Lisle directs staff to rebid one downtown EV charger on School Street after board concerns

Village staff told the board March 4 that Lisle received a $10,000 matching grant from ComEd to install electric‑vehicle charging stations downtown and that a vendor provided a lump‑sum bid for two dual‑port Level‑2 chargers. Staff recommended two 50‑amp stations because they charge faster at a similar cost to 40‑amp units. The total recommended purchase and installation figure presented to the board was $79,798.

Trustees raised practical concerns: faster chargers could reduce the intended two‑hour downtown turnover the program was designed to capture, charging spaces might be better located on School Street rather than high‑turnover Main Street, and the equipment and hookup costs vary by location and conduit needs. Several trustees suggested starting with one charger (serving two spaces) on School Street, rebidding for that scope and using the installation as a pilot to evaluate demand. Staff said equipment could be delivered within weeks and that the principal scheduling constraint is ComEd availability for service work; the ComEd grant deadline was extended to June 30, 2024.

Chairing the discussion, trustees were not unanimous; Trustee Duffy asked for more data on average dwell times under the higher‑amperage configuration and whether Main Street businesses had been surveyed. Trustee Lesniak and Trustee Olson voiced concerns about taking parking from Main Street. Given the lack of consensus about locations and the bid being a lump sum for two chargers, the mover rescinded the original motion and the board voted to rescind the prior motion and directed staff to reissue bids to install one charger (two parking spaces served by a single unit) on School Street. Staff recommended rebidding to adjust the scope and return for an ordinance vote.

Quoted: “If we approve both charging stations, we're not tied to both locations, correct?,” Trustee Duffy asked; staff and legal clarified the bid ties location and installation costs to the contract and changes to location will affect bids and conduit work.

What’s next: Staff will rebid the project scoped for one Level‑2 charger serving two spaces on School Street, seek the same grant funding, and return with a revised ordinance and contract for board consideration. The board will monitor pilot use to inform possible future installation of additional chargers.