Naperville City Council Meeting - December 17, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Naperville City Council Meeting - December 17, 2024
The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at 400 S. Eagle Street. The meeting included a public forum, approval of a consent agenda (with two items removed for separate discussion), public hearings, and several major votes on property taxes, infrastructure projects, and contracts. The council also discussed legislative priorities, ethics, and a street closure. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved cash disbursements for November 2024 totaling $51,986,308.77.
- Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of December 3, 2024, and Budget Workshop minutes from September 24, October 22, and November 12, 2024.
- Approved the City Council meeting schedule for January, February, and March 2025.
- Received the year-to-date budget report through November 30, 2024.
- Received the update on the Renewable Energy Program. A written comment from the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) clarified that NEST did not agree with staff's recommendation of no changes for 2025, citing chronic underfunding and recommending a working group. The report was received.
- Approved appointments to the Building Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, and Planning & Zoning Commission.
- Approved the 2025 Special Events Calendar as closed.
- Approved the CY2025 Social Service Grant and Opioid Remediation Grant funding allocations.
- Approved the award of RFP 24-224 (Debt Collection Services) to Municipal Collection Services, LLC (fee not to exceed 25% of collected monies, three-year term).
- Approved the award of RFP 24-151 (Temporary Staffing Services) to four vendors, not to exceed $300,000 for two years.
- Approved the award of Bid 24-215 (Fire Uniforms) to On Time Embroidery, Inc. (DBA Unique Apparel Solutions), not to exceed $371,000 for two years.
- Approved the award of Cooperative Procurement 24-301 (In-Ground Structures) to Wesco Inc., not to exceed $759,470.
- Approved the award of Cooperative Procurement 24-293 (Electrical Disconnect Switch Replacements) to Graybar, not to exceed $227,964 for 12 months.
- Approved Option Year #1 for RFQ 23-070 (Design Build Pollinator and Native Vegetation Program) to V3 Construction Group, not to exceed $250,000.
- Approved Option Year #1 for Contract 23-154 (Street Lighting, Controller, Public Building and Municipal Lot Lighting Maintenance) to Meade Electric, Inc., not to exceed $990,000.
- Approved Option Year #3 for Contract 22-016 (Lift Station Force Main Inspection) to RJN Group, Inc., not to exceed $195,250.
- Approved Change Order #1 for Contract 24-016 (2024 Microsurfacing Pavement Maintenance) to AC Pavement Striping Co., adding 84 days.
- Approved Change Order #1 for Contract 24-051 (Health Screening Services) to Endeavor Health, not to exceed $131,000 (total award $381,000) and adding six months.
- Passed ordinances for levies in seven Special Service Areas (Nos. 23, 25, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35) for fiscal year 2025.
- Passed ordinance granting a major change to River Woods Office Campus PUD and conditional use for a day care center at 628 N River Road (Cypress School).
- Passed ordinances approving variances for detached garage height at 1141 Basswood Drive and 516 Spring Ave., fence height at 243-244 N Laird St., and deck encroachment at 2255 Lotus Ct.
- Conducted first reading of an ordinance amending Title 3 to add Chapter 20 (Massage Establishments) requiring permitting.
- Accepted public street improvements at Naper Commons Phase 1 and 2 and authorized reduction of surety.
- Adopted resolution approving an amendment to the IDOT agreement for traffic signal energy and maintenance on state routes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Elizabeth Schwartz (Naperville, chair of NEST waste team) spoke in support of developing a citywide drop-off site for recycling styrofoam. She noted that styrofoam is over 90% air, takes 500 years to decompose in a landfill, and that nearby communities like Mount Prospect and Highland Park already densify and recycle it. She suggested grant programs and a potential partnership with INEOS, which is building a chemical recycling plant in Shanahan. Council members asked questions and indicated staff is reviewing the feasibility.
Discussion Items
- Item I-13: Energy Management Consulting Services (RFP 24-254) – The council debated whether to award a $74,950 one-year contract to Customized Energy Solutions, Ltd. Concerns were raised about the timing, as the current IMEA contract expires in 2035 (11 years away). Councilwoman Longenbaugh and Councilman Kelly opposed, arguing it was too early and that energy markets change rapidly. Councilwoman Taylor supported, noting the need for long-term planning to avoid a future scramble. Councilman Wilson supported, citing the value of data points. Director Groth confirmed the contract does not require early renewal with IMEA. The motion passed 6-3 (Aye: Wehrli, Bruzan Taylor, Leong, McBroom, White, Wilson; Nay: Holzhauer, Kelly, Longenbaugh).
- Item I-38: Settlement Agreement (Estate of Dorothy Newlands) – The council considered a resolution to settle a lawsuit against the city. Councilman McBroom opposed, calling it a
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the December 17th Naperville City Council meeting. Roll call. Here. Hold tower. Here. Kelly. Here. Leong. Here. Longaba. Here. Mick Broom. Here. Taylor. Here. White. Here. Wilson. Here. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Our first order of business this evening is public forum. As we start the public forum, I'd like to remind everyone of the citizen participation rules in the city's municipal code for speaking at city council meetings. Speakers are asked to present their comments in a respectful and courteous manner. Speakers should stay on topic and be cognizant of their words. Personal attacks on council members, staff, other speakers, or members of the audience are not allowed. Also, for audience members, there is no cheering and no jeering. Action such as applauding, cheering, fingers snapping, booing, or any other noises during or at the conclusion of any remarks made by any speaker are not allowed. If this occurs, you will be asked to stop immediately, and if it continues to persist, I will recess the meeting until the audience abides by the rules in our city code. Speakers are given three minutes to address the council to help speakers stay within the three minute time frame. We have a timer on the side, Dais to your right. Schatz, please call the first speaker. There is one speaker in public forum, Elizabeth Schwartz. Good evening. My name is Beth Schwartz, and I chair the waste team for NES. Ms. Schwartz, could you get close to the microphone? They're very, very directional, and we just can't hear you. So thank you. I chair the waste team for NEST. We in Naperville generally do a great job with recycling. However, we're falling short with styrofoam, which is not currently collected curbside. Styrofoam is more than 90% air due to its lightweight, it's bulky to collect, and therefore inefficient to transport. It also lasts 500 years in a landfill. Styrofoam can and is being recycled worldwide. However, to make foam cost effective to recycle, it must be shredded, compressed, and/or melted to a denser form. Then it can be more easily shipped to facilities that can process it into new products. Some companies will pay for densified material. Um our closest option, Dart Container in Northwest Aurora, will accept undensified material but does not pay for it.
openpublica.com