Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council met May 20

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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 

Pat Keegan, Director of Information Technology 

Jim Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development 

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering 

Princeton Youker, Chief of Police 

Brandon Kowalke, Senior Management Analyst 

Erik Berg, Management Analyst 

Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator 

Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk 

City Staff Electronically 

Present: None 

2. Presentations 

Mayor Suess presented Certificates of Excellence to the following 2024 National Merit Finalists: Lauren Spires (Wheaton Warrenville South Student), Brenda Robben and Caleb Valentino (Wheaton North  Students) and Daniel Titcomb (Wheaton Academy Student). Alex Hestermann (Wheaton Warrenville  South Student) was not present. 

Community Relations Chair Erica Nelson introduced the members of the Community Relations  Commission and thanked them for their coordination and execution of the Good Citizens Awards event. Chair Nelson reviewed upcoming events, including the Festival of Cultures, Wheaton Gives Back and the  80th anniversary of D-Day.

Meg Beasley, Community Relations Secretary, along with Commission member Angela Welker and Mayor  Suess, presented the 2024 Good Citizens Awards to the following recipients: Student Category – Natalie  Dacy, Asiyah Hussain, and Mia LaFratta; Adult Category – Tim Duffey, Kurt Parent, Tom and Pat Ruggaber,  Helen Serafin and Heather Weitkamp. 

3. Citizens to be Heard 

Mary Ann Vitone, Wheaton resident, expressed a variety of concerns regarding the proposed stormwater utility fee and urged the City to identify a more equitable means to gain revenue. 

4. Consent Agenda 

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda item: 

1. Approve the minutes of Wheaton City Council Regular Meeting – May 6, 2024, as submitted. 

2. Approve an Application for a Class A Liquor License – Lu’s Fine Asian Cuisine, LLC – 2001 S. Naperville Road. 

3. Approve an Application for a Class M Liquor License – Stonehouse Market, LLC – 111 Town  Square. 

4. Adopt Resolution R-2024-43, A Resolution Approving a Public Utility and Drainage Easement  Grant and Plat of Annexation (2015 N. Stoddard Avenue). 

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-2024-19, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 74 (Utilities) & Appendix B (Fee Schedule) 

Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that O-2024-19, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 74 (Utilities) & Appendix B (Fee Schedule), be passed. 

City Manager Dzugan explained the ordinance amends the stormwater utility fee to be based upon  impervious area rather than water consumption. He noted the change will take effect on August 1st, and  residents will see the updated stormwater fee starting on August 15th. He clarified that the adjustment  does not increase the City’s stormwater revenue.

Councilman Barbier expressed that while the stormwater fee calculation isn't perfect and would require  detailed scrutiny of all factors, he believes it makes more sense than a fee based on water usage. He expressed his appreciation to Brandon Kowalke and Erik Berg for their hard work. 

Councilman Clousing stated the stormwater fee calculation aligns well with impervious surfaces, ensuring  the ratios are correct. He believes this is the most efficient billing method, noting that attempting to find a perfect calculation could consume the entire stormwater system budget. He concluded that, despite the  lack of a perfect method, this approach is the best way to move forward. 

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 

6. Approve Reappointment and Appointments to City Commissions 

Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Wellerseconded that George Schmidt be reappointed to the Bicyclist and Pedestrian Commission, Scott Alvis be appointed to the Commission on Aging, Lynette Zelis be appointed to the Fine & Cultural Arts Commission, and Sally Girgis be appointed to the Historic Commission for three-year terms through May 20, 2027. 

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-2024-44, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Change Order #2 to  Agreement No. 384 with Herlihy Mid-Continent Company for Additional Services for the Creekside Drive Bridge Repairs Project for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $106,157.35 

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that R-2024-44, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Change Order #2 to Agreement No. 384 with Herlihy Mid-Continent Company for Additional Services for the Creekside Drive Bridge Repairs Project for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $106,157.35, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan explained that the second change order agreement relates to the unexpected need to increase the length of support piles due to poor soil and the relocation of the water main.  

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 

8. Adopt Resolution R-2024-45, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Amendment #1 to Agreement No. 411 with MaintStar, Inc. for Additional Permitting and Code Enforcement Services and Support for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $36,414 

Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Wellerseconded that R-2024-45, A Resolution Authorizing the  Execution of Amendment #1 to Agreement No. 411 with MaintStar, Inc. for Additional Permitting and Code Enforcement Services and Support for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $36,414, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan noted the amendment to the existing services agreement includes support for an additional, separate portal for public works service requests and the integration of managing those requests through our current Lucity software. 

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 

9. Adopt Resolution R-2024-46, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 458 with Triggi Construction, Inc. for the Roosevelt Road Sidewalk Improvements for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $566,877.85 and a 10% Contingency Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that R-2024-46, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 458 with Triggi Construction, Inc. for the Roosevelt Road  Sidewalk Improvements for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $566,877.85 and a 10% Contingency, be adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan reported nearly a mile worth of sidewalks along Roosevelt Road will offer pedestrians full connectivity from Lorraine to County Farm. He stated the City received a $500,000 grant  from the state of Illinois for the work. 

In response to Councilwoman Bray-Parker, Director of Engineering Tebrugge stated the existing pavement  markings near St. Francis and Marian Park, which are getting worn, will be repainted to ensure the crossing remainssafe and accessible. He mentioned that the upcoming traffic signal project by the state is still two  to four years away. He also noted that signage along Roosevelt requires approval and installation by IDOT, however the City can install signage within its right-of-way.  

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. Adopt Resolution R-2024-47, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 463 with  V3 Companies LTD. for Professional Engineering Services for the North Main Street Dredging Project for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $66,972 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that R-2024-47, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 463 with V3 Companies LTD. for Professional Engineering  Services for the North Main Street Dredging Project for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $66,972, be  adopted. 

City Manager Dzugan stated the creek located at North Main, just south of Cole, is experiencing sediment  buildup in the channel. He reported that the scope of work will involve exploring potential redesigns of the channel to determine if improvements can be made to alleviate or reduce the need for future dredging. 

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. Council Comment  

Councilwoman Bray-Parker wished luck and success to City of Wheaton students and educators. 

Councilman Barbier announced the upcoming Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony and Cream of Wheaton. 

Mayor Suess announced the arrival of the cicadas. He reported the Memorial Day Parade begins at 10am on Monday, May 27th and runs down West Street to Wheaton Cemetery. 

12. Approval of Warrant 

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parkerseconded that Warrant No. 872 in the amount of $1,276,035.86, 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 

13. Adjournment 

Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:45 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 

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/11725?fileID=16234