Naperville City Council Meeting: December 16, 2025

The final City Council meeting of 2025 honored the retirement of NCTV 17 Executive Director Elizabeth Braham Spencer, conducted a high-volume public forum featuring significant opposition to a proposed data center, and addressed procedural motions to schedule a future vote on the IMEA electric contract extension. The meeting concluded with a roll call vote to enter closed session regarding municipal utility operations.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of cash disbursements for November 1–30, 2025 ($58,069.30).
• Approval of meeting minutes for December 2, 2025.
• Approval of the 2026 meeting schedule (January, February, March).
• Receipt of year-to-date budget report through November 30, 2025.
• Receipt of renewable energy program update and proposed 2026 changes.
• Approval of contract option year one for sanitary sewer CCTV inspection (National Power Rotting Corp, not to exceed $200,813.69).
• Approval of contract option year one for SCADA maintenance (Advance Automation and Controls, not to exceed $194,180).
• Approval of contract option year one for cast iron manhole covers (EJ USA, not to exceed $197,211.49).
• Approval of contract option year one for excavation and utility repairs (Miller Pipeline LLC, Beish Excavating, and IHC Construction, not to exceed $488,410.15).
• Approval of contract option year one for water distribution parts (Water Product Company, not to exceed $428,386.29).
• Approval of contract option year two for residential water meter replacement (Calumet City Plumbing, not to exceed $250,430).
• Approval of contract option year three for landscape design (Christie Weber and Company, not to exceed $470,000).
• Approval of contract option year four for lift station force main inspection (RJN Group, not to exceed $179,000).
• Approval of cooperative procurement for electric utility supplies (Wesco, not to exceed $750,000).
• Approval of cooperative procurement for new police vehicles (Curry Motors Fleet, not to exceed $148,001).
• Approval of cooperative procurement for in-ground structures (Wesco Incorporated, not to exceed $789,529).
• Approval of cooperative procurement for ArcFlash rated apparel (Tyndale Enterprises, not to exceed $104,500).
• Approval of change orders for electrical disconnect switches (Gray Bar) and LED lighting retrofit (Rags Electric).
• Approval of change order for fire station renovations (Light Construction, not to exceed $40,082).
• Approval of 2026 social service and opioid remediation grant allocations.
• Acceptance of public water main and street/light improvements for Delta Sonic Car Wash, McDowell Point, and Ashwood Heights.
• Passage of ordinance approving a wall sign variance for Charles Schwab (19 West Chicago Avenue).
• Passage of ordinances for the 2026 property tax levy ($98,939 Special Service Area 23; $68,000 SSA 25; $93,111 SSA 30; $23,680 SSA 31; $20,026 SSA 34; $125,000 SSA 35; $1,259,718 SSA 36).
• Passage of ordinances approving minor conditional use changes for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and a home-to-office conversion (229 West Ogden Avenue).

Public Comments & Testimony

A total of 21 speakers signed up; the session was bifurcated with the first 30 minutes preceding the main agenda and the remainder following Item O1. Five written comments were also submitted.

Opposition to Proposed Data Center (KARIS at 1960 Lucent Lane):

• Rich Janner (Naperville resident/business owner) stated the movement against data centers is bipartisan and noted over 4,000 citizens have signed a petition. He argued the "four-way test" for conditional use has not been met regarding public safety and the burden of proof.
• Dr. Sue J. Shah (Board-certified oncologist) expressed strong opposition to the 24 diesel generators, citing definitive science that diesel exhaust contains carcinogens linked to cancer, asthma, and heart disease. She argued Tier 4 generators do not eliminate these health risks and that the proposal fails to meet conditional use standard 2.1 regarding public health.
• Dr. Aashim Babar (Board-certified cardiologist) countered the claim that highway traffic exposure is equivalent, arguing stationary generators pose a greater concentrated risk to cardiovascular health than moving traffic. He stated that while "risk does not equal hazard," placing generators near neighborhoods is an "unnecessary and irresponsible risk."
• James Budd (Former data center builder) argued the pricing impact analysis submitted by KARIS is flawed because the comparable data centers in the study do not match the scale of the proposed 36-megawatt facility. He highlighted that KARIS holds over 70,000 gallons of diesel fuel, far exceeding local standards, and argued that generator noise and emissions pose risks that do not meet conditional use standards.
• Sarah Baugh (Real estate professional) stated the proposal fails to prove home values will not decrease and conflicts with the I-88 corridor study's vision for a mixed-use innovation district. She argued the single-use industrial facility forecloses future higher-value development opportunities.
• Dan Johnson (Civil engineer) opposed the project based on the comprehensive master plan, noting the site is designated for medium-density residential use. He stated the development conflicts with the adopted master plan criterion and that the developer failed to utilize a zoning option more harmonious with the area.
• Clara Lambert (Naperville resident) cited global and local precedents (Aurora, Virginia, Oregon, Arizona) where data centers near neighborhoods were halted or rejected due to negative impacts. She urged the council to protect character and safety by voting no.
• Nadim Mirza (Residents and anesthesiologist) argued the risks of diesel emissions outweigh the benefits, noting that even a small increase in utility bills could offset the projected tax revenue. He highlighted that the project only promises 50-60 permanent jobs, less than a single fast-food restaurant.
• Edwin Cruz (Attorney) submitted a legal brief contending the petitioner fails to meet all four conditional use requirements. He emphasized that the property is designated medium-density residential in the master plan, directly conflicting with the industrial data center use.
• Michael Thibodeau (Representing Democratic Socialists of America) opposed the proposal, citing an looming energy crisis in Illinois and potential economic bubble risks associated with AI data centers.
• Steve Jarvis (Naperville resident) spoke emotionally about preserving the neighborhood for children and families, arguing the noise and 24-hour industrial activity are incompatible with the community spirit.
• Joe Huss (Representing NEST) opposed the project while advocating for exploring alternatives to the IMEA contract, requesting the council vote to create a climate action plan similar to District 203.
• Lori Melhart (Licensed clinical social worker) expressed concern regarding the mental health impacts of noise pollution and the burden of risk on residents. She noted that over 4,000 people have signed a petition and warned that the decision could impact future elections.
• Joseph Lambert (Parent) opposed the proposal, warning that the data center would cause property values to plummet and bring industrial pollution to a residential area.
• Maxwell Watkins (PhD Research Scientist) argued the increased strain on the electrical grid poses a danger to stability during extreme weather events and that the noise pollution from data centers is difficult to mitigate and harmful to health.
• Ernest Oxenek (Naperville resident) objected to the proposal citing multi-phase impacts, high emissions from Tier 3/4 generators at full power, and the heat load added to the community.

Opposition to Meeting Room Rental Cuts (Meeting Room 1):

• John Brubaker argued that eliminating access to municipal center meetings for outside groups reduces availability compared to neighboring Aurora and noted that the manual billing process is no longer efficient.
• Arlene Orr and Amy Friedman (Naperville Senior Task Force) expressed that continued cost-free access is vital for senior programming, including dementia support groups and Silver CPR, and that the city space provides legitimacy and protects seniors.
• Jane Burke (Naperville Preservation Inc.) opposed the cuts, highlighting the central location and parking benefits of the municipal center and noting that alternative venues like the library are difficult to book.
• Mary Ann Curtis (Neighborville resident) spoke on the necessity of coordinated accessibility for pedestrians and those with disabilities, criticizing snow management at bus stops.

Discussion on IMEA Contract Extension:

• Joe Huss and Daniel Bully presented conflicting views: Huss urged the council to begin an RFP process for cleaner, cheaper energy, while Bully argued that leaving IMEA (a non-profit) would expose the city to for-profit entities and higher costs, and that the current grid structure renders the transition technically difficult without reliability issues.

Discussion Items

• Awards and Recognitions: The Council honored Elizabeth Braham Spencer for 21 years of service as Executive Director of NCTV 17, presenting a proclamation and a gift related to the Ambassador Drive dedication. Spencer expressed gratitude for her journey and the community's trust.
• Data Center Proposal Status: Council members discussed the timeline for the KARIS data center proposal, with City Staff indicating a target date of January 20, 2026, for the item to appear on the agenda. Councilman Holzer emphasized that the proposal conflicts with the comprehensive master plan's designation of the site as medium-density residential.
• Meeting Room Rentals (Item O1): Following presentations from staff and speakers, Councilman Holzer made a motion to disapprove the discontinuation of meeting room rentals to outside groups, authorizing continued use at no charge for 2025 participants through June 30, 2026. The Council voted to direct staff to bring back a report on a potential compromise involving hosting meetings only on nights when the building is already staffed and charging market rates for other times.
• IMEA Contract Extension: Following extensive speaker testimony and internal debate, Councilman Holzer requested a motion to place an item on the public agenda for an up-or-down vote on the IMEA contract extension (service beginning October 1, 2035). Council members sought to balance the need for a decision against the logistical challenges of a potential marathon meeting with the data center vote. Consensus was reached to direct staff to schedule the vote on the next available meeting where the data center is not being discussed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Property Tax Levy for 2026: Passed (8-1; Councilman McBroom opposed). Adopted a total levy of $69,064,110.
• Property Tax Abatement: Passed (8-1; Councilman McBroom opposed). Authorized an abatement of $8,500,181 from the total levy, resulting in a net 2025 levy of $60,563,929.
• White Oak Drive Vacating & Subdivision Plats: Items J5 through J9 (vacating right-of-way and approving plats for 870 Prairie, 869 East Hillside, 901 East Hillside, and 930 Prairie) were all passed unanimously (9-0).
• Street Lighting and Water Main Contracts: Items M1, M2 (lighting maintenance), and M3 (Water Main Improvements to Trine Construction) were approved unanimously (9-0).
• Meeting Room Rentals (Item O1): The motion to direct staff to bring back a proposal for a compromise (limiting rentals to nights with existing staffing and charging market rates for others) passed 6-3.
• Closed Session: Motion to enter closed session to discuss the operation of a municipal utility (IMEA contract) and load forecast studies passed 6-3.

Note: The transcript indicates a discrepancy in the voting record for the 2026 tax levy and abatement items, where the roll call lists "No" for Councilman McBroom and "I" or mixed transcription for others, but the final tally is recorded as 8-1. The summary reflects the recorded tally.