Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council Planning Sessions met June 9

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. Call to Order

The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Mayor Suess following the conclusion of public hearings. The following were:

Physically Present: Mayor Suess

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilwoman Brice

Councilman Brown

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Absent: None

City Staff Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager

William Kolschowsky, Assistant City Manager

Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance

James Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering

Erik Berg, Management Analyst

Halie Cardinal, Public Relations Coordinator

II. Approval of Planning Session Minutes – May 12, 2025

The Council approved the May 12, 2025 Planning Session minutes.

III. Special Service Area 8 Renewal

City Manager Dzugan revisited the current Special Service Area 8, previously discussed at the May 12 Planning Session. Special service areas are additional property taxes within defined boundaries to cover “extraordinary” services that are not provided anywhere else in the City. Since SSA 8 expired in 2024, the City must adopt an ordinance establishing a Special Service Area 9 (SSA 9) by July 2025.

City Manager Dzugan requested that, before preparing an ordinance, the Council consider the final two components involved with establishing a replacement SSA: expenses and the first-year levy. Specifically, the Council set funding levels for both Downtown Wheaton Association (DWA) activities and City services. Once the levy is established by the Council, the tax rate would be calculated accordingly. After SSA 9 is established, the City Council would annually set the levy as needed.

At the May 12 Planning Session, the Council agreed to a seven-year term for SSA 9, expansion of the boundaries to include City-owned facilities, and a maximum tax rate of $0.45. Since then, staff also revised the purpose statement to include public art and the two parking garages. The specific  responsibilities of the City and the DWA would be further distinguished in the implementing agreement between the two parties.

Allison Orr, Executive Director of the DWA, presented three draft budgets to the City Council showing different levels of SSA funding: $325,000, $350,000, and the originally proposed $450,000. Destination marketing, previously discussed at the May 12 Planning Session, would be one of the potential new expenses at the $450,000 funding level. She highlighted case studies of successful destination marketing campaigns in other cities and how similar strategies may be applied to Wheaton to increase awareness of downtown events, restaurants, and businesses.

Council discussed alternative performance metrics to measure the success of the downtown area. In response to a Council question, Executive Director Orr stated that destination marketing campaigns could provide data metrics such as website visits and online engagement but cautioned that other desired metrics such as increased foot traffic would require more advanced software. City Manager Dzugan added that staff and the DWA could provide other performance indicators such as financial reinvestment in the area, commercial occupancy rates, and parking usage. In response to a Council question, Executive Director Orr stated that at the $325,000 funding level, the DWA would not implement destination marketing campaigns.

Council agreed to a first-year levy of $500,000 for SSA 9, allocating $325,000 for DWA activities and $175,000 for City services. City Manager Dzugan informed the Council that an ordinance reflecting the Council’s decisions would be presented at the June 16 Council meeting.

IV. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

V. City Council/City Staff Comments

Councilwoman Bray-Parker reflected on her attendance of Cream of Wheaton and the Cosley Zoo’s Run for the Animals 5K.

Mayor Suess encouraged residents to attend the Wheaton Municipal Band’s first summer concert on Thursday, June 12, at the Memorial Park bandshell.

VI. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06092025-2867