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Warrenville council adopts ordinance to regulate abandoned gas stations, advances waste contract renewal and several ordinances
Summary
On March 16 the Warrenville City Council passed an ordinance to regulate abandoned gas stations, directed staff to pursue a five‑year renewal with waste hauler Groot through 2031 with updated service provisions, and approved a slate of routine items including restaurant/bar code amendments, surplus property disposal and a 2% COLA for nonunion employees to be placed on the next agenda.
The Warrenville City Council on March 16 approved multiple actions including an ordinance to allow the city to declare gas stations that are no longer selling fuel “abandoned,” directing owners to remove tanks, pumps and canopies or otherwise remediate the site to avoid blight.
Community and economic development director Amy Emery described the ordinance (listed in the agenda as Ordinance 2026‑13) as a tool cities are increasingly using to prevent long‑term vacancy and facilitate property reuse. “Declaring a gas station abandoned allows us to work with that owner to either resume selling gas… or transition it to another user, or remove some of those unique amenities that make it difficult to repurpose the property,” Emery said. Alderman Lockett moved the ordinance and the council approved it by roll call.
On waste collection, council directed staff to present a resolution advancing the first renewal term of the franchise agreement with Groot Industries, extending the city’s contract through April 30, 2031. Assistant staff highlighted key terms: a reduced landscape‑waste sticker price (from $3.09 to $3.00) for years one and two, a free final six‑week leaf collection, and permission to include food‑scrap composting with the seasonal landscape subscription (limited to fruits, vegetables, grains and eggshells; no meat or greasy foods). Groot’s district manager Dave Neubauer said the composting material would go to Creekside Compost in Elburn.
Council also directed staff to present an ordinance to align the city’s restaurant and bar (food and beverage) tax code with regional practice, authorized staff to present an ordinance to dispose of surplus police vehicles and equipment by auction, and directed staff to include a proposed 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment for nonunion employees on the next council agenda. Motions on these items were approved by voice vote.
A summary of the principal actions taken: • Ordinance to regulate abandoned gas stations (Ordinance 2026‑13): motion carried by roll call. • Direction to present Groot franchise renewal (extend through 04/30/2031; updated pricing/service provisions including reduced landscape sticker and composting): motion carried by voice vote. • Direction to present ordinance amending restaurant and bar tax code: motion carried by voice vote. • Authorization to present ordinance for surplus property disposal (auction): motion carried by voice vote. • Direction to include 2% nonunion COLA on next agenda and incorporate merit‑matrix adjustments into FY27 budget: motion carried by voice vote.
Council also created an advisory work group for the Route 59 corridor study and appointed Alderman Crockenberg to the panel. The meeting adjourned with reminder of upcoming planning commission meetings and budget workshops.
