City of Wheaton City Council met June 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Philip J. Suess. Upon roll call, the following were:
Electronically Present: Mayor Suess
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Absent: None
City Staff Electronically Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager
John M. Duguay, Assistant City Manager
James Knippen, City Attorney
James P. Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development
Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering
Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer
Sharon Barrett-Hagen, City Clerk
2. Presentation – Proclamation – Pride Week
Mayor Suess read a proclamation proclaiming the week of June 22 – June 28 as “Pride Week” in the City of Wheaton
3. Citizens to Be Heard
Ms. Bonnie Gahris, 1826 E. Willow Avenue, called to discuss quality of life and health issues regarding stormwater and sewer issues she is experiencing at her property. She has had backups in her bathtub, utility sink and water in her back yard. She spoke with Project Engineer Russel Peacock who indicated her neighborhood has been experiencing backups for several years, and who explained that there are projects that could be done to reduce sanitary sewer backups in the neighborhood and projects that could increase capacity conveyance. She asked the City to look into these projects and make the necessary structural improvements to prevent backups and flooding in yards and basements in her neighborhood.
Mayor Suess replied this resolving these issues is a priority for the City and the City is planning on making some positive steps in the near future.
Mr. Eric Hernandez, 2224 Blacksmith Drive, spoke of the issues going on in the world and stated he was reaching out to the Council to see if there were any ideas on transparency and ensuring that complaints about the City’s Police Department are readily available, as well as issues of unlawful use of force. He would like the City’s Board of Police & Fire Commissioners to take these issues seriously.
City Manager Dzugan stated the City will be putting out information on what the City is doing on the City’s website by the end of this week. He advised the City would like to review legislation from the federal government and the State of Illinois and once they are received the City would evaluate policies and discuss the possibility of higher standards with the City Council.
Mr. Kyle Moukheiber, 7 Citation Circle, thanked the Council for recognizing Pride Week and stated he has received close to 6,000 signatures on his petition for Wheaton police officers to wear body cameras. He acknowledged that most people have a favorable experience with the Police Department but feels the use of body cameras would reduce negative experiences. Mr. Moukheiber stated Wheaton is not above racism and asked the police to wear body cameras and reassess policies and training. He feels this would be a benefit to the officers and the residents.
City Clerk Barrett-Hagen read a comment submitted by Tom Teune, 2009 Sherwood Place, asking what reviews the City has or will conduct of its police hiring practices, as well as how he would learn about the policing standards in the City’s Police Department. He asked if a situation as occurred in Minneapolis could occur here.
4. Consent Agenda
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda items:
Roll Call Vote on Consent Agenda:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
5. Approve reappointments to City Boards and Commissions
Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Nancy McDonal be reappointed to the Band Commission, Kay McKeen be reappointed to the Environmental Improvement Commission, Ted Rodgers be reappointed to the Group Care Home Commission, Stu Johnson be reappointed to the Housing Commission, and Christine Fenne, Joe McHaley and Kathryn Staron be reappointed to the Library Board, all for three-year terms respectively.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
6. Adopt Resolution R-2020-49, A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Licenses
Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Resolution R-2020-49, A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Licenses, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan advised the resolution would approve annual licenses to five companies to collect from both commercial and multi-family properties and a license to one company collecting only from commercial properties.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
7. Adopt Resolution R-2020-50, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Wheaton Sanitary District and the City of Wheaton for the Northside Interceptor Sewer Project
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Resolution R-2020-50, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Wheaton Sanitary District and the City of Wheaton for the Northside Interceptor Sewer Project, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan advised the City entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Wheaton Sanitary District on December 1, 2019 which permits the District to install a new interceptor sewer in the City’s right-of- way. He said the original route needs to be adjusted and the proposed amendment would allow an amended route.
In response to Mayor Suess, Director Tebrugge stated a portion of the original route was through an unused area on private property, requiring an easement from the property owner. However, the property owner would not agree to an easement through his backyard, necessitating an amendment to the original route and agreement.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
8. Adopt Resolution R-2020-51, A Resolution Adopting a Federally Funded Procurement Policy
Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that Resolution R-2020-51, A Resolution Adopting a Federally Funded Procurement Policy, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the Council has a memorandum from City Attorney Kallas explaining certain procurement standards the City is required to follow for federally supported projects. He stated the City already follows most of these standards but did not have them in a formalized policy.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
9. Council Comment
Mayor Suess acknowledged the June 10 opening of Hale Street Cantina and expressed his appreciation for a business opening in the current environment.
Councilman Rutledge stated Four Brothers Chocolate has also opened in the former Jack Straw’s location.
10. Approval of Warrant
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Warrant No. 778 in the amount of $1,815,776.51, be approved.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
11. Adjournment
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
11. Adjournment
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
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