CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance revising Section 3-5A (Electrical Contractors) of the Naperville Municipal Code to discontinue issuing electrical licenses (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Peter Zibble, TED Operations Manager and Shebnem Ozkaptan, Budget and Administrative Services Coordinator
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Revisions to Title 3 of the Municipal Code do not require Board/Commission review
BACKGROUND:
Contractors performing electrical work in the City of Naperville are required to be a licensed electrician. Licenses are issued in accordance with state guidelines by a limited number of local government agencies. Alternately, an electrician is deemed qualified if they hold a valid electrician's certification by the International Code Council (ICC).
The City of Naperville is one of the limited number of local agencies that currently issues electrical licenses. Initially, the City offered an exam and issued new licenses to qualified electricians. In the late 1990s, due to staffing changes and a shift in priorities, the City discontinued proctoring exams and issuing new licenses.
Since that time, the City has allowed license renewals only. Although no new licenses have been issued for more than 20 years, there were approximately 550 active Naperville licenses renewed in 2020.
DISCUSSION:
Staff from the City Clerk's Office and the Transportation, Engineering, and Development (TED) Business Group have reviewed policies regarding the licensing of electrical contractors and have two primary concerns:
1. Staff is administering a program that provides limited benefit to the City of Naperville, and
2. Staff can no longer verify the qualifications of the contractors to which licenses are issued.
Reduction in permits
Of the over 550 active license holders, fewer and fewer continue to perform work in Naperville. Ove...
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