City Council
May 18, 2026
The lede
- Council approved a 6.5% sewer rate increase (Ord. #764H) and nearly $2.8M in expenditures split between General and Water/Sewer funds.
- Council passed Resolution 2026-16 opposing the Illinois BUILD Act, which would strip local zoning and land-use authority from municipalities.
- Craig Wilcox appointed Director of Buildings at $80,000 salary (down from $89,000 prior incumbent) with 8 weeks vacation; amendment to reduce to 4 weeks failed 2-8.
- Four commission appointments approved: two to Planning & Zoning (Druckrey, Hyland) and two to Historic Preservation (Coniglio, Dobberfuhl).
- Council approved purchase of two John Deere excavators totaling ~$486K from capital funds.
Decisions & votes
Ord. #764H (Sewer rate increase): Passed 9-1 (Brereton opposed). Amends appendix A to modify sewer rates effective May 1, 2026.
Res. #2026-16 (Opposing BUILD Act): Passed 10-0. Formally opposes state legislation that would preempt local zoning, planning, and land-use authority.
Commission appointments: All passed 10-0:
- Daniel Druckrey (P&Z, 5-year term)
- Arthur Hyland (P&Z, 5-year term)
- Kimberly Coniglio (Historic Preservation, 3-year term)
- Sonya Dobberfuhl (Historic Preservation, 3-year term)
Craig Wilcox appointment as Director of Buildings: Passed 8-2 (Gramkowski, Brereton opposed). $80,000 salary, 8 weeks paid vacation. Amendment by Brereton to reduce vacation to 4 weeks failed 2-8 (Gramkowski, Brereton in favor).
Hampton Lenzini & Renwick grant application ($3,600): Passed 10-0. FRA Railroad Crossing Elimination Program for Appleton Road Grade Separation.
Testing Service Corporation contract ($22,750): Passed 9-1 (Brereton opposed). Material testing for Parking Lot #7 expansion.
John Deere 190G FT4 excavator ($345,532.85): Passed 10-0. Includes trade-in of 1999 Komatsu excavator.
John Deere 60P mini excavator ($140,446.49): Passed 10-0. Old mini excavator will be auctioned or retained by street department.
Expenditures approved:
- General & Special Funds: $1,761,694.95 (passed 10-0)
- Water & Sewer Funds: $990,837.55 (passed 10-0)
Discussion items
BUILD Act opposition: Lengthy discussion of Illinois legislation that would strip local control over zoning, density, lot coverage, parking requirements, and flood mitigation. Mayor Morris and Planner DelRose argued this would eliminate local discretion on development standards, potentially increase flooding, congest streets (impeding emergency response), and raise taxes citywide to fund infrastructure for “affordable” projects. No one could answer how cost savings would be guaranteed to buyers vs. pocketed by developers. Mayor questioned who is funding legislators to push the bill.
Craig Wilcox appointment: Debated vacation policy (8 weeks vs. standard 4 weeks after 15–16 years). Gramkowski objected on policy grounds, concerned about precedent. Mayor argued short notice (4.5 weeks) left no time to recruit externally; Wilcox is only qualified candidate in department, familiar with ongoing projects, and taking a pay cut. Peterson called amendment to reduce vacation “extremely bad faith” after hiring terms negotiated. Hoinacki supported for succession planning. Brereton maintained it sets bad precedent.
Director of Buildings salary: Current director paid $89,000; Wilcox will receive $80,000 ($9,000 savings). Mayor noted external hire would likely cost $115–125K and delay projects.
Mini excavator disposition: Assistant Director Keck confirmed old mini excavator may be retained by street department for tight spaces or auctioned.
Financial / operational notes
Total expenditures: $2,752,532.50 ($1,761,694.95 General/Special; $990,837.55 Water/Sewer).
Largest line items (partial from bill register):
- Metro Paramedic Services ambulance staffing: $151,636.26
- WWTP capital projects (sludge heater, clarifier gate, CIPP lining, well #11/#5/#7 work, engineering): ~$497K
- Police/Fire health insurance premiums and payroll: ~$103K+ (combined)
- IEPA Loan payment (debt service): $61,875.83
- Hampton Lenzini engineering (bridge inspections, Appleton Road Phase I): ~$10K approved separately
New equipment: Two excavators ($486K total). Trade-in value not specified for Komatsu.
Library update (Director Mindy Long):
- Front stairs cement poured; opening by end of week pending electrical repairs (bare wiring from water leaks discovered).
- Bookmobile shelter construction begins May 19 (flagged by JULIE); large media event August 4 with Rep. Dave Vella.
- Four ADA-accessible raised garden beds planned with Rod Wesselhoff’s summer special-needs program.
- Summer reading kickoff June 8; Touch-a-Truck event June 11 (parking lot).
- Closed May 19 at 3 PM for staff training; closed Memorial Day.
Staffing: Craig Wilcox effective June 6. Succession hire for his vacated position will follow.
Public comment
No content.
Notable moments
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American Legion Family Day Proclamation (April 25, 2026) and America250 Resolution (July 4, 2026) presented to Commander Geno Kunwald, Post 77. Mayor recognized American Legion’s community service and role in 250th anniversary of Declaration of Independence. Kunwald noted it’s the second centennial for some attendees (1976 was first).
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Library discovery: Director Long recounted finding 12 “racy romance novels” shoved into ceiling pipes during sprinkler repairs to hold them up—”strangest thing I’ve ever seen.”
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Vacation policy clash: Clerk Erica Bluege reminded council that she was granted carryover of four months of accrued vacation when hired 7.5 years ago, undercutting objections to Wilcox’s 8-week allowance.
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Mayor’s prayer included prayers for military in war with Iran and for safety of service members securing “a safe future for America, the Middle East, and the entire world.”
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Bad-faith accusation: Peterson sharply rebuked Brereton’s last-minute amendment to reduce Wilcox’s vacation, calling it “extremely bad faith” after terms were already negotiated and presented.