Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council met March 4

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Call to Order and RollCall 

The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Philip J. Suess. Upon roll call, the following were: 

Physically Present: Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

City Staff Physically Present: 

Michael Dzugan, City Manager 

John Duguay, Assistant City Manager 

Dawn Didier, City Attorney 

James Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering 

Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer 

Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk

City Staff Electronically Present:

Samuel Webb, Fleet Superintendent 

2. Citizens to be Heard 

Tim Youngren, 902 W. Hawthorne Blvd., expressed concerns regarding the proposed Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot east of Gary Ave. and asked the Council to place a referendum question on the November 2024 ballot. 

Robert Stozek, 1130 Champion Forest Ct., expressed concerns regarding the proposed Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot east of Gary Ave. and asked Council to suspend action on the Wheaton Park District zoning application and pass a resolution for a referendum on the November 2024 ballot. 

Paula Smith, ON236 Woodland Dr., expressed concerns regarding the proposed Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot east of Gary Ave. She read a letter from Debra Wesolowicz, Wheaton Crossing Guard, 814 N. West St. expressing safety concerns related to pedestrians crossing from the proposed parking lot. Ms. Wesolowicz and Ms. Smith ask the Council not to approve the zoning variance and pass a resolution for a referendum to appear on the November ballot. 

Jeff Westergaard, 742 Ralph Ct., shared concerns pertaining to the special use application from the Wheaton Park District pertaining to the proposed Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot east of Gary Ave. He asked Council to postpone action on the zoning application to allow Wheaton residents the opportunity to express their opinion on the project via referendum on the November ballot. 

Christy Needham, 1311 N. Carlton Ave., referenced a petition she and her husband began circulating to put the question of whether the City of Wheaton should approve a new parking lot for Cosley Zoo on the November ballot to allow Wheaton voters to express their views. She expressed concerns regarding the Wheaton Park District and Cosley Foundation. She asked that Council put this question up for referendum to guide their decisions. 

Bob Marjan, 1222 Champion Forest Ct., expressed concerns regarding the proposed Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot east of Gary Ave., and asked Council to postpone the zoning application and obtain additional input from the Wheaton voters. 

Joe Matuch, 218 S. Washington St., expressed safety concerns pertaining to the intersection near Washington and Willow where vehicles are resistant to make complete stops before crossing the railroad tracks headed north. He stated that he and his wife have seen several accidents and near accidents at this intersection. He asked that Council consider exploration or consideration of a stop sign to be placed further north either at Washington and Liberty, or Washington and Cresent. 

Joan Wegrzyn, 218 W. Forest Ave., expressed concerns regarding the proposed Wheaton Park District Cosley Zoo parking lot east of Gary Ave., and asked Council to postpone zoning approval and pass a resolution allowing a referendum on the November ballot. 

3. 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 Wheaton City Council Regular Meeting - February 20, 2024, as amended on page 3 adding an "s" to Robbin. 

2. Adopt Resolution R-2024-20, A Resolution Accepting a Plat of Easement Grant (301 East Loop Road). 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimously

4. Approve Appointments to City Commissions and Reappointment to City Board Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Weller seconded that Jim Boak be appointed to Environmental Improvement Commission, Michael Subtelny be appointed to the Bicyclist and Pedestrian Commission, Eric Laird be appointed to the Liquor and Tobacco Control Commissions and Kevin lllia be reappointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for three-year terms through March 4, 2027. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: MayorSuess 

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimouslv 

5. Receive Report, Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #24-02/ Multiple Variations/ 520 Childs Street/ Noordhoek 

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #24-02/ Multiple Variations/ 520 Childs Street/ Noordhoek, be received. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the Planning and Zoning Board report recommends approval of several variations as the lot is unusual at 46.33 wide and nearly 400 feet deep. 

Councilman Weller agreed that the lot's unusual dimensions result in the need for the approval of the listed variations. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimouslv 

Pass Ordinance 0-2024-07, An Ordinance Granting Multiple Variations on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 520 Childs Street - Noordhoek 

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded a motion that Ordinance 0-2024- 07, An Ordinance Granting Multiple Variations on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 520 Childs Street - Noordhoek, be passed.

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimouslv 

6. Adopt Resolution R-2024-21, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 450 with StudioGC, Inc. to Provide Architectural and Engineering Services for the Water Division Exterior Renovation for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $105,604, and a 10% Contingency Councilman Weller moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that R-2024-21, A Resolution Authorizing the ExecutionofAgreement No. 450with StudioGC, lnc.to Provide Architectural and EngineeringServices for the Water Division Exterior Renovation for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $105,604, and a 10% Contingency, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan stated architectural services for the renovation of the City's water division facility on Reber Street are part of a project presented to the Council in the Capital Improvement Plan. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

7. Adopt Resolution R-2024-22, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Three (3) 2025 Ford Utility Interceptor Hybrid SUVs from Currie Motors Fleet in Accordance with the Northwest Municipal Conference Suburban Purchasing Cooperative for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $146,679 Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that R-2024-22, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Three (3) 2025 Ford Utility Interceptor hlybrid SUVs from Currie Motors Fleet in Accordance with the Northwest Municipal Conference Suburban Purchasing Cooperative for a Total Amount Notto Exceed $146,679, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the vehicles came in under budget and replace two existing conventional gas models and 1 hybrid model. He noted the City has experienced a 74% increase in miles per gallon with hybrid patrol vehicles.

Councilman Barbier was pleased the vehicles meet the needs of the police officers in addition to being reliable and economical in fuel consumption. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

8. Receive Report, Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #24-03/ Text Amendment, Subdivision, and Variations/ 170 S. Bates Street/ Ahiska Construction, Inc. 

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report ZA #24-03/ Text Amendment, Subdivision, and Variations/ 170 S. Bates Street/ Ahiska Construction, Inc., be received. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the report from Planning and Zoning recommends approval of a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance related to variation limitations, specifically excepting lot area and width for R-l zoned lots subject to certain conditions. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

Pass Ordinance 0-2024-08, An Ordinance Amending Article V - Administration and Enforcement ofthe Wheaton Zoning Ordinance - Variation Limitations 

Councilman Weller moved and Councilman Barbier seconded a motion that Ordinance 0-2024-08, An Ordinance Amending Article V - Administration and Enforcement of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance - Variation Limitations, be passed. 

Councilman Weller noted the project is consistent with current neighborhood characteristics. In response to Councilman Weller, Director of Planning and Economic Development Kozik stated changing the zoning of the entire neighborhood was considered, yet it was decided that would be more complicated as it has already been developed upon narrow 50-foot lots. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

9. Pass Ordinance 0-2024-09, An Ordinance Granting Subdivision, Lot Width Variations, and Lot Area Variations on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 170 S. Bates - Ahiska Construction, Inc. Councilman Barbier moved and Councilman Weller seconded that 0-2024-09, An Ordinance Granting Subdivision, Lot Width Variations, and Lot Area Variations on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 170 S. Bates - Ahiska Construction, Inc., be passed. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the Planning and Zoning Board recommended granting variations for lot and width area for property located at 170 South Bates to create two 50-foot-wide lots which are characteristic ofthe existing neighborhood. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

10. Council Comment 

Councilwoman Robbins reflected upon weekend wins earned by the University of lowa women's basketball team. 

11. Approval ofWarrant 

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Warrant No. 867 in the amount of $2,140,426.70, be approved. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimouslv 

12. Adjournment 

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Weller seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:54 p.m. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing

Nays: None 

Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown 

Motion Carried Unanimouslv

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03042024-2491