City Council Planning Sessions

October 13, 2025 I. Call to Order The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Suess. The following were: Physically Present: Mayor Suess Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Absent: None City Staff Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager William Kolschowsky, Assistant City Manager Dawn Didier, City Attorney Princeton Youker, Chief of Police Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer Erik Berg, Management Analyst II. Approval of Planning Session Minutes – September 22, 2025, Minutes The Council approved the September 22, 2025, Planning Session minutes. III. E-bike Ordinance Discussion Assistant City Manager Kolschowsky introduced staff’s presentation by stating that municipalities have passed legislation in response to the proliferation of e-bicycles and e-scooters in their communities. He stated that the purpose of the presentation was to determine a potential regulatory framework for low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and out-of-class electric vehicles (commonly referred to as “e-motos”). He cautioned that further discussion may be required given the possibility of future state revisions to the current legislation. Management Analyst Berg reviewed municipal and state regulations concerning these devices. Municipal regulation varies but typically focuses on three areas: the age of the rider, where the device may operate, and whether a license is required. Local ordinances are typically one facet of an enforcement strategy, education being another significant component. At the state level, the Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) has three classifications for e-bikes depending on their maximum pedal-assisted speed and whether their device can be powered exclusively by a throttle. The State of Illinois currently prohibits every class of low-speed electric bicycle from operating on sidewalks. He stated that staff approached potential regulation through four perspectives - safety, infrastructure, mobility, and enforcement. Regulation has multiple objectives, chief among them Monday, October 13, 2025, CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION MINUTES being the creation of clear and enforceable rules that promote safe interactions between cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians while maintaining the mobility and quality of the City’s infrastructure. From the perspective of safety, Management Analyst Berg noted that the City and Council have received increased calls and concerns from residents regarding these devices, but, because of the lack of available data, it is difficult to discern or address specific problems. While these devices offer riders under sixteen a more convenient and cheaper transportation option, he stated that allowing these devices on either streets or sidewalks poses issues. Allowing these devices on streets could introduce potential conflicts with drivers while sidewalks may not safely accommodate the higher speeds these devices can achieve. Furthermore, the Illinois Prairie Path, which connects bicyclists and pedestrians from neighboring communities, falls mostly under the jurisdiction of DuPage County. Management Analyst Berg stated that a municipal ordinance could address these issues but cautioned that enforcement is challenging given the difficulty of accurately assessing the make, model, and speed of these devices. He then reviewed potential areas of regulation for e-bicycles, e- scooters, and e-motos. In addition to speed and location, a municipal ordinance could also require registration of the devices to help collect data. He stated that education would be a necessary component and that there could be potential fines for violating the ordinance; furthermore, both minors and their parents or guardians could be held accountable. He concluded by requesting Council direction on which areas of regulation would be most appropriate to pursue. City Attorney Didier clarified that traditional bicycles, e-bicycles, e-scooters, and other similar devices are currently not allowed on any sidewalk in the Central Business District. She also clarified that because the State of Illinois prohibits low-speed electric scooters unless a municipality explicitly allows them, such devices are currently prohibited from operating in the City. In response to a Council question, City Attorney Didier stated that traditional bicycles are permitted but not intended for use on sidewalks outside of the Central Business District. In response to a Council question, Police Chief Youker stated that the City’s parking enforcement officers currently provide education to users of these devices and have the authority to issue citations. City Attorney Didier added that, currently, minors who violate the City’s ordinance are addressed through the administrative adjudication process. Police Chief Youker stated that, in the case of e-bicycles or e-scooters, citations would be reserved for repeated offenses. Councilmembers discussed where these devices pose the greatest risk to pedestrians and drivers, the feasibility of regulating speed and location of where these devices could be used, possible methods of enforcement, and the role of education in promoting etiquette among users. In response to a Council question, City Attorney Didier stated that, in some municipalities, regulation originated from efforts to specifically allow low-speed electric scooters and later expanded to include electric bicycles. She stated that other municipalities have codified state law into local ordinance. In response to a Council question, Police Chief Youker stated that regulating by class or age of the user would be difficult and that location-based enforcement would be the most feasible. He further stated that registration could be a viable option for Wheaton residents but would not be practical for those who live outside the City. Regulation could restrict also the types of streets on which an e-bike or e-scooter could operate (e.g., an e-bicycle could not operate on a street with a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour). City Manager Dzugan stated that the City could regulate and enforce the  Monday, October 13, 2025, CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION MINUTES section of the Illinois Prairie Path under the City’s jurisdiction, particularly the segment between Main and Cross during the French Market, when pedestrian traffic is at its highest. Councilmembers spoke favorably of registration for e-bicycles, e-scooters, and e-motos. Council then directed staff to draft a potential ordinance and solicit the opinion of the Bicyclist and Pedestrian Committee before returning to Council for further discussion. IV. Public Comment There was no public comment. V. City Council/City Staff Comments There were no Council comments. VI. Closed Session A. Closed Session Minutes Review 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) B. Land Acquisition 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) C. Pending or Imminent Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Councilwoman Brice motioned and Councilwoman Robbins seconded a motion to go into Closed Session at 7:51 p.m. Voice Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously The City Council returned to the open portion of their meeting at 8:35 p.m. VII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Erik Berg