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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting Summary – May 20, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, May 20, 2025

BodyNaperville, Illinois

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, May 20, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:45:13

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0:22

Good evening and welcome to the May 20th, Naperville City Council meeting, roll call.

0:26

Horley?

0:27

Here.

0:28

Gibson.

0:28

Here.

0:29

Hold Tower.

0:29

Here.

0:30

Kelly.

0:30

Here.

0:30

Longabaugh.

0:31

Here.

0:32

McBroom.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Cyan.

0:33

Yeah.

0:34

White.

0:34

Here.

0:35

Wilson.

0:36

Here.

0:36

Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:43

I pledge allegiance.

0:51

Under God.

0:54

Liberty.

1:00

Our first order of business is awards and recognitions.

1:04

We'll start with Chief Pucknitus, who will present the Fire Chief Citizen Award.

1:08

Chief.

1:16

Thank you, Mayor.

1:17

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, members of the City Council, everybody out there in the public.

1:22

My name is Mark Pucknitus.

1:23

I'm the Fire Chief for the City of Naperville, and from time to time, I have the privilege of presenting a Fire Chief Citizen Award to people in the community that either contribute to or directly are related to the saving of a life.

1:37

And I'm so happy to present two of those awards this evening.

1:42

And uh if Chris Brown and Carol Pradle would join me up here right now.

1:56

So on March 23rd of 2005, at about eight o'clock in the morning, there was a call that we responded to for an unconscious person at our Savior's Lutheran Church, which is not too far from here.

2:09

The uh the director of worship, Chris Brown, uh, was there, and uh thank goodness he was, because there was a patient that was found who was named by the name of Tyler Henderson, who was unconscious near the church stage.

2:25

Tyler could not be with us this evening.

2:28

He is perfectly fine, but he had a um a musical concert that's about three hours away, so that's why he couldn't join us tonight.

2:36

But he's doing well.

2:37

He was unconscious at the time, and Chris, knowing CPR, went into action right away after contacting 911.

2:47

And prior to our fire department arrival, he provided CPR very effectively to the patient.

2:54

Uh our crew showed up and the patient had slow breathing and no pulse.

2:59

The crew placed defibrillation pads and an autopulse and continued CPR.

3:04

Our crew provided an airway, administrated ventilations, and after two minutes of CPR, the patient regained a pulse and began breathing on his own.

3:13

Although the patient remained unresponsive during the call, he survived the incident, and I know he survived mainly because of the actions of Chris Brown.

3:23

If it wasn't for Chris doing what he did and simply calling 911 and just waiting for EMS to arrive, I don't think our friend Tyler would have survived.

3:42

That very small things that you can do.

3:44

They may seem small, but they're huge because they save lives.

3:48

So learn CPR, learn how to use an automatic external defibrillator, learn how to do uh quick bleeding control maneuvers or airway obstruction maneuvers.

3:57

There's a lot of things that you could learn.

3:59

Fire department, the Naperville Fire Department, and the other area fire departments can help you with that.

4:04

So because of that, it is my privilege to present Chris Brown with the Fire Chief Citizen Award presented to Christopher Brown in recognition of your courageous and selfless act of performing CPR on an unconscious individual, demonstrating exceptional presence of mind and compassion on March 23rd, 2025.

4:25

Your actions reflect the highest standards of bravery and community service.

4:30

Thank you for what you did.

4:40

And I think Chris would like to say a few words.

4:49

This is this is not what I wanted.

5:02

And uh I can't encourage enough people to just get involved and make sure that you take CPR and uh have that as a part of something you can have in your hip pocket because you never know when it's gonna happen and where it's gonna happen.

5:14

But thank you, everybody.

5:20

Also, also with us this evening is Carol Pradle, the daughter of Mayor George Pratel.

5:26

And she's here with us.

5:27

She is representing the family of Tyler who couldn't be here today.

5:31

And uh, she was very much involved with this incident as well.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety███████████████████████23%

Procedural█████████████13%

Energy Procurement████████████12%

Procurement████████████12%

Veteran Recognition███████7%

Housing Affordability███████7%

Community Engagement█████5%

Data Center Regulation█████5%

Transportation Safety████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting – May 20, 2025

The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included awards and recognitions, public forum, consent agenda, several separate votes, and new business items. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 PM.

Consent Calendar

Cash Disbursements: Approved $29,843,617.60 for April 2025.
Minutes: Approved the Inauguration meeting minutes of May 4, 2025, and the regular City Council meeting minutes of May 6, 2025, as amended.
Meeting Schedule: Approved the June, July, and August 2025 meeting schedule.
Budget Report: Received the year-to-date budget report through April 30, 2025.
Reappointments: Approved reappointments to various Boards and Commissions.
Contract Awards (approved as part of Consent):
- RFP 25-034 (Testing & Commissioning Engineer) to Albrecht Engineering LLC for $365,000 over two years.
- RFP 24-267 (Pavement Rating & Evaluation) to Transmap Corporation for $133,191.60 over 3.5 years.
- Option Year #1 to Contract 23-242 (Electrical Installation, Maintenance, Modifications, and Repairs) to Volt Electric, Inc. for $120,050 over one year.
- Option Year #1 to Contract 24-122 (Electric Equipment Painting) to BP&T for $500,000.
- Change Order #1 to Contract 24-268 (Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure) to Sentinel Technologies, Inc. for $28,488.60 (total award $326,076.82).
- Change Order #1 to Excess Workers’ Compensation Insurance to Midwest Employers Casualty Company for $20,779.25 (total award $190,917.25).
- Change Order #1 to Option Year #1 to RFQ 23-070 (Design Build Pollinator and Native Vegetation Program) to V3 Construction Group for $75,000 (total award $325,000).
Procurement Code Waivers:
- East Highland Area Improvements to Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. for $209,191.
Ordinances (passed):
- Extension for temporary parking facilities on Monarch Landing Lots 1B, 1C, and 2.
- Authorization for Series 2025 General Obligation Bonds up to $46,000,000 (including defeasance of Series 2013 Bonds).
- Variance for fence height at 2909-3017 Saganashkee Ln.
- Major change and Preliminary/Final Planned Unit Development Plat for Lot 10 of Springbrook Square (Naperville Sweat Lodge).
- One-year extension of variances for three ground signs at 740-944 S IL Route 59.
- Establishment of Special Service Area No. 36 (Downtown Maintenance & Marketing) and setting a public hearing.
- Increase in Class M liquor license cap by one (requires 6 positive votes).
Resolutions (adopted):
- Approval of IDOT low bid for North Aurora Road Underpass at CN Railroad project for $33,197,029.63.
- Acceptance of Outlots E and F in Naperville Polo Club Development and conveyance to Naperville Park District.
- Workers’ compensation settlement authorization for Charles Gros (amount not specified).
- Workers’ compensation settlement authorization for Lee Graefen (amount not specified).

Public Comments & Testimony

Todd Schutte (Naperville resident): Requested two stop signs at Jefferson Avenue intersections with West Street and Ewing Street, citing dangerous speeding (many vehicles exceeding 50 mph) and near-miss accidents. Said curb extensions installed last year had no meaningful impact.
Mark Melnicoff (Naperville, member of NEST): Urged the City to consider low-income residents when selecting the next electricity provider. Suggested communicating federal/state programs (e.g., Illinois Solar for All), improving energy efficiency incentives, and developing a retail rate structure for low-income families. Noted that IMEA electricity is more expensive than open market alternatives.
Emily Coffey (Chicago, Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights): Requested City support for Illinois State Senator Karina Villa’s bill (SB 2264) to regulate “crime-free housing” and nuisance property ordinances. Explained that such ordinances can lead to evictions even when tenants call for emergency assistance, harming domestic violence survivors and people with disabilities. Praised Naperville’s current approach but noted that the Illinois Municipal League (IML) opposes the bill, speaking on Naperville’s behalf.
Bill Simon (Naperville, president of Naperville Preservation Inc.): Highlighted May as National Historic Preservation Month. Recognized the City’s historic district (320 properties) and the Historic Preservation Commission, and encouraged preservation and adaptive reuse.
Timothy Perfitt (Naperville resident/business owner): Asked the Council whether it is appropriate for a council member to publicly call out a Naperville middle school student over policies they disagree with, and whether similar comments would be made if it were their own child.
Written Comments (read into record):
- Thom Higgins: Criticized Councilman McBroom’s social media post about a D203 track meet, stating the City Council has no role in school matters and accusing McBroom of sowing division.
- Barbara Vetter: Opposed the overnight parking ban (2am-5am). Provided FOIA data showing fines increased from ~157 per month in 2023 to ~900 per month starting August 2024. Requested the ban be lifted or modified, and suggested a waiver system.

Separate Votes on Pulled Consent Items

I14 – Change Order #2 to Health Screening Services (Endeavor Health): Councilwoman Gibson recused herself (spouse works for Endeavor). The remaining 8 members voted unanimously to approve the award not to exceed $100,000 (total award $481,000).
I16 – Network Interconnection Study for I-88 Corridor Development (ICF Resources LLC): Councilman Kelly clarified the study relates to a potential data center along I-88; the developer bears all costs. Council members expressed skepticism about data centers (energy/water usage, minimal employment). Director Groth stated the City is well-positioned for normal load growth and the study is required for large loads. The motion passed 8-1 (Holzhauer voted no).

L1 – Buttermilk Naperville Liquor License

Motion to waive first reading and pass ordinance increasing Class S1 (Specialty Food and Liquor Shop) cap by one and issuing a variance to Buttermilk Naperville, Inc. Passed 8-1 (Mayor Wehrli voted no).

Reports and Recommendations

O1 – Non-Union Pay Structure: Approved unanimously (9-0) as recommended.
O2 – Ordinance on City Manager’s Powers for Employee Pay Structure: The ordinance would have amended Sections 1-6A and 1-7 of the Municipal Code to give the City Manager authority to set non-union pay ranges. City Manager Krieger stated the recommendation came from a consultant, not staff, and that staff will follow Council’s direction. Councilmembers expressed that final authority should remain with elected officials as a check and balance. The motion failed 4-5 (Ayes: Wehrli, Syed, White, Wilson; Nays: Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Longenbaugh, McBroom).

New Business

Report on IML and Other Lobbying Organizations: Councilman Holzhauer requested staff prepare a report on the City’s membership in the Illinois Municipal League (IML) and other lobbying organizations, including annual costs, extent of City control over messaging, and how to handle situations where the City wishes to remain neutral but the organization takes a different stance. The request was approved by consensus with 9 positive hand votes.
Workshop on IMEA Contract: Councilman McBroom initially requested support for a separate workshop on the future of the IMEA electricity contract and PUAB recommendations. After discussion (concerns about timing, scope, and including other energy options), a show of hands for scheduling a workshop at a regular meeting received 3 votes. Councilman McBroom then requested that an item be placed on the next City Council meeting agenda (June 3, 2025) to vote on whether to schedule a workshop and what topics would be covered. This second request received 6 hands (sufficient consensus), so the item will appear on the June 3 agenda.

Key Outcomes

Votes:
- Consent Agenda (as modified): Approved 9-0.
- I14 (Health Screening Services): Approved 8-0 (Gibson recused).
- I16 (I-88 Interconnection Study): Approved 8-1 (Holzhauer nay).
- L1 (Buttermilk liquor license): Approved 8-1 (Mayor nay).
- O1 (Non-union pay structure): Approved 9-0.
- O2 (City Manager pay structure authority): Failed 4-5.
Directives:
- Staff to prepare a report on IML and other lobbying organizations (by consensus).
- Item to be added to June 3, 2025 Council meeting agenda to consider scheduling a workshop on the IMEA contract and related topics.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the May 20th, Naperville City Council meeting, roll call. Horley? Here. Gibson. Here. Hold Tower. Here. Kelly. Here. Longabaugh. Here. McBroom. Here. Cyan. Yeah. White. Here. Wilson. Here. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance. Under God. Liberty. Our first order of business is awards and recognitions. We'll start with Chief Pucknitus, who will present the Fire Chief Citizen Award. Chief. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, members of the City Council, everybody out there in the public. My name is Mark Pucknitus. I'm the Fire Chief for the City of Naperville, and from time to time, I have the privilege of presenting a Fire Chief Citizen Award to people in the community that either contribute to or directly are related to the saving of a life. And I'm so happy to present two of those awards this evening. And uh if Chris Brown and Carol Pradle would join me up here right now. So on March 23rd of 2005, at about eight o'clock in the morning, there was a call that we responded to for an unconscious person at our Savior's Lutheran Church, which is not too far from here. The uh the director of worship, Chris Brown, uh, was there, and uh thank goodness he was, because there was a patient that was found who was named by the name of Tyler Henderson, who was unconscious near the church stage. Tyler could not be with us this evening. He is perfectly fine, but he had a um a musical concert that's about three hours away, so that's why he couldn't join us tonight. But he's doing well. He was unconscious at the time, and Chris, knowing CPR, went into action right away after contacting 911. And prior to our fire department arrival, he provided CPR very effectively to the patient. Uh our crew showed up and the patient had slow breathing and no pulse. The crew placed defibrillation pads and an autopulse and continued CPR. Our crew provided an airway, administrated ventilations, and after two minutes of CPR, the patient regained a pulse and began breathing on his own. Although the patient remained unresponsive during the call, he survived the incident, and I know he survived mainly because of the actions of Chris Brown. If it wasn't for Chris doing what he did and simply calling 911 and just waiting for EMS to arrive, I don't think our friend Tyler would have survived. That very small things that you can do. They may seem small, but they're huge because they save lives. So learn CPR, learn how to use an automatic external defibrillator, learn how to do uh quick bleeding control maneuvers or airway obstruction maneuvers. There's a lot of things that you could learn. Fire department, the Naperville Fire Department, and the other area fire departments can help you with that. So because of that, it is my privilege to present Chris Brown with the Fire Chief Citizen Award presented to Christopher Brown in recognition of your courageous and selfless act of performing CPR on an unconscious individual, demonstrating exceptional presence of mind and compassion on March 23rd, 2025.

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