blazey 07/24/2027
Council Liaison: Alderman Jonathan Nieuwsma
2023 Planned Meeting Dates:
January 13
July 15
February 10
August 11
March 10
September 08
April 14
October 13
May 12
November 10
June 09
December 08
2023 Cancelled Meetings: The following meetings were cancelled:
- 3/10/23— Lack of quorum
- 6/9/23 — Lack of quorum
- 8/11/23 — All Board and Commission meetings in August cancelled by the mayor
In 2023 the Evanston Utilities Commission met nine (9) times to discuss utility issues including
the following items on a regular basis:
- Electric system outages, basement backups, water main breaks and repairs
- Water and sewer fund capital improvement projects including
In addition, the Commission addressed the following issues:
- Discussed and provided feedback on the city's plan to require electric only appliances in
new construction.
- Reviewed material related to opportunities for water main based geothermal in
Evanston. Approved initiating a preliminary study. Discussed having this preliminary
study be executed by several NU engineering master's students.
- Discussed new gas and electric rates with ComEd and Nicor.
- Discussed the water and sewer rate increases.
- Recommended the continued use of renewable energy certificates as part of the city's
purchases for the existing aggregation program extension.
- Discussed additional concepts to incentivize lead service line replacements within the
city.
- Discussed a flooding incident at the water plant due to a power outage and the failure
of a back-up power supply.
Finally, the Commission saw three (3) departures of existing members and onboarded one (1)
new member leaving the year with a complement six (6) of seven (7) possible members.
Budgetary Requirements: The Commission sought no funds in 2023.