Advisory Commission on Disabilities

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 http://www.naperville.il.us/ Meeting Minutes - Final Advisory Commission on Disabilities Thursday, August 7, 2025 6:30 PM NEU A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Siddiqui called the August 7, 2025 Advisory Commission on Disabilities to order at 6:30 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Present 7- Lisa Cesal, Suhel Siddiqui, David Halleck, Donielle Deering, Ghousia Wajid, Allison Longenbaugh, and Santos Chaparro Absent 1- Wendy Pligge Also present Dawn Portner, City Clerk, Melanie Marcordes, Director of Community Services, and Marcie Schatz Assistant to the City Manager. Commissioner Cesal entered the meeting at 6:34 p.m. C. PUBLIC FORUM: No speakers for Public Forum. D. REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Receive an update on Visitability Councilwoman Longenbaugh discussed her recent meetings with local attorneys and developers about Visitability and how important it is to discuss this topic before the plans go to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. She stated based on the efforts of the ACTF and the ACD discussing the importance of this topic 6 out of 50 new homes being built by M/I Homes at 111th Street will have a no-step entry, wheelchair accessible first floor bath, 32" clear doorways and 42" wide first floor hallways. Councilwoman Longenbaugh left the meeting at 6:59 p.m. 2. Receive the 2025 Naperville Board and Commission Member Training Schatz presented the Naperville Boards and Commission members training to the ACD Commission. City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 11/18/2025 Advisory Commission on Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2025 Disabilities 3. Receive an update from the City’s Department of Public Works Budget and Administrative Manager; Christine Schwartzhoff and Deputy Director of DPW; Marc Noll provided an update on the Department of Public Works responsibilities and services it offers to the community. The Commission discussed the snow removal program and ADA concerns and new projects being planned at the 5th Avenue Train Station. 4. Receive an update from the Accessibility Community Taskforce Mary Hamill, Chair of the Accessibility Community Task Force (ACTF) updated the Commission on the following ACTF initiatives: 1) An ACTF representative attended the community Affordable Housing Roundtable on May 13th where community and housing organizations shared information about how the lack of affordable housing is affecting many populations, including people with disabilities, in this area. 2) On May 7th and 15th, an ACTF representative attended the Riverwalk Commission Asset Management Plan Walks. They made suggestions regarding accessible entrance signage at the Carillon Visitor Center as well as along the Riverwalk. The Park District is aware of uneven pavers (potential tripping hazard) by the Rubin Family Circle and will be repairing them. The Park District along with the County will be converting the granite trail to pavers to address drainage issues with the additional consequence of making this trail more accessible for people who use mobility devices. 3) On May 16th an ACTF representative attended the Naper Settlement Museum Board Meeting to share their appreciation of how Naper Settlement is making its programs and facilities more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities. They are holding Sensory Friendly Saturdays over the summer and their website offers clear information about their accessibility resources available to the public. 4) On June 10th, an ACTF representative participated in the 5th Avenue Study Group Interview and shared that making any form of project development that includes accessibility will be beneficial to all residents of and visitors to Naperville. 5) On June 17th, an ACTF representative attended Rep. Janet Yang Rohr’s Diversity and Inclusion Citizen Advisory Panel. Illinois 104th General Assembly legislation that passed that benefits persons with disabilities were HB2537, HR39, HR15. Rep. Yang Rohr co-sponsored HB0045, HB1874, HB1814. In the 103th General Assembly Rep. Yang Rohr co-sponsored HB 3931 and HR727. 6) Following the May 8th ACD meeting, the ACTF invited public speaker Ellie Martin to attend their June 11th ACTF meeting. She shared her presentation to the ACD and it was decided to meet with her, Katie Wood from the Downtown Naperville Alliance, and Dawn Portner, ACD/ACTF liaison for a “Accessibility Stroll.” On June 21st they strolled down both sides of Jefferson Avenue from City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 11/18/2025 Advisory Commission on Meeting Minutes - Final August 7, 2025 Disabilities Main Street to Washington Street discussing impediments along the way that impact persons with disabilities. 7) At the June 11th ACTF meeting they discussed the ADA Transition Plan for public sidewalk that Glen Ellyn is initiating by gathering feedback on the pedestrian routes and travel habits of its residents. The funding for this project is from the Chicago Metropolitian Agency for Planning (CMAP). Further research found that Warrenville, Libertyville and LaGrange Park are also doing this project. CMAP staff replied to their inquiry with the information that Naperville already has this Plan. Their search of the City’s website shows a Plan from February 2016 with a goal update in 2018. E. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Approve the minutes of the May 8, 2025, Advisory Commission on Disabilities meeting A motion was made by Commissioner Hallack, seconded by Commissioner Cesal to approve the Advisory Commission on Disabilities meeting minutes of May 8, 2025. The motion carried by a voice vote. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discuss Naperville becoming an Autism Friendly Community Portner stated the City has started meeting with Little Friends and Turning Pointe in an effort to discuss the City of Naperville becoming an Autism Friendly Community. Discussions will continue and she will update the Commission with additional information as soon as they are available. G. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Commissioner Wajid, seconded by Commissioner Deering, to adjourn the August 7, 2025 Advisory Commission on Disabilities meeting at 8:05 p.m.. The motion carried by a voice vote. /s/ Dawn Portner Dawn Portner City Clerk City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 11/18/2025