Joliet City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025
Joliet City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025
The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers, presided by Mayor Terry D'Arcy. The meeting began with an invocation by Pastor Herbert Brooks Jr., the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call with all council members present: Cesar Cardenas, Joe Clement, Larry E. Hug, Suzanna Ibarra, Juan Moreno, Pat Mudron, Jan Hallums Quillman, and Sherri Reardon.
Consent Calendar
- Invoices to be Paid – Approved.
- Purchase of one (1) new Caterpillar 930-14 Full Size End Loader from Altorpher Industries Inc. for $240,342.12.
- Purchase of one (1) new Caterpillar 420-07 XE Backhoe from Altorpher Industries Inc. for $170,006.00.
- Payment for cost share balance of the Downtown Flood Control Levee design agreement to the Department of the Army for $105,000.00.
- Change Order No. 1 for Ottawa Street Parking Deck Parking Access & Revenue Control System to Flashparking Inc. for $74,138.00.
- Change Order No. 2 for the 2025 Pavement Marking Program (Superior Road Striping, Inc.) for $18,525.14 and Final Payment of $64,098.20.
- Change Order No. 2 for the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Inspection Program (National Power Rodding Corp.) – deduction of $20,138.33 and Final Payment No. 9 of $58,942.44.
- Change Order No. 2 for the Fairmont Water and Sewer Extension (Steve Spiess Construction Inc.) – deduction of $162,631.66 and Final Payment No. 5 of $175,316.05.
- Change Order No. 2 for Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan Phase IV (D Construction, Inc.) – deduction of $488,698.15 and Final Payment No. 7 of $847,079.32.
- Purchase and installation of flooring for the Joliet Police Department from The Flooring Guys, Inc. for $199,170.00.
- Award of contract to Avolve Software for ProjectDox SaaS Renewal for $41,400.00.
- Award of contract to Heartland Business Systems for 2025/2026 Document Scanning Services for $100,000.00.
- Award of contract to Heartland Business Systems for Implementation of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and three years of support for $165,341.57.
- Award of contract to VertiGIS North America for VertiGIS Studio Enterprise Edition (3-year ELA) for $109,440.00.
- Award of contract to RTA for Fleet360 Fleet Management Software and Implementation Services for $75,776.72.
All consent agenda items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bicentennial Park Supporters (18 speakers): Tamara Martinez, Nicole Leroy, Jamie Novotry, Olive Lorenz, Paige Granda, Teddy Lucas, Rayne Fox (Joliet West student), Serena Magosky, Kathleen Clark, Fred Kuanapa, Abigail Harris, Michael Obizynski, Carrie Lee, Lucy Martinez, Carol Harris, Judy Smith, Sarah Bradshaw, and a parent speaking for her daughter. All expressed deep personal connections to the Billy Lee Mocker Bicentennial Park and Theater, citing its role in building confidence, social skills, and community for children and adults, including those with disabilities. They urged transparency from the city regarding recent staff changes and called for preserving the theater and its leadership, particularly manager Lori Carmine. Many said the park is a “family” and a vital asset that must not be diminished.
- Village of Elwood Trustee Tricia Maas – Raised concerns about the NorthPoint development agreement, asking whether a community development committee has been established, when cul-de-sacs at Millsdale will be built, and asked for a water study and noise study regarding the proposed data center, stressing residents' fears about depletion of water sources.
- Village of Elwood Trustee Dorothy Eppenstein – Reported eight accidents in two months on Route 53 between Dollar Tree Lane and Millsdale Road, six fatal, and requested installation of a traffic light at that location.
- Mary Ann Corley (District 5 resident) – Requested more information be provided to residents about the proposed data center development.
- Gricelda Chavez – As a lifelong Joliet resident and grad student in public policy, urged that any large developments (like the data center) include full transparency, environmental assessments, mitigation of financial burdens, and ensure benefits to the community. She asked for independent analysis.
Discussion Items
- Mayor’s Proclamation: Councilwoman Ibarra read a proclamation declaring Joliet a Nonviolent City, supporting UN International Day of Peace. The chairperson of the Nonviolent City Project thanked the council.
- Council Committee Reports:
- Communication, Technology & Information Systems (Oct 1): Reviewed five contracts (Cisco ISE, ProjectDox SaaS, scanning services, Fleet360, VertiGIS) – all recommended for approval.
- Public Safety (Oct 7): Approved police department flooring purchase, MOU with Grundy County ETSB, and surplus declaration for Tri-County Auto Theft vehicles – all recommended for approval.
- Public Service (Oct 6): Reviewed equipment purchases (end loader, backhoe), flood control levee cost share, six change orders/final payments, and a drive-thru permit for Dunkin’ at 107 S. Briggs St. – all recommended for approval.
- Agenda Item #543-25: Change Order No. 1 for Rosalind Street Culvert Replacement (Austin Tyler Construction) for $12,614 and Payment Request No. 2 for $176,377.84. Approved 8-0-1 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
- License/Permit #545-25: Drive-thru permit for a Dunkin’ restaurant at 107 S. Briggs Street. Approved unanimously.
- Ordinance #547-25 (City’s Edge South Subdivision): Three ordinances: vacation of easements, preliminary plat, and recording plat. Approved unanimously (ordinances 18790-18792).
- Ordinance #548-25 (Ketone Business Center Unit 4): Preliminary plat and recording plat. Approved unanimously (ordinances 18793-18794).
- Resolution #550-25: Appropriating supplemental Motor Fuel Tax funds for the 2025 Pavement Marking Program. Unanimous.
- Resolution #551-25: Declaring city property surplus (Tri-County Auto Theft Taskforce vehicles). Unanimous.
- Resolution #552-25: Authorizing MOU between City of Joliet and Grundy County Emergency Telephone System Board. Unanimous.
- Resolution #553-25: CDBG funding for 2025-2026 Residential Snow Removal Program (not to exceed $44,000). Unanimous.
- Resolution #554-25: CDBG funding and subrecipient agreement with Fighting Chance, NFP (up to $15,000). Unanimous.
- Resolution #555-25: CDBG funding and subrecipient agreement with The Recovery Community Center of Joliet, NFP (up to $15,000). Unanimous.
- Resolution #556-25: CDBG funding and subrecipient agreement with Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66, NFP (up to $25,000). Unanimous.
- City Manager’s Report: Announced community engagement sessions for the Unity Dome sculpture (Oct 15 at Arts Commission, Oct 17 at Thingpen Elementary, Oct 18 at Hartman Rec Center); recognized Fire Prevention Week (Oct 5-11); and congratulated Battalion Chief Dan Berta on being named Firefighter of the Year by the Exchange Club for rescuing a mother and child from a June 10 structure fire.
- Mayor and Council Comments: Several council members acknowledged the Bicentennial Park speakers, with Councilman Hug stating that no plan to sell or privatize the park exists and he would oppose such a move. Councilwoman Ibarra reported that she recommended an independent consultant study the environmental and economic impacts of the proposed data center and that a community meeting will be held before a November vote. Councilwoman Quillman (a former theater participant) shared personal support for Bicentennial Park and emphasized Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Mayor D’Arcy provided updates on the comprehensive plan workshop (1,400 surveys returned, 120 attendees), Imagine a Day Without Water (Oct 16), the Athena Award to Dr. Karla Guseman, the new University of St. Francis president, and the Philanthropy Recognition Brunch.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda and all items on it passed unanimously.
- Change order for Rosalind Street culvert approved (8-0-1).
- Dunkin’ drive-thru permit approved.
- All three plats/vacations for City’s Edge South and Ketone Business Center approved.
- All seven resolutions approved unanimously.
- The city will conduct community workshops for the Unity Dome sculpture.
- An independent consultant will be engaged to study the proposed data center, and a community meeting will be scheduled.
- Council reaffirmed commitment to Bicentennial Park, with no plans for sale or privatization.
Meeting Transcript
City Council meeting for Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 at 630 in City Hall, Council Chambers with the Honorable Mayor Terry Darcy presiding. We will have the invocation from Pastor Herbert Brooks Jr. from St. John's Missionary Baptist Church at 104 Eastardy Boulevard. Joliet, after which we will lead us, he will lead us with a Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Would you join me in a word of prayer on tonight? Dear Lord, we thank you one more time that you allow us to gather in this way in this place tonight. We ask the blessing upon the Joliet City Council, all of our elected officials and residents that make up this great city of champions called Joliet. The word of our Lord recorded for us in Psalm 24 and 1 that the earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein. Is those that dwell here tonight in Joliet, Illinois, to express their concern, to learn about our government, and to get help in the time of need. So though we ask you to bless the agenda, bless this meeting, these are your people, in our Lord's name we pray, amen. I pledge allegiance. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I think you might be over. Okay. Mayor Darcy. Here. Councilman Cardinals? Here. Councilman Clement? Here. Councilman Hug? Councilman of Barra? Here. Councilman Marino? Here. Councilman Mudron? Here. Councilman Quomen? Here. Councilwoman Rudin. Here. Under Mayor is a proclamation for nonviolent city presented by Councilman of Barra. Hi everybody. Proclamation, whereas many concerned citizens of Joliet are committed to foster a culture of peace and nonviolence through education, sustainable economic and social development, a clean environment, and justice for all. And whereas such citizens of Joliet desire to promote human rights, advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity, and therefore support participation, communication, and the free flow of information. And whereas such citizens and communities leaders, civic and faith organizations, and political leaders of Joliet are committed to creating and implementing initiatives that create positive and lasting change in our community. And whereas the City of Joliet encourages individuals, programs, and organizations committed to ending violence, poverty, injustice, and environmental degradation to communicate and collaborate. Now, therefore, I, Mayor Terry Darcy, City of Joliet, Illinois, on behalf of the entire Joliet City Council, do hereby urge all citizens to join me in proclaiming that Joliet is a nonviolent city, and in support of the United Nations resolution who declared September 21st as International Day of Peace, dated October 7th, 2025, signed Mayor Terry Darcy. Well, here we are again. Yeah, my name I'm the chairperson for the Nonviolent City Project, but I'd like to uh recognize our steering committee, some really wonderful people dedicated to nonviolence that uh keep us really going beautifully. Uh it's in this uh climate of escalating uncertainty and division that we need that there's a need for active nonviolence that has never been greater. We need the collective effort of us all to take concrete action to build a culture of peace in our neighborhoods, in our community, in our city, in our nation, and in our world. All our efforts are connected, and we will do our part. We solemnly pledge to do our part to foster a just and peaceful Joliet and a just and peaceful world for all. Thank you very much. Yeah, we're going to do that. Yeah, that's gonna be.
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