City Council Meeting - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everybody. This is the pre council of the city of Joliet meeting today on 05/04/2026 with mayor Darcy in charge, and I am pro tem mayor pro tem. And so would you like to read mic? Okay.

K. Figures. Such a good hearing.

Can you hear me now? Yeah. You got it.

Do I have to repeat, or did we get did everybody hear that?

Okay. Thank you. I'm gonna call the roll. Perfect. We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy?

Here.

Councilman Cardenas?

Here.

Councilman Clement? Here. Councilman Hug? Here. Councilwoman Abara? Here. Councilman Moreno? Here. Councilman Mudrin?

Here.

Councilwoman Clemon? Here. Councilwoman Reardon? She did let me know that she would not be in attendance this evening.

Okay. Before we begin, I'd just like to note for the public and the media present that Council Memo 251.26, an ordinance adding Chapter 21, Article 11, Offenses on Public Property, that includes bans from specific city owned property will be pulled from this agenda. We are going to try to ease any concerns or misconceptions about this ordinance. We're going to hold it until the next city council meeting to on the side of caution and consider some additional input that we are receiving. So we'll be pulling that one from the agenda.

Great. Okay. Next is citizens to be heard on agenda items. I do have a few people that have signed up to speak. Tiffany Hernandez.

Okay, no longer. Susan Van Landingham and Georgine Williams.

Hi, folks. I live in the 800 Block Of Corus Street right off of Ruby in Joliet. A few years ago, we petitioned the city to make it residential parking only. Success, and it still is a success. The neighborhood is very happy with it. But now we see another business wants to go in on Ruby Street in that short area. Now one of the issues we had was that so many businesses were moving in there. There's no parking for anybody. We had people parking on the wrong side of the street, people parking. There the garage that's down there now had cars that they would leave for weeks at a time on the street.

These are some of the things that we had resolved with you guys and got our residential parking, which is working beautifully. They can't leave cars anymore. But now we wanna add another garage down there in that same half block of area. The store that's down there does a great business. They've been good neighbors. Yes. There's still parking issues and people parking on the wrong side of the street that we cannot get any Joliet police action against because they always tell us anytime we call that there's more important things on a Saturday morning or a Sunday morning that the police have to do. They can't come control that. Okay, fine. There's going to be somebody hurt down there.

You're going to add another garage down there that's going to have not enough space to park cars on for any length of time, and they're gonna be wanting to put them on Center Street just like the the muffler shop does. That's not fair to those people. They're gonna wanna put them on Marble Street. They're gonna wanna put them on Lyon Street, and it's just not fair to all these people that that have to drive through that area. Right now, with the bridge being closed here at Cass Street, everybody goes over the other two bridges, especially Ruby Street.

If you come over Ruby Street right now, I am eight blocks from 6 Corners, including the cemetery that's in there. So it's eight blocks plus the cemetery. And they're stopped all the way down to my street to get through 6 Corners. There there's no way possible there's people are gonna be able to get through there until that bridge is open. There has to be some other way.

That that lot is way too small. It's got two garage doors and a very small office. But the parking down there is impossible. If anybody was to leave their car to be repaired or they had to drop their car off to be repaired, it's gonna be put in some perilous locations. And I don't think that's fair to the neighbors, the neighborhood, or any of us that have to drive through there.

We've reviewed this with you before when we did ask for our parking on our street to be residential only, and you guys understood what we are going through, but now you're wanting to add more. And until you get a city lot down there, which that would have been perfect for at that time, to take some of the off road off street parking, There's just no way that that area can handle it. And that's all I have to

say. Thank you. Good evening. I'm Georgine Williams. I live on 811 Elizabeth Street. I've been a resident up there for seventy nine years, so I know the area well. That is a used car lot. And then you want to make it a mechanic's place too. Just like you did to us on Broadway Street, that was supposed to be 10 cars. Larry said that. And only working on what's on It's a total disaster. It's That's what you see when you come down Broadway Street. How they got the license when you voted the other way, I don't know. I don't wanna see that on Center Street. It's busy up there.

There's no parking on both sides where they're at. The police were there on a cleanup Saturday, and they told me they had cars all over parked on the sidewalk and all. So where are my people supposed to park? I don't want to have to come down here carrying another fender again like I did for Cora Street. I would like the police to do a checkup there. I'd like to know the accidents and that and then to do a traffic study. It's very dangerous there. The garbage men can't even drive their truck down our alley. They have to back down. They can't get onto Ruby Street because of all the parking in that.

They had a no parking sign put down there, but they were told, it doesn't say no sitting, standing, or parking. So put the right sign up when you're gonna put it up. And there was an accident there because when I could still walk, I had to run down there. The lady decided to come through our alley beeping the horn. Well, beeping a horn up there doesn't work. Like I say, I've been there almost seventy nine years. I was there when they first put the city buses up Elizabeth Street, and our ceilings were cracking because they were too heavy. Okay? I was there when they buried people. People buried at St.

John's were just plowed over for Ruby Street to be enlarged. And that did happen. We were told not go up there, but we did because you don't tell kids not to do something. So I'm asking you, please think this through. And if you say this can go in there, there should be on Center Street an exit and an entrance. There's one lot only. Are these cars gonna pile up on Center Street? Where are they gonna go? They don't use the two entrances on Ruby because you can't get near them with all the parking. So I I hope you think this through and give us some concrete things to work with.

I want my area to be safe. And right now, it isn't. Thank you.

Hello. My name is Tiffany Hernandez. I'm at 370 Ruby Street for the mechanic shop. I just want to say we understand there's concerns regarding parking and traffic along in Robian Center. We want to assure you that our facility will provide sufficient on-site parking to accommodate all of our customers.

Additionally, we are committed to working closely with the city of Joliet to implement proper measures such as installing no parking signage and coordinating with the police department to ensure compliance and maintain clear and safe streets. We also share concerns about existing parking congestions in the area, particularly from nearby businesses whose customers frequently occupy streets parking extended distances and at times obstruct access to surrounding properties, including our property. Addressing street parking and maintaining accessibility will be a top priority for us. Our goal is to establish a reliable and affordable auto repair shop that serves the Joliet community. We will offer services including brake repairs, engine diagnostics, and routine maintenance such as tune ups.

Just as importantly, we are committed to being good neighbors, working collaboratively with nearby residents businesses to ensure that our operations contribute positively to the area and do not create safety hazards. Upon receiving approval, we will promptly comply with the city requirements, including landscaping improvements and clearly marking designated parking spaces. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Okay.

That's everyone I have signed up. Is there anyone else who would like to speak on an agenda item this evening?

Good evening, mayor, council members. My name is Emmanuel Lopez. I'm the executive director for Juliet City Center Partnership. I'm here in support of the social district pilot program. We see this as a smart, controlled way to bring more energy and more foot traffic to downtown, especially along the Chicago Street and City Square.

What stands out the most about this program is the six month pilot, which clearly with with clear rules and safeguards, it gives the city the ability to test it, evaluate it, and adjust it if needed. I also want to acknowledge that over the past few years, construction has impacted the bottom line for some of these downtown businesses. Any opportunity to help increase traffic to support them would make would make a difference. This can also help attract new businesses to the downtown area and show Joliet is investing in its vibrant community. At the end of the day, it builds momentum as we're already seeing happen and creates a strong and connected community in downtown. Thank you for your time.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak on an agenda item this evening? Okay, seeing none. Next, we will have the city manager review tomorrow night's actionable items. Good evening.

Tomorrow night we'll have appointments, reappointments of the Juliet Art Commission. We will hear from council committees including land use and economic development legislative public safety and public service on to the consent agenda council memo two thirty three twenty six award of professional services contract for roadway mapping and pavement analysis condition classification to cyclo media technology inc in the amount of a $190,950 a pavement analysis will be conducted on all city streets council memo two thirty four twenty six award of contract number 2975426 for the public utilities department generator purchased metropolitan industries in the amount of $349,302 the department of public utilities did budget for the replacement of two standby generators utilized to provide power to our lift stations council memo 23526 award a contract number 2976Dash0426 for the East Side Wastewater Treatment Plant final clarifier repaint to dynamic industrial services in the amount of $327,600. Council memo 236 I need my glasses. 23626, award of contract number 2977Dash0426 for the east side wastewater treatment plant final clarifier slide gates installation to Don Mechanical Industries in the amount of $68,888. Council memo two thirty seven twenty six, award a contract number 29790426 for the well 18 d rehabilitation to Great Lakes Water Resources Group in the amount of $220,907.

Council memo two thirty eight twenty six approved payment of the 2026 membership dues for the lower DuPage River Watershed Coalition in the amount of $25,140.08. Moving on to agenda items. Council memo two forty-twenty six, award of contract number 296026 for the Campbell Street water tower rehabilitation project to Era Valdivia contractors in the amount of $1,893,000 and award of a construction engineering services agreement to Dixon Engineering for the not to exceed amount of $158,950 Included with this contract is a construction engineering services agreement for the Campbell Street Tower Rehabilitation Project for a not to exceed amount of a $158,950 on behalf of Dixon Engineering. Ordinances and resolutions, beginning with resolutions. Council memo two forty two twenty six, resolution amending and authorizing the execution of an amended and restated development agreement with Cullen and Joliet LLC for the Rock Run crossing development project area.

The city has an opportunity to update Rock Run development agreement that strengthens the city position and fully realizes Rock Run's long term potential. Throughout a collaborative and deliberative process of planning and negotiation, including nearly eighteen months of coordination between city, Cullinan, and Dick's House of Sports, the city has the ability to secure a major destination anchor tenant and the opportunity to accelerate the Rock Run project timeline and development activity. The heart of this agreement is focused on protecting the city and taxpayers. Performance based incentives tied directly to the project delivery shifts greater share of risk to the developer, includes independent financial analysis supporting key decisions and increases long term revenue potential. The broader impact on the community is significant, positions Joliet as a regional entertainment and retail destination, and supports sustained economic growth and long term community benefit.

I want to thank Cullinan Properties for their partnership, especially Diane Cullinan for her leadership on the interchange project and overall project advancement. Dick's House of Sport for helping attract national retailers in supporting what will be a first of its kind destination in the country. And city staff for ensuring this is the best possible framework for taxpayers. With that, Finance Director Kevin Singh will now provide an overview of the agreement and the project.

Good evening. So just an overview of the development. So Rock Run is over 300 acres at the intersections of I-fifty 5 and I-eighty. As City Manager Beatty mentioned, it included a new interchange at I-fifty 5 and Route 59. And the site is currently home to the Hollywood Casino, nearly 900,000 square feet of industrial, a Chipotle.

There are two sixty four apartments that are under construction with a targeted occupancy of August, as well as a Ricky Rockets gas station that's currently under construction. So why amend the agreement? The amended agreement allows the city to rebalance our risk of the original $100,000,000 bond that financed infrastructure at the site. In fact, our risk is being reduced by 16,200,000 through this agreement. We are also able to add requirements for performance and penalties for non performance.

The new agreement improves the mix of retail and restaurants to make it a popular dining and shopping destination for the region. Also, revenue is projected to be higher at 234,000,000 between now and 2044 for the city of Joliet. So I'm gonna turn it over to Cullen to explain a little bit about Dick's House of Sport.

Good evening mayor, council members and city manager. My name is Maria Tullyopoulos, chief strategy officer for Cullinan Properties. So a little bit about the anchor tenant Dick's House of Sport. They really are a unique experiential retailer. And they are destined to be not just an anchor and what you are contributing to in terms of development agreement, but it is truly the key and the first domino to fall for significant amount of square footage on this development.

So when we talk about Dick's House of Sport, one of the key things about Dick's House of Sport is the fact that they focus on community outreach and place making for the city of Joliet. And they've chosen Rock Run Collection as the location for one of their first house of sport prototypes, which includes an outdoor field. It also includes an indoor rock wall, outdoor lit fields, outdoor skate rink, track man, and putting green. And the store alone brings significant job creation. Dick's House of Sport needs two times the amount of employees as a typical Dick's Sporting Goods store and will create approximately 150 or 140 contractor jobs just with respect to that site alone.

The other thing about DICK'S House of Sport is the anchor is the additional retail that it will bring to our development. So some of the key features about this unlock that we're calling it with respect to Dick's House Sport is that it will allow us to be able to bring over 50 national and super regional retailers that are waiting and contingent upon the Dix House of Sport deal proceeding and moving forward. That will add approximately 300,000 square feet of immediate new development to the already 1,000,000 square feet of constructed development on-site, which includes the Hollywood Casino at 170,000 square feet, the free public parking deck at 421,000 square feet, approximately 900,000 of industrial of completed construction. In addition to that retail of 300,000 square feet that is under the development agreement, we're also looking to bring 100,000 square feet of the Drury Hotel which is already under construction in addition to 15,000 square feet of Ricky Brackets. This will result in approximately 8,000 construction jobs resulting in over 510,000,000 in wages and 5,000 permanent jobs resulting in 200,000,000 wages annually.

Next slide, we have just a a quick video to highlight. Actually, for those that don't know what a DICK'S House of Sport actually includes. Rest is gonna be going in more detail tomorrow, so I'll move to the next slide. The next slide is just a site plan that shows the potential of

the

site with DICK'S as the major anchor. Just some highlights, as Maria mentioned, almost 300,000 square feet is expected to start later this year in addition to the hotel. And as you mentioned, that there were negotiations with over 50 national and regional retailers that are all contingent on DICK'S locating at the site. For the city, there's some new financial requirements as part of this agreement and when going through this we wanted to make sure the city was protected. We accomplished this by tying the payment of any future incentives to the opening of stores, binding contracts in the way of leases, and the commencement of vertical construction.

We also took into account should the project get delayed, the incentive is reduced annually starting in 2028. Another important is is the notes. I'm sorry. It's important to note that the payment of incentives come from taxes within this property. They don't come from the city as a whole. The revenue generated from this site will pay pay back the incentives. We also had requirements that retail is required to perform at $350 per square foot. So we wanted to make sure that we were having high value retail as part of this development. Some of the financial components. We're repurposing money from the original agreement to create a new bond payment reserve.

This provides an additional safety net for the city. Any new incentive is structured as a reimbursement and paid based on revenue being generated. And the new agreement has performance based incentives that are paid only if the project is successful. Those are referred to as developer notes. And then the overall benefits of the new agreement.

As we mentioned, there's accelerated pace of development. So almost 90% of this development is expected to commence and occur by 2028. More revenue to the city. So through the projections, the revenue generated from this site after payments is at $237,000,000 to the city of Joliet between now and 2044 that would support things like city services and its infrastructure. And then jobs, 8,000 construction jobs with payroll over $510,000,000 and then 5,000 permanent jobs every year on the property, dollars 200,000,000 in wages annually.

Development will be at a pace development will be a place where people from the region will go shopping and dining. And just to close, with the agreement, Rock Run is poised to be a regional destination for shopping and dining at the crossroads of America. And then, we're gonna do a much longer presentation with the developer and the Cullinan folks tomorrow. Then we'll also have SB Freeman, the attorney that helped work on the deal as well. So if there's questions, can like to handle those tomorrow. You can reach out

to me.

Mayor? Yeah. And Dick's representative will be here tomorrow too?

Correct.

And I will say this much, and I want people anybody watching on television to look tomorrow's presentation. I have my I always have my reservations on spending any money. I did a deep dive with Kevin today. Thank you, Kevin. And we looked at it, so I think we'll cover that tomorrow. But, yeah, it it answered a lot of all the questions I have.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you.

Okay. Council memo 24326, resolution to authorize a TIF incentive agreement with the Matisse Events LLC at 113 North Ottawa Street. The proposed five year forgivable loan of $79,500 would close the remaining funding gap, allow completion of the required fire suppression system, and facilitate the opening of the venue, which would bring pedestrian traffic to the area and generate property and sales tax revenue to the City Of Joliet. Council memo two forty four twenty six resolution yes. Oh, I'm sorry, Larry.

And there are sufficient

that And there are sufficient

funds funds in that TIF. Yes. Thank you for clarifying. Council memo two forty four twenty six resolution approving an easement agreement for water delivery structure by and between the Grand Prairie Water Commission and the City of Joliet. Council memo two forty five twenty six, resolution approving an easement agreement for water delivery structure by and between the Grand Prairie Water Commission and the City of Joliet.

Council memo two forty six twenty six, resolution amending three agreements between the City of Joliet and Will County for ARPA funds. So we've received ARPA funds for three City of Joliet projects from the county, the Fairmont Extension Project and the Roseland Culvert Project and the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water Main Improvement Project. The Fairmont Extension project, and the Roseland Culver project were completed under budget, allowing for the remaining unseen balances for each project to be reallocated to the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District project. Council memo two forty seven twenty six, resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the Grand Prairie Water Commission and the city of Joliet establishing a joint improvement agreement. This is for water mains on McDonough.

Council memo two forty eight twenty six resolution accepting an easement agreement for the Railroad Street water main improvement project with Hawkeye Land Company in the amount of $40,000. Moving on to ordinances, council memo two fifty-twenty six, an ordinance adding chapter 21, article 11, governing the general use and accessibility of city square property. If I could invite Stephanie Silke, Corporation Counsel, and Bob Desiderio, a lieutenant of our police department.

Thank you. We have a short presentation to go through the two ordinances. The two first ordinances 250 dash twenty six and two fifty two dash 26. The first being the ordinance that is governing City Square which just opened last week. The purpose of this ordinance is that it allows the police department to enforce the city's ordinance and state statute within the area.

It aligns City Square operations with existing municipal code and state statutes and it's in line with similar ordinances in the surrounding communities. When reviewing and drafting this ordinance, the police department, myself, as well as all other departments in the city look to surrounding municipalities that have similar areas in their downtown to pull from their ordinances so that we are in line with our surrounding municipalities. Chapter one explains the definitions, the construction, and the scope of the ordinance. The most important part in chapter one is the definition of city square. On the picture in front of you, the red shaded area is what is defined as city square.

So it includes the square as you see it outside as well as the access road between the square and the parking deck that abuts it. It does not include the surrounding sidewalks. The sidewalks are public right of way, so we do not include those within this ordinance. This also establishes clear operating hours and rules and it centralizes authority with our city manager or her designee for flexibility on closure and operations. So for example, if the police department believes that there is a public safety issue or concern with City Square, they could advise the city manager of that concern and she would have the decision making authority to close it if needed.

Same with all other departments within the city. So if there's a water main break or construction that needs to occur in City Square, that department can go to the city manager, apprise her of the situation, and then she has the authority to address City Square how it needs to be addressed. Chapter two includes the hours closure and operational policy of City Square. State of then California. Collusion with the police department as well as the state's of attorney's office.

We weren't going to follow a sunrise to sunset situation like many parks in the area. However, the police department and the Will County state's attorney's office thought that actual hours would be better both for them as well as for the community. There are extended hours allowable for city sponsored events or permitted events. Those are things that the city would be aware of ahead of time. And there is permit requirements for any event or activity within the city that's not a city sponsored event.

Chapter three includes restrictions on conduct. This section incorporates mostly the majority of our code of ordinances as well as state statute to ensure that our police department has the necessary authority to enforce all of

our codes as

well as state statute. Examples of restrictions on conduct include no fighting, no assault, no trespass, no alcohol, no controlled substances, no weapons. There are no fires permitted. For example, pyrotechnics are not permitted. This was discussed with the fire department there are specific pyrotechnics listed and there is no grilling allowed on city square without pre approved permit by the city animals are not permitted on the city's on the property And panhandling and begging are limited.

Sleeping within the square is also not allowed. These can all be found in chapter three on the restrictions on conduct. The next chapter is chapter four, which includes vehicles parking and traffic control. Similar to the last chapter that we just went over it incorporates city code state statute to ensure that the police department has the adequate authority to enforce our code within the square it does give deference to pedestrians and more protections to pedestrians so things like roller skating rollerblading skateboarding is not allowed in City Square we want to encourage foot traffic within City Square and in order to do that we do need to protect our pedestrians We also have a ban that no drones may take off or land within 300 feet of City Square. This is directly in line with FAA guidelines.

The final chapter is chapter five, which is permitting. This explains the permitting process for use of City Square that that process is delineated by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and that department will ensure collaboration across all necessary city departments to ensure that there are adequate safety measures, licensure, cleanup for any permitted event that occurs in City Square.

Stephanie will then continue for council memo two fifty two twenty six ordinance amending the Joliet liquor code by adding a social district to chapter four article two section 16 which is liquor permits Stephanie?

Thank you. In front of you also tonight is a proposed social district pilot program. When all of the departments within the city were discussing City Square, the opening of City Square, and how it is going to increase foot traffic within the city. Many businesses and individuals within the city came to the city asking for a potential pilot program so that we could encourage even more individuals coming to our downtown area. The proposed pilot program in front of you would run from 06/01/2026 to 12/31/2026.

It's a six month pilot program so there are adequate protections in place for the city. It would allow for businesses on the Chicago Street corridor to sell one beverage to go to individuals. The Chicago Street corridor is defined as Chicago Street from Jefferson Street to Calf Street. It includes sidewalk level businesses only with a Chicago Street address as well as City Square. We when when discussing the borders and the boundaries with the police department, the idea came about that we did not want individuals crossing state routes with open alcohol.

So Jefferson Street and Cass Street are both state routes. So we wanted to limit that. So those are the boundaries. The proposal is that there would be a social district from 4PM to 10PM, May 1 to September 30, and 4PM to 9PM, October 1 to April 30. This is in line with the city square operating hours as well.

The proposed social district pilot program would have the banners that are in front of you for the boundaries of the social District. We want things to be very clear on where the social district starts and ends. These are the proposed banners that the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has drafted. It has the hours and times. It also has the rules of the city, the social District, as well as the map of what the social district encompasses.

The proposal also includes to go cups that would have a City Square logo and a place for the business to write the date and time of the beverage sale. As you can see in front of you, this is the proposed cup. That cup, the when we were discussing this with the police department and discussing protections for the social District, we wanted to make sure that the police department had as much information as possible to handle any unruly citizens. So the date and time and where the drink was purchased was their idea so that they have as much information as possible in enforcing city square and social district rules. Eligible businesses to be included in the social district are required to have a full kitchen and 40% or less of their total sales can be from alcohol.

The proposals also include these signs. These signs would go in businesses that are either joining or not joining the social district. The businesses within the quarter are not required to join the social district. This is something that they can choose to do so the signage would be in their business so that citizens know whether they are part of the social district or not. Like I said earlier, it is a six month pilot program so that we can address growing pains and ensure compliance by the business, address any issues that are going on so that it is a successful program.

Additional safeguards in place include the liquor commissioner may end the program early if there are issues within the downtown area. And the six month pilot program can only be renewed with council approval at the end of the six month pilot it would sunset on December 31 if not approved by council. Thank you

Any questions for Stephanie or lieutenant Desiderio?

Go ahead, Joe. Yeah. Just a few comments. You know, I I understand it's a pilot program. It's gonna be moving. I'd like to see anybody has a liquor license. Like, the nice lady that was here two weeks ago with that has the plant shop. We're excluding her. She's right there at the corner. The Rialto Square Theater. Maybe there's something going on there. They can come across the street. I'd like to include more. I think people are adults. They can handle themselves for the most part. So I'd like to see other business that we have the the Casa in the train station. I'd like to see them. You know, they have specialty drinks. I'd to see them be part of this as well. That's just my thoughts.

I mean, it's a pilot program. We can work on it. I just don't wanna exclude businesses that especially the one lady right there at the corner. You know, she doesn't have a kitchen, I don't believe. But I'd to see her included. So that's it. Thanks, Joe.

Mayor? Yeah. I got a question. And for me, but it's also for people watching. So, the ordinance for the Plaza, you know, I understand setting rules specifically for that public property, right? But was mentioned several times that in order for the police to enforce municipal code and state law, we have to have an ordinance. What that kinda caught me off guard. Why do we have to have an ordinance? In other words, it'd the Wild West without the ordinance? They couldn't arrest people for breaking the law?

They could. The City Square ordinance in particular is a very robust ordinance that governs multiple different areas for the city as a whole and the police department for the operations of City Square. It takes our current ordinances and applies it to City Square so that the police department and the public are on notice for The Square in particular because it is a new area that the city has not seen in a long time.

And I had one more if you don't mind. In one of the slides we mesh we mentioned no panhandling. How come we don't just do it throughout the whole city? I mean we have a problem at Larkin Avenue, 6 Corners, you name it. And I know it's a national problem. Any any municipality, you go in, you see it. I don't care what their household income is. It's it's everywhere. I've seen it because I travel, you know, for work. But I just don't know what what we don't do throughout the whole city. So just another comment. Mayor? Yeah.

This starts at 04:00.

Yes.

So there was no thought on weekends having it earlier in the afternoon?

We chose 04:00 as the start day for every day so that it was clear during the pilot program and there were no questions or ambiguity.

Thank you.

Can I say something? I would really also like to see Internote included. They're right there adjacent to the square. That makes sense.

Yeah, I'm gonna go with Joel's comment as well. I would like to see, think her name is Michelle, right? Internode included if we can. Actually, do wanna get a, I would like response to Joe's comment about why can't we do city wide ordinance of not the panhandling one.

I think that's a Todd question or Stephanie? Yeah, it's, you can't just ban panhandling. It's the first amendment right. What we did here is we banned specific harassing conduct. So we can't say you can't panhandle, but we can regulate the conduct so that they don't harass other people in the city square. So it's not really accurate to say we're banning panhandling. We're banning the conduct that could come with the panhandling of harassing behavior.

Which does not apply to the public way.

Right. And I noticed that it says limited Panhandle because I know they have the First Amendment issues that have been dragged through the courts umpteen time during the state of Illinois. So I understood that. Also understand some of the businesses that have been mentioned. Is there a complication? You had mentioned crossing a state highway with alcohol. Does that complicate things? Is that why you know?

Does.

What would to make that happen, so some of these business could you'd have to, what, work with the state to get their permission?

That's correct. And I do not believe that that would happen.

Okay. Fair enough. Thank you.

Can I ask a really quick question? Would you define because I noticed the same thing that it said panhandling is limited. Can you go into that so we understand?

So it's when they become harassing. Someone can say stop panhandling. You know, that's one thing. If they go across the line and they're harassing or it's almost like a disorderly conduct. That's what we're limiting here is if someone crosses the line.

Todd, would that be defined, like, for instance, like a lot of laws that if a reasonable if if the behavior would make a reasonable person, you know, afraid that

I I would agree with that.

Okay. Oh, one more. Are e bikes included in that?

They are

not I think I saw something on

the floor.

They are not allowed on City Store.

Alright. Thank you.

Thank you.

Moving on. Council memo two fifty three twenty six, ordinances associated with the approval of the Rock Run Crossings Lifestyle Center subdivision, an ordinance approving a preliminary plat for the Rock Run Crossings Lifestyle Center, an ordinance approving a recording plat for the Rock Run Crossings Lifestyle Center. Council memo two fifty four twenty six, ordinances associated with the development of Rock Run Crossings Drive, phase two subdivision, an ordinance approving a preliminary plat for Rock Run Crossings Drive, phase two subdivision, ordinance approving a recording plat for Rock Run Crossings Drive phase two subdivision, and an ordinance approving a plat of vacation for approximately 1.7 acres of Courts Drive. Council memo two fifty five twenty six ordinances associated with the development of the Shale Road subdivision in Rocks in Rock Run Crossings. Ordinance approving the preliminary plat for the Shale Road subdivision in Rock Run Crossings.

And an ordinance approving the recording plat for the Shale Road subdivision and Rock Run Crossings. Council memo two fifty six twenty six, ordinance approving a variation of use to allow an indoor and outdoor commercial recreation facility, a b three general business use in the R B Restricted Business District located at 749 Hobo Road. The petitioner and contract purchaser is Dive Right in Scuba. Council member two fifty seven twenty six, ordinance approving a special use permit to allow an automotive repair facility located at 370 Ruby Street.

Question here. I know we had a couple of residents speak about it. Now that currently is a used used car business?

That's correct.

Is it gonna remain used car or or or just mechanic?

So the purpose of it is to allow an auto repair facility within the existing building, which has two repair bays and a small office and restroom area.

Will it continue to be a used car lot too?

My understanding is yes. Is that correct, Dustin?

There's a little bit of confusion. There is a lot of use there, and the residents are absolutely right. There has been, from another business some fugitive parking is what I would refer to it as. This parcel is a former radiator repair shop that is idle. What the petitioner would like to do would be to use this site for an automotive repair shop.

There are two bays there. So the ordinances before you ask two questions. One question is, in this B3 zone, this is an approved use, but it is because it's automotive related, they have to get permission from you. So that's question one. So can we take this vacant, well not vacant, this idle parcel with a building that was originally built for automotive repair and use it once again for automotive repair?

And the second question before you is the current ordinances that we have in the city of Joliet don't allow for an entrance within 100 feet of a residential use. This building and this neighborhood preceded those regulations. So the second question in front of you is, can this entrance be used? The staff recommendation is, please consider this is a hardship. The building was built and when it was built, right?

We changed the ordinances. It would work. So to your question about the parking, they estimate the petitioner estimates servicing four vehicles a day, 24 vehicles a week. On-site, there will be 12 stalls, including ADA stalls. Additionally, to that on-site parking that they will provide to other side

the

then in addition to the general maintenance and striping of the site.

Is there anything in there for pulling in and out of parking lot?

Is there anything

In the agreement, what were they have to maybe if they're pulling out on Ruby, right turn only or something along. Is there anything in there?

There's not a right turn only on Ruby, no.

Because it is I mean, it's congested there. I get it.

Yeah. It is.

Used to be the right ear place.

I've Mhmm.

You you know

it. Mhmm.

Mayor, I have a question. Mhmm. So you're saying they get they have two bays and they could have four cars at any one time? It's not gonna happen. It's not gonna happen. It's gonna be more. It's gonna be two. It's gonna be four. Then it'll be six, eight. They'll pile up waiting for their radiator to be done. That whole place down there is a total mess. And I'm sorry that it happened back in the day, but this is progress. And that's a very crowded area with a lot of seniors that live there, a lot of churchgoers there. There's no place to park. There's a grocery store around a little further down. If you go by there at any time, streets. You can barely get down. And I just don't think this is a good idea. I'm sorry to say that. But and it's happened before.

We have another business right away now on Broadway. And there were certain specifications that were supposed to be done there, and they still haven't been done. This has been at least five, six years. There's not it's not just a tire place. There's used cars there. Some of them are hidden in the back. They're not repaired. They're supposed to put a fence around there, and some landscaping and sidewalks, and it's still a mess. You go by there today. It is a mess.

And that's one of the main roads into Joliet to Route 66. So I'm sorry to say this, but I can't go with that one. And we need to relook at this thing because we put all these parameters in place and orders and ordinances. And they're never followed. And then when you call here and have someone to go look up on it, oh, well, it's okay. They're gonna fix it. They don't fix it. It's a mess. And I wish people would go so I don't know how you think this place is gonna be any different. Sure.

They'll promise you the world until they get it. And then after that, it's like, oh, we're busy this. You have to think of the residents that have lived there and do live there. And when you look at all the businesses around that area, it is well over. It's just overwhelming there. So I just have to speak that way. Those are my concerns, and those are my opinions.

Mayor? Yeah, Jan, I I agree. But, you know, it's it's not we we need as a city to go there and enforce the ordinances. We put these in place. There's only supposed to be 10 cars on Broadway. We should go there tomorrow. If there's more, final. That's on us. We're not doing our job. You know? That he had a lot I I end up talking to the owner over there, and he took a lot of those cars out of there on Broadway. But let's talk on Ruby. It is busy. You are right. It's on us to enforce the ordinances. And when we let it go, that's what happens. Now you have 30 cars over there.

With all due respect, councilman. Okay? Mayor, if I may just say. Yes. And when they call, they go if they go if they have the time to go over there to to police these people, we shouldn't have to police them when they have more cars. They should do what they're told in the beginning. And they come here and say, oh, yes. Yes. I will do that. Everything will be wonderful. And that place on Broadway has been nothing but a nightmare. And there's more than 10 cars at any one time. And then when it's cleaned up, and then it's there for a while, and then they go right back. And there's cars hidden behind the one building, so you can't see them if it's just a drive by. But you go down Broadway, it's a mess.

And those are my opinion. And I think not just because this is Route 66 and the hundredth anniversary, but we want to put our best foot forward always, not just when we're having an anniversary. And when there's people not following what they promised to do, I don't know why they're still allowed to do it.

And I'll say it again. It's on us to businesses are going to do what they're going to do until they have to face consequences. The enforcement is on us and we should we should go there tomorrow and take care

of it. Mayor, real quick. Hey, Dustin. Do we have what do we have in place so that we can enforce it? Do we have something in place?

I was not lucky enough to be here in Joliet five years ago when the ordinance that is being referenced took place. I am as I as you began smoking, I I was writing down to look into this and go out tomorrow and see what conditions were placed on that approval. Because just like this, I'm sure there were a series of conditions that were appended to that ordinance. Let's go. Let's take a look out. Refer to it. And if they're out of compliance, take the corrective actions that are necessary. Happy to do that.

In regards to the Ruby Street.

I'm sorry. I missed a beat. Could you repeat your question, Councillor Moreno?

Do we have something in place that we can police it basically? We can enforce if they Let's say if it gets approved and they don't follow their proposed development agreement, do we have something in place that we can enforce it?

There are six conditions to the proposed ordinance that you are going to consider. I'll just read those out for those who may not have an agenda or a copy in front of you. The first is that all proposed site improvements are completed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, including, A, removal and replacement of the curb and sidewalk along the portion of Ruby Street B, the removal of asphalt and installation of turf grass at the northwest corner and along the north side of the site. And c, the striping of the parking lot in accordance with the city standards. Second condition is that functional oil separator be in place for the garage base.

Probably not interesting to you. Important to the water. Three, that all service and repairs shall be performed within the building. Four, that a city business license shall be obtained. And the fifth talks basically about the building permit, certificate of occupancy not obtained later than one hundred and eighty days.

So if it takes you too long to take off the plane, you've to stay on the tarmac. And six, should the property be declared a public nuisance, it may be subject to a rehearing and possible revocation of the special use permit. So if you were to look at if they're being a good neighbor or not, generally speaking, it would be 0.6 should the property be declared a public nuisance. Now, in that broad way, I'm not really prepared to speak on something that I don't have in front of me. There very well may be, because I've seen it here in Joliet and other places, where there is a specific cap on x or y.

That's something that we're going to find out. Happy to report back to this body tomorrow on that. But in this particular instance before you right now, there is not a specific cap because it's not a lot for storage. And understood, everybody's lived experience is different. But this petition portrayed to us that this is not going to be, we're going to park in store. We're going to fix your car and you're going to take it away.

Okay. Thank you.

Justin, on the Ruby Street, the current petition that's before us, you had said that part of the agreement, obviously, is that part of the allowance restrictions is that repairs be done in the bays only.

Repairs to be done inside only. Yes.

Is there a limit to how many cars they can stack up waiting?

Legislatively, no. But physically, I would say yes.

They're going to have 12 spaces, right?

There will be 12 exterior parking spaces. I think there'll be three employees there. So nine customer spots. I'm doing back of the napkin math. I'm not a mechanic, sir. But there's not legislatively a cap on the number of cars they can fix a day. Perhaps I'm not understanding your question.

No, a question I think we've had before with other, like you said, unique ordinance and agreements. No. I mean, because they have nine cars sitting there waiting to be fixed for six weeks, just sitting there.

If the cars are parked within the lines on their site, I suppose they could have cars there.

I can't anybody up here, Chan, do you remember we've had ones where we restricted the amount of cars in

the store long term?

Broadway Street.

And we saw And

they moved the cars

and then they to moved them see that. Sure. Okay. Thank you.

Mayor, can I I think the Broadway, if I remember right, it was because they were trying to go from an auto repair to a car dealership at that time? How many cars he was able to have on his lot, we were able to put restrictions on that for selling cars. But I don't believe he ever converted it to a car dealership, so it remained auto repair. So I think I don't know if there's any kind of in the ordinance or restrictions that you can say that. Because I think the concern is, like you said, we've seen it where there's just a lot of cars piled up everywhere to say that if cars are not parked within parking lines, is that a violation?

It's on private property, so are we as a city allowed to go ticket for cars that are not in parking lines, right? So I don't know if there is something we can do with that. But I know that the car restriction was based off of they were trying to get a car dealership license. But they maintained it as an auto repair shop, not a they never converted.

And I think thank you, Councilman. And I think the answer to that, too, because it's a special use, we can put any restrictions on that private property that we want as a government in agreement with them. And if they don't agree, then they have special use.

I mean, I would be open to that discussion as far as making sure cars are parked within the parking lines that are allowed. So there's 12 parking spots, you know, and not just have cars stacked everywhere.

Mayor. My recollection, I believe it was 10 or 12 for that Broadway Street.

And Dustin's gonna check it Thank you, Dustin.

That's all I got here. Thanks.

That concludes the agenda.

Next we have comments on non agenda items. Is there anyone who would like to address the council this evening on a non agenda item?

Good evening, mayor, council, everybody else. Christine Johnson. I am coming to you this evening to make you aware of a situation, couple of situations that have happened this weekend. On Thursday, I attended the Joliet Slammers game at the prison. I was there with family and friends, and I made it to the seventh inning stretch.

There were other individuals who are in the same category as I, legally banned from the property. Yet, mister Pierpol felt it necessary to target only me and have me escorted out by the police department. Of course, my husband followed because he was with me. But Mr. Pierbull made it a point to come up to me and tell me I was not welcome. And then accused me of continuing to make Facebook posts threatening litigation to him. Okay, so now we have a whole different issue. Mr. Pierbold is now accusing me of things. I'm not employed there.

I'm a citizen. And I'm an ambassador. And I was removed. I was humiliated. Out of the thousands of peoples that were there, I was targeted by Greg Pierpont. Having him walk up to me flanked by two of our fabulous Joliet police officers, boy, did he look like an idiot. And I'm not going to lie. Because people were stopping. They were looking. They were talking. My family came up to me as I was being escorted out, hugging me. There is a sports reporter there who contacted me prior to the

game,

interviewed me, knows I'm a historian, and asked me to talk about the history of baseball at the prison, which of course I did. I love the prison. As an ambassador for this city heritage corridor, of course I did it. And there was nothing but positivity from myself and my husband. We were so excited to see history come alive.

It was overwhelming, and I was so proud. I am so proud to be a member of this community. And I will continue to give back, which brings me to the point I'd like to discuss now. Red Carpet Corridor, what a fantastic weekend for us, right? As the member and guest services manager at the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum, I have a fantastic staff of volunteers that I work attention that the Joliet Area Historical Museum was closed all weekend.

On Saturday, we welcomed six eighty six guests to the Rock and Roll Museum. There were a lot of travelers that were standing outside of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. My volunteers went down to the museum and welcomed them to our museum so that they wouldn't be left out. All of my volunteers and staff that did that are all heritage corridor destination ambassadors. Oh, and that certificate was signed by Greg Pierbull, by the way.

686 people. And the Joliet Area Historical Museum is supposed to be giving out the trading cards for the Scenic Byway. Guess what? Do you know? So six eighty six people potentially missed out on that. I had several I became the sounding board. And trying to make travelers happy and listening to them, complaint department for Joliet Area Historical Museum. Yet I am not welcome. I will continue to be an ambassador. I will continue to talk the place up, send people over there, as I always do.

But dang it, you guys. Come on. Three years Mr. Pierpont needs to get over himself. I am now being targeted as a citizen. Humiliating it was to me. Come on. We can do better. I'm an ambassador. People come to me.

I was so busy helping people who were so angry that JHM was closed all weekend, by the way. And I can tell you this for a fact. We fortunately had a council member in the house at the museum. And I didn't have to say to that counselor, this is happening. Because nobody would believe me, especially Greg Pierpol. But the fact that these people were venting to this counsel person, they heard it. They know our pain. And I am not going to stop listening to these people. But come on, you guys. Talk to Mr.

Peerball. Now he's targeting me as a citizen and accusing me of crimes. I am a citizen. Can we please fix this finally? It's not personnel. It's personal. It always has been.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Hi, everybody. Hey. I wanna say this. This is to Bill Evans. Bill, I want you to come up here, but, you know, you can sit back there. I wanna say to you, you know, from day one when you became police chief, you remember when I went up to you and told you about the problems I have with the drag racers. I remember what you told me. You told me you would take care of the drag racers for me. And I'm happy to say Bill Evans has. He has taken care of them drag racers.

And you don't know how much I appreciate that because of my my safety always being in danger when I was living out there with these drag racers blocking the street and attacking me and my mother through the years. Other police chiefs could not get the job done. But, Bill Evans, you did. You don't know how much I appreciate that, Bill. You kept your word, and you have just been a gentleman through all the years.

You make me wanna come to the city council meetings because I always wanna get my fist bump, my friendly eye from you. I thank you so much for that, Bill. And you retiring is sad because I only hope that the city of Joliet can find somebody with integrity that Bill Evans has. He has been tough on the crimes and everything, yet he's got the biggest heart. You know, he knows what I'm going through.

He has a sensitivity to give me encourage me words, encouraging me when I've been so down on my life. And it's been Bill's encouraging words that have helped me through so much through years. I come here to that city council, getting that fist bump, getting that for me high, and giving the encouraging words that even my family members don't even have the guts to give me. So, Bill, I appreciate everything you've done for me. It's gonna be hard.

There is no better Bill Evans, but I hope the city of Joliet can find somebody to carry on the legacy of this man and keep up the bravery and the, oh god, the toughness that this guy has yet the kind heart that this guy has. He understands everybody's situations, but then he ain't taking no bull from anybody either to letting the crimes happen and that. You know? He's put his foot down. He's done what other police chiefs haven't been able to do. And I hope to God's sake when you guys get a new police chief, it's as great as he is. I thank you, Bill. Thank you so much.

Hi. Good evening, mayor, councilman, and city manager. My name is Mary Montgomery. I serve as the Will County Continuum of Care executive director. We are the coalition that works to end homelessness in the three county area.

So I'm here today just to well, to share just some ideas, not about an agenda item anymore, but specifically as you guys are continuing to grow the city center space and thinking about the ordinances and the rules that you'll be putting into place, that you'll pay a special special attention to compassion for those who are experiencing homelessness. So it is very important for you, for me, for anybody to have access to public facilities, to public spaces, especially when they are trying to navigate through crisis and trying to figure out what they'll do next. I'm very proud of the work that's happened in this community. So as you may or may not know, 2023, we were in a crisis situation with unsheltered being the highest number ever, ever. So since then, we have continues to decrease homelessness under unsheltered homelessness over the last couple of years, specifically down 70%.

So as collaborative in working with the partners in the community and working with nonprofits and working side by side with the fire department and their teams too, we have worked continuously to work on unsheltered homelessness. So we are gonna con we're continuing to do that work and I'm sure that you should be seeing that evidence in your city spaces. So as you continue to think through how you'll be working with that, working with your rules over the city center, We'd like to participate in helping you communicate any changes to the space and also continue to do outreach and engagement of people who are experiencing homelessness because we believe in a community that homelessness doesn't exist in. Thank you.

Is there anyone else

who would like

to address the council this evening on the non agenda item? Okay. Seeing none, I did receive a request for closed session. Is there a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel, collective bargaining, land acquisition, or conveyance pending or threat litigation, after which the meeting will adjourn?

So moved. Second.

It's a motion and seconded to approve. Council Mccumbent. Aye. Councilman Hug. Aye. Councilman Navarro. Aye. Councilman Moreno. Aye. Councilman Mudran. Aye. Councilman Quoman.

Aye. Mayor Darcy.

Aye. Motion carried.

Aye.