City Council Planning Sessions

Monday, March 9, 2026 I. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Suess. The following were: Physically Present: Mayor Suess Councilwoman Bray-Parker Councilwoman Brice Councilman Brown Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Absent: Councilman Clousing City Staff Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager William Kolschowsky, Assistant City Manager Dawn Dider, City Attorney Princeton J. Youker, Chief of Police Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer Erik Berg, Management Analyst II. Approval of Planning Session Minutes – February 23, 2026 The Council approved the February 23, 2026, Planning Session minutes. III. Glen Ellyn/Wheaton Boundary Agreement City Manager Dzugan stated that the Village of Glen Ellyn (“Village”) has reviewed the proposed Boundary Agreement (“BA”) between the Village and the City of Wheaton (“City”) and found the terms of the agreement acceptable. A major focus of the agreement is the Scripture Press property owned by Wheaton College. The agreement would require de-annexing one-third of the property from Glen Ellyn and annexing it to Wheaton. Under the agreement, any future development of the property would be required to adhere to the City’s stormwater ordinance. For any future property tax generated by the development, one-third would be shared with Glen Ellyn for a period of twenty years following completion of the development. In addition to the Scripture Press property, the BA addresses some minor street maintenance responsibilities and emergency water connection possibilities. City Manager Dzugan stated that once both municipalities approve the agreement, the City would have public hearings on the de-annexation and annexation on the properties identified in the agreement. Once the annexation is approved and the properties are within the city limits of Wheaton, the developer could apply to the City for appropriate zoning. In response to a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated that, once notification and public hearings are completed, de-annexing and annexing could take up to six months. He confirmed that  CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 revenue sharing would be limited to property tax and that the agreement would not require stormwater mitigation beyond that required for a 100-year storm event. City Manager Dzugan stated that he would communicate with Glen Ellyn and return to the City Council for consideration of the boundary agreement consistent with notification requirements. IV. Proposed E-bicycle Regulations City Manager Dzugan stated that municipal regulation of e-bicycles and other electric devices has been discussed with the Council at multiple Planning Sessions. He stated that, in contrast to the ordinance presented at the January 26, 2026, Planning Session, the regulations presented tonight take a more minimal approach focusing on out-of-class electric vehicles. Management Analyst Berg stated that, while the state revisits its regulations concerning electric devices, a local ordinance focusing on out-of-class electric vehicles (OCEVs) would address the most problematic devices and behaviors, specifically, reckless operation. Riders of OCEVs would need to be sixteen years of age or older, have a valid driver’s license, and could only operate on the roadway. All devices would be prohibited from operating recklessly. In response to a Council question, Police Chief Youker stated that state statute distinguishes between gas-powered bicycles and low-speed electric bicycles. Council discussed activities involved electric devices that could be considered reckless, the possibility of interim regulation coinciding with statewide legislation, and City communications regarding e-bike regulations and etiquette. In response to a Council question, Police Chief Youker stated that the police department collaborates frequently with the school district to provide education to both parents and students and much of the etiquette concerns related to electric devices are recognizable to police officers and already prohibited by the Illinois Rules of the Road. In response to a Council question, Assistant City Manager Kolschowsky stated that there are municipalities that provide exceptions for personal mobility devices, which, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, can be used to broadly refer to many types of devices. Council directed the staff to draft an ordinance incorporating the provisions discussed. V. America250 City Manager Dzugan reviewed submittals by Boards and Commissions for potential programs celebrating America250. He stated that, if all programs were approved, the total cost would be $81,000, with the mural potentially costing up to $60,000. He highlighted two proposed programs. One, American flags on street poles, would not be possible due to the height limitations of the street poles, but staff could explore flags in the pavilions and the tents. Second, the Forestry Division will be planting a liberty tree at City Hall. To accommodate the planting, the existing tree, which has a remaining life of six or seven years, will be removed. Council discussed the possibility of encouraging neighborhood organizations to participate in the parade and thanked the Boards and Commissions for their submissions.  CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 VI. Public Comment There was no public comment. VII. Council/Staff Comment Councilwoman Brice encouraged residents to attend the Franklin Middle School fundraiser and silent auction. Mayor Suess expressed his appreciation for Wheaton Municipal Band, who recently performed at the 91st annual convention the American Bandmasters Association at the Harris Theater in Chicago. VIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Respectfully, Erik Berg