Naperville City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting included a police award, public forum, consent agenda, public hearings, and major discussions on a grocery tax substitution and the IMEA power contract. The meeting adjourned at 10:38 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved cash disbursements of $53,127,762.64 for July 2025.
• Approved minutes of July 15, 2025, and meeting schedule for Sept–Nov 2025.
• Received year-to-date budget and investment reports.
• Approved appointments to boards and commissions.
• Awarded multiple procurements including:
  • Police Department Air Handler Unit 3 Replacement ($157,460 to Carrier Corp.).
  • Janitorial Supplies ($160,000 to W.W. Grainger, 10-month term).
  • Ballistics Vests ($140,921.70 to Streicher’s).
  • Municipal Center Drop Ceiling Replacement ($121,499.81 to Robe Construction).
  • Roadway Snow Removal ($455,125 for 2025-2026 winter season, requires 6 votes).
  • Information Technology Support Services ($200,000 to Sentinel Technologies, option year 2).
  • Biosolids Removal Services ($443,430 to Stewart Spreading, option year 2).
  • Water Street and Central Parking Structures Maintenance ($372,523 plus 5% contingency to J. Gill and Company).
  • Cartage Services ($265,000 to BioAg and International Hauling).
  • Waterous and Clow Fire Hydrant Replacement Parts ($132,557.50 and $186,101.50).
  • Sensus AMI Software ($613,765, sole source to Core and Main LP).
  • Utility Billing Software Consultant ($169,720 to Whitlock Consulting).
  • White Oak Roadway and Utility Improvements Engineering ($209,480 to Thomas Engineering).
  • Holiday Lighting and Decorations ($550,000 to B&B Holiday Decorating, 2-year term).
• Approved various change orders for substation, janitorial supplies, soils testing, water main engineering, tree removal, fire station renovations, and electrical technical assistance.
• Accepted public watermain improvements at Heinen’s Grocery Store.
• Passed ordinances: Northwoods sign variances (ORD 25-075, 25-076), procurement code updates (ORD 25-077), Water Street Long Table Dinner special event/amplifier permits (ORD 25-078), Riverwalk Fine Art Fair (ORD 25-079), Casey’s conditional use for auto service station (ORD 25-080), Fox River Commons PUD amendment for Guzman y Gomez (ORD 25-081), variance for 632 N Brainard St. (ORD 25-082), Carrolwood overnight parking exemptions (ORD 25-083), Naper Commons speed limit, right-of-way controls, and one-way streets (ORD 25-084, 25-085, 25-086).
• Canceled the public hearing for Everly Trace annexation; rescheduled to September 2, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Forum:
  • Andy Wild (Naperville) discussed noise issues from a neighbor’s amplifier permit, stating it is audible beyond 200 feet and not enforced. Staff provided follow-up contact.
  • Kanchan Vardhe-Panse (Naperville) raised a school boundary conflict between District 203 and District 200 for her home in Danada Woods. Council noted the issue lies with school districts, not the city.
• Public Hearing – Special Service Area No. 36:
  • John Noll (American Legion Post 43) asked if nonprofits would be subject to the new SSA tax. Finance Director Ray Munch responded that the property is already in SSA 33 and would see no change.
• Public Hearing – 706 Parkside Road Annexation:
  • No speakers; hearing was continued from July 15 and closed.
• Ordinances and Resolutions – L1 (Sales Tax):
  • Kaylin Risvold (Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce) opposed increasing the Home Rule Sales Tax.
  • Written comment from Marilyn Schweitzer supported the HRST increase.
  • Position statements: 4 opposed (including Kevin Humbert, Dina Porro, Mariann Warren, Michael Warren).
• Ordinances and Resolutions – L2 (IMEA Contract):
  • Over 27 speakers and 13 written comments. Key positions:
    • Opposition: Bill Simon (NEST), Dr. Paul Bloom, Patrick Caruso (NEST), Ted Bourlard (NEST), Rakshita Ruparel (Power a Better Future), Ayanna Mukherjee, Maureen Stillman (NEST), Daniel Bulley, David Hatch, Steven Shamrock, Gabriela Lombana Arias, Catherine Clarkin (NEST), Janice Guider, Sandee Whited, Rimvydas Gilvydis, Greg Hubert, Joseph Kozminski (District 203 School Board) – cited climate, health, lack of competitive bidding, and premature renewal.
    • Support: Mike Lapinski, Louis Halkias, Tim Ferritto, Wendy Schild, Michael Costello, Dick Furstenau, Jack Pye – argued for reliability, cost stability, and the value of investment already made.
    • Position statements: 4 support, 11 oppose.
• Reports and Recommendations – O1 (Transit Authority):
  • Seth Deegan (Naperville) urged support for increased land development authority for regional transit agencies to fund Metra, citing models from Japan and Singapore. Council voted to oppose as recommended by staff.

Discussion Items

• L1 – Home Rule Sales Tax vs. Grocery Tax: Council debated whether to increase the Home Rule Sales Tax by 0.25% or reinstate a 1% municipal grocery tax. Councilman White expressed preference for the grocery tax to avoid taxing essentials like diapers. Councilman Holzhauer supported the HRST to make food more affordable. Councilman McBroom noted both are regressive but favored the grocery tax based on business community input. A motion in substitution to establish a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax was approved 5-4 (Wehrli, Longenbaugh, McBroom, White, Wilson in favor; Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Syed opposed).
• L2 – IMEA Contract: The original motion to authorize the power sales contract was amended by a substitute motion from Mayor Wehrli to direct staff to negotiate an addendum with IMEA covering 8 items: contract length (exit in 2045), member-directed resources (up to 20% capacity/50% energy), carbon-free milestones with penalties, peak shaving compensation, local generation rights, weighted voting, transparency (share costs), and retirement cost provisions. Additionally, staff was directed to issue an RFP for carbon-free electric supply options for potential member-directed resources. Councilman Holzhauer proposed an amendment to cap coal usage at 592 MWh/day, but it was not included; instead, an amendment by Councilwoman Gibson to include provision for additional load from large users (e.g., data centers) to be eligible for MDR was added. The substitute motion passed 7-2 (Wehrli, Kelly, Longenbaugh, McBroom, Syed, White, Wilson aye; Gibson, Holzhauer nay).
• O1 – Transit Land Development Authority: Council concurred with staff recommendation to oppose legislation granting increased land development authority to regional transit agencies, following public input from Seth Deegan.
• New Business – Overnight Parking: Councilman White requested review of overnight parking restrictions. Staff indicated they are already researching options and will return with recommendations. Consensus direction given.
• New Business – Resignation: Councilwoman Longenbaugh announced her resignation effective August 25, 2025, due to a private sector opportunity. Council expressed appreciation for her service.

Key Outcomes

• Grocery Tax Established: Passed ordinance establishing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax (substitute motion) by a 5-4 vote.
• IMEA Negotiation Authorized: Directed staff to negotiate an addendum to the IMEA power sales contract on 8 enumerated items and issue an RFP for carbon-free supply options, by a 7-2 vote. The contract itself was not approved; staff will report back to council.
• Insulated Conductors Bid Awarded: Approved $5,526,340 to The Okonite Company for a one-year term, 9-0.
• Opposition to Transit Land Development: Council voted 9-0 to concur with staff’s recommendation to oppose increased land development authority for regional transit agencies.
• Overnight Parking Review: Council directed staff to develop alternative options for overnight parking regulations and report findings at a future meeting.
• Councilwoman Longenbaugh Resigned: Accepted resignation; vacancy to be filled per city procedures.