Good evening and welcome to the April 7th Naperville City Council meeting, roll call.

Forly here.

Gibson.

Here.

Holesauer.

Here.

Jane.

Here.

Kelly.

Here.

McBroom.

Here.

Syed.

White.

Here.

Wilson.

Here.

Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I point allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And choose republic for which it's one nation under liberty and justice across.

First on our agenda tonight are awards and recognition.

We have three proclamations this evening, and Mayor Pro Tem, Councilman Kelly will be presenting two of them.

I'll be presenting the third.

Good evening, everyone.

Could anyone who is here for the Autism Awareness Month proclamation come up?

Whereas autism spectrum disorder is one of the most common developmental disorders characterized by challenges in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.

And whereas there is no cure for autism, and in twenty twenty-two, the CDC reported that one in thirty one children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Whereas early diagnosis and intensive treatment have should been shown to provide significant improvements in communication, independent functioning, and inclusion within the family and community.

And whereas it is important to recognize agencies that are dedicated to improving education, communication, life skills, and job opportunities, including Naperville School District 203, Indian Prairie School District 204, Little Friends, Ray Graham Association Association, Turning Point Foundation, Giant Steps, Western DuPage Special Recreation, Lyndon Oakes Behavioral Health, Naperville Park District, Community Access Naperville, Riverwalk Adult Recreational Services, and others.

And whereas the City of Naperville is honored to work with these organizations to raise public awareness of World Autism Awareness Month throughout April.

Now, therefore, I Scott A.

Worley, mayor of the City of Naperville, to hereby proclaim April twenty twenty-six as World Autism Awareness Month in the City of Naperville.

And we have a many number of organizations.

We've got proclamations for all of you.

And if anyone would like to say a few words.

Thank you so much.

My name is Jory Meyers, Superintendent of Recreation with the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association.

And on behalf of all of us, I just want to take a moment to thank the council, the mayor, and the community as well for your continued commitment to creating spaces in the city of Naperville for participants with autism and special needs to thrive in the city of Naperville.

Together, we can continue creating these spaces so everyone feels welcome, whether it's through recreation, employment, education, or community in general.

So thank you again for this opportunity.

Thank you very much.

This is a proclamation recognizing robotics team 2360 C clockwork.

Whereas team 2360 C clockwork comprised of five sophomores from Equivalley High School, Hardek Jane, Maheed Tanden, Akihoba.

Let me try Akshobia Rao.

Abir Gualoro and Andrew Chen have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and teamwork in the field of competitive rob robotics.

And whereas through their commitment to excellence, these students competed at the 2026 Illinois Vex Robotics State Championship against 48 qualified teams, achieving a seven-three record in head-to-head competition and finishing as tournament runner-ups.

And whereas this outstanding achievement earned them a direct qualification to the Vex Robotics World Championship in St.

Louis, Missouri from April 21 to April 24th, 2026, where they will compete against more than 700 teams from over 60 countries in the largest robotics competition in the world.

And where these students have devoted countless hours to designing, building and programming their competition robot while maintaining their academic responsibilities.

And Team 2360C Clockwork serves as an inspiration to their peers and a source of community pride as further affirmed by the Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education's formal salute on April 6, 2026.

Now, therefore, I Scott Worley, mayor of the city of Naperville, hereby present this proclamation to Robotics Team 2360 Clockwork in recognition of their qualification for the Vex Robotics World Championships with best wishes for continued success and do hereby encourage all residents of Naperville to join in congratulating these outstanding students on their achievement.

Congratulations, good evening, everyone.

On behalf of my entire team, me, Kshobi Rao, Andrew Chen, Hardik Jane, Mahita, and the Nambir Gualioker, thank you guys so much for recognizing us and our incredible achievement.

We truly appreciate it.

Thank you to Mayor Worley as well for being able to recognize us for this incredible achievement.

Our parents, our mentors, Mr.

Walker and Mr.

Gottford as well.

Thank you to all of you guys for staying up with us in countless nights, giving us the resources and guidance to continue pursuing robotics and hopefully do it well.

We're so happy to be presenting Naperville in the world competition and hope to do our very best.

Thank you guys so so much.

Okay, we've got one more proclamation tonight.

Um is anyone here from Two Maids.

All right.

Uh tonight we are going to proclaim April as National Cleaning for a Reason month in the city of Naperville.

Whereas Naperville Base, Two Maids is a locally owned and operated business dedicated to serving the community and believes in lifting each other up and giving back.

And whereas for the past 20 years, Two Maids has partnered with nonprofit cleaning for a reason to provide free professional house cleaning services to cancer patients.

And whereas a clean, safe, and healthy home can make a meaningful difference for cancer patients and their families, allowing them to focus on healing and spending quality time together during an already challenging time.

And whereas April is designated as National Cleaning for a Reason Month dedicated to raising awareness, awareness, and funds to provide free home cleaning services to cancer patients.

And whereas Cleaning for a Reason partners with more than 1,400 professional cleaning companies across the United States and Canada and has served over 65,000 cancer patients with donated cleanings valued at more than 23 million dollars.

And whereas community support, including donations of any size, helps advance this vital mission, reaching more cancer patients and bringing care and comfort to families across Naperville.

Now, therefore, I Scott Worley, mayor of the city of Naperville, to hereby proclaim April 2026 as National Cleaning for a Reason Month in the City of Naperville, and encourage all residents to recognize the contributions of two maids and cleaning for a reason.

Thank you to the city council and also Mayor Worley for allowing this.

And just on behalf of Cleaning for a Reason and specifically two maids in Naperville.

We know that cancer is affected.

Probably everyone in this room, or at least you know someone who has, so just know that we'll always be here to support you and to provide those free cleanings when you're in need.

Next is public forum.

There are currently 20 speakers signed up for public forum.

According to the municipal code, public forum shall be limited to no more than 30 minutes.

If there are more speakers signed up to address the city council, then we have time or then time will allow.

Public forum shall be bifurcated and continue to the end of the agenda prior to new business.

Therefore, after 30 minutes of public forum.

It will be paused at that time and then continued until after agenda item 01.

I'd also 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 be staying on topic and be cognizant of their words.

Personal attacks on council members, staff, other speakers, and 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, finger snapping, booing, or any other noise during or at the conclusion of any remarks made by any speaker, are not allowed.

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

No speakers should ever feel intimidated by the crowd.

Audience disruption is meant to intimidate those speaking, and we 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 council to help speakers stay within the three-minute time frame.

We have a timer located on the side dias to your right.

It will give the visual cue when the three minutes are expiring.

This helps speakers conclude their comments in a timely manner without being cut off.

The timer will buzz when it hits zero, and we will alert the speaker that their time is up.

If a speaker's name is called and they are not in the room, we will move on to the next speaker and will not go back.

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.

When your name is called, please come and have a seat in the first roll.

That's what it's there for.

Ms.

McCodis is going to uh call the first speakers, and we'll call them as a group.

So when your group is called, please move into the front row so we can keep the meeting as efficient as possible.

Ms.

Mark Words.

There are 14 written comments that have been posted to the city's website.

There are 20 speakers for public forum.

The first speaker is Tim Farrito, followed by Teresa Huss and Lily Berciaga.

That's right.

Good evening.

My name is Tim Farido.

I'm a Naperville resident and co-founder of Affordable Naperville.

Affordable Naperville is an independent, rapidly growing group of residents focused on one core issue.

It's a rising cost of living in our city.

We are especially concerned about those who can least absorb higher cost, families on fixed incomes, young households, and small businesses.

Our mission is straightforward.

First, we work to make affordable affordability a top priority in major procurement and tax indecisions made by local government bodies.

Particularly decisions related to energy procurement, which will have long long-term financial consequences for every resident.

Second, we aim to educate the public using facts grounded in science and economics.

To support this, we've launched a website, published regular newsletters, created Facebook presence, and share key highlights from PUAB meetings so residents can better understand the decisions being made on their behalf.

On the screen, you will see snap we'll see snaps snapshots of two of our website tabs.

On the left is our newsletter tab, which contains links to all our news issued newsletters, and on the right is our video tab, which contains key video segments of workshops held by PUAB and City Council.

There's an abundance of information in here and encourage everyone to visit our website.

Next, let me briefly explain why this is personal for me.

I spent eight and a half years living in Southern California starting starting in the early 2000s, where I worked as a gasoline trader for BP.

I have a front row seat to major policy shifts across all California energy markets.

Many of these policies were heavily influenced by environmental organizations and were implemented with implemented with limited regard to cost impacts.

Significantly higher energy prices for consumers.

What concerns me today is that I'm hearing similar rhetoric locally.

Language policy approaches and cost claims that run parallel to what I saw in California.

Input from advocacy groups is fine, but there is a difference between contributing to discussions versus dictating policy outcomes.

Naperville has a choice.

We can prioritize affordability and balanced decision making, or we can follow a path that has been proven costly elsewhere.

I look forward to continuing this conversation in future meetings.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Teresa Huss, followed by Lily Berciaga and then Karen Peck.

Good evening.

I'm Teresa Huss, a 25-year resident, and part of the Nest Leadership team.

Tonight we're asking you to update three mission statements to include sustainability.

We are entering a period of long-term decision making around energy procurement, sustainability planning, and alignment with Siege of State requirements.

So this is exactly the moment when our guiding documents need to clearly reflect the values that should shape those decisions.

We're already experiencing the effects of climate change.

More extreme weather, higher air conditioning bills, and insurance bills, record setting temperatures.

And our proposed edits are intentionally modest, cost-free, and fully compatible with the city's existing priorities.

The examples on this slide show other Illinois communities that already use explicit sustainability language to guide their decisions.

And our takeaway isn't that Naperville should copy any one city's wording.

It's simply that including sustainability and guiding statements has become a mainstream governance practice and a way for cities to align long-term decisions with community values.

And these are all meant to be living dynamic documents that evolve as our city evolves and faces new environmental realities.

We want our guiding documents to reflect the city we are today and the city we're planning for.

Here are the first two proposed edits.

For the city's mission statement, we add a single phrase, responsible environmental, and sustainable planning.

Everything else would remain exactly the same.

For the public utility advisory board's powers and duties, the edit is similarly small.

We add environmentally sustainable alongside quality, reliable, and cost effective.

That ensures that the advisory lens for utility investments consistently considers environmental stewardship and long-term impact.

And finally, here is the proposed update to the NEU mission.

It simply adds sustainability to the list of values that should guide long-term planning.

It does not replace anything.

So our request tonight is procedural.

We ask that during new business, we get hands in the air to vote at the next council meeting to adopt these edits.

And the timing is also appropriate as we approach the 56th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, the day after our next meeting.

Your vote would send a clear positive signal that Naperville values responsible environmental stewardship while staying consistent with all of our fiscal and service priorities.

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Lily Berciaga, followed by Karen Peck and Signey Gleason.

Good evening, Mayor Warley and members of the City Council.

I'm Dr.

Lily Berciaga.

And tonight I'm representing Almas Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action of the Suburbs as our president and founder.

Almas is a community-based organization rooted in conversation connection, civic engagement, and well-being of our communities.

Over the past several months, we have been in deep conversation with residents, families, youth, and community members who have shared their experiences, concerns, and hopes for what safety, dignity, and belonging should look like in our city.

These concerns are not new.

Residents spoke about them publicly in this room this past fall.

And there has been no formal movement to address them.

For many in our community, that lack of clarity has only deepened uncertainty.

And moments like this, inaction can deepen uncertainty and erode trust.

And I want to be clear, there is no distant, this is not distant for us.

We have spoken with children whose parents have been taken, with individuals who live and work in Naperville, whose uh with spouses, sorry, with individuals who live and work in Naperville whose spouses have been taken, with employers whose workplaces have been disrupted because the valued employee was suddenly gone, with neighbors who have witnessed enforcement activity in their own communities, and with students navigating the daily reality of living in mixed status families.

These are members of our community, your constituents.

And what we are seeing is not isolated.

What we are seeing reflects broader patterns where many individuals impacted by immigration enforcement do not have serious criminal convictions.

And this impact is not limited to those who are undocumented.

It affects mixed status families, workplaces, and the broader fabric of our community.

What our community is asking for is clarity and reassurance.

Clarity around how city property is used, clarity around how local resources are aligned and with community safety, and clarity that helps residents understand how their local government operates in moments of uncertainty like the one we are in now.

Alma stands in strong support of the due process of municipality property ordinance that has been drafted by Naperville residents and sent to you by Signey Gleason.

We also want to be clear, this is not everything.

It does not encompass all that community members have raised or hoped to see, but it is a meaningful and necessary step forward.

Progress does not always come all at once, but it does require action.

This proposal is carefully scoped.

It does not interfere with federal law, it focuses on what is within the city's control, how municipality municipal property and resources are used and helped establish clear expectations that can reduce fear and strengthen trust.

This approach is also consistent with actions taken by other municipalities in the region.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Karen Peck, followed by Signey Gleason, Sylvia Vega Mitchell, then Eugene Wallaston.

Good evening.

Naperville has a legal and moral choice to make.

Allow our city, our infrastructure, our employees to be used by the federal government to exploit and destabilize our community, or set clear boundaries and limits on what we will allow in our city.

My name is Karen Peck.

I want to be clear.

I support humane immigration enforcement of undocumented, violent criminals.

The vast majority of targets arrested, detained, and deported without due process by ICE and C BP are not violent criminals.

Arrests are based on racial profiling and observers and press sharing the truth.

People, including U.S.

citizens, are being murdered in for-profit detention centers and on the streets.

Two thirds of our country reject aiding and abetting a lawless authoritarian takeover.

Eight million people spoke out on March 28th in the largest protest in U.S.

history.

The people of Naperville want to be safe.

Timothy Snyder, expert on authoritarianism, wrote this book.

Lesson number one, do not obey in advance.

I urge the council, do not obey in advance.

Do not be silent.

The ordinance is not a toothless virtue signaling.

It calls for enforcement of existing laws.

When the mayor of Naperville says we will not be complicit in breaking the law, that is power.

Setting clear limits is power.

Naperville City Council has the power to reassert the oath you took to the U.S.

and Illinois constitutions.

The ordinance affirms that Naperville upholds the rights we are granted under the first, fourth, and tenth, and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

Managing local property use is a Tenth Amendment state right.

The ordinance respects lawful federal authority.

ICE and CBP are here now and will arrive in greater numbers.

The administration admitted that overreach in airports is a test run for ICE intimidation at the polls, especially in democratic led states.

We need assurance of our community safety from lawless federal bullying and retribution.

Now is the time to be proactive.

Say yes to the law and no to lawlessness.

I ask you to put the Neighborville due process and municipal property ordinance on your next city council agenda, and then unanimously pass it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Signey Gleason, followed by Sylvia Vega Mitchell, Eugene Wollaston, and Stephanie Harrison.

Good evening.

My name is Sidney Gleason.

This is the second time I have come before the council to urge your leadership in standing up against the assault on the most vulnerable of us who live and work in Naperville.

This evening I'm urging the council to act and move to place the draft ordinance, Naperville Due Process and Municipal Property Ordinance on the April 21st agenda for consideration and adoption.

I trust you all have been able to review the ordinance, the draft ordinance, which I have forwarded to you.

The ordinance, however bureaucratic sounding its title, is truly about the courage, care, and character of the Naperville community.

I know I don't have to remind you of Naperville's stated values of people, trust, respect, and pride.

This ordinance codifies those values.

None of us need to be reminded of the lawless assault on all who act in support of immigrants who not so long ago were considered essential workers.

In troubled times, we can all do our part.

I urge the council members to do their part.

This ordinance does not interfere with lawless issuance of judicial warrants, nor, however, does it facilitate ICE presence in our community.

ICE on lawful actions and governmental claims that ICE agents have absolute immunity, warrant all of us to speak up and dare I say act up.

I would like to speak to some of the objections to the ordinance that I have heard.

I've been told it is disallowed by the supremacy clause of the Constitution.

I find it ironic that our current administration, which has been shown time and again by judicial findings across the country to be in violation of the first, fourth, and fourteenth amendments, is intimidating municipalities by using the supremacy clause as a to turn to standing firm in support of our constitutional rights.

Other municipalities in Illinois, including Wilmett, Downer's Grove, Episton, Aurora, and Chicago, and across the country, including Philadelphia, Phoenix, Denver, Providence, have not succumbed to intimidation and have passed ordinances similar to the one being proposed this evening.

Others suggest that such an ordinance would put a target on the back of Naperville and vulnerable citizens or residents of Neighborville.

I argue that all of us who speak up and act on behalf of our rights are targets.

The more of us that stand up, the more we join with other courageous municipalities and individuals, the safer we all are.

By protecting others, we protect ourselves.

Again, I urge your vote to place the draft ordinance on the April 21st agenda.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Sylvia Vega Mitchell, then Eugene Walliston, Stephanie Harrison, and Giovanna Toledo.

Good evening, City Council.

My name is Sylvia.

I am Puerto Rican, born in Chicago's Pilson neighborhood and raised in La Villita, a community rich in culture and resilience.

I have been a Naperville homeowner for 25 years.

I come before you as a member of Alma since its inception in April of 2023, and as someone who has been actively engaged in every community my family has called home.

This ordinance helps ensure that our city remains compliant with federal and state law, with while upholding constitutional protections, and using municipal resources responsibly.

For me, this is about protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of all members of our community.

For my family, we tell each other every morning, come home to us, love.

The fear is real.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Eugene Walliston, followed by Stephanie Harrison, Giovanna Toledo, and Rasheed.

Good evening.

My name is Eugene Wollaston, a Libreville resident for 48 of my now 91 years.

Our federal government has a track record for ignoring facts that conflict with its biases, presumptions, and actions.

This happened, for example, with climate change, where solid data showing the rate of global warming is increasing, has been ignored.

And the myth of a migrant crime surge is the basis for justifying the expense of ICE force, which has killed several innocent people.

Chinese, Irish, Italian, Muslim, and Mexican immigrants, have all been falsely accused of unscapted for bringing crime into the United States.

Actions which typically happen at times of economic or political unease.

I'll tell you now about some actual data.

Data analysis has been done by the American Immigration Council, Cato Institution, and Stanford University.

But data coming from three sources.

One, uniform uniform crime reporting data by the FBI, the U.S.

Census Bureau, and the state of Texas, the only state that comprehensively records arrests by immigration status.

In 1980, immigrants made up 6.2% of the U.S.

population.

And the total crime rate was 5,900 crimes per 100,000 people.

By 2022, the share of immigrants had more than doubled to 13.9%.

So what happened between 1980 and 2022?

The total crime rate dropped from 5900 to nearly 2300 crimes per hundred people.

100,000 people.

60% decrease.

Well, the coupling decreases in both violent and property crime.

The research using Sotos and FBI data shows that welcoming immigrants Central American communities not only does not increase crime, but can increase public safety.

I believe the proposed ordinance needs to be approved promptly to get the message out to all before unwise actions get planned or started.

Speaker's time is up.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Stephanie Harrison, followed by Giovanna Toledo, Rashid, and Jose Leone.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Stephanie Harrison, and this is the first time that I come before you for a very important reason.

Fear of bringing my mom who's in the audience here today with me and my children to community spaces, especially to celebrate our culture at events like Dia de los Muertos, which we had recently in Naperville.

And what should be moments of joy now carry the weight of uncertainty with the possibility that U.S.

immigration and customs enforcement could appear and strip away something as fundamental as due process, even though we are here legally.

What deepens the fear is what we don't know.

There's little transparency, no clear data for Naperville itself.

And yet we do know this that across Illinois and the Greater Chicago area, enforcement has increased.

Thousands of people have been detained, including children, which breaks my heart because my children are biracial, and it could be one of them that could have been taken.

Um and that uncertainty doesn't stay in statistics.

It lives in our homes, in my home, in our choices, and whether we feel safe enough to gather at all.

My mom, like I said, who's here, she now carries her passport everywhere to every Naperville park, every Neighborville playground that she takes my children to.

And think about that for a moment.

A 65-year-old mother holding on to proof of her right to exist here, to live here, simply to sit outside with her family.

That is not the freedom we promise.

That is not the community that we believe ourselves to be.

Martin Luther King Jr.

once said the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice, and that arc does not bend on its own.

It bends because people like you, leaders like you sitting in this place, bend it in our community.

Tonight I'm asking you to help bend that arc here in Naperville.

Make it clear that due process is not optional, that transparency matters, that every family, no matter their background, can gather in public spaces without fear.

Because justice should not feel distant.

It should feel like home.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Giovanna Toledo, Rashid, and Jose Leon.

Good evening, major world and members of the city council.

My name is Giovanna Toledo.

I'm a proud Neighborville resident, a mother of four and an educator who has the privilege of working with both districts, 203 and 304.

And I am here tonight to ask you to support the neighbor builder process and municipal property ordinance.

In my work with students and families across both districts, I see firsthand how a sense of security and trust in local institutions directly impacts the well-being of our children.

When members of our community feel uncertain about their safety or their rights, it creates a ripple effect that touches our schools, our neighborhoods, our collective peace of mind.

That is not abstract to me.

Research consistently shows that children who feel safe and stable in their communities perform better academically, engage more fully in school, and develop into more resilient contributing members of society.

When sense of safety is strengthened, even by uncertainty alone, the consequences show up in our classrooms first.

As educators, we see it before anyone else does.

And as a city, we have the power to do something about it.

Naperville has always been a place that prides itself on being a welcoming home for all.

This ordinance is an opportunity to protect that reputation with action, not just words.

This is not a radical proposal.

It is a principal one.

I want to ensure that our city remains a place where everyone, regardless of any cultural background, can leave and work without fear, knowing that our local resources are dedicated to lately to our assured community safety.

That is the Naperville I am proud to call home.

And that is the Naperville I want our children to grow up in.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Rashid and then Jose Leon.

I'm a human rights lawyer here in Naperville.

I'm here to speak about this ordinance that we are asking y'all to vote on in two weeks and adopt.

And I'm going to start just by establishing this very basic principle.

We're not asking you to solve all the world's problems as it relates to ICE.

We're asking you to simply adopt this ordinance to say that when the federal government is failing to uphold due process of law, we here in Naperville will do so.

Now I'm going to talk about three really important things.

One, the precedence that Naperville has set in the past.

It was the city of Naperville that set forth a firearms ordinance that went to the Supreme Court and was challenged and was upheld, that Naperville did things right.

We led from the front and we demonstrated to the nation, the state, and the country that when we lead with our values to uphold true justice and due process, we are successful.

That's what we're asking to do here.

Two, I want to talk about what the American people want.

Poll after poll shows that 60 to 70% of Americans now for the first time not only disapprove of ICE but want to abolish ICE.

And the reason they want to is because ICE memos themselves dictate that they will not hold themselves accountable to due process of law, that they will not follow judicial warrants, that they will decide arbitrarily on their own when they will enter people's homes, when they will arrest people, when they will deny people the ability to speak to counsel.

I've been at the Broadview facility numerous times and seen firsthand how ICE treats people simply for peacefully protesting.

As a human rights lawyer, I study how nations around the world devolve into fascism, and the very first step every single time is the dehumanization of the other and the denial of due process of law, and that is what we're seeing happen right now.

And finally, I want to give you the actual statistics of why this moment is so urgent.

Our federal government is failing it.

I don't just mean the Republicans in charge, I mean the Democrats in charge as well, who continue to fund DHS despite their violations of due process of law, including the congressman of this very district continue to fund DHS.

We are seeing massive cowardice on the federal level.

You contrast that with what ICE has actually been doing.

A report from as far back as 2019, reported by The Guardian and by NPR shows that there are 5,000 documented cases of child sexual abuse of migrant children by ICE and DHS.

Studies show right now that they are building concentration camps, and here in Chicago, 97% of the people that they detained had no criminal record whatsoever.

There are examples in Louisiana of women being raped in ICE facilities.

And so the ask of you, the power that we have invested in you is to simply say that we will uphold the US Constitution, we will uphold a due process of law, and we will ensure that every person who lives in this municipality in this city will be protected by these principles guaranteed that every single person that the Constitution covers, which is every person in the United States of America, regardless of status.

Thank you.

Thank you, next speaker.

Jose Leon.

Good evening.

My name is Jose Leon, and I am the proud son of immigrants, both Mexican and Panaminian.

Some of you may know me.

Um here today, and I'm sorry I'm not dressed.

I'm coming from coaching my daughter's soccer team here, the Naperville Youth I Volunteer.

And when I coach that team, it's not one race, it's not one culture, it's not one ethnicity that I coach.

It's not one ethnicity that I coach.

It's various.

That's Naperville.

When I coach my son's team, it's not one race.

It's not one ethnicity, it's not one culture.

It's not one language.

It's various.

Because that's Naperville.

Go to a park.

Go outside.

Go to the neighborhood river walk.

Go to a school after school.

And what do you see?

You see families from various cultures, races, Hispanic, Muslim, wherever you call it, from all over the world, coming together with their children, with their children here in Neighborhood to live in peace.

So I am in support and I urge this council to support the Naperville due process and municipal property ordinance.

I find it kind of interesting that earlier today, we had the robotics team.

What do you think they represented?

They didn't come from one race.

They didn't come from one ethnicity.

They came from various different cultures, ethnicities, and they all spoke different languages.

And yet, look how they represented Naperville.

That's why it's important to pass this ordinance to show support.

And I say this on a personal level.

And I'm sorry, I'm not, I don't mean to attack when I say this.

You don't know what it's like to walk the street and know that you can be harassed and you can be detained simply because of how you look.

I want you to look at me.

Because that's what I have to do.

I was born in this country.

I'm a U.S.

citizen.

But because of how I look, I can be treated other than that is not America.

That's not Napraville.

When I'm out in public, I speak Spanish to my kids.

Because I speak Spanish to my kids, I can be detained.

I don't know if you're ever gonna know what that feels like, but I can tell you it's not a good feeling.

That's not America, that's not Naperville.

I don't want to say the other thing I want to end with is police chief.

I want to thank you because at every protest, the police officers have always been respectful and in support and kept us safe on the protest.

So I want to thank you for that.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

At this time, we will stop the public forum until after agenda item 01, where we will reconvene public forum with speaker Ms.

Hawkins.

Next item is the consent agenda.

We have a motion to use the omnibus method to approve the consent agenda.

Councilman White.

Mayor, I move to use the omnibus method to approve the consent agenda.

Second Kelly.

All those in favor, sign aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Motion passes 90.

Councilman White may have a motion to approve the consent agenda.

I move to approve the consent agenda removing items I 17 and I-33.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion, a second.

Ms.

Marcotus, please read the consent agenda.

Minus I 17 and I-33.

There is one position statement and one written comment relative to items I-23 through I27 that have been posted to the city's website.

Approve the March 18, 2026 regular city council meeting minutes.

Approve the city council meetings schedule for April, May, and June 2026.

Approve the amended March 3, 2026 regular city council meeting minutes.

Approve an appointment to the Special Events and Community Arts Commission.

Approve the award of an RFP for website hosting solution and content management system to Civic Plus LLC for an amount not to exceed 307,651 dollars and seventy-eight cents and for a four-year term.

Approve the award of an RFP for electric utility engineer to synchro grid Inc.

for an amount not to exceed $960,000 and for a two-year term.

Approve the award of option year number two to a contract for brush collection services to Steve Piper and Sons entry entries are us for an amount not to exceed 262,500.

Approve the award of option year number two to a contract for single and three-phase transformers to DECO Supply Company Inc.

Emerald Transformer PPM L L C U U S C O of Illinois, Utilities Supply and Construction Company, Wag Transformers, USA and West Coast Distribution for an amount not to exceed $900,000.

Approve the award of cooperative procurement for pipeline packer injection grouting of the South Interceptor Phase 1 to Hair Construction Inc.

for the amount not to exceed $531,200 plus a 3% contingency and for a nine month term.

Approve the award of cooperative procurement for 2026 sanitary sewer manhole rehabilitation to Hair Construction Inc.

for the amount not to exceed $496,071.30 cents and for a seven month term.

Approve the award of cooperative procurement for track mountain digger, Derrick and Trailer Replacement, Units 26, 87, 454, and 465 to All Tech Industries Inc.

for an amount not to exceed 485,680.

Approve the award of bid for street sweeping services to Lakeshore Recycling Systems LLC for an amount not to exceed 201,932 and for a one-year term.

Approve the award of change order number one to a contract for centrifuge control panel replacement phase two and polymer feed system replacement to William T.

Connolly Inc.

doing business as Connolly Electric Co.

for an additional 275 days.

Approve the award of change order number one to option year to option year number two of a contract for transmission and distribution engineering services to Primera Engineers for an additional 271 days.

Approve the award of change order number one option year number three to a contract for municipal center security services to Talon Premier Security for an amount not to exceed $50,000.

Approve the award of change order number one to a contract for central elevated tank construction construction to Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors LLC for an additional 91 days.

Approve the award of change order number nine to a contract for North Aurora Road underpass design to Trans Systems Corporation for an amount not to exceed $16,811.

Approve the award of single source procurement for CityWorks premium enterprise license renewal to Azteca Systems LLC for an amount not to exceed $114,594 and 48 cents and for a one year term.

Approve the award of single source procurement for leaf disposal services to bioag Inc.

Adopt the resolution approving the leaf disposal agreement between the city and bioeg inc and approve option year number three to a contract for leaf disposal to Creekside Compost LLC and to Steve Piper and Sons for a combined amount not to exceed $3500.

Adopt the resolution approving a five year lease agreement between the city and Drundell Farms for the lease of city properties located at 3816 Plainfield Naperville Road and the southwest corner of 91st Street at Wolf's Crossing Road.

Adopt the resolution approving a lease agreement between the city of Naperville and new singular wireless PCS LLC regarding communications tower at 1301 Clyde Drive.

Receive the staff report and pass the ordinances revoking ordinance 23-062 ordinance 23-063 and ordinance 23-064 pertaining to the Audrey Senior Residences development located at 2939 Audrey Avenue and approving the preliminary plat of subdivision and rezoning lot one of the Atlas subdivision to OCI Office Commercial and Institutional District and approving a conditional use for multifamily residential in the OCI district and granting variances to multiple sections of the Naperville municipal code for the property located at 2939 Audrey Avenue the Atlas pass the ordinance granting an extension to the effective period of the setback variants granted for River Walk Place 415 Jackson Avenue pass the ordinance to establish temporary traffic controls and issue special event and amplifier permits for the 2026 Memorial Day parade scheduled for Monday May 25 2026.

Pass the ordinance to establish temporary traffic controls and issue special event and amplifier permits for the 2026 soap box derby races scheduled for May 16 through 17 June 6th with a rain date of June 7 September 5 through 6 and October 3 through 4 pass the ordinance reserving the city's 2026 volume cap.

Pass the ordinance establishing special service area number 37 for Northwoods of Naperville.

Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending 3-3-11 of the Naperville municipal code by increasing the cap on the late night permit in the downtown 222 we have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda minus I 17 and I 33 roll call orally yes Gibson I Kelly McBroom I Syed I White I Wilson I motion passes 90 I 17 approve the award of change order number four to a contract for Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements Project to Baumgartner Construction Inc for an amount not to exceed 2274.

Approve the award of change order number four to a contract for Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements Project to Baumgartner Construction Inc.

for an amount not to exceed 227,674 cents.

Councilwoman Gibson.

Yeah, thank you, Mayor.

I pulled this item because it's a fairly large change order, and it's the fourth on this project.

So I was just hoping we could hear from staff an explanation of the change order.

Director Louden.

Thank you.

Jennifer Loudon, Director of Ted.

So this change order um is uh intended to um account for increased quantities for several of the pay items.

Um what we um so the scope of the project did not change.

Um this is really to just provide additional payment to our contractor Baumgartner um for completion of the scope of work that was intended um through the plans and specifications.

Um what we found at the um conclusion of the project was that several of the pay items um the numbers that were used for bidding purposes were lower than what was actually required to complete the project.

So based on documentation um provided by the contractor as well as um detailed measurements and as built quantities that were taken um post completion of the project, we did determine um what the true quantities should have been.

Um and so this accounts for that change.

Okay, thank you.

So just to clarify, there were two bidders for this project back in 2024.

Yes, the second bidder was about 500,000 below, but we expect that these change orders would have applied had we gone with that.

Yes, we expect that this would have applied regardless of which contractor was um awarded the contract.

Okay, that's helpful.

Thank you.

I it's really helpful in the reports when uh we see multiple change if there's been multiple change orders to see them all there.

I wonder if we've considered tracking change orders by contractor.

So that way, if we are seeing multiple change orders from a specific contractor, I'm my understanding is this is atypical of Baumgartner construction.

Um yeah, I would I would say that this is an atypical um change order.

I'm you know not aware of a consistent history um specifically with Baumgartner, um, that that would be a similar um situation.

Is is that something we track?

Do we kind of are we able to identify contractors that come back with multiple?

Because I feel like we see a lot of change orders on the agenda, not all of them are monetary, um, but is that something we can keep an eye on?

I I mean I would say, and I'm kind of looking over um at Director Munch as well from a commitment.

I mean, certainly for tech contracts, we can keep track of that, and that's conversation that we have um, you know, with our with our contractors.

Um, you know, and we can um certainly you know we have pre-construction meetings with our contractors, um you know, we can you know be clearer with them that you know this is not the goal, um, and you know, take a harder look at our quantities and how we're for that we're putting out for bid going forward.

Okay, thank you.

That helps clarify this a lot for me.

Councilman Alzar.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, I appreciate Councilwoman Gibson pulling this.

Um, I guess uh follow-up question for Director Loudon would be if we provided um quantities for materials that we expected to be used in this project, and then those are inaccurate.

Um in a normal bidding process, who's who's responsible for verifying those quantities before a bid is placed?

Like is that on the city?

Is it fair to say we screwed up or is or is that still the responsibility of the bidder to you to do its own estimate of the materials to be used?

Um, you know, I would say generally the bidders are expecting that the quantities provided um are what you know is necessary in order to you know complete the scope that's that's requested through the bidding process.

I guess um if I may, mayor.

Go ahead.

Um a follow-up to that, and maybe it's a question for Mr.

Krieger because it probably applies to all bids.

Um how frequently would you expect that our estimates of materials uh would be off?

You know, is this a common thing?

Mr.

Krieger.

Uh thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Um, for anything that uh involves digging, uh, they will almost always be off.

Um, sometimes heavy, sometimes a little bit light, uh, just because um you don't know what to find uh when you start digging.

Um obviously this one was more significant than what we would normally see.

Um for uh any construction projects that really require excavation, though there will typically be some changes from uh what we put out in the RFP or bid package.

Okay, thank you, Mayor.

And just as a final comment, I I plan to vote for this, but I I do think um councilman Gibson brings up a pretty good point that this number of change orders on one project when it was already a higher bid than the other one is is you know something that merits a close look and maybe a learning uh opportunity.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilman McBroom.

Thank you, Mayor.

I appreciate the series of questions.

I I was trying to determine, and I think uh councilman Holtzhaw just cleared up that I mean would you call this a mistake and who made who made a mistake?

So we gave a quantity in the in RFP, they followed the uh they bidd that quantity, and it turned out that so is that is that a common thing, or just director.

No, I would say that that's not typical.

Um that there would be a bust in the quantities um to this level, so it's that's not typical.

Okay, and I I agree with the change orders.

I've pulled change orders before.

There's so many on consent agenda.

Sometimes we gloss over them, but um, yeah, if there's a way to track or for specific contractors, you're probably doing a lot of that already, but thank you.

Councilwoman Gibson.

Sorry, I forgot to turn off my microphone.

No worries.

Uh Councilman White might have a motion for I 17.

I move to approve the award of change order number four to contract 24-227 Eagle Street Gateway and accessibility improvements project to bomb gardener construction incorporated for an amount not to exceed 227,607 and a total award of 4 million 316 and 61 cents.

Councilman Kelly.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second on I 17 roll call.

Gibson.

Aye.

Holesauer?

Aye.

Jane.

Aye.

Kelly.

Aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Sayed.

Aye.

White.

Aye.

Wilson.

Aye.

Warley.

Yes.

Motion passes 90 I 33.

Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending sections 3-3-5, 3-3-9, 3-3-10, and 3-3-14 of the Naperville Municipal Code regarding increasing tobacco and cigarette dealer license fees, raising related fines, and revising the hearing process for such violations.

Councilman Wilson.

Thank you, Mayor.

I asked for this to be polled.

While I I do think the uh proposed changes in the ordinance make it clearer, and and I'm certainly not condoning uh violations such as selling to a minor something of that sort, so I don't want that to uh give that impression.

But uh that being said, I'm just having overall concern with increasing penalties to to small businesses to to this scope um and just increasing um license uh license fees in in general.

So um that that's just my my concern about or concern around it that it may also deter future um future businesses from from coming to coming in Naperville.

So and and that that cost getting potentially passed on to the to the consumer.

So um that's my reasoning for this as well.

I'll be voting no here.

Fair enough.

Councilman White might have a motion on I 33.

I move the waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending sections 3-3-5, 3-3-9, 3-3-10, and 3-3-14 of the Naperville municipal code regarding increasing tobacco and cigarette dealer license fees, raising related fines, and revising the hearing process for such violations.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second, an I33 roll call.

Holzhour?

Aye.

Jane, aye.

Kelly, aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Cyed.

I white.

Aye.

Wilson?

No.

Orly?

Yes.

Gibson.

Aye.

Motion passes 81.

I'm J1.

Receive the staff report and conduct the public hearing to consider the annexation agreement and related ordinances for the property located at 7 South 731 Olsen Drive, Kerrigan Estates.

The public hearing for Kerrigan Estates is now open.

Anyone who wishes to speak may come forward now.

Seeing no one, um, the petitioner does not want to speak at this point.

That's correct.

Okay.

Okay.

Councilman White, may I have a motion to close the public hearing?

I move to close the public hearing.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second to close the public hearing.

All those in favor sign aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Motion passes 90.

The public hearing is now closed.

Councilman White, J2.

I move to pass the ordinance authorizing the execution of annexation agreement.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second to pass J2.

Roll call.

Jane.

Aye.

Kelly.

Aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Syed.

Ike.

White.

Aye.

Wilson.

Aye.

Waterley.

Yes.

Gibson.

Aye.

Hold tower.

Aye.

Motion passes nine zero.

Councilman White, J three.

I move to pass the ordinance annexing seven South 731 Olison Drive for Kerrigan Estates.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second on J3.

Roll call.

Kelly.

Aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Cyan.

Ike.

White.

Aye.

Wilson.

Aye.

Orly.

Yes.

Gibson.

Aye.

Hold hour.

Aye.

Jane.

Aye.

Motion passes nine zero.

Councilman White, J4.

I move to pass the ordinance rezoning seven south seven three one Olison Drive for Carrigan Estates to R1A upon annexation.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second on J4 roll call.

McBroom.

Aye.

Cyan.

Ike.

White.

Aye.

Wilson.

Aye.

Waterly.

Yes.

Jay uh Gibson.

Aye.

Hold tower.

Aye.

Jane.

Aye.

Kelly.

Aye.

Motion passes nine zero.

Councilman White, J5.

I move to pass the ordinance approving a preliminary final plat of subdivision for Kerrigan Estates.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second on J5.

Roll call.

Cyan.

Ike.

White.

Aye.

Wilson.

Aye.

Waterly.

Yes.

Gibson.

Aye.

Hold tower.

Aye.

Jane.

Aye.

Kelly.

Aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Motion passes 90.

J6.

Councilman White?

I move to pass the ordinance approving a variance for Kerrigan Estates.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second on J6.

Roll call.

White.

Aye.

Wilson.

Aye.

Warley.

Yes.

Gibson.

Aye.

Hold tower.

Aye.

Jane.

Aye.

Kelly.

Aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Cyed.

Aye.

Motion passes 90.

M1.

Approve the award of bid for 2026 street resurfacing program MFT to K5 Construction Corporation for an amount not to exceed 5 million 227,451 dollars and 56 cents plus a 3% contingency.

Councilman White, may have a motion.

I move to approve the award of bid 26-006.

2026 street resurfacing program MFT to K-5 Construction Corporation for an amount not to exceed $5,227,451.56 plus a 3% contingency.

Councilman Kelly.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second on M1.

Roll call.

Wilson.

Warterly.

Yes.

Gibson.

Aye.

Holz Hower?

Aye.

Jane.

Aye.

Kelly.

Aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Cyed.

Aye.

White.

Aye.

Motion passes 90.

Councilman White, M2.

Mayor, move to adopt the uh IDOP resolution in the amount of five million two hundred and twenty-seven thousand four hundred and fifty-one dollars and fifty-six cents to allow expenditure of state motor fuel tax dollars to fund the two thousand twenty-six street resurfacing program.

Councilman Kelly.

Second Kelly.

We have a motion and a second on M2.

Roll call.

Worley.

Yes.

Gibson.

Aye.

Holtz Hour.

Aye.

Jane.

Aye.

Kelly.

Aye.

McBroom.

Aye.

Cyed.

Aye.

White.

Aye.

Wilson?

Aye.

Motion passes nine zero.

Item One.

Receive the initial electric utility presentation and reach consensus at content to be on content to be provided in future presentations.

There are seven speakers on this item.

First speaker is Jim Fular, then Tim Farrito, then Rich Sternall.

And as a reminder for the speakers, the three-minute time and three-minute timer rules are in effect, as well as the other council chambers' rules.

Good evening.

I'm Jim Fular.

More than two years ago, IMEA sent Napraville a straightforward renewal proposal.

There was no bullying or arm twisting as activists and even some city council members have claimed.

While the city council has pondered this decision, here are some recent developments that have unfolded.

Market data, as shown in this slide, uh released last month showing the unabated increases in renewable energy prices.

Three independent reliability reports were released, painting a grim picture for the grid serving Neighborville.

These were the Illinois Power Agency's resource adequacy study, NURC's long-term reliability assessment, and PJM's market monitor report.

The IPA projects capacity shortfalls in PJM beginning as early as 2029.

NURC places Northern Illinois in the high risk category warning of impending electricity shortages also developing as early as 2029.

Both warn of the same thing.

PJM's market monitor states that both real-time and wholesale electricity prices increased by about 50% last year.

And we know capacity prices increased by over 900% the last two years.

Shows retail electricity prices in DuPage County have risen 45% in the last three years.

Naperville's rates increased 16% over that same time period.

At the January 2026 IMEA board meeting, it was disclosed that IMEA's energy portion of their billings to members is 6% lower today than 2014.

Equally important, the public has been shown the real facts about Naperville's carbon footprint.

The often repeated claim the city burns 80% coal is a lie.

Naperville draws power from the local PJM grid, which is dominated by carbon-free nuclear generation from reactors that literally surround us.

These are supplemented by clean burning natural gas peaker plants.

Naperville's real life carbon footprint can hardly get any lower.

Two times up, sir, tens of millions of dollars.

Next speaker.

Tim Farrito, followed by Rich Sternell and then Steve Cushman.

That's right.

Tim Ferrito and Naperville resident, uh, I put together a power highlights timeline that I want to go through.

In night in 1954, the first practical solar cell was created and put into service four years later.

In 1957, the first commercial supercritical boiler was put into service.

No, this is the same technology utilized by Prairie State in Termo County too, so not so old compared to solar.

In 1978, the federal investment tax credit for solar was established.

The original plan was for four years.

It was extended 15 times and is now finally coming to an end.

In 2007, the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Center was passed, creating a rec system which with emphasis on solar build-out and funded by utility customers.

Next, the executive office increased federal emissions regulations focused on coal power.

This was followed by a drop in natural gas prices due to years of fracking.

This led to a one-to-punch that knocked out 40,000 megawatts of coal power across the PJM system.

PJM and other analysts highlight this is a contributing factor for the capacity supply problems in the PJM system today.

In 2021, the Illinois Climate Equable Jobs Act, known as CEGA, was passed.

This mandates a feature phase out of all Illinois coal and natural gas power plants.

In 2022, the Federal Investment Reduction Act was passed, which allocated a large amount of tax dollars again towards renewables.

No, as of 2026, most coal power plants built after the year 2000 remain in service.

Furthermore, Prairie State and Tremble County are important base load providers with high dualization rates.

They are needed.

In 2030, the first wave of seizure shutdowns will take place.

9400 megawatts of dispatchable power will be shuttered, mostly in northern Illinois.

This will have a big impact.

This power is equal to 76% of Illinois' total nuclear power.

And on an accredited capacity basis, it will take 80,000 microwatts of solar to replace this shutter capacity.

These shutdowns are at the heart of CEGA, so there's a high probability they will happen.

In 2035, the second wave of will hit, the second seizure wave will hit.

This will shutter another 4,000 microwatts.

In closing, Illinois has a defined fossil fuel phase out plan.

We should just adhere to it.

Accelerating it locally risks exposing residents to significant pricing.

Price increases.

If CJ has revise, it will likely be due to real supply and cost pressures.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Rich Sternall, followed by Steve Cushman, Ashley Pennick, and Joe Hust.

That's a good rank.

Good evening.

My name is Rich Stern.

I've been a resident of Naperville for over 25 years.

I'm here tonight to strongly urge the city council to renew the contract with IMEA.

At this point, additional studies, workshops, and delays are simply a waste of time, resources, and taxpayer money.

This council has already spent more than two years reviewing this issue.

The facts are known.

The options are clear, and the time for analysis has passed.

What has become increasingly concerning is the pressure being applied by activist groups.

I have personally witnessed individuals suggest that unless the council follows their demands, there will be political consequences in the next election.

One individual union applied a small percentage of voters, put you in office as if that entitles them to control your decisions.

That is not representative government works.

You were elected to represent all the residents of Naperville, not just the most vocal 10 to 12 percent.

The importance of the reliability was highlighted just the weeks ago when EF-1 tornado went through solar power farms out in Indiana.

Of capacity, events like this raise legitimate questions about resilience, recovery, and the true cost of energy sources when disruptions occur.

These are factors that must be weighed alongside any long-term planning decisions.

This is not about ideology, it's about ensuring dependable, reliable, and cost-effective energy for our entire community.

It's time for the city council to act.

The continued delay in decision only create uncertainty for residents and businesses alike.

Each of you knows the responsibility you carry.

Make a decision and prioritize the long-term reliability and stability of Naperville's energy supply.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Steve Cushman, followed by Ashley Penick, Joe Haas, and Richard Stark.

Where's the timer?

Sorry.

No, it's okay.

This is the map, right?

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Steve Cushman.

I'm a longtime resident of the city of Naperville.

I'm here today to talk about the IMEA contract.

And a couple of two authoritative assessments that were recently issued.

First was discussed by a previous speaker, the North American Relia Electric Reliability Corporation or NURC.

This is from the executive summary of that report.

It's a recent report, December 2025, about as recent as it can get.

And uh what it does is it shows the uh the areas.

Well, first of all, NURC is responsible for monitoring the electric grid to make sure that it's going to work when we need it to work, which is essentially 24-7.

Electricity, as we all know is a key component of the fabric of modern society.

If it doesn't work, things go downhill real fast.

Their report lists areas of high risk.

Red, of course, danger signal is high risk.

As you can see, we're right in the middle of a big red blotch on the map on the overhead projector.

Um also the uh this was reaffirmed by an Illinois, the Illinois Power Corporate, the Illinois Power Agency, essentially with the same conclusion.

What is the conclusion?

Both identify 2029 to 2030 as the onset of serious capacity shortfalls across the Midwest, precisely when Naperville would need to scramble or replacement supplies if it walks away from the IMEA contract.

The why is this happening?

Explosive demand growth is one reason.

Thermal retirements, that is retiring coal and natural gas plants, outpacing new additions that are needed to serve these this demand.

Solar and dominant and batteries dominate the queue for new energy coming online.

But as we all know, solar does not provide base load power.

It can't be relied upon.

It's intermittent.

And when it's not there, it's not there, or what that other slide showed with uh storm coming through and wiping out a solar field.

Um this is not a uh a good way to go for the city.

Uh IMEA came to the city two years ago asking for renewal.

And here we are two years later.

Uh there's 32 member communities in the IMEA group, and essentially all of them, I believe 29 have already renewed the contract.

Um the there's also a issue of IMEA's been a trusted partner.

They're almost they almost were predicted two years ago.

Uh and many people said, why are we asking for renewal before this expires?

This contract expires in 2035, 10 years ahead of time.

Uh that's because of things like this.

They almost predicted that IMEA, they're a trusted partner working with Naperville and our electric department.

And I don't believe we should um continue to hold off renewing that contract.

Um I think my time's up.

It is.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Ashley Penick, followed by Joe Huss and Richard Stark.

Mayor members uh city council Ashley Pennick with Affordable Neighborville.

I'm going to read verbatim from uh a newsletter from the website, Protect Your Families Future.

Don't look let activists take away Naperville's 700 million dollar investment.

Each month when you pay your Naperville electric utility bill, you're building a stronger economic future for your family and community.

Unfortunately, a small group of environmental activists known as NES is pushing to take that benefit away.

Background on your investment.

Since 2011, a proportion of your monthly electric bill has supported assets per purchase by Naperville's low-cost power supplier, the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, IMEA.

This isn't a separate line item on your bill.

It's built into your electricity rate.

IMEA uses these funds from member communities to pay down the debt on two reliable low-cost power plants.

We refer to these payments as investments because they deliver both immediate and long-term benefits.

Affordable and reliable electricity.

When IMEA's debt is fully retired in 2035, these debt, these fees will end.

At that time, Naperville's electricity rates are projected to drop significantly by about 27 million annually in savings for residents, businesses, and city as a whole.

No.

According to the city's own analysis, even including these investments, Naperville ratepayers pay 20 to 30% less for electricity than neighboring communities served by ComEd.

The investment from 2011 to 2035, Naperville ratepayers have contributed approximately 700 million towards beneficial ownership of these power plants.

Why is this 700 million at risk?

NAST and other activists, many of whom who do not live in Naperville, are advocating that the exit that the city exit IMEA when the current contract expires in 2035.

This is like paying off a 30-year mortgage and then abandoning the house.

Worse, Naperville could lose access to stable low-cost power from IMEA's debt-free plants.

Currently, comparable green alternatives cost two to three times as much power from these plants.

Does this make sense?

Naperville families and businesses have invested heavily for decades on reliable affordable power.

Walking away from IMEA will mean higher rates, lost investments, and zero environmental benefits.

Keep supporting Naperville's smart investment intact.

Your wallet and your community's future depend on it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Joe Huss, followed by Richard Stark.

This is yours.

It is.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

My name's Joe Huss.

I'm a 25-year Naperville City resident, and I serve as the NEST Energy Team Chair, and we appreciate the city's efforts to explore additional options for purchasing electricity, and we thank Director Growth and his team for preparing the presentation.

The energy team raised several questions, which are on this slide.

And you can see we're just trying to clarify the approach.

The second question on assets would be around how PPAs are treated.

Are they being treated as assets or something else?

And then finally, the chart on the right is from the Department of Energy, and it shows the kind of assets currently in the pipeline in Illinois.

For the timeline, are we considering assets in the pipeline that are being built or only brand new assets?

In terms of our recommendations, we I have a few.

I just want to call out a couple.

First, we just suggest that presenting these presentation materials as early as possible before each meeting.

They'll give residents time to review the information, come prepared with thoughtful questions.

And then second, um, we in the past we've discussed inviting other vendors to present or answer questions similar to what we did with IMEA at the PUAB meeting.

Since the schedule is being developed, it would be worthwhile to see if some vendors were willing to participate and respond to some of the questions.

And then the second recommendation would be around exploring options through the lens of the industry trends that are underway today.

So these charts are both from the federal government.

On the left, you can see what's been added each year over the last 25 years.

And then on the right, you can see what's planned to be added in this coming year.

So reviewing this information helps us understand where the market's headed, what others are investing in, and consider how we can align with these industry trends.

So thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Richard Stark.

Last speaker.

Okay.

Hi, I'm Richard Stark.

I'm here with my partner Mike Milano, uh, both uh Naperville residents.

And um, I have an unusual uh first slide here.

Uh the statement here here is how to best complete a jigsaw puzzle or an electricity strategy.

In the case of the jigsaw puzzle, uh and I got AI help on this one.

Uh the best way to solve the puzzle is uh to uh once you flip over all the puzzle pieces, uh, create the border with the straight-edged uh pieces.

And once you do that, you'll find out you'll you'll complete the puzzle uh faster.

So I think we all know about that.

The good news is the same principle applies to developing a strategy.

Uh establishing the guiding framework immediately after completing the diagnosis significantly speeds the strategy development.

I'm gonna switch a little bit here now.

So how does the city actually prepare for one of its biggest decisions ever?

That's what Naperville is facing right now with its future electricity strategy.

The stakes are huge so decision makers need to be ready for some complex work.

So let's look at how this video toolkit is designed to get the city council up to speed.

The toolkit has three core parts and each one has a really specific job to do.

What's really cool is this first part isn't about what to think but how to think it's about building the right mental framework before you even look at the options.

For example, one video is all about mastering that exact core skill so with the right mindset, what are the actual pieces of a good strategy?

Well a key video here breaks it all down into three crucial parts think of these as the fundamental building blocks every single decision maker needs to know they're learning to analyze trends in things like renewables and grid technology and this is where they try to peek into the future to see what could happen.

It's kind of like a crystal ball, you know, but powered by actual data this shows just how valuable it is to learn from past modeling experiences.

So you put all these tools together what does it all really mean bottom line this toolkit is a serious investment in making smarter decisions.

It really shows a deep commitment to getting it right for the community which makes you wonder right what if every big public decision was prepped this way so um I'm going to send an email to uh each uh city council member and uh in there I'll give a more detailed list with descriptions of these videos and if you're interested in any or all of them all you have to do is respond to my uh email and I will send you the um unlisted YouTube uh links thank you for your time thank you and at this time we're gonna take a seven minute break we will return at eight thirty seven for Mr Gross presentation

Okay, so it's like we have to continue to try to screw it.

Okay, not connect.

Do you have it right on it?

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah, I think there are two.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We said two and ten.

So have a good time.

Yeah, right.

It's eight thirty-seven.

We're gonna go ahead and reconvene and director growth when you are ready.

And the audience quiets down, we will have you present.

Good evening.

The electric utility and city council have been considering our options on how we will secure capacity, energy, and ancillary services.

As our existing IMEA contract ends in twenty thirty-five.

And several of our options will take considerable amount of time and resources to implement.

After presentations from our consultants, PUAB, and other stakeholders, the council voted to issue an RFP for clean energy, and then directed staff to pause negotiations with IMEA as we revisited our options.

As council directed staff at the March 3rd meeting, we will be reviewing the mission of the electric utility, key dates and timelines that impact our decision making, and then we will then conclude we will then conclude this evening's presentation by gaining alignment on key information that will be included for each of the upcoming presentations on our options.

Our priorities are affordability, reliability, and sustainability.

We review overall affordability every three years as we complete electric utility rate studies.

On a monthly basis, we have begun comparing our cost, both all in and energy only, to alternative energy procurement options.

This information can be found in our public utility advisory board packet, which is posted on the city's website.

There are many ways that reliability applies to the electric utility industry.

I view reliability as something that the Naperville Electric Utility and its nearly 100 employees are responsible for on a daily basis.

This includes capital planning, project execution, and response to power outages.

I'll take this opportunity to note that due to this local dedication of our employees, we are about four times more reliable than our peers.

And if you do experience an outage, it is likely to be resolved in under 60 minutes.

That's the local part of our reliability and something that we directly have control over.

Outside the city of Naperville, we rely on various transmission owners to ensure the wires to the city can deliver to the necessary power at the time our customers need it.

We rely on generators to perform at the time they are called upon by the regional transmission organization such as PJM, who matches supply and demand in real time.

As an electric utility, we review sustainability holistically and continually review all our work practices to reduce our impact on the planet.

To be more specific, we review sustain we view sustainability as much larger than the number of solar installations, of which we now have nearly 1,300.

Our locally owned and operated utility has been on the cutting edge of innovation.

Whether it's the automated metering infrastructure deployment in 2010, which enabled remote reading of our electric meters, or the first utility-wide deployment of a conservation voltage reduction system in the country, which transparently adjusts system voltages, saving our customers energy and ultimately dollars every hour of the day.

Our software engineers and the utility have developed MPOWE, which shows electric and water consumption in near real time.

In the next few years, we will be deploying a distributed energy management system across the utility.

This project that was approved by council last year is sometimes referred to as a virtual power plant.

The first step, an upgrade of our SCADA system, which provides our control room information on grid status 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is already underway.

The Durham system will allow us to be the local grid operator of the future by ensuring batteries, thermostats, and other storage and generation devices deployed by the utility and our customers can come together to reduce cost and further improve our already industry-leading reliability.

In summary, we navigate complex supply chains, perform equipment inspections, engineer projects, and work with customers on a daily basis to ensure their lights never go out.

Our goal is to always provide a high level of customer service, whether it's through our finance department who handles our billing functions, or with new developers or a homeowner looking to redesign their backyard.

Our project managers and engineers are always here to ensure that we deliver our scope of work on time and on budget.

Turning back to energy procurement and key dates and timelines that will impact our decision making.

I believe it is helpful to start by looking at PJM auction timelines.

These auctions, which set the price that generators will be paid by the market and load serving entities like the city of Naperville will pay for availability of assets that deliver energy to the grid as directed by the RTO at a moment's notice.

As you see on the slide, these auctions are typically held three years in advance of the delivery year, defined as June 1st through May 31st.

Auctions can be delayed for many reasons, including pricing anomalies or legal challenges to previous auctions.

This can be seen in the delivery year 28 and 29 auction timelines.

Auctions are critical to the city because capacity pricing accounts for about 15% of a market-based energy bill based on PJM data for February 2026.

The other components, energy, which accounts for 77%, and transmission, which accounts for 9%, respectively, are largely out of the control of the city.

Set another way, capacity costs are known up to three years in advance, while energy is typically traded in the day ahead markets and closely mimics natural gas prices.

Transmission costs are generally formula based and largely determined by PJM and approved by FERC.

As we look ahead between now and September 30th, 2035, which is the end of our existing contract with IMEA, there are important decisions to be made and key milestones to be aware of, which may limit our options.

Formation of a new joint action agency or negotiation to participate in an existing joint action agency will take time, and therefore it is the soonest decision that will have to be made.

Market participation with asset ownership of any kind, whether the asset is located within Naperville or outside of Naperville, will also take time.

Resources take time to engineer, procure, site, integrate with the grid, and ultimately staff.

Some assets will take longer to obtain, and there may be some in the queue outside of Naperville that are available for purchase, but in general, this is viewed as the second longest lead time solution.

Market participation without asset ownership includes full requirements, market-based procurement solutions, PPAs for specific projects if they're available, as well as generic market-based energy PPAs with power marketers.

These options will take time to bid, contract, and ultimately may require city staff to manage, depending on the term and scope.

The shortest lead time option would be the release of a bid for a full requirements energy contract of last resort.

This is like the approach taken by the city between when COMED was providing energy and when Prairie State became operational and IMEA began serving our load.

Finally, as has been considered in the past, the sale of the electric utility to a private equity firm or investor-owned utility remains a possibility through 2034, as provided that all notification timelines are adhered to with respect to the current IMEA contract.

While dates could move slightly, this timeline of decisions is driven by city budgeting, city staffing, market auctions from PJM, and forecasted material lead times.

Additionally, if the city were to select certain options, the city may be required to conduct its own integrated resource plan, which has a defined process by law and will take time to complete.

Here you can see how the PJM auction dates line up alongside the key decision dates for each of our strategic options being evaluated.

One thing that is clear is that each of these options require significant long-term planning.

As previously stated, we will dive into each of these options in greater detail over the next several months, but first we need to review some key considerations and regulations that impact our decision making at the local level.

At the highest level, there are several federal regulating bodies and laws that must be considered.

For example, FERC, NERC, Reliability First, the U.S.

Congress, the US EPA, all have rules and regulations governing the power industry.

We must also consider the regional transmission organizations or RTOs and the independent system operators such as PJM and MISO.

These organizations are the basis for procuring energy in the real-time markets and handle the financial settlement of energy delivered and received from the grid.

They also approve interconnection of generation assets connected to the electrical grid in all but the smallest of circumstances and generator sizes.

At the state level, there are laws and regulations to consider, such as the Illinois Power Agency, State Legislator, the Illinois EPA, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, CEJA, the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, and the Illinois Power Agency.

And then we have other state and local implications specific to Naperville.

While we have discussed local reliability, we must also look at forecasts on resource adequacy, also known as generation, not only in the local area, but on a regional and somewhat national scale.

While PJM is our local transmission operator, it is interconnected with MISO and other RTOs.

It is true today that PJM is general is a general net exporter of energy.

This map, published by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NURC, in its January 2026 long-term reliability assessment, shows that in 28 and 29, not only does PJM begin showing a shortage of a supply, but its neighbor MISO also shows a shortage.

When each independent grid operator is showing a shortage of supply, it is impossible for one RTO to rely on the neighboring RTO to provide the energy it needs when the lights are turned on.

Now, as we prepare for upcoming presentations, I'd like to review several key vocabulary words used regularly when talking about the electric industry.

Capacity.

Each generation asset, whether it be natural gas turbine, coal-fired power plant, or solar array, has a nameplate or maximum output capacity.

From a market perspective, this nameplate capacity is multiplied by its effective load carrying capability or ELCC to determine its accredited capacity.

This is also known as its value to the grid in ensuring reliability.

The RTO determines the amount of generation capacity required by the grid to maintain reliability and holds auctions, which we previously discussed annually that send price signals to the market to encourage or discourage investment.

From Naperville's perspective, our peak system load is set at the highest hour of the day, which coincides with the regional grid peak, also known as the coincident peak.

This number then has a safety margin associated with it and is the required amount of capacity that must be procured from the market annually.

This number can be hedged with physical or financial assets, as is done today with IMEA's owned and contracted generation assets.

Energy is the actual power that flows from generators to the light bulb in every hour of every day.

This energy flows over the high voltage transmission grid before being delivered to one of Naperville's own substations, where it is distributed to residences and businesses the moment it is needed.

Energy is priced in the day ahead in real-time markets for those that are unhedged.

Transmission services or high voltage lines that deliver the energy to the city of Naperville and all grid-connected utility customers.

This is billed by the regional transmission organization based on energy consumption of the peak hour across the RTO territory and the revenue requirement of the transmission asset owners, which includes a rate of return.

Ancillary services are essential functions provided by the generators, energy storage resources, and load serving entities to maintain stable voltage and frequency on the grid, ultimately preventing blackouts.

Black start resources are another type of ancillary services and are specifically designed to bring the power grid back from a blackout state.

Physical energy delivered is the energy generated on the grid and delivered to the city in real time.

Actual energy delivered by is governed by the laws of physics and the generation assets called to run in real time by the RTO.

Financial energy delivered or hedge is the energy generated and delivered to the grid in order to hedge real-time energy prices or for generation assets located outside the city of Naperville's electric system.

Because there is a physical disparity between the load and the generation, other fees such as congestion charges and the difference in price between the PJM load and the generation nodes must be accounted for.

It is unlikely that any that any of this energy is actually would actually be delivered to the city of Naperville.

Market operations refers to the load forecasting, scheduling, bill reconciliation, and accounting functions.

These are all functions required by PJM, in addition to any cash bonds that would be required to ensure that the market is made financially whole.

Support services are the legal, regulatory, procurement, and other services such as metering that are provided by very provided by various entities to support the utility operations and to advocate for ratepayers.

The city currently maintains parallel metering at all of its delivery delivery points to ensure accurate bills, both from its current supplier IMEA as well as from the others that bill IMEA, such as PJM.

A load modifying resource is behind the meter generation or energy storage resources, which impact the load curve of the city as viewed by the RTO.

These resources include local generation, virtual power plants, and demand response programs.

These assets are typically not subject to the RTO's interconnection queue.

With all that said, as we look ahead to the next presentation on May 5th, when we will begin to diving into our first option, participation in a joint action agency.

In general, this means either joining an existing joint action agency, creating our own joint action agency, which could potentially include other municipalities.

We will explore different variations of this model, including joining a joint action agency only for market or advocacy support, as well as full requirements membership.

For each of the options we are exploring, we'll review the following criteria.

Then talk a bit about feasibility for Naperville, carbon free resource availability, and then the council, and then the cadence of council decision making associated with that option.

We'll end with an overall summary of the likely implementation of the option.

On June 2nd, we'll discuss the second option market participation with asset ownership.

In general, this option includes all options where the city of Naperville would become owner of a generation or storage asset.

As we know, generation assets don't always perform, and thus there are various market elements that will be explored to fill those gaps.

On July 21st, we'll discuss the third option, which is market participation without asset ownership.

This presentation will cover various contracting options for energy that do not include direct ownership by the city of Naperville of assets.

For example, purchase power agreements, full requirements contract with power marketers, and potential market-based hedging concepts will be covered.

On August 18th, we will discuss the fourth option, which is sale of the utility.

This option has been previously explored, and while those discussions generally remain confidential, potential impacts to reliability and local control will be discussed.

In terms of next steps, as you can see, we will discuss one option each month through the end of the summer, and then in early fall, we will have a workshop.

At this time, we are seeking consensus from council on the criteria by which we will present each of the four options in my upcoming presentations.

First of all, any questions from council members.

Let's go through the questions first, Director.

Councilman McRoom.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um thank you, Director Croft.

Great presentation.

Um high level, I I think for the most part, this reflects Councilwoman Gibson's uh motion uh for workshops.

Uh I believe she mentioned IMEA in her motion, but you know, I hope that we know enough uh about that option at this point.

But if we could go to that, uh my my question revolves around the timeline because that was a specific ask, I think by the mayor as well.

Um these these dates are a couple things kind of jump out to me.

The first of all, these dates are when these decisions need to be made.

For example, option two that decision needs to be made by June 28th, is what we're thinking.

That's correct.

These are dates like like I stated, these are dates based off of PJM auction timelines, what we think reasonably we could handle in a butt city budget.

Um the other one, the one that jumps out to me is the the sale of the utility, which that's an interesting option to me.

Um we haven't talked about quite as much publicly, but we don't really think that in 2034 that's when we make a decision to sell the utility.

I I maybe I'm wrong, but I would assume that that discussion with the private equity or comet or whoever would have to happen years in advance to start happening, or or is that not the case?

The goal of this slide is to provide the absolute latest date that I believe that we could execute on one of the options.

Obviously, we'd like to start any conversations earlier than the date that's listed here.

This is not intended to be a date when we start the conversation, it's the date to make the final decision.

Okay, and then likewise the IMEA uh five-year notice termination.

We're not really under the assumption that that option would well, the option's gone now, it's been withdrawn, but that that option would would exist in a renewal would exist in 2030.

Uh the September 30th, 2030 date is the first time that notice can be provided to IMEA of discontinuation of service in 2035.

Right, but as far as an option to renew uh the previous contract that's been withdrawn the there is no just want to make clear that that's not what that's indicating that we have until then to accept the rule.

So that's correct.

Okay.

Uh I think that's I think that's all I have.

Councilwoman Gibson.

Thank you.

Thanks, Director Grath.

Um my request for um maybe something additional to include, which might fall under the level of autonomy and power supply choices, is that I'm really interested in each of these options and how long we are locked in to each option.

Um, obviously the IMEA renewal on the table was a long term, but is each of these, you know, we get to reevaluate every three years, every five years, every 10 years.

I think that's a big um factor in terms of evaluating the risk of the different options, at least when I'm making the decision.

So if that could be included, I think that'd be helpful.

Yes.

Cool.

Thanks.

Councilwoman Jane.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um first I wanted to.

Councilwoman, could you bring the microphone close?

I'm too short.

Here we go.

Okay.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and thank you, Director Groth, for this presentation.

I know this was an ask, and um already I feel more informed and with these visuals and timeline.

I think that's really clarifying a lot of things for me as you're as you were speaking.

I really appreciated slide three in um emphasizing the balance of reliability uh affordability and uh sustainability.

And um as we are looking at the categories of information that you hope to present um with each option, I'm wondering if there's more areas that need to also be looked at under sustainability.

I mean, aside what what categories in the existing framework you've provided, would you think addresses the sustainability aspect uh of the information that you're providing, if that makes sense.

Mayor may if I may ask Director Grath.

Go ahead.

Certainly, I that would fall under multiple of these categories, right?

Level of autonomy and power supply choices, um the carbon-free resource availability, um, and then the cadence of council decision making around what options will be brought to council and what cadence, right?

So I think at least three of these uh cover the sustainability portion of the discussion.

Okay, thank you.

And under example community, are we looking at comparables like some communities that look similar to Naperville?

What are you thinking under that?

We're trying to we're trying to find the closest match to the city of Naperville.

Some of these options don't exist in the state of Illinois, so I we're gonna do our best to try and find them across the country.

Okay, thank you.

Councilman Alzar.

Thank you, Mayor.

And if you could keep up that current slide, I would appreciate it.

Um had a couple questions for Mr.

Groth.

Um would it be possible uh in the first presentation to provide uh Naperville electric utilities current annual greenhouse gas emissions as a specific numeric amount, Mr.

Groth.

Yes.

Okay.

Um and then uh would it also be possible to um give numbers for the various options that you're presenting or ranges of numbers if you know there's variables like with joint action agencies and things like that.

I I believe we will try to do our best to do that.

So not all options, right?

So even within let's just use an example of a joint action agency.

Some joint action agencies are full requirements, and everyone has the same power supply.

Some joint action agencies, not everyone has the same power same power supply.

So it's you know, it's up to how it's reported and how then therefore how I can present that.

All right, that's uh helpful.

Thank you.

Um by the way, I echo Councilwoman Jane's comments.

This was a very well done presentation.

I really liked this with the timeline and all that.

Um I did want to hone in on something, which is um, you know, I asked about greenhouse gas emissions for very specific reasons.

Um, because I think there's two separate conversations going on, and I think it's it's confusing to the public.

Um, you know, like on this slide, I see carbon-free resource availability.

And like just to be clear, at least for me, speaking as one council member, I am much more focused on greenhouse gas emissions than I am on us being able to say, oh, we have a carbon-free resource, right?

So uh to be like crystal clear example, like a lot of peer communities around us have achieved like less than half of our carbon footprint and at least or less 15 years a lower price.

And to me, I I don't even really care if they do that with more or less solar or if they're implementing natural gas or whatever.

I'm I'm really concerned about that metric.

Um, and so I I think at least for me, if if we're able to focus on that greenhouse gas metric, that would help.

And by the way, I I would add there's possibly ways we can get there through IMPA, in my view.

Um, you know, depending on hope, and they are to um discussions.

But um I think there they may not be in the most fair position or anybody, you know, any bidder may not be in the most fair position if they're kind of hearing competing goals from us.

Again, I'm just one out of nine.

Um, but I really for me the the moral charge is that I think what is gonna affect our future generations the most is not how many solar fields we build, but it is going to be how much we emit in in greenhouse gases.

So thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman Owen.

Thank you.

Uh Mayor uh great presentation, Brian.

Uh I appreciate the uh the input and so on.

Um a couple of questions.

As you're I'm looking at your main components of what you're going to be presenting at, for example, in option one.

Um thing I would like to see that maybe it could be embedded in one of these uh bullets, or it would become its own separate one.

But um heard a lot of council members and people from the public discuss flexibility, adaptability, uh maybe even socialized costs, uh, especially if we're looking at a joint action uh agency participation.

Um I would like to see how that would be embedded in there as to give us the opportunity to take advantage of new technology that comes along.

Um if there's enough flex within whatever we're looking at, it'll allow us to flex to that new technology.

So uh as we're continuing on, I think that may become a uh a select a selection criteria, at least in my mind.

I know we've we probably need to talk about it from a strategic standpoint, but that seems extremely important to me.

And with the joint action agency, we need to make that decision by next year.

Uh what what are the main if you had to pick the top three or four things that would that say we need if we're gonna go that route, we did know next year, and here's the reason why.

Certainly.

I I'll I'll cover a lot of that in my next up in in my next presentation, right?

I you know, I wanted to align on and what we're going to cover, and then that way I can do the research with that in mind.

Um, I would say that negotiations to join an existing joint action agency are a lengthy process.

What the buy-in process, what the buy-in would be, um, you know, if we are going to buy into a generation mix, um, what that what that negotiated dollar amount would be.

If we're just going for services, it's probably a little bit less.

But like I said, I I don't want to give any false hope that we can push a deadline and then try and bring that back before 2035.

Yeah.

Yeah, I appreciate that.

And I just wanted to kind of get out.

I know you're going to present it next time, but just kind of you know, wow, why next year of other if there's any major thing you're doing?

I think the lengthy I would say that it's the lengthy negotiations for joining an existing joint action agency.

I think you have to go and ask all of the members, right?

It's a communal type of setup.

So you said existing one.

Um would that be the same for one if we wanted to create our own?

I think if we wanted to create our own, it's probably the same if not a bit longer.

Okay.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Jane.

Thank you, Mayor.

I forgot to ask two uh questions more procedural in nature, if I may ask uh Director Groth.

Um the first one being the last slide talked about the workshop following these presentations.

Um the nature of that workshop, who will conduct it, how will be conducted, is that something we will talk about more in depth at a later moment at a later time.

Our intention was to discuss that at the last presentation, so that we would have better direction once we've gotten through the options as well as this presentation.

Okay, great.

Thank you for that.

And um the second question I had procedurally is um one of our public comments by Mr.

Joe Huss asked um for the presentation information to be available a little bit earlier, given the depth and complexity of the topic.

I I don't know if that's possible, um, even if it's a few more days earlier, but um I even as a council member, um, just given that there's other things on the agenda, if that can be made earlier, I I would be open to that and um support that okay, Councilman Wilson.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, so for the key decision dates, uh June 2027.

Um these dates, as you said, these would be the latest deadline to have them done, I guess you could say.

Is that correct?

Yes.

So, like potentially if uh council said we want to do option one uh for something like that.

Since June 2027 would be the very latest date, uh what how far I guess my question is how far in advance prior to June for something like that would um staff like to get started on it, for example.

Obviously, the more time that I have to prepare, the better off we all will be.

Um I view these as the last basic timeline that we can reasonably come together and and execute that option.

Thank you.

Councilman Kelly.

Thank you, Mayor.

A few follow-up questions.

Uh and first, maybe I'll follow up on Councilman Wilson's question.

I I had a very similar thought.

You know, June 27 is only 14 months from now, give or take.

Um and kind of a follow up to Councilman White's question, one option would be joining an existing, but I was curious about the possibility of creating a new and whether or not that's a viable option or a uh desirable option, I don't know.

But just so we know what that could even potentially look like.

I guess the one potential partner that's maybe out there, I don't know, but there's St.

Charles, right, is in a similar position to us, and I'm just curious if you had any conversations with St.

Charles at a high level in general and or specifically about the possibility of a joint action agency.

We have not.

I I have not had the conversation with them.

Um, but it is one option, like I said, that that's one of the options.

Uh you know, off the top of my head, it's going to be join an existing joint action agency, and then to what range we'll join that action that agency.

Is it for power supply and services or services only?

Then we talk about creating our own joint action agency, which is probably a fairly lengthy process, right?

To stand up a whole new organization, procure all the energy assets, resources, things like that.

Um and then you know, talk about just going all in on another agency outside of a PJM footprint or things like that.

You know, they're gonna have to register with an RTO, and and there's a lot that they would have to do to serve us as well.

So I I guess my my question or or suggestion or request would be uh I don't know exactly how you would do it or or how formal or informal it would be, but it seems like it would be worth having some staff level conversation with St.

Charles.

They're uniquely similarly situated, at least as of right now.

It seems like maybe brainstorming, seeing what their options might be, what their interests might be would be worthwhile just to get information and initial feedback.

Uh, I would encourage some conversation there.

Um, and then uh second question, uh, this might be blending public form and new business with your presentation a little bit.

We heard about the mission statements uh for the city for the utility and for POAB.

I'm particularly interested in the uh electric utilities, and looking at uh slides number uh three and four, kind of drove that home for me.

Where you had uh slide three with the three, you know, we've talked a lot about the three legs, right?

We've we've heard over and over again over the past couple years affordability, reliability, and sustainability.

And then there seems to be kind of a missing one of three on slide four, right?

When you look at the mission statement, it certainly talks about reliable and uh cost efficient, and it does seem to be missing sustainability in my opinion.

Um what I don't know is you've got this as a slide.

Is this something that you are thinking we're going to be looking at in the future presentations as a mission statement?

Something you're gonna be seeking feedback for.

Are you assuming we're going to consider potential amendments to that or not?

Or only if we give you direction to do so, or what is your current thought on that?

Did you have a Mr.

Krieger?

Uh thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Yeah, you know, our our there's a there's a lot of talk, a lot of discussion, a lot of interest in looking at this.

Um, you know, my thought uh when we get to the uh strategic workshop in September, that would be the appropriate time.

Um, one of the pieces uh of data that will we will have then that we do not currently have will be the results of uh our current um citizen survey, uh which will be results will be due back.

Well, we'll have results in uh in early July.

Okay, so just just so I'm clear about that.

Is it it sounds like, but I just want to be sure the September workshop?

The plan is that we would reconsider the current mission statement for the utility and whether or not we would want to make any revisions to it.

I think that would be the most appropriate time to do that, but like we had discussed before, we will circle back with council in my last presentation on exactly what will be covered and what council desires us to cover in the workshop.

All right, thank you.

Councilman Said.

Thank you, Matt.

Thank you so much for the great presentation, Director.

I just wanted to check in on what are the top three challenges you see in this process, and how as a city council members can help you or assist you in this um I think I think that the topics that we'll cover are very complex.

So I I would ask that council ask questions.

That that's pretty much my ask, right?

Is is to be engaged and and ask questions and and and understand what we're we're going through here because there's a lot of things that are within our control, and there are a lot of things that are without that are outside of our control.

Okay, well, I appreciate the presentation.

I thought it was very well done.

Um we got 15 months left before we have to make our first strategic decision, and as we know, the clock will not stop.

And I appreciate the council being active participants in these discussions, and I hope that we'll have some really good conversations in the upcoming months along along the way.

So, with that, um, and assuming I've got all this correct, would the clarifications made by councilwoman Gibson, the uh greenhouse gas question by councilman Halzauer, and uh Councilman White's um, which I'll just summarize this technology flex.

Um if we have those things incorporated, can we get hands in the air to see if there's consensus on the components for the next four presentations?

Those in favor looks like you have all nine hands in the air.

You've got your instructions.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Now we return to public forum.

Ms.

Marcotus, please call the next four speakers.

Diana Torres Hawken, Krishna Bonsaponsal, Viral Shaw, and Fereza Roos Tom John Bruce, Tom Genova.

And as a reminder, if you've heard your name called, please move to the front row so we can keep the meeting going efficiently as possible.

Ms.

Hawking, you may proceed.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

My name is Diana Torres Hawkins.

I'm a Naperville resident, a parent, a Colombian immigrant, and someone who has spent years serving this community from the inside.

I serve on your human rights and fair housing commission.

I'm a trustee of the Naperville Education Foundation, a former board member of the Naperville Police Foundation, and founder and current vice president of Adamas, the Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs.

I am not here tonight on behalf of any of those organizations.

I'm here as a mother and a resident, speaking for the families who call the city home.

And I am here in full support of the Naperville due process and municipal property ordinance.

This council serves a city where nearly one in four residents was born outside the United States, one and a half times the national average.

Naperville's diversity is not incidental, it is structural, it is economic, it is who we are.

And it deserves the protection of explicit clear policy.

I want to be direct about what's happening.

Latinos accounted for nine out of ten ICE arrests in the first six months of 25.

And a UCLA analysis found this was driven by demographic targeting, not criminal history.

A recent Supreme Court decision now allows allows ICE to stop people based on perceived race and ethnicity, meaning Latino citizens and legal residents are in the crosshairs.

This is not a distant problem.

It is our community.

My elementary age daughter recently asked me with the kind of clarity that only a child has.

Can I take you?

I am a civic leader in the city.

I serve on city appointed bodies, and my daughter is afraid for me.

If that fear lives in my home, imagine where else it lives in Naperville.

I have watched Latino events canceled across this region, and not for lack of interest, but because families fear being arrested for simply gathering publicly.

Naperville's own community survey found that 95% of residents value Naperville's quality of life, and 94% value for arts and culture.

Latino families are part of those numbers.

When fear silences celebration, those numbers erode.

This ordinance protects them.

The ordinance is legally sound and narrowly drawn.

City-owned property cannot be used as a staging area for civil immigration enforcement while requiring full compliance compliance when a valid judicial warrant is presented.

I have proudly supported the Naperville Police Foundation.

I wish Chief Aries was here, but hello, sir.

Um, and the work our officers do every day.

That is exactly why I support this ordinance.

It protects our police from being pulled into federal civil enforcement.

That is not their mission, not their mandate, and not what Naperville residents fund them to do.

This council has shown this kind of courage before.

In 22, you voted eight to one to ban assault style weapons.

One of the first cities in Illinois to act.

It was challenged all the way up.

It held because it was right.

Positions of power of power come with an obligation to make courageous decisions for the people you serve, especially those least able to advocate for themselves.

My daughter should not be afraid.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Time is up.

Next speaker.

Krishna Bansal, followed by Veral Shaw, Fereza, Ruth Tom Janova, and David Cannon.

Good evening, Honorable Mayor, Honorable City Council, and thank you for your service.

These thankless slate hours.

My name is Krishna Banza, longtime Naperville resident today in the Capacity.

I'm here as the chairman of Indian Community Outreach ICO, a program that was announced by Mayor Pradle in 2013 and was adopted by density city council.

I'll take you to a little bit of a history and the accomplishment of this program, what this has this has done.

The reason for this program at that point when uh we all sat down in 2012-13.

Indian community, Indian American community, which uh was the largest ethnic group uh or the diverse group in the city of Naperville then as well, was completely uh detached and not uh uh included any when I say included, they were not uh in any kind of volunteer program or uh there was like a huge gap in terms of like uh community didn't know what to do, how to connect with city, and city had no idea how to deal with them.

And this community program, this pro outreach program uh has been that this this was uh announced, and this has been the biggest success, I will say, in terms of any DEI or any other program that has been done after that, uh, without spending a single dollar from the city.

Uh with this program, we uh were able to, in a very short amount of time, include the community to a level that today you will see Indian Americans in every city board and even on this dice uh and uh every nonprofit and as well as the businesses are seamlessly working with the city.

Now, extension to this was uh Mayor Pradle said, let's let's start working, create a program, let's create an event where we can even go further.

And India Day was born out of it.

And India they became a special event in 2015, where we started.

This event has been uh has not only grown as the one of the largest Indian American events in the country, it uh got Naperville a kind of prestige within the ethnic groups like none other.

Uh, what we see from the perspective of Naperville being uh featured as the diverse city and all this, this played a big role.

Now, uh this program also brought in a huge economic advantage to the city of Naperville.

Uh, if you see the businesses on Route 59 corridor or the Ogden corridor, and you see a lot of businesses that have moved in, uh, some of the larger ones and hundreds of the smaller ones, as a direct result of this program that we started, and and many of you councilmen were there uh in the past and have participated and and worked with it and and this this has been a huge success story, and and we all have worked with this.

And this is the uh some of the members of my team who have worked with us uh tirelessly uh with the city to make this happen.

This is this is an amazing program.

This is an amazing thing that uh that was envisioned way before DEI was born and anything else was born, and and uh and and has been immensely successful.

This year, we saw uh and very unexpectedly we saw this program was uh discontinued or or not funded.

And I have my team that'll be talking about it more on that.

I just wanted to give a history.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Veral Shah, Fareza, Ruth Tam Janova, David Cannon, Fasabi Taka.

Good evening, Mayor and members of uh City Council.

My name is Viral Shah, and I'm here on behalf of Indian Community Outreach to respectfully ask for a re review of 2026 Sika funding decision for India Day.

For more than 11 years, India Day has been one of Naperville's largest and most diverse cultural celebrations.

It's a free event that brings together thousands of residents with uh with various backgrounds to celebrate culture, diversity, food, music, and community.

India Day is much more than a festival.

Like Krishna mentioned, it was born out of Mayor Pradle's vision for creating a more integrated Naperville and helping communities feel connected and engaged in civic life.

During the 2011 to 2013 time frame, there was very little civic engagement within the Indian community.

India Day became a platform for building that awareness, encouraging participation, and creating a stronger sense of belonging.

Over the last decade, Naperville has seen tremendous growth.

Primarily uh a number of Indian uh restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, and professional services have opened and they're thriving.

India Day has helped showcase Naperville as a welcoming place for businesses and families to invest and call home.

Through this event, ICO has built a strong 11-year-old track record of safely and successfully managing one of the city's most visible community celebrations.

India Day has brought direct economic benefits to local hotels, restaurants, retailers, while strengthening Naperville's reputation as a city that values cultural diversity and inclusion.

Last year was the first year in over a decade that India Day did not take place.

That was due to largely significant last-minute security requirements that uh which included metal fencing, metal detectors, security staffing, and clear back policies.

While fully, while we are fully public, uh we are in full support of public safety, those new requirements created a major financial burden that we could not absorb without additional support.

We were disappointed that no questions or concerns were raised to us during this year's review, and even more disappointed to receive a zero funding for both city services and operational support.

We are respectfully asking city council to reconsider the support for India Day, which includes about 49,500 in city services and additional operational funding to help implement the enhanced security requirements for now expected a larger event.

Losing India Day would not only mean losing a festival, it would mean losing one of the few large-scale events that brings together many people from different parts of our community, and shifting those cultural, social and economic benefits away from Naperville should not be something that we should consider.

We are a Naperville-based organization.

We want India Day to stay here, but timing is critical for us.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Good evening, Council members.

My name is Freezer Rustum Jinova, a senior at Naperville Central High School, and I am a proud first generation immigrant.

Late January of this year, my life was flipped upside down.

Like many immigrant families around the country and in Naperville specifically, I had to navigate life after the detainment and deportation of a family member.

Their detainment wasn't based on criminal acts, suspicious behavior, or even a complaint, but merely on the basis of how they looked.

At the federal level, with the ruling of known Vivasqueas, which allowed immigration and customs enforcement agents to continue roving patrols, which permits ICE agents to continue targeting not only Latino communities but all ethnic communities by using perceived ethnicity, language, and workplace as indicators for stops.

Or in other words, racial profiling.

Naperville has always been a mosaic of cultures, and it has always prided itself on diversity, inclusion.

And in passing this ordinance and putting it on the agenda, Naperville residents, regardless of background, can trust that their city government is working for them and with them and not against them.

I respectfully urge you to move this ordinance forward to give immigrant communities a tranquility and peace of mind.

No person should be scared to go to work or attend community-based events.

And I really hope that you can put this municipal city ordinance into the agenda.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

David Cannon, followed by Basabi Chaka, Sunny Aurora, and Munish Kaiser.

Hi there, my name's David Cannon.

I'm from Aurora.

I'm here for my neighbors.

So two and a half weeks ago on Friday, March 20th, federal agents abducted a Naperville resident, our neighbor on 75th Street in broad daylight.

I know this because I saw it happen.

I was driving to work eastbound on 75th Street when I noticed vehicles on the shoulder, masked agents in bulletproof vests with big yellow letters moving quickly.

By the time I was able to circle back to the scene, they were gone.

This is not just.

When I heard the Sika denied our funding this year, I could not believe it.

As a community activist and community leader, I served on many boards, including SECA.

And during my service on SECA, I never seen this type of request denial.

ICO has proved his uh its potential, its value, and uh it built the bridge between the Naperville community and the Indo American community and brought these two things together to make the fabric of Naperville much stronger and culturally rich.

Last year, as uh Viral mentioned, we could not poll the event because we didn't have the resources to fulfill the security demands we had in the last minute, so we had to pass.

That doesn't mean our commitment has reduced.

We are more than we are more committed than ever.

And um it is kind of a slap on face.

I shouldn't be using that, but for the Indian community by not having this event in Naperville.

I'm very disheartened because this India Day event is just not an event.

It includes every organization, literally every organization in the community.

Schools, hospitals, uh regular citizens, big organizations, they come and uh restaurants, they come and they be very proud to be part of this India Day.

It brings business and it brings unity, and it just educates people on culture.

This is a secular event.

We don't promote religion, we don't promote um any other things.

This is for the people to come and unite and celebrate spirit of Napleville.

So okay, thank you.

And I would like you to consider this funding uh of this event in the future.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Sunny Aurora, then Munish Kaista and Derek Hoover and Sunny Aurora has left.

So Yunish Kaista.

Uh good evening, uh Naple Mayor and uh the council members.

Uh my name is Manish Khesa.

I'm here representing ICO Indian Community Outreach, as most of the things has been covered by Krishna Mansanan Viral Shah.

Um India Day events, that's the talk of the town.

It's it's being representing our Chicagoland suburbs and cities and as well as State of Illinois, as well as United States, United States.

So this year we are really disheartened that because of the SICA that they did not approve the grant.

So we really want to excel take this event to the next level.

It's been really very popular, you know.

I've been getting so many calls, even from the neighboring states, uh, from Indiana from Iowa, as well as from Wisconsin's than when the event is happening.

And then I don't want to say that Napalville has denied that grant and we cannot function.

We really, because Naperville is such a beautiful suburbs, you know.

I'm like, I'm very proud to be a Naperville city, a Napleville uh city resident.

And I don't want to say no, that we are not functioning because of the regulations and additional things from the Sika as well as from Napleville City.

So I don't want to take more things to cover more things.

I really request you to please reconsider the grant.

I know that Napleville uh council members as well as City of Mayor can definitely reconsider this.

You know, we really want to make sure that all the businesses, everybody in the neighborhood city um uh along with the other neighboring cities, they are get getting benefit out of it, you know.

The people from the neighboring cities they want to move to Napraville because Napleville is an iconic city that represents each and every individual here functioning well.

So I really humble my request to please reconsider the grant so we can definitely uh uh you know proceed with the with having this event.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Derek Hoover is the final speaker.

Thank you.

Um I'm here requesting an amendment to uh recently passed 25-130, 133, uh, specifically the age restriction on allowing children to ride their e-bikes.

Um what I'm asking for is that children 12 and up be allowed to ride solely with their parents or legal guardians.

Um this would still be an excess of state law, but would help address the city's concerns in a fair and equitable manner, I think.

Um personally, I've on several occasions had to call the local police in regards to dangerous and disruptive riders in the pathways in the courtyards around the restaurants downtown Naperville.

So I'm completely in agreement that there had to be something done.

But taking this away from my children and from us who are responsible, I think took it a little further than it had to go.

Um currently only 16 and up are allowed, which from my observation are the most likely offenders when it comes to these issues.

I walk the river walk in excess of 200 days a year, regardless of the weather.

Um again, the law is currently written, takes away our only option on many days to come to downtown Neighborville to get to and from school, which is one of the things the kids love the most.

We ride there together.

I never let my kids ride their bikes without me, no matter, you know, again, they're 12 and 14 at this point, but I ride with them all the time.

I personally have hip dysplatial and spinal stenosis.

I can't ride a regular bike much anymore.

So I bought those with the intent of it's a way for us to still be able to get out and spend time together as a family.

Um my children currently are 12 and 14, they're young pillars in this community.

They provide free educational programs for families on all things herpticulture by way of their true nonprofit company that I pay for out of pocket, Hoover's Herpetology.

Um we give families the opportunity to interact and learn about reptiles, including their care, their natural environment.

Um they've been recognized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois DNR.

I work directly with them to get animals rehomed in a safe way.

We routinely go down the river walk and clean the river walk.

We take our kayaks out and we clean the DuPage River on our own free time.

My children, the last six years have spent all of their free time doing these educational programs and providing things that this community needs just out of the goodness of their hearts.

They're tremendous young children, and taking this away from them is it's hurt them.

They've they've abided by the law since it's been passed.

I've seen the law not be followed again.

I've called a half dozen times the last two weeks, including just a couple of days ago, because kids are still just riding around.

And I understand it's a hard ordinance to pass.

There's only so many officers on duty.

But again, between the Illinois DNR, the Chicago Herptological Society, USR, my children have been recognized for some tremendous work they do, and our e-bikes are a big part of getting the animals downtown, but I can't physically do it myself.

Um I'm gonna cut this short for you.

Um my daughter also, we're out of time.

Um, I thank you, and I hope you can take this into consideration by the next by the next meeting, and I will see you guys in two weeks.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other public speakers?

No.

Next is council public forum.

As a reminder per the code, council members have three minutes to speak during public forum and can speak up to two times.

Councilman McBroom.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Um, just with the last speaker on the e-bikes.

Uh, to be clear, sir.

You would just be asking for um 12 and up with a guardian, correct?

I think that's the only way you should be up there.

I really have a problem with problems.

But I I would be able to make the guardian again, not with programming or another job.

I call I call it.

Sir, can you can you come back to the podium so we can get you on the microphone?

I just wanted to make that clear.

I that's uh yeah, yeah.

I mean, I I feel you know with your parent or legal guardian.

I think it should be and and also since you're gonna give me a second, I do think we should enforce something on helmets.

I get the you know, not wanting to overstep the bounds, but we could also teach these kids to be a little safer about things.

I don't think there's also anything wrong with saying if you're under a certain age, just put on helmet.

You know what I mean?

Like, let's be responsible.

Because the only time one of us has fallen was actually me, and it was because a car blew a stop sign and I went over the handlebars in panic of protecting my children.

So, you know, put on a helmet, be responsible.

But again, I I just think to allow 16-year-olds to be able to ride and not kids that you know with their parents.

Again, I I see it all the time.

It's it's very irresponsible, you know, the way kids are treating these things.

But I I'd still like the option.

You know, we hook up our trailers, we take our animals out.

It you know, we do it to provide a service.

So I really appreciate you guys taking it into consideration.

Thank you.

Thank you.

It's absolutely very important.

Stay all the way till 9 45 to comment on that.

I you know, the e-bike ordinance, I I think you guys probably know.

I you know, for this type of thing, we're not chasing down kids.

I don't think the uh police department's doing that.

Like a lot of things we have, it's it's reactive.

Um it doesn't appear that a whole lot of kids are following it, but um I'm I'm glad I'm glad the rule is out there.

But I I you know we don't have to do it tonight, but I I don't think is is uh suggestion is is um unreasonable at all if a if a parent is so you know if anybody on council wanted to entertain that uh but I I guess I would ask legal or um deputy like is that a complicated thing if we were to decide to just say hey, you know, we would have this one carve out that if they're with their parents.

I'm assuming if you saw uh a child with their parent, you're not stopping that uh child anyway.

Is that correct?

Deputy Chief, does it appropriate uh yeah?

Thank you for the question.

First of all, uh I will say thank you to Mr.

Hoover.

Um I I don't think your kids are probably the problem we're seeing.

Uh I think if more parents were like that, we probably wouldn't have the ordinance in the first place.

Um like you said, I I we are not trying to address uh kids uh riding with their parents.

Um I think we're starting with education first and foremost uh to educate the kids and the parents of the ordinance, and then uh obviously our our citations are more based on the people that are doing disruptive uh on the roadways.

Uh like the other day we had one uh a group that was blocking an ambulance getting to the hospital.

As far as um changing the ordinance, that I would rely on legal as far as that goes.

Uh I I am I heard there was a rumor that uh the state was uh possibly passing some potential legislation where a if you took a class you could ride uh under 16.

I I don't know where that's at, though.

Returning DeSanto.

I I would agree with the deputy chief.

Uh I know that there's some legislation that's pending.

I'm not sure the likelihood of it being passed.

Um for us to look at as far as uh the council amending uh the new ordinance to allow for uh riders under the age of 16 to operate uh the e-bikes um with a legal guardian.

That's that's likely something that we could put together.

I would just share that.

I think the reason that 16 was set as a threshold is because of the power of these devices and the requirement that they be driven on the roadway and the idea that if you're gonna be on the roadway, you're gonna have to be subject to the rules of the road, and those are something that licensed drivers are aware of versus um underage drivers aren't gonna have the full training of all the rules of the road, which could present a public safety issue.

I think that's why it's been designated that way.

But if that were something council were to direct us to consider, uh as we did our research, I don't recall seeing that in any of the other ordinances that anyone else is allowed that under uh the uh kind of uh monitoring of uh of a legal guardian, but if that was something council wanted to direct, we'd take a look at it and bring something back for your consideration.

Okay, sir, and just to clarify since you're here, are you using class one e-bikes?

Is that what you're referring to?

Yeah, that's why I feed back on that.

Obviously, class three and over 20 miles an hour should be completely excluded.

Right.

I wouldn't ride something that goes that fast, and something that fast shouldn't be allowed.

I mean, the fact you guys are even allowing class threes, I it blows my mind because 30 miles on our bike's pretty fast.

Okay, so I mean, yeah, it would be limited to class one, class two under your guys' union.

Uh full pedal operation and everything else.

Yeah, class one and class two, because ours are a class two, but they are it's an assist system, and ours don't even go over twenty miles an hour.

So I mean it's again, I wouldn't have it's just not safe, like you know.

Thank you.

So, yeah, I did thank you.

Thank you.

Just I just had a couple two quick quick things and then I'll move on.

Um, another one is a question for the deputy.

You know, this uh teen gathering that happened, uh, you know, it's not the first time it's happened.

Um this one happened a little bit faster.

Um, maybe it was a little more spontaneous, maybe larger group.

I I happen to see it.

I I was down there at the time when it was uh a forming, but uh I I had a lot of people um and and I was a little offended by you know some of the accusations that that maybe it's because our police aren't doing their job.

Um and and I just I just wanted to make clear that that I believe our our police are doing everything they possibly can um in a situation like that, and they and they do have boundaries.

When you do have boundaries, you have to, you know.

Uh unfortunately we do have when I was down there, I wasn't convinced it was all teenagers, mostly teenagers, but um big rump functions group, and I I do think we have problem with younger um individuals maybe not respecting adults authority or or police, and that's not something that we're gonna uh be able to fix here on the council.

But uh just quick question for you, deputy.

As far as your ability to defuse these situations, what would you say has changed with um as far as trespassing goes and your ability to detain or have that tool in the last several years?

Deputy Chief could just bring the microphone a little closer.

We're having a little hard time here and year before.

Sure.

Um the safety act did change our ability to address uh not just trespassing, but all B and C misdemeanors, uh, where we have to issue a citation prior to custodializing anyone.

Um trespassing is an interesting one that adds another layer of the person who needs to know that uh they're no longer allowed on the property, so we have to come, we have to notify them, we have to try to get voluntary compliance.

Um if voluntary compliance is not sought, then we have to issue them a citation.

If at that point there's still uh criminal activity persists at that point, uh then we can uh arrest them.

Thank you.

And and I only bring that up, just I just want the public to be to be perfectly clear that that our police department uh is proactive, they're doing everything they possibly can.

Uh we're not soft on crime in Naperville.

Last thing, uh, as far as uh India Day uh goes, I've I've talked to the applicants um and and I do think it's unfortunate, and I I'm not begrudging the SECA commissioners at all, but I I do plan in new business to appeal to my colleagues.

I hope they uh support me to to look into to make an India Day uh uh happen again this year.

Uh it's been a long tradition.

I'll give my reasons in new business, but that's all.

Thanks.

Councilman Wilson.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh so question for Mr.

DeSanto uh, would uh one propose changing the current ordinance to be with a parent under new business or if somebody wants to bring it back.

Thank you.

Councilman Olzer.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I'll uh echo um with regard to India Day.

Um it's not casting shade at SECA in any way.

Um they've got their standards and they have to follow them.

I do think um in the same way St.

Patrick's Day is a long-standing tradition that is really important to a major group in Naperville.

I think India Day is similar.

Um, and um if there's if there's any way to you know bring back that tradition, whether it's this year or making sure it's always done in the future, it may be scaled down.

The the amount of money that was there last year may not be there given you know what the process, the point of process we're in.

Um, but just to have something, I I think is is important.

Um I want to thank the um speakers that came out tonight um with regard to um the situation of our immigrant communities.

Um many were poignant, but a couple that I especially want to um thank Ms.

Torres Hawkins spoke um about the pain of her daughter, you know, asking what would happen if her mom disappeared.

Uh Ms.

Rustama Cenova, hope I'm saying that right.

First of all, I want to give her a shout out on her senior year in Aprilville Central.

Congratulations.

Um, I too have a senior at Central and um is crazy the things that are are coming in the next month for you.

Um, but sharing um tragically what it's like to lose a close family member suddenly um without explanation, I I think should give all of us pause as leaders.

Um so I want to address uh what are some of the biggest criticisms of the asks that many of the speakers have made.

Um one criticism is the city council doesn't really have the power to fix this issue.

Um so why do anything?

Why talk about it?

I think one of the responsibilities of leadership is to speak up when something is wrong, morally wrong.

It's wrong for the government to break the law, is wrong for people to be detained simply for not carrying identification or because of how they look.

Um that's something we learned in the 1930s, and hopefully we won't have to learn it again the hard way.

We have clear warnings from history about where this kind of thinking leads.

Some will say our actions might be unenforceable or outside of our control.

Um, but I think when it comes to making a moral statement, that's not entirely the point.

It's just like calling out a bully, even if you can't stop the bullying entirely, speaking up and saying it wrong does matter.

Um Miss Gleason, I thought made an interesting point.

Uh there's a real tension.

We're told that the constitution limits local act officials acting in good faith to try to solve a problem while at the federal level we're seeing serious concerns, agencies, misleading courts, selective prosecution, um, corruption, um, prosecution of political enemies, and detention without due process.

Um, I will say, having said all of that, one concern I do have with a proposed ordinance like this is I don't want to give people a false sense of security.

If we put up a sign that says this is an ice-free zone, and then we can't actually enforce that, that worries me about somebody stepping into that zone thinking they are safe.

So in new business, I'm open to hearing other council members' comments.

What I would envision, what I would support is staff coming back to us with a menu of options, maybe a clear summary of what the legal landscape is, Naperville's current policies in the area, a history of what our council did previously, what we might consider now, ways we could educate the public, whether that's through social media, um training programs both for our staff and for our residents, and also an analysis of the specific language that was proposed by the residents, all of it, and and commentary on you know the different aspects of it.

Um so I hope we can have a discussion about that in new business.

Um thank you, Mayor.

Councilwoman Jane.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um we had some really courageous speakers today.

Uh a list of speakers that have come for a variety of reasons, and I first want to acknowledge uh the courage it takes to come up and speak.

Um until you do it, only then do you realize how the courage it takes.

Um there's many points today that I wanted to address.

I'll start with um uh Ness uh Miss Hus came up and spoke about um examining some of our mission statements.

Um, and I believe we we had some good discussion with Dr.

uh Director Groth on maybe visiting that during our workshop.

I do think that makes sense.

Um slide three has sustainability in it, and that should be reflected in our language.

Um, and so I would be in support and open to looking at ways of um incorporating that language in our statements.

I believe the statements put forth uh are very reasonable.

Um, but I would be also open to looking at other ways of incorporating those values in our statements at all levels.

Um with regard to the ordinance, I just want to acknowledge that the fear is real, and anybody who claims otherwise hasn't walked what many of our speakers have been experiencing.

Um there are individuals in some of our most powerful positions who are walking around with the passport and other identification.

So you may not realize the fear that they're holding, but it is real, and I just want to acknowledge that.

I also want to acknowledge the need for clarity and reassurance and building trust.

Um I hear that, and um, as uh councilman um Holtzauer just mentioned, I think many of us on this dais who've had ongoing conversations, maybe behind the scenes, is trying to understand what's the best way to reach that goal of assurance and building trust.

Could it be an ordinance?

Could it be other other measures that uh councilman uh Holt Houser listed?

I know um councilwoman Gibson and I have had numerous discussions around this, and um uh uh thinking about other ways to talk about it, and some of the suggestions I might provide in good uh in new business, but I just wanted to take the time right now to first acknowledge that.

Um, and with regard to um India Day, I I've been a beneficiary of that event for the last 10 years, um, participated in it.

It is a grant and event that we should all be proud of.

I'm curious to learn more about um the SECA process, and I know that has been something we're that's under review that we're going to revisit.

I I'm also curious as to what may have changed in the last year to this year that may have uh changed the funding and support.

Um, and so I look forward to that discussion in new business or with the report that comes back.

Thank you, Mayor.

I I think it's councilwoman Gibson.

So all right, thank you, Mayor.

Um crashed again, sorry.

No worries.

I do think I appreciate it.

Um thank you to everybody who came tonight.

Um, and also I know there's been a lot of work in our community leading up to your comments tonight, um, lots of drafts, lots of looking at other communities, lots of sharing your stories and where you are.

Um I know councilwoman Jane mentioned this, but um Dr.

Berciaga mentioned clarity and reassurance, and that's um I don't think we've done a great job up here or as a city um addressing your concerns.

I think there has been work behind the scenes, um, but we need to do better at communicating that.

So, as a foundation, I have more I would like to add on my public comments, but if I could ask um City Manager Krieger, just to kind of level set what we have done in this area so that way we can talk about next steps and building on it.

Mr.

Um sure.

Um there's a lot, actually, a lot the city's been doing that we have now broadcast.

Uh and um I know that's uh created some concern um uh within the public.

I think a very simple solution uh to that um that that I think may at least provide um some of the clarity would be just kind of like taking uh the last month for example and putting out publicly we could do through the manager's memorandum.

Uh the training um in meeting uh and discussions that we've had um as city staff with our uh employees as well as vendors, um, just so that their portion can get made public.

And and um, you know, uh I will do that for this Thursday's MM.

Great, thank you.

Um yeah, I think it's really important that as a city we build trust.

Um, you know, we're hearing from a lot of our residents that they don't feel safe, and while we might not be the cause of that feeling, we have a responsibility to do what we can and what's within our means to address um the situation.

So um some things I I guess uh councilman Holes Howard, I'm not sure procedurally the best way to go about this, but I'd love to hear where my colleagues stand.

I think some things we can look at is ensuring that we have local control of our resources.

I know that's in the ordinance, um, but working with legal and with staff to see how we can control our resources, not only parking lots, but also our digital um files, not just through the police and law enforcement, but all layers of our government, because my understanding is that might not be included in the trust act.

Um I believe last summer uh the federal government sued Illinois over the Trust Act, um, and that was dismissed, but it does um harp on a principle that I I bring up often when we talk about CJA and the energy contract is that I think there's benefit in redundancy um and stating that an ordinance applies to our city, so even if there are changes at the state or federal level, our community still has the same policies and ordinances uh protecting our citizens.

Um that's I'd like to see the evaluation of that from staff and how we can implement that.

And then I'd also just um I'd like to see a plan going forward on how we can communicate with our residents so that way if there are instances of increased federal presence immigration presence in our community, we're prepared to effectively communicate um with the people of our town.

So I don't know procedurally the best way to accomplish that.

I'm one of nine up here.

Um but that's where I'd like to go with this.

Councilman Sayed.

Thank you, Mayor.

So regarding ICO, definitely.

I know ICO for the last 10 years.

I have attended their events, participated, engaged, their parades and everything.

One of the best organizations, and they bring people, community, businesses, everybody together.

So definitely, you know, uh, there is some disconnect why they have not got the funding.

I just have some couple of questions with uh Mr.

Bensal.

If you can please join us.

Thank you for coming today and speaking to us.

And appreciate that you're bringing this topic back to us.

Uh just wanted to understand whether what was the amount you have uh applied for?

I don't have the exact numbers, the what we're applied for, but we applied for the so we had the two components uh to the application on Sika that we make uh being a special event.

So India is the one of the two major special events uh with the city of neighborhood, and it goes in SICA with two lines, and uh one is the city services.

That number we are provided by the city uh to put it in, and that was uh 50 some thousand dollars.

I don't have that number right now with me.

And second number is for to cover the operational cost.

Okay, and traditionally the way it has been is that we uh get coverage for the city services, and uh obviously we get whatever the remaining amount is some amount for the operational cost.

Okay, and this year we have uh seen that six commissioners voted zero, which is unprecedented, never has happened for something like this.

Okay, and did any of you or your member attended the workshop conducted by SICA?

Yes, we did uh attended the workshops, yes.

You have attended yes, but we did not uh attend the SECA meetings, which we don't uh we considered as considered that as lobbying, and we have not done it uh uh pretty much from pretty much first year we did it, uh just attended to understand, but then we never attended it.

Okay, so you have not attended that work.

No workshop we attended, okay, but not the regular Sika meetings.

Okay.

And my third question is that uh, you know, did you get back to the staff why they have not uh allocated that amount?

Yes, we did asked, and the answer we received was uh uh that we are an inconsistent uh uh I don't have the exact verbiage, but what what uh it meant was in uh and uh I know we are city manager as well, Doug, and he he was uh he had uh the details, but uh it was that we are inconsistent, and that is surprising because someone's an organ and event that has been organized successfully nonstop, uh consistently without any issues for 10 years, and one year it doesn't get organized that too for a reason, and we were called inconsistent, so I don't understand that reason honestly.

Okay, so we even uh organized it during the Sika uh during the COVID times.

We did a scale-down version, but we did organize that.

Okay.

So I'm one of the Sika uh City Council representative with Sika.

And uh I met all the Sika commissioners.

I have been engaging them for the last you know, one year almost now.

And they are one of the finest highly qualified, experienced who has worked in Naperville for many, many years, you know.

All those commissioners are there who has been uh, you know, checking your applications and all those things.

So let me go go back to those people also to see, you know, what went wrong, where went wrong, so that you know we can come back together and see how we can collaborate and work together on this thing.

Sure.

And in the past, the way it has worked is if Sika commissioners had any questions, they had reverted back to us sending an email or calling us.

Okay, and we have uh always replied back with the uh with the responses and uh uh the uh the city liaison at that point or the special events person, they have always uh worked through us, uh what worked with us to resolve it.

Uh if there were any open questions.

This year, unfortunately, we were not asked a single question.

We were not we were not sent any, we were not asked, which was very surprising.

Uh the only first time we saw this was when the numbers were because we we don't even monitor we we we consider this to be a partnership city partnership event.

This is not an event we created, this was a partnership event.

Uh this is how it has been always publicized.

This is uh uh this has been always uh uh celebrated.

It did uh uh a partnership event in between ICO and City.

And uh first time I learned was when I saw after the city council meeting that it when someone brought to me at a zero, I'm like it cannot be.

And when I saw that, I'm at total shock.

Okay.

So, Mayor, can I have a question with the staff, uh, city staff?

Sure.

Yeah.

So do you have any comment or any remarks on that?

Director?

Yeah.

Who are you directing to?

Ms.

Marquardis?

Yeah, sorry for Melanie Mark Courtis, director of community services.

Um the commission did consider uh the cancellation of last year as um there was a concern for the commission.

Um, but it wasn't the only concern.

They um I have a list here, sorry.

They uh um looked at one of the factors was the cancellation of the event last year that they were concerned about um the organizers' ability to successfully execute the event as proposed.

Um they also um my understanding was that two of the commissioners had reached out and weren't satisfied with either they didn't get a hold of you or there wasn't any um good communication there.

So they were concerned with the lack of communication.

Um they raised questions relative to the vent's budget and overall financial structure, including the revenue sources, sponsorship commitments, and vendor participation.

Um there was uh particular concern um about the certain uh requested amounts.

So the uh the amount allocated for fencing appeared high and were not supported by sufficient documentation or justification within the application materials.

Um commissioners expressed concern about the scale of the funding request relative to other applicants in that way and weighed that alongside overall confidence in the event execution.

Okay.

Okay, so let's let's follow up on this thing and see, you know, how may I uh because since it was said that uh I we we were approached, there was zero communication because I am the contact and I received zero communication from any Sika commissioner to discuss any of this.

And and if there were questions, I mean in the past, I know Don has been uh uh uh our contact and and we we always received questions and we have answered.

If any further evidence were needed, we we have always provided.

Uh we are a transparent organization.

It's uh uh I mean this is run by a group that is uh those are they are business owners or professionals, and we all give time to make this happen.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, man.

So I so I I still have my time for the second and third.

Yeah, go ahead.

Okay.

So fine, Krishna.

Thank you so much.

So regarding the immigration.

I know that is very critical.

Three weeks ago, we were planning to travel to Canada, Toronto.

And uh I was excited, family was excited during the spring break.

We will be going there.

And one of the family members who has been a US citizen, legal US citizen, my younger brother for 25 years, his wife, legal citizen for 25 years, they reminded me.

Situations are not good.

My brother, do you want to travel now in this situation?

And I always forget this thing.

That I'm a person of color, immigrant, Muslim, and you know, all these things, and I have to be extra careful.

I have to always carry my two IDs with me, so that you know I don't get in trouble, and I request all my kids, my family, everybody.

So this three weeks ago, we had all this discussion and all those things, you know, about how things have changed.

In the last nine years, I have never had such situation.

We used to go out of the country, come back very smoothly.

Never ever had any such situation, the feeling or insecurity of traveling to XYZ country or traveling anywhere, but things have changed locally.

My own brother in Naperville said, you have to be careful.

Be an elected official, councilman, and one of the community members, but still we have to be careful.

So I can understand how you feel, how you what you are going through all these things, and definitely I would like to support and see how legally uh city attorney can work on this thing, or if we can bring like uh as councilman Yen said in the new business, how we can work on that legally to implement this thing, we can work and definitely I'm going to support that.

And my third last thing is about uh recommendation about sustainability.

So Teresa, thank you so much for bringing this topic back to us, reminding us the missing part.

This is very critical again, but I don't know how we missed this and oversight missing, but definitely we can fix, we can add.

So definitely I would like to add that also in in the new business to see how we can work on that also.

Thank you so much for that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Councilman White.

Yeah, thank you.

Um and to that point.

Um, I know I had discussion with Mr.

Boylan on uh coming in here.

Um I kind of like if we're gonna follow what we're doing with the presentations.

I'm thinking that September meeting might be the best time for that.

And when we look at your mission statement for the electric department, uh I totally agree that uh that sustainability uh it's it's right there.

I think it should be uh part of that.

So uh we can have that discussion, but I I'm not sure if next meeting is too soon, but I know uh it definitely needs to happen within uh maybe the time frame that you presented to us today, Brian.

Um as far as India Day, um yeah, I probably missed one or two, but it is uh absolutely a fantastic event.

Um organizers do uh a great job of uh bringing the community together, people come to Naperville from all over the region just to attend that India Day event.

So I applaud the what what uh the organizers do, Mr.

Bonsel, uh, as far as making that all happen.

Uh I'm not sure exactly what happened with this particular uh particular one, but uh I I would offer you my advice.

I mean, I understand you don't want to feel like you're lobbying uh with the that commission.

I I don't look at it as lobbying personally, I think it's you look at it as advocating for what you want um to do and what your what your organization is bringing to the table.

Bonsel uh as far as making that all happen uh I'm not sure exactly what happened with this particular uh particular one but I I would offer you my advice I mean I understand you don't want to lob feel like you're lobbying uh with the that commission I I don't look at it as lobbying personally I think it's you look at it as advocating for what you want um to do and what your what your organization is bringing to the table um so I I would advise you to go to those meetings and don't don't feel like you're like I said you're lobbying uh state your position if there's information that you particul that you might be missing because things have changed uh that would also give you an opportunity to catch up and um address those things uh in in real time um so um not sure if there's money available but that's something that can be looked at um and as far as my um my brothers and sisters um that got up here and spoke so courageously um I I I empathize I sympathize with what's going on in the community I uh uh as a person of color uh I have not experienced what what I see our uh uh our Latino community is is mainly experiencing nine out of ten I believe uh Ms.

Gleason said it's happening in that community and it's it's it's absolutely horrible um so I I thank you for what you're what what everyone said and here's the deal this may be something that might be beyond our control because it's happening we see all over the country and so on but what I do recognize is that you're you are our residents all right and as your elected official I have a responsibility I feel we all have a responsibility to address what's happening to members of within our community and that's what we should we should do.

And I don't know the the right answer the ordinance might be the right answer or some uh semblage of the of the ordinance uh may be modified I think some things that were said earlier with with the city manager as far as making sure that we are communicating better uh to our residents so that they know what their rights are the things that they can do in order to feel safe and I think that is the key we we have got to be able to build trust amongst our community members people should be able to come to us when they're when they or someone in in in their community is going through what's happening as an example right now and feel like we're gonna do what we can to help protect and do what you know do what we can to help protect you and to make sure that you feel safe in your own community um so um I would support uh what councilman uh hoseauer said as far as coming back uh staff if you can present some some options I like to see the legalities um counselor if the if you can provide that as part of the as staff's assessment to ensure that the city is doing things the right way um but um again that took a lot of courage for people to come out here on this hawk and uh what you said about your daughter uh you know just hit me the young the gentleman that came up here Mr.

Leon who just came from soccer practice you know going to a store and having and just having the fear that he someone just may pick him up just because of how he looks that that should hit everyone in this room to their core it really should so um staff I look forward to hearing what uh what you um proposed for uh for us to consider thank you mayor councilman kelley thank you mayor a lot to get through in public forum today um and and appreciate everybody who came and spoke on all these topics and and everything counsel has said so far um just to uh address India day relatively quickly first um I will say uh for a lot of our main events I've had a concern that we're losing them you know we lost Ripfest we lost salute uh there's a couple others that are maybe teetering on the verge right now and I think all of these events collectively are really important so I uh in general want to find ways to keep and or add events like these India Day in particular has been an excellent one for a number of years brings the community together people from outside the community so I um and strongly uh I I would strongly like to see a future for India Day in the city having said that I do have concerns about where we're at today for 2026 um for a couple of of primary reasons one is um you know our city clerk mentioned the reasons that some of the commissioners had concerns and I I watched that meeting it was it it went in a lot of different directions but the portion where the commissioners talked about each individual application and gave recommendations went relatively quickly and really only a few uh specific events had significant discussion and this was one of them um and I would say for my perspective the commissioners uh expressed some frustration because I I would say they wanted to find a way to give funding and and have India Day occur um but they felt really frustrated that they couldn't get themselves there and part uh what the clerk mentioned and and I and I saw the frustration on Mr.

Um and I would say from my perspective, the commissioners uh expressed some frustration because I I would say they wanted to find a way to give funding and have India Day occur.

Um, but they felt really frustrated that they couldn't get themselves there.

And part uh what the clerk mentioned, and and I and I saw the frustration on Mr.

Bonsel's face saying he didn't hear anything, but there were I think at least two commissioners that said they had reached out specifically to the designated person on the application, and they did not get any response back.

Um and they had substantive questions uh about the funding requests and the amount and different things.

Um, and that's why they ultimately gave a recommendation of zero, which came to us, and we of course considered all of the uh recommendations, including this one at zero, and we didn't have anybody here at that meeting when we gave that consideration.

Um and I think it's a a difficult precedent for us to set if we go through the CK commission process and then go through the council review process, and then after that entire process is done in two stages, we kind of piecemeal select one or or more events to give reconsideration to.

I I think that's just a uh potentially dangerous road for us to go down where there would be lobbying after the fact for different groups to come in and say, hey, we didn't get the result we wanted.

Now council consider us in a vacuum and give us some additional funds.

That that's just setting us up for for really difficult conversations down the road.

So I'm I'm hesitant.

I see again uh a shake of the head that that didn't happen.

I guess maybe if we are going to consider this, I'd be curious if we could get some uh some documentation information about who those folks reached out to just to confirm that that is in fact what happened.

I think that would be helpful for the council to see firsthand.

Um, but I I would be hesitant to go down that road.

Uh for uh for uh all the speakers who came to ICE, just like everyone else has said on on council, thank you for being here.

It's not an easy thing to do.

Um I think it's specifically not an easy thing to do because you see anytime this topic, not any time, but you've we've seen it where this topic comes up, whether it's at a council meeting at courthouses in different places, it's possible that you might have federal immigration enforcement come here, and so it it takes courage in that respect, specifically to come into a room and talk about that topic in public where you know that might get attention uh from people uh who could cause problems.

So thank you for being here.

Uh I do like councilman Jane said, fear is real, and it's not just fear, it's not fear in the abstract.

We've seen it in Naperville.

The last time we spoke about this, uh, there's conversation about we had federal agents running in Crest Creek with guns drawn.

We've had people taken away from school drop-off lines.

It's not you know just theoretical.

It's uh we've seen some really really bad things happen in Naperville.

Um I do share some of the concern I think I've heard from council about uh what exactly we do about that.

Um I think it's important we should do and say something and and some of these topics from time to time, just having counsel say something and talk about it is important, and and maybe we need that next stage in the process, uh, whatever the new business item might look like.

I think furthering the conversation could be helpful.

Um, it could be beneficial, and I think there are some things that staff is doing.

We already heard from city manager, but I think getting those in a more formal way out there in the world to be seen and heard is important.

Um I will say I have specific concern about the resolution ordinance track.

I my entire time on council, I've always been very hesitant to go down the that road on federal and state type of issues, regardless of which side of the aisle or what the topic might be.

I just think that's a tough road to go down.

Uh and there's always comparisons and different specific things we've done.

Just a quick comparison to the assault rifle sales ban we did, two specific things that made me comfortable with that and give me concern here are one we knew the impact would be immediate and important, which was that there would be uh an immediate ban on the sale of assault rifles in the city.

It was gonna have tangible impact.

Here, if I knew that we would have by if we pass an ordinance and that would eliminate uh immigration enforcement like we've seen, I'd be much more interested in going down that road and willing to take on the risk of potential litigation.

Um the other thing I'm worried about with our staff on the assault rifle sales ban, we had pro bono representation from a major international law firm lined up, and it's been mentioned that's gone to Supreme Court.

If we didn't have that, that would have put the city in a very difficult and very expensive situation.

Our in-house council probably couldn't do that.

It would have been extraordinarily expensive to hire outside council, and we've seen other municipalities pass an ordinance like what we're talking about here, and there might not be litigation, but there could be.

Councilman Wilson.

Sorry to circle around circle back around, I'll be quick.

Um, yeah, I guess after uh Councilman Sayed it asked uh uh Christian a couple questions about India Day.

I guess uh it it really hadn't occurred to me that uh it was 6-0, which I guess is unprecedented.

I guess to sort of diverge from Councilman Kelly's opinion, I mean an Indian Day isn't like a quasi random event, it's sort of a long-standing uh event in the community.

So I hopefully hope to find some funding for it.

Um I guess uh to that end, I guess an oversight on uh Mayan for not saying anything or bringing it up at the at the time.

So um but uh and then uh the other comment I guess was with regard to sustainability.

Um, you know, when I I guess looking at our statement with regard to reliability and affordability, um those two things seem pretty obvious, and you can come up with a cogent definition quickly.

Um, you know, reliability, obviously, you obviously you don't want any downtime in your electricity, and similarly for affordability, you'd want it at the lowest price possible.

My concern with sustainability is that I would hope to be presented with a cogent definition.

Um I guess I'll I'll leave it at that because many of these seem quite ambiguous.

Uh that's it for me.

Thank you.

Okay.

So um I appreciate the concerns of all the speakers that have been raised here tonight.

Um, with regard to the um India Day situation, I was present in some of those meetings that occurred in 2025 after the SECA awards were granted, and India Day was having their conversations with our special events team, and the new requests for additional security measures based upon the size and success of the event were rolled out.

Those were not necessarily things that the India Day Committee had anticipated, metal detectors and and other types of things that were gonna be required at that particular time.

Um that and those additional costs and other requirements ultimately led to my understanding ICO's cancellation of the event.

They were awarded a significant amount.

I I want to say it was like 80,000 in fiscal year 25, which they then did not use and was forfeited back because they canceled the event.

I think that is one of the interesting things in this particular situation that led us to where we are today.

Um there is concern that the forfeiture and and the fact that they didn't have the fiscal year 25 event has now had an influence on them getting a zero allocation for the physical year 26 event, when arguably some of the requirements that we put out there from a public safety perspective, based upon the success of the previous events contributed to them having to make the cancellation.

So, in a long roundabout way, um, I do think it's worthy of us looking at opportunities to see if there's um up if there's something we can do later on, and and I'm hoping in new business we will have um three hands in the air to at least send that back for a discussion at our later April meeting.

Um with regard to the ordinance, uh you know the reality is I I've I've looked at the ordinances these other communities around Illinois have passed, and um I don't think there's any city ordinance that can stop federal civil immigration enforcement.

It just the Constitution is very clear on this.

The uh supremacy cause federal law, it's a supreme law of the land, and and cities don't get that opportunity to override it.

Um we don't get to redraw it with a local ordinance on on this or any other subject.

But I do want to be really clear, and that is our police officers, like every police officer in the state of Illinois, they are subject to the Trust Act, which is in place right now.

It restricts what our police can do, what they can't do, uh, when it pertains to participating in any civil immigration enforcement, and it is very specific.

That's not a proposal, it's already in place.

And arguably, in some of these ordinance proposals that other cities have put into place, they're asking police officers who are subject to the Illinois Trust Act to insert themselves into potential immigration matters for enforcement that is taking place by federal officials, and and I think it really kind of puts them in a really difficult spot beyond what they're already facing every day.

You know, in addition to the the C manager indicated our our professional leadership, they have recently completed the um the new Illinois Attorney General's office training, and they will continue to go through any training that's available and roll out to our city of officials um and employees that they believe is important for them to know and understand the law.

But to sum it up, I mean, if if the goal here is is real safety, we owe people real honesty, and we need to be clear what the city can do, what the state law already provides, and what no local ordinance can ever guarantee.

Real safety has to be built on truth, clarity, and due process.

So I I I appreciate Councilman Holzauer's suggestions for other potential communication that we might offer in new business, but I I just don't see an ordinance being an effective tool in um achieving the goals that the speakers asked for.

Seeing no other new business, or I'm sorry, we're not there.

Uh no other public forum speakers.

Our final item tonight is new business.

As a reminder, new businesses for items is council's asking staff to bring on a future agenda or for motions to reconsider past city council votes.

Councilman McBroom.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um so yeah, as far as India Day goes, um, I can repeat everything that everyone said here.

I I think everybody loves the event and and wants it to happen, wants it to continue.

Um I don't I don't want to shed uh bad light on the SECA commissioners.

Uh you know, and in our next meeting this month, we are going to start a workshop that is hopefully a discussion on uh you know, maybe tightening up some of the possible ambiguity.

Um, whatever the reasons are that the that SECA had, I I mean, everyone knows who Mr.

Bansell is, he's been a community leader in the town for years, good friend of uh former mayor Pradle.

Uh so I don't know about this.

Someone was contacted or tried to people know how to get a hold of uh Mr.

Bansell.

So um, you know, so did they do everything perfect?

I don't know.

Um, but I think maybe there might be a little bit of underappreciation of how big this event is and what it means to the city.

Um and uh you know, maybe that's something that that comes up in the workshops.

Are there things like you know, our St.

Patty's Day Parade, India Day, are there things that get need to get moved to uh you know city city city obligation?

But you know, we're under the current rules right now, and I I would like this this event to happen.

Um, you know, it's the biggest uh celebration of Indian culture that I know of, uh obviously in Naperville, but maybe in the area, um, celebrating the culture of our largest uh immigrant community in Naperville.

So I I think we need to do everything we can to um make this event happen this year.

Um and uh you know, when we when we look at the food and beverage, uh, you know, we are dealing with precedent here, kind of some of the concerns that Councilman Kelly had here.

Um I just think it's a different category.

I think it's a different event, and I'm willing to make an exception and risk um setting a precedent here.

Uh that food and beverage fund has money in it.

Um in fact that 80,000 went back into that fund from last year.

Uh and you know, I I don't want to give the perception that it's just a um a slush fund that that anybody can go back to.

Um, but there's there's money there.

And and you know, I don't I don't think this needs to be an appeal back to SICA.

I think we're city council, we can make this decision if we think it's important.

Uh and if we want to uh you know find out exactly what India Day needs and and try to get there or work with them on what their event uh might look like.

Uh and I don't think it's it would be the first time we go into that food and beverage fund.

And I I think that we used it for little friends for the building, maybe that was a previous council.

Um obviously it's not something that we want to start uh making a habit of, but the anyway, the money's there.

I think it's an event that's very important to this town, it's very important to uh our large very large Indian American community.

And uh so I think my new business would be to have staff come back to us um with some suggestions on how it could be done, how we could get them the funding um and at what levels.

Um so I'm looking for support on that.

Uh April.

Can I just jump in?

Yeah, Mr.

Krieger.

Um Mayor was just asking uh asking me um uh with respect to timing um when is uh appropriate.

Um our agenda items for our next meeting are actually due next Monday.

Um we would be able to provide a very, very high level uh and some options, but we would not be able to do a whole lot of research um uh to put that in.

Um but we we would be able to create some options and present to council for the next meeting.

Council Mahazar related?

Yes, Mayor.

Um thank you, Mayor.

Uh I plan to support this.

Um one of the menu of options I would ask that be considered is maybe if this could be like St.

Patrick's Day where the the parade aspect is there this year.

Um I used to be in Aprilville JC and put on the fling and and the event portion is just a tremendous amount of work to try to do that in that between now and summer, I think could be putting stress on everybody that could actually cause the failure of the event again for a second year.

So I think from both the financial perspective and uh just what's actually possible perspective, I think that that might be a good option to throw out.

Thank you, Mayor.

Okay, hands in support of um Councilman McBroom's request to direct staff to bring back options on potential funding mechanisms for ICEL.

See nine hands in the air.

Any other new business?

Councilman Wilson.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Umless anybody else wanted to uh bring it up with Mr.

Hoover who spoke last uh with regard to the e-bikes, uh e-bike ordinance, um, did want to um I appreciated his concerns uh with um that he brought up and how he's willing to uh um talk about other um I guess people not writing correctly, but uh would like to look at uh the possibility of changing our ordinance to allow uh minors that are 12 and above, I guess you could say, to be riding e-bikes of a certain category with an adult.

Um be looking for hands on that as far as changing the wording or bringing that back.

Um would that make sense, Mr.

DeSanto?

Mr.

Santin.

No, I think uh the specificity is important in is it with an adult or with a legal guardian?

I think that's a significant difference.

Um you know, you could have a 12-year-old who's got an 18-year-old with them that would be considered an adult, and I'm not sure if that's what council wants or if you want to really under the supervision of the legal guardian.

But if you can give me that type of direction, we'll know what to bring back for council.

Fair enough.

I would think with a legal guardian would be um my preference.

I know if anyone else has an opinion.

I I do Hall's arted your follow up.

Yeah, thank you, Mayor.

Um I I hear where you're coming from, um Councilman Wilson.

A thought I would have would be if there's a parent or legal guardian in the group.

I don't, you know, if it's two friends, I don't think our intent is to stop one friend from from being there.

Um, but I also understand we don't want like the 18-year-old, you know, kid watching, their brother or sister.

So maybe if you know, if that's helpful, that's just my input on that.

So perhaps we could limit the scope to A and I don't know how technical we're gonna want to get right.

Counselor just to refrain, we're talking about a law that has to be enforced, so the technicalities are important for us, you know.

Um, but what I'm hearing is that council is directing staff to bring back an ordinance for consideration that provides an exception for class one and class two e-bikes uh for persons under the uh above the age of 12 or older, up to the age of uh, I guess 15 because 16 is already legal, to be able to ride in the presence of a legal guardian of one of the people in the group.

Is that sound like what you're directing?

Um that would work, Mr.

DeSanto.

Councilwoman Gibson, did you have a follow-up?

I I think so.

I'm just trying to rem Thank you, Mayor.

I'm trying to remember from the previous meeting that Chief Aries said the age was put in there based on state law.

So I guess my concern with this would be whether we are trying to do something that would be less stringent than state law.

Counselor, I'd have to look at that to be sure.

Again, we we did put it at 16 and 0 in part because of the roadway um and and the operation of the high uh powered vehicles.

Um yeah, we we couldn't uh trump state law on that.

So I'm not certain.

It looks like the deputy chief may have some information.

Sure.

So as a file, my concern with the hands on the air is just I guess process, whether we're asking staff to bring back information or bring back the change into the ordinance the next one.

So my preference would be information to clear that up.

I guess if Mr.

DeSanto takes a look, sees that it's not violating state law.

Yep.

Deputy Chief deserves Zabrozic's over there, so we're gonna I am not an e-bor e-bike expert, but I do believe the uh the e-bike ordinance was 16, like uh Mr.

DeSantis said, due to the rules of the road knowledge of the riders.

Uh I I think the 16 that is the law is related to the e-scooters.

Councilwoman Gibson.

So that's a helpful point.

Do we want to make this change for scooters and bikes?

Councilman Wilson.

Yeah, let's do it.

Oh now we're getting a hand wave.

Um sorry, Deputy Chief Zabrozic.

I I believe that it's illegal for uh I have to verify again, uh, but I believe it's illegal to ride e-scooters under the age of 16 by the law.

Okay.

Uh could I offer a suggestion, Councilman?

And that would be to direct the professional staff to bring back an ordinance that would potentially or ordinance modification that would potentially offer uh the ability for people 12 and over to ride with a um adult or a parent or guardian, yeah, as long as it's compliant with the state law, and it's only for class one or two.

That would work.

Can you fit that on, Mr.

DeSanto?

We'll do our best.

Okay.

Uh now you're looking for hands in the air of support for that request.

Okay, so it looks like nine hands in the air are supportive of the request.

Councilman Alzar.

Um thank you, Mayor.

Uh I'm looking at Mr.

Krieger and Mr.

DeSanto.

Um, I think several council members, including me, telegraphed earlier some of the things we might be looking for with regard to immigration.

Um, as far as the timeline, um, what would be a good meeting for staff to come back to us?

Um, would that be like one of the May meetings, perhaps?

Uh, don't want to rush rather of quality than speed.

Yeah, Mr.

Krieger.

Uh yeah, you know, with um with this with this one, uh, because um there are a lot of little nuances, um, would prefer to have it be a May meeting as opposed to our next meeting.

Okay.

Um, thank you.

That's helpful.

Um, just to give folks in the crowd an idea of um what would be out there, and then just in terms of public communication, um, we would publish an agenda before that meeting on Wednesday, and um the staff report would be fully visible to all members of the public, correct?

Okay, so um I'm very open to feedback from uh folks on the dice.

I actually wasn't necessarily planning on being the one that brought this up, but it it kind of played out that way, I guess.

Um so my request would be that staff um do two things first.

Um my request would be that staff um do two things first, um, come to us with information, and it in the same meeting also come to us with a menu of potential options with regard to this issue.

So information we'd be looking for.

One would be a clear summary of the legal landscape and Naperville's history.

Um so things that come to mind would be the creation of general order, uh, the general order within the police department about this, Mayor Cherico's um uh mayoral proclamation with regard to this, that uh Mr.

Okay, the 20 um 17 discussion of the issue, all of that if that can sort of be brief to council.

Um as far as a menu of options, um, I would like to see a legal breakdown of the ordinance language that was proposed by the residents.

Um, so you know if there's things that staff says, yeah, we have no problem with this, or things that they say.

Yeah, we we do think the city to Councilman Kelly's point would have no way of defending this in court or something like that.

Um that'd be helpful to know.

Um other things in the menu of options would be ways to better educate the public, use social media, publish things we're already doing.

Um, also options for us to make um sort of a moral statement as a council uh on the issue, you know, beyond just any kind of ordinance that regulates things, just a statement about our position morally.

Um, and I don't know if there's anything else.

I see councilwoman Jane potentially might have other things she would want, but those are just some of the things that I I have, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Jane, additional.

Uh yeah, some other things that I was thinking about that um that was listed in the ordinance, and I'm wondering if it didn't reside in an ordinance, could it reside somewhere else?

I mean, there was this uh ask for some sort of documentation um of public property being used for staging.

Is that something we could document and share?

And if so, um, what might that look like?

Um, other possibilities as how might we partner with the community to provide trainings um or empower influencers to become trainers?

I mean, just there just seems like there could be a lot of things.

I'm not sure what what would be within our scope of work, but um certainly many of the things that um councilman Holtzauer talked about, but really what are ways we can strengthen our messaging and our clarity um to reassure and find ways to build trust?

And that's it's a really broad, it's a broad way to ask.

Uh, but I I would love to hear from staff what thoughts they might have that might help us achieve this objective.

Okay, councilman, you're looking for hands in the air.

Um, yes, Mayor, thank you.

And with the addition of councilwoman Jane's um points, especially with regard to training.

That was actually on my list tonight.

I just skipped over.

Councilman McBroom question.

Sure.

Just for um Mr.

Krager, uh, are you clear on what you is being asked of of the staff?

I just want to Mr.

Krieger.

Uh let me give you a summary of um of what I'm hearing.

Um we would bring back um uh kind of a little historical information uh going going back to the uh the the um welcoming uh city proclamation um bring everybody up to speed, provide some menu options uh with respect to um methods of communication uh education um options uh of how to make public information if not in an ordinance, uh, and then also some ideas with respect to training the community.

Sorry, just a real quick follow-up, but I'll be done.

Go ahead, council.

Is this something that you would consider burdensome or really time consuming or could you give an idea of how much time this would take?

Uh you know, my time it would not be burdensome, uh, but I worry about uh some of the other folks in the room, uh mostly um uh our legal department uh with Mr.

DeSanto.

So um, you know, I'd uh would really like to get his his view on um level of effort for this, Mr.

DeSanto.

You know, I I don't think maybe's unreasonable.

I don't know that we'll meet council's very high expectations on this or the communities.

Um, you know, I do have concerns about what the municipal role is in this space.

Uh there are lots and lots of other resources out there from people who, in my opinion, are better uh versed at being able to provide this type of guidance uh to residents or uh citizens of the United States and uh people who are here about these uh issues, but I can provide you with what uh uh I think you may want to hear, and then you can make some decisions based on that if that if that seems okay to everyone.

Okay.

Um hands in air of support of Councilman Holzauer and Councilwoman Jane's request.

Okay, nine hands in the air.

Any other new business?

Hearing none, may I have a motion to adjourn?

Motion to adjourn.

Councilman Kelly.

Second Kelly.

All those in favor sign aye.

Aye.

We are adjourned.