Naperville City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Naperville City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, public forum comments, and in-depth discussion and voting on several pulled agenda items including a Kratom retail ban, a happy hour ordinance, a storm sewer recapture agreement, the NorthGate of Naperville development, a $4.1 million transformer purchase, and an $8.3 million citywide camera system. The council also recognized outgoing City Clerk Don Portner and introduced incoming Clerk Miranda Barfus.

Consent Calendar

• The council voted 8-0 to use the omnibus method and approved the consent agenda after removing items I1, I9, I11, and I12. Approved items included:
  • Approval of the City Council meeting schedule for September, October, and November 2026.
  • Award of Cooperative Procurement 26-217 for Fire Station 4 garage floor restoration to Garland/DBS Inc. for $119,824.
  • Award of Cooperative Procurement 26-222 for Debtbook Financial Software to Fifth Asset Inc. for $137,326.03 for a two-year term.
  • Award of Sole Source Procurement 26-224 for Tyler PACE and Tyler Assist Basic to Tyler Technologies for $100,851.07 for a one-year term.
  • Award of Change Order #2 to Work Order 22-114-4 for engineering services for Central Elevated Water Tank Relocation to Baxter & Woodman for $8,505 and a total award of $300,647 for an additional two years.
  • Award of Change Order #1 to Contract 23-189 for PayByPhone Mobile Application to PaybyPhone Technologies for $51,000 for a six-month term.
  • Award of Change Order #1 to Contract 24-197 for Architectural and Engineering Services to Kluber Inc. for $52,800 (total award $1,332,800).
  • Ordinance establishing temporary traffic controls for the Naperville Central High School Marching Band Competition on October 10, 2026.
  • Resolution approving prior unapproved closed session minutes and designating certain minutes as non-restricted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shannon Cotrell (resident) expressed deep concern about school bus routes for elementary students, stating her children face a 2-hour-15-minute bus ride to Bethany Lutheran School. She questioned student safety and suggested the district may be trying to reduce ridership to meet carbon action goals. The mayor and council expressed sympathy and noted they had contacted the school superintendent.
• John Doyle (resident) questioned the city's utility rate-setting practices, arguing that undercharging now implies future overcharging. He stated that energy procurement cost is not the driver of lower rates; rather, it is operational policy. He provided a comparison showing his IMEA power costs are higher than ComEd's, even though his total bill is lower.
• Bob Carlson (resident) criticized climate alarmism, stating that past predictions have not come true. He argued that natural gas prices are 60% lower than 20 years ago and that the city's current power provider offers attractively priced long-term contracts, delivering 20-30% lower prices than ComEd. He urged a reasonable approach to environmental mandates.
• Joe Huss (resident) recommended the city agree on a vision for energy before comparing options. He suggested hiring an expert advisor to support decision-making, noting that the MDR RFP schedule may have been too tight. He proposed criteria categories for evaluation.
• Scott Lee (resident) opposed the proposed Naperville Ridge development, citing unidentified wetlands on the property. He reported that an online petition against the project had grown from 2,700 to over 3,100 signatures in two weeks.
• Tim Farrito (resident) compared the actual 2025 financials of Naperville Electric to the UFS rate study projections, showing actual net income was $21.7 million better than projected, cash position improved by $13 million, and debt coverage ratio was far higher. He argued that discussing a 24% correction factor is premature.
• Richard Phillips and Patricia Fister (residents at 643 and 633 Willow Road) opposed the storm sewer recapture agreement (Item I9). Phillips stated the agreement would burden neighbors who did not cause the flooding with nearly two-thirds of the cost, and that this is the city's first such agreement. Fister noted her parents have lived there since 1957 and that the Patel house was built with known water issues, calling the cost allocation backwards.
• John Doyle (on Item I1) requested a motion to amend the August 18 minutes to include statements about the utility situation.
• Multiple speakers on Kratom (Item I11):
  • John Doyle asked to table the ban, stating it is a public health issue beyond the council's expertise and that the DEA and state are acting.
  • Dr. Heidi Secora (resident) opposed the ban, stating natural Kratom leaf is the only thing that relieves her pain without life-threatening side effects. She criticized the mayor's video calling Kratom "gas station heroin" as stigmatizing.
  • Michael Fasano (resident) recommended regulation instead of prohibition, citing examples from other towns and noting the DEA recently scheduled synthetic compounds, not natural leaf.
  • Alison Smith (Director of Government Affairs, Global Kratom Coalition) urged the council to regulate rather than ban, explaining the difference between natural Kratom (less than 2% 7OH) and synthetic highly concentrated products. She stated the DEA's action targets synthetics and does not apply to traditional Kratom.
  • Marilyn Schweitzer (resident) supported regulation over prohibition, citing Ohio's approach, and asked for an ordinance that bans synthetic compounds but not natural leaf.
  • Jim Shurik (arrived late, allowed to speak by council vote 8-0) spoke as Government Relations Manager for CBD Kratom, stating his company self-regulates with age-gating and third-party testing. He argued that natural leaf Kratom is not dangerous.
• Speakers on Happy Hour (Item I12):
  • John Doyle supported lifting the ban but opposed the 7 p.m. cutoff as arbitrary.
  • Neil Malone (Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce) supported lifting the ban with the proposed framework, citing business flexibility, consistency with neighboring areas, economic impact, employee benefits, and modernization.
  • Marilyn Schweitzer supported the amendment but asked to retain sections prohibiting serving two or more drinks at once and discounts over 50%.
  • Monica Connors (Naperville Development Partnership) supported the ordinance, noting positive impacts on restaurants and tourism.
  • Christina Kitchell (Caton Commercial Real Estate Group) supported repeal, stating high rents require off-peak hour incentives to bring in customers.
• John Doyle (on Item M1, transformer purchase) asked to table the $4 million item until the utility's financial operations are better understood. He alleged that reserve drawdowns were not properly represented and that rate-setting practices have consistently deviated from consultant recommendations.
• John Doyle (on Item M2, citywide cameras) questioned the need for 270 additional cameras given high safety scores and raised transparency concerns about a consultant's report not attached to the agenda.
• Chief Aries (on Item M2) presented the camera proposal, explaining current systems are aging, the project includes replacement of 200 cameras and addition of 270 cameras based on a 2024 independent assessment by Gafari Associates. He detailed governance measures: defined city purposes, access based on need, 30-day retention, logging and auditing, and consequences for misuse.

Discussion Items

• Item I1 – Approval of August 18 Minutes: Councilman McBroom raised concerns about language in the minutes regarding the parking fund, suggesting it might set a precedent for drawing down funds for routine maintenance instead of major renovations. City Manager Krieger stated no error was made; the action was specific to elevator maintenance. After discussion, the minutes were approved 7-1 (McBroom voted no).
• Item I9 – Storm Sewer Recapture Agreement (623 Willow Road): Staff explained that the recapture is the first of its kind; the city's gap sewer program already obligates future redevelopment. The petitioner's attorney clarified it is a memorandum of conditional recapture, not a lien, and only triggers if the benefited property connects or redevelops. Councilman Alzuhair moved to amend the ordinance to limit recapture to demolition and building permit situations and eliminate interest. The motion failed 1-7. The original ordinance then failed (no further vote recorded? Actually the council then moved to next item without a final vote on the original? The transcript shows: after the amendment failed, Councilman White made a motion to pass the original? No, after the failed amendment, the roll call on the motion to pass the ordinance as amended failed. Then next item. So the recapture ordinance did not pass. It appears it was not adopted. The agenda item was to pass the ordinance, but no subsequent motion passed. So outcome: not approved.
  • Note: The transcript indicates the motion to pass the ordinance with the amendments failed 1-7. There was no further motion on the original. Therefore, the item did not pass.
• Item I11 – Kratom Retail Ban: Extensive debate. Council members expressed concerns about distinguishing synthetic from natural, enforcement difficulties, and protecting vulnerable populations. The mayor stated there have been one mitragynine death and four overdoses in Naperville this year. Councilwoman Jane and others supported the ban, citing inability to regulate adequately and need to protect youth. Councilwoman Gibson and Councilman Wilson expressed openness to revisiting once state or federal regulations draw a clearer line. The ordinance passed 8-0.
• Item I12 – Happy Hour Ordinance: The council incorporated amendments from the mayor to retain sections on prohibiting service of two or more drinks at once, requiring posted drink schedules, and capping discounts at 50%. The 7 p.m. cutoff was retained. The amended ordinance passed 8-0.
• Item J1-J5 – NorthGate of Naperville Development (Monarch Landing amendments): The public hearing was held. Petitioner Vince Rosanova presented the 25-acre, 171-townhome project with a public park, landscape buffering, and streets named after notable Napervillians (e.g., Candace Parker Drive approved in J4). The development is designed for active adults and professionals, with starting prices around $575,000. All related ordinances passed unanimously 8-0.
• Item M1 – Transformer Purchase ($4.1M): Despite John Doyle's request to table, the council approved the award to WEG Transformer USA LLC for $4,096,400 plus 3% contingency. The motion passed 8-0.
• Item M2 – Citywide Camera System ($8.3M): Extended discussion on necessity, cost, privacy, and governance. Councilman McBroom and Wilson questioned whether funds could be better used for police officers. Councilwoman Gibson requested more detail on camera locations and policies before approval. The motion to approve failed 2-6 (Worley and Holzhauer voted yes? Roll call: McBroom no, Syed no, White no, Wilson no, Worley yes, Gibson no, Holzhauer yes, Jane no).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 8-0 after removing I1, I9, I11, I12.
• Item I1 (Minutes): Approved 7-1 (McBroom dissenting).
• Item I9 (Storm Sewer Recapture): Amendment to limit recapture and eliminate interest failed 1-7; original ordinance not passed.
• Item I11 (Kratom Ban): Ordinance amending Sections 3-3 and 3-6 to prohibit retail sale of Kratom passed 8-0.
• Item I12 (Happy Hour): Ordinance passed 8-0 with amendments to retain drink limits, price posting, and 50% discount cap, and a 7 p.m. cutoff.
• Items J1-J5 (NorthGate Development): All five ordinances passed unanimously 8-0, including the fifth amendment to the annexation agreement, major PUD change, preliminary plat of subdivision (with Candace Parker Drive), and temporary marketing signs.
• Item M1 (Transformer): Award approved 8-0.
• Item M2 (Citywide Camera System): Motion to approve failed 2-6; staff may bring back with additional detail.
• Recognition: City Clerk Don Portner recognized for 10 years of service; Miranda Barfus introduced as incoming clerk.
• Road Updates: Director Lowden provided updates on Route 59 (resurfacing, ending October), DuPage Water Commission projects on Book Road (partial reopening of 75th to Rickert, 75th to 83rd by September, other sections later in fall).