City of Wheaton City Council met April 7

Mayor Philip J. Suess | City of Wheaton Website

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

May 3, 2025

City of Wheaton City Council met April 7

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

MAYOR PHlLlP J. SUESS

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:04 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 G. Dzugan, City Manager

Dawn Didier, City Attorney

Jim Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development

Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering

Susan Bishel, Public information Officer

Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk

City Staff Electronically

Present: None

2. Citizens to be Heard

Fr. Nicolas Anton, 1408 S. Naperville Road, indicated that the minutes of the March 17, 2025 City Council meeting did not accurately reflect his public comments. He clarified that he was not dissatisfied with the City's ordinance requiring unincorporated properties to annex into the City for disconnection and reconnection to the City Sewer. He stated he expressed dissatisfaction with the City for not acknowledging the 38-year relationship concerning the Weisbrook Road property’s sewer connection to the City’s sewer system. He noted that City files contain a record ofthe 1986 annexation ofthe Weisbrook Road property to the Wheaton Sanitary District and requested the City to honor the 38-year sewer connection.

Mrs. Kristina Baugh, 530 E. lndiana Street, representing Radical Hospitality Ministries, noted their organization is still seeking a way to move forward with housing formerly incarcerated individuals at the property.

3. Consent Agenda

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

1. Approve the Minutes of the Wheaton City CouncH Special Meeting — March 10, 2025, as submitted.

2. Approve the Minutes of the Wheaton City Council Regular Meeting — March 17, 2025, as submitted.

3. Adopt Resolution R-2025-22, A Resolution Authorizing the Rental of Two (2) lO—ton Dump Trucks for the Thomas Road Drainage improvement Project from Sunbelt Rentals, lnc. through the OMNIA Partners Purchasing Cooperative for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $53,550.00.

4. Adopt Resolution R-2025-23, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Storm Sewer Materials for the Thomas Road Drainage improvement Project from Core and Main for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $62,760.00.

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

4. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-04/ Special Use Permit/ 1815 N. Main Street/ Popeyes

Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-04/ Special Use Permit/ 1815 N. Main Street/ Popeyes, be received.

City Manager Dzugan reported that the Planning and Zoning Board has recommended approval of a special use, subject to several conditions, to permit a fast—food restaurant providing drive-through and delivery services only at the former location of Dunkin’ Donuts. He noted that the site, which is situated in a flood plain and has been vacant for several years, presents numerous redevelopment challenges.

Councilman Weller stated he was pleased to see progress at the site and felt the ordinance conditions were appropriate.

Mayor Suess stated he appreciated the interest in developing the property and the investment to address the flooding.

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

Pass Ordinance 0-2025-14, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Construction and Use of a 1,580 Square Foot Commercial Building for a Fast Food and Drive-through Restaurant, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 1815 N. Main Street - Popeyes

Councilman Weller moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that O-2025-14, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Construction and Use of a 1,580 Square Foot Commercial Building for a Fast Food and Drive-through Restaurant, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 1815 N. Main Street - Popeyes, be passed.

Roll Cali Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Weiler

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously

5. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-05/ PUD Amendment/ 811 E. Butterfield Road/ Wheaton Retail Wheaton IL LLC

Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilman Brown seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25—05/ PUD Amendment/ 811 E. Butterfield Road/ Wheaton Retail Wheaton IL LLC, be received.

City Manager Dzugan stated the Planning and Zoning Board has unanimously recommended the approval of a special use, with certain conditions, to permit a drive—through service lane intended for a future restaurant at the currently vacant space located at 811 East Butterfield Road.

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

Pass Ordinance 0-2025-15, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance F-0532 as Amended 811 E. Butterfield Road — Guinness Development LLC

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that 0—2025—15, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance F—0532 as Amended 811 E. Butterfieid Road —Guinness Development LLC, be passed.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Counciiman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously

6. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-06/ Special Use/ 204 E. Geneva Road/ Fifth Third Bank

Councilman Barbier moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-06/ Special Use/ 204 E. Geneva Road/ Fifth Third Bank, be received.

City Manager Dzugan stated the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended the approval of a special use, with certain conditions, to permit a new bank building with a drive-through service lane.

Councilwoman Bray-Parker mentioned that the existing property will benefit from renovations.

Mayor Suess conveyed gratitude for the three prior agenda items, highlighting that they signify advancements and enhancements for the City.

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

Pass Ordinance 0-2025-16, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Construction and Use of a 2,800 Square-Foot Bank Building with a Drive-through Service Lane, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 204 E. Geneva Road — Fifth Third Bank

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Brown seconded that 0-2025—16, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Construction and Use of a 2,800 Square—Foot Bank Building with a Drive— through Service Lane, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 204 E. Geneva Road — Fifth Third Bank, be passed.

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

7. Pass Ordinance O-2025-17, An Ordinance Amending the Planned Unit Development to Formalize the Acquisition of a 21-Foot Strip of Land on Property Commonly Known as 301 East Loop Road - Chick fil-A

Councilman Clousing moved and Councilman Weller seconded that O-2025-17, An Ordinance Amending the Planned Unit Development to Formalize the Acquisition of a 21-Foot Strip of Land on Property Commonly Known as 301 East Loop Road — Chick—fil-A, be passed.

City Manager Dzugan stated the ordinance approves an amendment to the Chick—fil-A planned unit development which incorporated a 21—foot strip of land acquired from the adjacent WashU site to add 21 new parking spaces.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion Carried Unanimously

8. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-18, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton City Code by the Adoption of Chapter 66 (Taxation), Article XV, Imposing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax

Councilman Brown moved and Counci;woman Bray-Parker seconded that 0-2025-18, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton City Code by the Adoption of Chapter 66 (Taxation), Articie XV, Imposing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax, be passed.

City Manager Dzugan explained that the ordinance modifies the City Code to implement a 1% municipal grocery retailers and service occupation tax. He mentioned discussions about the tax during the 2025 budget workshops and highlighted its importance as a significant revenue source for the City. He clarified that the tax is not new; the state had eliminated it and granted the authority t0 municipalities to continue collecting it.

City Manager Dzugan confirmed to Councilwoman Bray-Parker that the tax does not take effect until January 1, 2026.

Mayor Suess stated that grocery sales tax is Wheaton's largest sales tax source. He noted that the Governor’s elimination of this tax would cost the City $2.2 million essential for maintaining services.

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-2025-24, A Resolution Adopting and Approving a Decision Affirming the Denial of Radical Hospitality Ministries’ Application for a Group Care Home License Councilman Brown moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that R-2025—24, A Resolution Adopting and Approving a Decision Affirming the Denial of Radical Hospitality Ministries’ Application for a Group Care Home License, be adopted.

City Manager Dzugan stated that the resolution confirms the City Council’s denial of Radical Hospitality Ministries' Group Care Home License application. He reported that the City Council affirmed the Committee's decision at the March 10, 2025 Special Meeting.

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

10. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 6, (Alcoholic Beverages) Class R and Class Z Liquor License Classifications

City Manager Dzugan stated the Local Liquor Commission provided a unanimous recommendation to amend the Liquor Code for Class R (full-service salon and spa businesses) and Class Z (private picklebaH clubs) liquor license classifications allowing the retail sale of alcoholic liquor versus only beer and wine.

11. Adopt Resolution R-2025-25, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Market License Agreement Between the City of Wheaton and Bensidoun USA, Inc.

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that R—2025-25, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Market License Agreement Between the City of Wheaton and Bensidoun USA, lnc., be adopted.

City Manager Dzugan stated the agreement permits the use of Lot 3 and Liberty Drive, between Cross Street and Main Street, for an open-air market, April 1 through November 30. He reported the French Market tested the use of Liberty for additional vendor spaces and parking though a special event permit in 2024 finding it very successful.

Councilwoman Bray—Parker reported the French Market season will commence on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Mayor Suess remarked that the year 2025 will mark the 29th anniversary of the French Market

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilman Barbier

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Nays None

Absent None