City Council Planning Sessions

April 14, 2025 I. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Suess. The following were: Physically Present: Mayor Suess Councilman Barbier Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Absent: Councilman Brown Councilman Clousing City Staff Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance Princeton J. Youker, Chief of Police Brian Gabryel, Deputy Chief of Police Robert Brill, Fire Chief Erik Berg, Management Analyst Halie Cardinal, Public Relations Coordinator II. Approval of Planning Session Minutes - February 24, 2025 The Council approved the February 24, 2025 Planning Session minutes. III. Facilities Update City Manager Dzugan reviewed the Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) previously presented at the February 24, 2025, Planning Session. Since that presentation, the City has further assessed three facilities – the Police Station, Fire Station 39, and the Public Works facility – to determine the necessary repairs. City Manager Dzugan provided information to the Council on the available options and a viable funding source, seeking the Council’s direction on which of the options to pursue. Studio GC’s analysis of the Police Station provides three options for addressing the issues outlined in the FCA. Option A would exclusively focus on exterior repairs, specifically rehabilitating the exterior masonry and replacing the windows, louvers, and skylights. Option B includes the items from Option A along with interior renovations of the main entrance, lobby, and training room. Option C, which approaches the Police Station as though developing a new facility, includes the items from the previous two options with extensive renovations of records area, patrol and training spaces. City Manager Dzugan stated that the City’s current recommendation is to focus on Option B and refine the scope of the project as appropriate. The target construction date would be the second quarter of 2026, but remedial work may be necessary in the interim to address the failing masonry. Monday, Apr. 14 2025, CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION MINUTES Fire Station 39, built in 1972, is insufficient for the operational needs of the fire department. A new building at the same location is estimated at $10 million. A site and space needs study will need to be conducted to determine the new building’s layout and square footage, and how it will accommodate the existing Water Department facilities. These assessments are estimated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. Finally, the Public Works facility, built in 1999, features major projects including the replacement of the trench drains, resurfacing the concrete floor in the garage, and rehabilitating the roof. When other minor projects are considered, it is estimated that these repairs will cost between $2 - 3 million over the next two to three years. City Manager Dzugan attributed the costliest projects to these three facilities, but highlighted other major facilities projects, such as the Library’s West Side Plaza renovation and roof replacement as well as the exterior renovations of the Water Division. Since neither the Building Renewal Fund nor the Capital Projects Fund can accommodate the estimated $20 million cost of the projects, City Manager Dzugan stated that staff recommends issuing a General Obligation bond to fund the projects. A 20-year, $20 million bond issue has a projected annual debt service of $1.5 million. He recommended that discussions of additional revenue sources be incorporated into the 2026 Budget Framework presentation. In response to a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated that choosing Option B does not preclude the City from selectively choosing items from Option C. However, he cautioned that rising cost of materials and uncertain market conditions may deter the City from undertaking more expensive projects. If these projects exceed $20 million, the City may need to rely on other funds to cover the cost. In response to a Council question, Police Chief Youker stated that policing has changed significantly since the original construction of the Police Station. The additional requirements for staff training and police equipment have required police staff to either reconfigure rooms to store equipment and share space with the Fire Department for staff training. He stated that the renovations in Option C would address areas of the Police Station that have previously only been addressed in minor renovations. In response to a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated the Building Renewal Fund’s purpose is not to cover major facilities projects, but rather to address ongoing maintenance needs. City Manager Dzugan emphasized that the City’s goal was to strike a balance between addressing departmental needs, maintaining financial responsibility, and ensuring the full useful life of the City’s facilities. Council discussed maintaining current service levels while facilities are under construction, particularly for Fire Station 39. Council approved staff’s recommendation to pursue a contract with Studio GC and an RFP for the space, site, and cost study for Fire Station 39. Council further suggested that a cost assessment for the Police Station should include alternatives to provide both more precise estimates and flexibility in informing the final decision for the facility. City Manager Dzugan stated that staff will provide more information to the Council regarding these facilities and the proposed bond issuance at the 2026 Budget Framework presentation. IV. Public Comment There was no public comment. Monday, Apr. 14 2025, CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION MINUTES V. City Council/City Staff Comments Councilwoman Bray-Parker reflected on her and the mayor’s attendance of the 55th anniversary of the DuPage Art League. Councilman Weller wished his mother a happy birthday. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Erik Berg