City Council Planning Sessions

Monday, July 22, 2019 1. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Suess. The following were: Physically Present: Mayor Suess Councilman Barbier Councilwoman Fitch Councilman Rutledge Councilman Zaruba Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker City Staff Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager John Duguay, Assistant City Manager James Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator 2. Public Comment There were no public comments. 3. Approval of June 24, 2019 City Council Planning Session Minutes The Council approved the June 24, 2019 City Council Planning Session Minutes. 4. Downtown Streetscape Phase 4 Update City Manager Dzugan stated representatives from Primera and Design Workshop are present to give a preview of Phase 4. He stated it is important to think ahead to this phase now, as the design team and engineers will need to define some elements in order to determine the proper alignment of intersections, roads and curbs. Manisha Kaul reviewed the seven blocks included in Phase 3 and explained that to have optimum alignment for Phase 3, the team will need to know some of the Phase 4 plans. She stated City staff have been working with Union Pacific Railroad, DuPage County and representatives from the Illinois Prairie Path regarding the alignment of the Illinois Prairie Path. She reviewed the conceptual designs that the City approved in 2015-16, in which Liberty Drive was a festival street designed to be pedestrian-friendly with amenities and flexibility for holding events. Also, she showed 3 options previously presented for a central park, including one option with the most area for a central park, a second option that provides slightly more parking but retains a park area; and a third option that maximizes the amount of parking retained in Lot 4. Ms. Kaul also reviewed several design alternatives for the area where Lot 4 currently is located, ranging from a small rest area geared toward Prairie Path users, to a design that would give slightly less parking but would include some amenities such as a concession building; to a more extensive amenity area that could accommodate a splash water feature, shaded lawn area, overhead light strands and more, with less parking spaces retained. Finally, Ms. Kaul reviewed two options for Lot 3, where a French Market structure is planned. She explained that the current alignment of the Prairie Path needs to be moved off railroad property, and this realignment will result in a net loss of between 12 and 21 parking spots. She stated at this point, the designers and engineers for the project are seeking direction from the Council on whether it would prioritize an option with more parking or more green space. In response to Council questions, Rob Deming, representing Primera, stated while the footprints of the designs are similar, there are some slight nuances with the parking space layout and intersections that will have a significant effect on Phase 4 designs. To answer a Council question on the consultants’ recommendation, Mr. Deming stated they recommend Alternative 1, Option 3 for the design. The footprint of this design would be more conducive to interchangeable elements when it comes time for the Council to decide on specific programming choices. In response to Council questions about the property on which the Prairie Path resides east of Cross Street, City Manager Dzugan stated there are some uncertainties, as there is no documented formal agreement allowing the path to be located on Union Pacific-owned property in this location. However, City staff has worked extensively with DuPage County and Union Pacific to create the proposed realignment, which is agreeable to all parties. To answer Council questions about the French Market structure, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik stated the French Market operators plan to use a smaller footprint for the proposed structure due to right-of-way issues related to the Prairie Path and railroad. The plan would be for the French Market to use the structure plus space outside of it. City Manager Dzugan responded to Council questions about parking by stating the City is under contract through 2036 to provide 41 spaces to RJN for use during business hours. He stated the City is obligated to provide these spaces, but some of these could be provided in a different location, such as the Wheaton Place Garage. In regard to Council questions about the Prairie Path, Mr. Deming stated it will continue to be 10 feet wide with a 2-foot shoulder, and the materials used will be the same as they are currently. Some Council requests included more green space in the French Market area and/or park area and possibly reconfiguring part of the design to reduce the number of parking spaces slightly in order to provide green space. Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik stated the smaller footprint for the French Market structure will still allow the market to extend its season with a smaller number of vendors. The Council expressed support for a hybrid design for Lot 4 (Alternative 2) that balances parking and space for amenities. The Council spoke in favor of Option 2 for the French Market. 5. Public-Private Partnership – French Market Canopy Structure City Manager Dzugan introduced a draft agreement for a public/private partnership with Bensidoun for the proposed French Market canopy structure. The proposal is for Bensidoun to pay approximately $800,000 for the construction of a canopy structure in return for a long-term lease from the City of this property for the French Market. The City would retain ownership of Lot 3 and would maintain it, and the City Council would be part of the decision-making process for the design and construction in partnership with Bensidoun. To answer a Council question about the plan for the French Market while the new structure is under construction, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik stated this has not yet been decided, but it could possibly be moved to Reber Street like it is done during Taste of Wheaton. Construction is estimated to be completed in 2021 and would be completed in one construction season. Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik answered a Council question by stating Bensidoun currently pays a fee of $2,500 to $3,000 in rent per year to the City to use Lot 3, and the draft agreement would continue to include this fee. Council members expressed the opinion that the City should explore this cost and consider whether it should be raised, especially if the season is extended. In response to Council questions on whether Bensidoun would want an enclosed structure or more elaborate structure, City Manager Dzugan stated the structure plans being considered are likely the level of structure that Bensidoun is willing to invest in constructing. In response to Council questions about the effect of the French Market on the rest of the downtown businesses, Kerry O’Brien of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce stated the French Market has had some success with vendors seeking brick and mortar space in the downtown. She stated the market is an opportunity to encourage more businesses to move into Wheaton. The Council expressed interest in staff moving forward with this proposed public/private partnership. In response to a Council question regarding the status of Phase 2 construction, Assistant City Manager Duguay stated Copenhaver is estimating they are about 3 weeks past the original completion date for Phase 2 mostly due to weather delays. However, crews are working 10-hour days and Saturdays. In the next week, the first layer of asphalt will be installed on Wesley, and work will take place on Hale Street, including removing trees and lights in preparation for construction. 6. Draft Intergovernmental Agreement with Carol Stream – Revenue Sharing – Intersection of Main & Geneva City Manager Dzugan stated City staff and the City Council previously discussed the possibility of de- annexing a property at the corner of Main and Geneva at the request of the Village of Carol Stream in order for a new gas station to be developed. A portion of the property is incorporated Carol Stream, and a portion is incorporated Wheaton. Representatives from City staff and the Mayor met with Carol Stream officials and the developer, and they discussed that the fairest way to allow for redevelopment would be to share sales tax revenue. The City estimates this would amount to a share of approximately $50,000 to $75,000 annually for the City of Wheaton, representing 45% of the sales tax revenue. The City currently receives approximately $2,000 in property taxes annually from this  property. The proposed intergovernmental agreement would de-annex the property from the City of Wheaton, but the City would retain intersection control at Main Street and Geneva Road. Some Council members expressed concern that a new gas station would draw from the sales of the Shell station across the street from it, which is in Wheaton. Other members asked whether Carol Stream would consider letting Wheaton annex the entire property. The Council discussed that allowing Carol Stream to annex this parcel would allow the project to move forward, and the City would be receiving significantly more in sales tax through the agreement than it currently receives in property tax. 7. City Council/City Staff Comments Councilman Barbier stated the 10th annual Swingin’ 4 Schnur golf outing will be taking place July 23, and it supports research for ALS. Brian Schnurstein was a Wheaton Warrenville South graduate who was diagnosed with ALS, and his father was a longtime Water Division Superintendent with the City of Wheaton. Mayor Suess stated there is currently an opening on the Council for the West District, and he encouraged registered voters who live in the district to go to the City’s website to find out more if they are interested in being considered for the position. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Bishel