Naperville City Council Meeting Summary – May 5, 2026

The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public forum, approval of a consent agenda, award of bids, confirmation of the 2031 Bicentennial Committee Tri-Chairs, an electric utility presentation on joint action agencies, and new business items. The meeting recessed from 8:19 PM to 8:25 PM and adjourned at 9:08 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of April 21, 2026.
• Approved the City Council meeting schedule for May, June, and July 2026.
• Approved appointments to various boards and commissions.
• Approved Cooperative Procurement 26-108 for Fire Department Vehicle Replacements (Units 303, 307 and 345) to Currie Motors Fleet for an amount not to exceed $150,021.
• Approved Bid 26-012, 2026 Sidewalk Trip Hazard Removal, to Hard Rock Concrete Cutters for an amount not to exceed $236,754 plus a 5% contingency.
• Approved Bid 26-035, Mill Street Lighting Project, to Utility Dynamics Corporation for an amount not to exceed $380,770 plus a 5% contingency.
• Approved Bid 26-090, 2026 Small Diameter Sanitary Main Line Rehabilitation, to Performance Pipelining, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $854,347 plus a 3% contingency.
• Approved Bid 26-101, Police Department Evidence Area Remodel, to Construction, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $579,000 plus a 3% contingency.
• Approved Change Order #1 to Option Year #2 of Contract 23-070, Design Build Pollinator and Native Vegetation Program, to V3 Construction Group for an amount not to exceed $72,000 and a total award of $397,000.
• Passed an ordinance granting variances to Sections 5-10-3:4.3.2, 5-10-3:5.2.4, and 6-6E-7 of the Naperville Municipal Code for 595 W 5th Avenue and 601 W 5th Avenue (Naperville CUSD 203 Transportation Building) - DEV-0166-2025.
• Passed an ordinance granting a variance to the corner side yard setback to permit an addition to the principal structure at 32 South Columbia St. - DEV-0001-2026.
• Passed an ordinance approving the final plat of subdivision and the Owner’s Acknowledgement and Acceptance for Everly Trace - DEV-0176-2025.
• Passed an ordinance to establish temporary traffic controls and issue Special Event and Amplifier permits for the 2026 Downtown Naperville Car Show on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
• Passed an ordinance approving the transfer of the 2026 Volume Cap in the amount of $20,671,740 to the Town of Normal.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing execution of a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Naperville and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council for the Naperville Police Department Detention Officers.

All consent agenda items were approved by a 9-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of 360 Youth Services: Seven members (Sarah, Mannat, Rayna C, Rayna S, Antara, Ashrita) provided updates on the Youth Advisory Committee, focusing on substance use prevention, mental health awareness, and National Prevention Week (May 10–16, 2026). They highlighted their video PSAs, social media campaigns (a prescription medication campaign received over 1,039,763 impressions), and in-school events.
• John Doyle (Naperville resident): Discussed affordable electricity, proposing a two-phase approach: a Naperville-specific affordability assessment and a non-binding advisory question on the November 2026 ballot. He expressed disappointment at the lack of structured public engagement on the electricity contract.
• Signe C. Gleeson (Naperville resident): Expressed support for adopting a due process and municipal property use ordinance to protect immigrants from ICE activities. She requested the council place the draft ordinance on the May 19, 2026 agenda for a public hearing.
• Ted Bourlard (Naperville NEST): Addressed misinformation from Affordable Naperville regarding IMEA's coal contract. He argued that Illinois state law (CEJA) does not require IMEA to be carbon-free by 2050 because IMEA’s coal plants are in Kentucky, and IMEA's 2050 net-zero vision is not binding.
• Bill Simon (Naperville Preservation Inc.): Celebrated May as National Historic Preservation Month, noted the completion of the Don Tosi architectural survey (partially funded through SECA), and highlighted the recent landmark designation of the Bidelman Furniture Store and the First Congregational Church.
• Robert Jungels (Naperville resident): Raised concerns about speeding in the Cress Creek neighborhood (cars at 50–60 mph, two Teslas at 90 mph), drug activity at Nike Park, and e-bikes riding dangerously through parks. He requested increased police enforcement.
• Santos Chaparro (Naperville, RiverPlace Condominiums Board): Reported six confirmed e-bike collisions with vehicles and several near misses at the intersection of Aurora Avenue and West Street over the past year. He requested the city evaluate the intersection for safety improvements.
• Ashley Penick (Naperville resident, member of Affordable Naperville): Submitted written comments on sustainability issues.
• Written comment from Joseph Geraci (Naperville, Sedgewick Community): Requested the council reconsider, stay, or modify the April 7, 2026 approval of The Atlas development (236 units, five stories at 2939 Audrey Avenue) due to concerns about access, traffic, parking, and pedestrian safety. He stated residents may retain a land-use attorney.
• Written comment from Santos Chaparro (Naperville): Submitted a detailed written statement reiterating his e-bike safety concerns.

Discussion Items

• Awards and Recognitions: Councilman McBroom presented proclamations for Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2026) and the 34th Annual Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive Day (May 9, 2026).
• Public Forum Discussion: Council members thanked the YAC and discussed several topics:
  • HB5626 (The Build Act): Mayor Wehrli expressed opposition, stating it would mandate density without affordability, allow up to eight units on single-family lots by right, and override home rule authority.
  • Traffic control device on Jefferson Avenue near Target on Route 59: City Manager Doug Krieger stated staff supports signalization, the Brixmor property group has committed funds, but Target does not believe it is necessary. The city could proceed via a Special Service Area (SSA) requiring support from three of four affected property owners.
  • E-bike concerns on Aurora Avenue: Police Chief Jason Arres stated the department will follow up with the traffic section and emphasized community responsibility in educating children on e-bike rules.
  • Speeding in Cress Creek: Director of TED Jennifer Louden said the area has been reviewed before; staff will check when data was last collected and work with police on education and possible data collection. She noted the majority of speeders were local residents.
• Item M2 – Fire Station #4 Improvements: City Manager Krieger requested the item be removed from the agenda and brought back at a future date. Council voted 9-0 to remove.
• Item O1 – 2031 Bicentennial Committee Tri-Chairs: Stacey Fontechia, Atusa Freyer, and Paul Hinterlong introduced themselves as the selected tri-chairs. Deputy City Manager Pam Gallahue explained the selection process: applications opened January through February, 11 candidates interviewed, final selections made in April. Council voted 9-0 to confirm.
• Item O2 – Electric Utility Presentation on Joint Action Agencies (JAAs): Director Brian Groth presented options: creating a new JAA (Option 1A) or joining an existing JAA (Option 1B). Key points:
  • Naperville’s current greenhouse gas emissions were compared to surrounding communities; with IMEA, emissions are 30% higher than the PJM average.
  • Creating a new JAA would require 20–30 staff, high financial risk, and loss of some autonomy.
  • Joining an existing JAA would reduce risk but require mutually agreeable terms and likely a premium payment.
  • Battery storage cost recovery has improved significantly; payback period reduced from 14 years to about 3 years.
  • Council discussed flexibility, infrastructure requirements, pseudo-tie feasibility, and Naperville's size (approx. 350 MW load, mid-sized).
  • Council directed staff to continue the presentation series; the next presentation (June 2) will cover market participation with asset ownership.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Award of Bid 26-011 (Sidewalk and Curb Maintenance): Approved to Everlast Blacktop, Inc. for $1,122,180 plus 3% contingency (9-0).
• Fire Station #4 Improvements (Item M2): Removed from agenda by request, to return at a later date (9-0).
• 2031 Bicentennial Committee Tri-Chairs: Confirmed (9-0).
• Traffic Signal on Jefferson Avenue: Council directed staff to bring back a report on status (unanimous by hand vote).
• Future Projects, Studies, and Initiatives: Council directed staff to present the April 16, 2026 Manager’s Memorandum at the next meeting to facilitate discussion on prioritizing special studies (unanimous by hand vote).
• Electric Utility Presentation: Received; staff will present on market participation with assets on June 2, 2026.
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion carried by voice vote at 9:08 PM.