DeKalb Times

City of Naperville City Council met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

B. ROLL CALL:

C. CLOSED SESSION - CANCELED

OPEN SESSION - 7:00 p.m.

D. ROLL CALL:

Present: 9 - Mayor Scott Wehrli

Councilwoman Mary Gibson

Councilman Ian Holzhauer

Councilman Patrick Kelly

Councilwoman Allison Longenbaugh

Councilman Josh McBroom

Councilman Ashfaq Syed

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 Jennifer Louden; 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 Helga Oles; Director of Communications Linda LaCloche. Daily Herald, Naperville Sun, NCTV-17

E. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

F. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

1. Presentation of two Fire Chief’s Citizen Awards

Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis presented the Fire Chief's Citizen awards.

2. Proclaim May 21 - 25, 2025 VFW Buddy Poppy Days in the City of Naperville

The proclamation was presented by Councilman White.

3. Proclaim May 26, 2025 as Memorial Day and National Moment of Remembrance in Naperville

The proclamation was presented by Councilman White.

4. Recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Cress Creek Garden Club of Naperville

The proclamation was presented by Councilman McBroom.

Arres provided an update on two police events that occurred during the weekend of May 17-18, 2025. Multiple citations were issued for various violations of the City’s ordinances and Illinois state laws. The Police Department will maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any criminal activity within the City. If laws are broken, citations will be issued, and arrests will be made when necessary.

Wehrli reminded residents they need to be part of the solution by working with the Police in reporting any incidents to make sure the entire City is safe at all times.

G. PUBLIC FORUM:

SPEAKERS

Stop signs on Jefferson Avenue

Todd Schutte (Naperville) - discussed the need for stop signs at the either corner of Jefferson Avenue and West Street or Jefferson Avenue and Ewing Street due to safety concerns.

Three minutes with NEST

Mark Melnicoff (Naperville) - discussed the IMEA contract and the consideration of low-income residents in the selection process for an electricity provider.

Chicago Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights SB 2264 SA1

Emily Coffey (Chicago) - discussed crime free housing and nuisance property ordinances, and requested the City support an initiative sponsored by IL State Senator Karina Villa that would clarify responsibilities of local governments that choose to implement these types of ordinances.

Bill Simon (Naperville, Naperville Preservation Inc) discussed the importance of May as National Preservation Month.

Timothy Perfitt (Naperville) asked Council whether it is appropriate to publicly discuss a Naperville middle school student over policies they disagree with, and whether similar comments would be made if it were their own child involved.

Council discussed proposed legislation concerning crime free housing and nuisance property ordinances, the importance of reviewing recent PUAB Board meeting minutes and videos and traffic concerns on Jefferson Avenue.

WRITTEN COMMENTS

Thom Higgins (Naperville) - Councilman McBroom’s Facebook Post - Regarding Councilman McBroom’s ill-advised Facebook post regarding a D203 track meet, I am struggling with what is nothing more than the politicization of a matter that begs for grace for all involved. Any concerns regarding this issue should be properly voiced to the D203 board and administration, as they were last night. City Council has no role here, as I’m sure Councilman McBroom knows. Instead, I fully expect time will be wasted tonight on this by both speakers and Councilman McBroom. The City has numerous pressing issues that require Council’s attention. Council needs to do its job, and Council members should spend their time on City business, instead of pouring gasoline on matters that are not part of their remit. Lastly, there is the larger issue of Councilman McBroom’s repeated efforts to sow division on the Council and among Naperville residents. To paraphrase President Bush, for the good of Naperville, Council members should prioritize being uniters, not dividers.

Barbara Vetter (Naperville) Overnight Parking Ban - In lieu of coming to speak tonight, I offer this comment. There is, what I believe, an old ordinance on the books that should be changed in some manner. It is the parking ban from 2am-5am. Two cars in our household were recently ticketed - after living here for over 25 years and never receiving a ticket for parking overnight on the street.

There is no solution to this for us, as we have more cars in our household than parking spaces, due to young adults still living with us and returning to live with us. This is a cultural situation happening more and more due to housing costs and the current job market. We were told the solution, by a sergeant of the police dept, could be to park on the apron, which is also illegal, however, the police tend to look the other way. That doesn't seem appropriate to pick and choose which ordinances to enforce. Naperville is the 3rd largest city in Illinois and it is the only city in the top 5 that has an overnight parking ban. Through a FOIA request, I did an analysis of all the fines written in the last 2 years. In 2023 on avg 157 overnight parking fines were written per month. Starting in 8/24, that avg has gone up to nearly 900 a month. I've sent this analysis to Councilmen Holzhauer and White. I don't have all the information as to why the overnight parking ban is an important ordinance, however, I know for sure it's not meant to be a revenue source. Councilman White suggested the ability to "apply for a waiver" by household. I'm up for that. A neighbor suggested auto stickers - I'm not necessarily a fan of that. I do know that our issue is not changing anytime soon - at least in the next year. Thank you for allowing me to comment and I'm hoping to continue the discussion somehow to come to a solution. I'm hoping the ban can be lifted or modified in some manner.

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 with changes to the May 6, 2025 Council minutes as reflected in the Q&A and pulling Agenda Items I14 and I16. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Syed, White, and Wilson

1. Approve the Cash Disbursements for the period of April 1, 2025, through April 30, 2025, for a total of $29,843,617.60

Council approved.

2. Approve the Inauguration meeting minutes of May 4, 2025

Council approved.

3. Approve the regular City Council meeting minutes of May 6, 2025

Council approved as amended.

4. Approve the City Council meeting schedule for June, July, and August 2025

Council approved.

5. Receive the year-to-date budget report through April 30, 2025

Report received.

6. Approve reappointments to various Boards and Commissions

Council approved.

7. Approve the award of RFP 25-034, Testing and Commissioning Engineer, to Albrecht Engineering LLC for an amount not to exceed $365,000 and for a two-year term

Council approved.

8. Approve the award of RFP 24-267, Pavement Rating and Evaluation, to Transmap Corporation, for an amount not to exceed $133,191.60 and for a three and one-half year term

Council approved.

9. Approve the award of Option Year #1 to Contract 23-242, Electrical Installation, Maintenance, Modifications, and Repairs, to Volt Electric, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $120,050, and for a one-year term

Council approved.

10. Approve the award of Option Year #1 to Contract 24-122, Electric Equipment Painting, to BP&T for an amount not to exceed $500,000

Council approved.

11. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to Contract 24-268, Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure, to Sentinel Technologies, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $28,488.60 and a total award of $326,076.82

Council approved.

12. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to the award for Excess Workers’ Compensation Insurance to Midwest Employers Casualty Company for an amount not to exceed $20,779.25 for a total award of $190,917.25

Council approved.

13. Approve the award of Change Order #1 to Option Year #1 to RFQ 23-070, Design Build Pollinator and Native Vegetation Program, to V3 Construction Group for an amount not to exceed $75,000 and a total award of $325,000

POSITION STATEMENT

SUPPORT

Marilyn L Schweitzer

Council approved.

14. Approve the award of Change Order #2 to Contract 24-051, Health Screening Services, to Endeavor Health for an amount not to exceed $100,000 and a total award of $481,000

Councilwoman Gibson recused herself and left the dais from 8:10 p.m. - 8:11 p.m..

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the award of Change Order #2 to Contract 24-051, Health Screening Services, to Endeavor Health for an amount not to exceed $100,000 and a total award of $481,000. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 8 - Wehrli, Holzhauer, Kelly, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Syed, White, and Wilson

Recused: 1 - Gibson

15. Waive the applicable provisions of the Naperville Procurement Code and award Procurement 25-077, East Highland Area Improvements, to Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $209,191 (requires 6 positive votes)

POSITION STATEMENT

SUPPORT

Marilyn L Schweitzer

Council approved.

16. Waive the applicable provisions of the Naperville Procurement Code and award Procurement 25-174, Network Interconnection Study - I-88 Corridor Development, to ICF Resources LLC for an amount not to exceed $42,000 (requires six positive votes)

Council discussed the possibility of a data center being built along the I-88 corridor and if the data center was to be built would the City need to add to the existing grid.

Groth stated the City is well positioned for the traditional 3% annual load growth for the northern portion of Naperville. The City has seen a steady decline of electrical consumption and that only adds to the ability to serve the north portion under normal conditions. The Electric Utility requires system impact studies like this when large, high-density load is being proposed. These studies are paid for by the developer as are all construction and engineering costs associated with connecting the new load to the City’s electrical network.

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to waive the applicable provisions of the Naperville Procurement Code and award

Procurement 25-174, Network Interconnection Study - I-88 Corridor Development, to ICF Resources LLC for an amount not to exceed $42,000. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 8 - Wehrli, Gibson, Kelly, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Syed, White, and Wilson

Nay: 1 - Holzhauer

17. Pass the ordinance granting an extension to the temporary use for parking facilities located on Monarch Landing Lots 1B, 1C, and 2 to remain in place until commencement of construction

ORD 25-045

Council passed.

18. Pass the ordinance authorizing the issuance of Series 2025 General Obligation Bonds for an amount not to exceed $46,000,000, including the defeasance of Series 2013 General Obligation Bonds

ORD 25-046

Council passed.

19. Pass the ordinance approving a variance to Section 6-2-12:1.7 to allow a fence to exceed the height limit on the properties located at 2909-3017 Saganashkee Ln - DEV-0015-2025

ORD 25-047

Council passed.

20. Pass the ordinance approving a major change and a Preliminary/Final Planned Unit Development Plat for Lot 10 of the Springbrook Square Planned Unit Development, 1936 Springbrook Square Drive (Naperville Sweat Lodge) - DEV-0016-2025

ORD 25-048

Council passed.

21. Pass the ordinance approving a one-year extension to the effective period of ordinance 23-115 regarding variances for three ground signs on the property located at 740-944 S IL Route 59

ORD 25-049

Council passed.

22. Pass the ordinance proposing the establishment of Special Service Area No. 36 (Downtown Maintenance Expenses and Marketing Costs) in the City of Naperville and providing for a public hearing

ORD 25-050

Council passed.

23. Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending Section 3-3-11 of the Naperville Municipal Code pertaining to the Class M-Recreational or Lifestyle Amenities Facility cap by increasing the number of recreational facility liquor licenses available by one license (requires six positive votes)

ORD 25-051

Council passed.

24. Adopt the resolution approving the IDOT low bid award for Construction of the North Aurora Road Underpass at the CN Railroad project in the amount of $33,197,029.63

RES 25-21

Council adopted.

25. Adopt the resolution accepting land-cash properties known as Outlots E and F in the Naperville Polo Club Development and authorizing conveyance of said Properties to the Naperville Park District (requires six positive votes)

RES 25-22

Council adopted.

26. Adopt the resolution authorizing a workers’ compensation settlement between Charles Gros and the City of Naperville

RES 25-23

Council adopted.

27. Adopt the resolution authorizing a workers’ compensation settlement between Lee Graefen and the City of Naperville

RES 25-24

Council adopted.

J. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

K. OLD BUSINESS:

L. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

1. Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending Section 3-3-11:2 of the Naperville Municipal Code to increase the cap on the Class S1 - Specialty Food and Liquor Shop by one and pass the ordinance approving a variance from Section 3-3-11:2 to issue a Class S1 - Specialty Food and Liquor Shop license to Buttermilk Naperville, Inc. (requires six positive votes)

ORD 25-052

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending Section 3-3-11:2 of the Naperville Municipal Code to increase the cap on the Class S1 - Specialty Food and Liquor Shop by one and pass the ordinance approving a variance from Section 3-3-11:2 to issue a Class S1 - Specialty Food and Liquor Shop license to Buttermilk Naperville, Inc. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 8 - Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Syed, White, and Wilson

Nay: 1 - Wehrli

M. AWARD OF BIDS AND OTHER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE:

N. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

O. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Approve the recommended pay structure for the City’s non-union positions (Item 1 of 2)

A motion was made by Councilman White and seconded by Councilman Kelly, to approve the recommended pay structure for the City’s non-union positions. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Wehrli, Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Syed, White, and Wilson

2. Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending Sections 1-6A and 1-7 of the Naperville Municipal Code regarding the powers and duties of the City Manager and approval of employee pay structure (requires six positive votes) (Item 2 of 2)

Council stated they should have the responsibility for making decisions on employee compensation and classification issues and not the City Manager and

having this responsibility is a good check and balance for the Council.

Krieger stated this was not an internal recommendation but a recommendation from the consultant the City hired for the compensation study and staff will do the will of the Council if they are not comfortable moving forward with this recommendation.

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending Sections 1-6A and 1-7 of the Naperville Municipal Code pertaining to the City Manager’s powers and duties regarding employee compensation and classification. The motion failed by the following vote:

Aye: 4 - Wehrli, Syed, White, and Wilson

Nay: 5 - Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Longenbaugh, and McBroom

P. NEW BUSINESS:

The City's membership in Illinois Municipal League (IML).

Holzhauer requested that staff prepare a report on the City’s membership with the Illinois Municipal League (IML) and other lobbying organizations that represent the City. The report should include the annual costs of these memberships, the extent of the City’s control over the messaging, and how the

City handles situations where it wishes to remain neutral but the lobbying organizations take a different stance.

By consensus Council directed staff to prepare a report on the City's membership with IML and other lobbying organizations that represent the City.

The report should include the annual costs of these memberships, the extent of the City’s control over the messaging, and how the City handles situations where it wishes to remain neutral but the lobbying organizations take a different stance.

Schedule a workshop to discuss the future of the IMEA contract.

McBroom requested staff to schedule a workshop to discuss the future of the

IMEA contract. This would include topics such as a presentation by the consultant the City hired and the recommendations by the PUAB Board.

Council discussed the need for the workshop, what topics would be covered and if vendors could be invited to attend the workshop.

By consensus Council directed staff to add an agenda item to the June 3, 2025

Council meeting to vote on whether to schedule a workshop to discuss the future of the IMEA contract and what topics would be covered at the workshop.

Q. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion was made by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Kelly, to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting of May 20, 2025, at 8:44 p.m. The motion carried by a voice vote.

https://naperville.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1285950&GUID=40DE6AC0-8D06-48AE-AABE-F695FE6D72DF