City Council Planning Sessions

MEMORANDUM TO: Record FROM: Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator SUBJECT: April 9, 2018 City Council Planning Session Minutes DATE: April 10, 2018 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: Councilman Barbier, Councilwoman Fitch, Councilman Prendiville, Councilman Rutledge, Councilman Scalzo and Mayor Pro Tem Suess. Mayor Gresk was absent. Also in attendance were City Manager Dzugan, Assistant City Manager Duguay, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik, Director of Finance Lehnhardt, Director of Engineering Redman, City Attorney Kallas and Public Relations Coordinator Bishel. The session began at 7:18 p.m., following the conclusion of public hearings, and concluded at 7:32 p.m. The following items were discussed: I. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:18 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Suess. II. Public Comment Carolyn Cerf, 973 Burton, Highland Park, spoke on behalf of the American Heart Association. She expressed the American Heart Association’s support for the 21 cities in Illinois that have passed Tobacco 21 laws, making the minimum age for buying tobacco products 21 instead of 18. She cited other organizations that support Tobacco 21, including the DuPage County Health Department, DuPage Mayors & Managers Conference, American Lung Association and the U.S. military. The American Heart Association is taking a regional approach to help cut teen smoking rates and address teen vaping by preventing teen access to tobacco products. Ms. Cerf cited successes in Evanston and Chicago, which have reduced teen smoking rates by more than 1/3 after passing Tobacco 21 laws. III. Approval of March 26, 2018 Planning Session Minutes The Council approved the March 26, 2018 Planning Session Minutes. IV. Tobacco 21 City Manager Dzugan reviewed his memo on the Tobacco 21 initiative and proposed Illinois Senate Bill 2332, which would increase the legal age for sale and possession of tobacco to 21. He stated many surrounding municipalities have already adopted Tobacco 21 ordinances, and he brought this to the City Council for their review. Councilman Barbier stated he is opposed to raising the age for possession and use to 21, as he feels this would be very difficult for the City to enforce, especially when possession is legal in other places. In response to questions, Ms. Cerf stated most communities are not enforcing penalties for possession of tobacco for people between the ages of 18 and 21; they are adopting ordinances strictly limiting the sale of tobacco products to people under 21. The majority of the Council expressed support for limiting the sale of tobacco products to people 21 and older, citing the importance of it as a public health initiative and reducing teen smoking. One Council comment encouraged the City to be part of a broader agreement with neighboring communities to ensure people aren’t taking other business elsewhere if neighboring communities do not have Tobacco 21 restrictions. In response to Council questions, City Manager Dzugan stated this restriction would also apply to vaping products, and the City could develop it in a way that would not preclude people from buying “smoking cessation” aids. V. City Council/Staff Comments Councilman Prendiville stated the City held a groundbreaking ceremony on Front Street for the Downtown Streetscape Project, and the community will soon be seeing great improvements on Front Street. Councilman Rutledge encouraged the community to patronize downtown businesses during this time of construction, as they will remain open and appreciate the community’s support. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. 4/9/18 Planning Session 2