Good evening.

Welcome to the City of Gilliatt pre-council meeting for Monday, September 15th, 2025, at 5 30 in City Hall, Council Chambers.

The Honorable Mayor Terry Darcy presiding.

We'll begin with roll call.

Mayor Darcy?

Here.

Councilman Cardenas?

Here.

Councilman Clement?

Here.

Councilman Hugg is absent.

He did let me know that he would not be in attendance this evening.

Councilman Navarro?

Here.

Councilman Moreno?

Here.

Councilman Mudron?

Here.

Councilman Quillman?

Here.

Councilman Verden.

Here.

Next is citizens to be heard on agenda items.

Is there anyone who would like to speak under citizens to be heard on agenda items?

Hello.

Hello.

How's everyone?

Great.

They didn't pass this up today.

Okay, great thing.

Uh good evening, Mayor Council.

I'm here tonight to talk about the Dome uh Dome of Unity in support of it.

Uh today I'm here to express my strong support for the selection and installation of a Dome of Unity at City Square directly across from Rialto Square Theater.

This project is not a uh only an artistic initiative, but also a strategic urban planning investment that has the potential to anchor downtown Juliet as a cultural and economic destination.

From an urban planning perspective, how they quality public art installation service catalyst catalyst for revitalized revitalization.

The normal unity will strengthen the walkability connectivity of downtown Joliet.

It will compliment existing assets such as Rialto Square Theater, Union Station, and nearby restaurants, creating more weeks of engaging urban fabric that invites residents and visitors to spend more time downtown.

Other cities have demonstrated how strategic public art installations can contribute to broader urban development goals.

Chicago's Cloud Gate transform Millennium Park from a uh conventional open space into a global attraction that generates millions of dollars annually in tourism revenue.

Philadelphia's love sculpture reshaped John F.

Kennedy Plaza into a signature gathering place, while Seattle's Jewley Garden and Glass has become an anchor for redevelopment near the space needle.

These examples show how public art does more than beautify it attracts investment, drives foot traffic, and helps redefine civic identity.

The Dome of Unity has the potential to play a similar role in Joliet as downtown continues to transition towards being a mixed-use district with residential retail entertainment and culture amenities.

The dome will serve as a key public anchor and as a key public anchor.

Its location near the Rialto Theater will maximize visit visibility, accessibility, reinforced in the theater district as the cultural heart of the city.

In addition, the dome's form, combining traditional Chinese artistry with modern design, reflects Joliet's identity as a community that values both heritage and innovation.

This duality, which this duelity makes it an ideal fit for a city that honors its past while positioning itself for the future.

From an end from an economic standpoint, investments in public art projects yield measurable returns.

Studies from the Americans for the arts organizations have shown that communities and significant public art, cultural amenities, express uh experience, increased tourism, stronger local business revenues, enhance property, and it enhance property values.

The Dome of Unity will serve as both a destination and a backdrop for events, festivals, gatherings, drawing residents and visitors into the downtown core.

This increased activity will directly benefit surrounding small businesses, while reinforced the momentum of Joliet Downtown re available reevaluation redefinalization efforts.

Thirsty for some odd reason.

The timing of this project is also significant.

The unveiling of this dump of the dome planned for the Rialto Theater 100th anniversary, Gala in March of 2026.

In May of 2026, will coincide with the moment of historic celebration for Joliet.

Aligning the dome with milestone creates an opportunity to highlight the city's forward-looking vision on a regional stage.

By the anchoring this celebration with a permanent installation, Julia will ensure that the anniversary leaves a legacy rather than being a temperate temporary moment.

Finally, the Dome of Unit the Dome of Unity reflects principles of another 30 seconds, please.

Finally, okay, I'm just going to get to the end.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to approve the contract for this project.

Doing so will affirm Joliet commitment to strategic urban planning, economic development, and cultural leadership.

The Dome of Unity will serve not only as a striking piece of a public art, but also a cornerstone of downtown revitalization, enhancing our public spaces, stricting our local economy, and positioning Joliet as a city that embraces innovation while celebrating community unity.

Please, please support this project.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

I sent it out at one o'clock last night, too.

I think good evening, Mayor and members of the city council.

My name is Tom Grotowski, and I currently serve as chair of the Juliet Arts Commission.

I'd also like to recognize my fellow commissioners who are here this evening in support of this important project.

I'm here tonight to speak on the award of contract for the City Square Sculpture, The Dome of Unity by Cia Chen.

For those who may not be familiar with our work, the Arts Commission was created in July of 2019.

Among our responsibilities is a review of proposals and assistance in the process by which artists, arts organizations, neighborhood groups, businesses, developers, or members of the public propose and create art in public places.

That's exactly what we did when we were asked to review submissions and select the final artwork for the new city square.

I am proud to say we carried out this responsibility with a thorough, transparent process, including discussion among the commission members, ultimately leading to an agreement on the Dome of Unity.

The selection unfolded in two important stages.

First, through a public voting process that helped us identify a pool of finalists.

Second, through a series of interviews with those finalists, carefully evaluating each proposal in detail.

And making our final recommendation, we considered several key factors, including its impact on the community and alignment with the design of the square, future maintenance and upkeep of the piece, the materials, weight, and size of the work, public input and feedback, and whether the artwork would serve as a cultural draw that brings visitors to Joliet.

The community's role in this process was significant, with over 3,000 individuals who participated in narrowing the field of finalists.

From there, the commission carefully vetted each finalist and ultimately selected the Dome of Unity.

Several qualities of the piece stood out.

The innovative design that incorporates community input from the residents of Joliet directly into the sculpture.

The ability to use lighting effects to create a dynamic, ever changing visual experience, the artist's commitment to using durable, low maintenance, graffiti resistant material, and the reputation of the artist, C J Chen.

A renowned creator whose work has drawn international attention and attracted visitors from around the world.

Her vision for the Dome of Unity is both unique and powerful.

Most importantly, the artwork represents something deeply needed today, a message of unity.

We strongly believe the Dome of Unity will serve as a symbol that brings people together and celebrates the spirit of Joliet for generations to come.

Thank you for your consideration, and please vote for this piece of art, this beautiful sculpture.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Members of the city council and city manager.

That the City of Joliet adapted in 2007.

Many of the Quality of Life Task Force representatives that worked on this, the late Dave Evans, many others in the community, such as Betty Washington, Alicia Morales, Richard Rodriguez, others that were all surveyed, including Councilwoman Quillman, and one of the key components was recreation.

And some of the recommendations, if you go to like the fifth or sixth bullet point down under proposals under the executive summary, mentions that they will be able to maintain a recreation center with a full range of facilities.

Expand the trail the one right below that.

Expand the trail system to enhance access to civic cultural recreational employment and commercial centers and add recreational options.

This has been long overdue.

There are some that we all know the funding ran out for to fulfill all the proposals in this quality of life plan.

This is not only an anchor, but this is definitely something that's long overdue.

We say the neighborhood councils, and I'm I'm actually copying this from a fellow neighborhood council president that says all of the neighborhood organizations are the arteries that lead into downtown Joliet, and we just need to beautify those neighborhoods so we can attract folks into downtown and expand this gateway center, which we've already started doing.

And in closing, if I could just quote a well-written Herald News article from it that's quoted a celebration of it this weekend's events, was a celebration of a beautiful, wonderful melting pot that is the east side of Joliet and all of Joliet.

Um I gave that quote to the Herald News because I feel like I'm still floating in from afloat from all of the weekend success.

There is an appetite and an attraction for folks to travel.

I didn't even realize as far away as sandwich to come participate in all the celebrations that had happened this weekend.

Um I've met folks visiting the prison from all over the world, as many of us have mentioned.

I'm a firm believer that when we were doing the urban um quality of the urban land use and um CMAP study when we were talking to people, we said think big and think even bigger.

Um if you build it, they'll come.

And then I'll close with uh Mayor Al Schultz used to have um a old Herald News cartoon um print out on his on his door, if you guys remember anybody that visited Mayor Schultz back in the day, and it was a picture of a buggy and a horse, and it was Harris Casino because everybody made fun of him because they thought the forecasting of a casino on the riverfront and Joliet was just asinon.

How dare you think that big for Joliet?

How dare you be that ambitious?

And I'm certain if you knew the city of Joliet back then, you know that it was also a lot of the inner workings of a great city manager, that was the late John Mesra.

And if any of us have been around City Hall for any length of time, you can almost guarantee that that was Bob Frazier in the background pushing those buttons as well to make sure that that came, and that's what we need.

That's the type of leadership that we need today.

The economic forecasting, the audacious audacity to think big and think even bigger, and this is an amazing opportunity to really do that.

We know economies hard, we know that times are tough, but what better way than the spirit and essence of unity to show that Joliet is a leader uh for this type of um concept.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor, members of the council, Quinn Adamowski.

Um speaking on the same agenda item.

In my day job, I have the unique opportunity to visit and work with hundreds of communities across the state.

I've seen and experienced firsthand how communities grow stronger and more vibrant when they invest in public art.

I also work with numerous organizations and people in the community and economic development field across the state.

Those colleagues will agree.

Public art matters.

Public art is not just a nice thing to have, it is a need to have.

It can help give a community a sense of place and identity, not to mention the innumerable tangible benefits.

The display of public art is a key difference between a city that people simply pass through and one that people want to visit.

In short, public art is a vital component of community development, and investment in it separates strong cities from cities finding their way.

As we all know, there have been negative comments about the sculpture on the socials.

More importantly, there have been comments about the cost of it and not quote wasting taxpayer dollars.

Instead, people argue we should allocate those funds for water, sewers, and streets.

Yes, water sewers and streets are extremely important.

I agree.

But quality infrastructure is a minimum requirement of a functioning city.

I believe that we all want more for Joliet than that.

No one chooses to live or visit somewhere because of its infrastructure.

People come for quality of life, culture, art, and cool.

People are attracted to cool.

Julia has a lot of it, but we need more of it.

Of course, we should and need to continue investing in our traditional infrastructure.

But we can do more than one thing.

And if we want to live in a very cool place, then we must start investing in public art too.

And I think the sculpture is a great place to start.

Given the ROI and public art, I personally view this proposal as a minor budgetary concern.

Let me explain what I mean by that.

All in, our city budget is over $660 million.

The proposed sculpture costs 197,000.

Rounding up, that is 0.003% of the budget.

Or if the city chose to do so, the budget could pay for over 3,350 sculptures.

I am not suggesting that.

The question is not whether we can afford it at this time.

Instead, the question is if we want our city to be vibrant and track and attractive, can we afford to not do it?

Put another way, this is not about affordability.

Rather, it's about a it's about what kind of city we want to be.

And I did not coordinate with Tom.

I'm gonna close with this.

To that end, in 2019, a few of us led the effort to create the arts commission.

We did so because we knew then what we know now.

Culture and art matters, and we needed a formal role within city government to foster opportunities and projects like this.

After a lengthy and thorough process, the Arts Commission did exactly what it was designed to do, as Tom indicated, resulting in this agenda item.

I encourage you to support the public process and to support this investment in public art.

It is a small, it is small in the scope of our budget, and we will see ROI for decades in economic vitality.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Bob Navarro, Heritage Corridor Destinations.

I'm president of the regional destination marketing agency representing City of Joliet, Will County, the first hundred miles of Route 66, Starbuck Country, as well as the Illinois Michigan Canal Towns.

I just want to say that community art and Central Squares boost tourism by creating a vibrant, unique cultural experience that attract visitors that stimulate your local economy.

Public art becomes a landmark that enhances a city's brand, while Central Squares serve as hubs for cultural events and social interaction.

As a regional draw, public art attracts attractions like the Dome of Unity not only elevate a city, but they also elevate the profile of the entire region.

Signature landmarks like the Dome of Unity can transform City Square into a regional tourism magnet, a must-see destination, drawing visitors from across Illinois and from neighboring states.

Regarding economic impact, which some others have already spoken about, visitors draw on one-of-a-kind attractions.

This is certainly that.

They will explore beyond the attraction into the local community, going to restaurants, staying in hotels, attending your uh shopping, as well as attending events and festivals.

Tourism dollars support small businesses and the creation of jobs throughout the region, and certainly here in Joliet.

Pairing a landmark with dynamic programming is very important.

So while the Dome of Unity will serve as a permanent focal point, ongoing programming around that square and around that public art will be the key to sustaining foot traffic and driving business to those other local businesses.

The Dome of Unity will also expand the region's brand.

Tourists will increasingly create tourism.

Visitors are increasingly interested in Instagram-worthy places, and this certainly will be that.

These places will tell the story of the local community, their commitment to public art, the social media buzz and word of mouth while organically expand awareness of Joliet and the nearby communities.

I also want to say that the Dome of Unity is a catalyst for community pride and collaboration.

Just by its its name alone, the excitement surrounding the project reflects a groundswell of local support.

We've heard from several people tonight.

That energy translates into authentic experiences that visitors value.

By investing in shared landmarks, communities along the corridor strengthen their collective appeal as a regional destination.

So just in summary, public art attracts tourists and boosts local spending, it draws visitors to unique attractions, increases foot traffic and local revenue dollars.

It also enhances your city's identity and brand, and it supports the local creative economy, which is very important.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

On behalf of the Joliet City Center Partnership, we would like to express our full support for the Juilliet for the Joliet Arts Commission efforts surrounding City Square Sculpture.

Public art has the power to transform spaces, inspire dialogue, and reflect the identity and aspiration of the community.

We fully support the timeline and the public transparency since it's since its inception in 2023.

The Arts Commission, the City of Joliet, and the Juliet City Center Partnership looked to the community through all throughout the selection phase.

This was accomplished through open houses, advertisements in local news outlets, and social media outreach.

City Center Partnership played a role in communicating and communicating the voting process throughout our social media channels as well as in newsletters.

Our downtown businesses also had counter cards with QR codes linked to the website for the landing page.

As a result, with these joint efforts, over 3,000 votes were casted for the 14 proposed sculptures.

The commission then narrowed down to six, and then they selected the final uh six and then selected the final artist.

It was always the goal to have the local voice local voices in the conversation.

This initiative not only ensures that the final sculpture will resonate with the diverse fabric of our city, but also build a strong connection between the public and the creative process.

This project is an opportunity to celebrate our shared history.

Imagine a creative future and contribute to a vibrant welcoming downtown.

I commend the commission's vision and dedication, and I encourage to continue support and the participation for all sectors of the community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak under citizens to be heard on agenda items?

Okay.

Well, excuse me, mayor, may I speak for residents that have called me overwhelming and would like their opinions heard.

Can we go there to stay here?

Okay.

Alright.

I know people have said there's overwhelming support for this, but I have been inundated with people that are against it.

Okay.

And one of the reasons why people don't trust us, and I pulled this up today on the internet from City Square Sculpture.

There were certain guidelines that were supposed to be met.

And the let's see, one, two, three, four, the subfinalist selection notification was supposed to be June 21st of 24.

And then the public input on subfinalists, online review and comments open July 24 through July 26th, the first of the 26th.

So at the bottom, it says the finalists, the city will invite no more than five finalists to submit final renderings that will be shared with the public for feedback and through public meetings with the Joliet Arts Commission and City Council.

A 2,000 honorarium will be paid to each of the finalists for the full conceptual proposals.

And what I'm saying here is I know that 3100 people voted for the sculptures.

But what this says here is after that first proposal went through with the 3100.

After the commission narrowed it down to the top five, we were supposed to have more input on which of the five that the public wanted.

So that's one of the main things that are people are upset with.

And these are the people out there that are struggling with their everyday medicine and food and housing and everything, etc.

Okay.

So this is what's getting to them.

You know, they feel they don't have a word.

So they submitted their things, and then they still in the end are left out because you've already committed yourself to the Dome of Unity.

And last but not least, this came out from Joe X City Communications Department 2025 with guess what?

Back in the spring, the Dome of Unity on here.

So people think, well, that was printed months ago, then it's already a done deal.

Why do you need our information?

Why need why do you care about us at all?

So this is the crust of the whole thing, people.

And I'm not happy about it either.

And so I am their voice.

They've stopped me in the grocery store, they've stopped me at senior meetings, city hall meetings, neighborhood meetings, phone calls, emails, and I've looked at everything online, pro and con, and there's more con than there are pro.

But I have to, I'm speaking for my residents because that's why they elected me because I am citywide, and I know that's not going to be the best.

Um, I'm not gonna be the popular one around here because you all want this dome of unity.

Well, if you ask me, it looks just like an old wiffle ball, or uh paper cutting that's printed like this, and the Joliette deserves better than that, and that's my opinion.

They should have had input that piece of art should have exemplified what the city of Joliette is and the history of it, which I would rather have the bean there than this whiffle ball, to be honest.

But anyway, I'm not an artist of whatever, but I know what I've been hearing, and I am they what they won't come down again, they won't listen to me, Gina.

Why come down?

Why come down?

It's a waste.

So please will you just voice our opinion?

And that's what I'm doing.

I'm voicing their opinion right now.

But this is questionable.

You have to on you have to admit this is questionable.

We haven't even voted on this yet, and it's already on the Joliet Communication brochure.

So it looks to me like this was a done deal a long time ago.

And I feel like we should have used local artists, not artists from out of town, but if you wanted somebody famous, get somebody famous, because no one knows who this lady is.

It looks, she's just a paper cut, just a paper cutout.

All of her artwork is paper cutouts painted blue or red, gold, whatever, and we're getting a white wiffle ball.

And those are not only my opinions, but I agree with everybody that has called me on this.

And I'm kind of concerned because on her website, it says she is a social engagement with practices through which she collaborates with communities to create a dialogue between personal narratives and shared histories.

Who did she collaborate with on this?

Does the commission say did she collaborate with anybody?

No, she just made this little piece of ball and cut out the holes, and says, here's your dome of unity and put a name on it, and everybody got excited.

Okay.

I get the art.

I understand that you want this piece, you want it for Joliet.

But when things are messed up right now, people can afford to come downtown right now.

There's only a couple restaurants that people can afford.

And you can't get down there because of the traffic and the roads are all tore up.

It's a mess.

So, yes, I'm on my soapbox tonight, but I had to um I mean, and there's that designs aren't unique.

If she were to cut something out that had representative of City of Joliet, steel and stone, and the the culture and uh the diversity here, but it doesn't sell anything, and people are gonna come and look at it, and I think we're gonna be a laughing stock, a laughing stock.

And I'm sorry, I do have one more thing.

We have lots of art right now all around City of Joliet.

We have statues, iron statues that was done by the community art people about 20 years ago.

We have beautiful mosaics, and we had all those mules under mural, excuse me, under the viaducts.

There was never any maintenance.

The murals are gone, and the mosaics are a mess.

Tiles are falling out, no one's keeping up with that, no one's fixing them, no one's tending to them.

You've got statues that are filthy, dirty that need to be cleaned.

This is our artwork.

So, what is this white wiffle ball gonna look like in a couple of months when you've got all that air pollution that I clean up every day on my front porch with that black thick sticky oil from one of the factories and some other kind of green dust, which is really mystery, mystery dust.

So, yeah, those are my comments, and um, these are not just mine, these are things that people have talked to me.

I mean, I've been working on this hours today to compile something because I couldn't report everything that has been told to me.

So that's how my residents feel, and I have to go along with them.

I think a dome of unity should not have holes in it.

Thank you.

I just want to say, Jan, that art is subjective.

You might think it looks terrible, and I might think it looks fantastic.

So if we can just agree on one thing that not everybody is gonna agree, what art is good and what art isn't good.

This is a very world-renowned artist.

I knew her before they ever picked her and mentioned her, and as far as the factories and the black soot, you voted for those factories, Jan.

Thank you.

Mayor, she's out of line, please.

That's a fact.

So I'm uh Ron Romero.

Uh I'm the the was the chairman during that time.

Um couple things that need to be clearer is the wiffle ball, as you refer to, is what's called a placeholder, it's not a final project.

Uh the collaboration with the city and with the the residents here is forthcoming.

The idea was as it was presented was to create a website where the citizens of Joliet can have input into that.

That's not the final picture that you're looking at.

That's the first thing.

Um they want to get from students, they want to get from people who live here, they want to see what represents the city.

Part one, part two is that also increases our pride in ownership.

That statue that's out there is representative of a people of Joliet.

It was selected by majority originally, it will be continued to be worked on by the citizens here in Joliet uh to finish the the final look of that appeal of that uh art piece as well.

So I think there's a little misconception that that's it, that's what we get, that's all it is.

Everybody had some nice things to say here, all written out.

But one thing that that um hurts.

Put down the people who voted about it, not know that they're they have to have their they're gonna have a chance to put the input into it and have pride of ownership here in Joliet.

That's what disappoints me.

Thank you.

Okay.

We will move on and have the city manager review tomorrow night's actionable items.

Kidoki.

It's a long one, so everybody bear with me.

Council Memo 48425, award of contract for the 2025-2026 City of Joliet sidewalk maintenance contract to PT Faro Construction in the amount of $328,787.

This will be for our 50-50 sidewalk pro program and a list of city locations due to heaving sidewalk for the in the roots are coming up and pushing up also the sidewalks.

Council Memo 48525, award of professional services agreement for phase three, engineering services for the Faroe Road over Spring Creek Bridge Improvement Project to Hutchinson Engineering in the amount of 110,956.

This will be refunded by IDOT.

Council Memo 48625, approval of change order number two for the bridge street, Nicholson Street to Center Street Roadway Improvement Project to PT Faroe Construction in the amount of $37,670, and payment request number two in the amount of three hundred and thirty-two thousand six hundred and thirty-two dollars and twenty-one cents.

Once we got underground in this instance, um we found additional water main valve vault and storm sewer removal that was not originally identified.

We found additional storm sewer inlet installation and sanitary sewer manholes that needed to be removed and replaced required after it was determined that these structures could not be adjusted as originally planned.

So that's why we have the extra expense in that case.

Council Memo 48725, approval of change order number three for the Illinois Route 53 at Emerald Drive Intersection Improvements to PT Faroe Construction, a deduction in the amount of 350 56,896 and 51 cents, and payout number seven and final in the amount of 130,927 and 59 cents.

Council Memo 48825 award of contract for the East Side Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Influent Pump S2 emergency repairs to Xylem Water Solutions USA Inc.

in the amount of $37,709 and 75 cents.

This um is emergency repair that we can do to the pump, so we don't have to spend 150,000 on a brand new one.

Council Memo 48925, award of contract for replacement parts for the primary tanks at the East Side Wastewater Treatment Plant to Ivaqua Water Technologies LLC in the amount of 439,158 dollars and 58 cents.

Council Memo 490 25 award of professional services contract for the public utilities SCADA, which stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System Maintenance to Wonderlook Malik Environmental and the amount of $50,000.

So this is our control system for our water, and they come out in an on an as needed basis for system support.

Council Memo 49125 approval purchase of water meter metering equipment from core and main LP and the amount of 204,000 2047.

Um this is just us stocking up on meters that we then send sell to developers.

Council Memo 492 25, approval of change order number one for the East Side WWT P MCC replacement and alternative water supply project, SCADA project to MJ Electric LLC in the amount of 108,433 and two cents.

Council Memo 49325 approval of change order number two for the Broadway Center and Western Water Main Improvement Project on behalf of PT Faroe Construction for a deduction in the amount of 1,273,767 and pay estimate number 12 and final in the amount of 923,887.

So we had this huge um deduction due to final balancing um quantities uh decrease in walk rock excavation that we thought we would have to do that we didn't have to do decrease HMA overlow overlay on Route 30 to I dot overlay and decrease in maintenance of traffic due to I dot coordination that concludes the consent agenda moving along to agenda item council memo 494 495 25 approval of property liability workers compensation insurance renewal council memo 49625 approval of group health dental vision and life insurance renewal for active employees council memo 497 25 award a professional services contract for the phase one engineering services for the lairway road grade separation and roadway improvement project from Brandon Road to Illinois Route 53 to Crawford Murphy and Tilly in the amount of 2,869,964 dollars so this is the UP railroad crossing that goes directly into center point um right now it's one of the ICC's highest concerns in the state so um I the ICC will be providing the funding for this project council memo 49825 award of contract for the city square sculpture to CJ Chen studio in an amount not to exceed 197,000 dollars we're just going to the little stop we can comment on that right go ahead I respect everybody that came here tonight in the audience that supports this uh Unity dome I really do and I mean no disrespect I think we have lost our minds seriously I respect the art I do let us finish the project first we spent 22 million dollars on water and the infrastructure that we're gonna do with the square the dome is not going to bring anybody downtown I'm not going downtown Joliette because of the dome let's save the 1970 and let's regroup i i'm not against all this but we're doing it right now we're forcing it down our throats i the three thousand people are they from joliet are they from will county are they from cook county are they from LA I don't know I mean and again I I mean no just that none of this is personal to me okay none of this is personal I think we have lost our minds 197 every day someone comes up here wanting to fix a pothole or a tree or this or that and we're talking about 1970 on a dome of unity I do not need for me I don't need a dome to say we're united and I just think we're spending money that we don't have to spend that's just my opinion again let us finish the project that we set out to do and then I I would like to have something that reflects Joliet the blue collar town something from U.S.

steel and maybe that's not it maybe that is it maybe we have an arch there full limestone and steel I don't know what the answer is but to spend 1970 let's take three percent out of everybody's budget that the city gives to a year would would you be happy with that and then we'll put the dome down there no I'm just saying I I respect and applaud all the arts but I think we are we have lost our minds I really do one second again this is not personal to me I just I I don't know how we're getting off track here.

Our main job here in the city of Gilda is take care of water public safety things like that.

That's the anchor.

That's the anchor, not a dome unit of dome of unity.

I just think we hold off, we hold off for a little bit and revisit it.

I mean, no disrespect to anybody.

Those are my thoughts, Mary.

Thank you.

Okay, at this time, um, Dustin, if you could present maybe some of these questions can be answered.

Well, I'll do my best.

Uh we do have uh project timeline.

So when we talk about the project, I think for there's probably a lot of people in the room that don't have the history of the project like many of the people on council do.

So this is mostly for the general public to get caught up to speed.

So if you know all this, I apologize, but just for a complete picture, I thought it would be helpful to run through this from the very beginning of this project.

And I say this project globally as the Chicago Street Corridor plan.

So if you were to go to the next slide, you can see this goes all the way back to 2018, when in June 19th of 2018, uh City Council was uh presented with the Chicago Street Corridor Plan uh and adopted that plan, and that plan included uh a signature sculpture in the city square that was included in the Chicago Street Corridor Plan.

So if you go forward to February 23rd, uh we had the first community open house to solicit uh feedback from the public about what that city square project will look like.

And then in July of that same year, 2023, there was a second public open house to uh solicit feedback, incorporate feedback into what the City Square project would look like when completed.

So that was presented and accepted by uh City Council on August 14th in 2023.

So if we were to pop over to that next slide, you can see, and it's hard to see on this screen, uh, but each one of those incarnations, uh the Chicago Street Corridor Plan, the initial city square, and the final all had uh a sculpture included as part of the full project.

Now the location of that installation has evolved, but what has been consistent is its inclusion in the project.

So if we were to go to the next slide after that, so recall on August 14th, the plan was presented and accepted the next day.

Staff went to work preparing an RFP.

That RFP for the art installation uh went through a couple incarnations and was issued uh February 2nd of 2024 and remained open for about four months until May 31st uh when it closed.

So if you're pop down to the next slide after that, this is a little bit more data intensive here, but I think it's worth looking at.

Uh in June, uh we staff and the arts commission reviewed the 50 proposals that were submitted.

And over the course of a month, uh whittled that down to 14 responsible and responsive uh submissions, meaning they they did what they asked us.

They did what we asked them to do.

They they provided a full submission, right?

Uh that was on July 3rd.

On July 20th, there was a nice Herald News feature, and uh also on the 20th, an advertisement describing the public involvement process was included.

Uh on the 22nd of July, that same July of 2024, online voting began uh to gauge interest in those 14 complete proposals.

There's another advertisement later that week, and another one on the sixth.

So online voting commenced uh late July of 2024.

If that wasn't where you were at, if that's not something that you were interested in, we held three physical open house uh feedback sessions at the public library on the 6th of August, the 7th of August, and the 8th of August on the 9th, all the voting wrapped up.

Uh so at the end of that month on uh August 23rd, uh six proposals were identified as clearly differentiating from the bottom eight, right?

So there was a uh a nexus of interest in those six at the top, and then a clear separation from the next eight, right?

So we look at this as kind of like a job interview, right?

Like you can get a bunch of candidates, some look phenomenal on paper, and some might look okay on paper.

And then the arts commission interviewed those six proposals.

And just like in a job interview, someone who looks like uh a home run on paper might not be.

And just like that process, the arts commission determined that Ms.

Chen was the best fit for this installation and this community, and made that recommendation.

So those finalists made their presentations on the 18th of September.

There was another couple features in the Herald News, and then in October of 2024, uh the Arts Commission made a recommendation that Ms.

Chen should be awarded.

Now, Jane next will have a few comments about specifically how the public will interact with the artists in forming the final product and how that art will be interacted with when complete by the public.

So Ms.

O'Hara.

All right.

All right.

Again, after listening to presentations made by the six artists regarding their proposals for a signature sculpture at City Square at the Arts Commission at their October 2nd meeting, did recommend the Dome of Unity by CJ Chen to become the unique and iconic signature sculpture for City Square.

CJ Chen, as was previously discussed.

Next slide, yeah, there you go, is an LA-based designer with national and international work, and the project was chosen because it will help define Joliet's identity, spark connection, and create a lasting landmark in our downtown.

The designer employs Chinese paper cut techniques, which will cast a series of unique shadows throughout the square, changing during different times of the day, and as various lighting techniques are used to illuminate the structure.

And this will enable unique interactions with the sculpture throughout the day and evening.

Next slide.

One of the things that set Sieja Chen's Dome of Unity apart, and is what some um of the arts commission members alluded to tonight from the other five proposals was her collaborative process to work with the local community.

Her proposal established a two-part community engagement process to solicit input into the final design of the paper cut sections of the dome.

And she has proposed two paper cut workshops.

And then as Mr.

Romero clarified, these workshops haven't happened yet, and that was part of the proposal that uh again set this proposal apart from the other ones that the arts commission reviewed.

At this time, it's my understanding to talking with my colleague Ray Heitner that these workshops, if the sculpture was approved, would occur likely in late October of this year.

Next slide.

And then the artist also proposed um supplementing this in-person community engagement with a project website to allow for continuous public input and distribution of project information.

So this project web page would include questions that people could submit.

You know, what do you think about Julia?

What comes to mind?

What's your favorite architectural style?

And there would be also an opportunity for the public to upload images that they would potentially like the artist to consider for those paper cutouts.

Next slide.

And in the end, the Dome of Unity will be truly created with and created for the people of Joliet.

Next slide.

And I'm going to close with highlighting again the importance of public art.

We know that art can help transform spaces into places where people can feel connected, inspired, and proud to call home.

We know that art can stimulate local economies by increasing tourism and drawing people into areas.

And as Dustin demonstrated with the timeline, a signature sculpture has been contemplated for City Square to do both of these things.

And it's been contemplated since the completion and council adoption of the 2018 Chicago Street Corridor Plan.

And then with that, staff is again available to answer any questions regarding the Dome of Unity.

Next slide, please.

Anyone have any questions?

Throw out there, let's let's do a survey with the citizens of Joliet.

Every water bill, let's do a survey.

Who who wants this, who doesn't?

That that's what I recommend.

I had a question.

Um if approved, who's building it?

Would it be the artist?

Okay.

Yes.

So just to clarify, that is not that picture that we see, that is not the final product.

No, that's a concept.

Okay.

Thank you.

So who's gonna do the maintenance on this?

Because we're not even taking care of the art we already have.

A lot of it's been lost.

A waste.

Over a million dollars on artwork.

Gone.

I can't speak to uh a figure.

Uh I'll take you at your word that it's that.

I I think we agree that we should take care of what we have.

I don't think there's any daylight between your position and staff's position at all.

That's why moving forward with this particular installation, we have a chance to look at maintenance going forward.

Uh the maintenance of this is very straightforward.

We have the staff, we have the tools, we have the capacity to take care of this right now, as is with almost uh a negligible margin uh of cost and time and effort that would not take away from uh anybody others, anybody else's current responsibilities and duties.

Sorry, I disagree.

I believe it when I see it.

Another question.

Um, is there a way to see donors, sponsors to reduce the the price burden on the taxpayer?

Uh you know, anything that's possible.

I I can tell you that right now there are funds available available to do this uh that aren't dedicated to the kinds of important uh blocking and tackling uh examples that councillor Clement made.

It's not, and this is uh again respectfully, it's not a matter of this or that.

This is budgeted and can be accomplished now without sacrificing that.

Thank you.

I don't want to hold the meeting up any, but I'm gonna go back to 496 25.

Approval of group health, dental vision, and life insurance renewal for active employees.

This has been the elephant in the room since I learned about this shortly after becoming mayor.

I brought it up a few times, and to be respectful to the union leaders that are currently in place.

I told them I wouldn't bring it up, and they agreed to sit down and talk about this deal.

It was struck in 2016 by this city council by a previous mayor, and three of the council members are still sitting here that were here for the vote that day.

One abstained, one voted against, and one voted for it, and it it passed.

Now, who knew that health insurance over the next 14 years was going to be one of the most expensive changes in the gross domestic product?

I've never sat in any collective barring agreement that went beyond the three or four-year board of that agreement.

So I brought this up a few times.

You know, Bob, you're here.

John, you're probably listening.

So I understand that we're being talking about money.

So let me just share some what I call my fifth grade math, okay.

This year, we're gonna ensure 1,590 people, half employed, half retired, 37 million dollars unfunded.

That's 711,000 per week.

Per week.

If I really break it down, that's four dollars and seventy-four cents per resident per week.

That's 246 per year for all 150,000 residents.

That equals 37 million dollars.

We have a Rolls-Royce Blue Cross plan in this city that cannot be changed till 2030 without conversation with our collector bargaining agreements.

So some of them has sat down with us to start this conversation.

I didn't want to bring this up tonight, but as long as we want to talk about 197,000 or everything else, I didn't sit here for that deal.

And I'll be damned if I can sit here as a taxpayer.

Now I could go out to that podium and I could reverse my conversation, but by God, Kevin figured out that by 2030 when this deal's over, where are we gonna be spending, Kevin?

Unfunded.

The annual cost of insurance specs would be about 65 to 70 million.

Okay, so we're gonna be over a million dollars a week for we the taxpayers to pay for a health insurance plan.

It was put into this city in 2016 by the previous administration.

I'm not okay with that.

I don't I don't think 197,000 is any small amount of money.

But when you're the captain of the Titanic, you know the damn icebergs out there.

You you gotta really watch what you're doing, but at least some of the unions are sitting with us right now to talk about this.

So I didn't want to bring this up.

I am the last person who wants to make a negative comment on this wonderful city.

When I hear things, and this stuff gets overlooked, man, we're we're reaching for nickels and dimes by the hundreds are flying overheads.

We're not paying attention.

But I want this out in the public.

I want our public to know that in 2016, this council made a decision to invest to spend a lot of money because you invest in art, you spend in other things.

The unions that put that deal together because most of them are gone now anyway.

But by God, we have to do something about that.

So I just want everybody to know that there is a huge problem in this city, and I've made it a word two or three times, and I make it loud and clear that somebody needs to hear this, and somebody needs to look into this.

So John FERC, if you want your clickbait team to do something, why don't you take a look at this one, buddy?

Bob, I'm offering you the chance to take a look at something that's really really strong for the city.

And when I sit here and listen to, you know, the grocery tax that I got blamed on.

You know what?

Okay.

But what are we going to do with this problem?

Because this would keep me up at night as a taxpayer and now it's mayor.

So again, Joe, I respect your 197,000 dollars.

What do you think we're gonna do with 711 grand a week right now?

Well, Terry, this didn't start uh yesterday, it started in 1990.

Okay, before you you were living in the city before I was even here.

This started years ago, and there were council men and women up here that spent a million dollars a year in their own district, which was absurd.

So don't turn around and say that the icebergs happening today.

This has been going on for years and years and years in 2016.

This has been going on for years and years and years and years.

It's in didn't start in in 2016.

It started years and years ago, Terry, Mr.

Mayor.

Okay, okay.

We're bringing it to light now.

Bring it to light, yeah.

Well, let's deal with it.

It didn't start eight years ago.

Okay.

This thing's been going since 1990.

And it goes till 2019.

Yeah, so we will address it.

197,000 for a sculpture is ridiculous.

Those are my comments, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you.

All right.

Can I continue?

Yes.

All right.

Licenses and permit applications.

Council Memo 500-25 resolution to approve class O full outdoor liquor license permit at 1401 Gateway Boulevard, suite 110, Joliet Boulevard LLC.

This will be for an outdoor patio at the um casino at the new at the new casino.

Ordinances and resolutions, ordinances, council memo 5025, ordinance authorizing an amendment to the annual budget for the city of Joliet for the 2025 fiscal year TIFF study.

Council Memo 50325, ordinance approving a variation of use to allow the continuation of a two-unit residence and R31 and two family residential use in the R2 single family residential zoning district.

Council Memo 50425 ordinance approving amendments to the subdivision regulations regarding final plats.

Resolutions.

Council Memo 50625 resolution authorizing the sale of a police dog to the family of canine officer Daniel Willis for one dollar.

Um 80 was a German Shepherd, uh, approximately nine years old that had been assigned to Officer uh Daniel Willis and is now being retired to the death of his handler, so the dog will go to his family that he's been living with for the last nine years.

Council Memo 50725 resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Jolie at Junior College for a public safety institute feasibility study.

Council memo 50825 resolution authorizing a modification of a lease agreement of Union Station at 50 West Jefferson Street with JBM Golf Properties LLC.

This is an extension of Mistwoods Lease and the upstairs portion of the Grand Ball ballroom where they have weddings, uh, etc.

Council Memo 50925, resolution to adopt the CDBG consolidated plan 2025 to 2029 and annual action plan 2025 is approved by HUD.

Um, and then about 10 um the next 10 have to do with CDBG funding and who will be awarded that funding this year.

So council memo five ten.

Oh, did I already do that one?

No.

Council Memo 51025 resolution authorizing CDBG funding and sub-recipient agreement with Casa River Valley NFP as a program year 2025 CDBG activity in an amount not to exceed $25,000.

Council Memo 51125 resolution authorizing CDBG funding and sub-recipient agreement with Easter SEALs NFP as a program year 2025 CDBG activity and an amount not to exceed 120,000 dollars.

Council Memo 5125 resolution authorizing CDBG funding and subrecipient agreement with Latino Economic Development Association NFP as program year 2025 CDBG activity and an amount not to exceed 150,000 dollars Council Memo 51325 resolution authorizing the CDBG funding and subsequent oh and sub recipient excuse me agreement with Northern Illinois Food Bank as a program year 2025 CDBG activity and an amount not to exceed 20,000 dollars council memo 51425 resolution authorizing CDBG funding and subresi recipient agreement with prairie league prairie state legal services um for year 2025 CDBG activity and an amount not to exceed 40,000 dollars council memo 51525 resolution authorizing CDB funding and subrecipient agreement with Spanish Community Center as a program year 2025 CDBG activity in an amount not to exceed 28,384 dollars council memo 51625 resolution authorizing CDBG funding and subrescipient agreement with stepping stones as program year 2025 CDBG activity and an amount not to exceed 12800 dollars council memo 51725 resolution authorizing CDBG funding and subrecipient agreement with UCP Center for Disability Services in an amount not to exceed 4500 dollars resolution authorizing CDBG funding and subrecipient agreement with Will County Center for Community Concerns and an amount not to exceed 50,000 council memo 51925 resolution authorizing CDBG funding and subrecipient agreement with warehouse workers for justice as program year 2025 and an amount not to exceed 27,772 dollars council memo 52025 resolution requesting the closure of a portion of state okay so we're off the CDBG funding now thanks to Jackie for all your work and all the detail council memo 52025 resolution requesting the closure of a portion of state route Illinois 53 northbound Scott Street to Illinois 30 Jefferson Street and Illinois 53 southbound Ottawa Street for light up the holidays parade and activities council memo 52125 resolution requesting the closure of a portion of state route route Illinois 53 Scott Street for the stone and steel spooky 5K council memo 5225 resolution appropriating supplemental motor fuel tax funds for the bridge street nickelson street to center street roadway improvement project this is the housekeeping item to appropriate the supplemental mft funds to the project for eligible additions to the project which were included in change order number two that we spoke about earlier in the in the agenda council memo 52325 resolution approving an agreement with the Illinois department of transportation for phase three construction and construction engineering for the Faroe Road over Spring Creek Bridge Improvement Project so this council memo deals with the engineering on this project and council memo 52425 again a resolution appropriating uh motor fuel tax funds for phase three construction so 52325 is for engineering 52425 is for construction council memo 52525 resolution appropriating motor fuel tax funds for phase three construction engineering for the Federal Road over Spring Creek Creek Bridge Improvement Project this is also a housekeeping item council memo 52625 resolution authorizing certain employees for the city of Joliet to sign checks vouchers and warrants for the disbursement of city funds this resolution is necessary to update the signers on city bank accounts changes are needed due to the promotion of Nicole Hughes as the new deputy city clerk council memo 52725 resolution approving and authorizing the execution of collective bargaining agreement between the city of Joliet and the fraternal order of police labor council that concludes the agenda Mr.

Council Memo 52725 resolution approving and authorizing the execution of collective bargaining agreement between the City of Joliet and the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council.

That concludes the agenda.

Mr.

May.

Anybody has a little girl or boy that would like this?

Have at it.

It's uh it's a hat and a couple balls.

Uh Scott Spezial, two-time world champion.

Signed it.

So if anybody would like it, you're more than welcome to have.

So I think next we have public comments.

Is there anyone who would like to address the council this evening?

Life long uh resident are down Juliet.

You know, I stopped coming to council meetings because last time I was here under the old administration, and things kind of got a little nasty.

And I see uh, you know, I guess they haven't changed much.

Councilwoman Quillman.

It seemed like you came here tonight, and you said some things that really, and you know, I I we always mayor like we are out of line.

We're not to address council members here.

I'm I'm not addressing or bringing up her quote.

Okay.

But again, we're we're not here to address specific council members.

Okay.

Can I uh have my time back, please?

You can have eight minutes.

I'll I'll start with the twelve.

I'll start with I start in a different direction there.

Yeah.

There are some things that was said tonight that was I found very disrespectful to say that uh certain people here lost their mind.

It's just out just rude, a little rude to me.

You know, uh there are positions here that represent all of City of Joliet, not just a portion of City of Joliet.

And for you for someone to say behind this dais that people have lost their mind because they have a right of opinionated, but yet instead there are other people who can who can get before the patch and and proclaim that unity is behind someone that you know uh a major incident that happened.

It's just it's just ridiculous to me.

Everyone here come tonight, everyone who came here tonight have a right to their opinion, and they shouldn't be saying that that they lost the maybe they lost their mind in 2016 when all this is coming out about a contract that we as a taxpayers have to pay for, but maybe it didn't come out then because it benefited certain people's families.

As members of this council, you represent not only the people that are against something, but also for it as well.

And if you come here with a preconceived notion, thinking that my side of people or the five calls or ten calls or twenty calls you got, it's the only people you represent, then you're wrong.

You're wrong.

You're wrong.

And I'm speaking, and I didn't disrespect you, don't disrespect me.

I I care for you, but you're wrong.

For those who came here tonight, took their time away from their families who work today, and then you come down here and say we lost our mind.

We we uh I only represent I'm only coming out here to represent one side of the fence.

No, you represent all of Joliet.

And I think it's wrong to say someone lost their mind.

Now we can have this conversation after this.

You know my you know my number.

You got my number.

But you're wrong.

Have you lost your money?

By saying that to the people who elected you, maybe we need to do something here because let's let's just clarify something.

I have a good day.

Thanks, Carolyn.

You lost your mind.

I never said that.

I didn't and I and I I was I was shut off.

I was shut off because you can't see me, so clarify.

I was not I wasn't talking to you.

I wasn't talking to you.

We're done.

I wasn't talking to you, Councilmember Quillman.

Respectfully, I wasn't talking.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to address the council this evening?

Before my time starts, can I ask um that the section under the public comments be read out loud, please?

The instructions that this section is for anyone.

Can that be read out loud, please?

Public participation rules of procedure.

Speakers should try to address all comments to the council as a whole and not to any member thereof.

Repetitive comments are discouraged.

The total comment time for any one person is four minutes.

A speaker cannot give his or her allotted minutes to another speaker.

No speaker shall engage in a debate or make direct threats or personal attacks or be uncivil or abusive.

The presiding officer may limit irrelevant immaterial or inappropriate comments or statements.

Thank you so much.

Um I spoke at my first city council meeting in 1989.

And I have sacrificed a lot of time, as the previous speaker mentioned, away from our families.

What I do respectfully ask is that we remember that Illinois Municipal Leaks education, they came out here.

We asked for an education on our conduct here on this dais.

Um I respectfully ask that you take into consideration when you're using the time for residents' public comments, whether it's on an agenda item or public comments, that if you're using that time as a member of this council, that you respectfully recite what those members that have reached out to you have said, and you save your personal comments for voting or getting questions on the agenda item.

I think that's just fair for those of us that are sitting in the audience.

A lot of this regurgitation of a timeline, reminding folks of what they voted on back in the day is like some of us were here.

We remember.

This week we worked our butt off to make sure we bought pride to our community to our downtown area.

Some of us were up till one o'clock in the morning.

That is I hate, I hate hearing how much time and we make less than two dollars an hour in our council seats.

We make negative that we're on a residual, but there's some of us that love this city and the progress of this city so much that we're willing to invest that and give that back as partners to the city council, to the city government, to the city center partnership, and all the others that we invest our time and efforts and sacrifice into because we believe in the progress of this city.

Please be mindful of the comments that are being made up here because you disrespect those of us that are working so hard and volunteering our time and efforts to build this city up.

There's a lot of us that have gone before, and that's why I bring up the quality of life plan so much.

There is a lot of time and effort taking surveys, taking plans, like don't piss on the conversations and the investment that people have already poured into taking surveys already by just throwing your hands up saying take another survey.

We'll take another.

That's a little bit of arrogance.

Please be mindful of the seats you're sitting in and how it comes across to those of us.

I know you all are the one tasked with responsibility, but we are the ones sitting through it, hearing it and getting frustrated.

Please read your packets.

Please go back and read some of the stuff that you guys voted on in the past.

We remember, we look it up, we take the time, we research stuff too.

Please be mindful.

Your residents that are here tonight, we could be anywhere else.

I was literally having conversations early this morning with folks terrorized from an incident that happened right outside of City Hall.

We are literally, and the federal government agents that were out there didn't even bother to clean up the glass that they broke all over the street.

That was our city folks that had to do that.

Go send a bill back to them and tell them to pick up the glass off the floor that they just broke damaging somebody's window, doing their job in law and order.

Count those pennies, count that time, count that city staff time that we had to go clean up all that glass off of the front, and then those of us that had a council, those people terrorized about what just happened this morning.

Thank you.

Thanks, Amy.

Is there anyone else who'd like to address the council this evening?

Okay, seeing none.

I did receive a request for closed session.

Is there a motion to go into closed session to discuss personal collective bargaining, land acquisition or conveyance, penny or threaten litigation after which the meeting will adjourn?

So moved.

Second.

It's been motion seconded to approve.

Councilman Cardinals.

Councilman Clement.

Councilman Ivaro?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

All right.

Councilman Mudrin.

Councilman Quillman.

Aye.

Councilman Rudin.

I Mary Darcy.

Motion carried.

Another day in paradise.