City of Wheaton City Council met Dec. 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
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: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
City Staff Present: Michael G. Dzugan, City Manager
John M. Duguay, Assistant City Manager
Sarah Kallas, City Attorney
James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development
Paul G. Redman, Director of Engineering
Chad Michaelis, Director of Information Technology
Robert Lehnhardt, Finance Director
Arin Thrower, Public Information Officer
Betsy Adamowski, Wheaton Public Library Director
Sharon Barrett-Hagen, City Clerk
2. Citizens to Be Heard
Mr. Ron Diener, Co-Chair of the Wheaton Lions Club Reindeer Run, encouraged everyone to join in the fun on December 7, 2019.
3. Consent Agenda
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda items:
1. Approve the November 18, 2019 minutes of the regular Wheaton City Council, as submitted.
2. Authorize Issuance of Outdoor Special Event Liquor License –Downtown Wheaton Association “Let’s Wine About Winter” Wine Walk.
Roll Call Vote on Consent Agenda:
Ayes: Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
4. Approve Reappointments to City Boards/Commissions
Mayor Suess moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that Steph McGrath be reappointed to the Historic Commission and Tracy Jones be reappointed to the Wheaton Downton Design Review Board, both for three-year terms.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Mayor Suess
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
5. Pass Ordinance No. O-2019-57, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Liquor Control Ordinance, Chapter 6 – Alcoholic Beverages – Class I License Classification
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Ordinance No. O-2019-57, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Liquor Control Ordinance, Chapter 6 – Alcoholic Beverages – Class I License Classification, be passed.
City Manager Dzugan advised the Liquor Control Commission unanimously recommended approval of a request from Sogno to allow alcohol to be sold when a limited menu is offered during lunch at their meeting on November 14, 2019. He advised the current code only allows alcohol service with a limited menu after 11 p.m.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
6. Pass Ordinance No. O-2019-58, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Liquor Control
Ordinance, Chapter 6 – Alcoholic Beverages – Class W License Classification Code – Increase in Class W (Performing Arts Facility) Liquor License – Ash-Culhane LLC d/b/a Westside Improv – 125 W. Front Street
Councilwoman Bray-Parker moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that Ordinance No. O2019-58, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Liquor Control Ordinance, Chapter 6 – Alcoholic Beverages – Class W License Classification Code – Increase in Class W (Performing Arts Facility) Liquor License – Ash-Culhane LLC d/b/a Westside Improv – 125 W. Front Street, be passed.
City Manager Dzugan stated the Liquor Control Commission unanimously recommended approval of an amendment to the Class W liquor license classification to allow alcohol to be sold one hour after a show rather than ½ hour as currently allowed at their meeting on November 14, 2019. He stated the Liquor Control Commission also recommended allowing seating in the lobby or foyer area. In addition, City Manager Dzugan indicated the proposed ordinance would authorize the issuance of a Class W liquor license to Westside Improv located at 125 W. Front Street.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
7. Receive Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #19-20/Front Yard Setback Variation/1524 Foothill Court
Councilman Zaruba moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that the Planning & Zoning Board Report Re: ZA #19-20/Front Yard Setback Variation/1524 Foothill Court, be received.
City Manager Dzugan stated the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved a front yard setback variation of 40.16 feet rather than the required 55.24 feet on the property located at 1524 Foothill Court at their meeting on November 12, 2019.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Councilman Rutledge
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
Pass Ordinance No. O-2019-59, An Ordinance Granting a Front Yard Setback Variation on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 1524 Foothill Court – Airoom Architects Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Ordinance No. O-2019-59, An Ordinance Granting a Front Yard Setback Variation on a Certain Piece of Property Commonly Known as 1524 Foothill Court – Airoom Architects, be passed.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
8. First Reading of an Ordinance Levying Taxes for General and Special Corporate Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and Ending December 21, 2020 for the City of Wheaton, Illinois
City Manager Dzugan stated the next eight items relate to the City’s four property tax levies. He reported the proposed ordinance contains no increase in the levy, resulting in a total levy of $20,459,855 which may result in a decrease in property taxes for many residential property owners. City Manager Dzugan stated all the ordinances appear as a first reading with formal consideration to be taken at the December 16 meeting of the City Council.
9. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending the 2019 Tax Levy Contained in Ordinance No. O-2019-XX
City Manager Dzugan stated the proposed ordinance would abate about $1MM from the previous ordinance from TIF 3, the debt service reserve fund and the 2018 GO Bond. Councilman Rutledge stated the City is generally looking at a 2% increase in operating costs, as well as millions in capital improvements. He does not feel it is realistic not to raise the tax levy and expressed concern about the long-term effect on the City.
Councilman Barbier feels the City is showing it is being disciplined with residents’ tax dollars.
Mayor Suess stated the City’s reserves are significantly above target and therefore the City has some flexibility in being able to maintain the levy without raising taxes. He indicated other revenue sources may increase over the year and feels the City needs to look at the budget in its totality rather than just one revenue source.
10. First Reading of An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020 in and for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Two
City Manager Dzugan stated the levy is for parking service expenses in the central business area.
11. First Reading of An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Two for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020
City Manager Dzugan indicated this ordinance would appropriate the taxes for Special Service Area Number Two.
12. First Reading of An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020 in and for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Three
City Manager Dzugan stated the levy relates to maintenance of open spaces within the Streams Subdivision. In response to Councilwoman Bray-Parker, City Manager Dzugan advised the work mainly relates to mowing.
13. First Reading of An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Three for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and EndingDecember 31, 2020
City Manager Dzugan indicated this ordinance would appropriate the taxes for Special Service Area Number Three.
14. First Reading of An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020 in and for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Eight
City Manager Dzugan stated the levy amount of $139,000 for Special Service Area Eight will generate a total of $250,000, which includes $111,000 from the TIF 2 increment, and will fund the services provided by the Downtown Wheaton Association in an amount requested in their 2020 budget.
15. First Reading of An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Eight for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020
City Manager Dzugan indicated this ordinance would appropriate the taxes for Special Service Area Number Eight.
16. Adopt Resolution R-2019-106, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Internet Service from AT&T Corporation for a Three (3) Year Term for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $36,000
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Resolution R-20198-106, A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Internet Service from AT&T Corporation for a Three (3) Year Term for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $36,000, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the City’s current internet connection service expires in February 2020 and the proposed resolution would authorize the purchase of these services for three years. He indicated the $45 per month rate is less than the City’s current contract and will provide greater band width.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
17. Strategic Planning Presentation/Management Partners
City Manager Dzugan introduced Ms. Jacquelyn McCray, Senior Manager, Management Partners, to provide an overview of their approach and services to complete the City’s Strategic Planning effort. He stated staff will return to the Council for approval of a contract with Management Partners if the Council agrees with the approach outlined.
Ms. McCray reviewed her organization, the team that would be assigned to the City and the steps and approach they would take to assist the City in developing a strategic plan. In response to Council questions, she stated they would review and apply best practices from both private and governmental agencies and align them with the City’s goals and strategies. Ms. McCray stated the project would take approximately 90 days to complete.
18. Council Comment
Councilman Rutledge stated he attended the November 23 Turkish American Thanksgiving dinner and encouraged everyone to participate if they can.
Councilman Barbier thanked the Downtown Wheaton Association for a great Christmas parade.
Mayor Suess stated the Christmas parade was a great kick-off to completion of construction in the downtown area for the year.
Mayor Suess announced the passing of Margy Hamilton, the first woman mayor of Wheaton and founder of the Wheaton League of Woman Voters. Mayor Suess recounted the many contributions Ms. Hamilton made to Wheaton and expressed appreciation for her commitment to the City.
19. Approval of Warrant
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilman Barbier seconded that Warrant No. 765 in the amount of $5,332,253.25, be approved.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
20. Adjournment
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Bray-Parker
Mayor Suess
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Motion Carried Unanimously
Respectfuly submitted,
Sharon Barrett-Hagen
City Clerk
Submitted for Approval: December 16, 2019
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12022019-1309
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