City Council Meeting - Regular Meeting

Okay.

06:30PM in Council Chambers. Mary Terry Darcy will be attending the meeting, of course, and I am mayor pro tem Jan Quoman. So would you please call the roll? Invocation.

Do we wanna do the invocation?

Is there an invocation? I'm sorry. I was not informed that you were here. I apologize. So I'm off to a great start. I'm just drinking water. So we'll do the invocation, and then we'll do the pledge of allegiance. Okay.

Good evening, members of the council. My name is Kurt Paddock. I'm the pastoral leader at Saint Edward in Christ Episcopal Church here in Joliet. Let us pray. Almighty God, who has given us this good city for our heritage, we humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

Bless our city with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every wrongful way. Defend our liberties and fashion us into one united people brought out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy name we entrust the authority of city government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy glory among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail.

Amen. Amen.

Please join me in the pledge of allegiance to our country. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Thank you, pastor. Apologize.

We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy?

Here.

Council McCartney? Here. Council McClellan? Here. Councilman Hug? Here. Councilwoman Navarro? Here. Councilman Moreno? Here. Councilman Mudrin? Here. Councilman Quoman? Here. Councilman Marugan? Here. Okay. Next is the approval of the agenda.

Hi. Good evening. So I spoke with councilman Quillman earlier today about ordinance two zero two twenty six, which is the ordinance amending chapter two article two, the city manager authority for succession hiring and temporary appointments. I think that we have some things that we need to clarify so, you know, the council fully understands and the residents can fully understand what this does and doesn't do. So we are happy.

She she has graciously agreed to take that on in legislative committee. So we're gonna send it back to legislation the legislative committee for further discussion and clarification. Thank you, Beth.

Mhmm. Okay. Is there a motion to approve the agenda as written with the following change? Remove council memo two zero two dash 26 back to legislative committee for further discussion.

So move.

Second. It's been motion and seconded to approve. Council McCartney. Aye. Councilman Hug. Aye. Councilwoman Abarro. Aye. Councilman Moreno.

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilwoman Bowman.

Aye.

Councilwoman Reardon? Aye. Mayor Darcy? Aye. Motion carried. Next is citizens to be heard on agenda items. Is there anyone who would like to speak on an agenda item this evening?

On this abatement thing for this on that plant thing, you know, it's exciting that something's going in that old place. You know, head you know, place up there on up around six. You know? But we allow businesses to come in and get tax rebates and, you know, discounts on their taxes and everything. But then you turn around and raise all all the taxes of everything on the citizens and make the citizens pay so much more to handle what all these businesses have been causing us all the day or just for roads and all this stuff and gas taxes and everything goes way up.

Now the businesses wanna come in. They gotta understand they're in business and make, you know, the they gotta be willing to accept that all the costs that come with the businesses. You know? If citizens can't get discounts on their property taxes like these guys are asking over 50% off their property taxes, because you guys you know, because they say they would, you know, would create more better economy for people. Well, you know what?

People get better economy if you cut their property taxes off down too. They'll have more money to spend on the economy too. So I don't think it's fair to keep giving tax breaks to businesses, and these businesses just keep on thriving and raking the means for themselves. And meanwhile, you raise up the. This is wrong, and I don't think it should be allowed. It was exciting that they're coming here to coming here to, you know, billing in those vacant that vacant bill that's sitting there. But, please, yes, think of the citizens too. Don't be raising taxes on anything else for the citizens in order to cover the taxes come you give this business or any business. Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak on an agenda item this evening?

Good afternoon, city council. To go by from the previous point, the property tax being cut from for Hyundai, I would like to agree as well that this is just coming into filling bank vacant areas are a net positive for the city. However, they also have to understand that cutting property tax will only just be passed to the citizens. Citizens have to suffer through higher tax rates on their property and have not received any help even from previous agendas or where citizens have not been listened to. It's very disappointing to see that that but I won't bring up the previous events.

But I do believe that organizations and businesses do need to pay their fair share and not pass the burden to citizens.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak on agenda item this evening? Okay. Seeing none. Under appointments, the mayor is recommending Scott r Hammock be appointed to the plan commission to replace Roberto Perez. Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

It's been motioned and seconded to approve. Councilman Clement.

Aye.

Councilman Hug.

Aye.

Councilwoman Navarro? Aye. Councilman Moreno? Aye. Councilman Mudrin? Aye. Councilwoman Quoman? Aye. Councilwoman Rooted? Aye. Councilman Cardenas?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy? Aye. Motion carried. Next are council committee reports. We will start with communication technology and information systems.

The CTAS committee met 04/01/2026 in the Executive Conference Room. In attendance were councilman Moreno and councilman Cardenas and myself. We had four agenda items. The first was contract with Tyler Technologies for implementation of enterprise permitting and licensing, annual fee of a $156,009, and a one time implementation fee of $260,100. The council has had this discussion before about simplifying special event permitting and modernizing and streamlining the efficiencies in the inspection process.

We have had we do have capital funds budgeted for this process. The reason that the implementation fee is so large, we intended or we anticipate that it will take about twelve to six or twelve to eighteen months to implement. So it's quite a process. Our second agenda item was an award of contract for Tyler Technologies for time clock upgrade for $47,700. Our current clocks are the originals and at the end of life.

These new time clocks will increase increase efficiency, accuracy, and security. Our third item was an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Joliet and the Joliet Park District to install cameras for where where needed in the Park District property without having to go through this process over and over again to authorize it each time they are needed. We do have these cameras on hand to use when necessary. Number four, we a renewal of contract for the Xerox Business Solutions for a three year term for our managed print services in the amount of $349,698.23. There is a onetime device replacement cost of $8,800, and the remaining is the cost of the three year printing, maintenance, and servicing of the equipment.

Is

there anything else that

we okay. That our report. Thank you.

Thank you. Next is Land Use and Economic Development.

Land Use and Economic Development Committee met Wednesday, 03/18/2026 here in City Hall at 03:30PM in the chambers. In attendance was councilman Mundra and myself. Councilwoman Ibarra was unable to attend. We had an approval of the minutes, then we reviewed agenda item t and p nine four nine six. The resolution approving a property tax abatement at thirty eight thirty five Lyons Road for Hyundai Transleaf Inc.

Hyundai translate Transleaf estimated capital investment of a $148,000,000, the creation of 1,291 new jobs at full operational capacity, and approximately 1,000,000 in property taxes annually at that 3835 Youngs Road site. The company would have to show proof of the following of the following to receive the annual property tax abatement, the $148,000,000 capital investment by the completion of this project. In year one, a 113 employees. Year two, 1,001 employees. And by year three, a 177 employees.

Following our review and discussion, the committee recommended advancing these items for full council for approval for our support with our support. Next, we'll review TMP nine six thirty eight Resolution authorizing a property tax abatement at 01:18 East Jackson Street, El Guero for tax year 2025. Like we discussed yesterday, it's just some basic housekeeping. So, again, next coming to this council for full support. Council Mudrin, did I miss anything? No.

Thank you.

Okay. Public safety.

Thank you. The public safety committee met today here at the council chambers at 05:32PM. We approve the minutes from 02/03/2026. There were no citizens to be heard on any agenda items. There were three agenda items.

The first one purchase of 10 AirPack x three pro SC BA, which is self contained breathing apparatus, and one AirPak x three pro and eight AirPak x three pro CGA for the Joliet fire department from MES life safety in the amount of $157,225 as on tonight's agenda under one eighty dash 26. With the first, second, everybody approved of move forward, which it's already on tonight's agenda. Number two, purchase of purchase for the fire station one of cabinets from Riverton Cabinet Company in the amount of $32,450 and the installation of cabinets for Fire Station 1 from Heinz Construction Incorporated in the amount of $35,194 for a total of $67,644. This was both both of those items were brought by fire chief Carey, and we have first, second, and approved to move to the full council at a later date. Number three, approve the purchase of body armor vest for the SOS from First Spear in the amount of $54,616.25.

Brian Prohaska from the SOS team from the police department spoke on this item. Basically, we're replacing the vest there at a shelf life of five years. We're replacing these for 26 Joy Police SOS members. This was also approved to move to the full council at a later date. Any questions, comments on that?

No. Okay.

Okay. We had no ordinances and then under under resolution, resolution authorizing the sale of a police dog to k nine officer Adam Sapleton. The chief explained we will the city would sell this to Adam who's who's since retired, and the dog is retired for a dollar. This also will be brought at a later date for approval here at the council. Dice.

Basically, on our new or old business, Suzanne Ibarra brought up item one ninety nine dash 26, which is basically the the security service agreement that we're gonna vote on today. She believes, and I agree, and I believe Jan Quoman agrees, this item probably should have came to public safety instead of public act assets committee. There were no public comments, and then we adjourned. I miss anything?

No. I covered.

Okay. That's the report, mayor.

Thank you. And public service.

Public service committee met here at City Hall in the Council Chambers yesterday, Monday, April 6 at 04:30 in the afternoon. On the committee, in attendance was Councilwoman Reyder, Councilman Mudrin, and myself. We had eight contracts, four change orders, past amendments to final payments, and three ordinances that we looked at. Contracts ranged from as little as 41,000, up to 1,300,000.0. Again, all contracts embedded in one or two ways, just so people understand.

Either through CO bid, which you can go online and look at this contract to see who each of the bidders were and who bid how much. And then for professional services, it's done with a review by staff. They put in a they put out a a request proposal, and then it's judge who's got you know, who meets the criteria for the scope of work. So I won't go into too much detail on all the contracts. The $1,300,000 contract is for the 2027 water main rehabilitation program, and that's for the engineering from Baxter and Woodman.

Other ones that we looked at, there was 41,000 that we looked at, bid. We're going to be replacing some school zone flashing lights. They're getting end of life. You know, we don't want those to fail when the kids are going to school. So, we looked at all eight of the contracts, and we found them all to have been in order and done properly and legally, and unanimously approved and moving forward with the committee recommendation that the council approve them.

Under the change order to pay estimates and final payments, we had four items. One was for $20,000 on the it it had to do with the Northpoint development review project review to Hutchinson Engineering. That $20,000 will be completely reimbursed by Northpointe to the city of Joliet. We we had another change order for the sanitary Fairmont sanitary sewer rehabilitation Program from HORT Construction. And, that was a deduction of $77,000 with a final payment on closing out the project at 44,000.

So, we looked at all four of those. And, again, we found them to be have have been done properly and legally. And, we have voted unanimously to send all four of them forward to this council with committee recommendation to improve. And, we had three orders and resolutions. Two had to do with well, actually, all three had to do with utility easements.

One was construction utility easement with Plainfield Park District. Another was a public utility easement from the Burton Place Apartments, the Larkin Avenue Water Main project, and the final one was a encroachment stipulation letter with Kinder Morgan Incorporated for the 2026 Glenwood And West Acres Water Main Improvements Project. So, we looked at looked those over, and they seem to meet the criteria. And, again, we unanimously sent all three items forward to the city council with committee recommendation to approve. And, on the good news, we always have once a month, we'll have a report from Allison Swisher.

And, it's on utilities maintenance activities, water main breaks, certain emergency repairs that we had to do, get a contractor to do. And, our water main breaks have continued to go down again this year. Lower than last year, or the year before. So, we're making headway with the water main improvements project that we're engaged in. And, so, not only is that serving the purpose of the alternative long supply meeting criteria for our allotment of from Lake Michigan. It also means we do less watering breaks for the citizens to have to suffer through. So, we'll keep that going, and it's good work from the water and sewer department. That's all I really have, unless Sherry, Pat, anything I missed?

Good job. Nothing.

Mayor, that will be our report.

Thank you.

I show no other reports. Under consent agenda, approval of minutes. It is recommended the minutes of the combined council meeting 03/16/2026 and the reconvene March 16 meeting held on 03/19/2026 stand approved as recorded. Invoices to be paid. It is recommended this report be approved.

Council memo number 180Dash26, purchase of 10 air pack x three pro s c b a, one air pack x three pro, and eight air pack x three pro CGA for the Gillette Fire Department from MES Life Safety in the amount of $157,225. Council memo number 181Dash26, approval of purchase number one for the twenty twenty six school zone flash and materials purchase to Bubble Treks Incorporated in the amount of $41,312. Council memo number 182Dash26, approval of purchase order number two for the 2026 traffic signal materials purchased to Traffic Control Corporation in the amount of $29,642. Council memo memo number one eighty three dash 26, approval of amendment number one for the professional engineering services related to the North Point development plan review to Hutchinson Engineering in the amount of 20,000. Council memo number 184Dash26, a word of contract for the 2026 utilities restoration program in the amount of $700,000.

Council memo number 185Dash26, award of contract for the 2026 sanitary service lateral lining program to performance pipeline incorporated in the amount of $719,939.64 and award of the 2026 sanitary service lateral professional services agreement to RJN Group in the amount of $71,700. Council memo number 186Dash26, award of professional services agreement for the safety consulting services to Sheffield Safety and Loss Control LLC in the amount of $485,750. Council memo number 187Dash26, approval of of amendment number two to the professional services agreement for the storm sewer GIS mapping project contract to to TWIG Technologies in the amount of $153,140. Council member number 188Dash26, approval of change order number one for the Fairmont Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Program to Hare Construction Incorporated for deduction in the amount of $77,241 and payment number four and final in the amount of $44,224.90. Councilmember number one eighty nine dash twenty six, approval of change order number two for the Hege Park water main improvements project on behalf of PT Faroe Construction Company for deduction in the amount of $291.17.

Council number 190Dash26, payment in the amount of 20 payment of the 2026 membership dues for the lower Des Plaines Watershed Group in the amount of $105,826. Councilmember number 191Dash26, award of contracts to Tyler Technologies for the implementation of enterprise permitting and licensing, EPL, solution in the amount of $156,909 annually plus an amount not to exceed $260,100 for a one time implementation fees. Council number 192Dash26, award of contract to Tyler Technologies for time clock upgrade in the amount of $47,700. Council number 193Dash26, award of contract to Xerox Business Solutions for three year managed print services the amount of $349,698.23. Council memo number 194Dash26, authorization to fund draw 15 for tax increment financing District Number 7 in the amount of $1,368,951.12.

It is recommended council memos 180 dash 26 through one ninety four dash 26 be approved. Is there a motion to approve all said consent agenda items? So moved.

Second.

It's been motion seconded to approve. Councilman Hug. Aye. Councilwoman Navarro. Aye. Councilman Moreno.

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin. Aye. Councilman Quillman. Aye. Councilman Meridian. Aye. Councilman McCartney. Aye. Councilman Clement.

Mayor, just real quick. Under 186Dash26, the agreement for the safety consultant. I just wanna make a comment. We spoke briefly yesterday. I'd like to see the city moving forward after you know, we we need this safety agreement, and it's very important. But I'd like to see down the road at some point when we can, if we could have our own people be trained or somebody here that that could that could take this over and we could do it in house. But I do vote at it. So Thank you. Thank you.

Mayor Darcy. Aye. Motion carried. Under agenda items, council model number one ninety six Dash20 six, award of contract for the 2026 on call excavation and underground utility repair program in the amount of $500,000. It is recommended councilmember number 196Dash26 be approved. Motion approved. Second.

Any comments or

questions? It's my motion to second it to approve. Councilwoman Mabarra? Aye. Councilman Moreno?

State.

Councilman Mudrin?

Aye.

Councilwoman Muckerman? Aye. Councilwoman Rudin? Aye. Councilman McCartiness?

Aye.

Councilman Clement? Aye. Councilman Hug?

Just to clarify too, that 500,000 is not to exceed amount. This is for emergency repairs, folks. So it's a repair need to be done. We get a bidding, and the top three bidders, we go to the lowest bidder if they're available. We go to the second low lowest bidder if the first one's not. So this is not an amount that we've given to anybody. So the company, This isn't reserved to pay for needed repairs. As they come up, I vote aye.

Mayor Darcy. Aye. Motion carried. Councilmember number 197Dash26, approval of amendment number one to the professional services agreement for the 2027 water main rehabilitation program for detailed design services to Baxter and Woodman Incorporated in the amount of $1,323,900. It is recommended council amendment number one ninety seven dash twenty six be approved.

So moved. Second. Any comments or questions? Thank you.

It's a motion seconded

to approve.

Council member Moreno? Aye. Council Mudrin? Aye. Councilwoman Bowman? Aye. Councilwoman Reuden? Aye. Council McCartney?

Aye.

Council Mclemens? Aye. Councilman Hug? Aye. Councilwoman Navarro? Aye. Mayor Darcy?

Aye.

Council member number 198Dash20 approved payment to Will County Governmental League for annual membership dues in the amount of $25,077.45. It is recommended council memo number 198Dash26 be approved. So moved.

Second. Any comments or questions? Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve. Councilman Mudrin?

Aye.

Councilwoman Muckerman? Aye. Councilman Merudin? Aye. Councilman Cardenas?

Aye.

Councilman Clement? Aye. Councilman Hubbard? Aye. Councilman Navarro? Aye. Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy? Aye. Motion carried. Councilman number one ninety nine dash twenty six, approval of an amendment to contract for security services to Universal Protection Services, LPDVA Allied University Security Services in the amount of $80,516.37. It is recommended council member 199Dash26 be approved.

So moved.

Second. Any comments, questions?

Mayor, just to be clear, our goal is and I think you outlined it yesterday. Our goal is once the the police department gets back up to somewhere near full staffing, at least at 285, that we'll bring it back in house with our own police officer as they've done in the past. That's all dependent on hiring new officers, which I think you got a good crop coming up. Yes. So just wanted to let the folks know that.

Thank you.

Okay. It's been motion and seconded to approve. Councilwoman Coleman?

Aye.

Councilwoman Verdun? Aye. Councilwoman Cardenas? Aye. Councilwoman Clement? Aye. Councilman Hogg? Aye. Councilwoman Navarro? Aye. Councilwoman Moreno? Aye. Councilwoman Madryn? Aye. Mayor Darcy? Aye. Motion carried. Under ordinances. Council memo number 201Dash26. Ordinance approving a reclassification of 717 Henderson Avenue from from r three one and two family residential to r two single family residential zoning z dash one dash 26. It is recommended that ordinance be adopted. I'll move. Second.

Any comments or questions? Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve. Councilwoman Reardon? Aye. Councilman Cardenas? Aye. Councilman Clement? Aye. Councilman Hogg?

Aye.

Councilwoman Vara? Aye. Councilman Marino?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin?

Aye.

Councilwoman Coleman?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy. Aye. Motion carried. Under resolutions. Council memo number 204Dash26. Resolution approving a property tax abatement at 3835 Youngs Road, Joliet, Illinois 60434 for Hyundai Translate Incorporated. It is recommended that resolution be adopted.

So

moved. Second. Any comments or questions?

Mayor, if you don't mind. I I do wanna address and I don't feel like sorry. At a five year or 50% property tax abatement in today's economy, that's the minimum. Myself, and I think other members, I think Councilman Ibarra expressed that too. We don't find abatements at all. We understand, you know, that position. But, you'll have no development if you don't. It's very minimal. We've lost projects because we won't really generally go above that unless they're gonna put in golden roads. We've lost them because other communities have given a 100% tax abatement for ten years, 50% tax abatement for twenty years.

In in cases where it applies, there's other communities that have given 50 to 75% sales tax abatements for five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years, we won't get into that level of abatement. This is a minimum abatement. And the reason we can do it on a minimum and not have to compete with some of these other communities that have, in the past, taken from us is because we are, Joliet, is situated in an area where industry really does wanna move. I mean, you've got the canal, you've got the highway, you've got the airports in Chicago. You've got a lot going on for Joliet. And so I wanna let people know that's that's really a very, very minimum tax abatement. Five 50% of taxes for five years. I hope that clarifies for anybody.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor. Mayor. Mhmm. I just wanna say thank you for investing in Joliet, and welcome. That's it.

K.

It's the motion seconded to approve. Councilman Cardenas?

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug? Aye. Councilman Navarro? Aye. Councilman Moreno? Aye. Councilman Madryn?

Aye.

Councilman McClellan? Aye. Councilman Reberden? Aye. Mayor Darcy?

Aye.

Motion carried. Councilman number 205Dash26, resolution authorizing the execution of a property tax incentive with Supermericado Zaguerre Incorporated at 118 East Jackson Street for tax year 2025. It is recommended that resolution be adopted.

I move. Second.

Any comments or questions? Thank you.

Councilman Clement.

Aye.

Councilman Huck. Aye. Councilman Abara. Aye. Councilman Moreno. Aye. Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilman Bowman. Aye. Councilman Reardon. Aye. Councilman Cardenas.

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried. Council memo number two 06Dash26, resolution authorizing execution of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the city of Joliet and the Joliet Park District. It is recommended that resolution be adopted. So moved.

Second. Any comments or questions? Thank you.

It's a motion and seconded to approve. Councilman Hudd? Aye. Councilman Navarro? Aye. Councilman Moreno? Aye. Councilman Mundren?

Aye.

Councilman Woman? Aye. Councilman Verdin? Aye. Councilman Cardenas?

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy? Aye. Motion carried. Councilman 1Number207Dash26, resolution approving easement agreement for facility construction with Plainfield Park District, Rob Ayers Soccer Complex, Southeast Of Caton Farm Road, and Ridge Road. It is recommended that resolution be adopted.

So moved.

Second. Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's been motioned and seconded to approve. Councilwoman Navarro? Aye. Councilwoman Marino?

Aye.

Councilwoman Mudrin? Aye. Councilwoman Quillman? Aye. Councilwoman Verdin? Aye. Councilman Cardenas? Aye. Councilwoman Clement? Aye. Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy? Aye. Motion carried. Council memo number 208Dash26, resolution accepting a grant of public utility easement from Burton Place Apartment, DBA Burton Place J LLC for the Lark In Avenue water main improvements project. It is recommended that a resolution be adopted. So moved.

Second. Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve. Council member Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin? Aye. Councilman McCorman? Aye. Councilman Merudin? Aye. Councilman Carginess? Aye. Councilman Clement? Aye. Councilman Hug? Aye. Councilman Navarro? Aye. Mayor Darcy? Aye. Motion carried. Council memo number 209Dash26, resolution authorizing approval and execution of an encroachment stipulation letter with Kinder Morgan Incorporated for the 2026 Glenwood And West Acres water main improvements project. It is recommended that resolution be adopted. Adopted.

So moved. Second.

Any comments or questions?

It's been motion and seconded to approve. Councilman Budrent?

Aye.

Councilwoman Quoman? Aye. Councilwoman Rutin? Aye. Councilman Cardenas? Aye. Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug? Aye. Councilwoman Navarro? Aye. Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy?

Aye.

Motion carried. Next is the city manager's report.

I just wanna make everyone aware of something that looks like a Joliet utility customer refund information. It is a scam. It's not coming from the city of Joliet. It has, like, approved amounts for your refund and refund ID number on it. So we just wanna make sure that all residents please be cognizant of this. This did not come from the city of Joliet and is a scam. So it's all over our social media right now. Police department also put it on their social media. Just wanna make sure that everyone knows anything that says customer refund information from utilities did not come from the city of Joliet.

Can I ask you is it coming by mail, or how is it being delivered to people?

I believe by mail. But, Sydney, what do you think?

Yeah. Think it appears to be on the line.

Yeah. What it looks like. Yeah. You can pass it down. It'd be helpful too. And we have some exciting things coming up with the opening of City Square soon, so we'll have some announcements on that next week. Otherwise, I have no further comments. Okay.

Next, we have public comments. We do have Brett Fraser who is here to first speak.

Sign up.

Hello.

Good evening, mayor, city council, city manager Haiti, deputy city manager, miss Darriel, city staff. April 16, I'm retiring from my position of chief operating engineer, local three ninety nine, after twenty five years of service to the city of Joliet. I have joined the projects, challenges, accomplishments, and most of all, the people that I have met along the way. My father, Robert Fraser, served the city for forty three years as director of management and budget and city treasurer. Ironically enough, today is his birthday.

He retired at the age of 74, and he taught me how to love this city. I was fortunate enough to have worked with him for seven years. He cast a big shadow, and his name still comes up daily in conversations with city staff, contractors, and citizens. My mother, Barbara Fraser, worked for Joliet Central for almost two decades. I can only hope that I've made them both proud, and I have left my own imprint on the city of champions.

My daughters, Madison, Shelby, and Payton, are the fifth generation of the Fraser family to be born, raised, educated, and living in Joliet. My wife, Michelle, is a longtime seventh grade math teacher for the Troy School District. My responsibilities with the city require that I often work evenings, weekends, holidays, and respond to callouts all hours of the night. Michelle has been patient, understanding, and supportive when it came to my unpredictable schedule and how obsessed I was with my job. I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to have served the city of Joliet.

I'm extremely proud of our city's rich history and very excited to see the direction we are heading as we move into the future. So thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Mayor, if I may, before he leaves. Brent, you'll be sorely missed. You're a great asset around here. I knew your mom and your dad. And when I first came on board, your dad was nothing but kind to me.

He showed me the ropes and kinda took me as a bit as a dad under his wing and showed me all the ropes to get through to this place, especially on the city council and being the first woman in very, very long time. I went to you when your dad retired, and anything we needed at city hall, especially the Vietnam pictures that we have down there by the city manager's office. You helped with that. And so many other things at Joliet Catholic High School over here, you were in that all the time. I mean, you were constantly, constantly working, and anything we would ask you would do it.

So congratulations on your retirement. Well deserved, but you will be sorely missed by me and I hope others as well. Happy life, and good luck, and safe travels, and good health to you.

Thank you. Thank you, John.

Thank you, brother. Say something. You have been fantastic. All the time I've known you since I've been on this council, you have been you do whatever anybody asks at any time, any time, any place, anywhere. I don't know how we're gonna do it without you. You know, you have just been a the most amazing person to work with and have for the city, and thank you. I know you deserve this retirement, but we don't wanna see you go. But congratulations. Thank you. Thank you.

Sure everybody can comment.

Brent Can I

go next? Oh, I'm sorry. You go next. You ask I just wanna say I went to school with you and your brother. You it has been such a joy to work with you here. You are so completely obsessed with your job, and you are nothing short of amazing no matter what time I called you, early morning, day, night, you are the first person to jump in and help us, and that was a super awesome ride you arranged for me on the Gator. I'll never forget that. I was holding on for dear life, but I got to tour all the facilities and see everything I needed to see as the chairman of the public assets committee. So thank you so much. Now we want you to go and be obsessed with your retirement.

Fish, have a great time, and thank you so much. And your beautiful wife who is amazing. Thank you so much for all the understanding that it has that you have put in over all of these years. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Thank you.

Brian, just congratulations on your retirement. We have a history. I knew your day very well, '99. Never forget that. But thank you so much for everything you've ever done for the city and everything whenever I ask you to do do something or help me out. You're always there, and you have three beautiful children, beautiful wife, and you're gonna be sorely missed. But thank thank you so much for everything you you ever did for me and the city.

So Thank you.

Are you sure you want me to comment?

We're good now. Hey,

my friend. And I don't use that

Thank you.

My friend and I don't use that term loosely. I'm a I'm a hard case when it comes to that stuff. One word from the first time I met you, I was impressed. And it was a quick quickly developed and smooth relationship. You were a consummate professional. You knew yourself, and you were always there when we needed it. So congratulations to you, even more so. Congratulations to missus Frazier. Thank you. You get to have them full time now. Thank you. It'll be like having one of your seven careers at home full

time. Right?

Thank you.

So, again, congratulations on your retirement and enjoy it.

Thank you, councilman. Thank you.

Brett, I too knew your dad. I've been in business thirty five years here, and I've always been engaged city hall, and your dad was always the bright light when I come down here and talk to him. And the love that he had for the city is the love you have for the city. I wanna thank your wife because I know that you took a lot of time for your family to do what you did for this community. You know, your smile's infectious, and and they say that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. And I know you love what you've done here, and your knowledge is gonna be missed. Your ambitions are gonna be missed, And and we really we love you and we appreciate you. Thank you.

Thank you, mayor. Thank you.

Brent, I only got to work with you for a few months and I loved it. And thank you for all the work you've done here. I really appreciate it and even the help that you've given me. So thank you for all you've done for the Joliet and for this community. Thank you. Thank you, councilman.

Thank you.

Can I ask the city manager if they can come up and get a picture with the council? Absolutely. Okay. Would you guys like to come up and get

a picture?

Oh, I'm sorry, Pat.

So Pat wants to roll.

As everyone thank you. As everyone here has really indicated, anytime many of us had an issue that we needed some help for, you were there. So appreciate it.

Thank you, councilman.

Thank you, Brent. Also as well, my my time here was short with you as well, but it was very well you you showed me around with a lot things that we needed right out the gate to learn things. And so I just thank you, enjoy retirement.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Take your take your time.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Okay.

Is there anyone who would like to address the council this evening on non agenda item?

Good evening, everyone. Councilman, councilwomen, mayor Darcy. My name is Margarita Santos, and I serve as the program coordinator for HLM Recovery. And we are in charge or to service Grundy, Kankakee, and Will County through the Illinois Department of Human Services, WASC, which is Recovery Oriented Systems of Care. We also partner up with HERO, which is heroin epidemic relief organization.

We have Lassandra here who is from the board. I am an educator there. And what I do with HERO as a collaboration is we provide naloxone or Narcan training, and we do this virtually. Five years ago, the city of Joliet through the fire department saved my life through naloxone, Narcan administration. So because of that, I am here today.

And now in turn, I get to educate people on the importance of Naloxone and Norcan administration to be able to help those that are still struggling with addiction and those who may be prescribed prescribed opioids opioids that do not know or may not know how to use opioids that may be in at risk of also overdosing from opioids. On March 10, I received a call from councilwoman Susannah Ibarra. She was overwhelmed, and she told me that she had just administered naloxone to somebody at the Riverwalk community. And that person is she said that because of the training she received through us, she was able to get the courage to go and administer, and this person is alive today because of that. This person was not breathing.

She administered the naloxone. The paramedics came and took him, and when the paramedics got there, he was breathing again. So I wanna thank her for that, for being a hero for our community because in turn, we get to do this and we get to save more people. And I am very proud of her. So we are here on behalf of Hero to present her with a Hero Award.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to address the council this evening on a non agenda item? Yes.

Counsel. As I stated before, what's something I wanted to talk about, a non agenda issue, I would just like to keep in mind with previous votes on, specifically, data center. It is something I would like to keep you you guys keep in mind that people within my generation and those in the rural area are very unpleased with the votes. And I'm sorry. I'm nervous because it's the first time here. But I would like to address and keep in mind that,

you know,

the people of Joliet, with that vote in particular, have felt unheard, and very various sources of social media have put out their outcry on this vote that with seemingly, for the people of Joliet, feeling like they've been unheard. And I would like for you guys to keep in mind that people would maybe like to hear a comment from the city of Joliet, maybe given their perspective on why why the vote was passed. If you could, it would be very much appreciated. Again, I'm also one of the individuals who are upset with the vote, but it's not something that I would like to bring a, like, a big issue with. Instead, we'd like to hear from the council on why why it was approved.

Maybe I'm this under underinformed, but, again, I would just like to hear from you guys. From social media, it would be fine as well. Thank you.

Is there anyone else who'd like to address the council this evening on that agenda item? Okay. Seeing none, we'll move on to mayor and council comments.

I have nothing to take. Yes.

I was fortunate enough this past Monday

to be

at the swearing in ceremony for the seven new police officers, and I just wanna wish them all the luck in the world over this next, I guess, approximately a year of training before they actually get out in the street. Then we need them. And great job, chief, and hope we can keep them coming. I understand we have quite a number of applicants for the next round. Alright.

So thank you.

That's it. Yep. See you. See you.

Yeah. I just wanted to congratulate, well, Brent Fraser one more time for your retirement. Thank you. And Joliet fire department captain Michael Ballard and Joliet police department Tony Lakota for his retirement as well. And I didn't get a chance earlier to speak on the on the one of the items. It was 186Dash26.

Joe was able

to get in there and and speak on it real quick. We also I know we share the same views as far as making sure we try to do this in house. I was a little late to speak on it now, but I'm still speaking at it. So those are my comments for that. Also, it's construction season, so please slow down. You see orange, slow down. Get off your phones, pay attention to the road, and be careful out there. And thank you, and be patient. Everybody's working as as hard and soft and hard and as safe as they can. So thank you, guys. Those are my

comments. Okay.

So my goddaughter was here and she left, but I wanna say hi to her. I want to know if we could possibly, at the next council meeting, get a lobbyist update for the lobbyist that we all hired. I'm hoping that is gonna be possible at the next council meeting just so we know where we stand with that or what productivity they have. I don't know how many months it's been. I think it's been about three.

Yeah. It hasn't been many, but I'm sure they'd be happy to come to council.

Update you. Even if they gave it to you and you give

it to us, that would be good too.

I mean, I'm happy to

have them

come as well. They're they're happy to do that.

Thank you. I appreciate that. Also, I wanna mention to everybody how beautiful Saint Joe's Church is looking. If you haven't seen it all lit up at night, they have outdoor lights for that church now, and it looks so beautiful and majestic to the downtown. It's beautiful anyway, but with the lights, it is just breathtaking. So if you have a chance to get downtown at night, please look at the lights from Saint Joe's Church. They have done a great job with that. Also, would like to thank Hero. It was not necessary at all for you to do that. I really do appreciate it.

It's almost like a movie the way it plays over in my head right now. I only know what really happened because I don't know how people got video or pictures of it or something. It was very weird how that happened, but when you trained me, I promise you, I didn't think there was ever a single day I would use it, but I have it at home. I have it in the car. I gave it to all my nieces and nephews one year for Easter in their basket because you want to be safe than sorry, and from a teaching perspective, if you have pain medicine in your home, this is something you should have.

You can have an elderly mom that may have thought she took her pills, may have not taken her pills, may take three times more of the pills than is necessary because she forgot. Also, I don't think a lot of people know this, but if your pet accidentally gets into your pain meds in addition to it saving the life of human beings, which we always wanna do, you can also save the life of your pet with Narcan. And not to go into too much detail, but at the time I was doing it, you taught me so well, it was a reflex. I didn't even think about it. If people around me were screaming, no.

No. No. They didn't know what I knew that this was gonna be no harm. So if all of the signs that you taught me were not there or I was over reading the signs, it was not gonna harm the person at all. It wasn't it was my luck and that person's luck that it was what I what you trained me for. It was what I thought I was seeing, and it was very simple to administer without hesitation. Is everyone around me screaming? No. I'm like, done. So and then our heroes from the fire department showed up, and the paramedics showed up and took over from there, and I was so happy when I got past that along, and it of course was a good outcome.

So I think everybody that has pain medicine in their house should have should have this in their car in their house. You should have it just as a standard rather be safe than sorry. I also want to congratulate Brett Fraser and his wife. It's gonna be such a beautiful life for you now, and you put in so much hard work and service. Like, let's see pictures of the fish you catch, and, you know, the trees you cut down, and everything you're doing, maybe a water ski possibly, like, let's see.

Okay. Well, we won't go that far, but let's see what you're doing. We'll be overjoyed and thrilled to see that, and then just I'm not gonna belabor the point, but I definitely will address the data center question just to say that whether you were for the data center or against the data center, I feel like the public feels like they weren't heard. So seven and a half hours of public comment, but that wasn't a back and forth exchange. JJC, what it was reported to me that a lot of people there were not qualified for the highly technical questions that were asked there.

So that wasn't the opportunity for a back and forth exchange, and this is just my opinion from my district's perspective and what my district is telling me because these are the people that put me here, and I'm gonna have to listen to them, that they felt like maybe we belabored points on liquor stores longer than I feel like we did this. We've had town halls for smaller issues, so I'm I'm echoing and uplifting the voices of my district. I hear you when you say you feel like you weren't heard or there wasn't a real back and forth exchange. Public comment is not even a back and forth exchange. That's a weird hearing you, and we're taking it in.

So I do feel and understand what you're saying, and, again, I'm not gonna believe the point, but I understand what you're saying. And thank you. Have a good night.

First, I'd like to thank the young man who spoke tonight. Don't be nervous. Just be yourself. You did a good job doing that. If you look at the the screen right now, at the monitor, you see that cell phone number up there? That's my personal cell phone number. I don't give a city number. It's my personal cell phone number. I it is open to anybody watching it on TV. I kinda started a trend about eight years ago by putting my cell phone number up there. Call me and we'll talk. As you may have heard, were you here at the the two different meetings we had? Okay. We had one one a couple of young young ladies who said they had called me and one said we spent an hour and forty minutes talking. That's absolutely true. So, certainly, what was your first name?

Fabian.

Fabian? Call me. Anybody else that has questions, I'll we'll talk. We'll talk. I'll explain my position, the research I did, and all that. Always remember that if somebody disagrees with you, it doesn't mean they didn't hear you, just means they heard what you said and they don't agree. And some and we we can agree to disagree, you know, and be pleasant like you and I are being now. So certainly call me. I'm I'm willing to, you know, to talk as long as you would like. And, again, you thank for coming here tonight. Don't be nervous. We're just we're just residents up here just like you. We just were dumb enough to get, you know, burning my ballots. With that said, I want everybody to hear this. Okay.

Statement and mediation office. I'm wrapping up my follow ups, and your record still shows unresolved flagged issues that could lead to additional charges or potential collection activity is not reviewed. Because the extension period is still active, there are relief programs available that may reduce, postpone, or remove certain amounts owed entirely. Every case is different but many individuals are qualifying for reduced payments or full settlements depending on their filing status. The review only takes a few minutes, and once verified, we can

I'm not gonna make you listen to the whole thing. Can you anybody wanna describe that with one word? Scam. Scam. It. What the heck? Do I have problems here? And then I went into them after they you know, I said, are you with the IRS? And they did say, no. We're a private company. The number anybody that sounds like that I'm gonna give you the number that it came from. The number it came from is 8339621587. You see that number? You got a scan. The number they want you to call back at is (888) 905-3401.

And, yeah, it's a scam. I I thought of that. Beth Beth, when you brought up that scam, I think there's probably too many to list right now. Look. Most serious people when it comes to finances and and personal, you know, the the delicate information, don't do it by text or or by voice mail. They'll contact you in a traditional manner. So do not fall for it. You say you would've fallen for it, Juan?

Yeah. I'd be able to.

No. Don't. Because they'll they'll own your accounts. They'll own your accounts in no time at all. With that said, so thank you for bringing that up about the city, Beth. It's we we gotta keep telling people, especially those that are older.

Right. It

seems to be although Juan's not exactly older than me. I stand corrected. You're right. So with that said, I just hope everybody had a happy and blessed Easter and they carry the spirit of Easter and what Easter is about through the rest of the year. Thank you. Thank you.

Suzanne, I'm gonna jump on board with your Saint Joseph's Church, and that was done by Dave Sloan at Accents Lighting. Beautiful. It's it's I mean, I saw photos, but you have to see it in person, which I did. He's done work for me in the past. He's a good guy, and he does great work.

But on a on a sad note, I think all of us here at one point or another spoke and knew of Karen Ward. Karen Ward passed away a a few days ago. She had deep roots here in the city of Joliet, historian, and she always advocated for the city of Joliet. I think mister mayor, we just have a moment of silence for Karen Ward, please. Thank you. Those are my comments.

Thank you. No comment.

Speaking of losing some of the champions of our community, we lost Roger Powell, who was a unbelievable basketball player, brought a lot of recognition to the city, played worldwide, and he was just a heart of champions from here in Joliet. We'd like to take a moment of silence for him. On another note, and I know you're not supposed to talk about women's ages, and I may get some big trouble for this one. But a very important person in my life is crossing the line into three figures. My mother.

She is we're gonna celebrate another year of her journey to heaven, deservedly so. She's not only raised her eight kids who've all turned out pretty well. She's still working on me. She told me that one day. She said she's trying, and I said I'm trying too, You know, I grew up in a house of there was nine of us in a two bedroom, one bathroom house. And being Irish Catholic, they had another kid. So you had 10 people in a two bedroom, one bathroom house, and they put on two more bedrooms. And I thought, why don't you put on two more bathrooms? I could sleep standing up awake in the morning. Was difficult.

So I just wanna say thank you to my mom. I I can't thank her enough for the wisdom and the love she shared with her family, her friends, and this community. So happy birthday on the eighteenth, mom. I love you, and thank you for all you've done. With that, I wish peace and blessings to everyone here in Joliet, and have another great weekend week. Thank you.

K. Is there

a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Second.

All in favor? Aye. K. Meeting adjourned.