Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council Planning Sessions met Oct. 14

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Suess. The following were:

Physically Present: Mayor Suess

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Absent: Councilman Brown

City Staff Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager

Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance

Halie Cardinal, Public Relations Coordinator

II. Approval of Planning Session Minutes – September 23, 2024

The City Council approved the September 23, 2024, City Council Planning Session Minutes.

III. Public Comment

Penny Eilers, 623 E. Indiana St., expressed concerns about the Group Care Home License application for 530 E. Indiana St., citing the applicant's plan to use the property for transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals and its location within a residential neighborhood. She discussed aspects of the Fair Housing Act that apply to group care homes but do not extend to individuals with criminal records and urged the City to not approve the license request.

James Baugh, 530 E. Indiana St., stated he is a co-director of Radical Hospitality Ministries, and his organization applied for a Group Care Home License at 530 E. Indiana St. He stated the organization is not currently housing any formerly incarcerated individuals at 530 E. Indiana St. and encouraged community members to communicate with his organization directly regarding their questions and concerns.

Stephen Lunn, 616 E. Indiana St., expressed safety concerns about using 530 E. Indiana St. as transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals, and he stated that he did not think this residential location would be appropriate for this type of facility.

Katrina Baugh, 530 E. Indiana St., stated she is a co-director of Radical Hospitality Ministries, and she stated the organization would be glad to engage with the neighborhood and answer any questions they have.

Pat Fullriede, 725 E. Indiana St., expressed safety concerns about using 530 E. Indiana St. as transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Paul Smith, resident of E. Evergreen St., expressed safety concerns about using 530 E. Indiana St. as transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals because of its proximity to Lowell Elementary School and the children in the immediate area.

Ryan Rusin, 608 E. Indiana St., highlighted a statement made by one of the applicants for the group care home license for 530 E. Indiana St. related to fearing individuals convicted of felonies.

John Felker, 900 block of E. Indiana St., stated there is a halfway house close to his home, and there have been no incidents with having that facility in a residential neighborhood. He stated he does not object to having a group care home on Indiana Street and that the City would have a vetting process that would determine whether the use was appropriate in a neighborhood location in accordance with City Code.

Lisa Fister, 711 E. Indiana St., stated another group care home in the area raised similar safety concerns when it became a group care home but that there have been no issues.

Julia Rusin, 608 E. Indiana St., expressed concern for the screening process of the individuals residing at 530 E. Indiana St. should the Group Care Home License application be approved. She also expressed safety concerns for children in the neighborhood.

Mara Myrick, 811 E. Indiana St., expressed concern for the screening process of the individuals residing at 530 E. Indiana St. should the Group Care Home License application be approved.

Max Keate, 532 S. Washington St., expressed safety concerns about using 530 E. Indiana St. as transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals because of its proximity to Lowell Elementary School and the children in the neighborhood.

Joe Kreidl, 526 E. Indiana St., expressed safety concerns about using 530 E. Indiana St. as transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals, citing its location in a residential neighborhood and the increase in vehicles parked at the property.

Jennifer Fitzpatrick, 525 E. Indiana St., expressed safety concerns about using 530 E. Indiana St. as transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals, citing its location in a residential neighborhood.

IV. 2024 General Purpose and Debt Service Property Tax Levy – Estimate

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the City’s Property Tax Levy is divided into two main components: the General Purpose Levy and Debt Service Levy. The proposed 2024 Extended Property Tax Levy totals $20.6 million. Staff recommended maintaining a flat tax levy for the 2025 Budget, which would be the sixth consecutive year without an increase. The 2024 General Purpose Levy is projected to decrease by 3.4% ($0.6 million), while the Debt Service Levy is expected to rise by 13.6% ($0.6 million), which balances out to create the overall flat levy.

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that from 2017 to 2023, the City’s portion of property tax distribution decreased from 13% to 11.8%. He stated that the City’s property tax rate decreased from 2017 to 2023 by 17.1%.

In response to a Council question, Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the property tax rate is based on a home’s Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV).

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the financial impact of the 2024 Levy for a property owner will vary based on the change in the assessed value of their property from 2023 to 2024. With the proposed tax levy, a property owner would have an annual decrease of approximately $3 in the City’s portion of their 2024 property tax bill.

In response to a Council question, Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the City’s General Fund reserves are healthy and above target.

V. 2024 SSA #3 Streams Property Tax Levy – Estimate

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that SSA #3 was established in 1987 to provide maintenance of open spaces within the Streams Subdivision. The ordinance establishing SSA #3 allowed a maximum tax rate of $0.15 per $100 of assessed value. The proposed 2024 Extended Tax Levy is flat.

VI. 2024 SSA #8 Downtown Promotional & Municipal Services Property Tax Levy – Estimate

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that SSA #8 was established in 2018 to fund activities and services within the SSA #8 district boundaries. The ordinance establishing SSA #8 set a maximum tax rate of $0.45 per $100 of assessed value. The 2024 Tax Levy, collected in 2025, will be the last levy year for SSA #8. The Downtown Wheaton Association (DWA) has requested $275,500 for their 2025 Budget, the same amount as last year. In addition, staff recommend allocating $150,000 for downtown municipal services. The total levy request is $425,500, which matches last year’s levy.

In response to a Council question, Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated the City intends to allocate $150,000 towards the Parking Fund.

Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated the following meetings are scheduled related to the 2024 Property Tax Levies and the 2025 Budget: Nov. 11 – Budget Workshop Session, Dec. 2 – 2024 Property Tax Levy First Reading, Dec. 9 – 2025 Budget Public Hearing, and Dec. 16 – 2024 Budget Adoption and 2024 Property Tax Levy Adoption.

VII. Downtown Wheaton Association - 2025 Budget

DWA Executive Director Allison Orr thanked the 2024 Board of Directors, business owners, and community partners for their support. Highlighting 2024 achievements, she stated that 21 new businesses opened in the CBD; over 4,100 tickets were sold across 40 events and promotions; participation in the DWA’s gift certificate program increased; and the DWA’s social media following increased. Executive Director Orr noted that the DWA joined the International Downtown Association and was voted “Best Downtown Atmosphere” by Daily Herald readers.

Executive Director Orr stated that 2024 marketing and advertising efforts included direct mail postcards, television campaigns, and radio campaigns. In 2025, the DWA plans to execute a rebrand; enhance their website; create an online interactive map; create a Downtown Wheaton Visitors Guide; and launch an advertising co-op program with downtown businesses.

In response to a Council question, Executive Director Orr stated that the DWA previously used Placer.ai to gather location intelligence and foot traffic analytics. However, the DWA does not currently use the service due to budget constraints. She stated that the DWA could work with City staff to analyze sales tax metrics to assess the foot traffic within the downtown.

Executive Director Orr stated that the DWA is in a strong financial position in 2024. She stated that in 2023 the DWA was at 43% of total revenue from SSA #8, and projects 49% for 2024 and 48% for 2025.

In response to a Council question, Executive Director Orr stated that the DWA received in-kind sponsorships through trade agreements. These agreements provided the DWA with discounted office space and bookkeeping services in exchange for offering advertising opportunities.

Council members thanked the DWA staff for their hard work, detailed reports, and successful efforts in advertising and marketing, recognizing how these contributions enhance the City of Wheaton.

VIII. City Council/Staff Comments

Councilman Barbier thanked the Wheaton Park District for successfully executing the Halloween Happening event on Friday, Oct. 11 and the DWA for executing the Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, Oct. 12.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10142024-2652