Naperville City Council Meeting Summary – September 16, 2025

The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, following a closed session at 6:30 PM to discuss approval of minutes and sale of property. Mayor Scott Wehrli presided, with 9 council members present after the swearing-in of newly appointed Councilwoman Supna Jain. Councilwoman Mary Gibson participated by teleconference due to illness.

Appointment of New Council Member

Council unanimously (8-0, Wilson absent) moved I-28 to the beginning of the agenda and adopted Resolution 25-31 appointing Supna C. Jain to fill the City Council vacancy. Jain was sworn in by Judge Jennifer L. Barron and delivered introductory remarks, noting she is the first woman of color to serve on the Naperville City Council.

Awards and Recognitions

• Hispanic Heritage Month: Proclaimed September 15 – October 15, 2025. Councilman Ian Holzhauer presented. Dr. Dali Barciaga (Almas) spoke in support.
• Retirement of Dick Dublinski: Proclaimed October 2, 2025 as his retirement day. Mayor Wehrli presented. Marilyn Schweitzer and others thanked Dublinski for his nearly 28 years of service.

Consent Calendar

Council approved the consent agenda by a 9-0 vote, including:

• Cash disbursements for August 2025 totaling $44,841,710.10
• Meeting minutes from September 2, 2025
• City Council meeting schedule for Sept.–Nov. 2025
• Year-to-date budget report through August 31, 2025
• Appointment to the Special Events & Community Arts Commission
• Cooperative procurements: Ambulance replacement (Foster Coach Sales, $384,531); Police station switch refresh (Sentinel Technologies, $243,134.67); Cellular phone services (Verizon Wireless, $338,000); Mobile broadband data (Verizon Wireless, $208,000); Ford automotive parts ($550,000)
• Single source procurement: Case equipment parts (McCann Industries, $165,000)
• Bid: Substation ground grid analysis (Safearth Americas, $450,179)
• Option year for EMS billing services (Ambulance Medical Billing, 3% of billed amounts)
• Temporary traffic controls for Naperville Half Marathon (Oct. 19) and Trick-or-Treat (Oct. 26)
• Conditional use and parking variance for Escapology (2603 Aurora Ave)
• Fence variance for Saints Peter and Paul (115 E. Benton Ave)
• Liquor license variance for Garfield's Beverage Warehouse (88 W. Gartner Ave)
• Removal of cab/taxi stands on Chicago and Jefferson Avenues
• No parking/stopping/standing on Brooksedge Avenue
• Removal of 15-minute parking on Webster Street
• Approved closed session minutes and confidentiality designations
• Workers' compensation settlements for Michael Larsen and Mark Chaput
• Agreement with Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) and intergovernmental grant agreement with DuPage County ($20,000)

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Fillar (Naperville): Criticized NEST for allegedly misrepresenting coal power costs and creating a hostile environment regarding the IMEA contract. Expressed support for IMEA.
• Michael J. Lapinski (Naperville): Supported IMEA contract renewal, argued climate data does not support extreme policy responses, and cautioned against rapid fossil fuel phase-out.
• Tim Ferritto (Naperville): Criticized NEST's objectivity and bias, asserting they are not impartial.
• Richard Stark (Naperville): Announced a new modeling team to evaluate RFP submissions for IMEA contract and requested volunteers.
• Troy Butler (Naperville): Thanked council for approval of Tower Court development, representing young adults with intellectual disabilities.
• Dick Furstenau (Naperville): Praised Dick Dublinski and supported IMEA renewal.
• Marilyn Schweitzer (Naperville): Discussed Fifth Avenue presentation, sidewalk code revision, communication about utility work, and thanked staff for accepting written public comments. Supported grocery tax.
• Jack Py (Aurora): Expressed concerns about SECA grant funding, urging stronger vetting to avoid funding politically charged organizations.

Discussion Items

L1 – Ancho & Agave Façade Stain (Naperville Crossings PUD) Petitioner Dan Shapiro and CEO Todd Hovindon requested approval to white-stain the building façade, consistent with their national branding. Staff recommended denial (Option A) citing inconsistency with the PUD's approved color palette. Council debated; opponents (Holzhauer) noted the petitioner's failure to verify PUD restrictions. Motion for Option B (approve) carried 8-1, with Holzhauer dissenting.

L2 – Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax Ordinance to implement a 1% grocery tax, projected to generate $3.2 million in 2026. One public comment (Schweitzer) urged passage. Council discussion divided: supporters (Jain, McBroom, White, Wilson, Wehrli) cited lost state-collection fees; opponents (Gibson, Holzhauer, Kelly, Syed) opposed new taxation. Motion passed 5-4.

M1 – RFP for Power Purchase Agreement (Non-Fossil Fuel) Council approved the RFP to solicit vendors for a Power Purchase Agreement for non-fossil fuel energy delivered to PJM. Director Brian Groth noted responses due October 29, 2025, with staff analysis and council review to follow. Approved 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Appointment: Supna Jain appointed to City Council (8-0).
• Consent Agenda: Approved 28 items (9-0).
• L1 – PUD Minor Change: Approved 8-1 to permit white stain for Ancho & Agave.
• L2 – Grocery Tax: Ordinance passed 5-4.
• M1 – RFP for Power Purchase: Approved 9-0.
• New Business: Council directed staff to survey comparable cities on processes for filling council vacancies and report back. No formal vote; consensus reached.