Susan Bishel

This plan aims to elevate Downtown Wheaton as a premier destination district in the western Chicago region by implementing civic improvements and regulatory changes to enhance retail, office, and residential land use capture. Key strategies include developing festival streets, refining streetscape design, creating green dining alleys, establishing a central park concept, improving connectivity, optimizing parking, enhancing gateways, upgrading utilities, and implementing effective signage and wayfinding. The plan also focuses on economic development, marketing strategies, public space enhancements, environmental sustainability through improved street tree health, stormwater management, increased native planting, and promoting the area's history, culture, and art.

The Planning Session agenda included the approval of the December 8, 2025, Planning Session minutes. Key discussion items involved the proposal for a 250th Birthday Mural Wall, estimated to cost between $40,000 and $60,000, detailing a historical timeline from 1776 to 2026. The council also reviewed revisions to the Group Care Home Ordinance additions, which focuses on licensing and standards for residential dwellings serving individuals with specific needs, especially regarding staffing, safety, and resident rights. Furthermore, a draft E-Bike Ordinance was reviewed, which proposes mandatory education for operators of electric devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, e-motos), establishes operating standards including location and speed limits (15 mph on multi-use paths), and outlines prohibited acts, while making registration voluntary.

The regular meeting addressed several ordinances and resolutions. Key actions included passing an ordinance to increase the Home Rule Retailers' Occupation Tax Rate and Home Rule Service Occupation Tax Rate from 1% to 1.25%, effective July 1, 2026. Another ordinance was passed to increase the natural gas use tax rate from .03 to .05, estimated to increase costs by approximately $1.80 per month for an average household. Resolutions were adopted authorizing amendments to service agreements for library concessionaire services and executive recruitment services for the City Manager. Further resolutions authorized entering into a Municipal Gas Use Tax Collection Agreement with Nicor Gas Company and acquiring property in the Streams Subdivision for public purposes, potentially using eminent domain for the East Lake and Alpine Century parcels to convert the bodies of water into a channel. The council also approved a liquor license application and reappointed two individuals to the Police Pension Fund Board for three-year terms. Additionally, authorization was given for the purchase of three 2026 Ford Utility Interceptor Hybrid SUVs and an agreement for independent cost estimation and value engineering services related to police station renovations and a replacement fire station.

The regular City Council meeting addressed several agenda items. The Consent Agenda included the approval of the January 5, 2026, Minutes, authorizing an amendment to the Service Agreement for Food and Beverage Concessionaire Services at the Wheaton Public Library with Awake Wheaton LLC, and authorizing an agreement for Executive Recruitment Services for the City Manager with MGT impact Solutions, LLC. The Council unanimously passed an Ordinance to increase the Home Rule Retailers' Occupation Tax Rate and Home Rule Service Occupation Tax Rate, raising the local sales tax from 1% to 1.25% effective July 1, 2026. Another ordinance was passed to amend the Municipal Gas Use Tax, increasing the natural gas use rate from .03 to .05, estimated to increase the average household bill by $1.80 monthly. A resolution was adopted authorizing the execution of a Municipal Gas Use Tax Collection Agreement with Nicor Gas Company. The Council reappointed two members to the Police Pension Fund Board and authorized an agreement with CCS International, Inc. for Independent Cost Estimation and Value Engineering Services related to Police Station renovations and a replacement Fire Station. The Council also authorized the purchase of three 2026 Ford Utility Interceptor Hybrid SUVs through a cooperative purchasing program. Furthermore, ordinances were passed authorizing the acquisition, potentially through eminent domain, of specific properties in the Streams Subdivision for public purposes, aiming to convert bodies of water back into a channel. The meeting concluded with the approval of Warrant No. 912.

The City Council meeting covered several agenda items, including the authorization of Agreement No. 594 with Utility Transport Service, Inc. for Spoils Hauling Services, not to exceed $100,000. The Council also considered a first reading and passage of ordinances related to amending traffic schedules (Schedule IV, Schedules VI and VIII of Chapter 70) and ordinances concerning Home Rule Sales Tax rates and Municipal Gas Use Tax rates. Further business involved granting a rezoning and a Special Use Permit for off-street parking at 119 - 125 E. Front Street to CFXN Properties, LLC, and authorizing the acquisition, potentially via eminent domain, of property in the Streams Subdivision for conversion of East Lake into a channel. The Council also received and acted upon the Planning & Zoning Board's recommendation regarding a rear yard setback variation request for a deck at 87 Somerset Circle.