Joseph Marchese

The meeting covered new business, primarily concerning a petition (PZC-25-1) for a plat of subdivision at 2220 Manning Road to split a 2.27-acre lot into two 1.1-acre lots within the Single Family Residence (R-2) District. Discussion included compliance with City Engineer and DuPage County environmental commission reviews, wetland delineation, and the future possibility of single-family home construction. The petition was unanimously approved and forwarded to the Municipal Services Committee. Staff updates covered future code enforcement reporting, the status of commercial vehicle regulations, an inactive petition on Fairview, and updates on ongoing commercial and residential development projects, including the anticipated opening of Burlington and architectural updates for Culver's. It was also noted that due to business closures, two liquor licenses would become available.

The meeting convened for the review, discussion, Q&A, and consensus on the fiscal year 2027 budget, which was a collaborative effort by the mayor, administrator, treasurer, and city staff. The agenda for this meeting focused on commencing the review with department budgets, starting with the City Council, followed by administrative, community development, streets, and capital projects. A significant portion of the discussion involved the compensation levels for elected officials, specifically the aldermen, mayor, clerk, and treasurer, and whether to initiate a review or potential increase to stipends that had not been adjusted for many years. The goal is to conclude the budget review over two meetings to allow for a subsequent public hearing and City Council vote.

The agenda for the City Council Regular Meeting includes a Pre-Council Work Session focused on reviewing items from the February 17, 2026 agenda. Key discussion items for the Regular Meeting involve receiving communications, reports from the Mayor (including a proclamation for Arbor Day and recognition of the 2026 Citizen of the Year), City Clerk, City Administrator, and Department Heads. The agenda features significant consideration items under the Consent Agenda, such as authorizing contracts with Builders Paving, LLC for the 2026 Street Program, an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cass School District 63 for paving reimbursement, awarding contracts for landscape fertilization, temporarily waiving building permit fees, executing an Intergovernmental Agreement with DuPage County for mowing, purchasing a Dodge Durango vehicle, amending liquor license limits, and various zoning/plat approvals. New Business includes motions to abate previously levied taxes and approving the 2026 Summer Concert Series.

The meeting included a preceding work session to review the agenda items. Key discussions involved addressing traffic concerns along South Frontage Road and coordinating an update to the City Ordinance regarding the disbandment of the Auxiliary Police. The Mayor issued a proclamation declaring January 19, 2026, as Darien Garden Club Day in recognition of their 25th Anniversary. The Council concurred with the recommendation to award Deborah Uhlar the title of 2026 Citizen of the Year, and recognized several other volunteer clubs and organization honorees. Departmental reports covered the City's Water Main Infrastructure, including analysis from Utah State University and review of water main breaks from 2020-2025. Financial matters included the approval of two warrant payments (Warrant Numbers 25-26-17 and 25-26-18) and a review of the December 2025 monthly financial report. The Consent Agenda included a motion to purchase ammunition and an ordinance authorizing the sale of personal property. Committee reports scheduled future meetings for budget workshops and reviews of commercial parking regulations.

The meeting addressed proposed text amendments to Title 5A (Zoning Regulations) concerning commercial vehicle parking restrictions on private property, including special amortization periods for existing vehicles like military vehicles. The committee unanimously approved several proposals related to water system maintenance, including contracts with Ferguson Waterworks for repair clamps and utility tools, Water Products Company for valves and hydrant parts, Underground Pipe & Valve, Company for brass fittings and Clow hydrants, EJ USA, Inc. for East Jordan hydrants and parts, and an extension for tipping and transfer fees with 119th St Materials. Further approvals included the 2026 Sidewalk, Apron, Curb and Gutter Removal and Replacement Program Contract with Suburban Concrete, Inc., the purchase and installation of Grundfos Machine Health sensors and software, agreements for wetland management and monitoring at Tara Hill and the Dale Road Basin, the purchase of water quality analyzers from HACH Company, an extension for irrigation system maintenance with Sprinklers, Inc., acceptance of a proposal for sidewalk grinding from Hard Rock Concrete Cutters, Inc., approval of the 2026 Zoning Map, authorization for the disposal of surplus property, and the purchase of a heavy-duty diagnostics scanner. The committee also authorized the extension of the 2026 Crack Fill Program contract and approved an ordinance amending traffic regulations to prohibit left turns from the Lyman Avenue exit of the Darien Towne Centre. Finally, a proposal for lighting upgrades at City entrance signs was accepted, and the committee approved the minutes from the November 24, 2025 meeting.