City Council Meeting - Regular Meeting

Okay, diversity and community relations met September 30th, 2026, council chambers. At 4.30, in attendance were Councilman Clement, Councilman Marino, and myself, along with CBDG Program Manager, Bridget Rohr, Director of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Ann Sylvester, and Special Events Coordinator, Luke Gunderson. We approved the minutes from July 16th, 2026. There were three agenda items. First, Bridget Rohrer presented the resolution for the subrecipient agreement with each organization that will be receiving funds through CBDG. Ms. Rohrer also explained that she had a post-award meeti

Yes, I have one there. I had asked Allison earlier to talk about the difference in the water tank business, and I talked to her at length. And I thought the explanation should be given to the residents, because I did get some calls today why the difference was. And it makes perfect sense when she explains it to us. And people just want to know. And I agree with her. So Allison, if you would just give your short explanation that you gave to me, I appreciate it.

Thank you, Allison. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor.

Yes. I've been waiting for this for a long time, Mayor. I've been working on it for about 15 years. And it's finally come to fruition. Can't tell you the excitement that around people are talking like it's finally here. We have to go to Naperville We have to go to Orland go right here in Joliet.

Question real quick. Sorry if I put you on the spot. I was going to say, if you don't mind, would you be able to do for us a short little poem? Can you or no? I know you always speak. You got great poems and poetry. I don't mean to put you on the spot. You don't have to. You don't want to. But just so everybody gets a little taste of the product. There you go. If you don't mind.

You're going to owe money for this. Oh, yeah. We're going to approve.

Sorry for breaking the quorum, but thank you.

something there. before we vote i just want to say i'm in support of the arts and one little thing like what you're doing with the poetry can make such a big difference in the city and how you've reached children that are hard to reach adults you know elders that is amazing to see and it's one little thing we've done in this city that has makes made such a big difference so i'm in support of this contract i'm in support of you i'm in support of the arts i wouldn't have um

I just want to remind everyone, and if I can get Bridget up here just for a second. Can I get Bridget up here for a second? On the city's website, this no removal sign up goes on through, what date, Bridget, does that go on through?

It's a very simple sign up. If you live in city proper, which is if your street sign is green and you pay a City of Joliet water bill, you can sign up. It's extremely easy to do. And if you don't have access to technology, i will sign you up because i have access to technology or you can get your granddaughter your son your neighbor to sign you up it is an extremely easy process so thank you very very much for making it extremely easily so sign up before the 15th if you qualify thank you so much yeah there's been a lot of improvements that we've made in the application process for this year sp

There's been improvement in everything that you've done and everything you've touched at the City of Joliet, and I want to thank you for that, along with the CBDG and everything you're doing. We really appreciate it. Also, I also want to just say that Prime Health is definitely affecting all the hospitals in the region. When you go to another hospital for a very emergent heart issue and you're waiting 16 hours, there is a problem. The other hospital admitted it's putting a strain on the whole medical system in the greater region of Will County. So it is really a problem. I don't know really wh

Oh, one more thing. I would really regret this, but my mom's birthday is in four days and I want to say happy birthday, mom. I love you so much. Thank you for everything you do for me. Thank you, mayor.

Happy birthday to your mom, Susie. Also, Friday, I attended the FOP fundraiser on Friday. And I bought their shirt. It was a funny slogan. TJ, what was it?

No, it was a shoot. There you go, grilling me and packing heat. It was layers. I had to buy it. But anyways, on Saturday, I attended the Bicentennial cleanup and also the Pace Bus ribbon cutting, along with the fire department and police department and my two kids. It was a fun time. We cleaned up the garbage around the upper bluffs. So that was it. Thank you.

I hope I say this right. Ux Martores, did I get it right? You just knocked me out. You just come up here and right out of your, it comes up and it's just so amazing to me. I can barely put a sentence together sometimes. So congratulations, you're a very good asset to the city of Joliet. Thank you. That's all I have.