Naperville City Council Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Naperville City Council met on July 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public forum, consent agenda (with two items pulled for separate discussion), public hearings, award of bids, financial reports, an electric utility presentation, and new business. Key decisions included approvals for the Bauer Road Duplexes annexation and development, and a directive to prepare budget projections that eliminate the 1% grocery tax offset by a home rule sales tax increase.

Consent Calendar

• Approved cash disbursements of $42,355,124.01 for June 2026.
• Approved minutes of the June 16, 2026 meeting.
• Approved the City Council meeting schedule for August, September, and October 2026.
• Approved appointments to various boards and commissions.
• Approved multiple procurement awards and change orders (items 5-14, 16-18).
• Item I-16 (beekeeping ordinance) and I-19 (street naming) were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Norman Jerome (Naperville): Requested the city consider hosting ALPR data internally rather than with Flock Security, citing data security and profit motives. Supported evaluating alternative vendors for 2027 budget.
• Astha Savalia (Naperville Accelerate Climate Solutions): Urged climate action, noting heatwaves, wildfire smoke, and sea-level rise. Praised community efforts but called for municipal climate action and resilience plan (CARP).
• John Doyle (Naperville): Presented data arguing Naperville Electric has been under-recovering costs and is more expensive than ComEd on a full-cost basis. Advocated for rate corrections and opposed IMEA extension.
• Adi Julka (Naperville Central High School): Supported creating a Climate Action and Resilience Plan, noting Naperville lags other Illinois cities. Emphasized need for sustainability in electricity decisions.
• Patrick Hughes (Naperville): Supported renewing IMEA contract but warned of looming capacity shortfalls and blackouts as early as 2027. Criticized city for not inviting NCTV to cover Affordable Naperville town hall and questioned taxpayer subsidy of NCTV.
• Bob Carlson (Naperville): Criticized excessive government entities in Illinois, high taxes, and pension underfunding. Contrasted Illinois with Florida's lower taxes.
• Dhwani Varun (Aurora): Suggested cleaner alternatives to IMEA, including purchasing from NextEra and Constellation, virtual power plants, and solar farms. Advised diversifying energy portfolio.
• John Shindler (Naperville): Supported renewed attention to historic preservation, including a dedicated city employee, updating historic district goals, and increasing landmark designations. Noted proximity to Naperville's bicentennial.
• Robert Jungels (Naperville): Complained about construction quality (early morning noise, damaged driveway, inferior concrete), speeding on Royal St. George, drug activity at Nike Park, and sewer overcapacity due to new developments.
• Joseph Hus (Naperville – NEST): Discussed air quality and climate change, linked wildfires to human-caused climate change. Supported city's environmental task force and urged considering risk in energy contracts.
• Stephanie Jacks (Naperville): Highlighted trees blocking stop signs and traffic signals, creating safety hazards. Submitted photos of obscured signs on North Avenue and Washington Street.
• Rita Treonis (Naperville): Raised concerns about omitted tree and wetland data at the June 3 PZC hearing for Pulte Naperville Ridge development. Over 1,300 residents signed a petition against the development.
• Ted Bourlard (Naperville – NEST): Defended NEST against accusations of misleading public on coal generation share. Cited IMEA contract and Clean Energy Alliance data showing 77-78% coal generation in recent years.
• Criticism of task forces: Councilman McBroom questioned the city's recognition of task forces (Accessible Community Task Force, NEST, Senior Task Force). City Attorney DiSanto explained that task forces are private groups without formal city policy, and web pages will be removed by October 1 to treat them as other nonprofits.
• Beekeeping Ordinance (I-16): Several speakers opposed the proposed amendments:
  • Chong Yi (Naperville): Opposed, arguing amendments lack scientific basis and create unnecessary burdens. Noted beekeeping benefits for veterans.
  • Robert W. Fieseler, Sr. (Naperville): Suggested revisions: retain 5-foot setback, allow natural barriers, simplify neighbor notification (replace certified mail). Submitted FOIA request to Illinois Department of Agriculture.
  • Janine Yi (Naperville): Opposed, citing lack of beekeeper input and that setback won't stop bees from foraging.
  • Darrell Hanson (Naperville): Supported amendments, describing severe bee issues from neighbor's hives. Gathered 26 signatures from neighbors; two households carry EpiPens.
  • Simone Schuppan (Naperville - Fox Valley Beekeepers Assoc.): Urged council to get complaint and enforcement data before changing ordinance. Favors outcome-based standards.
• Bauer Road Duplexes (Public Hearing): Only one speaker (Robert Jungels) opposed, citing sewer overcapacity. Petitioner Caitlin Csuk (Rosanova and Whitaker) described the project: three duplexes (6 units) as extension of Park Place townhomes, with access via Mill Street and Bower Road, excess parking, no variances sought.
• Electric Utility Presentation (O-3): Speakers included:
  • John Doyle (Naperville): Advocated for a rate stabilization fund, noting missed opportunities to build reserves earlier.
  • Joseph Hus (Naperville – NEST): Suggested using commercial firms for energy management rather than city staff; emphasized risk from climate liability lawsuits due to IMEA's coal plants.
  • James Fillar (Naperville): Noted increasing wholesale electricity price volatility and capacity shortfalls predicted by PJM and Exelon. Questioned wisdom of leaving IMEA during such market instability.

Discussion Items

• Beekeeping Ordinance Amendments (I-16): Council held first reading. Staff (Director Louden) reported only one complaint in 2025 and two others in past decade. Code enforcement and Illinois Dept. of Ag visited Hanson's neighbor and found compliance. Council members expressed uncertainty about the need for amendments. They directed staff to work with interested parties, consider natural barriers as alternative, and evaluate negative impacts on beekeepers. Staff will bring the matter back in August or early September.
• Douglas Avenue Designation (I-19): John Miller (Geneva) spoke in honor of his father, Robert L. Miller, a WWII veteran and longtime Naperville teacher. Council unanimously approved designating Douglas Avenue between Webster and Washington as “Sgt. Robert L. Miller Commemorative Way.” Vote: 8-0 (White excused).
• Bauer Road Duplexes (J-1 through J-6): Public hearing reconvened, closed, and council considered six ordinances. Councilman Kelly, who had voted against the adjoining townhomes, supported this project due to nicer elevations and no density variance. All six ordinances passed 9-0:
  • Authorize Annexation Agreement
  • Annex property
  • Rezone to TU (Transitional Use)
  • Approve Preliminary/Final Plat of Subdivision
  • Approve variance
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (O-1): Brian LeFevre (Sikich CPA) presented clean audit opinion for FY2025. City received GFOA certificates for 32nd consecutive year. Funded ratios: IMRF 103%, Police pension 89%, Fire pension 89% (vs. state avg ~50%). Received and accepted.
• 2026 Mid-Year Financial Report (O-2): Deputy Finance Director Marrocco reported revenues up 4% over 2025, expenses trending at or below budget. Strong revenue growth in sales tax, income tax, and building permits. Grocery tax collections improving monthly but still below projections due to initial non-compliance by retailers. City expects $6.5-7 million in grocery tax revenue for 2026. Staff noted strong financial position allows flexibility for emergency expenses (e.g., June storms).
• Electric Utility Presentation – Market Participation without Asset Ownership (O-3): City Manager Krieger presented option #3. Key points: requires $24 million deposit to PJM, $15+ million rate stabilization fund, new staffing or outsourced energy management. Exposure to market volatility and capacity penalties. Examples: Winter Storm Uri (CPS Energy $1B loss), Winter Storm Elliott ($2B PJM penalties). South Sioux City (NE) uses private vendor. Council asked for more local comparisons (Springfield, Geneva, Batavia). Next month will cover sale of electric utility and September workshop agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Beekeeping Ordinance (I-16): First reading held; council directed staff to gather more data and work with stakeholders; return in August or September. No final vote.
• Douglas Avenue Renaming (I-19): Passed 8-0.
• Bauer Road Duplexes (J-1 to J-6): All six ordinances passed 9-0.
• Award of Bids (M-1 to M-3): Approved 9-0:
  • Tollway 34kV Switchgear Building to Granite Construction Co. ($3,964,772 + 3% contingency)
  • 138kV Hitachi Circuit Breakers to Wesco, Inc. ($1,693,102)
  • South 40 Traffic Improvements to Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc. ($1,066,912.11 + 3% contingency)
• Financial Reports (O-1, O-2): Received; no further action.
• Electric Utility Presentation (O-3): Received; staff to provide additional comparisons; next presentation in August.
• New Business: Councilman Holzhauer proposed a show of hands on eliminating the 1% grocery tax, replacing lost revenue with an increase in the home rule sales tax. Three council members indicated support; staff directed to prepare 2027 budget projections including this option.