Electric supply aggregation ordinance approved

Pontiac city leaders have adopted an ordinance for electric supply aggregation.

Ordinance 2026-O-013 was approved by members of the city council Monday night.

“Our first priority is to find savings for the residents,” explained Adam Hoover, a director of strategic accounts at the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative who is the city’s energy consultant.

Hoover said a price match program makes sense so that is what they recommend.

A referendum was passed back in 2013 for the city to enter into aggregation which means they go out and bid for electric supply to residents with hopes of saving money for citizens. They did that for a number of years then the electric rate became more volatile so all they were able to do was guarantee to match the Com Ed rate, but the city receives a community donation.

As of last year, that donation was $9,000 and now MC Squared Energy Services proposed an aggregation contract with a community donation of $12,000.

“What it means is a percentage of the population would be supplied by MC Squared, however their energy rate would be matching the Com Ed rate then the city would get the $12,000 which we use for community development things such as concerts in the park and the Fourth of July,” explained City Administrator Jim Woolford.

Council members also approved a project services agreement with Farnsworth for the downtown streetscape on Madison Street between Mill and Main. The project will go through the design phase then services agreement before the final conception plan and preliminary design.

“We are going to explore raising the street level to the sidewalks and extend the sidewalks out,” noted Woolford.

The top focus for phase one is the Madison Street work.

Alderman Frank Giovanini acknowledged the city spends money to improve the streetscape but called the downtown Rathbun building an “eyesore.”

“Windows would go a long way in making that corner more attractive,” said Giovanini.

Mayor Kelly Eckhoff replied this is something she is working on with the historical district since grants are available.

“That building at one time was a cornerstone of the downtown,” added Giovanini.

Another project services agreement was approved with RVi for the Rec Plex. This company has a strong history with the OSLAD, or Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, grant. Pontiac Parks and Recreation has received the grant previously. This is for the overall Rec Plex area which includes everything from the tennis courts to grass and fences.

Parks and Rec Director Gary Beckman said the grant will be released in the summer and will be due in September. The Department of Natural Resources should announce grant recipients the first of the year.

A new roof was approved for the city-owned house at the airport.

“This roof is old,” observed Woolford.

McWilliams Roofing was the low bidder and will do the project.

“This would be paid for out of the airport fund,” added Mayor Eckhoff.

An update was given on the Central Illinois Landbank which Pontiac is a part of. The city just concluded a program with the University of Illinois which put together a report. Working together is important to all members of the landbank, though most of the members are south of Pontiac. The landbank promotes rehabilitating or demolishing abandoned homes or commercial properties.

“Those students did a great job putting together the information,” stated Woolford.

Police Chief Dan Davis gave a presentation on E-bikes and motorized bicycles, speaking of the prevalence of them with a lack of road rules. He said there is current legislation regarding high-speed bikes. A requirement for registration and insurance is a benefit, according to Davis.

“You just can’t see them. That’s the biggest thing,” noted Alderman Sarah Hoerner.

Mayor Eckhoff gave an update on a food forest at Oak and Cleary streets where local students have improved the condition of the area. Plants such as trees and asparagus are in this food forest. These plants come back each year and people can take the food.

“It just hasn’t been very well maintained,” said Eckhoff.

Flowers have been planted nearby and weeds have been removed.

Eckhoff also reported she has received notification of the sidewalk Safe Routes to School grant approval. The city will extend and replace an existing sidewalk on south Mill Street which will be ADA compliant with painted signage and accessible ramps.

“This is exciting for me because it was my first attempt at writing a grant.”

A TIF Roof Rehab Grant was authorized for 310 East Howard Street.

Ordinance 2026-O-014 was approved which is for a variance and special use at 606 North Ladd Street. This allows the owner to live on the same level as his business as was the case for the previous owner of the property. This terminated when the property was sold prior.

“The type of business is different but the terms are the same,” explained Greg Knowles, director of Building and Zoning.

During public comment, a local greenhouse owner requested the city shop local for flowers complaining money was spent elsewhere.

“We are trying to make it just like anyone else in this town,” she said.