OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting Summary - January 20, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 20, 2026
BodyNaperville, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:39:16

Transcript — Verbatim
0:54

Here we go.

0:58

Good evening and welcome to the January 20th Naperville City Council meeting, the first meeting of 2026.

1:04

Roll call.

1:05

Orly?

1:05

Here.

1:06

Gibson.

1:07

Here.

1:07

Hold tower.

1:08

Here.

1:08

Jane.

1:09

Here.

1:09

Kelly.

1:10

Here.

1:10

Big Broom.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Cyan.

1:12

Yep.

1:13

White.

1:14

Wilson.

1:15

Here.

1:17

Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:22

I pledge to the flag of the United States of America.

1:30

One nation under God.

1:32

Individual with literary justice.

1:45

Our first item on the agenda is public forum.

1:49

I'd like to remind everyone of the citizen participation rules in the city's municipal code for speaking at city council meetings.

1:56

Speakers are asked to present their comments in a respectful and courteous manner.

2:00

Speakers should stay on topic and be cognizant of their words.

2:05

Personal attacks on council members, staff, other speakers, or members of the audience are not allowed.

2:10

If inappropriate language or comments are expressed during this meeting, you will be asked immediately to stop commenting.

2:16

Also, for audience members, there is no cheering and no jeering.

2:21

Actions such as applauding, cheering, booing, or any other noises during or at the conclusion of any remarks made by any speaker are not allowed.

2:29

If this occurs, you will be asked to stop immediately, and if it can continue to persist, I will recess the meeting until the audience abides by the rules in our city code.

2:39

No speaker should ever feel intimidated by the crowd.

2:44

Audience disruption is meant to intimidate those speaking, and I will not allow it in the chambers.

2:49

Audience members with signs, the signs must not block any other audience members' view.

2:55

Speakers are given three minutes to address the city council.

2:58

To help speakers stay within the three-minute time frame, we have a timer located on the side dais, that is to your right.

3:27

Speakers are encouraged to remain in council chambers until the conclusion of public forum in the event council members want to ask follow-up questions.

5:00

A decision that could be that could have a significant cost ramifications for residents and businesses, and something this is Council member these something this council will be remembered for.

5:10

Our approach is grounded in economics.

5:12

We don't have any hidden agendas.

5:14

We don't ignore environmental issues, but we look at them in perspective relative to cost.

5:20

Contrary to claims on social media, affordable Naperville is self-funded, independent, and has no ties to IMEA.

5:30

Our members bring energy experience, and we have conducted extensive research to inform our recommendation.

5:37

Based on that work, and as outlined on the newsletters we have sent you, we support signing the IMEA contract extension.

5:47

We also advocated for protections for residential electricity rates, which are now included in the proposed legal agreement between the City of Naperville and CARIS.

5:58

Looking ahead, we plan to expand our work to other cost areas, including property tax to ensure Naperville remains affordable for all residents.

6:08

With that said, I'd like to discuss the transparency issue with the MDR RFP results.

6:19

Member directed resource RFP results were received at the end of October, and still the public has not seen the results.

6:35

Illinois and Naperville regulations promote transparency, so hopefully there is a positive response soon.

6:42

In the meantime, while respecting confidential confidentiality of the bidders, the following questions should be answered.

6:50

These will be sent to you in email, but for now I want to highlight a couple of them.

6:55

How many bids met all the requirements outlined in the RFP?

6:59

For those that did not, or explanations given?

7:02

If so, what were they?

7:04

Second, the RFP requested a low following option, which is what IMEA provides.

7:10

This is important because it adds, it can add significant cost to supply electricity.

7:16

Was such an option offered by any bidder?

7:18

If so, what was the approximate premium expressed as a percentage of the book of the block energy bid?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations█████████████████17%
Economic Development████████████████16%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Energy Procurement███████7%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Community Engagement██████6%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting Summary - January 20, 2026

The Naperville City Council met on January 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments on the IMEA contract extension and the new utility e-billing system, a public hearing for a dormant special service area, the approval of multiple bid awards and spending items, and the main item of the evening: a lengthy public hearing and council deliberation on the proposed Karis Critical Data Center at 1960 Lucent Lane. After extensive public testimony and council discussion, the council voted to deny the conditional use permit for the data center.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved cash disbursements for December 2025 totaling $44,245,616.87.
  • Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of December 16, 2025.
  • Approved the City Council meeting schedule for February, March, and April 2026.
  • Received the year-to-date budget report through December 31, 2025.
  • Approved an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission.
  • Adopted the resolution removing a Building Review Board member for attendance violations.
  • Approved a single source procurement for a bucket truck body remount ($122,808.99).
  • Approved a cooperative procurement for a uniform rental program ($257,670 for two years).
  • Approved the award of Bid 25-298 for the Southwest Waterworks Generator Replacement ($320,500 plus 5% contingency).
  • Approved the award of Bid 25-312 for the North Elevated Water Tank Rehabilitation Project ($999,077 plus 3% contingency).
  • Approved Option Year #2 for Civil and Duct Work contract ($400,713.08).
  • Approved Option Year #2 for Fuel Site and Storage Tank Inspections ($225,000).
  • Approved Change Order #2 for South 40 Environmental Consultant Services ($151,180.31).
  • Approved Change Order #2 for Downtown Washington Street Bridge Improvements Phase III ($247,430).
  • Approved intergovernmental agreements for public safety radio talk groups with Will County and WESCOM.
  • Approved the 2026 Special Events Calendar as closed.
  • Accepted the record of Emergency Procurement 26-021 for water main winterization ($450,000) over written opposition from Scanlon Excavating & Concrete.
  • Accepted public underground improvements at Iron Gate Motor Condos Phase 2B and authorized reducing the surety.
  • Passed ordinances approving a conditional use for Sim Racing at 1911 Glacier Park Avenue, Unit 103, and adding a drive-through to the BP at 1532 North Aurora Road.
  • Passed an ordinance adding a definition for artisanal tequila and lowering the Late-Night Permit cap to 21.
  • Adopted the third amendment to the intergovernmental wastewater agreement with Warrenville.
  • Adopted the Resolution of Official Intent for Reimbursement of Capital Projects.
  • Adopted the resolution authorizing the 2026 Pace Paratransit Local Share Agreement for the Ride DuPage Program.

Public Hearings

  • Conducted a public hearing for dormant Special Service Area No. 37 (Northwoods of Naperville). No public comment was received. Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance establishing SSA No. 37 for the February 3, 2026, meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Karis Critical Data Center (25-1103F): The council considered a request for a conditional use permit, parking and wall height variances, and an Owner's Acknowledgement and Acceptance Agreement for a 36 MW data center on 40 acres at the former Lucent campus (1960 Lucent Lane). The petitioner's attorney, Russell Whitaker, detailed a revised plan reducing the IT load from 36 MW to 24 MW, reducing the building footprint from 244,000 sq ft to 145,000 sq ft, and reducing the number of required generators from 24 to 12 (plus 4 backup). He requested a deferral to the February 17, 2026, meeting to complete air dispersion modeling reflecting the new design. Approximately 47 public speakers were signed up, with a majority opposing the project. Opposition speakers (residents, physicians, and community groups like NEST) cited concerns about diesel emissions, public health risks (specifically from PM 2.5 and carcinogens), noise impacts, property value diminution, conflict with the city's comprehensive master plan, and strain on the grid. Supporters (union representatives, construction industry groups, and some residents) emphasized job creation (approximately 100,000 labor hours), tax revenue ($2-3 million annually), and the I-88 Tech Corridor's need for investment. Council members discussed the four conditional use standards and expressed concerns that the petitioner had not met the burden for standards 1 (public health & safety), 2 (property values), and 4 (compatibility with master plan). A motion by Mayor Wehrli to table the item to February 17 failed 3-6. A motion to deny the conditional use was then approved 6-1 with 2 abstentions.

  • Affordable Housing Update: Councilman Kelly requested an update on affordable housing policy progress. By consensus, council directed staff to bring a report to a future meeting on the Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP) and the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO).

Key Outcomes

  • Denied the Karis Critical Data Center conditional use permit, variances, and OAA (6-1, with Mayor Wehrli and Councilman Wilson abstaining). The vote was on a motion by Councilman White to deny the request.
  • Defeated a motion to table the data center item to February 17, 2026 (3-6).
  • Approved all six bid awards under Section M (South Operation Center Generator Replacement, Northwest Waterworks Improvements Phase III, 2026 Saybrook Water Main Improvements, Ogden Avenue Water Main Improvements Phase II, Electric GIS Utility Network Implementation, and Fuel Delivery Option Year #3) unanimously (9-0).
  • Approved the public hearing outcome for Special Service Area No. 37, directing staff to prepare an ordinance for the February 3, 2026, meeting.
  • Directed staff to bring a report on affordable housing (AHIP and IZO) at a future council meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Here we go. Good evening and welcome to the January 20th Naperville City Council meeting, the first meeting of 2026. Roll call. Orly? Here. Gibson. Here. Hold tower. Here. Jane. Here. Kelly. Here. Big Broom. Here. Cyan. Yep. White. Wilson. Here. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under God. Individual with literary justice. Our first item on the agenda is public forum. I'd like to remind everyone of the citizen participation rules in the city's municipal code for speaking at city council meetings. Speakers are asked to present their comments in a respectful and courteous manner. Speakers should stay on topic and be cognizant of their words. Personal attacks on council members, staff, other speakers, or members of the audience are not allowed. If inappropriate language or comments are expressed during this meeting, you will be asked immediately to stop commenting. Also, for audience members, there is no cheering and no jeering. Actions such as applauding, cheering, booing, or any other noises during or at the conclusion of any remarks made by any speaker are not allowed. If this occurs, you will be asked to stop immediately, and if it can continue to persist, I will recess the meeting until the audience abides by the rules in our city code. No speaker should ever feel intimidated by the crowd. Audience disruption is meant to intimidate those speaking, and I will not allow it in the chambers. Audience members with signs, the signs must not block any other audience members' view. Speakers are given three minutes to address the city council. To help speakers stay within the three-minute time frame, we have a timer located on the side dais, that is to your right. Speakers are encouraged to remain in council chambers until the conclusion of public forum in the event council members want to ask follow-up questions. A decision that could be that could have a significant cost ramifications for residents and businesses, and something this is Council member these something this council will be remembered for. Our approach is grounded in economics. We don't have any hidden agendas. We don't ignore environmental issues, but we look at them in perspective relative to cost. Contrary to claims on social media, affordable Naperville is self-funded, independent, and has no ties to IMEA. Our members bring energy experience, and we have conducted extensive research to inform our recommendation. Based on that work, and as outlined on the newsletters we have sent you, we support signing the IMEA contract extension. We also advocated for protections for residential electricity rates, which are now included in the proposed legal agreement between the City of Naperville and CARIS. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our work to other cost areas, including property tax to ensure Naperville remains affordable for all residents. With that said, I'd like to discuss the transparency issue with the MDR RFP results. Member directed resource RFP results were received at the end of October, and still the public has not seen the results.

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