OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting Summary – March 18, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, March 18, 2026
BodyNaperville, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, March 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:09:06

Transcript — Verbatim
2:06

Good evening and welcome to the Wednesday, March eighteenth, Naperville City Council meeting.

2:11

Roll call.

2:12

Orly?

2:12

Here.

2:13

Gibson.

2:13

Here.

2:14

Hold tower.

2:14

Here.

2:15

Jane.

2:16

Kelly.

2:16

Here.

2:16

McProve.

2:17

Here.

2:18

Syan.

2:18

Yep.

2:19

White.

2:19

Here.

2:20

Wilson.

2:20

Here.

2:21

Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:27

I pledge allegiance.

2:35

Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:45

First on our agenda is awards and recognitions.

2:48

We have two proclamations this evening, and I will be presenting the first one.

3:52

And that is Rosemary Mako Wisnowski.

3:57

And this proclamation is a recognition for you, Rosemary.

4:00

If you want to come over and stand with me, whatever make whatever wherever you're comfortable.

4:31

And whereas after moving to Naperville, Rosemary quickly became involved in the community, joining the Chamber, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce in nineteen eighty-three and serving as its president in nineteen eighty-eight.

5:00

And whereas as a founding member of the Naperville Sister Cities Commission in 1993, Rosemary helped establish the partnership between Naperville and Nietzsche Slovakia, later earning recognition as an honorary citizen of Nietzsche in 2000, and a medal of honor from the embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, DC in 2001.

5:22

And whereas Rosemary has served as a trustee of Benedictine University since 1994, supporting international diplomacy efforts in 2002 related to NATO inspect expansion, and contributed to environmental stewardshire work with the Conservation Foundation.

5:42

And whereas from 2012 until January 29th, 2026, Rosemary served as the honorary council of the Slovak Republic, strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties with assisting Slovak citizens in promoting international understanding.

6:06

Now, therefore, I, Scott Worley, mayor of the city of Naperville, do hereby recognize Rosemary Mako Wisnowski for her lifelong dedication to service in the city of Naperville.

6:40

Thank you, Mayor Worley, and I have some other special thanks to city staff, city council, and to um Patty Gustin, our dear friend, and Jeannie Clare, who has a longtime Naperville and just moved to Colorado, for all of your participation in making this evening happen.

6:59

I was in Nietzsche recently, and they just replaced their city street signs.

7:08

Whoops.

7:25

That looks a little tattered, but it was up for almost 30 years when they decided to name a street after us.

7:30

I think it was a it was not a very nice name before, but now it's wonderful and very well respected.

7:36

And so I hope you will find a special place for that in the city of Naperville.

7:41

Sure will.

7:42

Thank you.

7:43

Thank you.

7:43

And thank you to my husband Dennis for all the support over 63 years and for all my support for all the support he's given me for these many many years where we've both been involved with my Slovak heritage and his Polish heritage.

7:57

Thank you.

7:57

And I for the rest of my time to honorary consul Selega.

8:10

We do have one additional speaker, um, Joseph Saliga, honorary consulate of the Slovak Republic in Chicago.

8:20

Well, thank thank you very much.

8:22

Uh thank you, Mr.

8:23

Mayor, members of the city council for for this opportunity to speak.

8:27

It's an honor to be here uh this evening.

8:30

I would like to thank the city of Naperville for the close relationship that it has developed with the Slovak people and particularly the sister city relationship between Naperville and Nietzsche-Slovakia.

8:42

And I would personally like to uh let all of you know that I look forward to working with you to continue and to deepen that relationship in the years ahead as honorary council.

8:52

I would like to thank you for recognizing Rosemary this evening for her many years of service in the city of Naperville.

9:02

Rosemary is a distinguished Naperville resident who uh, as you put so well, Mr.

9:07

Mayor in the proclamation, has served in so many roles uh in supporting the city of Naperville and supporting the Slovak people uh in Illinois.

9:17

And it's an honor for me to follow in her footsteps as honorary counsel uh for the Slovak Republic in Chicago.

9:25

It's also fitting for the city of Naperville to be recognizing Rosemary after Rosemary was recognized by the Slovak government in January with uh being given the Distinguished Medal for Service to the Slovak people by the Foreign Ministry of Slovakia and being given the title Honorary Council Emeritus by the Slovak Ambassador to the United States, Andrei Droba.

9:48

And finally, tonight I would like to recognize another distinguished uh citizen of the city of Naperville, and that is Dennis Wisnowski.

10:00

Dennis has served admirally in his career uh working with our United States military in multiple capacities to pro to promote the development of technology for our military.

10:09

He's founded businesses, including businesses here in the city of Naperville, and he has supported Rosemary and her work for over 14 years as honorary counsel, being with her as she has served the Slovak people, and in doing so, Dennis has served the Slovak people as well.

10:26

And for tonight, on this occasion, the Slovak government found it fitting for Dennis also to be recognized in addition to Rosemary for his years of service to the Slovak people with this certificate of appreciation and also the granting of a medal of service, the ambassador's medal from Ambassador Droba, the ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the United States.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████████21%
Housing Affordability█████████████████████21%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Environmental Protection███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Historic Preservation██2%
Economic Development█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Naperville City Council Meeting Summary – March 18, 2026

The Naperville City Council met on March 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM to discuss a full agenda including awards, public forum, consent agenda, rezoning, contract awards, financial reports, and a concept review for a residential development on the former Nokia Campus. The meeting lasted approximately two hours.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 22 consent items on an omnibus vote (9-0), with two items pulled for separate consideration: I2 (March 3 meeting minutes) and I4 (board and commission appointments).
  • I2 – March 3 minutes: Tabled to April 7, 2026, after Councilman Holzhauer moved to amend the language regarding a strategic priorities workshop and council agreed to allow staff to review the video for accuracy. Vote: 9-0 to table.
  • I4 – Appointments: Approved Natasha Marriner to the Police Pension Board (9-0). Approved Greg Gustin to the Special Events and Community Arts Commission (SECA) 8-1, with Councilwoman Gibson voting no, stating she preferred new voices over reappointing individuals who had termed out.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Richard Stark (Naperville resident) proposed a series of electric strategy workshops to guide the city's energy future, outlining a three‑component framework. He suggested the first workshop could be held as early as April 8.
  • Megan Rousonelos (My Chef, Inc., Plainfield) asked whether her catering business is subject to the recently revised Food and Beverage Tax and expressed concern that out‑of‑town caterers would have an unfair advantage. Finance Director Munch explained that caterers have always been in the code and that the revision aimed at equity. Council requested a report on affected events, tax history, and mechanisms for out‑of‑city caterers.
  • Adam VanSomeren (Charleston Building & Development) opposed adoption of the Illinois Stretch Energy Code, stating it would add $31,930 to a 5,800 sq ft custom home while saving only $91/year in utilities.
  • Christian Zenger (Autumn Homes) also opposed the stretch code, citing a cost increase of $42,893 for a 3,800 sq ft home and warning it would put Naperville at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring towns.
  • Written comments: Two submitted (not specified). One position statement (support) filed.

Discussion Items

  • Electric Utility Strategy: Council discussed the timeline for staff reports on future energy options. City Manager Krieger confirmed that monthly reports will begin at the April 7 council meeting, covering mission, timelines, and options. A strategic workshop to set priorities will be scheduled after all options are presented (target: after August 2026). Councilman Holzhauer emphasized the need to include strategic objectives in the workshop.
  • 222 S. Mill Street Rezoning (L1): Council passed an ordinance rezoning the property from OCI to B5 (Secondary Downtown) to allow redevelopment. Councilman Holzhauer recused himself on a potential conflict of interest. Vote: 8‑0 (Holzhauer recused).
  • Preliminary 2025 Year‑End Financial Report (O1): Finance Director Munch reported overall positive outcomes with a $28 million increase in fund balance across all budgetary funds. General fund revenues exceeded budget by 2.8% ($5M), expenses were 8.5% under budget, and reserves were estimated at 30‑35% (above the 25% goal). Investment income returned 7%. The electric utility was near break‑even. Council asked for future reports to show net overtime after reimbursements.
  • Nokia Campus Concept Review (O2): The property owner (Franklin Partners) and developer Pulte Homes presented a non‑binding concept for a 262‑home townhome and rowhome development on the south 35 acres. The proposal would rezone from ORI to R3. Public speakers expressed support but requested mixed‑use amenities such as a café, retail, and pedestrian connections. Council feedback included:
    • Strong support for residential use consistent with the Land Use Master Plan.
    • Desire for walkable amenities (coffee shop, fitness, small retail) if feasible.
    • Request to explore street names reflecting Naperville’s diverse history (e.g., Candace Parker).
    • Concerns about school and park impacts, environmental sensitivity, housing affordability, and visitability standards.
    • Council emphasized that the I‑88 corridor study allows some residential conversion but urged caution about “residential creep.” No formal vote; feedback is non‑binding.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda: Approved with two items pulled and resolved (minutes tabled, appointments approved separately).
  • Rezoning 222 S. Mill Street: Passed (8‑0, one recusal).
  • Awards of bids: Approved landscape maintenance contract ($1,808,240) and Municipal Center IT server room expansion ($1,097,000 + 3% contingency) both 9‑0.
  • Financial report: Received; council directed staff to provide overtime net of reimbursements in future reports.
  • Nokia Campus: Council provided extensive non‑binding guidance; developer will incorporate feedback and proceed to formal entitlement.
  • Food and Beverage Tax: Council by consensus directed staff to prepare a report on affected events, history, and collection mechanisms for outside caterers.
  • Electric strategy: Staff timeline confirmed with monthly reports starting April 7; a strategic workshop to follow after August.
  • March 3 minutes: Tabled to April 7 for video review.
  • New Business: Councilman Holzhauer suggested that council liaisons to boards/commissions should meet with the mayor before appointment cycles to align with website description. Mayor noted the current process already involves staff liaisons and appears effective.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the Wednesday, March eighteenth, Naperville City Council meeting. Roll call. Orly? Here. Gibson. Here. Hold tower. Here. Jane. Kelly. Here. McProve. Here. Syan. Yep. White. Here. Wilson. Here. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. First on our agenda is awards and recognitions. We have two proclamations this evening, and I will be presenting the first one. And that is Rosemary Mako Wisnowski. And this proclamation is a recognition for you, Rosemary. If you want to come over and stand with me, whatever make whatever wherever you're comfortable. And whereas after moving to Naperville, Rosemary quickly became involved in the community, joining the Chamber, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce in nineteen eighty-three and serving as its president in nineteen eighty-eight. And whereas as a founding member of the Naperville Sister Cities Commission in 1993, Rosemary helped establish the partnership between Naperville and Nietzsche Slovakia, later earning recognition as an honorary citizen of Nietzsche in 2000, and a medal of honor from the embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, DC in 2001. And whereas Rosemary has served as a trustee of Benedictine University since 1994, supporting international diplomacy efforts in 2002 related to NATO inspect expansion, and contributed to environmental stewardshire work with the Conservation Foundation. And whereas from 2012 until January 29th, 2026, Rosemary served as the honorary council of the Slovak Republic, strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties with assisting Slovak citizens in promoting international understanding. Now, therefore, I, Scott Worley, mayor of the city of Naperville, do hereby recognize Rosemary Mako Wisnowski for her lifelong dedication to service in the city of Naperville. Thank you, Mayor Worley, and I have some other special thanks to city staff, city council, and to um Patty Gustin, our dear friend, and Jeannie Clare, who has a longtime Naperville and just moved to Colorado, for all of your participation in making this evening happen. I was in Nietzsche recently, and they just replaced their city street signs. Whoops. That looks a little tattered, but it was up for almost 30 years when they decided to name a street after us. I think it was a it was not a very nice name before, but now it's wonderful and very well respected. And so I hope you will find a special place for that in the city of Naperville. Sure will. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you to my husband Dennis for all the support over 63 years and for all my support for all the support he's given me for these many many years where we've both been involved with my Slovak heritage and his Polish heritage. Thank you. And I for the rest of my time to honorary consul Selega. We do have one additional speaker, um, Joseph Saliga, honorary consulate of the Slovak Republic in Chicago. Well, thank thank you very much. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the city council for for this opportunity to speak. It's an honor to be here uh this evening. I would like to thank the city of Naperville for the close relationship that it has developed with the Slovak people and particularly the sister city relationship between Naperville and Nietzsche-Slovakia.

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