Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton City Council met Sept. 2

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

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

City Staff Physically

Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager

William Koischowsky, Assistant City Manager

Dawn Didier, City Attorney

Jim Kozik, Director of Pianning & Economic Development

Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance

Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering

AI McMillen, Water Superintendent

Sean Walsh, Assistant Director of Public Works

Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk

City Staff Electronically

Present: None

2. Citizens to be Heard

Juliette Zweig, 49 Somerset Circle, emailed arosedale@wheaton.i|.us on August 27, 2025, requesting her memo titled ”Exhibit: Liability Clarification Memo Re: Lot 19, Loretto Club (49 Somerset Circle, Wheaton, 1L)” be reflected as public comment at the Council meeting, a document outlining concerns at her property (Lot 19, 49 Somerset Circle).

3. Consent Agenda

Councilwoman Robbins 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 Council Regular Meeting — August 18, 2025, as submitted.

2. Adopt Resolution R-2025—71, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Certain Surplus Property (PD).

3. Approve Application for a Class A Liquor License — Mi Casa Restaurant Grill inc. d/b/a Mi Casa Restaurant and Grill — 1720 N. Main Street.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

MayorSuess

Councilman Clousing

Nays: None

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

Motion Carried Unanimously

4. Reappointments to City Commissions

Mayor Suess moved and Councilwoman Bray—Parker seconded that Lewis Achenbach be reappointed to the Fine & Cuttural Arts Commission and Nancy Fiynn be reappointed to the Environmental improvement Commission for three-year terms through September 2, 2028.

Roll Caii Vote:

Ayes: Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown

Nays: None

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

Motion Carried Unanimously

5. First Reading of, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 74 (Utilities), Article i (in General) Relating to Locatability of Utilities

City Manager Dzugan explained the ordinance updates the City Code to comply with a state law requiring utility service lines to be easily locatable, aiming to prevent damage to underground utilities. in response to Mayor Suess and Councilman Clousing, Assistant Director of Public Works Walsh clarified that only non-conductive utilities are affected and noted that tracer wire is commonly used to make plastic or clay tile lines conductive.

6. Adopt Resolution R-2025-72, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 567 with Uno Construction Company, Inc. for the 2025 Lead Service Line Replacement Program for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $430,000 and a 10% Contingency Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that R—2025-72, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 567 with Uno Construction Company, inc. for the 2025 Lead Service Line Replacement Program for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $430,000 and a 10% Contingency, be adopted.

City Manager Dzugan reported receiving three bids to replace 55 private water lead services, pending agreements from all property owners. He noted the work is funded by the Water Fund to address a priority goal of removing lead water services.

In response to Councilwoman Bray—Parker, Water Superintendent McMillen confirmed Uno Construction Company, lnc.'s references were good, licenses are in good standing, and licensed plumbers will be on staff. City Manager Dzugan noted the prices are slightly higher than last year.

Mayor Suess acknowledged the significant progress in nearly completing the replacement of private lead service lines in the City.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Nays: None

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

Motion Carried Unanimously

7. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-40, An Ordinance Annexing a Certain Property to the City of Wheaton, Illinois 15731 Orchard Road - Wlodarek Councilman Weller moved and Councilman Brown seconded that 0—2025—40, An Ordinance Annexing a Certain Property to the City of Wheaton, Illinois 15731 Orchard Road — Wlodarek, be passed.

City Manager Dzugan stated the next two agenda items pertain to the annexation of the property located at 15731 Orchard Road. He reported the property had a pre-annexation agreement requiring its annexation once it became contiguous with the City. He confirmed the property became contiguous following the annexation of 1501 Waldorth Court. He noted this ordinance annexes the property, and the subsequent ordinance will zone the property as R-3.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilman Weller

Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Nays: None

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

Motion Carried Unanimously

8. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-41, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Zoning Map on Certain Property Commonly Known as 15731 Orchard Road — Wlodarek

Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that 0—2025-41, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Zoning Map on Certain Property Commonly Known as 15731 Orchard Road - Wlodarek, be passed.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Nays: None

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

Motion Carried Unanimously

9. First Reading of, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 66 Taxation, Article VII Real Estate Transfer Tax

City Manager Dzugan stated the ordinance amends the City’s Real Estate TransferTax Article. He explained staff reviewed the City Code in connection with launching the new online portal for submitting transfer stamp applications, which resulted in slight modifications to the process. He reported two additional changes are being proposed: first, refund categories are now listed as exemptions to eliminate the need for staff to process refunds and allow qualifying owners to receive the benefit upfront; second, the removal of the refund category for owner—occupied commercial properties moving from one Wheaton commercial property to another.

He provided an example where currently, if someone sells a home in Wheaton and purchases another home in Wheaton, they pay the tax and then request a refund. However, under the new process, they will simply receive an exemption at the time of purchase. He confirmed this change simplifies the process and is more customer-friendly. He also stated the removal of the refund category for owner-occupied commercial properties rarely applies and will not have a significant impact on many property owners, as most businesses lease rather than own property, and noted the City's concern for lost revenue should a large transaction occur.

10. Council Comment

Councilwoman Robbins reminded the community about the upcoming Wheaton Police Department Distracted Driving Safety Campaign running from September 3 to September 30.

11. Approval of Warrant

Councilwoman Bray—Parker moved and Councilman Brown seconded that Warrant No. 903 in the amount of $1,341,038.53, be approved.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Nays: None

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

Motion Carried Unanimously

12. Adjournment

Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins

Councilman Weller

Councilwoman Bray—Parker

Councilman Brown

Mayor Suess

Councilman Clousing

Nays: None

Absent: Councilwoman Brice

Motion Carried Unanimously

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09022025-2927