City Council Meetings
Regular MeetingWheaton, IL · November 16, 2020
Minutes
Monday, November 16, 2020
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Philip J.
Suess. Upon roll call, the following were:
Physically Present: Mayor Suess
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Absent: None
City Staff Physically
Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager
James Knippen, City Attorney
Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer
Sharon Barrett-Hagen, City Clerk
City Staff
Electronically Present: John Duguay, Assistant City Manager
James Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development
Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering
Nathan Plunkett, Public Works Streets Superintendent
Daniel Peck, PR Coordinator
2. Presentations
Mayor Suess read a proclamation proclaiming December 11 and 12, 2020 as “Christmas Sharing
Weekend” in Wheaton. Ms. Julie Nelligan, President, Christmas Sharing Wheaton Warrenville,
thanked the Mayor and City Council for recognizing the important work of this organization.
She said they have partnered with CUSD School District and the Northern Illinois Food Bank to
provide food and a gift card to approximately 800 families. Ms. Nelligan referred people to their
website at ChristmasSharing.org for those wishing to make a cash donation.
Mayor Suess read a proclamation in recognition of the 125 years Wheaton Nurseries have been
operating as a family business in Wheaton. Mr. Steve Lederman thanked the Mayor and City
Council for the recognition. He said he started his career with Wheaton Nurseries 52 years ago
and stated it has been great to be here serving their customers.
WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
November 16, 2020
3. Citizens to be Heard
None.
4. Consent Agenda
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the following action be
taken on the Consent Agenda items:
1. Approve the minutes of the November 2, 2020 regular Wheaton City Council meeting
as submitted.
2. Adopt Resolution R-2020-101, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use,
and Indemnification Agreement – 1801 Knollwood Drive.
3. Adopt Resolution R-2020-102, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use,
and Indemnification Agreement – 1816 Woodlawn Street.
4. Adopt Resolution R-2020-103, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use,
and Indemnification Agreement – 1241 W. Thomas Road.
5. Adopt Resolution R-2020-104, A Resolution Authorizing a Certain Construction, Use,
and Indemnification Agreement – 1241 Hidden Court.
6. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the Official Motor Vehicle and Traffic
Schedules (Chapter 70) for the City of Wheaton – Schedule VII
Roll Call Vote on Consent Agenda:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
5. Pass Ordinance No. O-2020-36, An Ordinance Ratifying a Certain Mayoral Executive
Order During the Declaration of Local State of Emergency
Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Ordinance No. O-
2020-36, An Ordinance Ratifying a Certain Mayoral Executive Order During the Declaration of
Local State of Emergency, be passed.
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WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
November 16, 2020
City Manager Dzugan advised the proposed ordinance ratifies the Mayor’s Executive Order
issued last week that refunds liquor license fees for the months of October, November and
December 2020 and waives the license fees for the months of January, February and March
2021 for all restaurant liquor license classifications.
Mayor Suess stated the City’s restaurants have been hit particularly hard by COVID regulations
and stated this is something the City feels is important to do to provide support to those
businesses.
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
6. Adopt Resolution R-2020-105, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing
the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Young
Oh d/b/a Java Connection
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Resolution R-2020-105,
A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease
Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Young Oh d/b/a Java Connection, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated this item, as well as the following item, relates to the coffee
vendors operating at the two Wheaton train stations. He indicated the amendment would
extend the leases to December 31, 2023. In addition, City Manager Dzugan stated the
amendments contain a paragraph addressing the impact of COVID-19 on Metra ridership by
requiring no rent if ridership does not exceed 50% of the passenger trips for the same months
in 2019.
Councilman Rutledge questioned if the original lease, which is 15 years old, should be updated.
City Attorney Knippen advised the Council could adopt the resolutions and direct the City
Attorney to update the language in the subleases. The City Council directed the City Attorney to
make modifications to the original subleases and agreed with the City Attorney’s suggestion to
approve the sublease amendments subject to modifications made by the City Attorney in the
original subleases.
Roll Call Vote:
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WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
November 16, 2020
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
7. Adopt Resolution R-2020-106, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing
the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Robert
Loveland d/b/a Commuter Comforts
Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that Resolution R-2020-106,
A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign and Directing the City Clerk to Attest to a Sublease
Amendment Between the City of Wheaton and Robert Loveland d/b/a Commuter Comforts, be
adopted subject to modifications made by the City Attorney in the original sublease.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
8. Adopt Resolution R-2020-107, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No.
159 with Allscape Incorporated for Lawn Care and Maintenance for City Facilities and
Properties for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $56,133
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Resolution R-2020-107, A
Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 159 with Allscape Incorporated for
Lawn Care and Maintenance for City Facilities and Properties for a Total Amount Not to Exceed
$56,133, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the resolution would approve lawn care and maintenance for 17
city-owned properties, amounting to 40 acres. He indicated the City received seven bids for this
work and the low bidder, Allscape, is the City’s current provider.
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WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
November 16, 2020
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
9. Adopt Resolution R-2020-108, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Aggregate
Materials from Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC for a Total Amount Not to Exceed
$43,526.40
Councilman Zaruba moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that Resolution R-2020-108, A
Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Aggregate Materials from Vulcan Construction
Materials, LLC for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $43,526.40, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the City received four bids for aggregate used to backfill holes and
stated the cost is within the 2021 budget.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
10. Adopt Resolution R-2020-109, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No.
160 with Chicagoland Paving Contractors, Inc. for Hot Mix Asphalt Surface Removal Services
for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $55,000
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that Resolution R-2020-
109, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 160 with Chicagoland Paving
Contractors, Inc. for Hot Mix Asphalt Surface Removal Services for a Total Amount Not to
Exceed $55,000, be adopted.
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WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
November 16, 2020
City Manager Dzugan stated the City received eight bids for the milling of certain streets as part
of the Public Works paving program. He indicated the streets that are being considered for
milling under this agreement include Liberty, Pierce, Aurora Way, Erie, Cambridge, and
Brentwood and said the bid amount is within the 2021 budget.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
11. Council Comment
Councilman Barbier commented on the loss of football player Titus Davis, who passed away
from a rare kidney cancer at the age of 27. He stated Titus Davis was a 2011 graduate of
Wheaton Warrenville South High School who played on the Tiger’s football team.
Councilwoman Robbins encouraged everyone to attend the “Nights of Lights” at Adams Park
that will run from November 20 through January 20 from dusk to 10 p.m. She stated no tickets
are needed, but social distancing should be practiced.
Councilwoman Fitch is glad Christmas Sharing is partnering with the school district which will
help promote the work of that organization.
Mayor Suess expressed his appreciation to the DWA for their efforts in putting together the
“Nights of Lights” event, as well as the painting of downtown storefronts, projecting a holiday
spirit in Wheaton.
Mayor Suess also emphasized the importance of following the guidelines of the Health
Department to remain safe during the COVID pandemic. He stated the number of cases in
Wheaton have gone up in the last few weeks and encouraged everyone to wear a mask, avoid
large groups, practice social distancing and hand washing.
Mayor Suess referred to a recent article about a school board meeting in the Tribune which
made him think about a statement Mayor Gresk used to read at Council meetings: civility and a
sense of decorum will be strictly followed. He asked, during this contentious time with people
having strong opinions, that people conduct themselves in a professional and civil manner.
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WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
November 16, 2020
Mayor Suess reminded everyone that school board members are volunteer citizens doing the
best they can for students in their district and the community and they should be treated with
respect and civility.
12. Approval of Warrant
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Warrant No. 788 in the
amount of $2,848,738.26, be approved.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
13. Adjournment
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that the regular Wheaton
City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilwoman Fitch
Mayor Suess
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried Unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Barrett-Hagen
City Clerk
Submitted for Approval: December 7, 2020
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