Cook County committee approves contracts to advance solar projects, roof and HVAC upgrades

Jamie Myers, interim Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Asset Management, told the Cook County Asset Management Committee that staff brought two items for approval: a $619,902.96 contract with Ameresco for energy consultant services and a Train US contract increase described in the transcript as approximately $26,500,000 to support roof replacement and solar installation at county facilities.

Myers said the Ameresco contract covers "procurement, monitoring and research of natural and gas and utility and electricity supply at all county owned and leased facilities," and described the Train US increase as allowing the county to replace the roof at the Cicero warehouse so solar panels can be installed, to purchase HVAC products directly in order to avoid long lead times and inflated costs, and to upgrade undersized electrical service. "As you recall, the county has been put in a position where it must expeditiously complete its solar projects before the Inflation Reduction Act, green energy rebates and incentives sunset," Myers said.

Commissioner Degnan moved to approve the two contract items (identified in the meeting as items 206636 and 206677); the motion was seconded by Commissioner McCaskill. During questions, Commissioner Kevin Morrison asked whether the increase was above an earlier allocation and requested a combined cost breakdown. Myers confirmed staff would provide the requested breakdown and said the roughly $25,000,000 figure discussed by staff was for roof replacement plus additional HVAC and electrical upgrades.

The chair called for a voice vote; the chair stated "the ayes have it" and the motion was approved by voice vote. The transcript logs the approval by voice vote and does not include a roll-call tally in the record.

The committee’s action advances county plans to replace the Cicero warehouse roof and proceed with countywide solar installations; staff indicated parts of the increase also fund HVAC product purchases to avoid supply delays and to support vacating an existing leased space on schedule. The meeting adjourned after a motion by Commissioner Britton.