Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council met July 15

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 Barbier

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Electronically Present: Councilman Brown

Absent: Councilman Weller

Mayor Suess announced the City Clerk had received notice from Councilman Brown, in accordance with Wheaton City Code Section 2-42 to attend the meeting electronically. No objections were received, and Mayor Suess confirmed authorization for Councilman Brown to attend and participate electronically.

City Staff Physically

Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager

John Duguay, Assistant City Manager

Dawn Didier, City Attorney

Jim Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering

Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer

Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk

City Staff Electronically

Present: None

2. Citizens to be Heard

None

3. 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 —July 1, 2024, as submitted.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Nays: None

Absent: Councilman Weller

Motion Carried Unanimously

4. Reappointment to City Commissions

Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that Eileen Pearse be reappointed to the Local Liquor and Tobacco Commissions for three—year terms from July 15, 2024 through July 15, 2027.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

Nays: None

Absent: Councilman Weller

Motion Carried Unanimously

5. Pass Ordinance 0-2024-21, An Ordinance Granting an Amendment to a Special Use Permit on Property Commonly Known as 1225, 1295, 1303, 1307, 1313, 1325 and 1351 N. Gary Avenue — Wheaton Park District

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that 0—2024-21, An Ordinance Granting an Amendment to a Special Use Permit on Property Commonly Known as 1225, 1295, 1303, 1307, 1313, 1325 and 1351 N. Gary Avenue — Wheaton Park District, be passed.

City Manager Dzugan stated the City Council directed the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance approving an application submitted by the Wheaton Park District seeking an amendment to an existing special use permit at the July 15‘ City Council meeting. He reported the Ordinance has been placed on the agenda for consideration to permit an increase in the number of parking spaces from 30 to 93, a net increase of 63 spaces, at the property located on the east side of Gary Avenue with the inclusion of 8 conditions.

Tom Johnson, 325 W. Harrison Ave., voiced opposition to the Wheaton Park District’s application expressing safety concerns.

Chuck Smith, 0N236 Woodland Dr., expressed disappointment in the Council’s decision to proceed with approval ofthe Wheaton Park District’s application ahead ofthe November election results from the advisory question initiated by petition from the Vote ”No” on Cosley Zoo Expansion Committee. He voiced opposition to the Wheaton Park District’s application and cited various testimonies presented at the hearings.

Joan Wegrzyn, 218 W. Forest Ave., voiced opposition to the Wheaton Park District’s application and expressed property value concerns and questioned the Park District’s use of current parking and the need for additional parking.

Sharon Beiersdorf, 766 Ralph Ct., voiced opposition to the Wheaton Park District’s appiication expressing concerns reiated to speciai use standards one, two and six. She questioned the Wheaton Park District’s use of current parking and the need for additional parking.

Stacey Wecker, 1704 N. Washington St., voiced opposition to the Wheaton Park District’s appiication and urged the City Councii to postpone approval pending the results ofthe advisory question initiated by petition.

Counciiman Barbier acknowledged the Wheaton community’s common goal of being the best place. He noted he beiieved the word outsiders, spoken in comments by those in opposition of the Park District application, was used to define park attendees who reside outside of the taxing boundaries.

Councilwoman Bray—Parker noted the Council’s concern for safety and highlighted residents residing on Roosevelt Road advocating for a traffic signal to enhance safe crossing. She noted as a resident she hopes the Wheaton Park District will continue ongoing discussion and dialogue with all stakeholders regarding the future of the zoo since the Master Plan was rescinded.

Councilwoman Robbins thanked everyone for their time and energy spent on the Wheaton Park District application issue and affirmed City Council decisions are based upon facts, city ordinances and city codes.

She confirmed the Wheaton Park District is not run by the City. She urged everyone to work cooperatively and collaboratively.

Councilman Brown expressed disagreement and detailed the governance of the City resides with the City Council. He stated the Councilmembers are the ultimate representatives of the direction and tone relating to the City. He stated acquiescing to the legalities of the Park District not being in the jurisdiction of the Council misses the point. He stated the Council should pause on the legalities of the application failing standards one, two and six.

Mayor Suess reported zoning issues are the most contentious issues reviewed by the Council. He detailed parks are a permitted use in R3, which the property is zoned, and confirmed that parking lots are part of parks. He reflected upon the modifications made to the project by the Park District. He reviewed the application process and reported four meetings were held by the Planning and Zoning Board to review the application and testimony, resulting in a recommendation to the City Council. He noted the Council reviewed the record established by the Planning and Zoning Board and ensured everyone’s voice was heard. He confirmed the direction to the City Attorney to draft an ordinance for application approval resulting from the process. He confirmed the City Council’s discretion and discussion is limited in the context of a zoning issue and not a policy issue. He reported the policy issue remains that of the Wheaton Park District.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Nays: Councilman Brown

Absent: Councilman Weller

Motion Carried

6. Council Comment

None

7. Approval of Warrant

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that Warrant No. 876 in the amount of $1,096,926.85, be approved.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Nays: None

Absent: Councilman Weller

Motion Carried Unanimously

8. Adjournment

Councilwoman Bray—Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Barbier

Nays: None

Absent: Councilman Weller

Motion Carried Unanimously

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07152024-2584