City of Wheaton City Council met Feb. 16.
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
Councilwoman Fitch
Councilwoman Robbins
Councilman Rutledge
Councilman Zaruba
Electronically Present: Mayor Suess
Absent: None
City Staff Physically Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager
John Duguay, Assistant City Manager
James Knippen, City Attorney
Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering
Robert Lehnhardt, Finance Director
Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer
Andrea Rosedale, Executive Assistant
Sharon Barrett-Hagen, City Clerk
Electronically Present: Daniel Peck, PR Coordinator
2. Report of City Manager
City Manager Dzugan acknowledged the efforts of the Fire Department in fighting a fire last night in below zero and snow conditions. He also expressed his appreciation to Public Works personnel who have worked tirelessly over the past three weeks to clear a total of 36 inches of snow.
3. Report of City Attorney
City Attorney Knippen expressed his gratitude for the response he received from the City’s paramedics. He stated they provide extraordinary service to the City’s residents, and all should be thankful for what they do.
4. Citizens to be Heard
None
5. Consent Agenda
Councilman Barbier moved and Councilman Rutledge seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda items:
1. Approve the minutes of the February 1, 2021 regular Wheaton City Council meeting as submitted.
2. Pass Ordinance O-2021-05, An Ordinance Amending the Wheaton Liquor Control Ordinance, Chapter 6, Article III – Decrease in Class S (Convenience Stores) Liquor License/7-Eleven/1277 E. Butterfield Road and Class B (Restaurants) Liquor License/Smashburger/1 Rice Lake Square
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
6. Pass Ordinance O-2021-06, An Ordinance Abating the 2020 Tax Levy for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Two Contained in Ordinance No. O-2020-45
Councilwoman Robbins moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Ordinance O-2021-06, An Ordinance Abating the 2020 Tax Levy for the City of Wheaton Special Service Area Number Two Contained in Ordinance No. O-2020-45, be passed.
City Manager Dzugan advised the proposed ordinance abates $39,400 of the SSA #2 levy, which represents the entire levy. The proposed abatement was discussed previously as part of the Council’s decision to dissolve SSA #2 and shift the parking expenses to SSA #8, which will be discussed further during budget discussions in November.
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
7. Adopt Resolution R-2021-07, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 176 with MDS Technologies, Inc. to Provide Pavement Management System Updates for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $35,950
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that Resolution R-2021-07, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Agreement No. 176 with MDS Technologies, Inc. to Provide Pavement Management System Updates for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $35,950 be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated the proposed resolution would authorize a contract with MDS Technologies to complete the City’s three-year pavement evaluation on all City-owned streets. He indicated this is part of the industry standard approach to managing the City’s pavement.
In response to Councilwoman Fitch, Director Tebrugge confirmed staff will share the evaluation with the City Council. Councilwoman Fitch feels the report will be helpful in the context of the City’s annual road program and in determining how many of the City’s failing streets can be repaired. In response to City Manager Dzugan, Director Tebrugge stated the 2021 road program is already set, and the MDS report will be utilized for next year’s road program.
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
8. First Reading of An Ordinance Amending Section B-9, Fire Department Fees, Appendix B, Fee Schedule, of the Wheaton City Code
City Manager Dzugan stated the proposed ordinance would amend three categories of ambulance service for residents and non-residents based upon Council’s prior discussions. He advised the proposed resident rates reflect an increase that is 20% below the mean for all ambulance fees surveyed in the area. He stated final action on the proposed ordinance would take place at the next City Council meeting.
9. Adopt Resolution R-2021-08, A Resolution Identifying Strategic Priorities for the City of Wheaton – 2021-2025
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilman Zaruba seconded that Resolution R-2021-08, A Resolution Identifying Strategic Priorities for the City of Wheaton – 2021-2025, be adopted.
City Manager Dzugan stated five strategic priorities have been identified following many discussions between staff and the City Council: financial stability, enhanced infrastructure, responsive and efficient services community safety and environmental sustainability. He indicated staff will begin work on an action plan to carry out the initiatives in each priority for presentation to the Council at a future date.
Councilwoman Fitch expressed her appreciation for everyone’s work on this and feels it is a solid plan to take the City to 2025 and will make Wheaton a better place to live.
Councilman Barbier also thanked the Council and staff for the time and effort spent on the plan. Mayor Suess stated preparation of a strategic plan is one of the more significant things the Council does. He noted the Council went through a deliberative process and solicited feedback from the community and thanked everyone for their work in finalizing the plan.
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
10. Council Comment
Mayor Suess expressed his appreciation for Public Works and Fire Department personnel in performing their duties despite the challenges the weather presented. He also gave a shout out to the Fire Department’s EMS personnel and the value their work provides to the community.
Mayor Suess noted the passing of Dick Gerig and acknowledged his service in various Wheaton organizations and as a former councilman. He stated Mr. Gerig was instrumental in founding the Wheaton Leadership Prayer Breakfast in 1986 and was the third recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award for the City of Wheaton.
11. Approval of Warrant
Councilman Rutledge moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Warrant No. 794 in the amount of $1,622,839.69, 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
12. Adjournment
Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilwoman Bray-Parker seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:18 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
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02162021-1583
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