City Council Meetings

WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS MAYOR 1P; FAJé‘ES COUNCILWOMAN i HH‘Ifa i § x‘aH HHK‘I { COUNCILMAN ‘xi’f‘I'I COUNCILMAN ;§H.»"+IZI‘ ~ <;.I <;:ni_,li:.lNei1 e COUNCILWOMAN P-a'NN H<,.w§‘~E.E%Ir~-i$ 1 COUNCILMAN C U‘ ‘3TR?F“;I WHFV»-‘~.Tc;“';~s\;‘ II 1 IrnlifiaS Monday, September 15, 2025 1. Call to Order and Roll Call The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was caHed to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Philip J. Suess. Upon roH call, the following were: PhysicaHy Present: Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Welier Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Electronically Present: Councilman Brown Absent: None Mayor Suess announced the City Clerk had received notice from Councilman Brown, in accordance with Wheaton City Code Section 2-42 to attend the meeting electronically. No objections were received, and Mayor Suess confirmed authorization for Councilman Brown to electronically attend and participate in the meeting. City Staff Physically Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager William Kolschowsky, Assistant City Manager Dawn Didier, City Attorney Jim Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering Sean Walsh, Assistant Director of Public Works Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk City Staff Electronically Present: None 2. Presentation Mayor Suess read and presented a proclamation to members of the Wheaton League of Women Voters in recognition of the organization’s 70th Anniversary. The members thanked the Mayor and City Councilmembers for recognition of their organization noting that the proclamation accurately reflects their service to the Wheaton community. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, September 15, 2025 3. Citizens to be Heard Erica Nelson, Kay Road, congratulated the League of Women Voters of Wheaton on their 70th Anniversary. She expressed concern about how her public comment regarding the upcoming Wheaton Block Party was reflected in the August 6, 2025, Community Reiations Commission meeting minutes. She noted that her comments regarding a change in the direction of the Commission were not recorded. She mentioned that in that meeting, the current Chair shared they had communicated with library staff about the Commission moving away from subgroup programs, which she noted were partner programs included in the Commission's Annuai Report. David Sohmer, 720 N. Main Street, Chair of the Community Reiations Commission, invited the entire community to attend the first community-wide Wheaton Biock Party aimed at celebrating yesterday, today and tomorrow. He stated the event will feature live entertainment, carnival games, music, food, Wheaton history talks, antique cars, Wheaton Police Officers, City Council members and local politicians. He noted the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans will be selling water with all proceeds returning to the shelter. Thomas Johnson, of 325 W. Harrison Street, voiced safety concerns about the design of the Gary Avenue reconstruction. He raised issues regarding the multipurpose lane and requested that the City reevaluate or pause the project. City Manager Dzugan mentioned that staff disagreed with Mr. Johnson's assessments concerning Gary Avenue. Mayor Suess invited Director Tebrugge to provide background information on the Gary Avenue project, specifically focusing on safety. Director Tebrugge explained that in 2020, City staff and Thomas Engineering met with IDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to discuss the Gary Avenue project and pedestrian path. He confirmed approval was granted to proceed with the street and path as long as the Bureau of Local Roads manual was followed, in line with Chapter 42 specifications. He noted that in 2021, two public sessions were conducted to present the design to the community, which included a pedestrian path. He reported the feedback received was positive. He indicated that the path and roadway geometry meets the criteria for recreational users, and noted that in October 2022, IDOT approved the design, confirming that it met all Federal Highway Administration standards, allowing them to proceed with finalizing the path and roadway design. In response to Mayor Suess, Director Tebrugge clarified that to accommodate the multi-use path on Gary Avenue, the roadway was narrowed from its previous width, and per IDOT requirements, curbs were installed. He stated, this resulted in narrower lanes providing adequate space for specific off—street bicycle facilities as a safety enhancement. Justine Mershman, 804 E. Illinois Street, reported concerns regarding traffic noting blocked driveways, double parking and speeding on Willow and Illinois streets near Lowell Elementary School. She asked the City to consider placing a Radar Speed Sign on these streets similar to the flashing speed sign on Warrenville Road. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, September 15, 2025 4. Consent Agenda Councilman Weller moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that the foll0wing action be taken on the Consent Agenda items: 1. Approve the Minutes of the Wheaton City Council Pubiic Hearing — August 25, 2025 (Special Service Area No. 9), as submitted. 2. Approve the Minutes of the Wheaton City Council Regular Meeting — September 2, 2025, as submitted. 3. Adopt Resoiution R—2025-73, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposai of Certain Surpius Property (PD). 4. Adopt Resoiution R-2025-74, A Resoiution Authorizing the Execution of Change Order #2 to Agreement No. 457 with RJN Group, inc. for Professional Engineering Services for the Basins 3 and 4 Sanitary Sewer Main Discharge Replacement Project for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $21,200 and a Total Award of $434,750. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 5. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-42, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 74 (Utilities), Article i (In General) Relating to Locatability of Utilities Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilwoman Bray—Parker seconded that 0-2025-42, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 74 (Utilities), Article l (in General) Relating to Locatability of Utilities, be passed. City Manager Dzugan stated the ordinance amends the City Code to address a recent state law which requires utility service lines to be locatable. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, September 15, 2025 Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 6. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-43, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 66 Taxation, Article VII Real Estate Transfer Tax Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that 0—2025-43, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 66 Taxation, Article VII Real Estate Transfer Tax, be passed. City Manager Dzugan noted that the ordinance modifies the Real Estate TransferTax article in three ways: amendments to update the processes for the new online portal, listing refund categories as exemptions to provide benefits upfront, and removing the category for owner—occupied commercial properties. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 7. Appointment and Reappointment to City Board and Commission Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that Sharon Ann Henry—Sifnotis be appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and David Sohmer be reappointed to the Community Relations Commission for three-year terms through September 15, 2028. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilman Weller Councilman Brown Nays: Councilwoman Robbins Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Absent: None Motion Carried 8. Receive Zoning Petition — 25-000040 COUNTY OF DUPAGE — Division of Transportation Maintenance Facility Special Use Zoning Proceeding and Motion to Direct City Attorney to Prepare an Ordinance as Directed WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, September 15, 2025 Councilman Weller moved and Councilwoman Brice seconded that Zoning Petition — 25—000040 COUNTY OF DUPAGE — Division of Transportation Maintenance Facility Special Use Zoning Proceeding and Motion to Direct City Attorney to Prepare an Ordinance as Directed, be received. City Manager Dzugan stated the report from the DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals is regarding a special use for the construction of a 178,000 square foot highway maintenance faciiity on the DuPage County campus. He noted the lntergovernmentai Agreement (IGA) between the City and County conveys certain reguiatory controi to the County, and per the IGA the County held the public hearing on the application creating the record. He noted the City Council may approve the special use with or without conditions or deny the application within 3O days of receipt ofthe hearing documents. He stated that staff recommended the Council direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance with the six conditions recommended by the DuPage County Zoning Board to be drafted for consideration at the October 6 City Council meeting. Paul Hoss, Secretary of the DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals introduced Steve Travia, Division of Transportation and Tim Harbaugh, with Facilities Management Group to offer additional project details. Mr. Travia reported the project would replace their 70—year-old maintenance facility currently located on the west side of the County campus. He stated the new modern facility would put operations under one roof and shared a graphic of the old facility and location, and one of the new facility and location. He highlighted a salt facility that will be entirely enclosed. He stated they will continue the relationship with the Fair Association for use of the 509 parking deck for weekend events. He highlighted the facility will be accessed through the County Complex at the North County Farm signal, with no additional traffic burden to Manchester Road. in response to Councilwoman Bray—Parker, Mr. Harbaugh stated both parking decks were constructed in 1991 and are undergoing scheduled repairs, based on available funding, resulting in closed areas, which they will try and minimize during fairground events to allow maximum spots available. Mr. Travia stated the existing building is at the end of its useful life and anticipates that the County’s Master Plan will be to use the building for light storage for a period of time before being demolished. in response to Councilman Clousing, Mr. Harbaugh stated the overflow parking area has two primary functions including snow storage for the City and parking which is 100% available for the Wheaton Park District when not used by the FairAssociation. He noted a solid relationship with the Wheaton Park District confirming the Graf Park overflow parking agreement will continue for a long time to come. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Nay$ None Absent None Motion Carried Unanimously WHEAHwJCHYCOUNCHPROCEEmNGS Monday, September 15, 2025 Motion to direct City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for City Council consideration approving the proposed special use permit subject to the six conditions recommended by the DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals Councilwoman Bray—Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded a Motion to direct City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for City Council consideration approving the proposed special use permit subject to the six conditions recommended by the DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weiler Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 9. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-15/ Text Amendment and Special Use Permit/ 923 E. Roosevelt Road/ Candle of Hope Foundation Councilman Weller moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-15/ Text Amendment and Special Use Permit/ 923 E. Roosevelt Road/ Candle of Hope Foundation, be received. City Manager Dzugan stated the Planning and Zoning Board report recommended a text amendment and special use to allow a domestic animal lounge at 923 E. Roosevelt Road, in the R-R-3 zoning sector. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously Pass Ordinance 0-2025-44, An Ordinance Amending the Text of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance to Allow Domestic Animal Lounges by Special Use Permit in the Roosevelt Road Corridor District, R-R-3 Sector — Candle of Hope Foundation WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, September 15, 2025 Councilman Weller moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that 0-2025-44, An Ordinance Amending the Text of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance to Allow Domestic Animai Lounges by Special Use Permit in the Rooseveit Road Corridor District, R-R-3 Sector -— Candie of Hope Foundation, be passed. Councilman Brown noted he is not in favor of a text amendment for a use like this in light of the broader plan on which the City spent a tremendous amount of time, energy and resources throughout the Roosevelt Road Corridor planning. Councilwoman Robbins echoed Councilman Brown’s statement noting staff and Council’s hard work on the Roosevelt Road Corridor plan since 2018, confirming she doesn’t see how this use fits within the plan laid out. Councilman Weller noted he was not in support of a low intensity type of use in the high intensity area of Roosevelt Road. He noted his desire to allow the area to season from changes made to the zoning of the Roosevelt Road Corridor. Councilman Clousing reported his opinion concurred with the three councilmembers that spoke before him. Councilwoman Brice noted difficulty understanding the benefit of having a domestic animal lounge in this area. Councilwoman Bray—Parker favored the recommendations from both staff and the Planning and Zoning Board. Mayor Suess expressed concerns regarding the text amendment relative to the points already made. He noted the extensive work defining the permitted and special uses. He stated the City is not at a point where they’re willing to amend or grant exceptions to what was recently approved with respect to the Roosevelt Road Corridor zoning. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker Nays: Councilman Weller Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Absent: None Motion Failed 10. Ordinance 0-2025-45, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Construction, Operation and Maintenance of a Domestic Animal Lounge on Property Commonly Known as 923 E. Roosevelt Road — Candle of Hope Foundation, rendered moot based upon the failure of 0-2025-44. 11. Council Comment Councilwoman Bray—Parker recognized the League of Women Voters of Wheaton and highlighted their volunteer efforts which includes visits to multiple high schools to register people to vote. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, September 15, 2025 Councilwoman Brice expressed gratitude to the League of Women Voters of Wheaton for their efforts, including helping her run for the councilmember seat. She noted she looks forward to hearing their new insights and input to get people engaged. She reported she is still on the fence regarding the cat domestic animal lounge and noted seeing cat cafes and other cafes around the world that have animals, which she believes are great. Councilman Clousing extended his condolences to Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk’s family, noting Charlie’s love for America and his impactful campus debates that encouraged critical thinking. He spoke of Charlie’s impact on his own children and hoped this tragedy could help heal America, noting Charlie’s belief that debate was a relief valve for violence. He highlighted the global response to Charlie’s legacy through prayer and unity. He praised the Council’s courteousness with each other when conflicting opinions arise, noting their actions exemplify and encourage peace and prosperity in Wheaton. Councilwoman Bray—Parker elaborated on Councilman Clousing’s statement, highlighting that gun violence has a detrimental impact and creates negative ripple effects throughout our communities. She also expressed her thoughts for Melissa and Mark Hortman from Minnesota, as well as acknowledging the unfortunate school shootings that have occurred in recent weeks. Mayor Suess thanked everyone for participating in the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, noting a good turnout and the significance of remembering its impact on Wheaton. 12. Approval of Warrant Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Warrant No. 904 in the amount of $2,212,887.71, be approved. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 13. Adjournment Councilwoman Brice moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:51 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, September 15, 2025 Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimouslv RespectfuHy submitted, WW Andrea Rosedaie City Clerk Submitted for Approvai: October 6, 2025