Elgin OKs $230,000 in energy grants

Elgin leaders signed off Wednesday on a plan to dole out $232,000 of federal energy efficiency grants for nine downtown locations, but not before more questions were raised about the application process.

The council two weeks ago tabled the measure after Councilman David Kaptain and others asked for more information in part because two applicants had exact scores under a city evaluation system but only one was to get funding.

Kaptain said that move prompted several businesses to call him and complain that the process was not fair, so he asked to view all the applications himself.

Kaptain said all the applicants were required to and did get contractor bids for their projects, except Jim Wicker of the Whiskey Point building, 79 S. Grove Ave.

Kaptain said Wicker, an energy consultant, gave estimates from that standpoint and eventually got bids but missed the deadline.

In my opinion, we waived rules that were enforced on other people, he said. To me, it's a statement about the city. When we do these (grants) we need to be fair.

Mayor Ed Schock said that even if Whiskey Point's final costs came in above what was estimated, the city was not obligated to pay anything more.

We had four objective (staff) people making decisions, some of which required interpretation and judgment, Schock said. “There's a point at which you have to trust the people you hire.

The city received a $1 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant through the federal stimulus. Most of it is being used for upgrades to city buildings and a residential revolving loan program.

Sarosh Saher, senior planner at the city, said the grants were evaluated on a variety of factors, including how much energy would be saved and if the project could be promoted in the future as a model. Cost was not one of the factors considered.

Applicants awarded funding were: Wicker, $29,500; Bill Jones, $15,534 for 19 S. Spring St.; Steve Schimmel, $18,650 for 25 S. Grove; Jay Fisher, $68,500 for 164 Division St.; Julia McLendon, $12,175 for 220 E. Chicago St.; Don Rage, $12,650 for 21 Douglas Ave.; Beth McClory, $42,500 for 101 S. Grove; and two properties for Pat Sakolari, $23,675 for 216 E. Chicago and $8,900 for 214 E. Chicago.