[0:00] The Wheaton City Council. Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[0:04] Mayor Suhes.
[0:04] Here.
[0:05] Councilman Clausing.
[0:06] Here.
[0:06] Councilwoman Robbins.
[0:08] Here.
[0:08] Councilman Weller.
[0:09] Here.
[0:10] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[0:11] Here.
[0:12] Councilwoman Brice.
[0:13] Here.
[0:13] Councilman Brown.
[0:14] Here.
[0:15] Thank you.
[0:16] Okay, what I should have also announced, this meeting is being conducted in person
[0:20] and also via video conference. Item three is the report of the city manager. Mr.
[0:25] Munch.
[0:26] No report, Mayor.
[0:27] Item four is the report of the city attorney.
[0:30] No report.
[0:31] Thank you. We have a proclamation this evening.
[0:33] The proclamation concerns Constitution Week, September 17th through the 23rd of
[0:39] 2026. Would you like to come to the podium, please?
[0:47] Thank you.
[0:48] Mm-hmm.
[0:55] Wait. Whatever.
[0:58] The proclamation reads as follows.
[1:01] "Whereas September 17th, 2026, marks the 239th anniversary of the
[1:07] drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional
[1:13] Convention in 1787. And whereas the Constitution of the United States
[1:19] of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited
[1:24] government and a republic dedicated to rule by law.
[1:29] And whereas this year, the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the
[1:35] meeting of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, and on July 2nd,
[1:40] voted for the independence of the United Colonies by passing the Lee resolution.
[1:46] And on July 4th, proclaimed the United States Declaration of Independence in
[1:52] 1776. And whereas it is fitting and proper to accord
[1:58] official recognition to this magnificent document and it is memorable
[2:04] anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate the
[2:09] occasion. And whereas Public Law 915
[2:14] guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United
[2:20] States of America, designating September 17th through
[2:26] the 23rd as Constitution Week. And whereas Karen
[2:32] Wheaton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrates these
[2:38] designations annually through displays and bell ringing to encourage study of
[2:44] historical events leading to the framing of the Constitution, to inform residents
[2:50] of America's great heritage through our founding document, and to emphasize
[2:55] citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.
[3:02] Now therefore, the city of Wheaton, Illinois, proudly proclaims September 17th
[3:07] through the 23rd, 2026, as Constitution Week and
[3:13] asks our citizens to reaffirm the ideals the framers of the Constitution had in
[3:19] 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms
[3:25] guaranteed through us through this guardian of liberties and self-determination,
[3:31] remembering that lost rights may never be regained.
[3:35] Dated the eighth day of September, 2026."
[3:41] Thank you.
[3:42] Thank you.
[3:50] Well, thank you. Thank you very much for coming.
[3:58] We will move on to item six. Item six is citizens to be heard.
[4:04] Does anyone wish to speak to us concerning an item that is not
[4:10] on tonight's agenda?
[4:13] Yes, please.
[4:18] I'm John Rutledge, 811 East Illinois Street, Wheaton, and I just wanted to comment
[4:23] on the work by the city after the storms we had this summer with so many
[4:29] trees that were down. I thought the city did a magnificent job of getting out
[4:33] there, not discriminating between parkway trees and private trees.
[4:37] Let's just get this mess cleaned up.
[4:39] And there were people, I'm sure, working on it that had problems at home, but they
[4:43] were out there, and they were pleasant, and cheerful, and efficient, and got the
[4:46] job done. I just want to say thank you to the city and all of the diligent
[4:50] employees that did their thing. Thank you.
[4:52] Very good. Thank you.
[4:58] Is there anyone else who wishes to speak to us tonight? Yes, please.
[5:05] Thank you. Good evening. Erica Nelson. I live at 1734 K Road in Wheaton.
[5:10] I'm a 30-year resident. First, on a personal note, I want to wish Erica Bray
[5:14] Parker, Councilwoman Parker, happy birthday.
[5:16] Thank you.
[5:17] Um-
[5:18] That was a well-kept secret.
[5:22] We won't ask her her age.
[5:25] Better kept secret.
[5:26] I'm here actually to also thank somebody, and that's Police Chief Uecker, who is
[5:31] present tonight. A couple of weeks ago, I sent an email.
[5:35] I know that you all received it, Mayor Suhes, City Manager Munch, and had sent it
[5:40] to Chief Uecker, regarding the reports local, state,
[5:46] nationally, recently, about the use of ALPRs, Automatic License Plate Readers,
[5:52] by the Flock system, Flock organization.
[5:56] I remember the council meetings that I attended a couple of years ago, I think now,
[6:00] where this was discussed, and have kept my interest in it as a
[6:06] citizen, but also with just an eye on how any kind of technology is used in the
[6:12] work that I do. That's always a part of every project that I run, and so I keep it
[6:18] top of mind in that part of my life, but also in my life as a citizen.
[6:23] What I want to do is thank Chief Uecker tonight.
[6:25] He called me at the end of last week, and we spoke for almost an hour, which is an
[6:30] inordinate amount of time for someone with such a busy job.
[6:34] So I want to thank him for that. One of the things we talked about, and I took lots
[6:38] of notes, and so I appreciated his time, was the way that the system internally
[6:44] here in the city of Wheaton is used.
[6:47] And I will tell you that I left feeling
[6:50] confident that the confidence I have in our police department was
[6:56] reinforced.
[6:59] He also reinforced that I, because I'd asked the question in a follow-up email, am
[7:04] not the only person, only resident, who has contacted the city about this and
[7:09] asking questions as it was an extended contract now to 2028.
[7:14] And so I want to reinforce again my
[7:18] thanks to Chief Uecker for giving me that time.
[7:21] And my understanding is he either reached out or others in his department reached
[7:24] out to the other residents who also wrote.
[7:28] One of the things that we closed with, and also to recognize that
[7:34] this is an ongoing because of the use of these tools and technology certainly
[7:39] constantly integrates,
[7:42] is the challenge, I think, that municipalities locally, statewide,
[7:47] county, certainly at the federal level, is under incredible challenge with the
[7:54] lack of respect and also the challenge of the concern of
[8:00] certainly something that we just gave an ordinance,
[8:04] not an ordinance, but the resolution around which is the rule of law.
[8:08] And that when we have a sense that that's broken down, then residents feel less
[8:14] secure and less safe. And one of the things that Chief Uecker and I talked about is
[8:18] the fact that in our community, and I believe this and I said this to him, that in
[8:23] fact we have a community that has a safety net because leadership is willing to do
[8:28] what he did, which was to reach out to a citizen and answer my questions.
[8:33] And so transparency, being vulnerable, speaking the truth is really what
[8:38] keeps us at a level of governance that is respected.
[8:42] So I want to thank your time tonight, but also Chief Uecker in particular.
[8:47] Thank you.
[8:49] Very good. Thank you.
[8:51] Does anyone else wish to speak to us tonight?
[8:57] Is there anyone online who wishes to speak to us tonight?
[9:01] If you're online and would like to speak, please raise your hand so we can unmute
[9:05] you.
[9:10] I think we're good.
[9:11] Okay, thank you.
[9:14] We'll move on to item seven. Item seven is the consent agenda.
[9:19] Andrea, can you please read the consent agenda?
[9:23] The consent agenda has approval of minutes, Wheaton City Council meeting minutes
[9:27] August 17th, 2026, as submitted.
[9:32] Thank you. The consent agenda will be approved in one motion.
[9:38] Is there a motion, please, to approve the consent agenda?
[9:41] So moved.
[9:42] Thank you. Is there a second?
[9:43] Second.
[9:44] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[9:46] Councilwoman Robbins.
[9:47] Yes.
[9:47] Councilman Weller.
[9:48] Yes.
[9:49] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[9:50] Yes.
[9:51] Councilwoman Bryce.
[9:52] Yes.
[9:52] Councilman Brown.
[9:53] Yes.
[9:54] Mayor Sees.
[9:55] Yes.
[9:55] Councilman Clausing.
[9:56] Yes.
[9:56] Thank you.
[9:58] Okay, we move on to our regular agenda.
[10:00] Under the regular agenda, there's one item under regular unfinished business.
[10:04] There are 11 items under regular new business.
[10:08] Item one under regular unfinished business is an ordinance amending the code of
[10:12] ordinances of the City of Wheaton by adding Article 10, Overweight and Oversized
[10:18] Vehicles, to Chapter 70, Traffic and Vehicles, and adding permit fees to Appendix
[10:24] B, the fee schedule. Mr. Munch.
[10:27] Thank you, Mayor. The city council conducted first reading of this ordinance on
[10:30] August 17th. The ordinance regulates oversized and overweight vehicles on city
[10:35] streets. It also establishes a permitting process and a fee schedule for the same.
[10:39] There were no questions or concerns raised by the city council or the public at
[10:43] that time, and staff recommends approval of the ordinance this evening.
[10:48] Thank you. Is there a motion, please, to pass the ordinance?
[10:51] So moved.
[10:52] Is there a second?
[10:53] Second.
[10:54] Any discussion from the audience?
[10:58] Discussion from the council?
[11:01] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[11:02] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[11:04] Yes.
[11:04] Councilwoman Bryce.
[11:05] Yes.
[11:06] Councilman Brown.
[11:07] Yes.
[11:08] Mayor Sees.
[11:08] Yes.
[11:09] Councilman Clausing.
[11:10] Yes.
[11:10] Councilwoman Robbins.
[11:11] Yes.
[11:12] Councilman Weller.
[11:13] Yes.
[11:13] Thank you.
[11:15] Thank you. We move on to regular new business.
[11:17] Under regular new business, item one is the reappointment to a city board, subject
[11:22] to the concurrence of the council.
[11:24] I recommend the reappointment of Nathan Losanga to the Downtown Design
[11:30] Review Board. Nathan has served on this board since
[11:34] 2005. The reappointment for a three-year term through
[11:40] September 8th, 2029. Is there a second, please?
[11:45] Second.
[11:47] Any discussion?
[11:50] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[11:51] Mayor Sees.
[11:52] Yes.
[11:53] Councilman Clausing.
[11:54] Yes.
[11:54] Councilwoman Robbins.
[11:55] Yes.
[11:56] Councilman Weller.
[11:57] Yes.
[11:57] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[11:59] Yes.
[11:59] Councilwoman Bryce.
[12:00] Yes.
[12:01] Councilman Brown.
[12:02] Yes.
[12:02] Thank you.
[12:05] Item two is a resolution authorizing the execution of change orders one and two to
[12:11] agreement number 598 with Crossroad Construction, Inc.
[12:15] for the Windsor Channel Pedestrian Bridge, Butterfield Road repair project for a
[12:21] total amount not to exceed $50,759 and a total award
[12:27] of $186,614. Mr. Munch.
[12:33] Mayor, in March, the city council approved an agreement with Crossroad Construction
[12:37] for repairs to the Windsor Channel Pedestrian Bridge adjacent to Butterfield Road.
[12:42] When the contractor removed the bridge decking, significant corrosion of the main
[12:46] steel support was uncovered, which expands the scope of work.
[12:50] The additional work was not identified during previous inspections, as it would
[12:54] have required disassembly of the bridge deck.
[12:56] To address this, the engineering department recommends a change order to increase
[13:00] the contract by $50,759 for a total award of
[13:05] $186,614. While this does exceed the total project budget, the
[13:11] work is necessary to safely place the bridge back in use.
[13:15] Thank you. Is there a motion, please?
[13:17] So moved.
[13:18] Is there a second?
[13:20] Second.
[13:21] Any discussion from the audience? Discussion from the council?
[13:27] What's the likelihood of us finding additional problems?
[13:34] As the bridge is fully taken apart at this point, the chance of additional problems
[13:38] is low.
[13:39] Okay.
[13:41] Good enough.
[13:42] Thanks for the graphic, too, by the way.
[13:45] It's pretty compelling.
[13:46] Notable. Yes, right.
[13:50] Any other council comment? Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[13:53] Councilman Weller.
[13:54] Yes.
[13:55] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[13:56] Yes.
[13:57] Councilwoman Bryce.
[13:58] Yes.
[13:58] Councilman Brown.
[13:59] Yes.
[13:59] Mayor Sees.
[14:00] Yes.
[14:01] Councilman Clausing.
[14:02] Yes.
[14:02] Councilwoman Robbins.
[14:03] Yes.
[14:03] Thank you.
[14:05] Item three is an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Wheaton,
[14:09] Chapter 6, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 6-3, Definitions,
[14:15] Section 6-81, License Required,
[14:22] Section 6-86, Processing of Applications, Section
[14:27] 6-88, Term, Fees, Section 6-90,
[14:33] Renewal, Effect of Failure to Renew, Section
[14:38] 6-91, Change in Personnel, Section 6-133,
[14:44] Alcohol Infused Products and Co-Branded Alcoholic Beverages, and Appendix
[14:50] B, Fee Schedule. This is a first reading. Mr. Munch.
[14:55] Thank you, Mayor. This is the first reading of an ordinance that addresses several
[14:59] provisions within Chapter 6, which is the city's liquor code.
[15:04] Most notably of those aligns our code with recent changes to state law,
[15:09] specifically adding regulations on alcohol-infused products and co-branded
[15:15] alcoholic beverages. The ordinance also includes several minor amendments to
[15:19] administrative sections of the code.
[15:21] The proposed amendments were reviewed by the Liquor Control Commission on August
[15:25] 13th, and the commission unanimously recommended approval.
[15:30] Very good, and this will come back as an agenda item at our next meeting on
[15:35] September 21st, I believe. Does anybody have any comments on the ordinance?
[15:43] All right, we move on to item four. Item four is to receive the planning and zoning
[15:47] report, zoning application 26-16, PUD Amendment
[15:53] 1000 West Prairie Avenue, Wheaton Sports Center.
[15:58] Is there a motion, please, to receive the report?
[16:01] So moved.
[16:02] Is there a second?
[16:03] Second.
[16:05] Any discussion on receiving the report?
[16:09] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[16:11] Councilman Brown.
[16:12] Yes.
[16:12] Mayor Sees.
[16:13] Yes.
[16:14] Councilman Clausing.
[16:15] Yes.
[16:15] Councilwoman Robbins.
[16:16] Yes.
[16:17] Councilman Weller.
[16:17] Yes.
[16:18] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[16:19] Yes.
[16:20] Councilwoman Bryce.
[16:21] Yes. Thank you.
[16:22] Okay, is there a motion, please, to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance
[16:28] approving the PUD amendment?
[16:31] So moved.
[16:32] Is there a second?
[16:33] Second.
[16:34] Okay, we will now move on to discussion. Mr. Benson.
[16:39] Thank you, Mayor and councils.
[16:43] I think we have four people speaking, and I was just the old
[16:49] guy, so I get to tell a little bit of history, and it's very short.
[16:53] I wanted to share with you that we opened the club in 1979, and we did it
[16:59] with 12 racquetball courts, and it was six... No, excuse me, eight tennis courts.
[17:06] And right now, I can tell you that that business model has changed.
[17:10] We don't have any more racquetball courts at all.
[17:13] And then the first air structure was actually put in during that winter,
[17:19] and it ran differently. I think you may have a copy of 2A.
[17:24] It was just an old, in your packet, if you guys wanted to take a look at it, or I
[17:28] could share. I got Xers here.
[17:32] And it just shows that it ran up north and south.
[17:35] It's not like how it is now, going east and west.
[17:39] And we have eight courts going east and west.
[17:40] In here, we have six going north and south.
[17:44] And you can see that it was before the Jordan Building, which is now the Doyle
[17:48] building.
[17:51] And I just wanted people to get a reference that we were there several years before
[17:56] they were here.
[17:59] Then,
[18:01] we've had an air structure there on that site for 45 years.
[18:06] So we've been doing this for quite a long time, and people kind of gotten used to
[18:10] it. And what's interesting is that the first one we had, it was
[18:16] translucent, so it glowed at night, and some people used to call it the glow worm.
[18:21] "Are you guys next to the glow worm?" or whatever.
[18:25] In 1988, we purchased the properties to the west, and we expanded
[18:31] the facility, and we had eight indoor courts, which has now been up for about
[18:37] 38 years now. And when we did this, we put the HVAC underground to help with
[18:43] noise with the neighbors and to make it more even heat for the players.
[18:49] Instead of having a single door like we used to have with the six courts, we added
[18:53] several more doors so you could go in individual courts, so you don't interfere
[18:56] with play.
[18:59] My point is here, I'm just trying to tell you how we improved that when we
[19:03] redid it. We also then changed the
[19:07] fabric so it's
[19:09] opaque, so now you can't see it at night. No light goes through.
[19:14] And then they updated the fabric as well from 80 mile an hour wind loads to 110.
[19:19] So it meets all the current codes on
[19:25] how that works on that building. I also want to share that the tennis has sort of
[19:29] changed, the game has changed. And what I mean by that is when we first started
[19:34] having the courts, the tennis courts, we knew people wanted to play
[19:40] outside. So we always wanted-- They were sort of the standard, at least as far as
[19:45] everyone we all knew in the city and everywhere else.
[19:48] And so we always wanted to drop the
[19:51] air structure in the summertime because that's exactly what people wanted to do,
[19:56] and it was definitely a lot more single play back then.
[19:59] And it has now changed to really more to a doubles game.
[20:09] And then what we also noticed too is when we have the air structure up or where
[20:15] we didn't have the air structure up, we noticed there was a shift now from first
[20:19] being booked on the outside, now first being booked on the inside.
[20:23] So we started to see that not only was the change from singles to doubles the game,
[20:28] it was also a lot of the people are trying to go inside.
[20:31] And mainly it was for, because of weather-related problems and so you always knew
[20:37] you were going to be able to play.
[20:41] I wanted to talk a little bit about the Jordan building, and I don't know if you
[20:45] guys know that that was a music studio at one time.
[20:48] And the Grateful Dead actually had recorded there.
[20:52] So some big bands used to come into Little Wheaton at that time and
[20:58] do the recordings there. And I wanted to bring up that there was a pipe or
[21:05] a drain tile that was brought up at the last zoning board meeting, and
[21:11] people were unfamiliar as to what it was, and we tried to do a little research to
[21:14] try to figure out what it was. And we were able to find out
[21:19] that if you look at the
[21:24] documents, you could see that when the Jordan Building was built, they built a
[21:28] berm, and that berm is about two feet high.
[21:32] And what ended up happening is us being the Wheaton Sports Center, our property
[21:37] being a higher elevation, the water would always run down, and it was getting
[21:41] caught by that berm. And so the
[21:46] two owners, being the Jordan at that time and us, got together and thought, "Okay,
[21:52] how can we solve this problem?" Because it was causing a little bit of puddling
[21:55] there. And so we put that drain tile pipe in there to handle that extra
[22:01] water.
[22:03] I was going to let you know that I was there during the last rain, which we had, I
[22:07] think the big rain was like three inches in an hour.
[22:11] And you could see some water that went all the way up to the berm, the northern
[22:17] edge, and you could see it going to it.
[22:20] But you could also see that I went there the next day, you could see that all the
[22:24] water was gone. So my point is that the system was working the way it was intended
[22:28] to work, which was pretty good.
[22:33] And that's really what I have on a little bit of a history of that.
[22:43] Good evening, Mayor Teeson and Council.
[22:45] My name is Eric Miller, and I'm also with the Wheaton Sports Center.
[22:49] Eric went to explain the dome's history, and I'm going to explain a little bit more
[22:52] about why we are doing this and the benefit
[22:56] it provides. The doming up year-round
[23:01] is really beneficial for the main reason of reliability.
[23:06] Reliability is essential to Wheaton Sports Center.
[23:08] Tennis is our second-largest revenue source outside of our monthly dues.
[23:13] Now, eight of our courts, of our 12 courts, so we have four courts permanently
[23:17] indoor and eight that are in the dome.
[23:20] So for four months of the year, they are outdoors.
[23:26] That's problematic for a business when a majority of your second-biggest revenue
[23:30] source is unreliable. So it leads to cancellations from
[23:36] rain, heat, like we've experienced here recently, wind.
[23:40] So keeping the dome up protects a major part of our business while giving players
[23:44] dependable access to indoor courts.
[23:47] You can also imagine the stress it puts on our staff when they are trying to
[23:50] shuffle around and reschedule that.
[23:52] And then, of course, the frustration of the participants.
[23:57] The reliability is most important in the summertime when we run our kids' camps.
[24:01] So if you're a parent, imagine you schedule your son or daughter for tennis
[24:06] lessons. You get them in the car, which can be a hassle in and of itself.
[24:11] You get them to the Wheaton Sports Center on the way there. It's drizzling.
[24:14] You get there, it's canceled. Most cancellations happen in the summer when it's
[24:18] raining, when it rains the most. Maybe you had planned to go to the grocery store
[24:22] or have some time to yourself while your kids were in tennis as well.
[24:25] Now you have a disappointed child because tennis has been canceled, and you have to
[24:29] take them home. If you're a better parent than me, you do something with them.
[24:33] My kids are probably on the couch on the screens, so they're not going to be
[24:36] active.
[24:39] The public benefit reaches, though, beyond just our 9,000 members, many of whom are
[24:44] here today. If you could raise your hand if you're here with the Wheaton Sports
[24:46] Center.
[24:49] More than half of the kids in our tennis programming are non-members.
[24:54] Last year, more than 5,000 guest passes were used for tennis.
[24:59] We hold tournaments all the time. These are people coming from, many from Wheaton,
[25:04] but also from outside coming to Wheaton.
[25:06] While you hear the tennis tournaments, for example, are all day long.
[25:10] These people are coming to the sports center.
[25:12] We don't provide food or beverage at the sports center, so they're going into the
[25:16] community. They're going to our local restaurants.
[25:17] They're going to our grocery stores.
[25:19] They're going all over to support the community while they're in town.
[25:22] That's local money staying local.
[25:31] The dome also provides a huge benefit to our local schools.
[25:34] Wheaton North, Wheaton Warrenville South, and St.
[25:37] Francis have all had tennis practices and tryouts at the sports center when there's
[25:41] inclement weather. That's not possible with just our four indoor courts.
[25:45] We need the eight courts under the dome.
[25:49] Wheaton College men's and women's tennis teams have run practices and matches in
[25:52] our dome. Again, there are no other indoor tennis facilities in Wheaton.
[25:59] Keeping the dome up year-round also benefits our neighbors.
[26:02] When we bring it up and take it down, that's two weeks out of the year that it's a
[26:04] construction zone. There's noise that comes with that.
[26:08] It also limits the impact. The doming up limits the impact of tennis on our
[26:12] neighbors.
[26:14] The existing courts are already in use during the summer, whether the dome's up or
[26:16] down, there's tennis being played on those courts.
[26:19] However, with the dome up, the sound of balls being hit, instruction taking place,
[26:24] conversations, it's all dampened.
[26:25] It's a double membrane fabric, so it dampens the noise.
[26:29] As Eric mentioned, the lights are contained all within. It's opaque.
[26:32] There's no light escaping it. Outdoor, when the dome is down, there's
[26:37] 48,000-watt light bulbs, halide bulbs that shoot
[26:43] down on the courts. That's real light.
[26:47] So again, the dome being up reduces noise, reduces lights, allows for consistent
[26:52] play.
[26:54] Lastly, in 2025, the USTA, which is similar to the PGA of America, it's the
[26:58] governing body for tennis- Awarded the Wheaton Sports Center the Facility of the
[27:03] Year award. That's for places that have over 12 tennis courts and two criteria.
[27:08] First is the quality of the courts, the enclosure, meaning our dome, and the
[27:14] site adaptation. Secondly is the quality of the programming, the instruction, and
[27:18] the growth of the game.
[27:20] I just share this simply to share that our dome is recognized by experts in the
[27:24] field as part of our tennis programming that benefits the people of Wheaton.
[27:30] So this is simple. Eric talked about the dome history, how a dome has been there
[27:36] since 1980, '79, '80. It ran along the Doyle property prior to being the
[27:42] Doyle property. Doyle property was built in 1984.
[27:49] And then we realigned it in 1988.
[27:55] So it's a simple request. It's been a simple request. We are not moving the dome.
[28:00] We're not expanding the footprint. We're not adding parking, changing the grading.
[28:05] We're not doing any of these things. We're not adding impervious area.
[28:09] For our tennis players, this means dependable access.
[28:13] For local families, it means reliable recreation.
[28:16] For Wheaton, it means supporting a nationally recognized program,
[28:21] and for our neighbors, it means more tennis activity that remains enclosed.
[28:26] So I respectfully ask you to approve our request so our business may better serve
[28:29] the Wheaton community. Thank you.
[28:48] Good evening.
[28:51] My name is Joseph Abel, A-B-E-L. I'm a planning and zoning consultant.
[28:58] I've been doing this for over 50 years,
[29:02] and I guess I'm also here because I'm a member of the Wheaton Sports Center.
[29:09] But I'm also here testifying as to why it makes sense as to what they're
[29:14] doing.
[29:16] Probably the fact that I've been a member for the Wheaton Sports Center for over 40
[29:22] years. I'm one of those dedicated Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7:00 to
[29:27] 8:00 workout people. Excellent workout, and I've been doing that
[29:33] every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, like I say, since before the year 2000 at the
[29:39] sports center. So, the program speaks for itself. I'm here.
[29:45] And,
[29:47] in terms of looking at it from a planning and zoning standpoint, I've been involved
[29:52] with so many projects. Mr. Kozak and I go way
[29:58] back. I've done literally 30, 40 projects in Wheaton, including
[30:04] the development around the county building.
[30:08] And,
[30:10] I look at this particular area where you have the children's zoo,
[30:16] and you have all the development that's taken place out there in terms of open
[30:21] space and recreation. The Wheaton Center just fits in perfectly in that particular
[30:27] location.
[30:29] As a planner, when I look at how it relates to the surrounding land uses, it's
[30:34] totally compatible. I don't think there's ever been any complaints about it.
[30:39] And the particular request that we're talking about tonight is nothing more than
[30:45] establishing whether it makes sense to leave the tower up for four months
[30:51] out of 12.
[30:54] If it functions perfectly for eight months out of the year, and there's absolutely
[31:00] been no complaints and things of that nature, and again, I
[31:06] go in addition to the morning, I've taken all my
[31:12] kids to the Wheaton Sports Center.
[31:13] So I've been totally familiar with this site, as I say, for more than
[31:19] 30 years.
[31:21] And, from a land use standpoint, it's perfect.
[31:25] Wheaton did a great job in approving this originally.
[31:29] And, as I said, I'm not only a professional planner, I
[31:34] was
[31:37] director of planning, just to get in the record, for 20 years and worked on the
[31:42] county's first comprehensive plan, which included all the municipalities in
[31:47] addition to including Wheaton, and I'm totally familiar with
[31:53] everything that's gone on in Wheaton during that timeframe, because, again, they
[31:56] were part of the plan.
[31:59] After the 20 years of being with the county, I was with the Economic Development
[32:03] Commission for the City of Chicago.
[32:06] And again, looking at it from an economic development standpoint, this makes sense
[32:11] as to what's going on. So in a sense, I also then had to look at the standards
[32:17] that have to be met to amend this special use.
[32:22] And, the report of your staff, I concur with totally.
[32:27] Of the seven, there were only two that were questionable, and the very first one
[32:34] deals with the whole idea of the general welfare, keeping with all of the
[32:39] standards of the City of Wheaton. And everything has been met, and just to
[32:45] include it another four months of open
[32:53] character, it just didn't make any sense to me.
[32:56] It just makes sense to have it as a structure during the 12 months.
[32:59] Now, the one thing that's changed dramatically, and maybe that's part of
[33:07] my looking at it from a timeframe, it was interesting that I got a call from Mark
[33:12] Daniel on Friday, August the 7th. And he said, "Joe, I know you know the Wheaton
[33:17] Center very carefully
[33:20] well." And he said, "Would you be willing to testify?" And I said, "Yeah, it's a
[33:24] no-brainer." And as I was coming home from the club on Friday, I opened
[33:30] "The Chicago Tribune," and sure enough, on the front page, it says, "Poll
[33:36] shows weather reshaping daily life." And it goes right into this issue
[33:42] of
[33:43] it makes no sense today. When I started at the Wheaton Sports Center years and
[33:49] years ago, we were out a lot. But I've seen what's been happening.
[33:54] I think we all recognize exactly what this paper is saying, that the weather is
[33:59] reshaping. We have definitely done something to the atmosphere.
[34:04] Probably I contributed to it, who knows?
[34:07] But the fact remains, the summer is no longer
[34:13] open to total recreation on a daily basis.
[34:18] We can see it plainly this year with the smoke, the heat, which again,
[34:24] is not the best for people, especially older people, going out and playing tennis
[34:29] during the heat. It isn't good to be going out when you've got the smoke that
[34:33] you're breathing, and just go on and on.
[34:37] We've all seen dramatic change here, and this article proves that it makes a lot of
[34:43] sense to
[34:45] have the dome for the 12 months, and especially the older people who want to play
[34:50] tennis, to maybe be in an environment that's healthy.
[34:53] So it does meet the standard of public health, safety, and standard.
[34:58] And also, the timeframe
[35:04] is still the majority of the time, at eight months, the facility is used.
[35:09] So from a land use planning standpoint and from a health standpoint,
[35:15] and as a member of the club, I think it makes
[35:19] sense to allow this facility to have the additional four months of
[35:25] enclosure. Thank you.
[35:31] Good evening, Mayor. Hi, everyone. My name is Mark Daniel.
[35:34] I'm an attorney at Daniel Law Office.
[35:37] As Joe mentioned, I came into this following the public hearing.
[35:41] I think this is a fairly straightforward request.
[35:43] I think your staff knows the history of this.
[35:48] Wheaton has amended either an annexation agreement or a special use or a planning
[35:53] or development ordinance periodically over 45 years.
[35:58] There have been changes, modifications, expansions, an addition, parking lot
[36:03] changes, the different work on pickleball and tennis,
[36:09] the dome, the modifications there.
[36:13] As far as this project is concerned, I think it's been very well vetted.
[36:19] Vetted to the point of meeting with Tom concerning the building code issues, just
[36:25] to make sure everybody was clear on the conditions.
[36:27] In talking about the staff report, it's important to note that the conditions that
[36:32] are listed there are agreeable to Wheaton Sports Center.
[36:35] I do want to point that out. There's been some criticism of the project seemingly
[36:40] on procedural grounds. And I look back through the ordinances posted on Wheaton's
[36:44] website, going back a few decades, actually.
[36:49] And from the ones that I've posted, frankly, I don't think Wheaton Sports Center's
[36:52] gotten a no vote at the city council.
[36:56] It's an asset that you recognize, just like I did when I lived on Pleasant Hill
[37:00] Road. And part of my decision to live where I lived when I was in law school
[37:04] related to none other than the Wheaton Sports Center.
[37:07] And I've used those guest passes over time, whether I was working in
[37:13] Wheaton or not. It's certainly an asset to the community, and one that stands out.
[37:19] When the Prairie State Games were around, I was with Governor's Council on Health
[37:22] and Physical Fitness. The reality is that one of the first resources that came up
[37:28] was a soccer dome in Belleville when it came to regional tryouts and then getting
[37:33] athletes together. The second one in the state
[37:37] was Wheaton Sports Center.
[37:39] So it is a beacon, and I think it is something to be proud of.
[37:46] Eric Benson mentioned a couple things, and I want to focus on that drain tile just
[37:50] a little bit. I don't believe that we have a stormwater problem here.
[37:55] He mentioned the respective elevations of the property.
[37:58] Wheaton Sports Center is slightly elevated above the Doyle Construction property to
[38:04] the south-southeast. And they're both elevated substantially above, maybe eight
[38:09] feet above in Doyle's case, up to 10 or 12, depending on our situation,
[38:17] as far as the downgradient. Now, rainfalls, it goes to the lowest point.
[38:21] When it hits a berm, it ponds. When owners get together, like what Mr.
[38:26] Benson discussed, and they create a drain like that, it's what's called a mutual
[38:31] drain. By agreement, they installed a drain, and that drain is protected by
[38:36] Illinois law. It may be entirely on Doyle's property, but neighbors have worked
[38:41] together over the years. I don't believe that anyone mentioned the adjustment in
[38:44] the lot line earlier, but there's a jog that you'll see around Doyle's building,
[38:48] and that was because it was built initially in the wrong place.
[38:52] So Wheaton Sports Center actually deeded some land over to Doyle.
[38:55] They're good neighbors to have. I think I will be available for anything that comes
[39:01] up legally. I don't want to try to predict where Doyle and others may come in.
[39:07] I've known Phil a long time. I think he would raise only credible issues, but I'll
[39:11] wait to see what they have to say, and we're certainly available to answer any of
[39:15] your questions that you may have of us.
[39:19] I think Dawn has done her job on this one.
[39:22] The review of this has required an understanding of the zoning ordinance, and Dawn
[39:27] knows that we don't always see eye to eye on everything.
[39:29] But the reality is, on this one, we do, and we're in lockstep.
[39:33] The Wheaton ordinance is set up so that PUDs or planned developments are
[39:37] recognized. They're approved, and over time, there are adjustments.
[39:41] You don't have to come in and get a new planned unit development every single time.
[39:46] What you want to do is you want to make sure that the adjustment doesn't defeat
[39:50] those findings that have been made over the 45 years,
[39:55] the findings of public benefit and everything else that are available to you.
[40:00] So I hope that you will apply
[40:04] what you know about Wheaton Sports Center, what you know about the city of Wheaton,
[40:09] and I hope that we'll have your blessing going into the next meeting when an
[40:13] ordinance will be ready for approval.
[40:15] I want to thank you for your time on this, and I'll cede to everybody else.
[40:19] Thank you.
[40:24] Mr. Daniels, before you sit down, can you please articulate the
[40:30] seven special use permit standards for the record?
[40:34] Yes, I can do that for you.
[40:40] As far as
[40:43] the submittal is concerned, we did provide a bullet point summary of the seven
[40:48] standards. First, on the public health, safety, and welfare side, and what I'm
[40:54] going to do is I'm trying to narrow it down to the dome being up those additional
[40:59] months. Okay? I don't want to talk about the general welfare benefit of doing
[41:04] something that helps the Wheaton Sports Center provide a stronger option for folks
[41:08] in the area. But this air-supported structure, if it's up during the summer months
[41:13] when the higher winds are more likely to occur, is rated for 110 miles an hour,
[41:19] which is terrific. We have not had an incident where wind has caused a deflation
[41:25] or a problem with that dome. As far as the structure is
[41:30] concerned, from a code perspective, that's your general measure of welfare.
[41:34] We have a primary and a backup system to keep that code inflated.
[41:39] I think it was stated that it takes about 45 to 50 minutes at a minimum for that
[41:44] dome to come down if there is an issue, sometimes longer.
[41:49] No one mentioned today the reduction in noise relative to putting the dome up and
[41:54] taking it down. You have a crew of 10 key people that come in one week to put it
[41:59] up and take it down. It's a week each time, and those 10 people need 40 or
[42:05] 50 volunteers to coordinate outdoors behind the residential homes off to our west.
[42:10] It may not interfere with anything that Doyle does, but having that dome up
[42:14] year-round and not coming down twice a year does give people two more peaceful
[42:18] weeks. Initially, the dome is down during those summer months.
[42:24] All of us are outdoors more in the summer.
[42:27] So having that dome up for those additional months will help us or help neighbors
[42:32] enjoy their yards more. That transitions into the second standard,
[42:37] which is not interfering with the use and enjoyment of nearby property and property
[42:43] values.
[42:45] As mentioned, the dome does reduce the noise, and it is opaque,
[42:52] so it should not have an interference on someone's use and enjoyment of their
[42:57] properties.
[43:00] Relatively speaking,
[43:03] I think it is safe to say, based on my experience, I've known others that moved to
[43:09] that particular area because they enjoy the Wheaton Sports Center. They do.
[43:14] And they like being there, whether it's me or Pete Zamus, who I went there a few
[43:18] times with. They do enjoy that. Now,
[43:23] I think that does add to value to the homes.
[43:25] You've got some additional information regarding over asking price, real
[43:31] estate transactions. But from a development perspective, the site still is
[43:36] reflected as OR on your zoning map.
[43:38] That doesn't mean a lot as far as zoning is concerned, because the zoning for this
[43:43] is governed by a site-specific planned unit development ordinance.
[43:47] And you have approval for any change that goes on at that
[43:53] property.
[43:55] The properties around it came later.
[43:57] We do have a new development occurring east southeast of the dome,
[44:03] and that new development is an indication that people are investing in the area and
[44:07] that it hasn't sat idle because of any particular issue with that dome, which is up
[44:12] most of the year. So hopefully, the three additional summer months will not cause a
[44:18] problem.
[44:21] We're not increasing the occupancy. You heard of that before.
[44:24] We're not going to be increasing our parking demand.
[44:27] The use of the area underneath the dome is not changing.
[44:31] As far as utilities, access, drainage, and necessary facilities, I think you heard
[44:34] some detail about that. There has been some cooperation among the neighbors with
[44:39] regard to that particular tile. We are at a higher elevation, which means that the
[44:43] downstream or downgradient owner is obligated to take our stormwater
[44:49] Our storm system does not extend onto the Doyle property.
[44:54] There may be some limited cross-connections, but nothing is impacted on the utility
[44:59] side or on the storm side. There is a large bank of stormwater capacity that is in
[45:05] the Wheaton Park District and Forest Preserve facility.
[45:08] You'll recall that, I think it's Lincoln Marsh, there's a large area that
[45:13] has historically been a combination of storm and wetland, and then it becomes a
[45:19] critical wetland as you move west of the path, southwest of the path.
[45:26] None of that will be affected. Again, no change during those three months of the
[45:30] use of the dome. There shouldn't be any issues or changes in traffic, and that was
[45:34] addressed at hearing. Consistency with the comprehensive plan.
[45:39] The comprehensive plan does focus on assets, municipal assets, things that
[45:44] benefit the public, and I think they've given you some information tonight in the
[45:49] hearing that matters in that regard. Year-round tennis does matter.
[45:54] When Joe speaks, at his age, I'm 25 years behind him theoretically,
[46:00] and I stand here in my second summer of it not being the time when I'm in shape.
[46:04] I usually use my summers to get in shape, and then frankly, that hasn't happened
[46:09] two years in a row because I'm a biker, I'm outdoors all the time, and a lot of
[46:13] that activity has been limited. And I don't like the taste of smoke when I'm riding
[46:17] a bike or jogging or anything like that.
[46:20] I did focus on compliance with applicable regulations a bit.
[46:24] I think going forward, it's important to note that there's a transition. All right?
[46:30] The building code gives staff the ability to transition the use.
[46:36] They are in charge of interpreting it, so please don't take anything that I say as
[46:40] trying to tell them how to do their job or contesting anything within those
[46:45] conditions, which are fully acceptable to us.
[46:48] But there will be an initial inspection to set a baseline,
[46:52] and going forward from that inspection, there'll be materials on file with the city
[46:56] so that they know the design specifications of that dome and everybody's on the
[47:01] same page with those design specifications.
[47:05] The only change in those conditions from the zoning hearing was essentially to
[47:11] recognize that there are these specifications out there and let's use them as a
[47:15] benchmark. So if we talk about a derecho, for example.
[47:19] A derecho has winds that are 35 miles an hour, 45 miles an hour below the winds
[47:24] that this dome's designed for. Okay?
[47:27] And without having an incident over 45 years, these folks are obviously very
[47:31] careful in how they operate the dome. The same thing is true of snow load.
[47:36] That snow is intended to melt and slough off the dome in a way that's safe.
[47:42] In general, you can have a lot more snow on that dome than you have on your
[47:48] streets before you plow, or you consider a significant plowing of it because that's
[47:52] how it's designed. So those specifications make a difference.
[47:56] And, certainly,
[47:58] I think Mr. Benson and Mr. Miller are excited to go forward with this and work with
[48:03] the city on those conditions. They've already met with staff
[48:07] to discuss some of those. And from a going forward perspective, when they replace
[48:13] the dome, they will also get a permit for that dome under the building code
[48:16] enforced at that time. So when they change that skin, it'll be subject to the
[48:22] building ordinances.
[48:25] So I believe from a code compliance perspective,
[48:29] it's important to note that we do meet those seven standards.
[48:33] We do focus on public benefit, and I think Mr.
[48:36] Miller, I don't need to restate what you heard from Mr. Miller on that front.
[48:40] You've got a lot of folks that come to Wheaton that use that, that are not members.
[48:45] This is not strictly a private member situation.
[48:48] It's not entirely all about Wheaton Sports Center, but frankly, when my kid was in
[48:53] programs or day camp or whatever it was, those days when things were canceled were
[48:57] some of the hardest days of work I experienced as an adult, quite frankly.
[49:02] It's difficult. It's frustrating for your child.
[49:05] And you end up sacrificing a day that you had planned differently.
[49:09] So hopefully it's good for everybody.
[49:12] I do encourage you to support the project and allow them to go forward as good
[49:17] neighbors.
[49:20] And we will be happy to answer any questions that you have.
[49:23] Okay. Thank you.
[49:24] Thank you.
[49:36] Good evening. I'm Bob Stozek. I live at 1130 Champion Forest Court, so I'm a
[49:41] neighbor of the sports center. I've been a resident of Wheaton for over 50 years
[49:46] now and a neighbor of the sports center for
[49:52] almost 38 years, because I moved here in '88 when they were just doing the
[49:56] reconfiguration of the facility.
[49:59] And I've been a member of
[50:02] the club for about 35 years. And when I saw this
[50:08] was happening, I came, and I volunteered to solicit some input from the community.
[50:13] I was not solicited. I volunteered to go and ask people within my community and
[50:18] also within the tennis community about how they felt about this change.
[50:23] And I just want to spend a few minutes reflecting on, letting you know what that
[50:27] feedback was.
[50:29] First, from the standpoint of the Wheaton Sports Center, having worked with them
[50:34] and being one of those busybodies in the neighborhood who always kind of takes on
[50:39] issues,
[50:41] I'm familiar with the many changes that took place in the sports center over the
[50:45] last 35 years. Things like when the courts were reoriented,
[50:51] there were potential lighting issues.
[50:54] They
[50:55] worked with us, and they eliminated lighting on the last two courts so that it
[50:59] wouldn't interfere with the houses in the neighborhood.
[51:02] When the air structure went up, they did the berming and landscaping adjacent to
[51:08] the facility so that the neighbors would be protected, and there were some
[51:12] neighbors who were very excited about making sure that happened.
[51:16] We were there when the adjacent land purchase happened right next to Champion
[51:22] Forest. And then with the parking lot expansion, there were some issues with
[51:27] landscaping and
[51:29] lighting that we were able to work through with them.
[51:31] And so they've been a very good neighbor to us in terms of accommodating the needs
[51:35] of at least the Champion Forest neighborhood.
[51:41] When I talked to the Champion Forest neighbors themselves, I asked because there
[51:45] have been new neighbors, particularly on the buildings that are right adjacent to
[51:49] where the air structure is. And they didn't have any issues because they hardly
[51:55] noticed the structure from their building.
[51:58] So they haven't had sight issues in terms of looking at the air structure when it's
[52:02] been up. And the same thing is true of
[52:07] any noise issues. And I was able to talk to a number of them because
[52:13] fortuitously, we had a block party and met a lot of the new neighbors, and I was
[52:17] able to talk to people, so there were not objections from the neighbors.
[52:22] Then I went and I talked to dozens of the tennis members and actually asked them
[52:27] about what they thought about the extending it.
[52:29] And
[52:31] there was overwhelming support for the 12-month structure for a variety of reasons.
[52:37] But there were two main reasons that stood out from the members.
[52:41] One was having more consistent access to the courts, and the other was a
[52:47] consistent quality of play.
[52:50] Excuse me. The access issue was that
[52:56] the unavailability from having the structure taken down and up every year was at
[53:01] least two weeks interruption in terms of the schedule and being able to utilize the
[53:06] courts. In addition, when storms and rains caused cancellations
[53:12] and bumping and changing of the schedule, and
[53:17] the members were missing at least a month.
[53:19] They're paying for 12 months of access to those facilities, but for a whole month
[53:24] or more every year, they were not able to do that because either the structure was
[53:28] going up and down or weather conditions were preventing them from being able to use
[53:32] the courts. So when I asked about that, they said, "Well, having the structure up
[53:37] and having the consistency of access is absolutely the kind of thing we're looking
[53:42] for."
[53:44] Then the
[53:46] other issue on quality of play was that it provides a consistent play environment.
[53:52] So going from playing indoors and outdoors and back and forth is an issue
[53:58] when you're playing outdoors, and particularly in the summertime here, being
[54:02] adjacent to the
[54:05] To the marsh, there are a lot of issues with mosquitoes, gnats, bees, a
[54:11] variety of issues that make it difficult to play.
[54:15] And when the structure is down, it also means that those last two courts are not
[54:21] available because there's no lighting, which means it's even more difficult to get
[54:25] courts in the summertime period. So for these rather reasons they all brought up,
[54:31] they were all really very much in support from the community standpoint, at least,
[54:35] of going to 12 years of having the structure up.
[54:39] And the last was a little more generic, and that is it's become part of their
[54:44] exercise plan. Many of the people that I played with were playing three and four
[54:48] times a week if they could. And when you take a week out of your schedule, or you
[54:52] don't know whether you're going to be able to play on a given day when you're
[54:55] working and the only time you can play in the evening and this stuff is not
[54:59] accessible to you, it's an issue for them.
[55:01] They're paying money and they're not getting access to it.
[55:03] So as I said, bottom line, the community that I talked to is very much in favor of
[55:08] the 12 months having this air structure up. So thank you.
[55:13] Very good. Thank you.
[55:25] Good evening. Phil Lukehans on behalf of Tim Doyle and EP Doyle, who is the
[55:30] neighbor directly to the south,
[55:33] who is staring at a dome five feet from his property line through the summer
[55:39] months now if this is granted. It's much different in the winter when we're not
[55:43] outside. This is five feet from his property line.
[55:47] I want to talk about a few different things.
[55:50] And as you know, as we keep hearing, we're much less active outside in the winter
[55:54] months. Agreed, but there's a reason the city council did not allow this to be a
[56:00] year-round structure back 40 years ago or however long it was.
[56:04] I want to talk about
[56:07] what
[56:09] Eric Miller talked about, this "public benefit." First of all, none of that's in
[56:13] the record before you. Not one statement of public benefit was in the record in
[56:17] front of the Planning and Zoning Committee. You can't rely on that.
[56:21] Legally, you can't. Second, those weren't public benefit.
[56:26] We have a lot of private benefit. I agree wholeheartedly.
[56:29] This is a huge benefit to the Wheaton Sports Center and its patrons.
[56:33] There is no public benefit. And
[56:37] one thing that is required when you amend the PUD, we didn't suggest it, and I've
[56:42] never suggested that you need to do a whole new PUD.
[56:46] You do have to show that the amendment is a public benefit.
[56:51] I spent six months in Lyles with that requirement in a
[56:56] prior hearing. And what I do realize that Mr.
[57:01] Daniel does not say in his letter is he doesn't say that Ms.
[57:04] Didier said that there's no requirement for a public benefit.
[57:08] She said there's no new hearing, and I completely agree with that position.
[57:14] But there is a requirement for public benefit, and there is nothing in the record,
[57:18] nothing of a public benefit before you.
[57:22] I want to talk a little about stormwater.
[57:29] As you know, this dome preexisted the stormwater ordinance regulations of both the
[57:35] county and the city.
[57:39] This change,
[57:41] I feel very strongly, requires stormwater requirements to go with it.
[57:46] Your staff has said the city had discussions with DuPage County stormwater staff,
[57:52] and they do not believe any provisions would apply to this PUD amendment.
[57:56] I called Sarah Hahn, who many of you may know is the head of the stormwater
[58:00] division, whatever her title is, and asked to try and understand this position.
[58:07] She was on a call today with her entire staff
[58:11] and asked if anybody on staff had had a conversation with the City of Wheaton staff
[58:16] regarding the Wheaton Sports Center and this issue.
[58:19] No one on that staff recalled having any such conversation.
[58:23] Not saying it didn't happen, but this is an issue that, as you know, we're trying
[58:27] to protect stormwater in this county and in the city in particular.
[58:30] You have some stronger ordinances than the county does, even for a reason.
[58:34] And that is to protect neighbors from a stormwater standpoint.
[58:37] This, as you saw, you've seen the videos, you read Mr.
[58:41] Doyle's testimony, does nothing except create more stormwater problems on
[58:47] his property. If they would fix the stormwater, if they would resolve all the
[58:52] stormwater regulations, or stormwater problems, we'd be in a different place here.
[58:57] But they're saying, "We just get to put this up." No one really believes, I don't
[59:01] believe, that water falling off a dome is the same as water running off
[59:08] a tennis court. Those are two completely different kinds of runoff, and there is
[59:13] nothing on this property that protects from that runoff.
[59:18] So all you're doing is causing a larger problem for Mr.
[59:21] Doyle's property as you go forward.
[59:23] We've heard about, "Oh, we did stuff for that property." Yeah, 50 years ago, 40
[59:28] years ago, whatever it is. That's not what we're here about.
[59:33] We're here about does this negatively affect the neighbors and the
[59:39] standards in the special use. It does. It negatively affects property values.
[59:45] It negatively affects stormwater.
[59:47] It does not comply with the stormwater regulations.
[59:50] And everybody just wants to say, "Oh, it's fine." But no one has done the work to
[59:55] find out.
[59:57] Not one person. Staff unfortunately hasn't called and said, "Hey, let's have a
[1:00:00] meeting about this to determine if it's true." The Sports Center hasn't done that.
[1:00:05] No one has gone and said, "Okay, under the county stormwater regs," which you
[1:00:08] obviously have adopted for the most part, "does this cause a stormwater violation?"
[1:00:15] I believe it does, and I strongly believe it does.
[1:00:17] Can I just ask?
[1:00:19] Yes, of course. I should say yes. That's not my place.
[1:00:24] Has Doyle done any stormwater
[1:00:27] studies? Has he had any issues with stormwater getting to the building?
[1:00:32] Has there been-
[1:00:33] Not to the building, but to his property, yes.
[1:00:36] And he sent to your staff a video and pictures, and the picture he sent, which was
[1:00:42] forwarded to you as well, was a 20-minute rain where you're seeing flooding.
[1:00:46] Not an hour rain, it was 20 minutes.
[1:00:48] So we're not just talking the building, we're talking his entire property.
[1:00:51] And if he wants to do changes or expansion of his building, that's going to be a
[1:00:55] concern. And it's not his job to take their stormwater. We know it runs downhill.
[1:01:00] I disagree that we're below them, completely disagree.
[1:01:04] But this is something they should be-- They're changing their use.
[1:01:09] They're changing from an eight-month to a 12-month use, and as they said, they're
[1:01:12] changing it in the rainiest months of the year.
[1:01:15] They need to show that they can comply and they're going to solve
[1:01:21] that problem in those four months, or at least comply with the stormwater
[1:01:24] ordinance. They have not done that.
[1:01:38] And it's not hugely important, but the stormwater here, where the snow does not
[1:01:43] melt on top of the roof, it falls off, and it gets plowed onto Mr.
[1:01:48] Doyle's property. That's not a zoning issue at this point, I understand that, but I
[1:01:52] just wanted to correct the record.
[1:01:58] The Planning and Zoning Board heard the evidence.
[1:02:01] They properly recommended denial of this change in the PUD.
[1:02:08] They were correct. This
[1:02:13] request does not comply with the standards one, two, three, four, and seven, and we
[1:02:18] would ask that you follow the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Committee,
[1:02:22] which heard the evidence and made the determination that you asked them to make on
[1:02:27] a regular basis. Thank you for your time.
[1:02:30] Thank you.
[1:02:32] Yes, please.
[1:02:33] Thank you.
[1:02:37] Hi, Suzanne Fitch, 403 North Dairy Avenue in Wheaton. Good to see you all.
[1:02:43] So I'm here in support of the request made by the Wheaton Sports Center.
[1:02:48] I'm a member of the sports center. I play tennis there.
[1:02:51] As you know, I also served on the Wheaton City Council for eight years.
[1:02:55] Prior to that, I served on the Planning and Zoning Board for six years.
[1:02:59] My background is in real estate, community association, land use law.
[1:03:06] I think what has happened here is that the opposition's attorney has just sort of
[1:03:11] muddied the waters. This is a very straightforward request.
[1:03:16] This is an amendment to an existing planned unit development.
[1:03:22] The applicant, the Wheaton Sports Center, doesn't need to come in here and reapply
[1:03:28] for a PUD. They don't need to prove public benefit, although they did.
[1:03:34] They don't need to address the special use permit standards, although they did
[1:03:40] anyway. They've been incredibly thorough, presenting
[1:03:46] everything to you because of the way that this process has played out, even
[1:03:52] though they really didn't have to do that.
[1:03:55] I don't know exactly what happened at the Planning and Zoning Board, but under our
[1:04:00] zoning code, really the only question is whether or not this change
[1:04:06] is in substantial conformity with the original PUD, which it is.
[1:04:12] Okay, this is a minor amendment. The use has not
[1:04:18] changed at all. The use of this is for tennis. Okay?
[1:04:24] So there may be one condition that is getting altered here, but the use hasn't
[1:04:30] changed. This to me is very straightforward.
[1:04:34] I hope that you will unanimously approve the application. Thank you.
[1:04:40] Thank you.
[1:04:43] Does anyone else wish to speak to us tonight concerning this item?
[1:04:49] May I respond briefly on the stormwater?
[1:04:51] Yes.
[1:04:54] Thank you, Mayor.
[1:04:56] I have practiced in this county
[1:05:00] my entire career, actually. I left for a while, but had some of that work back
[1:05:04] here. This is a pre-code development.
[1:05:08] The stormwater design has been carefully planned, not just by civil engineers for
[1:05:14] us, but the Park District has been involved, the Forest Preserve District has been
[1:05:17] involved. Everyone has a shared interest there, and it's not like your staff turns
[1:05:21] a blind eye.
[1:05:23] I don't know what happened with the call to Sarah Hunn.
[1:05:26] I'm surprised to hear that Mr. Lukehans didn't see any public benefit at the zoning
[1:05:32] hearing. I read the transcripts differently.
[1:05:34] There is a difference between statements between legislative history and the
[1:05:40] record, and an attorney getting up like I did, Mayor, when I recited the standards
[1:05:44] to you. There's the legal conclusion from an attorney, and just because the
[1:05:48] attorney doesn't say, "This is one of the public benefits," doesn't mean that they
[1:05:52] didn't provide public benefit.
[1:05:55] You're asked to provide your practical judgment as council members.
[1:06:01] You don't set aside the legislative history, and you don't presume that folks on
[1:06:05] your staff set aside and willfully disregard the countywide stormwater and
[1:06:10] floodplain ordinance.
[1:06:13] You don't do that. They're professionals, and we trust them, we rely on them,
[1:06:18] and they are in charge of permitting.
[1:06:21] They deal with this every day, far more often than Mr. Lukehans and I do.
[1:06:27] They solve problems, and they're used to this.
[1:06:30] They know how this design works, and my belief is that this pre-code structure is
[1:06:36] one that's existed for a long time.
[1:06:38] Particularly when you think about that photograph that Eric Benson provided.
[1:06:43] When Mr. Benson talked about the alignment being north-south, that dome was in the
[1:06:47] same place in relation to the portion of the Doyle property that they're
[1:06:52] complaining about today, just north of where some trees were removed and some lawn
[1:06:56] was replaced, where the aerials looked a little bit different prior to the
[1:07:00] pandemic.
[1:07:02] So there was some work done back there, but the reality is that I trust staff.
[1:07:08] I trust the ordinance. I trust my client's ability to work within the ordinance,
[1:07:13] and I don't believe it's fair to stand before you and throw something against the
[1:07:17] wall and hope it sticks in relation to an accusation that something's not going to
[1:07:22] work under the countywide stormwater ordinance when this property has not
[1:07:27] experienced flooding issues, and Mr.
[1:07:30] Doyle cannot present a stormwater analysis or study.
[1:07:34] And all that is being handled by the city and by the owner on our side.
[1:07:39] I appreciate your time this evening.
[1:07:40] I do hope that we got your support going forward.
[1:07:43] Okay. Thank you.
[1:07:44] Thank you.
[1:07:44] Is there any other comment on this item from the audience?
[1:07:49] Any comment online?
[1:07:55] Is there any council comment concerning this issue?
[1:08:00] What's the hours of operation for Wheaton Sports Center?
[1:08:08] It varies. Monday through Thursday, it is 5:00 AM until 10:00 PM.
[1:08:13] Mm-hmm.
[1:08:14] 9:00 PM on Fridays, and then 5:00 to 6:00 on the
[1:08:20] weekends.
[1:08:21] Okay, so it's seven days a week.
[1:08:22] Correct. Yeah.
[1:08:23] Okay.
[1:08:26] What's the hours of operation at Doyle's business?
[1:08:38] Probably people are there between 5:00 and till 6:00 or 7:00 at night, five days
[1:08:44] a week.
[1:08:44] Mm-hmm.
[1:08:45] Saturdays, sometimes half a day.
[1:08:48] Okay.
[1:08:48] Something like that, but it-
[1:08:49] Could you just state your name-
[1:08:50] Oh, Tim Doyle
[1:08:51] ... for the record, please?
[1:08:52] 1100 Reno Court, Wheaton, Illinois.
[1:08:56] Thank you. Five, six. Thank you.
[1:08:59] Yeah, and since you called on me, I think I want to say a couple of things.
[1:09:04] I don't want to be doing this. I don't want to be standing up here having this
[1:09:06] argument. I don't want to be picking fights with my neighbors.
[1:09:09] I called Eric Miller last week. I said, "Look, we're neighbors.
[1:09:14] We're trying to be good neighbors.
[1:09:16] Some things have happened here."
[1:09:20] I explained to him that when the pickleball tent was approved, I got burned.
[1:09:24] Because I met with the sports center, and I threw out things about eave heights,
[1:09:28] and material selections, and transparency, and the look of it, and I quite honestly
[1:09:33] think the pickleball tent's the ugliest thing that we have in the city of Wheaton,
[1:09:36] but that's beside the point.
[1:09:40] I honestly did not realize the flooding aspect of the dome until recently, because
[1:09:46] there's been several events where the dome has been allowed to be left up
[1:09:48] year-round, which I never understood. I never got a call. I never got told.
[1:09:52] I never... A special hearing of why the dome was granted to be left up year round.
[1:09:56] First, it was COVID, which made no sense to me because we all want to be outside
[1:10:00] and separated. Secondly, it was the road closure and all the work, and we all had
[1:10:04] to live through that, too, so I didn't understand why that was a hardship for the
[1:10:07] dome be left up. And now thirdly, it was allowed to be left up this year because of
[1:10:11] this hearing. And quite frankly, I don't understand that.
[1:10:16] That just still made no sense to me.
[1:10:19] I told Eric, quite frankly, that I want to be a good neighbor.
[1:10:22] I might have an ask from you in the future, but I did not prepare myself for the
[1:10:27] Planning and Zoning meeting for the pickleball tent, and I got left held to the
[1:10:32] bag. There'd be many, many things.
[1:10:34] That structure is two feet from my property and seven and a half feet on my window,
[1:10:39] and it's 13 feet taller than the ordinance allows. Just leave that at that.
[1:10:44] So when obviously the request for the tent got up, I looked through at the people
[1:10:48] in the meeting, I said, "Guys, I just honestly can't.
[1:10:51] Why would I want it?" I have a 40-foot high white structure that runs the
[1:10:57] length of my property. I am the forgotten neighbor, and I told them that.
[1:11:01] Talked to Eric Benson for the first time today, and I said, "Eric," I said, "I
[1:11:05] don't know how we hear about this one foot." Well, that was Rob Elliott 65 years
[1:11:10] ago. I have nothing to do with the one foot you gave them.
[1:11:13] So we keep hearing these things about being a good neighbor, and I'm trying to be a
[1:11:17] good neighbor, and I'm trying to be reasonable.
[1:11:19] And what I did to Eric Miller last Thursday, I said, "Put a piece of paper in front
[1:11:23] of my hand after a 20-minute rainfall." It was not a record rainfall, and it was
[1:11:27] eight inches of water sitting where that pipe is.
[1:11:29] And I TV'd that pipe, and I have no obligation to solve their stormwater problems.
[1:11:34] And that pipe is an SDR26 pipe. It's six inches below grade.
[1:11:37] It's not wrapped in stone. It's doing absolutely nothing to drain that area.
[1:11:42] And we are not any lower than you guys. We're the exact same elevation.
[1:11:46] The berm was left there, guys, because it was cheaper to berm the dirt than it was
[1:11:49] to haul it away. I'm going to be coming in front of you people in the near future
[1:11:53] to expand my parking lot. I am growing tremendously.
[1:11:55] I need twice the amount of parking.
[1:11:57] I might want to put my parking stall closer to a really ugly dome.
[1:12:01] And at that time, that water's going to be a big problem for me, and I shouldn't
[1:12:04] have to address that water. That's not my water I told Eric, "You resolve that
[1:12:09] water problem, you and I can have a talk.
[1:12:11] I can consider it." Until that water problem's resolved, I can't consider it.
[1:12:15] As much as I hate it, everything else, and look next to it, and the lights that
[1:12:19] stick up there that are ugly as hell, I hate it, but until they address their water
[1:12:23] problem, I can't even consider it. It floods my yard, plain and simple.
[1:12:29] So trying to be a good neighbor, I'm not going anywhere.
[1:12:32] They're not going anywhere. I held the meeting with Eric because I was told he was
[1:12:36] taking over. Eric has since called me. We talked today for a little bit.
[1:12:39] First time we've ever talked. I've dealt with Roger in the past.
[1:12:42] I am trying to be a good neighbor. But I do this for a living with stormwater.
[1:12:46] I just don't understand how that one aspect, put everything else everyone said, I
[1:12:50] don't understand how that one aspect can get ignored. I just don't.
[1:12:54] Thank you for your time.
[1:12:55] Okay, thank you.
[1:12:58] Any other discussion from the council?
[1:13:02] I guess I'd say a couple of words. I ultimately think this is a huge
[1:13:08] miscalculation of use of time
[1:13:11] by Mr. Doyle.
[1:13:14] I think the structure being up since 1988 and the orientation that it has been,
[1:13:19] there's no new issues here.
[1:13:21] I really struggle to see any validated, the kind of intimation that I had, which
[1:13:26] was, "I don't like something, pickleball, and so therefore I want to make this
[1:13:32] difficult."
[1:13:34] So unfortunately, I think what we have here is sadly an erosion of public
[1:13:39] influence by the use of this time.
[1:13:43] I think that's a miscalculation on your part, and you need to reflect on that, and
[1:13:47] you need to reflect on who you brought to challenge this conversation even further.
[1:13:52] I think the public benefit is fairly evident.
[1:13:55] Reduced noise pollution, reduced light pollution,
[1:13:59] year-round use of the facility, more reliable for those paying members, what have
[1:14:04] you, referred from surrounding members. So I really struggle with this.
[1:14:10] I think it's unfortunate. I've lived in this community for a very long time, drove
[1:14:15] by a facility that Doyle Construction was doing, and I see that they've been around
[1:14:19] for 80 years. I can tell you if you keep these kind of energies up around your
[1:14:24] neighbors, that you won't have any trouble worrying about parking.
[1:14:28] It won't be a need.
[1:14:30] I just think that there's a need for a better neighborly approach to this
[1:14:37] than what we've seen here tonight.
[1:14:39] So again, I'm in favor of the proposal. I appreciate the city's work on it.
[1:14:46] I think some of the challenges here reside ultimately to the city, not to the
[1:14:50] Wheaton Sports Center.
[1:14:53] I think the city historically has done a wonderful job with that, and I'm happy to
[1:14:58] support it.
[1:15:02] Thank you. Any other comments from the council?
[1:15:08] Okay.
[1:15:12] Yeah, I'm kind of sitting here wondering why this is an issue.
[1:15:19] When we look at a PUD, usually we're trying to visualize what's going to happen.
[1:15:26] We're looking at a PUD here that already exists. There's nothing new here.
[1:15:32] There's no change in the structure. There's no change in the use, as was mentioned.
[1:15:38] It's in compliance eight months out of the year.
[1:15:44] How can it be an assumption that it wouldn't be in compliance for the remaining
[1:15:48] four months of the year? I don't understand that.
[1:15:54] Granted, this is something that's existed for over 35 years.
[1:16:00] And
[1:16:03] it's kind of interesting listening to these discussions because you learn
[1:16:07] something. As the longer the conversation goes on, you learn something new.
[1:16:13] We've heard the discussion about the five-foot setback, and the requirement's a
[1:16:18] 10-foot setback. Well, that was a part of the original PUD.
[1:16:23] That's not new. That was part of maybe even the annexation agreement.
[1:16:29] So, I understand the frustration here, but
[1:16:35] this already exists. And it is just hard to represent
[1:16:41] that going from an eight-month period to a 12-month period would bring this into
[1:16:45] non-compliance. So,
[1:16:49] I appreciate the back and forth. I appreciate the work our staff has done on this.
[1:16:55] The recommendation from staff is to approve this PUD.
[1:17:01] That recommendation accommodates or addresses the issues with respect to water.
[1:17:08] When I looked at this initially, my biggest concern, "Okay, this is becoming a
[1:17:12] permanent structure. Does that create a water issue?"
[1:17:16] And we've been advised by our staff that that's not the case.
[1:17:20] And you're right, our requirements are stiffer than that of the county, so I don't
[1:17:24] think I'd be so worried about what Sarah Hahn has to say.
[1:17:29] So, I think I'm prepared to move forward with this.
[1:17:33] So, the motion on the table is to direct the city attorney to provide an ordinance
[1:17:39] approving the PUD amendment. Andy, could you call the roll, please?
[1:17:45] Councilman Brown?
[1:17:46] With pleasure, yes.
[1:17:48] Mayor Ses?
[1:17:48] Yes.
[1:17:49] Councilman Klausing?
[1:17:50] Yes.
[1:17:51] Councilwoman Robbins?
[1:17:52] Yes.
[1:17:52] Councilman Weller? Yes. Councilwoman Bray Parker?
[1:17:56] Yes.
[1:17:56] Councilwoman Brice?
[1:17:57] Yes.
[1:17:58] Thank you.
[1:17:59] Okay. Thank you.
[1:18:05] We move on to item five. Item five is to receive the planning and zoning report,
[1:18:11] zoning application 26-21, special use permit and variation,
[1:18:16] 1011 Dellea Road, Raia, and an ordinance granting a special use
[1:18:22] permit and a side yard setback variation to allow the remodeling of an existing
[1:18:27] detached garage into a pool house on a certain piece of property commonly known
[1:18:33] as 1011 Dellea
[1:18:37] Road, Raia. Is there a motion, please, to receive the planning and zoning report,
[1:18:42] zoning application 26-21?
[1:18:45] So moved.
[1:18:46] Is there a second?
[1:18:47] Second.
[1:18:50] Any discussion?
[1:18:52] Andy, could you call the roll, please?
[1:18:54] Councilman Weller? Yes. Councilwoman Bray Parker?
[1:18:57] Yes.
[1:18:57] Councilwoman Brice?
[1:18:58] Yes.
[1:18:59] Councilman Brown?
[1:19:00] Yes.
[1:19:00] Mayor Ses?
[1:19:01] Yes.
[1:19:02] Councilman Klausing?
[1:19:03] Yes.
[1:19:03] Councilwoman Robbins?
[1:19:04] Yes.
[1:19:05] Thank you.
[1:19:06] Is there a motion, please, to approve an ordinance granting a special use permit
[1:19:11] and a side yard setback variation to allow the remodeling of an existing detached
[1:19:15] garage into a pool house on a certain piece of property commonly known as 1011
[1:19:21] Dellea Road, Raia?
[1:19:25] So moved.
[1:19:26] So moved.
[1:19:26] We have a motion by- That was pretty good ... Mr. Weller, a second by Ms.
[1:19:33] Bray Parker. Any discussion from the audience on this item?
[1:19:40] Discussion from the council?
[1:19:44] Andy, could you call the roll, please?
[1:19:46] Councilman Weller? Yes. Councilwoman Bray Parker?
[1:19:48] Yes.
[1:19:49] Councilwoman Brice?
[1:19:50] Yes.
[1:19:51] Councilman Brown?
[1:19:51] Yes.
[1:19:52] Mayor Ses?
[1:19:53] Yes.
[1:19:53] Councilman Klausing?
[1:19:54] Yes.
[1:19:55] Councilwoman Robbins?
[1:19:56] Yes.
[1:19:56] Thank you.
[1:19:58] Item six is discussion concerning zoning application 26-22,
[1:20:04] subdivision 1028 Lodalia Court, St.
[1:20:08] Matthew United Church of Christ, and a motion to direct the city attorney to draft
[1:20:13] a resolution as directed. Mr. Montz.
[1:20:17] Thank you, Mayor. St. Matthew United Church of Christ submitted an application to
[1:20:21] subdivide a lot located at 1028 Lodalia Court.
[1:20:25] The lot was part of a 2012 annexation that created eight single-family lots on what
[1:20:30] is now Lodalia Court. The original annexation contemplated two possible uses for
[1:20:35] this particular lot, either a parking lot for the church or two single-family lots.
[1:20:41] St. Matthew has now decided to proceed with the latter and requests the lot be
[1:20:45] subdivided. The resulting lots meet the size requirements of their R3 zoning
[1:20:49] designation. If the city council is supportive of the subdivision, staff would
[1:20:54] draft a resolution for your later consideration.
[1:20:58] Okay. Is there a motion, please, to direct the city attorney to prepare a
[1:21:03] resolution approving the subdivision?
[1:21:07] So moved.
[1:21:08] Is there a second?
[1:21:09] Second.
[1:21:10] Any discussion from the audience?
[1:21:13] Discussion from the council?
[1:21:17] Are there any recapture provisions associated with this property or the
[1:21:21] subdivision?
[1:21:24] No.
[1:21:25] Okay.
[1:21:26] Yes, sir. Good day.
[1:21:27] Very good. Any other questions or comments?
[1:21:30] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:21:32] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:21:33] Yes.
[1:21:34] Councilman Brown.
[1:21:35] Yes.
[1:21:35] Mayor Suess.
[1:21:36] Yes.
[1:21:37] Councilman Klausing.
[1:21:38] Yes.
[1:21:38] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:21:40] Yes.
[1:21:40] Councilman Weller.
[1:21:41] Yes.
[1:21:42] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:21:43] Yes.
[1:21:44] Thank you.
[1:21:45] Item seven is a resolution authorizing the execution of agreement number 639 with
[1:21:51] Schroeder and Schroeder Inc. for construction services for the 2026 Fall New
[1:21:57] Sidewalk Program, for a total amount not to exceed $1,047,700
[1:22:04] and a 10% contingency. Mr. Munsch.
[1:22:07] Mayor, the engineering department's completed planning work for the 2026 New
[1:22:12] Sidewalk Program, which continues the city's efforts to create a comprehensive
[1:22:16] sidewalk network throughout the community.
[1:22:18] Staff solicited bids for the installation of nearly 14,000 feet of new sidewalk
[1:22:23] this fall. Seven bids were received, with a low bid of
[1:22:26] $1,047,700 being submitted by Schroeder and Schroeder.
[1:22:32] That amount is very favorable to the $1.8 million budget that was estimated for
[1:22:36] this work, and staff recommends approval of the agreement.
[1:22:41] Thank you. Is there a motion, please, to adopt the resolution?
[1:22:46] So moved.
[1:22:47] Is there a second?
[1:22:48] Second.
[1:22:49] Any discussion from the audience? Discussion from the council?
[1:22:54] I just have a comment. I think when we always do this, when we've been doing this,
[1:22:59] just to confirm that the communication between the neighborhoods, the individuals,
[1:23:05] and whom we've hired is
[1:23:08] good and hearty and informative, because that always seems to come back at us, and
[1:23:14] rightfully so, because this is people's neighborhoods.
[1:23:16] So, that's the only comment I'd like to make.
[1:23:19] Very good. Thank you. Any other comments? Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:23:25] Councilman Brown.
[1:23:25] Yes.
[1:23:26] Mayor Suess.
[1:23:26] Yes.
[1:23:27] Councilman Klausing.
[1:23:28] Yes.
[1:23:29] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:23:30] Yes.
[1:23:30] Councilman Weller.
[1:23:31] Yes.
[1:23:32] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:23:33] Yes.
[1:23:33] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:23:34] Yes.
[1:23:35] Thank you.
[1:23:37] Item eight is a resolution for improvement under the Illinois Highway Code
[1:23:42] 2026 Fall New Sidewalk Program. Mr. Munsch.
[1:23:48] This resolution is related to the last agenda item that you approved, which is
[1:23:52] funded through the motor fuel tax fund.
[1:23:54] Prior to the expenditure of state MFT funds, the Illinois Department of
[1:23:58] Transportation requires the execution of this resolution.
[1:24:03] Is there a motion, please, to adopt the resolution?
[1:24:06] So moved.
[1:24:06] Is there a second?
[1:24:08] Second.
[1:24:09] Second. Any comment from the audience? Comment from the council?
[1:24:14] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:24:16] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:24:17] Yes.
[1:24:18] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:24:19] Yes.
[1:24:19] Councilman Brown.
[1:24:20] Yes.
[1:24:21] Mayor Suess.
[1:24:22] Yes.
[1:24:22] Councilman Klausing.
[1:24:23] Yes.
[1:24:24] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:24:25] Yes.
[1:24:25] Councilman Weller.
[1:24:26] Yes.
[1:24:27] Thank you.
[1:24:28] Item nine is a resolution of the City of Wheaton, Illinois, declaring its official
[1:24:33] intent to reimburse certain capital expenditures from the proceeds of future debt
[1:24:38] issues. Mr. Munsch.
[1:24:41] Mayor, this agenda item relates to the anticipated bond issuance that will fund the
[1:24:45] public safety facility improvements that were included in the 2026 budget.
[1:24:50] Staff intends to proceed with the bond issuance once we get closer to the start of
[1:24:54] construction, which is likely in early 2027.
[1:24:58] That said, there are pre-construction design costs already being incurred, and this
[1:25:03] resolution meets the IRS requirement to allow those costs to be paid before the
[1:25:08] bonds are issued, and be reimbursed later from those bond proceeds, and that can
[1:25:13] occur for up to 18 months. The resolution does not commit the city to issue the
[1:25:18] bonds, and we'll seek approval for the bond issuance itself before proceeding.
[1:25:23] Staff recommends approval of this resolution.
[1:25:26] Thank you. Is there a motion, please, to adopt the resolution?
[1:25:29] So moved.
[1:25:30] Is there a second?
[1:25:32] Second.
[1:25:34] Second to Ms. Robbins.
[1:25:37] Any discussion from the audience? Discussion from the council?
[1:25:41] Just a quick question. A note that we've got $30 million noted as the bond issue,
[1:25:47] and we've got 21 and some change as the anticipated cost.
[1:25:50] Could you just maybe, just for the record, kind of point to the difference between
[1:25:54] that? Is that just giving us room in case by the time we go to actual bids, that
[1:25:59] we've got enough room there? Or kind of maybe reconcile that for the layperson.
[1:26:08] I can jump in, and Bob can always correct me if I say anything wrong.
[1:26:11] From a bond issuance standpoint, the 21.2 million was the estimated cost
[1:26:17] last time we did a budget cycle. So, that was last fall.
[1:26:21] So that's where that number comes in.
[1:26:23] In the spring, we had a discussion about where our conceptual design had been, and
[1:26:28] that was around the $30 million.
[1:26:30] Fair enough.
[1:26:30] So, that's how you get the two different numbers there, where 21 was what's in the
[1:26:34] budget, 30 million is closer to the current estimates.
[1:26:37] Thank you. I also think it's worthy of noting that we use the word reimburse.
[1:26:41] The reality to it, for those watching at home, I know there's many of us,
[1:26:45] this is for issuing debt to pay for
[1:26:50] improvements to the police and fire station. No one's getting reimbursed for it.
[1:26:54] We're issuing debt in order to do this.
[1:26:57] So, I think the language could be simplified for those, again, many watching at
[1:27:01] home.
[1:27:03] Okay, thank you. Any other comments?
[1:27:06] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:27:08] Councilman Klausing.
[1:27:09] Yes.
[1:27:10] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:27:11] Yes.
[1:27:11] Councilman Weller.
[1:27:12] Yes.
[1:27:13] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:27:14] Yes.
[1:27:14] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:27:15] Yes.
[1:27:16] Councilman Brown.
[1:27:17] Yes.
[1:27:17] Mayor Suess.
[1:27:18] Yes.
[1:27:19] Thank you.
[1:27:20] Item 10 is a resolution authorizing the execution of agreement number 636 with
[1:27:26] Bravo Services, Inc. for janitorial services for city facilities for a total
[1:27:32] amount not to exceed
[1:27:34] $208,669.45.
[1:27:41] Mr. Munsch.
[1:27:43] Thank you. Staff issued a request for proposals to provide janitorial services at
[1:27:48] its 12 city facilities. This includes all the city buildings, as well as the
[1:27:53] parking garages and the train stations.
[1:27:55] We received 12 proposals that were evaluated by staff from several departments, who
[1:28:00] determined that the proposal submitted by Bravo Services was the most advantageous.
[1:28:05] The proposed agreement is for one year at a cost of $208,669,
[1:28:11] with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms.
[1:28:15] The proposed cost is approximately $50,000 less than our current cost for similar
[1:28:19] services, and therefore, it's within budget.
[1:28:22] Staff recommends approval of the agreement.
[1:28:25] Okay, is there a motion, please, to adopt the resolution?
[1:28:29] So moved.
[1:28:29] Is there a second?
[1:28:31] Second.
[1:28:32] Any discussion from the audience? Discussion from the council?
[1:28:37] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:28:39] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:28:40] Yes.
[1:28:41] Councilman Brown.
[1:28:42] Yes.
[1:28:42] Mayor Suess.
[1:28:43] Yes.
[1:28:43] Councilman Klausing.
[1:28:44] Yes.
[1:28:45] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:28:46] Yes.
[1:28:46] Councilman Weller.
[1:28:47] Yes.
[1:28:48] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:28:49] Yes.
[1:28:50] Thank you.
[1:28:51] Item 11 is a resolution adopting the City of Wheaton 2026 to
[1:28:57] 2028 strategic plan. Mr. Munsch.
[1:29:01] Thank you. Over the course of several planning sessions this summer, the city
[1:29:05] council reviewed proposed updates to the city's strategic plan.
[1:29:09] As we've discussed, this update maintains the existing plan framework, and that
[1:29:14] includes the five strategic priorities, and then it makes some updates to the goals
[1:29:19] and initiatives within those priorities.
[1:29:21] The final draft presented this evening incorporates the feedback that we received
[1:29:25] during those planning sessions, and staff recommends adoption of the plan so that
[1:29:30] it can be incorporated into the 2027 budget planning process.
[1:29:35] Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt the resolution?
[1:29:39] So moved.
[1:29:40] Is there a second?
[1:29:41] Second.
[1:29:44] Second. Go that way. Split it up.
[1:29:48] Any discussion from the audience? Discussion from the council?
[1:29:54] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:29:56] Councilman Brown.
[1:29:57] Yes.
[1:29:58] Mayor Suess.
[1:29:59] Yes.
[1:29:59] Councilman Klausing.
[1:30:00] Yes.
[1:30:00] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:30:01] Yes.
[1:30:02] Councilman Weller.
[1:30:03] Yes.
[1:30:04] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:30:05] Yes.
[1:30:05] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:30:06] Yes.
[1:30:07] Thank you.
[1:30:09] Item nine is council comment. Any council comment this evening?
[1:30:14] I'll make a quick comment. Many, many of us were there tonight at the Wheaton
[1:30:17] Public Library. Lovely ribbon cutting event celebrating the new outside space, the
[1:30:22] plaza. And a lot of people spoke to this there as well, that it's just a good
[1:30:27] collaboration between the Wheaton Public Library board and staff, city council,
[1:30:33] city staff, state reps, township leaders, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, and
[1:30:38] Congressman Sean Casten, and it was just nice
[1:30:42] weather, and then there was a concert afterwards, so it's a good time.
[1:30:47] Thank you. Any other comments?
[1:30:49] I just want to also just say thanks to the Wheaton PD, Chief Yogur, for
[1:30:55] coming to Franklin and doing this lovely little tour of the process of what's going
[1:30:59] on in our buildings to check on safety and just going, again, above and beyond to
[1:31:05] look out for our community. And
[1:31:08] connecting that to Erica Nelson's comments about feeling reassured, and it's
[1:31:13] reassuring knowing that the Wheaton Police Department works well with our school
[1:31:17] district as well to keep us safe.
[1:31:20] Thank you.
[1:31:23] Let us then move on to item 10, approval of bills.
[1:31:27] I move approval of warrant number 927 in the amount of
[1:31:31] $3,069,100.07.
[1:31:38] Thank you. Is there a second?
[1:31:39] Second.
[1:31:40] Second. Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:31:42] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:31:44] Yes.
[1:31:44] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:31:45] Yes.
[1:31:46] Councilman Brown.
[1:31:47] Yes.
[1:31:47] Mayor Suess.
[1:31:48] Yes.
[1:31:48] Councilman Klausing.
[1:31:49] Yes.
[1:31:50] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:31:51] Yes.
[1:31:51] Councilman Weller.
[1:31:52] Yes.
[1:31:53] Thank you.
[1:31:54] Item 11 is an adjournment. Is there a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting?
[1:31:59] So moved.
[1:32:00] Thank you. Is there a second?
[1:32:02] Second.
[1:32:03] Andrea, could you call the roll, please?
[1:32:05] Councilwoman Brice.
[1:32:06] Yes.
[1:32:07] Councilman Brown.
[1:32:08] Yes.
[1:32:08] Mayor Suess.
[1:32:09] Yes.
[1:32:10] Councilman Klausing.
[1:32:11] Yes.
[1:32:12] Councilwoman Robbins.
[1:32:13] Yes.
[1:32:14] Councilman Weller.
[1:32:14] Can we do that?
[1:32:18] The roll, yes.
[1:32:20] Councilwoman Bray Parker.
[1:32:22] Yes, and thank you for coming to my birthday party.
[1:32:28] It seems like-
[1:32:30] No, that's her birthday party
[1:32:31] ... it seems like it might have been delayed a little bit.
[1:32:36] But anyway, tonight's meeting's adjourned.
[1:32:38] Thank you