DeKalb Times

City of Naperville City Council met Jan. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: 9 -

Mayor Scott Wehrli

Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor

Councilman Ian Holzhauer

Councilman Patrick Kelly

Councilman Paul Leong

Councilwoman Allison Longenbaugh

Councilman Josh McBroom

Councilman Benjamin White

Councilman Nathan Wilson

C. CLOSED SESSION - 6:15 p.m.

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to recess to Closed Session to discuss [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)] Approval of Minutes, [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)] Litigation and [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)] Performance of a Specific Employee of the City. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

OPEN SESSION - 7:00 p.m.

D. ROLL CALL:

Present: 9 -

Mayor Scott Wehrli

Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor

Councilman Ian Holzhauer

Councilman Patrick Kelly

Councilman Paul Leong

Councilwoman Allison Longenbaugh

Councilman Josh McBroom

Councilman Benjamin White

Councilman Nathan Wilson

Also Present

City Manager, Doug Krieger; Deputy City Manager, Pam Gallahue; City Attorney, Mike DiSanto; City Clerk, Dawn Portner; Assistant to the City Manager, Marcie Schatz; Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis; Police Chief, Jason Arres; Director of Finance, Raymond Munch; Director of IT, Jacqueline Nguyen; Director of TED, Bill Novack; Deputy Director of TED, Allison Laff; Director of Public Works; Dick Dublinski; Director of Public Utilities - Electric, Brian Groth; Director of Public Utilities - Water, Darrell Blenniss; Director of Community Services, Melanie Marcordes; Director of Human Resources, Blaine Wing, Director of Communications Linda LaCloche.

Daily Herald, Naperville Sun, NCTV-17

E. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:

The pledge was given.

F. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

1. Proclamation honoring North Central College Women’s Triathlon - Sixth Team National Championship

Councilman White presented the proclamation.

G. PUBLIC FORUM:

SPEAKERS

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Paul Bloom (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Susan Craighead (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Vallabh Arun (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

John Klein-Collins (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 2/5/2025

City Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 21, 2025

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Tom Coleman (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Alyssa Simpson (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Tim Banas (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Sam Hus (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Fernando Arriola (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Environmental

Ashley Penick (Naperville) discussed the importance of preparedness and

proactivity in preventing environmental disasters.

Proposed IMEA contract extension

Libby Gardner (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Public Forum ended at 7:40 p.m.

H. CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO USE OMNIBUS METHOD FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA:

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to use the Omnibus method to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by a voice vote.

I. CONSENT AGENDA:

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

1. Approve the Cash Disbursements for the period of December 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, for a total of $34,042,375.38

Council approved.

2. Approve the regular City Council meeting minutes of December 17, 2024 Council approved.

3. Approve the City Council meeting schedule for February, March, and April 2025

Council approved.

4. Approve appointment to the Building Review Board

Council approved.

5. Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 25-006, 2025 Sanitary Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation to Hoerr Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $200,053.17

Council approved.

6. Approve the award of JOC Procurement WU-001-CY24-A, Northeast Water Works Security Fence and Retaining Wall Rehabilitations, to Robe Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $184,800

Council approved.

7. Approve the award of JOC Procurement WU-002-CY24-A, Northwest Water Works Fencing and Security Upgrades, to Robe Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $110,455

Council approved.

8. Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 24-307, Fire Turnout Gear, to Danko Emergency Equipment Corp. for an amount not to exceed $ 110,000 and for a one-year term

Council approved.

9. Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 25-033, Refuse Carts, to Otto Environmental Systems for an amount not to exceed $175,000

Council approved.

10. Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 25-036, Backhoe Replacement - Unit 761, to West Side Tractor Sales for an amount not to exceed $185,490.79

Council approved.

11. Approve the award of Bid 24-279, 2025 Sanitary Sewer Main CCTV Inspection, to National Power Rodding Corporation for an amount not to exceed $180,309.37

Council approved.

12. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to Contract 21-243, Consulting Engineering Services for Soils and Materials Testing, to NASHnal Soil Testing LLC, for an amount not to exceed $38,707.05 and a total award of $158,707.05

Council approved.

13. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to Contract 23-294, River Road Water Main Improvements, to Performance Construction and Engineering for an amount not to exceed $198,802.40, for a total award of $5,371,950.47, and for an additional 182 days Council approved.

14. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to Contract 24-136, Cascade Configuration Assessment and Upgrade, to DNV Energy Insights USA for an additional 60 days

Council approved.

15. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to Bid 23-042, Landscape, Maintenance, Mowing and Herbicide Services, to Local Lawn Care & Landscaping, Ramiro Guzman Landscaping, Inc. and Groundworks Land Design for an amount not to exceed $75,000 and a total award of $1,627,894

Council approved.

16. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to Contract 21-128, Emergency and Amber Lighting and Related Equipment, to Fleet Safety Supply, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $155,000 and a total award of $380,000

Council approved.

17. Approve the award of Change Order #2 to Contract 23-269, Sensus Licensed RNI Software as a Service (SaaS), to Core & Main LP for an additional 120 days

Council approved.

18. Accept the public watermain improvements at Islamic Center of Naperville and authorize the City Clerk to reduce the corresponding public improvement surety

Council accepted.

19. Direct staff to amend Section 5-2C-3 (Exterior Wall Construction) of the Naperville Municipal Code to permit composite siding as an acceptable masonry material

Council directed.

20. Pass the ordinance amending Title 3 of the Naperville Municipal Code to add Chapter 20 (Massage Establishments) requiring the permitting of massage establishments

ORD 25-001

Council passed.

21. Pass the ordinance granting a major change to the Naperville-Extra Space Storage Planned Unit Development, PUD deviations, and a conditional use for an expansion of the self-storage facility at 1432 W Ogden Avenue (Extra Space Storage) - PZC 24-1-058

ORD 25-002

Council passed.

22. Adopt the resolution of Official Intent for Reimbursement of Capital Projects

RES 25-01 Council adopted.

23. Adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the 2025 Pace Paratransit Local Share Agreement for the operation of Ride DuPage

RES 25-02

Council adopted.

J. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

K. OLD BUSINESS:

L. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

M. AWARD OF BIDS AND OTHER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE:

1. Approve the award of RFP 24-264, Parking Deck Consulting Services, to Walker Consultants for an amount not to exceed $1,600,000 and for a three-year term

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the award of RFP 24-264, Parking Deck Consulting Services, to Walker Consultants for an amount not to exceed $1,600,000 and for a three-year term.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

2. Approve the award of Bid 24-147, Trillium Lift Station Rehabilitation, to Performance Construction & Engineering LLC for an amount not to exceed $1,038,250, plus a 3% contingency

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the award of Bid 24-147, Trillium Lift Station Rehabilitation, to Performance Construction & Engineering LLC for an amount not to exceed $1,038,250, plus a 3% contingency. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

3. Approve the award of Bid 24-181, Biosolids Holding Tank - Phase II, to Williams Brothers Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $3,140,000 plus a 3% contingency

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the award of Bid 24-181, Biosolids Holding Tank - Phase II, to Williams Brothers Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $3,140,000 plus a 3% contingency. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

4. Approve the award of Bid 24-230, 2025 West Waterworks and Pressure Adjusting Station 15E Improvements, to Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $2,968,888 plus a 3% contingency

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the award of Bid 24-230, 2025 West Waterworks and Pressure Adjusting Station 15E Improvements, to Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $2,968,888 plus a 3% contingency. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

5. Approve the award of Bid 24-166, Northwest Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation, to Hayes Plant Services LLC for an amount not to exceed $2,310,000, plus a 3% contingency

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the award of Bid 24-166, Northwest Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation, to Hayes Plant Services LLC for an amount not to exceed $2,310,000, plus a 3% contingency. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

N. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

O. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Approve the 2025 Legislative Priorities and proposed Legislative Review Process

SPEAKER

Marilyn Schweitzer (Naperville) appreciated the inclusion of making the Managers Memorandum (MM) publicly accessible on the City’s website when engaging with the State legislature and requested archiving all MMs, including contributors to the City’s response. Emphasized the need for community involvement and transparency regarding responsible transit funding, governance, and service levels. Supported electronic publication of statutory postings and requested these be added to the website as previously done.

Council discussed the OMA legislative priority, the local government distributive fund, transparency in notifying Council about lobbying efforts, and disclosing the names of Council members who object to lobbying issues. Schatz stated the reason the City changed its position on a specific lobbying effort, as well as the names of those Council members who objected would be addressed in the MM.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Bruzan Taylor, and seconded by Councilman White, to approve the 2025 legislative priorities and legislative process with the removal of the Open Meetings Act legislative priority to permit meetings to be held remotely at the discretion of local officials. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Holzhauer, Kelly, Leong, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, and Wilson

Public Forum resumes

SPEAKERS:

Proposal to extend the IMEA contract early

Astha Savalia (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Safety concerns re: roadway

Peter Santoro (Naperville) discussed the landscaping that was removed at Meadow Lake Road and Naper Blvd.

Future IMEA contract discussions

Jane Brueggemann (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

IMEA contract

James Haselhorst (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

IMEA Contract

Marilyn L Schweitzer (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Say No to Coal

Reverend Jacob Tipantasig-Wolverton (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Say No to Coal

Simone Schuppan (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Coal

Ernest Oxenknecht (Naperville) opposed to the extension of the IMEA contract.

Groth provided an update on the timeline and progress being made with Customized Energy Solutions (CES), the consultant the City hired to provide energy procurement options regarding the IMEA contract.

Krieger stated the first of two workshops is being planned for April to review the consultants report.

Wehrli inquired if a vote on the status of the IMEA contract will occur before the current Council or after the new Council is seated in May.

Krieger stated the vote will not occur until after the new Council is seated in May.

Council discussed how the City's rates compare to those of surrounding communities, the proportion of energy IMEA supplies to the market versus what is delivered, topics for upcoming workshops, the City’s Electric Utility reliability being independent of IMEA, the costs and reliability of subsidized energy sources, fiscal responsibility, and the need for new lane striping on Aurora Avenue and Naper Boulevard.

Novack stated the striping is fading on both streets, but both streets are scheduled to be resurfaced this coming year.

White called for a moment of silence for Cameryn Lauren Cobb.

WRITTEN COMMENTS

Nancy Turner (Naperville) Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members,

We are writing to you to let you know our opposition to extending the IMEA contract, which does not even end for another 15 years. It would be fiscally irresponsible to ask Naperville taxpayers to pay for an extension that would prevent the City of Naperville from taking advantage of new and cheaper sources that will most likely be available within the next 15 years, given the rapid advances in technology that are happening more and more frequently, and the statewide climate goals.

Anne Mathews (Naperville) I believe committing Naperville to a long term contract is a bad business decision. This council should not tie the hands of future leaders. This is a world of change. Future Councils should be allowed the ability to be nimble and make decisions that reflect the will of Napervillians.

Naperville is one of the most impactful cities in Illinois. Please don’t squander that power by extending the IMEA contract.

Mark Ailes (Lombard) Even though I don’t live in Naperville, my family does breathe the air and so is affected by decisions to extend polluting it. Please do the responsible thing for all future generations and do not extend the pollution by extending the IMEA contract.

Eric Johnson (Naperville) I care about sustainability and about energy. I have a simple motto: try not to burn things. This motto is not a comprehensive plan on how to slow climate change, but it captures a huge chunk of emissions. I comfortably live by this motto. I drive an electric car, cook on an induction cooktop, and have plans to heat my house with a heat pump. I might install solar. When I have a choice, I try not to burn things. I am not the only one in Naperville with values like these. There were 5,137 electric vehicles registered in Naperville as of August, 2024. There are 953 residential rooftop solar arrays as of the November, 2024 Public Utility Advisory Board meeting. While there are economic reasons to both buy an EV and install a rooftop solar array, it is not a stretch to assume that most of the owners of these assets acquired them because they, too, care about sustainability. As a rate-payer of Naperville’s electric utility, I cannot choose a cleaner electricity supplier. If I want to avoid funding coal power plants, my only option is to install a rooftop solar array, which I am thankful to have as a legally protected right. As a City Council member, if you want to stop funding coal-fired power plants starting in 2035, you can choose not to extend Naperville’s contract with the IMEA, and instead have the city procure power from a supplier with a cleaner portfolio. The IMEA is part owner of two coal-fired power plants. In December 2024, Naperville was 35% of the IMEA’s load. If not buying power from the IMEA will cause their two coal-fired power plants to burn less coal, then don’t sign their contract extension.

Richard Chamberlin (Naperville) Do not extend early, please allow consideration of non-coal centric solutions. This is a risky move that can subject us all to litigation costs as well as spoil Illinois' environment. Take the time to consider all options, don't rush to extend now.

Pat Berg (Naperville) I am very disappointed in councilman mcbroom playing politics on the Dias once again and sharing closed session information. He is constantly trying to backstab his fellow Council people with Gotcha style politics.

He is now implying that fellow council people have conflicts of interest. Which is not true. He lying The fact joshua McBroom waited until the open session to raise his concerns about conflict of interest and transparency, rather than during the closed session, speaks volumes as to his true motivations, and they have nothing to do with conflict of interest or transparency. These political games he’s playing are embarrassing. Very disappointed in his games.

Richard Chamberlin (Naperville) This is an important decision not to be rushed into. With an upcoming election, voters would like some say-so with candidates, so best to keep options open. Litigation costs associated with such decisions can be quite high, so please keep this in mind as you vote.

POSITION STATEMENTS

SUPPORT

Laura McCarthy (Naperville) Support the purchase of coal fired electricity

OPPOSE

Mary Ann Peters (Naperville) NO. do NOT extend IMEA contract.

P. NEW BUSINESS:

No New Business.

Q. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting of January 21, 2025 at 9:01 p.m. The motion carried by a voice vote.

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