Naperville City Council Meeting – August 18, 2026
Naperville City Council Meeting – August 18, 2026
The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers for a regular meeting that ran until approximately 9:56 PM (following a closed session that began at 6:30 PM). The agenda included a consent agenda (with two items pulled for separate discussion), public hearings, old business, presentations, and new business. Key decisions included approval of the Parkside Road annexation (9-0), advancing a ban on retail Kratom sales to a second reading (9-0), and authorizing three new staff positions (9-0). The council also received the 2026 National Community Survey results and the fourth electric utility option (sale of the utility). Public comment featured 12 speakers during the public forum and additional speakers on the Kratom ordinance and electric utility topics.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (9-0) after removing items I-10 and I-23 for separate discussion. The consent agenda included: cash disbursements of $52,872,545.70; meeting minutes of July 21, 2026; council meeting schedule for Sept.–Nov. 2026; year-to-date investment and budget reports; appointments to various boards; contract awards for winter operations ($465,000), cartage services ($280,000), software maintenance ($159,135.86), change orders for water main improvements ($343,347.75) and SPX Flow parts ($50,000); emergency salt procurement ($454,000); snow removal RFQ ($468,780); acceptance of Hidden Creek improvements; a fence variance at 1800 S. Washington Street; the John Greene Commercial development package (5 items); a late-night permit cap increase to 23; a no-parking zone on Hillside Road; new fee parking at 333 Center Street; the 2026 Water Street Long Table Dinner; mutual aid agreements; and the amended School Resource Officer agreement with District 203.
- I-10 (Roof Repairs): Pulled by Councilwoman Gibson over fund allocation. Council approved the $136,355 award to Garland/DBS Inc. with funding for the Van Buren parking deck repairs moved to the downtown parking fund (9-0). Staff will provide a five-year history of garage maintenance funding.
- I-23 (Kratom Ban): Pulled for public hearing. Eight speakers testified. Council voted 9-0 to waive first reading and hold the ordinance for final action at the September 1, 2026 meeting (first reading only). Four statements of opposition and six written comments were posted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Environment/Sustainability (NEST): Ted Bullard and Teresa Huss (NEST volunteers) criticized the city’s decision to sever ties with task forces, calling for transparency and emphasizing climate threats. Joe Huss proposed a 10 MW battery (cost ~$7M, payback under 3 years) and demand response enrollment.
- Naperville Ridge Annexation (Parkside Road): Rita Trionis and Scott Lee opposed development, citing 2,700 petition signatures, insufficient wetland studies, endangered species, and over 2,100 trees. They urged council to vote no. (No vote on annexation itself; Parkside Road annexation items were on the consent agenda and passed 9-0.)
- Kratom Ban: Supporters (Kelly Douglas, Ari Bernstein, Ashley Ware, Jim Surick) highlighted addiction risks, overdose deaths, and marketing near schools. Opponents (Colin Zubaric, Michael Fisano, Dr. Heidi Saikora, Isla Webster) argued for a distinction between natural leaf and synthetic 7-OH, advocating regulation over prohibition. Police Chief reported four overdose incidents (one fatal) in four months; Fire Chief noted no significant call trends.
- Electric Utility: Multiple speakers (Teresa Huss, Joe Huss, Richard Stark, John Doyle, Tim Fredo, Larry Colash) criticized the IMEA contract, presented alternatives (market participation, battery storage, clean energy contracts), and questioned the accuracy of staff’s cost and reliability comparisons. Judith McGowan spoke in favor of renewing with IMEA. Bias the Kerr (high school student) urged ending coal-based energy.
- Other: Bill Simon (Naperville Preservation Inc.) presented economic benefits of historic preservation; Ashley Penick questioned public access to NCTV; John Doyle advocated a low-income electricity rate ($3.20/month).
Discussion Items
- Polco 2026 National Community Survey Presentation: Nick Mastronardi presented results. Highlights: 96% rated Naperville excellent/good for raising children (97th percentile), 95% as a place to live, 90% safety in neighborhood. 103 of 123 categories were higher than the national benchmark. 18% of trends were downward (vs. 2% upward) since 2023, notably in employment opportunities, affordable child care, and bicycle/public transit ease. 73% of residents said sustainability should be a high priority. The double-barreled sustainability question (combining importance and cost tolerance) drew criticism from speaker John Doyle; presenters committed to review. Council members asked about parking, bike plan (TAB review Sept./Oct., council by year-end), and follow-up surveys.
- Electric Utility Option 4 – Sale of the Utility: City Manager Doug Krieger presented a staff analysis comparing Naperville rates to ComEd rates from 2016–2026, showing greater stability for Naperville. Reliability (SAIDI/SAIFI) was noted as superior due to underground lines and responsive crews. Staff cautioned that sale would eliminate local control, likely raise rates, and could take at least five years. Council members (Kelly, McBroom, Wilson) expressed that sale is the least attractive option. Councilman Holzhauer flagged a 21% under-recovery of costs by NEU, supported by data showing cash reserves dropped from $38M to $8.9M (2011–2015). The council concurred with the proposed agenda for the September 28 strategy workshop (no formal vote needed).
- Staffing Increase: Marilyn Schweitzer spoke in support but asked whether new hires would primarily serve economic development (NDP) or broader needs. Council approved 9-0 to authorize three additional full-time staff in Transportation, Engineering and Development.
Key Outcomes
- Kratom Ban: First reading passed 9-0; final vote set for September 1, 2026.
- Parkside Road Annexation: All five ordinances (annexation agreement, annexation, rezoning to R1A, preliminary/final plat) passed 9-0.
- CityGate II (L items): Major change to PUD, final plat, conditional use for multifamily, and setback deviation all passed 9-0.
- Roof Repairs (I-10): Approved with funding from downtown parking fund (9-0).
- Staff Increase: Authorized (9-0).
- New Business (informal show of hands): Council supported three staff follow-ups: (1) review of native landscaping ordinance (Gibson), (2) business case for battery storage and demand response within 90 days (White), (3) accident data and traffic safety analysis for Ogden/Washington construction area (Kelly). Also supported investigating potential animal abuse from “Puppy Yoga Club” events (Holzhauer).
- Electric Utility Workshop: Council received the sale presentation and confirmed the Sept. 28 workshop agenda (no vote required).
- Polco Survey: Received; no formal action.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by motion (White/Kelly) after approximately three hours.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the August 18th Naperville City Council meeting, roll call. Orly? Here. Gibson. Here. Hold Tower. Here. Jane. Here. Kelly. Here. McBroom? Here. Cyan. Yep. Wayne. Here. Wilson. Here. Please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic. Indivisible liberty adjustment for all. Our first item is public forum. I'd like to remind men and everyone of the citizen participation rules in the city's municipal code for speaking at city council meetings. Speakers are asked to present their comments in a respectful and courteous manner. Speakers should stay on topic and be cognizant of their words. Personal attacks on council members, staff, other speakers, or members of the audience are not allowed. If inappropriate language or comments are expressed during this meeting, you will be asked immediately to stop commenting. Also, for audience members, there is no cheering and no juring. Actions such as applauding, cheering, finger stamping, booing, or any other noises during or at the conclusion of any remarks made by any speaker are not allowed. If this occurs, you will be asked to stop immediately. If it continues to persist, I will recess the meeting until the audience abides by the rules in our city code. No speaker should ever feel intimidated by the crowd. Audience disruption is meant to intimidate those speaking, and I will not allow it in the chambers. Audience members with signs, the signs must not block any other audience members' view. Speakers are given three minutes to address the council to help speakers stay within the three minute time frame. We have a timer located on the side and 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 we 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. Also, when your name is called, please come and have a seat in the first row. Mrs. Schatz, please call the first speakers. There's one written comment that was posted to the website. We have 12 speakers. The first four speakers are Ted Bullard, Teresa Huss, Joe Huss, and Richard Stark. If you heard your name called, please go ahead and proceed to the front row.
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