Naperville City Council Meeting - July 15, 2025

The Naperville City Council convened on July 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, with the meeting extending to 12:05 AM on July 16. The agenda covered a wide range of topics including a Fire Chief's Citizen Award, extensive public comment on the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) contract extension, approval of a major townhome development (The Residences at Naper and Plank), a decision on a conditional use for U-Haul operations, a contentious vote on replacing the state grocery tax with either a local grocery tax or a home rule sales tax increase, and multi-million-dollar capital awards. The council also scheduled a vote on the IMEA contract for the August 19, 2025 meeting.

Awards & Recognitions

• Fire Chief’s Citizen Award: Presented by Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis to Taki Mullins for performing the Heimlich maneuver on a choking person at a restaurant on June 7, 2025. Mullins’s quick action saved a life.

Consent Calendar

• Approved with amendments: The council approved the consent agenda, removing Item I16 (Riverwalk Fountain Repairs change order) and amending Item I3 to schedule the budget workshop for September 29, 2025. All remaining items passed 9-0.
• Item I16 (FAILED): A motion to approve Change Order #2 for Riverwalk Fountain Repairs ($40,700 increase, total $464,300, 10-month extension) failed 4-5 (Aye: Wehrli, Gibson, Kelly, White; Nay: Holzhauer, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Syed, Wilson). Council members cited cost overruns and disappointment that the project exceeded initial estimates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• IMEA Contract Extension: Over 30 speakers addressed the council during two public forum periods (7:00-7:37 PM and 10:48 PM-11:30 PM). Positions were divided:
  • Opposition: Many young residents, NEST members, and environmental advocates argued the contract would lock Naperville into coal power until 2055, harming health and the climate. They cited 80% of IMEA power from coal, Prairie State Generating Station as a top polluter, and urged competitive bidding or renewable alternatives.
  • Support: Several residents, including PUAB Chair Louis Halkias and others, supported renewal, emphasizing IMEA’s low costs (11.4 cents/kWh vs state avg 15.3 cents), reliability, and the Member Directed Resource option that could achieve 45% clean energy by 2027. They warned of 40 million/year cost increases if Naperville leaves IMEA.
• The Residences at Naper and Plank: Eight speakers opposed the 90-unit townhome development, citing traffic concerns (especially at Plank and Tuthill intersection), overcrowded schools, stormwater runoff, high rents ($3,900-$4,800/month), and safety of a proposed park near a busy intersection. One written comment supported the project with requested traffic improvements.
• U-Haul at 991 W Ogden: Two residents opposed expansion, describing the property as an eyesore, with code violations, inadequate parking, and negative neighborhood impact.
• Other Topics: Speakers addressed e-bike/scooter safety (proposing education programs), concerns about medical waste in water, and a request to ban Tesla robotaxis without LIDAR.

Discussion Items

• The Residences at Naper and Plank (DEV-0035-2025): Public hearing opened at 7:50 PM. The petitioner (Lincoln Property Co.) presented traffic studies showing minimal impact (43-58 new trips per peak hour) and noted the project complies with the 2022 Comprehensive Plan (10-12 units/acre). Staff discussed future intersection realignment and coordination with Seven Brew Coffee to reduce congestion. Council members acknowledged improvements from an earlier 260-unit proposal and noted the park would be built by the Park District with buffers. Concerns about traffic study timing (July) were rebutted by the traffic engineer. The council voted 8-1 (Wilson opposed) to approve all seven ordinances (annexation, annexation agreement, rezoning, preliminary plat, conditional use, and deviations).
• U-Haul Conditional Use (DEV-0026-2025): The council considered Option A (deny, as recommended by Planning & Zoning Commission) or Option B (approve with conditions). Speakers and council criticized the property’s condition and owner’s history. Staff noted that a 2016 code change made gas stations a conditional use, and the U-Haul expansion required approval because of gravel parking. Council opted to deny (motion by Kelly, seconded by White) 9-0, with suggestions for the owner to remediate violations and meet with neighbors before reapplying.
• Grocery Tax vs. Home Rule Sales Tax (Item L2): Two options were presented:
  • Option A: 1% local grocery tax (replacing state grocery tax ending 1/1/2026), estimated $6.5M/year.
  • Option B: 0.25% increase in home rule sales tax (HRST), estimated $6.57M/year (likely higher due to state changes), with a reduction in downtown food & beverage tax. Staff and the Financial Advisory Board recommended Option A for revenue stability and preservation of HRST for future needs. Chamber of Commerce opposed HRST, citing competitive disadvantage. Council debated regressive impacts: some argued food is a necessity, others noted HRST also covers essentials like diapers. Councilman Holzhauer made a motion for Option B (first reading of HRST increase) with a two-year sunset provision, which passed 5-4 (Aye: Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Syed, White; Nay: Wehrli, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Wilson). The ordinance will return for final action on August 19, 2025.
• Springbrook Water Reclamation Center (SWRC) South Plant Improvements: Award of $59,302,000 plus 3% contingency to Vissering Construction (M1) and $1,326,745 construction management contract to CDM Smith (M2) were both approved 9-0. Sole source automated switchgear award of $1,051,504 to Universal Utility Supply (M3) also approved 9-0.
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report: Sikich CPA presented a clean audit opinion for FY2024, noting the city received GFOA certificates. Report received by voice vote.
• 2025 Mid-Year Financial Report: Deputy Director Marrocco reported revenues/expenses on track, highlighted impact of state use tax changes, and outlined 2026 budget focus areas. Report received by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Riverwalk Fountain Change Order: Denied (4-5). The item will not proceed.
• The Residences at Naper and Plank: Approved 8-1 on all seven ordinances.
• U-Haul Conditional Use: Denied 9-0; petitioner may reapply after 62 days and must go through PZC.
• Grocery Tax/HRST: First reading of home rule sales tax increase (0.25%) with two-year sunset approved 5-4; final vote set for August 19, 2025.
• IMEA Contract Vote Scheduled: Council directed staff to prepare an agenda item for the August 19, 2025 meeting to vote on extending the IMEA contract. Councilman White requested semi-annual updates on tax revenue once a replacement is adopted.
• Meeting Adjourned: At 12:05 AM on July 16, 2025.