City Council Meetings

WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS MAYOR 3‘*€E£_IPJ Sl~JK$S COUNCILWOMAN I Riff/k. HHA‘K-FARM H i COUNCILWOMAN LI-r‘kH BRIG. i COUNCILMAN FJT‘VC’Ellrl III€II3"v,‘v’I\-I COUNCILMAN B 'AIJZ I”! (:I {LJLJE‘i-IPIG COUNCILWOMAN i"r"'NN RUBIIINE I COUNCILMAN Ii I WE‘I i Iw "x.-\.-“HF.1‘ITLT)I\J CITE” m’xl i ‘iUsfa W ‘aix'Fi‘SI FY SIR‘FFK WHFs'KTCN, ii I II"-!O%S (WW5! , ('Jil‘IliJi‘x‘Cll CHAWIEFRS. Monday, October 20, 2025 1. Cali 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 foHowing were: Physically Present: Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Absent: None City Staff Physically Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager William Kolschowsky, Assistant City Manager Dawn Didier, City Attorney Jim Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering Robert Lehnhardt, Director of Finance Erik Berg, Management Analyst Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer City Staff Electronically Present: None 2. Presentation Mayor Suess read and presented a proclamation in recognition of World Polio Day 2025 to the Rotary Club of Wheaton A.M. and the Rotary Club of Wheaton, followed by remarks from Rotary Club of Wheaton member, Bill McGurr. 3. Citizens to be Heard Vincent Bertocchini, residing at 995 S. Lorraine Rd., discussed his interactions with the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) regarding the challenges related to the allocation of financial subsidies involving his permanent disability benefits, which he believes are counterproductive as he tries to maintain independent living. He reported facing his third eviction in 18 months and mentioned that earning additional income would result in losing his benefits. Mr. Bertocchini is seeking assistance from local government officials to contact state representatives or senators who have the authority to address the housing funding issues he is facing. Mayor Suess requested that Mr. Bertocchini provide his contact information to the staff. 4. Consent Agenda Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda items: WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, October20, 2025 1. Approve the Minutes of the Wheaton City Council Regular Meeting — October 6, 2025, as submitted. 2. Adopt Resolution R-2025-81, A Resolution Authorizing the Approvai and Reiease of Ciosed Session Minutes. 3. Adopt Resoiution R—2025-82, A Resolution Authorizing the Destruction of Audio or Video Recordings of Closed Session Meetings. Roll Cali Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 5. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-47, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Disclosure Requirements Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Weller seconded that 0-2025—47, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 2 Administration, Article Vlll Disclosure Requirements, be passed. City Manager Dzugan noted the ordinance was first read at the October 6 City Council Meeting and discussed at the August 25 Planning Session Meeting. He explained the ordinance removes a redundant process for disclosing economic interests but still requires filings as mandated by the lllinois Governmental Ethics Act. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Brown MayorSuess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 6. Pass Ordinance 0-2025-48, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 70 Traffic and Vehicles, Article ll Administration and Enforcement, Division 3 Parking Violations and Article VIII Abandoned and lnoperable Vehicles; and Chapter 2 Administration, Article X System of Administrative Adjudications 2 WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, October 20, 2025 Councilman Weller moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that 0-2025—48, An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wheaton Chapter 7O Traffic and Vehicles, Articie Ii Administration and Enforcement, Division 3 Parking Violations and Articie VIII Abandoned and inoperable Vehicles; and Chapter 2 Administration, Article X System of Administrative Adjudications, be passed. City Manager Dzugan stated the ordinance was first read at the October 6 City Council meeting. He stated that based upon the City Council’s comments, the ordinance was revised to allow towing if a vehicie had at least five unpaid tickets and included an escalating fine structure that is not processed through administrative adjudication. He also highlighted the increase from $30 to $60 if a fine is not paid in 3O days. Councilwoman Brice expressed concern relating to the burden of debt pertaining to fine accumulations of five violations versus three. City Attorney Didier confirmed that if the violations are processed through Administrative Adjudication, the individual would need to pay $300 for three versus five at $500. Councilwoman Brice asked if the number could be reconsidered since there are many people who already likely have three or more unpaid parking violations. Management Analyst Berg confirmed that over fifty vehicles have three or more unpaid tickets, with 32 vehicles with greater than 10 unpaid violations, and 22 with between seven and ten. Mayor Suess expressed understanding towards the concern of Councilwoman Brice and noted that vehicle owners with three violations may find it extreme to have their vehicle towed over those with five violations. City Manager Dzugan noted that vehicle owners are always welcome to come in and pay at three violations. ln response to Councilwoman Bray—Parker, City Attorney Didier confirmed after five violations a notice will be issued that ifthe fine is not paid, the next time the vehicle is parked on any city street or property, illegally or not, the vehicle would be eligible for towing. Councilwoman Bray-Parker requested that staff provide data in six months to see if vehicle owners are going to Administrative Adjudication and if the program is changing behavior. City Attorney Didier stated the City is giving current vehicle owners with multiple unpaid parking tickets the opportunity to pay, and possibly a reduced amount before towing is enforced. Councilwoman Bray—Parker stated the goal is to get people to stop parking illegally and not to make money. Mayor Suess stated that the primary objective ofthe ordinance is compliance and mentioned that after 10 parking violations, the focus on compliance is diminished. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice WHEKKNqCWYCOUNCKPROCEEWNGS Monday, October 20, 2025 Councilman Brown MayorSuess Councilman Cl0using Councilwoman Robbins Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 7. Adopt Resolution R-2025-83, A Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Cable Television Franchise Agreement Between the City of Wheaton and Comcast of Illinois V, Inc. Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilman Brown seconded that R-2025—83, A Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Cable Television Franchise Agreement Between the City of Wheaton and Comcast of Illinois V, lnc., be adopted. City Manager Dzugan stated the City’s 2017 Cable Television Franchise Agreement with Comcast expired at the end of September. He reported that City Attorney Didier has been working with Comcast representatives to update the agreement, noting most changes are related to a change in law or recent court decisions. He confirmed the agreement follows agreements that nearly all lllinois municipalities have with their cable provider. in response to Mayor Suess, City Manager Dzugan confirmed the City is limited to 5% due to regulation independent of the City and noted the amount received has been on the decline due to decreased sales. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 8. Adopt Resolution R-2025-84, A Resolution Authorizing the Binding of Property and Casualty Insurance Coverages for November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026 Councilwoman Bray—Parker moved and Councilman Clousing seconded that R-2025-84, A Resolution Authorizing the Binding of Property and Casualty insurance Coverages for November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026, be adopted. City Manager Dzugan announced the resolution authorizes insurance coverages and premiums totaling $827,911 for November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. He noted that this year's $54,600 (7.4%) increase is smaller compared to the 31.6% and 31.5% hikes in 2021 and 2022. Mayor Suess inquired about any changes to the deductibles or self—insurance. Director Lehnhardt confirmed there are none. Mayor Suess then asked about the City's confidence in Marsh since the coverage remains the same. 4 WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, October20, 2025 Director Lehnhardt explained that the City switched insurance brokers a few years ago, and he is confident the previous broker explored the market. He noted the City's standalone, self—insured status limits its options, as does the unique nature of services like police protection, which few insurers cover, making it challenging to find carriers willing to insure the City. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Counciiman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimouslv 9. Motion to Direct Staff to Express Objection / Concern Regarding DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals — Zoning Petition ZONING-25-000046 Penny’s Place - Blackhawk Councilman Brown moved and Councilman Clousing seconded a motion to Direct Staff to Express Objection / Concern Regarding DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals — Zoning Petition ZONING-25000046 Penny’s Place — Blackhawk. City Manager Dzugan stated a petition from DuPage County was received for variations associated with Penny’s Place — Blackhawk, at the southeast corner of Butterfield and Park Blvd. for a video gaming café restaurant. He stated staff recommended the Council direct staff to object to the variations as the distance to an assembly, a church, and a 60% setback reduction, 400 feet from the required 1,000 feet from another video gaming establishment, in the same strip mall, circumvents the County’s zoning requirements. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Brown MayorSuess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously 10. Council Comment Mayor Suess recognized City Clerk Rosedale for her completion ofthe Municipal Clerks of Illinois Institute, a three— year professional education program accredited by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. 11. Approval of Warrant WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS Monday, October 20, 2025 Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Robbins seconded that Warrant No. 906 in the amount of $3,010,655.40, be approved. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown MayorSuess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimouslv 12. Adjournment Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilwoman Brice seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Bray—Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Mayor Suess Councilman Clousing Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Nays: None Absent: None Motion Carried Unanimously Respectfully submitted, MW Andrea Rosedale City Clerk Submitted for Approval: November 3, 2025