City of Wheaton City Council met Dec. 7.
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
Robert Lehnhardt, Finance Director
Holly Schulz, Director of Human Resources
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
Sarah Kallas, City Attorney
Daniel Peck, PR Coordinator
2. Citizens to be Heard
None.
3. Consent Agenda
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda items:
1. Approve the minutes of the November 16, 2020 regular Wheaton City Council meeting as submitted.
2. Pass Ordinance No. O-2020-37, An Ordinance Amending the Official Motor Vehicle and Traffic Schedule (Chapter 70) for the City of Wheaton – Schedule VII.
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
4. Approve Reappointment to City Boards/Commissions
Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Dottie Mackie be reappointed to the Band Commission for a three-year term.
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
5. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #20-08/Text Amendment and Special Use/122 N. Main Street/The Moment on Main
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that the Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #20-08/Text Amendment and Special Use/122 N. Main Street/The Moment on Main, be received.
City Manager Dzugan stated the City received an application for a banquet facility in the C-2 retail core business district. He stated the Zoning Ordinance allows banquet facilities by special use in all commercial districts except the C-2 district. City Manager Dzugan advised the Planning & Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval of a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to approve banquet facilities in the C-2 district as a special use.
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
Pass Ordinance No. O-2020-38, An Ordinance Amending the Text of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance - Article 17.4 of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance “Banquet Facility”
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that Ordinance No. O-2020-38, An Ordinance Amending the Text of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance - Article 17.4 of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance “Banquet Facility,” be passed.
In response to questions from Councilwoman Fitch, Director Kozik stated the City has no formal valet parking approval process at this time but plans to develop one as part of the City’s parking study. He advised that parking is not required for any type of use in the C-2 zoning district. Director Kozik stated the Planning & Zoning Board encouraged the applicant to get shared parking agreements with other property owners in the area, but the Board did not make it a requirement for this use.
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
6. Pass Ordinance No. O-2020-39, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Banquet Facility at 122 N. Main Street
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Ordinance No. O-2020-39, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Banquet Facility at 122 N. Main Street, be passed.
City Manager Dzugan reported the Planning & Zoning Board has recommended approval of a special use permit for a banquet facility known as Moment on Main at 122 N. Main Street. He stated the Board initially included a prohibition for valet parking on Main Street. City Manager Dzugan indicated staff is recommending a more flexible approach to allow the City to consider a valet service or loading on Main Street in the future but also included a condition for the applicant to make reasonable efforts to obtain shared parking agreements with adjacent businesses and property owners.
Councilman Barbier stated a possible option for valet parking or unloading/loading could be the parking lot behind the building.
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. Pass Ordinance No. O-2020-40, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Liquor Control Ordinance, Chapter 6, Article III of the City Code – Increase in Class I (Restaurants) Liquor License – EMC Eatery, Inc., d/b/a Wheaton House, 133 W. Front Street
Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that Ordinance No. O-2020-40, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Liquor Control Ordinance, Chapter 6, Article III of the City Code – Increase in Class I (Restaurants) Liquor License – EMC Eatery Inc., d/b/a Wheaton House, 133 W. Front Street, be passed.
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. First Reading of an Ordinance Levying Taxes for General and Special Corporate Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 and Ending December 21, 2021 for the City of Wheaton, Illinois City Manager Dzugan stated the next eight items relate to the City’s four property tax levies. He reported the proposed ordinance contains no increase in the levy, resulting in a total levy of $20,459,855. City Manager Dzugan stated all the ordinances appear as a first reading with formal consideration to be taken at the December 21 City Council meeting
9. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the 2020 Tax Levy Contained in Ordinance No. O-2019-XX
City Manager Dzugan stated the proposed ordinance would abate about $540,000 from the previous ordinance related to debt service on two bond issues.
10. First Reading of An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 and Ending December 31, 2021 in and for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Two
City Manager Dzugan stated the levy is for parking service expenses in the central business area. He stated that based on the City Council’s discussion on November 2, plans are to fully abate this amount in March 2021, dissolve Special Service Area Number 2 and move the parking expenses to Special Service Area Number 8.
11. First Reading of An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Two for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 and Ending December 31, 2021
City Manager Dzugan indicated this ordinance would appropriate $39,798 in taxes for Special Service Area Number Two, which includes the 1% the County places on the levy, known as the extended levy.
12. First Reading of An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 and Ending December 31, 2021 in and for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Three
City Manager Dzugan stated the levy of $12,000 relates to maintenance of open spaces within the Streams Subdivision. In response to Councilwoman Fitch, City Manager Dzugan stated there is no expiration date for this special service area.
13. First Reading of An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Three for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 and Ending December 31, 2021
14. First Reading of An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 and Ending December 31, 2021 in and for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Eight
City Manager Dzugan stated the levy amount of $159,140 for Special Service Area Eight will generate a total of $275,372, which includes $116,000 from the TIF 2 increment, and will fund the services provided by the Downtown Wheaton Association in an amount requested in their 2021 budget.
15. First Reading of An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Eight for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 and Ending December 31, 2021
16. Pass Ordinance O-2020-41, An Ordinance Amending Portions of City of Wheaton Employee Rules and Regulations
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that Ordinance O-2020-41, An Ordinance Amending Portions of City of Wheaton Employee Rules and Regulations, be passed.
City Manager Dzugan stated an annual review of the City’s employee manual has been completed, resulting in minor changes to keep current with state and federal laws.
In response to Mayor Suess, Director Schulz stated holiday pay is for the entire year.
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
17. Council Comment
Councilwoman Fitch feels it is critical for the community to support local small businesses and charities.
She complimented the various organizations holding such successful toy drives this year and expressed her appreciation for the community’s response to these efforts.
Mayor Suess reiterated those comments. He believes Wheaton is a very giving community, and it is important to support businesses and charitable organizations during these challenging times. He listed the various activities going on around the City during the holidays, such as the holiday lighting in Adams Park, the “Light Up Wheaton” campaign, the display of reindeer and holiday window painting throughout the downtown and encouraged everyone to participate and show their support.
Mayor Suess also noted a recent study conducted by Wallet Hub rated Wheaton 17th out of 1,200 communities throughout the United States with populations between 25,000 and 100,000, based on 43 different criteria for livability.
18. Approval of Warrant
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Warrant No. 789 in the amount of $7,043,322.50, 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
19. Closed Session: Personnel – Review of Closed Session Minutes 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (21) Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that the Wheaton City Council adjourn to closed session at 7:38 p.m. for the purposed of review of closed session minutes – 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (21).
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
The City returned to the open portion of their meeting at 7:41 p.m.
20. Adjournment
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:41 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/_12072020-1537
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