Naperville City Council Meeting – April 2, 2025

The Naperville City Council met on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, approval of the consent agenda (with one item pulled), a public hearing on the sidewalk cost-sharing program, several unanimous expenditure approvals, a discussion on retaining the opening of Hawkweed Drive, and new business concerning traffic safety on Jefferson Avenue. Key outcomes included eliminating the 2025 sidewalk property owner cost-sharing program (7-1), retaining the Hawkweed Drive connection (6-2), and awarding contracts for street resurfacing and circuit breakers.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the March 18, 2025 City Council meeting minutes.
• Approved the City Council meeting schedule for April, May, and June 2025.
• Approved Cooperative Procurement 25-114 (Northwest Water Works Ground Level Reservoir Restoration) to Garland/DBS for $791,418.
• Approved Cooperative Procurement 25-119 (1-Ton Dump Truck Replacements) to Sutton Ford for $205,934.
• Approved Cooperative Procurement 25-121 (Hewlett Packard Enterprise Alletra Storage Area Network Hardware and Support Services) to Continental Resources for $283,265 over five years.
• Approved amended Work Order 22-067-WATER-25-01 (Construction Engineering Services for Ogden Avenue and Washington Street Water Main Improvements) to Ciorba Group for $314,525 over 22 months.
• Approved Work Order 22-067-WATER-25-02 (Construction Engineering Services – Royal Oaks Water Main Improvements) to Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. for $118,187 over seven months.
• Approved Change Order #2 to Contract 22-039 (Springbrook Water Reclamation Center UV Disinfection Improvements) to Williams Brothers Construction for an additional 365 calendar days.
• Approved Change Order #3 to Work Order 22-067C (Design Engineering Services – Ogden Avenue and Washington Street Water Main Improvements) to Ciorba Group for an additional 150 calendar days.
• Approved Bid 24-242 (SWRC Centrifuge Control Panel Replacement Phase II and Polymer Feed System Replacement) to William T. Connelly, Inc. dba Connelly Electric Co. for $474,000 plus a 5% contingency.
• Approved Bid 25-066 (Palo Alto Firewall Upgrade) to Continental Resources for $919,904 over five years.
• Approved Bid 25-041 (Fire Station Renovations – Stations #1 and #3) to Lite Construction for $755,900 plus a 3% contingency.
• Approved Bid 25-022 (2025 Sidewalk and Curb Maintenance Program) to Beritus, Inc. for $807,840.70 plus a 3% contingency.
• Passed ordinance approving transfer of 2025 Volume Cap of $19,531,850 to the Town of Normal.
• Waived first reading and passed ordinance creating a Class G2 – Boutique Market liquor license (six positive votes required).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers for Public Forum. One written comment from Nancy Ryan (Naperville) expressed frustration with the Washington Street Bridge project, citing prolonged inactivity, traffic hazards, and impact on local businesses.
• Three speakers supported retaining the opening of Hawkweed Drive: Michael Krzywinski (Naperville) provided a map and argued it would provide a safer, direct exit to 119th Street and access to Polo Club amenities; Tim Messer (Naperville) supported for delivery driver efficiency; Paul Hinterlong (Naperville) emphasized fiscal management, community inclusion, and safety benefits.

Discussion Items

• Item I14 – 2025 Sidewalk Removal and Replacement Program Property Owner’s Cost Sharing Program: Councilwoman Bruzan Taylor pulled the item and moved to eliminate the cost-sharing program. She argued sidewalk repair is a basic city service like street repairs. Councilwoman Longenbaugh concurred, noting sidewalks are city infrastructure. Councilman Holzhauer highlighted the high administrative cost of collecting from homeowners. The motion passed 7-1, with Councilman Leong voting no. The city will now cover 100% of sidewalk repair costs, estimated at $500,000 annually. Director Novak noted the program's elimination does not affect repair standards. Director Munch stated the capital budget can accommodate the change this year. The council discussed potential future impacts and the possibility of revisiting the program during the 2026 budget process.
• Item O1 – Hawkweed Drive Opening: Council concurred with staff and prior City Council to retain the opening of Hawkweed Drive per the Polo Club annexation agreement. Public safety officials (Fire Chief Puknaitis and Deputy Police Chief Bissegger) expressed opposition to any closure or traffic devices that would delay response times. Councilman Kelly dissented, citing the history of negotiations with the developer (Pulte) and the neighborhood; he preferred waiting until 119th Street improvements are completed (over a decade away). The motion passed 6-2 (Kelly and Leong no). Mayor Wehrli requested staff confirm that additional turn lanes at 119th Street and IL 59 are completed before opening Hawkweed, and to monitor traffic impacts.
• New Business – Jefferson Avenue Traffic Concerns: Councilman White raised concerns about speeding on Jefferson Avenue from Ewing to West Streets. Data from late 2024 showed 85th percentile speeds of 32–33 mph, with 15% of drivers exceeding that. Director Novak discouraged temporary stop signs, citing safety risks. The Police Department will increase enforcement and visible deterrents. Additional traffic data collection is planned for 2025. Councilman Holzhauer noted a recent serious accident on that stretch.

Key Outcomes

• Eliminated the 2025 Sidewalk Removal and Replacement Program Property Owner’s Cost Sharing Program (approved 7-1).
• Retained the opening of Hawkweed Drive per the Polo Club annexation agreement (approved 6-2).
• Awarded Cooperative Procurement 25-120 for 138kV Hitachi Circuit Breakers to Wesco, Inc. for $2,627,166 (approved 8-0).
• Awarded Bid 25-015 for the 2025 Street Resurfacing Program – MFT to K-Five Construction Corporation for $5,563,599.47 plus a 3% contingency (approved 8-0).
• Adopted the IDOT resolution to allow expenditure of $5,563,599.47 in State Motor Fuel Tax dollars for the street resurfacing program (approved 8-0).
• Directed staff to monitor traffic volumes and speeds after opening Hawkweed Drive and to confirm completion of turn lanes at 119th Street and IL 59 before opening.
• Commited to additional traffic enforcement and data collection on Jefferson Avenue, with results to be shared with Council.

The meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM.