Good evening.

Welcome to the City of Joliet Council meeting for Tuesday, November fourth, twenty twenty-five, at six thirty in City Hall Council Chambers with our mayor Terry Darcy presiding.

Joliet, after which he will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dear God, thank you for our council and our leaders and all the members of our community who come today in service of our beloved Joliet.

Give them grace for their time and efforts that they take for all of us.

Give them strength in these troubled times to meet all the items on their agenda with ease.

As they serve our Jolia community, open their hearts and minds.

And we thank you for all you do to light our way.

We ask all of this to bless over us as we go forward in public service with our all of our hearts and our minds.

With love and light and peace.

Hold us, Lord, and we all say amen.

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands flooded nation under God with liberty and justice for all we'll begin with roll call.

Mayor Darcy.

Here.

Councilman Cardinus?

Here.

Councilman Clement?

Here.

Councilman Hug?

Here.

Councilman Abarra?

Here.

Councilman Moreno?

Here.

Councilman Mudron?

Here.

Councilwoman Queman?

Here.

Councilman Rudon.

Here.

Next is the approval of the agenda.

Is there a motion to approve the agenda as written?

Somehow.

It's been motioned and seconded to approve.

Councilman Cardinals?

Aye.

Councilmanclement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman Abarra.

Aye.

Councilman Moreno.

Aye.

Councilman Mudron.

Aye.

Councilwoman Coleman?

Aye.

Councilman Rudin.

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?

Okay.

Seeing none.

Next are council committee reports.

Land use and economic development.

Land use and economic development committee met Wednesday, October 22nd at 3 30 here in the City Hall at the Council Chambers.

In attendance was Councilwoman Ivara, Councilman Mudron and myself with along with some city staff members.

We had the approval of the minutes.

No citizens to be heard on any agenda items.

Then we went on with the economic development director, Paulina Martinez presented agenda item TMP 9097.

A resolution authorizing.

Authorized execution of a lease agreement with La Sociedad Inc.

And I'm going to ask Paulina to come up and give us a pre-presentation on this.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council.

Today's presentation outlines the tenant selection process following the recent request for proposal for the lease of the first floor of Union Station.

Earlier this year, the city issued an RFP to identify a qualified tenant to lease and operate the commercial restaurant based within Union Station.

The goal was to attract a business that would activate the space, serve the community, and contribute to our local economy.

Following the release of the RFP, Economics Development reached out to 29 partners and approximately 20 businesses throughout the region.

Between March and May, seven groups conducted walkthroughs of the space, and by May we had received four completed submittals.

In June, we held an internal staff review, which considered consisted of staff members from community and economics development, planning division, facilities, and purchasing.

From there, we selected three proposals to move forward to an in-person interview panel.

The in-person interview panel consisted of staff members from community and economic development, purchasing, planning, and the city manager's office.

During the panel interviews, applicants were invited to bring any marketing or supporting documentation to help clarify their proposals.

All proposals were reviewed and evaluated by city staff based on the following financial capacity, economic impact, community impact, community benefits, project feasibility, proposed structure of economic incentive.

Based on the concl conclusion of the interviews, it was determined that Casa Catrina was the best fit proposal for the opportunity at this time.

The proposed terms reflect internal discussions aimed at aligning the city's priorities and accommodating the operational needs of Casa Katrina team.

This includes a base rent of $7,000 a month plus a 5% annual increase, a lease term of five years with two optional renewals terms of five years each, so potentially 15 years total.

And the tenant will be responsible for all utility bills and property taxes.

Plus, we'll be generating food and beverage tax as well.

The Casa Catrina team has communicated to us that they have full intention of utilizing the brewing equipment in space.

They are currently in the negotiation phase with the former migraine brewmaster.

Therefore, there is a condition listed in the lease that the brewing operations must commence within the first six months with one optional extension of an additional six months.

If the tenant fails to begin brewing operations within the first year, the city has the right to revoke the use of that portion of the premises, take possession of any brewing equipment, and lease or sell any brewing equipment to a third party on site without modifying the lease.

The proposed lease is expected to generate a total revenue of 464,000 over the lease term.

Additionally, the tenants' operations are projected to bring in an approximately 232,000 in tax revenue, including sales tax, home rule, food and beverage, and property tax.

The projections are based on the tenant sales productions of their first and second year in business, which are comparable to other restaurants in this area.

The projections include home rule tax of 1.75%, sales tax of 1%, food and beverage tax of 1%, and the real estate tax will be 100% into the downtown TIFF.

Therefore, we are projecting a total revenue of approximately $696,000 in the first five years.

This concludes tonight's presentation.

I do have the three owners of Casa Catrina here with me to address any questions you may have.

Good evening.

My name is Angel Zamurio.

I'm a Juliet resident for the past 30 years.

Very excited to bring this project to Juliet, my hometown.

Thank you.

Like you mentioned, very excited and grateful for the opportunity.

I believe we formed a team that is going to be able to bring the most out of the location.

And uh we're bringing very obviously delicious food, but as you will see, uh it's a very celebratory environment, very positive.

So we're selling not just food.

It's it's an experience, and so I think it'll be something that the whole city will be able to enjoy and and and remember for quite a while.

So thank you again for everything you've given us.

Hello, good evening, everyone.

My name is Joaquimano, I'm the chef.

So I I can't wait for uh present my my food, my authentic Mexican food, and fiesta and everything, rings, margaritas, and sampling.

Uh everybody, so everybody's is uh I'm sorry, okay.

So I can't wait.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you.

I have a question for you, sir.

Mayor Femme.

What are your what are your specialty dishes?

You say you're bringing a new variety.

I'm interested because I love ice cream.

Actually, I I don't have uh especially because I have old dishes for the Mexico, like Yucatán, like uh Cochinita Pivil or from Monterey, uh Carneazana, uh Enchilas Potosinas is for all the Republicans.

That's the that's the reason my my food that's very authentic of Mexican food.

Yeah.

It's my favorite.

Um I'm just curious about your dessert so it works, but we're excited to have you in town and we're really looking forward to my desserts.

My wife is uh some uh repository so I have uh yeah.

So we have uh different uh like uh lava cake but uh a different uh uh special chocolate, so uh churro, Mexican churro, but not the same Mexican churro.

There's uh some crema pastelera inside with uh vanilla ice cream and something like that.

So I have a lot of a lot of fiestas with uh with in the in the place like a gorilla, something like that, uh flies, uh bulls, something you know uh so I'm I'm excited, so I don't know what you but I I think you you are excited too.

Welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

For the owners?

Ryan Center, are you own another restaurant already right now?

In Manhattan, no, no.

Uh Florida Fuego is some uh some friend is the owner, so I I helped it to him, but that's a little that's too small, a small place, but that's that more like a tackerilla something, but not to disprove.

It's not a same.

So you you were chefed at that place?

Yeah.

And you guys own another restaurant?

Can you tell us all about that?

Uh we currently own uh Kulichi Town, which is a fusion of Mexican and sushi, sushi uh Mexican sushi.

It's called Colichitown, it's over in Stone Park.

Uh it's uh been there for eight years now.

Thank you.

Great.

Real quickly, we also have uh another location in Alsa uh El Don.

We specialize in uh meats uh grilled over uh ski charcoal.

Um this new location will be also uh specializing in different cuts of meats, so I think that that'll to answer your question.

One of the specialties will be of course the different cuts of meats that you will have.

You know is Al Cortez still open?

Yes.

But it's country club hills, sorry.

Oh, yeah, I'm actually familiar, yeah.

They just still open, yes.

They have some killer carnesana, they hammer it real thin once or while I have not been there in a while, but I'll take your word for it.

Just give me a little hint.

Actually, in the menu we have a tomahawk, New York, ride, cowboy, uh a rachera, like uh some I don't know what's the name, but uh maybe in the new and in in the new menu we can put it a Joliet steak and something like that.

But uh there's a big uh a big carne asada.

I have everything in the in my menu, so actually my my favorite is that the meats.

So but uh the steaks, that's very good.

All right, thank you.

Our beef turkeys aren't gonna cut it today.

Alright, so I got a question.

So my birthday is coming up, so when are you guys gonna open up?

That's exactly what we want to know, but uh realistically, uh you know, considering we have to wait for licenses and such, I would expect you know sixty days at the most, but it's all depending on how fast we can progress with uh licensing and everything like that.

But but we're ready, so uh ASAP would be would be my answer.

So hopefully we'll make it by then.

Thank you.

One more question, Mayor.

You guys are if I understand correctly.

You weren't trying to utilize the brewing equipment.

Do you have experience in the brew pub?

We do not have any uh experience.

Uh partner.

Here they own a uh tequila factory back in Mexico, so they're not the same, but they're familiar with the process.

So we're now we're a negotiation with uh brewmaster, previous brewmaster from from the Union Station.

So uh he seemed uh very passionate about the place, so he knows everything that is in there, so I'm happy to bring on board.

So he'll be working for you as a brew.

Uh we're negotiating right now, we're just waiting on the proposal.

Thank you.

Mayor, I have a couple other questions for me.

So um if the brew part doesn't work, how will that work if you lease that property out when they're having their big roster on the other side?

So the the space could be divided.

Uh all the uh operations of the brewery are actually in the back.

Yes, you can see some of the brewing equipment as display, but that could easily be um sectioned out uh and divided into a different space.

Different space that'd be like the brew pub on one side and then this restaurant on the other.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a proof brew pub, it could be a production site for uh for beer if that um if that was the case.

Uh if it was a brew pub that we were pursuing, uh we would be working with facilities and figuring out the space configuration, maybe different entrance.

Uh but uh we are you know very excited with the negotiations that they're underway.

Actually, the brew master was the one who reached out to us to make an introduction to the gentleman here.

So we're pretty confident that they'll they'll get the the brewing up and running.

Okay, and I understand that, but one more question, but it probably won't apply in the beginning, but maybe later on.

Will there only be the brew pub beer being served, or will there be selling other commercial beers like the seckies and so basic things like that instead of just the uh brew pub beer?

I know I want to know if we if down the road it's gonna be some commercial beer as well as the brew pub beer.

And I have a good reason for that.

That's what I want to know.

Okay.

Um my understanding is that they plan to have a full bar service, but I will let them answer.

So far from what we've talked with Dan, who was the previous brew master, uh the idea would be to at least start selling what we make.

Um the idea there is of course we want to promote whatever we make.

We we're gonna believe in the product we make.

Um perhaps selling other things would you know bring us down in that respect.

But uh of course it's it's a bit of a learning curve there, so we will see what happens.

But initially the idea would be to set begin selling whatever we make in order to bring the most out of that side of the restaurant.

So you're planning on getting the brew pub ready is when the restaurant opens, is that the plan?

Yes, uh as she mentioned uh so far the talks with Dan are very positive, and he he feels a connection to the location having worked there for so long.

So uh, you know, uh unless something you know unexpected happens, uh I I've I believe we're we formed a great relationship already.

So I feel like uh yeah, we'll be working with him very well.

Okay, I have some reservations, but um I understand, I understand it, and uh like I said, uh we will see what happens.

Uh I just feel that in order to get the most out of out of the brewing, it we would have to begin selling only what we make.

Um but we will see.

I understand your reservations.

So we are open to to seeing how it goes and also hearing whatever you have to uh say on on what's going on.

No, BYOV, yeah.

No, BY B.

I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

Okay, thank you.

What was the rent on refreshment memory for migrant monthly random?

Um migraine had an agreement.

Uh they had a 20-year lease uh in the first 10 years uh they were not paying rent because of the initial investment they made into the space.

And what was the rent going to be have the uh it was gonna start at $18 a square foot, I believe.

Which is totally square footage.

Uh $16,000 square feet.

Yeah, okay.

All right, that's right.

Um thank you.

Yes, thank you, because I had a lot of reservations, a lot of questions, and I'm glad that we did this tonight.

All right, still me, right?

Yeah.

Next agenda item we went over on uh was an ordinance approving amendment.

Amendment number four to development agreement for senior suites LLC building at 215 North Ottawa Street.

Uh this is an extension of a current agreement that's already in place to give developers enough time to apply for a competitive grant through the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

Uh this essentially will help preserve 84 affordable housing units for seniors for that one.

Then we reviewed agenda item TMP 9098 in order ordinance designated an area as a Joliet Rivers Edge Redevelopment Zone, which Paulina will be given in presentation on that during the right now?

No, not yet, right?

That's not till the public hearing.

Okay.

Are you doing it now?

Can you do it now?

For the or that during the public hearing on the river's edge.

I thought you want to review it now.

Doesn't it have to be?

She can present on it.

We'll still have to have the public hearing for.

Yeah, she can present now.

She's already saying this.

All right.

Good evening again.

So tonight we're going to be presenting on the River Edge Redevelopment Zone application, which is a incentive level, a state level incentive program through the state of Illinois.

The River Edge Redevelopment Zoned Act was adopted by the state of Illinois in 2006, which initially helped create five river edge redevelopment zones, as you can see in the map.

It was Rockford, Elgin, Aurora, Peoria, Quincy, and East St.

Louis.

This program aims to help communities by stimulating job creation and retention through environmental remediation and historic preservation, developing public-private partnerships to create favorable business climate and encouraging new private investment.

Some of the eligibility requirements for the river edge development zone include the area has to be contiguous and surrounding a river, hence the name.

And it has to be consistent.

Sorry, that area satisfies any additional criteria established by the state of Illinois, which in this case was that it could not overlap any enterprise zones.

Joliet already has an enterprise zone.

That is why Joliet for a long time did not have a river edge redevelopment zone.

But in 2023, the state passed legislation that made an exception that allowed the city of Joliet as well as Kankakee to overlap their river edge redevelopment zone with an enterprise zone.

So that's what gave us a green light to start this project.

As you can see here, you can see the proposed boundaries that we have for the river edge development zone.

We are taking advantage of 11 of the 12 square miles that we are allocating.

Our GIS team did a great job in helping us figure out the boundaries of the very wonky map.

As you can see, we were going all the way out to the mall area and as far east as the old Silver Cross site.

We wanted to make sure that all of our commercial corridors and industrial sites were included.

The only ones that we were not able to include was anything that is a north point, center point, because that's just too big and we didn't have enough space anymore.

But all of our historic districts are there, which are really the important ones for this program.

This is just another reiteration of the map, uh highlighting our mayor employers, they can land in ondeveloped sites throughout the proposed zone.

And as you can see here, um some of the economic challenges that we identified was long-term disinvestment disinvestment and environmental challenges along the riverfront corridor, decline of industrial and retail base and shift commerce to outlying areas.

Portions of the area fall within low to moderate income census tracts, so nearly 11% of residents are below the poverty line in those areas, limited access to capital for entrepreneurs and property owners, outdated building stock and lack of modern amenities, which are insufficient to downtown housing that limits foot traffic for the evening, weekend activities, and investor appeal.

So the rivers edge redevelopment zone designation really aims to overcome a lot of these uh economic challenges by providing incentives and fostering coordinated redevelopment.

But just like we have challenges, we also have assets, right?

So uh some of the economic development assets and special features that we are including in our in our application include cultural and entertainment anchors, which include the Realtor Square Theater, as well as the baseball stadium, which draw thousands of visitors a year, um government and institutional presence, City Hall, the Will County building, the state of Illinois building, and um other institutions in the area also are major employers in the area and bring a lot of food traffic during the day.

Uh transportation connectivity, as Mayor Darcy has said many times outside of Chicago, Joliet is the most well connected city in the region.

We have Metro, we have Amtrak, we have uh Pace Bus.

Uh we are a very well connected city.

Um we also have historic character and urban form, and as Dustin always says, Joliet has good bones.

We have a really good structure, uh, a lot of a lot of stuff to work with uh in our historic district to really re utilize that uh those bones to make something modern uh but with character of the of the city still.

So within this application, we have a few goals.

The number one goal is uh revitalized historic and underutilized vacant properties in the river edge or development zone.

So that includes uh like returning five underutilized or vacant properties to productive use within the first five years of the designation.

Goal number two, uh increasing housing options in the in the zone, especially downtown.

One of the objectives within that goal is to facilitate the construction or rehab of 50 new housing units in the proposed zone within the first five years of the designation.

Goal number three, attract investment and to and support uh economic development in the in the zone.

So that will include assessing the infrastructure, zoning, environmental readiness for each site.

So a lot of site preparation, right?

Really looking for any grants or any other programs that can support site preparation for some of the vacant and undeveloped uh sites that we identified in the map.

Um and also working very closely with our community partners as well as our community engagement director to make sure that we are marketing this opportunity, right?

Doing some roundtable discussions with prospective developers in the in the region and uh members of the city council.

And the fourth goal is to expand the quality of life amenities for residents and workers in the area, so that would mean increasing access to daily goods and services in in the zone, especially downtown by attracting new convenience-based businesses within the first five years of the designation.

And some of the targeted industries that we have for this application is healthcare and life science industries, downtown and tourism related businesses, so a lot of retail, restaurants, things like that, and advanced manufacturing, which we're hoping that will really foster an environment of innovation in Joliet.

And as I mentioned, um we want to be very aggressive with the marketing activities uh for the zone.

We want to make sure that the region knows that uh Joliet has this incentive tool and letting investors know how they can utilize it and how it can be helpful to their project.

So we like I said, we we'll be working on social media campaigns, newsletters, round tables, um, and uh we're gonna be working on coming up with a media plan to promote this as well.

So, what are these incentives, right?

So the main the two most popular ones are the top ones the sales tax rebate for building materials and the historic preservation tax credits.

So the sales tax rebate for building materials are actually a rebate on only the state um taxes.

So that's five percent.

So let's say that we have a 10 million dollar project that wants to come to Joliet and they want to take advantage of this.

That would, on a conservative side, represent a savings of 100,000.

Um for historic preservation tax credits, that is really the most appealing incentive of this program for most developers.

One because historic preservation tax credits, if you're not in a river edge route development zone, they are competitive, right?

You have to apply for it, you have to earn earn uh those tax credits.

If you are in the zone, then it's an automatic, right?

You don't it's it doesn't become competitive, you can just apply for that and get those credits up to 45% of that tax credits on eligible expenses, and I would say about 90% of a 10 million dollar uh budget is eligible for expenses, right?

So that can represent on a conservative side about 2.6 million dollars on historic tax credits that a developer can take advantage of, including dividend income deduction, interest income deduction, new construction job credits, and remediation tax credits.

Uh so these are the steps that we've taken so far to make this application happen.

The first one was the land use and economic development committee meeting, which was on October 22nd.

Today we're having the public hearing, and we're gonna present to you uh the this the ordinance to designate the area.

Um if approved, then that then that would be submitted to the Department of Commerce, and they have the right to approve that within 180 days in conversations with uh staff members of the state.

So hoping for the best, preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.

Um and then after that, um DCO approval and certification would mean that our zone is uh ready to go and we're open for business in that sense.

Any questions?

So if I understand this, is it's just the state program or the federal federal supporter too?

The historic preservation tax credits is federal as well.

So it is a combination of state and federal, correct?

Now, if we allow for this designation, does it hire hands on shooting what we want to develop?

Do they have restrictions that they're gonna say you need to do this list of developments?

No, uh it just has very if they take advantage of the historic tax credits specifically, then they do have to follow very specific instructions from that um ID and R, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Natural Resources, yes, thank you.

Um and making sure that uh the historic uh character of the building is not compromised.

But no, they don't tell us what or where we can uh develop as long as it's within the zone.

Can you bring the map back up?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

I was looking at it now.

What is the uh requirements to be allowed to be in that zone?

How far from the river do you have to be?

And because I don't see anything on Route 30.

On route 30?

Yeah, and I'm no Route 30 is there.

Uh there's just the big break uh on Route 30, actually.

So it has to be a hundred acres of environmentally challenged land within 1500 yards of the river.

Uh that is the the main requirement that has to do with the river.

Um other from that, you can go as far out as you want, right?

As long as there's a river surrounding the area and you don't exceed the 12 square miles.

So 1500 yards is for which a hundred uh a hundred acres of environmentally challenged land.

So all of this map is not an environmental challenge, correct?

Um I guess there's two rivers involved there, correct?

There's two what?

Two rivers.

No, just one.

Just the one river?

Just the splains.

Yeah, we're basing it off the displains river.

Okay, thank you.

Question there?

Will the historic preservation committee be involved in this?

Um in the sense of approving permits, permits and what actually is what's gonna happen, what they're gonna do, what's the certain materials?

Um, you know, like we go with the local districts.

Can you explain that a little further?

How that's gonna work.

Best I can do that.

The local historic uh preservation commission has established guidelines, uh, but as a matter of reviewing new construction, uh the they're not involved in the permitting process, so we've never done this before.

That's that's the reality of it.

And I think it's a good question.

How would the our existing uh historic preservation interest and infrastructure play into this?

I I don't know what that looks like.

We haven't done this before.

I I would think that the amount of uh community interests and expertise on that board would be valuable as we roll this out and implement it.

Uh and I'm very happy to keep you updated on what that would look like.

Well, the reason I asked that is because I think we need a guideline, but some of those restrictions on the local is tough, as we talked about a few months back.

You know, you have to get certain things, but you don't have the uh carpenters and the uh historic glass people and all that stuff to get you can't get a hold of it anymore.

And there's people that don't do that intricate wan's coding and you know the ballasts and things like that.

So that's wondering how strict this was gonna be.

I see what you're saying.

Um so far we've identified a architect in the state of Illinois who is an expert actually on river central development zone applications.

Uh so uh we're gonna be reaching out to that person and learning a little more from her experience and uh leaning on her contact network, honestly, for a lot of that expertise because we know it is very niche and we want to be very intentional and not compromising the historic character of any of our buildings.

Yes, if it looks like this, it looks the same, I'm all for it because otherwise you just can't do it.

Right.

The cost is exorbitant.

Right.

And that is the purpose of the historic tax credits, and that's why they're so generous, up to 45% to make sure that the project is feasible because they the authorities understand that it is cost prohibitive.

They don't have that restriction, do they?

They don't have that restriction, do they?

The state.

Yeah.

And historic credits are are there certain guidelines?

Yes.

They have to be followed.

Correct.

But are they too strict?

It's too, it won't be feasible to build that way.

Okay.

This is an incentive package for people to be drawn into the city to be able to redevelop while following historic character.

So it's it's completely separate.

This is just creating the map.

That's what I want to make sure that they're for the incentive.

Yeah.

To be able to do that.

And that's just a tool for the city of Joliet.

No, no, I'm not talking about that.

I'm talking about these government credits.

I want to know what their guidelines are because if they're very strict, it's not feasible a lot for people to do that.

But if it looks like it with other materials, that's what you can do today.

But the uh artisans aren't there anymore to do exactly what they want done if it's a building some sort.

It depends it's it's project by project.

No, seriously, you look like I don't know.

No, I I understand what you're saying, but it's it's hard to answer because it it depends on like it's project by project, right?

Like not especially when you're talking about historic preservation, it it can vary widely.

Um I can reach out back to IDNR and ask for specific guidelines that they have so you can see those.

But the point of this is to make it feasible, right?

Um exactly.

So I I I would say that the guidelines would be feasible to implement, and there's a lot of uh support that IDNR offers throughout this process.

So we are uh mindful that it will be a a process that is gonna take a lot of working very closely with that developer to make sure that things are done correctly and are feasible.

I'm not against it.

I just don't want anything to be holding them back saying you didn't use this material or you didn't do this right, or you didn't double hang the windows, it just looks like you did, but you didn't.

Do you understand what I'm coming from?

I understand.

Yes, and can I step in a minute on this?

We've had uh a couple of developers that have taken advantage of this in some of the communities that have had this for a few years and they're very excited about coming down and they've already looked at some of our buildings.

So there are people that are very aware of how to utilize the rules and regulations to capture as much as they can from the city.

Yeah, so the Aurora the Aurora downtown was redeveloped on river central development zone incentives.

And that's fine.

I just didn't want any blind size.

Well, you didn't use this material, you didn't do it right.

That's all of my concern.

Otherwise, I'm all for this.

I think it's great.

Okay.

And I guess Paulina, when you're saying excuse me.

Paulina, when you're saying feasibility, you're meaning funding to make this happen.

Is that correct?

So that if it goes into a situation where it's uh it's almost impossible.

The funding is there, so it's not impossible, so they can continue on this.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yeah, we mentioned that uh Juliet and King Kiki.

There are two more have just been approved.

So you get a chance to fill your application out.

Correct.

Are we in competition with King Kiki at all?

No, it is not a competition.

They they want to add these communities, right?

Um, so in the class of 2025, they added even more communities, which include Alton and Sterling.

Um, so so the plan from the state of Illinois really is to expand this program throughout the state.

So the other cities that have been in this from the beginning, we're not in competition with them either, and they really have no say on whether we can come in or not.

Correct.

Thank you.

Downtown Aurora looks amazing.

I mean, it's such a marked difference, and it looks extremely historic.

So I would love to have this here in Jolia.

Looks amazing.

Question Paul here on the historic district concept that we're talking about discussing right here.

The entire row's map gonna be under historic restrictions.

So I'm thinking up by the mall, for instance, and as a control.

We don't have a story.

Right.

So outside of the historic districts that we already have designated in the city of Julian.

So it doesn't create new ones.

Correct.

Correct.

That's right.

So for example, if there was a historic uh building by the mall, which I know it doesn't exist.

But if it did it would just have to go through the steps of certifying that it's a historic building.

So most of this is gonna be downtown, correct pants area, that kind of thing.

The other sections of town where we have historic buildings.

It's not creating a new historic district anywhere else in the city.

Correct.

Yes.

Oh, and does a federal and state government have any grant money's available to the cities that do this?

The notes.

I mean the incentives I understand, the actual grant.

Can't you know?

No.

Not yet.

No.

Correct.

Yeah, these are directly to the to the investors and the developers.

And you mentioned a couple of things that had to be done within five years.

So those are goals and um objectives that we are identifying in the application that the city would be uh wanting to achieve, and a lot of these goals and objectives are actually uh complementary of the equity equitable transit oriented development plan, the Juliet Downtown Plan, and we work very closely with Jane Bernhardt to make sure that a lot of the stuff that it was incorporated into the comprehensive plan are also being um incorporated into this uh goals are met, it doesn't make the roars go away, no.

But we want just to clarify, we wanted to make sure that it was low-hanging fruit that we weren't um setting unreasonable expectations for ourselves.

So we work with our consultant to help us identify what was feasible within a reasonable time frame.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um lastly we went over agenda item TIP nine one two nine, which was a memorandum of understanding between the regional transportation authority and the city of Juliet for transit, where we ended development zoning code update, which is on tonight's agenda as well.

Um all these were approved by our committee to come to the full cause for a vote uh with our support.

Um did I miss anything else?

Perfect.

I think you've run longer than the meeting.

There's supposed to be a quick meeting today, right?

Uh that'd be my report, Mayor.

Should they have dinner?

Yes, that's the public assets committee met earlier tonight, five o'clock in the executive conference room.

In attendance were Councilman Marino, Councilman Clement, and myself, along with Blake Klein, our facilities director, night train back from the Jolia Slammers, Greg Preobolt from Joliet Area Historical Museum, and Nick Farrell from the Miracle League.

We approved the minutes from 828, and there were no citizens to be heard on agenda items.

There were three agenda items.

The first item was a recommendation to approve payment of the Joliet Area Historical Museum, gallery ceiling repair and painting project.

For years the roof has leaked, causing damage to the ceiling gallery.

Last year the roof was replaced, so now the galleries gallery ceiling can be repaired and painted because of the height of the ceiling and the subfloor not being strong enough for a lift, scaffolding is needed for this project.

The second item was award of contract for the former stadium club building located in right field of Slimer Stadium, asbestos and lead abatement project.

This building was built in 1924 and is three stories and eighteen hundred square feet.

Due to the age of the building, it could it contains asbastics and lead throughout.

As part of staff's continued efforts to redevelop city-owned facilities, it is recommended to abate the asbestos and lead so staff can market the property.

The third item was a professional service agreement to replace five rooftop H back units at Slammer Stadium.

These five units provide climate control for offices, clubhouses, meeting rooms, and suite level.

The units are over 23 years old and began failing this summer, prompting staff to bring in temporary air during the summer heat.

Oh, all three of those items were approved unanimously to move forward.

Night Train Vec gave an overall update over the past season and how much he appreciates the committee, the council, the mayor, and staff who support the continued efforts of improvements of the facility and support.

The team had a 35% increase in donations from the team and three $30,000 worth of tickets donated.

Greg Prierable gave an update on the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

October was a very successful month with Blues Brothers movie and attended strong all month.

Museum events begin in February for the centennial.

Nick Farrell from the Miracle League spoke during public comment and let everyone know that the Miracle League spring season begins May 9th at Slammer Stadium.

It's a great opportunity to volunteer and give back.

That is the end of my report, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you.

Great report.

Thank you.

I know what some people are all thinking.

If we're going to put that money into the Cabillac building, also effectively known as a stadium building.

How much can you sell it for?

I talked to uh our facilities manager today.

We have to re remediate this whether we sell it.

I want to be clear for everybody watching.

Or we tear it down.

We can't tear it down without remediating.

So it's gonna be the same price.

Either way, and so if after we remediate, we don't sell it for the next 10 years.

It can be torn down if that's necessary, but we can't do anything until we remediate.

And that's what I wanted to clarify.

Thank you.

Do you have anything, Councilman Moreno or Councilman Clement?

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Public service.

Public service committee met to yesterday at uh 4 30 here at the uh council chambers.

And uh on the committee in attendance was Councilwoman Rodden, Councilman Mudd, and myself.

We have seven total items, three contracts and four change orders.

So I won't go quite as long as my learned colleague here.

I can if you want.

The three items we was a purpose of a service truck for Rob Agar 4 and the amount of 66,000.

We're doing it now instead of waiting for next year because we can we're guaranteed delivery in a reasonable amount of time if we do it now.

If we waited to next year, there's no guarantee we'd get it, or how long it would take to get it.

Another item was the basic bulk roadway sign materials for 2025, and that was a 42,000 dollar uh bidded purchase.

And finally, under the contracts, we had uh replacement waste pumps for the off-stable wastewater treatment plant uh in total sixty thousand.

We look at all three items and unanimously found them to be in order proper and voted unanimously to senator full council with the committee recommendation to approve.

We have several uh four change orders.

Nothing to say.

Well, I will call about uh one, and that was approval of change order number two for the spring creek phase one water main approves project to Austin Tyler Construction Incorporated for a deduction.

We always like this of 1.1 million dollars.

So thank you, Austin Tyler, for counting the pennies, and then the final payment was for 1.3 million dollars.

All four items were revided by all three of us found to be in order and proper.

And again, unanimously voted to be sent to the full council with committee recommendation to approve.

And uh that's all we really had.

We had a report on which we do once a month on Chile's maintenance activities, you know.

How many um uh water meeting breaks we've had, things like that.

You know, in the future, probably if people are interested, we we can bring that forward.

If anybody here is interested to hear that or just kind of a front of the year for the end of the year.

We don't need it, we don't know.

So with that said, um, that would be my report unless the uh councilman or councilwoman have anything to add.

That's it, Mayor.

Thank you.

I show no other reports under consent agenda, approval of minutes.

It is recommended the minutes of the pre-council meeting on October 6, 2025, and the city council meeting October 7th, 2025 stand approved as recorded.

Invoices to be paid.

It is recommended this report be approved.

Council Memo number 579-25, approval of change order number three for the bridge street, Nicholson Street, Center Street, Roadway Improvement Project.

MFT section number 24-00562-00 FP to PT Farrow Construction Company, a deduction in the amount of eleven thousand one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and ninety-seven cents, and payment request number four and final and the amount of thirty-three thousand five hundred and sixty-six dollars and eighty cents.

Council Memo number 580-25, approval of purchase one Ford F 250 service truck from Rod Baker Ford in the amount of 66,063 and 70 cents.

Council Memo number 581-25, approval of purchase order number one for the 2025 bulk roadway sign materials to high star traffic and the amount of 42,128.75 cents.

Councilmember number 582-25, approval of change order number one for the 2025 Hickory Spring Creek Cleaning Project to Greg W.

Dabsick excavating in the amount of 20,000 and payment number payment request number one and final and the amount of 150,000 dollars.

Councilmember number 583-25, approval of purchase of replacement waste pumps for the Oxable Wastewater Treatment Plant from Burger LLC in the amount of $60,000.

Council Member number 584-25, approval of a contract with the MMA RX Solutions, prescription drug rebate management.

It is recommended Council Memos 579-25 through 584-25 be approved.

Is there a motion to approve all said consent agenda items?

So moved.

Second.

Second.

It's been motioned and seconded to approve.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman Abarra.

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudron?

Aye.

Councilman Quomen.

Aye.

Councilman Ruden.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Next is agenda items.

Council Memo number 586-25.

Approval of change order number two for the Rosalind Street Culvert Replacement Project to Austin Tyler Construction Incorporated.

A deduction in the amount of $2,704 and 50 cents and payment requests number three and final and the amount of 188,191 dollars and 67 cents.

It is recommended, Council Memo number 586-25 be approved.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Council Winabara.

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Stay.

Councilman Mudron.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quoman.

Aye.

Councilwinner Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals?

Council Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Councilmember number 587-25.

Approval of change order number two for the Spring Creek Phase 1 water main improvements project to Austin Tyler Construction Incorporated for deduction in the amount of $1,145,302 and 94 cents.

And pay estimate number 9 and final in the amount of $1,302,885 and 60 cents.

It is recommended Councilmember number 587-25 be approved.

So moved.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

I have a question.

Go ahead.

Councilman Moreno.

Do you have any as that one point three?

Good for you.

Anything for the taxpayer.

There you go.

Thank you.

Councilman Ivarra?

Aye.

Councilman Marino.

Abstain.

Councilman Mudron.

Aye.

Councilman Quomen.

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals.

Councilman McClement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Councilmember number 588-25, 2025 property tax levy discussion.

Kevin Singh the finance director will come up for discussion regarding the 2025 property tax levy.

So some background.

So I think the council is aware the you must discuss the tax levy 20 days before it's adopted.

We're scheduling that adoption or the vote for December 2nd, 2025.

So the reason is we have to prepare the ordinance for the actual levy to get voted on.

Just some background.

The city represents about 12% of the property tax bill.

The remaining 88% is made up of other government bodies such as schools, townships, the county, and park district.

For the taxes paid next year, we're recommending a levy that's expected to keep the tax rate that the property owners will pay the same as they did this year.

This would be the second consecutive year without a property tax rate increase.

Um as the rate for that people paid in 25 actually went down six and a half cents from what it was paid in 2024.

So with that be happy to answer any questions.

Just repeat your statement again so people can really hear what you just said.

So the goal of the this levy was crafted that the tax rate would be the same as it was that people paid this year.

Thank you.

So I don't any rumors out there.

Did you hear that?

And I I think the other part I want to point out that we didn't really we haven't really talked about this that the rate paid in 25 actually went down six and a half cents from what it was paid in 24.

So this would be another year without a tax rate increase.

Mayor Kevin, uh you and I discuss this.

Yep.

Um by keep uh by expanding or increasing the tax levy, but the increased uh values of of new properties and additions and so forth, it would keep the tax rate about the same.

Yes.

However, if we kept the levy the same as other communities have done or the school the tax rate, that's possible, yes.

Okay, thank you.

Any other questions?

Thank you.

Okay, move on to public hearings.

Council memo number 590-25.

Public hearing regarding an ordinance designating an area as the Joliet River Edge Redevelopment Zone.

This is a public hearing, so comments would be in order at this time.

Is there anyone who would like to speak under this public hearing?

Okay.

Um, I know all of you here, so I just ask that you don't look at me through the lens of the citizen of Joliette.

Um I'm speaking tonight in my role as regional advocacy manager for Lamarx, Illinois.

We are the statewide historic preservation nonprofit.

So clearly we care about the rehabilitation of old historic buildings.

And the most powerful tool to do that is historic tax credits at a national and a state level.

So the RAOZ has been a legislative priority for us in the conception.

Specifically the River Edge Historic Tax Credit because it is a powerful tool to redevelop historic properties.

So as Palena covered, Joliet is one of 16 communities to be fortunate enough to have access to this.

Of the 16 communities that now have access, 11 are new since 2023.

And then she mentioned the five, Rockford, Elgin, or Peoria, and East St.

Louis, the original five.

So what that means is because all these communities are new, they have not completed a project.

And the state historic preservation office just released a report that indicates that those five communities combined have seen $646 million in private investment in their historic properties.

Rockford alone has 400 million dollars in the pipeline right now.

That's a testament to them utilizing this credit.

So I would say that with planning, intentionality, recruiting.

You've already alluded to the fact that you've talked to developers.

You take those steps, people come in, they understand this program, they will use the program, and we will see investment.

So the local HPC by and large is regulatory.

So that means that if you have a home, as you well know, um you want to replace the windows, then you would come before the Historic Preservation Commission for approved.

The River Entry Development Zone and Federal Historic Tax Credits is not regulatory in the same way.

Um it's an incentive program.

So yes, there are requirements that a developer would have to follow, um, but those are not determined at a local level.

Those are determined with the state historic preservation office staff and qualified architects and how to use the program.

So in theory, um the only three buildings that are local landmarks that would come before the HPC regarding any of this are the museum, the rock and roll museum, and the dairy queen.

Um they are all national registered eligible, they're also local landmarks.

So again, in theory, in theory, they would come before the HPC for approval as well.

Having said that, it is highly unlikely that any three of those buildings would ever use this program because this program is for income producing properties and it's for private development.

And since all three of those buildings are either leased by and or owned by a nonprofit, they're not subject to HPC, they're not going to be subject to HBC approview.

So at that, I would say um, given the powerful tool this is in other communities, Joliet's fortunate to have access to it, and I would encourage you to adopt subordinates.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak during this public hearing?

Okay, seeing none, let the record show the public hearing is now closed.

Council Member number 591-25, a public hearing for a resolution approving an annexation agreement for 8.1 acres located east of Thoroughbred Lane, south of Old Renwick Road.

Resolution approving an annexation agreement for 8.1 acres located east of Thoroughbred Lane, south of older Renwick Road A-3-25.

This is a public hearing, so comments would be in order at this time.

Is there anyone who would like to speak under this public hearing?

Okay, seeing none, let the record show the public hearing is now closed.

Is there a motion to approve council memo number 591-25 resolution approving an annexation agreement for 8.1 acres located east of Thoroughbroad Lane is south of old Runwick Road A-3-25?

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Yeah, one question to Greg.

Greg, do you know so any drainage or anything like that has been addressed in in the preliminary, right?

Typically the preliminary plot would review drainage as well as any other excuse me.

Any other utilities uh involved.

Just in case any of the residents out there are watching.

That's correct.

Like I said, you know, I just want to put them on the rest.

They're holding the same standard as much larger.

Somebody would only do two.

Yeah, that's right.

Um the preliminary plot is preliminary in nature, so it doesn't have the final details, but it's a more high-level look at what will be required uh when the final plot comes through.

Uh there are typically plans attached to the case.

We tweak it out at the remote.

Yeah.

Okay.

Just wanted to make sure everybody understood that.

Thank you.

It's been motion and second and to approve.

Councilman Marino.

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilman Quillman.

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinus.

Aye.

Councilman Clement.

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman of Barrow.

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Under ordinances.

Council Memo number five ninety-three-25 ordinance designating an area as the Joliet Rivers Edge redevelopment zone.

It is recommended said ordinance be adopted.

Some of second.

Any comments or questions?

I do want to make a quick comment and thank uh Dustin and Pauline and the teams that have worked so hard to put this application in.

I know it was a lot of work, and uh you did a great job bringing as much of the city in as you could with continuity and everything else.

So thank you for that.

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilman Quillman?

Aye.

Councilman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals.

Aye.

Councilman McClement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman of Barrow?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Councilmember number 594-25.

Ordinance associated with Daily Own Subdivision.

Ordinance approving the annexation of 8.1 acres located east of Thoroughbroad Lane, south of Old Runwick Road, A-3-25.

Ordinance approving the classification of 8.1 acres east of Thoroughbroad Lane, south of Old Runwick Road to R1B, single family residential zoning A-3-25.

Ordinance approving the preliminary plan unit development of Daily Own Subdivision PUD-6-25.

It is recommended that ordinance be adopted.

So moved.

Second.

Any comments?

Thank you.

It's a motion and seconded to approve.

Councilwoman Quillman?

Aye.

Councilman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardenas?

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilwoman of Barra.

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Councilmember number 595-25.

Ordinance vacating 0.028 acres of a public drainage easement at 1715 Terry Drive.

It is recommended that ordinance be adopted.

So second.

Any comments, questions?

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals.

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Council Councilman Barrow?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quillman?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Councilmember number 596-25.

Ordinance approving the fourth amendment to development agreement for senior suites of Joliet LLC, building at 215 North Ottawa Street.

It is recommended that ordinance be adopted.

So motion.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's a motion and second and to approve.

Councilman Cardinals?

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman of Barrow?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin?

Aye.

Councilwoman Quillman?

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Resolutions.

Councilman number 598-25.

Resolution authorizing execution of a lease agreement between the city of Joliet and Las Society Incorporated.

DBA Casa Contrina.

Mexican Heritage Cuisine.

It is recommended that resolution be adopted.

Some well.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Aye.

Councilman Barrow?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin?

Aye.

Councilwoman Quillman.

Councilman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinus?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Councilmember number 599-25.

Resolution approving a memorandum memorandum of understanding between the Regional Transportation Authority and the City of Joliet for transit oriented development zoning regulations.

It is recommended that resolution be adopted.

So moved.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilwoman of Barrow?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quillman?

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinus?

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Next is the city manager's report.

Good evening.

Construction updates for downtown.

Brick Piver replacement in the Ottawa Street parking garage is now complete.

Brick pavers defining the quote red carpet walkway within the city square has been completed as well.

This week's planned work.

Brick pavers will continue to be placed along the access loop roadway and within areas of the city square.

Concrete placements for sidewalk and brick paper base will continue with the city square.

Work to complete the final elements of the fountain structures will continue.

And electrical cabling work to prepare for light poles along Chicago Street will continue.

I also wanted to announce the I-80 Des Plains River Bridge community meeting.

This is the second community meeting for the Interstate 80 Des Plains River Bridge Community Plan that will take place virtually this time via Zoom on Thursday, November 13th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of this community meeting is to get feedback on the alignment of the neighborhood trail and design components of the trail.

The meeting will also discuss other community needs that will be highlighted in the plan.gov BAX class I-80 community plan or through the city's Facebook page.

Providence High School is having a musical at Bai Park.

May we all.

It's a country musical.

And they're performing this weekend.

So anyone who would like to attend, please uh visit the school's website for more information.

Finally, um we have our fourth graduating cert class that graduated today.

This having its final session tonight, so they'll graduate tonight.

So after today, there will be a total of 78 trained volunteers, not including trained high school students.

We should be up to 100 by the end of the year.

So um John Lucanzick's doing a great job with this program, and um we've had a ton of interest, which is great.

Uh the fifth cert class will begin in January.

If you're interested in joining, please sign up at Joliet.gov backslash cert.

That concludes my report.

Thank you.

Next is public comments.

Um we do have um two people that signed up.

Um Doris Jones.

Good evening, City Council.

Excuse me.

My name is Doris Jones.

I'm the godmother of Raven Jones.

On I'm here for justice on July 12, 2021 at 419, Lough Apartment 36.

Raven Little John Body was found deceased in a man's apartment with only a bra covering her body.

The building belongs to the Jolion Housing Authority.

No one knows what happened to her close to this day.

So I don't believe that there was any type of investigation investigation done.

I think the case was handled more than just disrespectful.

The way she was identified, the way the family was notified of her death, everything done through a phone.

We listened to the 911 call.

This also was shared on Facebook.

The nine the 911 call let you know there were people in the overdose that was in the room with her.

Why would anyone accept it on arrival at the final outcome of the fines of the accidental cocaine of fin non-overdose with no file play?

Where her clothes were her belongs is walking down the street, known against the law.

I don't believe it's called a decent exposure.

She walked in the apartment with more than a brown, where our clothes were our shoes.

Wasn't a rate kit minister.

Clearly, the investigation wasn't done.

I actionable intelligence.

There were many deaths during the year of 2021 in the same area in November 21.

But all candle Shaw Media wrote an article by Rave a Little John and the way she was found and was asked for a deeper investigation, including the four men that was pulled from the display at that time.

That was a that was a rally in the Joliet on April investigation, including four men that was pulled from the river.

That was a rally in Joliet in April 9th, 2022 for the victims of that year.

The two drug induced homicides and two river drownings.

What they all had in common was the Joliet Housing Authority along the Displaying River.

The first was Anthony and Anthony Dunn, March 2nd, 2021.

His van was found in Joliet House Authority Park a lot in the 400 block of Bluff.

And about two months later, he was pulled.

His body was pulled from the displaying river located behind the parking lot where his van was found, which is approximately two to three miles behind the Joliet Police Department.

The second was Raven Little John.

She was found deceased on July 12, 2021 in the building belonging to the Joliet Housing Authority with only a brawl 12 days later on July 24, 2021 in the same building as Raven and 400 block of Bluff.

Terrence Pearce's body was found, and I believe they said that the cause was an accidental overdose.

September the 10th, 2021, Quinn Bailey body was pulled from the same location as me.

When no foul play.

Let's talk about 2024.

Deshaun Greenbody was pulled from the display in March 2024.

Robert Long's body in April and Reverend Warren Beer was pulled from the same river in 2024.

What these three men have been coming is they were all pulled out of the display river, approximately two to three miles behind the Joliet Police Department.

Rumor is that when the Reverend Beer was pulled out of the river and his car was in the his body.

He was on the passenger side.

Because we believe it's not just a coincidence.

No justice, no peace.

Robin Anderson.

Hello.

Um I came here and after after listening to all that's going on in Illinois, it's overwhelming.

I drove six hours to get here.

So I'm gonna read what I wrote, and then I got a couple of comments.

Cuz if you don't clean up your past, your future will not be nothing.

Because this plains river, no matter what you do to it, you're gonna always look out and see all them dead bodies still floating in that river.

I don't care what you do.

But it's been four years, and the families are the only ones speaking out.

Joliet has truly changed.

I I have different feelings about the city that I grew up in, born and raised.

Some of my old friends from the South End has informed me that they were practically forced to move from their homes near Water Street because Joliet wanted the land for their alternative water source.

Mayor Darcy, we know you inherited a lot of problems from the prior mayor.

And you were hit with administrative personal things.

The district was rezoned right after voting for district people.

You totally rezoned it.

And it seems as though to me, Joliet has been keeping a lot of secrets.

William Beusey, a Joliet police officer, was indicted on drug trafficking, but he left the department in 2021 after signing the settlement agreement to end his appointment.

The indictment alleged that he tried to distribute cocaine January the 13th, 2021, in Lockport.

Cocaine.

He was further accused of distributing cocaine March 2nd, 2021 in Chicago.

Which just so happens the same day that they pulled Anthony Dunn out of the Displains River.

And Joliet, coincidence, I'm just, I don't know.

I don't think so.

There's more in an article written in the Herald News on September the 3rd, 2024.

It is possible that one of their very own officers were selling drug to the drug-induced homicide victims.

And I'm also just throw this in here that I forgot to add.

And it's a shame that Detective Chief Madlock has been living in 419 Bluff for the last, I don't know how many years, and he's a deputy chief, and that's low-income housing, which is owned by the Wheel County Housing Authority.

I don't even think that's legal, but it is here in L in Joliet.

I'm gonna say Joliet, because every city has their own ordinance, and I don't even think that's legal.

There's more in written articles in the Herald News on September the 3rd, 2024.

Is it possible that one of their very own officers were selling that drug?

Okay, I'm rereading, but anyway, approximately two to three miles behind the Joliet Police Department is where all the bodies that have been found.

Uh that's been floating in the river, but you guys say no foul play.

There was a three-year investigation by the attorney general into the death following the death of my cousin Eric Lurie in the custody of the Jolia Police Department.

Many Heath Wausters, many Heath Walters had regular conversations with Gretchen of the Attorney General offers for three years, cover up our coincidence.

And of the unity and replacing the old senior citizens Murphy building with Bayes Towers apartments working for professionals and empty nesters won't erase the Displains River.

Every time you look out the Bay Tower windows, that river will still remain the same, and you will always see those bodies floating out that river.

And I don't care what you do, until you clean up your past, your future will never be nothing.

And uh, thank you, Mayor Darcy.

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

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

My name is Teresa Howard Collins, and I am here to represent history on Wheels and the future African Descendants Military and Historical Museum at 575 Jackson Street on Saturday, November 15th from 12 to 4.

We'll be hosting our second annual Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner giveaway, where we will be able to provide more than a hundred meals to veterans, families in need.

Thanks to some generous community support, we've been able to cover both the turkeys and the side dishes, helping to ensure that every family in need has a meal to give thanks to.

We are appreciative to the city and the community for your support so that we can continue to serve Joliet through education, um, history, and these acts of service.

Thank you.

Thank you.

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

Hello, I'm sure you all might know me now.

My name is Diane Manner, and I reside in Joliet.

Tonight I'd like to discuss the Call-de-Sac and Concrete Barrier at New Lennox Road and Oakview Avenue.

During the last council meeting, I asked about the ownership of New Linux Road, and I am pleased to report that Sean contacted me and informed me that the city of Joliet owns the road up to Warren Doris's old property.

He also said further discussion needs to be done in order for the process to move forward.

Now that the ownership in question has been resolved, I'd like to know if a call-de-sac is feasible and if the city of Joliet will implement it to address safety concerns related to truck and warehouse traffic on New Linux Road.

This is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention.

He agreed to work with me or work on it.

However, when I asked about the concrete barrier, he said it was not in his department, but he would look into it.

I have not heard anything back from anyone about the concrete barrier yet.

Given Love's history of lawsuits and fines for not following codes, I worry about the city's ability to properly inspect the development.

The zoning board of appeals is authorized to grant a special use, provided the applicant establishes by clear and convincing evidence.

One that the establishment maintenance or operation of the special use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare.

Now, building a truck stop 30 feet from homes is going to be detrimental.

A thousand feet is recommended for residential districts.

Truck and car exhaust, diesel and gas fumes are harmful to our health.

Spills from gas, diesel, and hazmat leaching into our water supply is harmful to our health.

This is endangering our health.

How safe would you feel if you had a truck stop 30 feet from your home?

What would you do if this was going up in your neighborhood, 30 feet from your door?

Would you feel safe?

It's morally insane that this even got approved.

Resident spot, but no one listened.

What kind of morals does Joliet have?

How will we ever totally feel comfortable and safe again in our own homes for the rest of our lives?

Our general welfare of public health and safety has been taken away.

How detrimental, meaning damaging, harmful, and destructive.

Is this going to be on our quality of life?

What evidence could be so convincing that a truck stop in a residential district 30 feet from homes is not going to be detrimental?

In light of these concerns, I urge the city to consider implementing a cold desac at New Lennox Road and Oakview Avenue.

And installing a 13-foot concrete barrier to protect our neighborhood and possibly our lives.

Thank you.

I'm still suffering.

But what development has done to me.

And being homeless now, being being homeless, worrying about where I'm going to be next.

You know, I keep getting under the constant attacks.

I keep suffering abuse and everything, and you think I'm happy with it all, you know, I'm to the point where I hope that Governor Pritster signs the die with digney law.

Because that's what my life has become.

So I don't want nobody else to have to suffer for what I am like suffering.

You know, the more you keep on putting development up out there, bringing it up to people's houses.

How many more people you want to suffer like I've suffered?

You know, I got to where I call the cops.

I got the cops here more picking on me like I'm the criminal for things happening to me.

I've had so much happen to me in the past two and a half years here.

I could have nightmares.

I can't even sleep anymore.

You know, it's just every day, it's harder and harder just to say, what do I want to get up for anymore?

I can't find a new place to live.

Because you know, more and more people are coming here to this country.

We know how the borders were opened up, all these migrants have come to the country.

We got more people competing in and trying to get housing, and we know the housing is not there.

And people happen to be displaced and everything.

Well, where do they get to find to go with?

We have to move out in the boonies to where to go, move away from all their friends and family and be lonely.

You know, I beg not to have that happen to me because I don't know what I do without the can't come here to you guys to get the love.

You know, I don't know.

I go live out in the boonies by myself.

I'm not gonna have that person that give me that home.

And that's why I beg you, you know, just please stop the development and stop displacing people and stop taking your livelihood away because you know you don't want people to commit suicide.

You don't want people to have to give up on what they love and give up what they were happy about and their reason for living, the quality of life.

You know, we need to take considerations and preserves people's quality of life because you know it's gets harder and harder.

You know, when you keep on putting development in there, what do people do?

You know, they can keep begging you and begging you and begging you guys to do the right thing.

You know, I beg you people, please, you know, consider people's quality of life and because we were here first before all this development ever came.

And we deserve to stay.

We deserve to stay where we're happy and where we feel safe as because you know, me having to go live in some strange out of out-of-town place or area.

I guarantee you I'm not gonna be feeling safe.

It's hard enough to wear I'm living right now in this hotel I'm living in.

You know, every day there's every week there's drama there, there's stabbings, there's drug dealing, there's you know, I gotta really like run to my from my truck when I park and run up to my room as fast as I can or lock the door.

So I don't get no get mugged.

You know, it's not a good feasible and happy thing here.

So I just beg you guys just please consider everybody's health and well-being and quality of life, please.

Thank you.

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

Okay, seeing none, we'll move on to Mayor and Council Comments.

Um I just want to start by saying um nobody could have imagined in my family that we would be starting the grieving process so soon after the loss of my mother and May.

But I want to thank you once again for the support that you've given our family at the recent loss of my father-in-law, Kevin Reardon.

He was a wonderful man.

We appreciate the outpouring of people that came out to celebrate his life.

It was a testament to a life that was well loved and well lived.

And we love him dearly, we miss him daily, and we just want to thank you all for the continued love and support and condolences to our family every day that we receive.

So thank you.

That's all.

I'd like to uh congratulate uh Gunnanwood Mander Homeowners Association who put on their um parade the Sunday before the uh the Halloween uh major success that it has been in the past, but it comes with a lot of hard work from everybody on that board.

Just congratulations.

We have a lot of residents in Joliet that travel out to Sharefest in Lennox once a month to get their food, and Heroes helping Share Fest, Sheriff S of Will County will be a spaghetti dinner that is at the VFW in New Lennox Saturday, November 8th from 4 to 8.

And yes, I'm selling tickets, so please hit me up.

I will travel anywhere around the region to bring you your ticket.

It's only $20 for adults and $10 for children, so it's very affordable and a fun time, I'm sure, honoring a heroes that served.

I also want to ask if anybody knows the timeline on the cul de sac of Mulsdale Road.

You don't have to give me an answer tonight.

You can just let me know another time, but I'm just wondering if there's a timeline.

Um Hands of Hope in District 5 is doing their annual Thanksgiving free food giveaway, and it's Saturday, November 15th from 10 to 2 at 511 Oak Leaf Court.

The line begins on Hames Avenue, and signs will be posted.

There is no pre-registration required.

So show up between 10 and 2.

They have plenty of food for everybody.

Also want to say it was very disappointing to be at Take Back the Night and have no media present to report what a um meaningful event that that was.

There is an epidemic of abuse against women and girls in this area, and I think it's so important for the media cannot always um post, you know, unicorns and rainbows.

Sometimes the ugly truth is you know, domestic violence.

So I'd like to bring some awareness to that also.

If you travel, Jefferson Street, Larkin Avenue, Chicago Street, Route 53, draw the camera in close because I want all the residents to slow down.

If you're traveling on those roads, slow down.

We have had a lot of accidents and very fatal and serious accidents.

I travel Jefferson Street daily, and people are not careful.

They're on their phones, they're looking everywhere else.

Just slow down.

You could save a life.

It could be your mother's life, it could be your brother's life, but please, for God's sake, slow down in the city of Joliet.

Thank you.

Just to add to that point a little bit.

Um make a good point, Councilwoman.

I see it so often, too.

And I'm not a driver's head teacher.

Trust me, but it's simple.

Directional, folks.

Using a directional.

Isn't the end all using it properly?

Turning it on at the last minute, right before you turn.

Turning it on when you're already halfway into your turn.

We've already figured it out to turn it.

You're supposed to turn it on a hundred to hundred and fifty feet ahead of time so that all the cars behind you can see you, and that therefore you avoid a rare end.

So for those that have forgotten, or maybe we're never taught that.

Use your directionals properly.

That's properly, and that's going to save or at least uh prevent a lot of accidents.

Um I had a neighbor over the weekend.

I thought he was moving out.

I didn't see us for sale signing on his yard.

I went and talked to him today because there's a big two two two guys, whatever the company is.

I'm just not moving out of Joe, we got to move it out of state.

This is probably 50th resident from the West Side.

Um, and actually from the east side that I talked to the moving out of state.

Taxes are out of control.

We're driving our residents out of our state.

We lost 54,000 last year.

We're probably gonna lose another 50 or 100,000 measure.

It starts here, but it's really in Springfield, and mostly in Springfield with the taxes.

They're new proposals I am less than impressed with uh in the uh the the uh veto session.

Folks, it's got to be addressed.

Politicians gotta stop uh glad-handing the subject and actually make an effort to freeze and reduce taxes, cut spending where it can be cut.

With that said, I'll congratulate Providence Catholics.

They beat uh Springfield High 6319 in the first round and moved in the second round.

So congratulations, Providence, on their football team, and that's proof that we up here can do it better than people in Springfield.

There we go.

That's all I have in here.

Thank you.

I just want to wish my daughter Carson tomorrow's her 13th birthday.

So I just want to tell my beautiful daughter uh happy birthday, and I love you.

So happy birthday to happy birthday, Carson.

Um just wanted to say thank you to Cazacapina for investing in Joliet and wish you guys nothing but uh luck and uh hopefully they'll uh get the licenses going for you guys to get open soon.

Thank you.

I just want to remind everybody that um Tuesday is the 11th day of the 11th month is Veterans Day.

It's one of the most important commemorations we have to pay tribute to the brave men and women who serve to allow us the freedoms we cherish and appreciate.

We are the home of the free because of the brave, so I want to say many thanks to all of our veterans and our first responders.

That's all I've got.

God bless Julia and God bless America.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

All in favor, I motion meeting adjourned.