City of Warrenville City Council met July 6

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Oct 27, 2021

City of Warrenville City Council met July 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. OPENING CEREMONIES

A. Call to Order

Mayor Brummel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

B. Roll Call

Present: Mayor David Brummel, and Aldermen: Stu Aschauer, Clare Barry, Kathy Davolos, Leah Goodman, Jeff Krischel, and Robert Wilson

Alderman Jay Anderson attended virtually.

Absent: Alderman Bill Weidner

Also Present: City Administrator John Coakley, Assistant City Administrator Cristina White, Finance Director Kevin Dahlstrand, Community and Economic Development Director Ron Mentzer, Public Works

Director Phil Kuchler, Police Chief Ray Turano, Attorney Brooke Lenneman, and City Clerk Julie Clark

Also Absent: None

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Brummel led the Pledge of Allegiance

II. CITIZENS COMMENTS

Pat O’Connor, 570 Warren Avenue, commented on how nice it is to see people out and about around town.

Andrea Rogers, Everton Flats, is currently experiencing difficulties with the drinking water; which is brown, has strong odors, and makes it difficult to clean. Water softeners have been installed at an additional cost to construction in some units. She has asked if there are any plans to purchase water from the City of Chicago. She stated she understands the water currently meets the regulatory requirements, but it is not enjoyable to consume. She ended by stating, as the population increases, so should the demand for higher quality water.

Mayor Brummel responded that there are no plans to purchase water from the City of Chicago as it would be exceedingly expensive to the City and its residents.

III. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS

A. Mayor

Mayor Brummel thanked everyone involved with providing the fireworks show on July 3. Mayor also thanked public works for their efforts after the storms, for our City as well as those surrounding communities. He shared that Fire Chief Dina had thanked the City for their cooperation in recent fire events in the City.

Mayor asked Police Chief Turano for any comment on the illegal fireworks, Chief Turano said the highest call volume was during the City fireworks display, he thought perhaps the sound from that was being used to disguise the illegal displays, he added that a full report would be given at the July 26 Committee meeting.

Mayor then asked Assistant City Administrator (ACA) White for an update on the continuation of the virtual meeting platform. ACA White said meetings would continue to be available through the virtual GoToMeetings platform and recordings will be available the next day on YouTube and Channel 10. She also noted only the podium and Mayor’s seat would be visible on GoToMeetings but everyone sitting at the dais would be seen if watching on Channel 10 or YouTube.

Mayor also reminded all that this is the final week of the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge. It will end July 10.

B. Clerk

No report

C. Treasurer

No report

D. Aldermen

Alderman Goodman reflected on a personal matter of this ongoing pandemic, stating that one month ago yesterday was the anniversary of her losing her Great Uncle Jake to COVID. She continues to urge all to get vaccinated.

Alderman Davolos shared that she is thrilled to be back in person and thanked staff for everything they have done to continue to do their jobs during all these months. She said they have done a stellar job and shown creativity in getting the job done. She is very proud of the City and thinks it has done quite well.

E. City Administrator (CA) Coakley echoed Alderman Goodman’s encouragement to get vaccinated. He also extended kudos to the Friends of the 4th for making the fireworks happen. He appreciates the close monitoring they did to make the fireworks possible in such uncertain times. He added, while other towns took a chance that may have paid off, the Friends of the 4th and the City did their best given the uncertainty when the decisions had to be made in January. Unfortunately, waiting until the end of May would not give them enough time to plan a full celebration. Additionally, to take a chance by booking and paying vendors that may not be able to be used was too risky. Friends of the 4th anticipates having a full celebration next year.

F. City Attorney Brooke Lenneman said it is really nice to be back in person and no longer need to have a roll call vote for every vote.

IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The following item was removed from the Consent Agenda by Alderman Davolos for discussion:

VI. C: Accept staff recommendation and pass resolution R2021-48, awarding the contract for Lakeview Drive and River Oaks Drive Storm Sewer Pipelining to Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. of Bartlett, IL, in the amount of $203,000

Alderman Davolos made a motion, seconded by Alderman Goodman, to approve the agenda for the July 6, 2021, City Council regular meeting as amended.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Alderman Davolos made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wilson, to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2021, City Council regular meeting.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

VI. CONSENT AGENDA – OMNIBUS VOTE

A. Accept staff recommendation, waive second reading, and pass ordinance O2021-28, granting extension of special use permit approval for the operation of an adult use cannabis dispensary at 4S120 Route 59

B. Accept staff recommendation and pass resolution R2021-47, awarding the contract for West 2 and 3 Basins Manhole Rehabilitation to Duke’s Root Control, Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL, in the amount of $427, 300

C. Removed for discussion

D. Accept Mayor Brummel’s recommendation and approve the appointment of John (Jack) Grodoski as Commissioner to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

E. Accept staff recommendation and approve the revised 2021 Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Commission schedule of regular meetings

F. Receive and file minutes of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners meeting held on November 17, 2020

G. Receive and file minutes of the Tourism and Arts Commission meeting held on February 11, 2021

H. Receive and file minutes of the Tourism and Arts Commission meeting held on February 17, 2021

I. Receive and file minutes of the Tourism and Arts Commission meeting held on March 11, 2021

J. Receive and file minutes of the Tourism and Arts Commission meeting held on April 15, 2021

K. Receive and file minutes of the Tourism and Arts Commission meeting held on May 13, 2021

L. Receive and file report of invoices paid up to June 25, 2021, in the amount of $31,513.29

M. Receive and file report of invoices paid up to June 30, 2021, in the amount of $13,976.25

N. Authorize expenditures for invoices due on or before July 19, 2021, in the amount of $231, 883, 65

Alderman Davolos made a motion, seconded by Alderman Goodman to approve the Consent Agenda items as read.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Aye: Ald.: Wilson, Krischel, Barry, Aschauer, Davolos, Anderson, and Goodman Nay: None

Absent: Ald. Weidner

MOTION ADOPTED

Discussion:

Alderman Davolos stated she wanted to bring this item forward for the record because it was a new strategy to her, of using the budgeted monies from the Capital Municipal Replacement Fund (CMRP). She stated it is a good project and will not do anything to hold it up, but wanted to better understand the process. Alderman Davolos stated it was her understanding that approximately $25,000, had been used from the CMRP budget to fund this project. She wondered if the overage should have instead come from the General Fund. Because the use of funds is unclear, she hopes to see soon the new communication piece from the CMRP workgroup that will help define strategies to make these decisions in the future.

CA Coakley responded that the CMRP group is indeed still working on this presentation of the revenues and expenses and will be giving a presentation at the July 26 Public Safety and Finance Committee of the Whole meeting.

Financial Director Dahlstrand corrected CA Coakley, stating that the date for that presentation would be two weeks later, at the August 9 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee of the Whole meeting.

Public Works Director Kuchler noted that the entire amount for the project in question is · indeed coming from the CMRP budget. He added, the $28,000, overage of this project was able to be covered because other items came in under budget.

Alderman Davolos made a motion, seconded by Alderman Aschauer to accept staff recommendation and pass resolution R2021-48, awarding the contract for Lakeview Drive and River Oaks Drive Storm Sewer Pipelining to Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. of Bartlett, IL, in the amount of $203,000.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Aye: Aldermen: Krischel, Goodman, Wilson, Anderson, Aschauer, Davolos, and Barry Nay: None

Absent: Ald. Weidner

MOTION ADOPTED

VIL REGULAR AGENDA

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

IX. NEW BUSINESS

None

X. CLOSED SESSION

XL ADJOURN

Alderman Goodman made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wilson to adjourn.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE