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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting January 21, 2025: IMEA Contract Debate and Legislative Priorities

City Council — Tuesday, January 21, 2025

BodyNaperville, Illinois

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, January 21, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:01:54

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0:04

Good evening and welcome to the January twenty first Naperville City Council meeting, roll call.

0:08

Worley.

0:09

Here.

0:09

Hold tower.

0:10

Here.

0:10

Kelly.

0:10

Here.

0:11

Leong.

0:11

Here.

0:12

Longabaugh.

0:13

Here.

0:13

Make Broom.

0:14

Here.

0:14

Taylor.

0:14

Here.

0:15

White.

0:15

Here.

0:16

Wilson.

0:16

Here.

0:17

Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:41

Our first order of businesses.

0:43

Awards and recognitions.

0:45

Councilman White is the mayor pro tem and will present the proclamation to the North Central College women's triathlon national championship team.

1:02

All right, ladies, you know the routine.

1:04

I saw you out in the hallway.

1:06

Come on up.

1:12

Give them another round of applause as they come up here.

1:39

Yeah, I think uh the college is just racking up national championships here.

1:43

This is absolutely amazing.

1:45

Uh so this is a proclamation from the city of Naperville honoring the North Central College women's triathlon uh sixth national championship for this team.

2:01

And the proclamation reads as, whereas the City of Naperville honors the North Central College women's triathlon team for its two thousand twenty-four USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship, the fifth national title in the program history.

2:16

And whereas Senior Haley Poe captured her fourth consecutive individual national championship, leading the first team in the event's history to have all seven competitors earn all America honors.

2:39

And whereas North Central College ranks among the top ten of all collegiate institutions nationwide, with forty-six team national championships and one hundred and fifty-four individual national championships.

2:53

And whereas North Central College was one of the first NCAA institutions to adopt women's triathlon as a team sport and has played a leading role in the sports growth to a current total of forty-two institutions from all divisions and regions of the country.

3:11

And whereas the City of Naperville applauds the North Central College women's triathlon team for its national prominence and for enriching the college and local communities through outstanding scholarship, leadership, and citizenship.

3:27

And whereas the combined success of these women in the competitive and academic arena showcases the best attributes of the NCAA Division III philosophy of using athletics to enrich the collegiate experience.

3:41

And whereas we applaud the North Central College for its ongoing commitment to providing rewarding and educational competitive athletic experiences for women and hope to see women and girls throughout Naperville continue to look to these female student athletes as inspirational figures.

5:19

Um thank you very much for being here tonight.

5:22

I on behalf of North Central College.

5:25

Uh I am uh Biodungariola.

5:27

I go by GP, I'm president of the college, and I am so thankful and grateful for City Hall for uh recognizing our students tonight.

5:35

Uh they are truly outstanding students uh given the size of our college and the footprint they have left on the national scene.

5:44

Uh their victory is not only remarkable, but imagine by which they've won those victories and the repeated major victories are truly outstanding.

5:52

So thank you very much uh for supporting us as a community, and thank you, students, for making this city and this college very proud.

6:00

Congratulations to you.

6:01

Thank you.

6:49

Next on the agenda is public forum.

6:51

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.

6:59

Speakers are asked to present their comments in a respectful and courteous manner.

7:03

Speakers should stay on topic and be cognizant of their words.

7:06

Personal attacks on council members, staff, other speakers, or members of the audience are not allowed.

7:11

If inappropriate language or comments are expressed during this meeting, you will be asked immediately to stop commenting.

7:17

Also, for audience members, there is no cheering and no jeering.

7:21

Actions such as applauding, cheering, finger snapping, booing, or any other noises during or at the conclusion of any remarks made by any speaker are not allowed.

7:30

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.

7:38

No speaker should ever feel intimidated by the crowd.

7:42

Audience disruption is meant to intimidate those speaking, and I will not allow it in the chambers.

7:47

Audience members with signs, the signs must not block any other audience members' view.

7:53

Speakers are given three minutes to address the council to help speakers stay within the three-minute time frame.

7:57

We have a timer on the side dais to your right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Energy Planning██████████████████████22%

Energy Procurement██████████████████████22%

Procedural███████████████15%

Environmental Protection███████████████15%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Public Safety█████5%

Community Engagement███3%

Engineering And Infrastructure███3%

Youth Programs██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting January 21, 2025: IMEA Contract Debate and Legislative Priorities

The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at 400 S. Eagle Street. The meeting began with a proclamation honoring the North Central College Women's Triathlon team for their sixth national championship, followed by extensive public comment—over 20 speakers—largely opposing the proposed early extension of the IMEA electric contract. The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, five major bids for infrastructure projects, and the 2025 Legislative Priorities after removing a priority on remote meetings under the Open Meetings Act. The meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM.

Consent Calendar

Approved cash disbursements for December 2024 totaling $34,042,375.38.
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of December 17, 2024.
Approved the City Council meeting schedule for February, March, and April 2025.
Approved an appointment to the Building Review Board.
Approved cooperative procurement for 2025 Sanitary Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation to Hoerr Construction, Inc. ($200,053.17).
Approved JOC procurement for Northeast Water Works Security Fence and Retaining Wall Rehabilitations to Robe Construction, Inc. ($184,800).
Approved JOC procurement for Northwest Water Works Fencing and Security Upgrades to Robe Construction, Inc. ($110,455).
Approved cooperative procurement for Fire Turnout Gear to Danko Emergency Equipment Corp. ($110,000, one-year term).
Approved cooperative procurement for Refuse Carts to Otto Environmental Systems ($175,000).
Approved cooperative procurement for Backhoe Replacement – Unit 761 to West Side Tractor Sales ($185,490.79).
Approved bid for 2025 Sanitary Sewer Main CCTV Inspection to National Power Rodding Corporation ($180,309.37).
Approved Change Order #1 for Consulting Engineering Services to NASHnal Soil Testing LLC ($38,707.05; total award $158,707.05).
Approved Change Order #1 for River Road Water Main Improvements to Performance Construction and Engineering ($198,802.40; total award $5,371,950.47; additional 182 days).
Approved Change Order #1 for Cascade Configuration Assessment and Upgrade to DNV Energy Insights USA (additional 60 days).
Approved Change Order #1 for Landscape, Maintenance, Mowing and Herbicide Services to Local Lawn Care & Landscaping, Ramiro Guzman Landscaping, Inc., and Groundworks Land Design ($75,000; total award $1,627,894).
Approved Change Order #1 for Emergency and Amber Lighting and Related Equipment to Fleet Safety Supply, Inc. ($155,000; total award $380,000).
Approved Change Order #2 for Sensus Licensed RNI Software as a Service to Core & Main LP (additional 120 days).
Accepted public watermain improvements at Islamic Center of Naperville and authorized reduction of corresponding surety.
Directed staff to amend Section 5-2C-3 (Exterior Wall Construction) to permit composite siding as an acceptable masonry material.
Passed ordinance amending Title 3 to add Chapter 20 (Massage Establishments) requiring permitting (ORD 25-001).
Passed ordinance granting a major change to the Naperville-Extra Space Storage Planned Unit Development, PUD deviations, and conditional use for expansion at 1432 W Ogden Avenue (ORD 25-002).
Adopted resolution of Official Intent for Reimbursement of Capital Projects (RES 25-01).
Adopted resolution authorizing City Manager to execute the 2025 Pace Paratransit Local Share Agreement for Ride DuPage (RES 25-02).

Public Comments & Testimony

IMEA Contract Extension Opposition (Public Forum): Ten speakers in the first segment (Paul Bloom, Susan Craighead, Vallabh Arun, John Klein-Collins, Tom Coleman, Alyssa Simpson, Tim Banas, Sam Hus, Fernando Arriola, Libby Gardner) and ten more in the second segment (Astha Savalia, Jane Brueggemann, James Haselhorst, Marilyn Schweitzer, Rev. Jacob Tipantasig-Wolverton, Simone Schuppan, Ernest Oxenknecht, plus later speakers) all opposed the early extension of the IMEA contract, which would lock Naperville into coal-dependent energy (80% coal) for an additional 20 years. Speakers cited environmental harm, health risks, fiscal irresponsibility, and the need for clean energy. Written comments from Nancy Turner, Anne Mathews, Mark Ailes, Eric Johnson, Richard Chamberlin, and Pat Berg also opposed extension; one written position statement (Laura McCarthy) supported coal. One speaker (Ashley Penick) discussed environmental preparedness and questioned climate change narratives.
Legislative Priorities (Public Comment): Marilyn Schweitzer spoke in support of the legislative review process, requesting that all Manager's Memoranda (MMs) be archived and publicly accessible, and that electronic publication of statutory postings be restored to the city website.
Safety Concern: Peter Santoro raised concerns about landscaping removal at Meadow Lake Road and Naper Boulevard, citing safety risks from vehicles leaving the roadway. Director Novak met with him after the meeting.

Discussion Items

Awards and Recognitions: Councilman White presented a proclamation honoring the North Central College Women's Triathlon team for their sixth national championship. President GP of North Central College thanked the council.
Award of Bids (M1-M5): The council unanimously approved five contracts:
1. Parking Deck Consulting Services to Walker Consultants ($1,600,000, three-year term).
2. Trillium Lift Station Rehabilitation to Performance Construction & Engineering LLC ($1,038,250 plus 3% contingency).
3. Biosolids Holding Tank – Phase II to Williams Brothers Construction, Inc. ($3,140,000 plus 3% contingency).
4. 2025 West Waterworks and Pressure Adjusting Station 15E Improvements to Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. ($2,968,888 plus 3% contingency).
5. Northwest Wastewater Pump Station Rehabilitation to Hayes Plant Services LLC ($2,310,000 plus 3% contingency).
2025 Legislative Priorities and Legislative Review Process: The council discussed the proposed priorities. Councilwoman Bruzan Taylor moved to remove the Open Meetings Act (OMA) priority to permit meetings to be held remotely at the discretion of local officials, citing concerns about preserving in-person public participation. Councilman Holzhauer and others supported the removal, noting that the city already has emergency meeting provisions. Councilman White suggested the OMA priority could be considered in future. The motion passed 9-0. The council also discussed transparency in lobbying notifications, with Councilman McBroom asking that council members' names be included in the Manager's Memorandum when they object to a lobbying effort. Councilwoman Bruzan Taylor supported including names for transparency.
IMEA Contract Update: Director Groth and City Manager Krieger provided an update on the timeline: Customized Energy Solutions (CES) consultant report due mid-to-late February; a special Public Utilities Advisory Board (PUAB) meeting in early March; a council workshop planned for April (possibly two). Krieger stated the vote will not occur until after the new council is seated in May. Council members expressed varied views: Councilman McBroom questioned cost comparisons and reliability; Councilwoman Bruzan Taylor emphasized following proper processes and transparency; Councilman Kelly stressed the need for workshops for the new council; Councilman Holzhauer characterized IMEA's early extension request as

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the January twenty first Naperville City Council meeting, roll call. Worley. Here. Hold tower. Here. Kelly. Here. Leong. Here. Longabaugh. Here. Make Broom. Here. Taylor. Here. White. Here. Wilson. Here. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Our first order of businesses. Awards and recognitions. Councilman White is the mayor pro tem and will present the proclamation to the North Central College women's triathlon national championship team. All right, ladies, you know the routine. I saw you out in the hallway. Come on up. Give them another round of applause as they come up here. Yeah, I think uh the college is just racking up national championships here. This is absolutely amazing. Uh so this is a proclamation from the city of Naperville honoring the North Central College women's triathlon uh sixth national championship for this team. And the proclamation reads as, whereas the City of Naperville honors the North Central College women's triathlon team for its two thousand twenty-four USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship, the fifth national title in the program history. And whereas Senior Haley Poe captured her fourth consecutive individual national championship, leading the first team in the event's history to have all seven competitors earn all America honors. And whereas North Central College ranks among the top ten of all collegiate institutions nationwide, with forty-six team national championships and one hundred and fifty-four individual national championships. And whereas North Central College was one of the first NCAA institutions to adopt women's triathlon as a team sport and has played a leading role in the sports growth to a current total of forty-two institutions from all divisions and regions of the country. And whereas the City of Naperville applauds the North Central College women's triathlon team for its national prominence and for enriching the college and local communities through outstanding scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. And whereas the combined success of these women in the competitive and academic arena showcases the best attributes of the NCAA Division III philosophy of using athletics to enrich the collegiate experience. And whereas we applaud the North Central College for its ongoing commitment to providing rewarding and educational competitive athletic experiences for women and hope to see women and girls throughout Naperville continue to look to these female student athletes as inspirational figures. Um thank you very much for being here tonight. I on behalf of North Central College. Uh I am uh Biodungariola. I go by GP, I'm president of the college, and I am so thankful and grateful for City Hall for uh recognizing our students tonight. Uh they are truly outstanding students uh given the size of our college and the footprint they have left on the national scene. Uh their victory is not only remarkable, but imagine by which they've won those victories and the repeated major victories are truly outstanding. So thank you very much uh for supporting us as a community, and thank you, students, for making this city and this college very proud. Congratulations to you. Thank you. Next on the agenda 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.

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