Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council met April 15

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Monday, April 15, 2024 

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 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, City Attorney 

Jim Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development 

Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance 

Holly Schulz, Director of Human Resources 

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering 

Ryan Conway, Deputy Chief of Police 

Mario Fearon, Police Sergeant  

Jason Ackerlund, Forestry Water Superintendent 

Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer 

Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk 

City Staff Electronically 

Present: None 

2. Presentations 

Mayor Suess read the City of Wheaton Arbor Day 2024 Proclamation. Jason Ackerlund, Forestry Superintendent, stated 200 trees have been planted this year resulting in the most successful Parkway Tree Planting Program to date and stated the City looks forward to adding more trees to our urban forest. 

Mayor Suess read and presented the Earth Year 2024 Proclamation to Ted Witte and Nancy Flynn, members of the Environmental Improvement Commission. Ted Witte reflected upon the past weekend’s  successful Recycling Extravaganza which resulted in 22,600 pounds of paper, 55 bikes and accessories, 17 large and 36 small propane tanks, a 53’ trailer and a 20’ box truck with various materials, and filled a paint  truck for recycling and proper disposal. He thanked all of their volunteers including CERT who helped  direct 1,100 cars, and the Rotary Clubs, Lions Club and VFW who helped work the event. Nancy Flynn announced upcoming events including the April 26th Arbor Day Tree Planting at Monroe Middle School, and the April 27th Native Plant Sale and Prairie Path Clean-up. 

3. Citizens to be Heard 

Gary Tonn, 1310 Champion Forest Court, shared two photographs; one of DuPage County’s development  and implementation of a swale in his rear yard to address flooding, and another of a Woodland Oaks neighbor’s dry bed installed due to erosion from water. He stated the City’s approval of a neighbor’s addition uphill from his lot changed the original topography by feet and not inches resulting in additional stormwater drainage on his property. 

Mr. Tonn stated the approval of Cosley’s Parking Lot Expansion would be a good decision, however, he asked the Council to consider surrounding properties to ensure stormwater doesn’t flow towards neighboring homes to learn from past decisions that have affected homeowners’ properties like his own. 

4. Consent Agenda 

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilman Weller seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda item: 

1. Approve the minutes of Wheaton City Council Regular Meeting – April 1, 2024, as submitted. 

2. Adopt Resolution R-2024-30, A Resolution Approving Temporary and Permanent Easement Agreements for the Gary Avenue Reconstruction Project. 

3. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the Official Motor Vehicle and Traffic Schedules (Chapter 70) for the City of Wheaton - Lowell Reduced Speed School Zone. 

4. Adopt Resolution R-2024-31, A Resolution Approving the Signing of a Wetland Credit Agreement with Mill Creek WB, LLC. 

5. Adopt Resolution R-2024-32, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to Exhibit C to the License Agreement with Wheaton Park District/Memorial Park (Wheaton Municipal Band). 

6. Adopt Resolution R-2024-33, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Certain Surplus Property (Communications). 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Nays: None 

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously 

5. Pass Ordinance O-2024-11, An Ordinance Amending Section B-3, Miscellaneous Administrative Fees and Section B-5 City Services Fees, Appendix B, Fee Schedule, of the Wheaton City Code Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilman Brown seconded that O-2024-11, An Ordinance Amending Section B-3, Miscellaneous Administrative Fees and Section B-5 City Services Fees, Appendix B, Fee Schedule, of the Wheaton City Code, be passed.  

City Manager Dzugan stated the ordinance amends the City’s services fees to reflect current salaries and  equipment costs through an annual review by the finance director. He detailed that beginning in November, with a January 1st implementation date, the annual schedule will be posted on the City website and mailed to community partners.  

Councilman Barbier expressed support for the revised fee process including both the annual review and proposed timeline for implementation. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

6. Adopt Resolution R-2024-34, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Duty Weapons and Accessories from Kiesler Police Supply for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $53,847.85 Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that R-2024-34, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Duty Weapons and Accessories from Kiesler Police Supply for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $53,847.85, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan noted Council reviewed red dot duty weapons at the November 13th budget workshop and stated the 2024 Budget included $100,000 in the capital equipment replacement fund.  

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

7. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #24-07 / Special Use Permit and Variations / 1496 County Farm Court / Carmichael Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Weller seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report  Re: ZA #24-07 / Special Use Permit and Variations / 1496 County Farm Court / Carmichael, be received.  

City Manager Dzugan stated the report from the Planning & Zoning Board recommends the approval of a  special use permit for a pool house/covered patio and a rear yard setback variation.  

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

Pass Ordinance O-2024-12, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit and a Rear Yard Setback Variation to Allow the Construction and Use of a New Pool and Covered Patio Structure, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 1496 County Farm Court - Carmichael 

Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that O-2024-12, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit and a Rear Yard Setback Variation to Allow the Construction and Use of a New Pool and Covered Patio Structure, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 1496 County Farm Court  - Carmichael, be passed. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

8. Adopt Resolution R-2024-35, A Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code (2024 Road, Sewer, and Water Rehabilitation Program) 

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that R-2024-35, A Resolution  for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code (2024 Road, Sewer, and Water Rehabilitation Program), be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the resolution authorizes the use of Motor Fuel Tax revenues received from  the state to fund a portion of the City’s annual road, sewer, and water rehabilitation program. He detailed the City will receive approximately $2.4 million from the state.  

In response to Councilman Weller, City Manager Dzugan explained that the amount of funding is slightly  higher than in the past as the City continues to use the remainder of the Rebuild Illinois Funds which consisted of a three-year special grant from the state of Illinois. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

9. Adopt Resolution R-2024-36, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 459 with  R.W. Dunteman Company for the 2024 Road, Sewer, and Water Rehabilitation Program for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $3,887,993.05 

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that R-2024-36, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 459 with R.W. Dunteman Company for the 2024 Road, Sewer, and Water Rehabilitation Program for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $3,887,993.05, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the $3.9 million bid came in approximately 7% lower than the budgeted  estimate. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

10. Pass Ordinance O-2024-13, An Ordinance Amending the Pay Schedules for Officers, Assistants and Employees of the City of Wheaton, Illinois

Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that O-2024-13, An Ordinance Amending the Pay Schedules for Officers, Assistants and Employees of the City of Wheaton, Illinois, be passed. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the ordinance amends pay schedules for the period of May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 for positions not included in a collective bargaining agreement to keep the City’s pay scales competitive. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

11. Adopt Resolution R-2024-37, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 457 with RJN Group, Inc. for Professional Engineering Services for Basins 3 and 4 of the Sanitary Sewer Main Discharge Replacement Project for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $379,850 and a 10% Contingency Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Weller seconded that R-2024-37, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 457 with RJN Group, Inc. for Professional Engineering Services for Basins 3 and 4 of the Sanitary Sewer Main Discharge Replacement Project for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $379,850 and a 10% Contingency, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan detailed basins 3 and 4 experience a high frequency of sanitary basement backups  and overflows. He stated that although 9 vendors were issued specifications, only 1 proposal was received due to vendors reporting a lack of staffing. He noted this work will lead to a future $3 million construction  project to reduce the number of homes affected by sanitary sewer backups.  

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

12. Council Comment  

Councilman Barbier recognized Joe Kish and Franklin Middle School for hosting a successful Hero Night Dodgeball Tournament at which the Wheaton Fire Department came in 1st place. He reflected upon his  trip to Phoenix to witness the Purdue Boilermakers earn the runner up March Madness title.  

Councilwoman Robbins reflected upon the past weekend’s successful French Market kick off and her visit to the Sikh Temple. 

Mayor Suess reported the Innovator Tents on Hale Street installation is planned for May 3rd.  

13. Approval of Warrant 

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parkerseconded that Warrant No. 870 in the amount  of $985,005.48, be approved. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilman Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

14. Adjournment 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown 

Mayor Suess 

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Councilman Barbier

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion Carried Unanimously Respectfully submitted, Andrea Rosedale 

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/11633?fileID=15740