City of Wheaton City Council met Nov. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
The public hearing of the Wheaton City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The public hearing was held in the Council Chambers, Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, Illinois. Upon roll call, the following were:
Physically Present: Mayor Suess
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Zaruba
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Present By Video Conference: Councilman Zaruba
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
City Staff Physically Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager
John Duguay, Assistant City Manager
Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer
Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance
II. Public Hearing – Proposed Property Tax Levy Increase for Special Service Area Number 2 for 2020
a. Presentation
City Manager Dzugan stated that Special Service Area Number 2’s purpose is to provide no fee for 1- and 2-hour parking in certain locations in the downtown area. The proposed tax rate is $39,000 and the maximum tax rate is $78,000.
City Manager Dzugan stated that if the Council’s intention is to eliminate parking meters within the downtown area then they should also eliminate the Special Service Area Number 2 Property Tax Levy.
b. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
b. Council Comment
In response to Council questions, City Manager Dzugan stated that parking enforcement expenses are not allocated within the Special Service Area Number 2 Property Tax Levy.
In response to Council questions, City Manager Dzugan stated that City staff recommends putting a tax levy in place and then abate it until a discussion is held about the existing parking meters.
Councilwoman Robbins and Councilman Rutledge stated that they would like to see the parking meters in Special Service Area Number 2 Property Tax Levy be dissolved.
In response to Council questions, City Manager Dzugan stated that staff’s recommendation is to levy the amount suggested in October and then abate it.
Councilman Rutlege stated he would like to see Special Service Area Number 2 Property Tax Levy rolled into Special Service Area Number 8 Property Tax Levy.
The Council requested that Special Service Area Number 2 Property Tax Levy remain the same until March when it can be abated to zero.
III. Public Hearing – Proposed Property Tax Levy Increase for Special Service Area Number 3 for 2020
c. Presentation
City Manager Dzugan stated that Special Service Area Number 3’s purpose is to support the expenses of maintenance of a footbridge over a waterway, maintenance around lakes, and protection of the shorelines around lakes in the Streams Subdivision.
City Manager Dzugan stated that City is levying approximately $12,000 which only supports expenses related to mowing and the maintenance of the land, and not dredging of the waterways. He stated that the City is working on investigating ownership of the land which will assist in defining options for dredging.
b. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
d. Council Comment
In response to Council questions, City Manager Dzugan stated that shoreline maintenance includes removing garbage, erosion control, and mowing.
In response to Council questions, Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the levy’s funds are depleted each year and there is no balance.
The Council requested that Special Service Area Number 3 Property Tax Levy remain the same from the previous year.
IV. Public Hearing – Proposed Property Tax Levy Increase for Special Service Area Number 8 for 2020
e. Presentation
City Manager Dzugan stated that Special Service Area Number 8’s purpose is to support the expenses of the Downtown Wheaton Association’s special services that include: efforts to promote business within the downtown area; manage special community events and activities; parking operations and maintenance; maintenance of streetscape, holiday and event decorations; landscaping and signage.
City Manager Dzugan stated that City is the current levy is set at approximately $242,000 and the maximum tax rate is $445,000. He stated the Downtown Wheaton Association was requesting $275,000.
b. Public Comment
f. There was no public comment.
Council Comment
Councilwoman Robbins requested that the tax area boundaries be increased to include parts of West Street.
The Council requested that Special Service Area Number 8 Property Tax Levy be increased to $275,000.
V. Adjournment
Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded a motion to close the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Motion Carried Unanimously
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11232020-1516
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