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These minutes were approved at the 9/15/25 City Council meeting with no changes.
CITY OF WEST CHICAGO — 475 Main Street
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Regular Meeting
September 2, 2025
1. Call to Order. Mayor Bovey (remotely) called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. on
September 2, 2025.
2. Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Bovey (remotely) led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum.
Roll call found Dan Beebe, Julieta Alcantar-Garcia, Sandy Dimas, Denise Carreto-
Mufioz, Joseph C. Morano, Jayme Sheahan, Alton Hallett, Christopher Swiatek, John
Smith, Jr., Carlos Avifia Soto, Sergio Santiago, and Matthew Myers were present.
Aldermen Melissa Birch Ferguson and Rebecca Stout were absent.
Also in attendance Assistant City Administrator Tia Messino, Finance Director Nikki
Giles, Business & Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse, Community
Development Director Tom Dabareiner, Assistant Community Development Director
John Sterrett, Public Works Director Mehul Patel, Chief of Police Colin Fleury,
Commander Adam Reavley, and Attorney Kevin Sterk.
Mayor Bovey asked if there were any objections to him attending remotely.
Alderman Alcantar-Garcia made a motion to approve Mayor Bovey’s remote
attendance, seconded by Alderman Dimas.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Dimas, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz,
Avifia Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
Mayor Bovey said he would entertain a motion to change the meeting procedure to
have the Mayor’s Comments at the beginning.
Alderman Beebe made a motion to move Item #15 before Public Participation,
seconded by Alderman Smith.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Dimas, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz,
Avifia Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
Mayor Bovey spoke about being against reinstating the 1% grocery tax on the people as
well as the 0.25% sales tax. He might consider the sales tax in the future but not now.
Therefore, he recommends the council not to pass either. He would be okay to place
the sales tax on the books for when the council does choose to approve it. If they do,
they need to give the community a good reason why it’s a good idea.
Mayor Bovey mentioned the Mexican Independence Day event being held on Sunday,
September 14".
Mayor Bovey then said he would entertain a motion to have Alderman Beebe be the
temporary chair of this meeting.
Alderman Morano made a motion to approve Alderman Beebe be temporary chair,
seconded by Alderman Swiatek.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Dimas, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz,
Avifia Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
4. Public Participation.
A. Proclamation: See Tracks? Think Train Week
B. Proclamation: 70" Anniversary — League of Women Voters of Wheaton

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City of West Chicago
Regular City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
Page 2
Alderman Beebe read both proclamations.
5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve City Council Meeting Minutes
A. August 13, 2025 — Counsel
Alderman Myers made a motion to approve the August 13, 2025 City Council Counsel
meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Swiatek .
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto,
Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
B. August 13, 2025 — Tax
Alderman Morano made a motion to approve the August 13, 2025 City Council Tax
meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Smith.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto,
Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
C. August 18, 2025 — Regular
Alderman Hallett made a motion to approve the August 18, 2025 City Council Regular
meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Myers.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto,
Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
D. August 18, 2025 — Executive Session Litigation
Alderman Swiatek made a motion to approve the August 18, 2025 City Council
Executive Litigation meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Avifia Soto.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto,
Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
E. August 18, 2025 — Executive Session Personnel
Alderman Dimas made a motion to approve the August 18, 2025 City Council Executive
Personnel session minutes, seconded by Alderman Morano.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto,
Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
6. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Corporate Disbursement
Report.
Alderman Dimas made a motion, seconded by Alderman Avifia Soto approving the
September 2, 2025, Corporate Disbursement Report in the amount of $851,534.46.
Alderman Avifia Soto asked about the payments to C. Szabo and Mehul Patel
explained.
Voting Aye by Roll Call: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Dimas, Smith, Carreto-Mufoz, Avifia
Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Motion carried.
7. The Reading of the Proposed Consent Agenda:
*Items Not Sent to Committee:

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City of West Chicago
Regular City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
Page 3
A. Concur — With the Mayor’s Appointment of Alderman Beebe to the
Downtown Revitalization Commission.
B. Concur — With the Mayor’s Appointment of Alderman Myers to the
Downtown Revitalization Commission.
Alderman Myers made a motion to remove Item 7.A. from the consent agenda.
Alderman Beebe made a motion to remove Item 7.B. from the consent agenda.
8. Motion to Establish the Consent Agenda: Everything having been removed from
the Consent Agenda, there was no ability to have a consent agenda.
9. Motion to Approve Items on the Established Consent Agenda:
10. Consideration of Items Removed from the Consent Agenda:
Alderman Dimas made a motion to approve Item 7.A., seconded by Alderman Smith.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Alcantar-Garcia, Dimas, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto,
Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, Morano and Myers. Alderman Beebe abstained.
Motion carried.
Alderman Morano made a motion to approve Item 7.B., seconded by Alderman
Alcantar-Garcia.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Dimas, Smith, Carreto-Mufoz,
Avifia Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Swiatek, Hallett, and Morano. Alderman Myers
abstained. Motion carried.
11. Reports by Committees: None
12. Unfinished Business:
A. Ordinance No. 25-O-0021— An Ordinance Amending Chapter 16, Article II of
the Code of Ordinances of the City of West Chicago to Increase the Home Rule
Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and the Home Rule Municipal Service
Occupation Tax.'
B. Ordinance No. 25-0-0029 — An Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery
Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for
the City of West Chicago, Illinois. ?
Alderman Morano stated it was good to hear from Mayor Bovey and constituents
regarding these ordinances.
Alderman Alcantar-Garcia said she would also like to wait to hear more from constituents.
Alderman Avifia Soto agrees with Alderman Morano.
Alderman Dimas said she doesn’t disagree but asked clarification on what Mayor Bovey
said.
Ms. Messino said Mayor Bovey was not opposed to approving the grocery tax but waiting
to implementing it.
Mayor Bovey (remotely) said there are two options: not passing either or passing the
grocery tax but not immediately implementing it.
1 Must be removed from the table to take action.
2 Must be removed from the table to take action.

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City of West Chicago
Regular City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
Page 4
Alderman Dimas said she would prefer not to tax anyone, but there are bills to pay and a
budget they need to meet. She knows staff is looking for options to bring in revenue. She
thinks it is safer to pass it and then implement it if needed. She mentioned this is a tax
that already has been in place.
Alderman Myers is against the sales tax increase because in two consecutive years it
was raised. He said as far as the grocery tax they would be breaking even, and
uncomfortable not passing it.
Mayor Bovey (remotely) said a budget has not been passed and shouldn't with a deficit.
He said they’re talking about a fraction of 1%, the money can be found in budget.
Alderman Beebe said they will continue to see raising costs and inflation, less grant
money from the federal government. He said, unfortunately, the sales tax will need to be
the mechanism used to keep the city running at some point in time given the current
climate. It’s premature to pass the sales tax right now. On the grocery tax, he originally
said he was opposed but if they need to fill that deficit he would prefer this tax since
families are used to paying this. He agrees with Mayor Bovey to pass it and use it when
necessary if state statute allows it. He reminded everyone the city depends on grants,
they are not self-sufficient. If they don’t get any there and there are no revenue sources
they will depend on this tax.
Alderman Hallett said he doesn’t like taxing, but they need to look at their priorities. They
need a backup. They need to keep the city functioning.
Alderman Myers is if this is deferred will we have enough information how much would
be collected.
Ms. Messino said she doesn’t believe they can get that data.
Ms. Giles said they can project but it wouldn’t be a real number.
Alderman Sheahan asked if there is a way to know how much sales tax per household
per year.
Ms. Giles said there is no way of them knowing.
Council agreed to have staff amend Ordinance 25-O-0029 and bring it back to council at
the September 18, 2025 City Council meeting.
13. New Business
A. Resolution No. 25-R-0064 — A Resolution Approving a Certain Employment
Agreement with John Sterrett — Interim Community Development Director.
Alderman Swiatek made a motion to approve Resolution 25-R-0064, seconded by
Alderman Morano.
Alderman Avifia Soto asked about the merit increase.
Ms. Messino explained how one would receive a merit increase which is based on goals
achieved or in this case taking on a temporary role that would not allow the person to
focus on original goals.
Voting Aye by Roll Call: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Dimas, Smith, Carreto-Mufioz,
Sheahan, Hallett, Swiatek, Santiago, Morano, and Myers. Voting Nay: Avifia Soto.
Motion carried.
14. Correspondence and Announcements
Alderman Alcantar-Garcia reminded everyone about the Mexican Impendence Day on
Sunday, September 14'" from Noon-6 p.m.

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City of West Chicago
Regular City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
Page 5
Alderman Beebe reminded everyone about the Ice Cream Social this Saturday,
September 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the Kruse House.
Upcoming Meetings
September 4, 2025 Infrastructure Committee
September 8, 2025 Development Committee
September 15, 2025 Public Affairs Committee
15. Mayor’s Comments.
16. Adjournment
At 7:58 p.m., Alderman Hallett made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by
Alderman Alcantar-Garcia.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Morano, Sheahan, Dimas, Hallett,
Swiatek, Carreto-Mufioz, Smith, Avifia Soto, Myers and Santiago. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Valeria Perez
Executive Office Manager

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