Naperville City Council recommending boost to beautification budget

Anxious to speed the rate of beautification throughout the city, Naperville officials are recommending a boost in the 2022 budget for projects that include landscaping, signage and banners.

While staff proposed $100,000 for beautification, the bulk of the city council members at Monday's third and final budget workshop countered with an amount of $250,000 for the coming year. Finance Director Rachel Mayer said the extra amount could be allocated from elsewhere to keep the proposed $540 million budget balanced.

The city council will vote on a final 2022 budget at its Dec. 7 meeting.

Dick Dublinski, the director of public works, presented a list of projects that could be completed for $100,000, including painting and revamping the Washington Street underpass for $25,000. Additional money would go toward banners for streetlights and upgraded signage at the city's gateways.

Mayor Steve Chirico, however, expressed frustration at the rate of beautification. He said the 2022 plan doesn't look much different from previous plans, even though the city council labeled beautification as a priority.

"I don't feel like we have really made much progress from a year ago," Chirico said. "These are all the same things we discussed a year ago, actually."

After Councilman Ian Holzhauer said he favored expanding the amount allocated for beautification, a show of hands indicated support from several other council members. As part of the expenditure, Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor wanted to ensure the southern part of the city received its share of attention.

"I feel like if we were to look at peer communities, other communities on the best places in America to raise a family list, Overland Park, Kansas or whatever," Holzhauer said. "I would be surprised if they're spending as little as a hundred thousand dollars on city beautification."

Chirico said a concerted effort is needed to identify which areas of the city need attention the most.

"When you drive through the city, there are so many spaces that could look a lot better just with some TLC and some money," Chirico said. "I feel like, at this point. we're spinning our wheels."