Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council met Oct. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Callto 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: MayorSuess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown

Absent: None

City Staff Physically Present:

Michael Dzugan, City Manager

John Duguay, Assistant City Manager

Dawn Didier, CityAttorney

Robert Brill, ChiefofFire

Thomas Corrigan, Director of Building and Code 

James Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development 

Vince Laoang, Director of Public Works

Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance

Holly Schulz, Director of Human Resources

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering

Princeton Youker, Chief of Police

Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer

Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk

City Staff Electronically Present: None  

2. Report of the City Manager

City Manager Dzugan reported that Mayor Suess would be swearing in the City's 13th Police Chief. He noted that Princeton J. Youker has served the Wheaton Police Department since 2001, beginning as a patrol officer.

3. Presentation

Mayor Suess presided over the swearing-in ceremony for the new Chief of Police, Princeton J. Youker. ChiefYoukerthanked hisfamily, friends, and colleaguesfortheirsupportthroughout hiscareer. He stated that he is proud to serve Wheaton and he will continue to make certain that Wheaton remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Mayor Suess read and presented a proclamation in recognition of Arts DuPage 2023 to Deborah Venezia, the Director of Arts DuPage. Ms. Venezia expressed gratitude to the Mayor and City Council and to the Wheaton community for their excellent support of the arts and highlighted the positive effects from various Wheaton events, businesses, and activities.

4. Citizens to be Heard

Steven Bense, 825 Parkside Dr., asked the City Council to consider his concerns related to the Proposed Stormwater Fees assessment calculations. He stated that his neighborhood does not have stormwater services and that they should not be charged a stormwater fee for stormwater usage.

Michelle Dunlap, 1336 S. Main St., addressed the Council as co-chair of the Bicyclist and Pedestrian Commission, stated that the Commission voted unanimously to recommend the installation of "Welcome to Wheaton" signs at city entry points along the lllinois State Prairie Path.

Alexandra Lee, 752 Ralph Ct., expressed opposition regarding the Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking tot on Gary Ave. She detailed concerns related to noise, light pollution, flooding, construction, and safety related to street crossing with young children.

Kevin Needham, 1311 N. Carlton Ave., expressed opposition regarding the Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot on Gary Ave. He expressed concerns specific to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and the Park District, conservation, crime, lights, traffic, safety and taxpayer costs. He asked the City Council to deny the parking lot.

Mary Lee, 1310 N. Carlton Ave., expressed opposition regarding the Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot on Gary Ave. She expressed concern regarding conservation, proximity to her home, lack of communication from the park district and home value. She stated that the group will remain active until the plan is fully scrapped.

Lisa Leftwich, 814 W. Hawthorne Blvd., expressed opposition regarding the Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot on Gary Ave. She expressed concerns regarding conservation and the harmful impact to residents. She invited the council to visit www.protectwheaton.com.

Angela Stephenson, 860 W. Hawthorne Blvd., expressed opposition regarding the Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot on Gary Ave. She expressed concerns regarding proximity to her home, the flooding of neighbor's homes, and trees. In response to Ms. Stephenson, Mayor Suess stated a proposal has not been submitted to the City and that the proposed project currently rests with the Park District. He encouraged hertodirectconversationstotheWheaton Park Districtas itisa separate unitofgovernment.

Resident, Champion Forest Ct., expressed opposition regarding the Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot on Gary Ave. She expressed concerns regarding traffic, safety, and potential flooding impact on surrounding residents.

Tim Barg, 1500 N. Morse St., expressed opposition regarding the Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot on Gary Ave. He expressed concerns regarding Wheaton Park District communication, and the Park u

District's proposal and zoning process. Attorney Didier stated a proposal cannot move forward until an application is received. Mayor Suess stated no proposal has been presented.

5. Consent Agenda

Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that the following action be taken on the ConsentAgenda items:

1. Approve the minutes of the Wheaton City Council Public Hearing - September 11, 2023, and Regular Meeting - September 18, 2023, as submitted.

2. Adopt Resolution R-2023-83, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Certain Surplus Property (Engineering).

3. Adopt Resolution R-2023-84, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Certain Surplus Property (PW).

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Brown

MayorSuess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously

6. Approve Appointment and Reappointments to City Commission

Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Weller seconded that Vittoria Clay be appointed and Mike Bock and Dee hlicks be reappointed to the Fine and Cultural Arts Commission for three-year terms through October 2,2026.

Roll Call Vote:  

Ayes: Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown  

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously

7. Adopt Resolution R-2023-85, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 417 with CHC Wellbeing for Employee Wellness Services for a Three-Year Term and a Total Amount Not to Exceed $123,327.58

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that R-2023-85, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 417 with CHC Wellbeing for Employee Wellness Services for a Three-Year Term and a Total Amount Not to Exceed $123,327.58, be adopted.

City Manager Dzugan stated that ChlC has been a positive program that provides annual biometric screening, and programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for City employees.

Roll Call Vote:  

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown

MayorSuess

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller  

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimouslv

8. Pass Ordinance 0-2023-37, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. E-3384, "An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Gas Station/Food Mart/Car Wash Facility (Southeast Corner of Naperville Road Danada Farms East Unit 1) Shell Oil Company"

Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that 0-2023-37, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. E-3384, "An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Gas Station/Food Mart/Car Wash Facility (Southeast Corner of Naperville Road Danada Farms East Unit 1) Shell Oil Company", be passed.

City Manager Dzugan stated the request to amend a Planned Unit Development from Circle K is to permit the construction of a metal canopy structure at the entrance of the car wash.

Roll Call Vote:  

Ayes: Councilman Brown

MayorSuess

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker  

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously

9. Council Comment

Councilwoman Bray-Parker stated that she and Councilman Clousing listened and walked the neighborhood with residents surrounding Cosley Zoo.

Councilman Barbier expressed enthusiasm for the Downtown Wheaton Dinos for its family friendliness and for bringing welcomed traffic and visitors to the area to experience the streetscape, shops and restaurants.

Councilwoman Robbins congratulated the Downtown Wheaton Association on their success of the Downtown Dinos event.

10. Approval ofWarrant

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that Warrant No. 857 in the amount of $1,993,804.76, be approved.

Roll Call Vote:  

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown

MayorSuess

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller  

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimouslv

11. Closed Session:

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that the Wheaton City Council adjourn to closed session at 8:09 p.m. for the purpose of Pending or Imminent Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(ll).

Roll Call Vote:  

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown

MayorSuess

Councilman Clousing  

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously

The City Council returned to the open portion oftheir meeting at 8:28 p.m.

12. Adjournment

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Brown seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Voice Vote:  

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown

MayorSuess  

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilman Clousing

Motion Carried Unanimouslv

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10022023-2391