City Council Planning Sessions

MEMORANDUM TO: Record FROM: Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator SUBJECT: May 26, 2015 City Council Planning Session Minutes DATE: May 27, 2015 CC: Mayor and City Council, City Manager, City Clerk, Department Heads The Planning Session took place in the Council Chambers, Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St., Wheaton, Illinois. Those attending the Planning Session included: Mayor Gresk, Councilwoman Fitch, Councilman Prendiville, Councilman Rutledge, Councilman Saline, Councilman Scalzo and Councilman Suess. Also in attendance were City Manager Rose, Assistant City Manager Dzugan, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik, City Attorney Knippen and Public Relations Coordinator Bishel. The session began at 7:00 p.m. and concluded at 7:46 p.m. The following items were discussed: I. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Gresk. II. Approval of May 11, 2015 Planning Session Minutes The Council approved the May 11, 2015 Planning Session Minutes. III. Sales Tax Rebate Request – DeSitter Flooring City Manager Rose stated DeSitter Flooring has expressed interest in purchasing the former Pet Supplies Plus building at 915 E. Roosevelt Road and has asked the City to consider financial assistance in the form of a sales tax rebate. City Manager Rose stated DeSitter Flooring would need to invest substantially to rehabilitate the building due to its dilapidated condition. He stated whether the City would be interested in providing such assistance is a policy decision for the Council to discuss and he sought direction from the Council. Council members expressed concern with the type of precedent the City would be setting if it provided a sales tax rebate in this situation. While Council members stated they would like to see DeSitter Flooring purchase the property and expand its business into Wheaton, they expressed the belief that it would be more appropriate for the seller to lower the purchase price. IV. E-Cigarette Regulation City Manager Rose stated several businesses have contacted the City with a desire to open E- cigarette stores in Wheaton. City staff provided the Council with documentation from the City of Naperville on how that community is altering its tobacco regulations to include E-cigarettes. City Manager Rose stated some communities have updated their ordinances to reflect the State’s prohibited sale of E-cigarettes to minors, while others have adopted ordinances treating E- cigarettes the same as conventional cigarettes. He stated there have not yet been conclusive studies released by the FDA on the personal and public health effects of the vapor produced by these products. City Manager Rose stated the City can at a minimum modify its ordinance to mirror the state’s ban on the sale of E-cigarettes to minors and wait for further studies on the effects of vapors to be released, or the City could also modify its definition of tobacco products. City Attorney Knippen stated the City has been contacted by businesses interested in exclusively selling E-cigarette products, however he is aware of at least one gas station that sells E-cigarettes in Wheaton. Council members expressed a desire to change its ordinance to both mirror the state’s ban on sales of E-cigarettes to minors and modify its definition of tobacco products to include E- cigarettes. They also expressed an interest in banning the use of E-cigarettes in public places, with the same restrictions as the Illinois Smoke Free Act. Council members expressed the opinion that if further research comes out regarding the release of vapors, the City could relax its ordinance at a later date. City Manager Rose stated the proposed ordinance for the Council to consider at a future meeting may also include other minor changes to clarify the City’s tobacco ordinance. V. Public Comment Steve DeSitter, 1 Timber Court, Bolingbrook, spoke on behalf of DeSitter Flooring. He stated DeSitter Flooring also believes the $1.1 million purchase price is high, especially after learning more about the condition of the property. Mr. DeSitter stated the seller has stated that due the mortgage he holds on the property, the $1.1 million sale price is the lowest he is able to offer. Mr. DeSitter stated he hoped the City would be able to provide this sales tax rebate in order to make this business deal occur, as DeSitter would like to bring their business to Wheaton and revitalize a neglected property. VI. City Council/Staff Comments Councilman Prendiville thanked residents who came out for the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, despite the rainy conditions. Mayor Gresk thanked and congratulated American Legion Post 76 for organizing another successful parade. VII. Closed Session – Land Acquisition (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)), Review of Closed Session Minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3)) Councilman Prendiville moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that the Wheaton City Council adjourn to closed session at 7:21 p.m. for the purpose of discussing Land Acquisition (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)) and Review of Closed Session Minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3)) Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Prendiville Councilman Rutledge Mayor Gresk Councilman Saline Councilman Scalzo 5/26/15 Planning Session 2  Councilman Suess Councilwoman Fitch Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously The City Council returned to the open portion of their meeting at 7:46 p.m. IV. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. 5/26/15 Planning Session 3