Public Notices & Hearings

Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 I. Call to Order and Roll Call The public hearing of the Wheaton City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The public hearing was held in the Council Chambers, Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, Illinois. Upon roll call, the following were: Present: Mayor Suess Councilman Barbier Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Fitch Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Rutledge Councilman Zaruba Absent: None City Staff Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager John Duguay, Assistant City Manager Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering Kristopher Dunn, Stormwater Engineer II. Public Hearing – Calendar Year 2021 Budget a. Staff Comment Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the 2021 Draft Budget was available to the public beginning Nov. 3, 2020 at City Hall, the Wheaton Public Library, and the City’s website. He stated the draft budget was reviewed and discussed during two budget workshops on Nov. 9 and Nov. 14, and one minor change to the draft budget from those meetings was outlined in his memo. Director of Finance Lehnhardt provided an overview of the 2021 Draft Budget. He stated the budget’s overall expenditures totaled $112.4 million and the total overall revenues for all funds for this budget totaled $107.7 million. Total revenues in the 2021 Draft Budget have increased by $4.9 million and expenditures increased by $11 million compared to the 2020 budget. The draft budget holds the property tax levy flat, does not recommend any new taxes, and does not reflect any increase in water, sewer, and parking rates. The draft budget recommends a $700,000 increase in ambulatory services fees to recover costs of new ambulatory service contract to meet the City’s Cost Recovery parameters. Director of Finance Lehnhardt stated that the City anticipates receiving $1.6 million in grants for capital improvement projects in 2021.  DECEMBER 14, 2020 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES Director Lehnhardt stated the CY 2021 budget expenditures for all funds maintain current service levels and personnel expenses based on contractually obligated increases. He stated the majority of other operating accounts do not reflect any significant changes. Regarding Capital Expenditures, Director Lehnhardt stated the CY2021 budget proposes an increase of $5.9 million (or 31.5%) compared to the 2020 budget and account for 21.8% of total expenditures representing the City’s continued financial commitment to maintain quality infrastructure. b. Public Comment A resident of Wheaton joining by Zoom addressed her concerns with the Council about flooding issues in their area and the previous Williston Basin studies performed by City staff. She asked the Council if there were any plans to address the flooding issues in her area. City Manager Dzugan stated that the second part of the meeting would address flooding issues within the City, including the Williston Basin area. He stated that stormwater sewer systems can become overwhelmed, and increasing the size of pipes will not address the issue. He stated City staff is working towards recommendations for the City Council’s consideration to address stormwater flooding issues. c. Council Comment Councilman Rutledge stated that the City has worked many hours on the budget. Mayor Suess seconded Councilman Rutledge’s comments and stated final action will be taken on Monday, Dec. 21. He thanked staff for the work on the budget during a difficult year and expressed his satisfaction that the City was able to not increase taxes this year. III. Adjournment Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded a motion to close the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Fitch Mayor Suess Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Rutledge Councilman Zaruba Councilman Barbier Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously Respectfully submitted, Daniel J. Peck 2