City Council Meetings

WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS MAYOR PHJLIP J, 5UESS COUNCILWOMAN ERICA BMW-PARKER i COUNCILWOMAN LEAH ERICE j COUNCILMAN SCOTT BROWN COUNCILMAN 3RADLEY CLOUSING J COUNCILWOMAN LYNN ROBBINS i COUNCILMAN SCOYT WELLER WHEATON CITY HALL. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, E303 W WESLEY STREET, WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60!87 Monday, November 17, 2025 1. Call to Order and Roll Call The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:0l 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 Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Absent: None City Staff Physically Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager William Kolschowsky, Assistant City Manager Dawn Didier, City Attorney Robert Brill, Fire Chief Jim Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development Holly Schulz, Director of Human Resources Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering Princeton Youker, Police Chief Erik Berg, Management Analyst Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer Andrea Rosedale, City Clerk City Staff Electronically Present: None 2. Report of City Manager City Manager Dzugan announced Gary Avenue will reopen on Wednesday, November l9, 2025. He mentioned that some work is still pending completion and cautioned that lane closures may occur, allowing only one—way traffic during specific periods. 3. Presentations Mayor Suess presided over the swearing-in ceremony for Police Officer Viktoriia G. Kuzmykha, preceded by remarks from Police Chief Youker. Mayor Suess presided over the swearing-in ceremonies for Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Hunecke, Fire Lieutenant Craig Williams, Fire Lieutenant Jacob Renteria, Candidate Firefighter Joseph McAsey, Candidate Firefighter Omar Portillo, Candidate Firefighter Dante Macaluso, and Candidate Firefighter Bryan Cocallas, each preceded by remarks from Fire Chief Brill. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, November 1 7, 2025 4. Citizens to be Heard None. 5. Consent Agenda Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the foilowing action be taken on the Consent Agenda items: 1. Approve the Minutes of the Wheaton City Council Regular Meeting — November 3, 2025, as submitted. 2. Adopt Resoiution R-2025—88, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Certain Surplus Property (lT). 3. Adopt Resolution R—2025—89, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Certain Surplus Property (Fire Department). 4. Adopt Resolution R—202S—90, A Resolution of the City of Wheaton in Support of the lllinois AmericaZSO Commemoration. 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 6. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-24/ Special Use Permit/ 601 Centennial Drive/ Wheaton College Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Brown seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-24/ Special Use Permit/ 601 Centennial Drive/ Wheaton College, be received. City Manager Dzugan stated the report from the Planning and Zoning Board recommends approval of a special use permit request from Wheaton College to allow construction of a 18,000 sq. ft. addition on the north side of the existing Chrouser Sports Complex. He noted the agenda also includes an ordinance approving the special use permit with certain conditions including additional landscaping, lighting and sound standards, and a requirement that the College and City work together to more clearly define an existing easement for utilities that are beneath 3 buildings and parking areas. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins \W. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, November 17, 2025 Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimouslv Councilwoman Brice raised concerns about losing prime parking spots. Chief Facilities OfficerJay Beieszke responded that the value of a spot depends on where students live or work. He confirmed the reduction will affect some students but other parking options exist. He noted that bringing cars to college is a privilege, with parking spaces allocated based on seniority. Councilwoman Bray-Parker sought clarification pertaining to dialogue between the City, Wheaton College and neighbors in the neighborhood pertaining to students parking on the streets. Director Tebrugge explained residents at the meeting were made aware they must submit a petition for parking changes on their block. He stated the City will then review and make necessary adjustments to parking. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-50, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Construction and Use of a One-story, 18,400 Square-foot Addition on the North Side of the Existing Chrouser Sports Complex, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 601 Centennial Drive - Wheaton College Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that O—2025-50, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Construction and Use of a One-story, 18,400 Square-foot Addition on the North Side of the Existing Chrouser Sports Complex, on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 601 Centennial Drive — Wheaton College, be passed. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimouslv 7. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25-22/ Special Use Permit/ 125 E. Front Street/ CrossFunction LLC Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Brice seconded that Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #25—22/ Special Use Permit/ 125 E. Front Street/ CrossFunction LLC, be received. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, November 17, 2025 City Manager Dzugan stated the Planning and Zoning Board recommends approval of a special use permit request from CrossFunction, LLC to allow a co-working space on the main floor of the property located at 125 Front Street, the former Carlson’s Hardware store. 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 In response to Councilwoman Brice, Trent Stoner, Principal for CrossFunction LLC confirmed the demand for workspaces exists in Wheaton and noted their space in Oak Park has been at full capacity since opening. He stated that since the pandemic, people have a desire to work and live close to home noting that Wheaton offers walkable streets, shops, restaurants and coffee shops. In response to Councilwoman Brice, Director Kozik stated the City doesn’t have data on the volume of business for co—working spaces in Wheaton. He noted The Kilns opened recently on Wesley indicating there seems to be a demand for such spaces. Mr. Stoner noted each of the co-working spaces provides a slightly different product, highlighting their space is predominantly for small business professionals offering 75—80% private office, and 20—25% daily use for meetings. He stated since 2020, the location in Oak Park has low turnover with the average customer staying 3 years. He asked the Council to consider the new residents coming to Wheaton with the construction of the apartments on Liberty bringing an increased demand for offices close to home. Councilman Brown expressed caution relating to the addition of new co-working space in consideration of the existing downtown co—working spaces. He noted concern with downtown development consuming the City’s retail dry powder. In response to Councilwoman Brice, Director Kozik confirmed the building has been difficult to lease due to its size and the significant investment required for any use. Councilwoman Brice and Councilman Brown noted it being an ideal spot for retail. Mayor Suess expressed his appreciation to CrossFunction, LLC for their interest to invest in Downtown Wheaton. He raised concerns about limiting the Downtown's retail space, noting that the presentations and materials did not address the costs associated with reducing retail space. He stated that the existing use of the area is intended to accommodate pedestrian-oriented retail businesses and other retail uses at the center of the City. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, November 17, 2025 AdditionaHy, Mayor Suess noted three similar businesses operating in the Downtown area did not require a special use permit. He mentioned that if the business were located on the second floor, it would not restrict the existing retail component and a special use permit would not be required. Mr. Stoner stated that although the business is not a retail business, it operates similarly by attracting daily pedestrian traffic for working, meeting, and gathering. He noted that the business brings significant foot traffic, citing people's desire to live and work in the downtown area where they can access various businesses Wheaton offers. He estimated based on their Oak Park office projections, that their office members could spend an average of $100,000 annually in Downtown Wheaton, which represents an economic impact that Downtown Wheaton has been missing since January 2023 in a quieter edge of Downtown. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-51, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow a Business and Professional Office (Co-working Space) to Occupy the Main Floor of an Existing Building Commonly Known as 125 E. Front Street — CrossFunction, LLC Councilman Weller moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that O-2025-51, An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow a Business and Professional Office (Co-working Space) to Occupy the Main Floor of an Existing Building Commonly Known as 125 E. Front Street — CrossFunction, LLC, be passed. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Weller Nays: Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Absent: None Motion Failed 8. Adopt Resolution R-2025-91, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Subsidy Agreement Between the City of Wheaton and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority Councilman Clousing moved and Councilman Brown seconded that R—2025-91, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution ofa Subsidy Agreement Between the City of Wheaton and the Suburban Bus Division ofthe Regional Transportation Authority, be adopted. City Manager Dzugan stated the agreement between the City and PACE covers the amount of subsidy the City will receive for the 2025 calendar year for its Ride DuPage program. He noted the agreement is necessary as a result of Milton Township no longer participating in the program. He stated the agreement retains the subsidy at 75% of net operating deficit, but confirmed PACE indicated the subsidy for 2026 will be reduced to 50%. In response to Mayor Suess, City Manager Dzugan stated negotiating the reduced subsidy amount would be difficult. City Manager Dzugan reported the County is developing a task force to review transportation throughout DuPage County. WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ‘17, Monday, November 2025 Mayor Suess agreed with City Manager Dzugan that a regional approach to transportation would be beneficial and improve efficiency. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 9. Council Comment Councilwoman Bray-Parker expressed her privilege and honor representing the City and observing the packed Council Chambers, filled with police, firefighters, and their families. Councilman Weller praised the Northern Lights for appearing last Tuesday, commenting on their beauty. He welcomed them to come back anytime. 10. Approval of Warrant Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Warrant No. 908 in the amount of $2,834,752.32, 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 11. Adjournment Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Brice seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, November 17, 2025 Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimouslv Res ectfully submitted, Andrea Rosedale City Clerk Submitted for Approval: December l, 2025