Recently, the fountain in front of the Naperville Municipal Center began flowing again. Fountains throughout the community were turned off this past year due to the pandemic. In the distance stands Moser Tower with the 72-bell carillon. At 6:50PM on the way into the first in-person City Council meeting in a year, we were mindful that a little later the bell tower would be illuminated with blue lights to heighten acceptance and understanding during Autism Awareness Month in April. —PN
On April 7, 2021, the Naperville City Council returned to City Council Chambers, partially.
Mayor Steve Chirico and Council members John Krummen, Patty Gustin and Paul Hinterlong were at the dais. Council members Judy Brodhead, Kevin Coyne, Benny White, Patrick Kelly and Theresa Sullivan participated virtually on the big screens.
In addition to City Manager Doug Krieger, City Attorney Mike DiSanto, TED’s Bill Novack and Communications Director Linda LaCloche were present at the desk usually reserved for City department heads. All other participating staff members added their comments and answered questions virtually.
Rows and seating were limited, prepared for 50 members of the public, spaced and marked well throughout Council Chambers.
One attorney was present, sitting behind one reporter, and both were near one of two big screens that projected five council members participating from remote locations. The NCTV-17 camera person was set up in back of Council Chambers to record the meeting for broadcast and to be saved in the City Council archive for rebroadcast.
After roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, Awards and Recognitions were presented.
Councilman White recognized April as Autism Awareness Month with a proclamation signed by Mayor Chirico.
Carrie Provenzale, Executive Director of Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, expressed appreciation for the recognition, mindful of all schools and organizations that assist supportive families by promoting kindness and inclusion. (Otis Gives Community Opportunity to Inspire Support.)
Councilwoman Brodhead read a mayoral proclamation regarding Child Abuse Prevention Month, recognizing Exchange Club Project HELP and the garden of pinwheels set along the fence at Safety Town, Aurora Avenue at River Road.
Two members of the community were present with comments during public forum. Other residents called in their comments. (Click here to listen to callers and their concerns about drag racing on Aurora Avenue under Public Forum.)
Several individuals also were in attendance, listening and taking notes as City Council members adjusted to the new hybrid way of running the meeting as well as the updated sound system.
Otherwise, seats in Council Chambers were pretty empty except for sound representatives who used the first meeting to make necessary tweaks to the new audio-visual system.
Ordinances and Resolutions / L. 1
Under “Ordinances and Resolutions,” Council conducted the first reading of an ordinance that will update and modernize student generation rates for residential development in School District 204. (L-1 is another interesting discussion that will come with a cost for the school district. Decision for approval will be made during the next meeting.)
Another agenda item regarding City Gate West was removed from the agenda at the request of the petitioner and postponed “or tabled” until the second meeting of the month, May 18. Be sure to ask your City Council representatives why.
Reports and Recommendations / 0. 1
The evening’s agenda also included an enlightening presentation by members of the Water Department, complemented by charts and visuals on two large screens. With a focus on wastewater collections and pumping during significant rain events, “The Water Utilities Capital Improvement Program” presentation was the first three.
Two items addressed during New Business
The first discussion under “New Business” about “Disruptive Driving Behavior” is one that is recommended for every resident to hear, unedited in the words of Naperville Police Chief Bob Marshall as he seeks community awareness.
Chief Marshall presented important data regarding loud mufflers, drag racing, traffic stops for speeding, groups of vehicles, (including ATVs not even licensed to be on the street), repeat offenders and fleeting individuals who ignore active enforcement throughout the City. Furthermore, disruptive driving behavior is occurring statewide.
The NPD and City’s legal department will explore best practices as well as aggressive strategies and penalties that will help keep the community safe. (Thanks to residents for taking time to review the important discussion under “P. New Business.”) Keep in mind that the NPD does not chase drivers for traffic violations, but is seeking strategies as well as solutions to make all streets safe all the time. Offenders must be held accountable in court.
Also under new business, Mayor Chirico expressed his dismay regarding the hybrid presentation of the City Council meeting, noting his difficulties to run and host the meeting. Running such a meeting obviously is laborious both for participation by the council and watching by the public. The Mayor aims to have all nine of the City’s elected officials together in Council Chambers for meetings. He directed City staff to put together an in-person meeting schedule as soon as possible.
After a year of watching lengthy virtual meetings, followed by the one-hour-and-53-minute meeting on April 7, Positively Naperville editors could not agree with Mayor Chirico more.
The next Naperville City Council meeting is set to begin at 7PM Tues., April 21.
City Council Meetings are available to watch around the clock
Find links to all past public meetings and workshops as well as upcoming meetings at naperville.granicus.com. That way, residents can hear the straight scoop without having to rely on “hearsay,” biased soundbites or news reports that may omit important information because of time/space restraits.
Low voter turnout in the recent 2021 Consolidated Election after a year of many challenges and disruption created awareness that many residents apparently are comfortable here, taking little interest in the elections of local governing bodies. Nonetheless, our never-ending hope is that when time permits, more residents will become aware of issues by watching local public officials who provide service on city council, school boards and park boards.
On April 6, Naperville voters reelected Councilman Benny White and elected three new council members, Ian Holzhauer, Paul Leong and Jennifer Brazen Taylor. Though results are still considered “unofficial,” the new council is expected to be sworn in on Sun., May 2, 2021, in time for the first meeting of the new City Council year on Tues., May 4. Get to know your elected officials. They are Naperville residents—perhaps even your friends and neighbors. They are there to serve you. Stay tuned!
Since Sept. 1, 2001, PN has aimed to spotlight the arts, special events, local businesses and development that create jobs, prosperity and peace. The past year of the pandemic has changed much of that focus. We aim to do better.
What has remained the same is our appreciation for private enterprise, freedom and everyone who shops, dines, banks and entertains locally whenever possible. Our city’s independent business community is exceptional and we haven’t taken it for granted during recent lockdowns. Our city also is home to 140 parks where we can enjoy the great outdoors and absorb sunshine. Plus, bluebells are beginning to bloom beautifully in local woodlands, soon to turn to blankets of blue throughout Knoch Knolls Park and the Riverwalk.
Thanks for reading in print monthly and online daily.
—PN
Keeping our community safe is everyone’s responsibility. To submit a tip, call Naperville Crime Stoppers Hotline 24/7 at (630) 420-6006.
Originally Posted April 10, 2021 / Last Update on April 12, 2021.
