Dupage Policy Journal

City of Warrenville Public Safety and Finance Committee of the Whole met March 25

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Aschauer called to meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

B. ROLL CALL

Present: Chairman Stuart Aschauer, Mayor David Brummel, and Aldermen: John Paul Augustynowicz, Clare Barry, Kathy Davolos, John Lockett, and Bill Weidner

Absent: Aldermen Craig Kruckenberg and Judy Wilkie

Also Present: City Treasurer Maury Goodman, City Administrator Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator Alma Morgan, Finance Director Kevin Dahlstrand, Police Chief Sam Bonilla, Communications Coordinator Paula Krapf, and Executive Assistant and Deputy City Clerk Dawn Grivetti

Also Absent: City Clerk Julie Clark

C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Aschauer led the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no comments from persons present.

E. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS

Mayor Brummel informed the Committee of the failing health of City resident Sue Tripp.

Russ Trip encourages all friends and family to visit.

F. BUSINESS OF MEETING

1. Accomplishments and Improvements of City Communications

Communications Coordinator (CC) Krapf gave an informational presentation on improvements to City communications, key activities, performance, growth, outreach, and the resulting achievements over the past year.

Several Committee members thanked CC Krapf for her efforts. There was discussion regarding the potential use of artificial intelligence for creating content and access to the many platforms used for public communication.

2. Consideration of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Warrenville Public Library District for the Sharing of Social Media Archival Services

CC Krapf presented a proposal to share social media archival services with the Warrenville Public Library District (WPLD). She stated that the City and WPLD each individually maintain a subscription service with ArchiveSocial for the purpose of archiving social media communications and maintaining public record accessibility. To reduce costs, the City is proposing to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with WPLD to share archival services costs. She noted that the shared costs would be prorated based on a percentage that considers the total number of individual archived social media accounts. The City would act as the System Administrator for the shared subscription plan and would be reimbursed by WPLD for their share.

ALDERMAN WEIDNER MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to recommend the City Council approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Warrenville Public Library District authorizing the sharing of social media archival services effective May 1, 2024, through May 1, 2029, renewing annually thereafter.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE

3. Consideration of FY 2025 Non-Union Market Adjustment

Assistant City Administrator Morgan presented the proposed annual market adjustment for non-union employee wages. Staff is recommending a 3.4% market-based (cost of living) increase to non-union employee wages effective May 1, 2024. Sufficient funds are included in the proposed FY 2025 Budget.

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Augustynowicz, to recommend the City Council approve the 3.4% FY 2025 market-based increase for non-union employees as included in the proposed FY 2025 Budget.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE

4. Consideration for Establishing a Workgroup to Discuss Non-Highway Vehicle Use

Police Chief Bonilla reminded the Committee that on August 7, 2023, the City Council directed staff to begin investigating the possibility of forming a work group concerning the use of golf carts on City streets and to bring the item forward in the spring for consideration with the FY 2025 Budget review. He addressed the procedural points of interest raised by City Attorney Lenneman following her review of the Illinois Vehicle Code and informed the Committee that significant staff time and the assistance of a consultant would be necessary. He noted that only a consultant would be qualified to determine that certain non-highway vehicles (NHV’s) may be safe to travel on or cross City streets, and that public safety would not be jeopardized by the use of such vehicles on City streets.

PC Bonilla added that none of the City’s comparable communities have passed an ordinance allowing NHV’s on municipal streets, and within the Chicago metropolitan area, the communities that have permitted NHV’s have limited their operation to subdivisions or gated communities surrounding a golf course or that are age restricted where traffic is mostly limited to the people who live within the community.

There was discussion regarding the different classifications of low-speed vehicles (LSV) and NHV’s as defined by the Illinois Vehicle Code and their regulations. PC Bonilla stated that LSV’s as defined by State Statute, are currently legal for use in the City. City Administrator White noted that, for clarification, some golf carts, for example, are considered LSV’s while others are classified as NHV’s. Therefore, some golf carts are currently legal for use on City streets, while others are not. She added that if the Council forms a work group to evaluate permitting certain NHV’s on City streets, a consultant would need to be hired to assist the work group in determining which NHV’s could be considered safe to operate on City streets and would not jeopardize public safety.

Mayor Brummel reiterated Attorney Lenneman’s note that, based on language of Section 11-1426.1 of the Vehicle Code, it is the default position of the State that NHV’s cannot be safely operated on streets within the State, and expressed his opinion against approving less restrictive regulations to allow NHV’s to be used on City streets. He indicated his opposition to staff and city funds being used to further this purpose by stating the State statute has already determined which vehicles are safe and which are not.

There was no further discussion on the topic, and no motion was made.

5. Consideration of FY 2025 Water and Sewer Rates and Change in Billing Frequency

Finance Director (FD) Dahlstrand presented staff’s recommendation for water and sewer rate adjustments for FY 2025. He stated staff and the EMRP workgroup propose a 10% increase to the water rate and an increase of 5% to the sewer rate per 1,000 gallons of water used. There would be no change to the rate of sewer only accounts and to the Naperville Wastewater Treatment Plant fee.

FP Dahlstrand also stated staff is recommending the frequency of billing water and sewer fees be changed from bi-monthly to a best-practice method of monthly billing.

Treasurer Goodman suggested directing staff to reevaluate late fee charges. CA White suggested adding a statement to the motion to direct staff to evaluate the structure of applying late fees.

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Barry, to recommend the City Council approve 1) a 10% water rate and a 5% sewer rate increase effective May 1, 2024; 2) a change in the frequency for the issuance of water and sewer billing from the current bi-monthly to a monthly frequency, as soon as operationally practical; 3) Direct staff to work with the City Attorney to prepare the code amendments needed to authorize these recommendations for consideration as a part of an April 2024 City Council meeting agenda; and 4) direct staff to evaluate current late fee structure.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE

6. Informational updates on Administration. Finance. and Police Department FY 2024 Work Plans and Decision Packages

Updates were provided for the various departmental work plans and decision packages for FY 2024. There was no discussion.

G. MISCELLANEOUS

1. Commendations

PC Bonilla read a commendation letter issued to the Police Department regarding the exceptional service displayed by several officers during the apprehension and arrest of a fugitive.

H. CLOSED SESSION

There was not a need for a closed session.

I. ADJOURN

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Aid. Augustynowicz, to adjourn.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. 

https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03252024-1369