City of Wheaton City Council met Nov. 16.
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:
Physically Present: Mayor Suess
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Absent: None
City Staff Physically Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager
James Knippen, City Attorney
Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer
Sharon Barrett-Hagen, City Clerk
City Staff Electronically Present: John Duguay, Assistant City Manager
James Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development
Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering
Nathan Plunkett, Public Works Streets Superintendent
Daniel Peck, PR Coordinator
2. Presentations
Mayor Suess read a proclamation proclaiming December 11 and 12, 2020 as “Christmas Sharing Weekend” in Wheaton. Ms. Julie Nelligan, President, Christmas Sharing Wheaton Warrenville, thanked the Mayor and City Council for recognizing the important work of this organization. She said they have partnered with CUSD School District and the Northern Illinois Food Bank to provide food and a gift card to approximately 800 families. Ms. Nelligan referred people to their website at ChristmasSharing.org for those wishing to make a cash donation.
Mayor Suess read a proclamation in recognition of the 125 years Wheaton Nurseries have been operating as a family business in Wheaton. Mr. Steve Lederman thanked the Mayor and City Council for the recognition. He said he started his career with Wheaton Nurseries 52 years ago and stated it has been great to be here serving their customers.
3. Citizens to be Heard
None.
4. Consent Agenda
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda items:
1. Approve the minutes of the November 2, 2020 regular Wheaton City Council meeting as submitted.
2. Adopt Resolution R-2020-101, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use, and Indemnification Agreement – 1801 Knollwood Drive.
3. Adopt Resolution R-2020-102, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use, and Indemnification Agreement – 1816 Woodlawn Street.
4. Adopt Resolution R-2020-103, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use, and Indemnification Agreement – 1241 W. Thomas Road.
5. Adopt Resolution R-2020-104, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use, and Indemnification Agreement – 1241 Hidden Court.
6. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the Official Motor Vehicle and Traffic Schedules (Chapter 70) for the City of Wheaton – Schedule VII
Roll Call Vote on Consent Agenda:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
5. Pass Ordinance No. O-2020-36, An Ordinance Ratifying a Certain Mayoral Executive Order During the Declaration of Local State of Emergency
Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Ordinance No. O 2020-36, An Ordinance Ratifying a Certain Mayoral Executive Order During the Declaration of Local State of Emergency, be passed.
City Manager Dzugan advised the proposed ordinance ratifies the Mayor’s Executive Order issued last week that refunds liquor license fees for the months of October, November and December 2020 and waives the license fees for the months of January, February and March 2021 for all restaurant liquor license classifications.
Mayor Suess stated the City’s restaurants have been hit particularly hard by COVID regulations and stated this is something the City feels is important to do to provide support to those businesses.
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
6. Adopt Resolution R-2020-105, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Young Oh d/b/a Java Connection
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Resolution R-2020-105, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Young Oh d/b/a Java Connection, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated this item, as well as the following item, relates to the coffee vendors operating at the two Wheaton train stations. He indicated the amendment would extend the leases to December 31, 2023. In addition, City Manager Dzugan stated the amendments contain a paragraph addressing the impact of COVID-19 on Metra ridership by requiring no rent if ridership does not exceed 50% of the passenger trips for the same months in 2019.
Councilman Rutledge questioned if the original lease, which is 15 years old, should be updated. City Attorney Knippen advised the Council could adopt the resolutions and direct the City Attorney to update the language in the subleases. The City Council directed the City Attorney to make modifications to the original subleases and agreed with the City Attorney’s suggestion to approve the sublease amendments subject to modifications made by the City Attorney in the original subleases.
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
7. Adopt Resolution R-2020-106, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Robert Loveland d/b/a Commuter Comforts
Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that Resolution R-2020-106, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Robert Loveland d/b/a Commuter Comforts, be adopted subject to modifications made by the City Attorney in the original sublease.
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
8. Adopt Resolution R-2020-107, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 159 with Allscape Incorporated for Lawn Care and Maintenance for City Facilities and Properties for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $56,133
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Resolution R-2020-107, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 159 with Allscape Incorporated for Lawn Care and Maintenance for City Facilities and Properties for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $56,133, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the resolution would approve lawn care and maintenance for 17 city-owned properties, amounting to 40 acres. He indicated the City received seven bids for this work and the low bidder, Allscape, is the City’s current provider.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
9. Adopt Resolution R-2020-108, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Aggregate Materials from Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $43,526.40
Councilman Zaruba moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that Resolution R-2020-108, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Aggregate Materials from Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $43,526.40, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the City received four bids for aggregate used to backfill holes and stated the cost is within the 2021 budget.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
10. Adopt Resolution R-2020-109, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 160 with Chicagoland Paving Contractors Inc. for Hot Mix Asphalt Surface Removal Services for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $55,000
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that Resolution R-2020- 109, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 160 with Chicagoland Paving Contractors Inc. for Hot Mix Asphalt Surface Removal Services for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $55,000, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the City received eight bids for the milling of certain streets as part of the Public Works paving program. He indicated the streets that are being considered for milling under this agreement include Liberty, Pierce, Aurora Way, Erie, Cambridge, and Brentwood and said the bid amount is within the 2021 budget.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
11. Council Comment
Councilman Barbier commented on the loss of football player Titus Davis, who passed away from a rare kidney cancer at the age of 27. He stated Titus Davis was a 2011 graduate of Wheaton Warrenville South High School who played on the Tiger’s football team.
Councilwoman Robbins encouraged everyone to attend the “Nights of Lights” at Adams Park that will run from November 20 through January 20 from dusk to 10 p.m. She stated no tickets are needed, but social distancing should be practiced.
Councilwoman Fitch is glad Christmas Sharing is partnering with the school district which will help promote the work of that organization.
Mayor Suess expressed his appreciation to the DWA for their efforts in putting together the “Nights of Lights” event, as well as the painting of downtown storefronts, projecting a holiday spirit in Wheaton.
Mayor Suess also emphasized the importance of following the guidelines of the Health Department to remain safe during the COVID pandemic. He stated the number of cases in Wheaton have gone up in the last few weeks and encouraged everyone to wear a mask, avoid large groups, practice social distancing and hand washing.
Mayor Suess referred to a recent article about a school board meeting in the Tribune which made him think about a statement Mayor Gresk used to read at Council meetings: civility and a sense of decorum will be strictly followed. He asked, during this contentious time with people having strong opinions, that people conduct themselves in a professional and civil manner.
Mayor Suess reminded everyone that school board members are volunteer citizens doing the best they can for students in their district and the community and they should be treated with respect and civility.
12. Approval of Warrant
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Warrant No. 788 in the amount of $2,848,738.26, 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
13. Adjournment
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:29 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
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11162020-1519
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