Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council Planning Sessions met May 13

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order  

The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Barbier. The following were:  

Physically Present: Mayor Pro Tem Barbier 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker 

Councilman Brown  

Councilman Clousing 

Councilwoman Robbins 

Councilman Weller 

Absent: Mayor Suess 

City Staff Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager 

John M. Duguay, Assistant City Manager 

Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance 

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering 

Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer 

Vincent Laoang, Director of Public Works 

Al McMillen, Water Superintendent 

II. Approval of Planning Session Minutes – April 22, 2024 

The City Council approved the April 22, 2024, City Council Planning Session Minutes. 

III. Water Rate Study – Framework Discussion 

City Manager Dzugan stated that City staff are seeking City Council direction on a preferred water rate structure and consideration of implementation of a multi-year rate increase. 

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that water rates have remained flat since 2015. City staff formed an internal group consisting of the Director of Public Works, Water Superintendent, Director of Finance, Finance Analyst, Director of Engineering, and Management Analyst to complete a 2024 Water Rate Study to evaluate the water utility and research rate options. The rate study was initiated following the development of the Capital Improvement Plan and 2024 Budget. While reviewing the Water Fund and projected expenses for the next five years, it was estimated the balance of the fund would reach a deficit in 2027. The primary areas of concern are increases in DuPage Water Commission (DWC) rates, increases in costs for services and capital, and increases in water infrastructure investment. 

From 2019-2023, the City’s Water Fund averaged $13.6 million in revenues and $12.5 million in expenses. Two areas that are putting the most pressure on the Water Fund are cost increases in purchasing water and infrastructure investment. He stated that 70% of the Water Fund’s operating expenses are from DWC water purchases and that purchased water gradually accounted for the larger percentage of water revenues. The City continues investing in water infrastructure and faces challenges such as increased costs for capital  projects, the age of infrastructure, and the cost of replacing lead service lines. For 2025-2029, the City’s Water Fund is projected to average $13.6 million in revenues and $16.9 million in expenses. Of note, the DWC rate has increased 19.2% since 2015. 

In terms of rate structures, Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that currently the City uses a blended method with a uniform usage rate and a fixed fee determined by the size of the water meter. He stated  that the potential rate structures the City could consider include a Uniform Flat Rate: customers pay the same fixed amount regardless of the water used; Single Block Rate: customers are charged a uniform rate based on water consumption; Decreasing Block Rate: uses block rates or tiered pricing that decreases with water usage; and Increasing Block Rate: uses block rates or tiered pricing that increase with water usage. 

City staff recommend maintaining the current rate structure (fixed fee and usage rate) and splitting the  usage rate into two rates: DWC rate and City rate. Additionally, staff recommend implementing rate adjustments for a three-year period with the DWC rate automatically increasing when the DWC implements increases. 

In response to a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated that staff would like to split the usage rate into two rates (DWC rate and City rate) to enhance transparency and communication with residents as it better illustrates cost breakdowns. 

In response to a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated that the DWC is exploring a new regional source water project that aims to provide improved access to Lake Michigan water for suburban Illinois residents, independent from the City of Chicago. 

Council members discussed the benefits of implementing rate adjustments for a three-year period as this timeframe allows for effective evaluation of the Water Fund’s rate changes, and that the current rate structure (fixed fee and usage rate) is fair for residents. The Council expressed support for the proposed rate adjustments and structure. 

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the final recommendation from staff is to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a water system evaluation study this year. The comprehensive study of the system would provide annual infrastructure replacement recommendations and costs, annual maintenance cost recommendations for existing infrastructure, create a prioritization and implementation plan, and recommend funding alternatives. 

The City Council directed City staff to move forward with preparing an RFP for a study. 

IV. Stormwater Update 2024 Presentation 

Director of Engineering Tebrugge reviewed staff’s previously presented information regarding flood resiliency in Wheaton. He stated that flood damage occurs in Wheaton because development happened in  areas that already flooded before there were regulations to prevent such development from occurring. Staff categorized overland flooding in three types: floodplain, floodprone, and site-specific. To enhance flooding resiliency, staff evaluated three options, which included buyouts, flood proofing, and capital improvements/small scale re-grading. The City Council directed staff to combine the buyouts and  floodproofing options, and to also keep the program investigation to a 100-year storm level. Based on all these findings and Council direction, staff created a point system to prioritize and rank the City’s floodprone area capital projects.

Director of Engineering Tebrugge stated that the Engineering Department has completed the Dorset Drive Flood Control Project and started construction for the Cadillac & Wakeman Flood Control Project. Six public meetings have occurred thus far for the following floodprone areas: Cadillac & Wakeman; Turf, Countryside, & Ranch (TCR); Pershing East; Dorset Drive; Glendale Avenue; and TCR localized. Residents  were supportive of projects presented for Cadillac & Wakeman; TCR; Dorset Drive; Pershing East; Glendale Avenue; and TCR localized. However, some residents in the TCR localized area expressed a lack of interest in their particular parcel to be involved. For Glendale Avenue, the public supported the project but expressed support for an alternative project that would involve installing an additional storm sewer (at a  total project cost of $210,000 - “Capital Project 2”) rather than surface swales (at a total project cost of  $170,000 – “Capital Project 1”). Staff sought direction from the Council as to how to proceed with the Glendale Avenue Flood Control Project. 

In response to Council questions, Director of Engineering Tebrugge stated that through Capital Project 1 water would congregate at Hoffman Park until it is absorbed in the ground and through the existing storm sewer. Capital Project 2 would alleviate this issue. He stated that there would be an increased maintenance burden on the City with Capital Project 2 since it involves the addition of City-owned infrastructure, however the swales would need to be maintained by residents to convey water as designed. 

The City Council instructed staff to move forward with Capital Project 2 for Glendale Avenue because it would have a lesser impact on Hoffman Park and surrounding homes, and the storm sewer approach would  be more reliable. 

Director of Engineering Tebrugge stated that the point system to prioritize and rank the City’s floodprone area capital projects was based off of ease of construction, which is the measure of the difficulty level in obtaining public support for projects. The floodprone areas discussed in public meetings thus far have a low difficulty level in garnering public support. However, the next floodprone areas on the list will face challenges in garnering public support. 

Director of Engineering Tebrugge reviewed numerous stormwater projects and programs that the City can consider. He stated that staff have started work on overland flooding projects, earthen based drainage projects, existing maintenance, and residential support programs. He noted that of these projects, there is  future funding uncertainty for the Floodprone Capital Projects, Site-specific Overland Flooding Program, and Streams Lakes Meander Project. 

In terms of next steps, Director of Engineering Tebrugge stated that staff will initiate design of the Glendale Avenue Flood Control Project as per Council direction and continue public meetings on floodprone projects after prioritization and funding discussions have occurred. Staff recommend development of a prioritization  of stormwater programs/projects for Council consideration. 

In response to Council questions, Director of Engineering Tebrugge stated that construction is anticipated to start in 2025 for Glendale Avenue. He stated that the larger TCR project will not have an impact on the TCR localized project. 

V. Public Comment 

Matt Bernardi, 558 Glendale Ave., thanked the City of Wheaton and the Council for their efforts to mitigate flooding hazards and expressed support for choosing Capital Project 2 for Glendale Avenue. 

VI. City Council/Staff Comments

There were no Council comments. 

VII. Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m. 

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/11738?fileID=16448