Joliet Pre-Council Meeting - November 17, 2025

The City of Joliet held a Pre-Council meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:30 PM in City Hall. The meeting featured a presentation on the 2026 operating budget by Finance Director Kevin Sing, discussion of numerous consent agenda items and ordinances, and emotional public comments regarding public safety and downtown incidents.

Budget Presentation

• Kevin Sing, Director of Finance, presented the first formal overview of the 2026 operating budget.
• The budget process was moved from Excel spreadsheets to the city's financial software, making it less labor-intensive and more collaborative.
• General Fund: Revenues are projected to increase by $7 million (approximately 3.25%). Sales taxes are up about $3 million; income tax (per capita from the state) up $1.2 million; ambulance fees up $500,000; building permits up $750,000; grants up $2.5 million (including a $1.9 million mental health grant).
• Expenses: Health insurance is rising $5 million in the general fund; liability insurance up $600,000; repairs and maintenance down $1.3 million due to past facility fixes.
• Sewer and Water Fund: Revenues up $8.5 million based on council-set rates. Expenses include increased contributions to Grand Prairie ($2.8 million) and debt service ($9.6 million).
• Reserves: Ended FY2024 with 5.5 months of expenses (target is 6 months). The FY2025 surplus is projected at $2.6 million (needs $5 million to maintain 5.5 months). Reserves generate about $5 million annually in interest.
• New Positions: Firefighter paramedics (to maintain NFPA response standards), financial account accountant in police department, deputy director of HR, recruitment and retention coordinator, cultural affordable coordinator, and several sewer/water staff.
• Health Insurance Warning: At current trends, health insurance will consume over 20% of the general fund by 2030 (currently below 17%). Sing urged collaborative solutions to avoid crowding out other services.
• Tax Levy: Proposed to maintain the same tax rate for the second consecutive year.
• Casino Revenue: Combined casino revenues are a couple hundred thousand above historical averages but showing signs of peaking; the budget assumes status quo for next year.
• Next Steps: Budget will be emailed to council on November 18; one-on-one meetings with council members will be scheduled; a public hearing and tax levy adoption are set for December 2; final budget adoption on December 16.

Citizens to be Heard on Agenda Items

• Bipan Sharma spoke in support of Council Memo 619-25, regarding property at 616 Williamson Avenue. He stated he purchased the property under the impression it was zoned R3 (residential) but was later told it required a special use permit. He expressed a desire to have the special use removed and keep the R3 zoning. He noted the Zoning Board of Appeals approved his request 4-0 in September 2025.

Consent Agenda Items

The following items were reviewed by the City Manager and are expected to be approved as a block at the regular council meeting:

• Award of Contract for 2025-2026 Tree Removal and Stump Grinding to Arbor Tek Landscape Services Inc. – $99,981.56
• Award of Contract for 2025-2026 Tree Trimming (East) to Arbor Tek Landscape Services Inc. – $92,530.00
• Award of Contract for 2025-2026 Tree Trimming (West) to Arbor Tek Landscape Services Inc. – $58,606.00
• Award of Professional Services Agreement for Citywide Service Level and Staffing Study to Raftelis – $156,500.00 (moved to regular agenda for full vote)
• Purchase of Four Heavy-Duty Dump-Plow Bodies from Henderson Products – $565,424.20 (order placed now to lock in price and secure 2026 delivery)
• Amendment No. 1 to Phase III Professional Engineering Services – Houbolt Road Reconstruction to Civiltech Engineering Inc. – $296,695.86, and Payment Request No. 27/Final – $392,850.96 (reimbursed by IDOT)
• Change Order No. 2 for 2023 Sidewalk/Curb Replacement Project Contract B to Davis Concrete Construction Co. – $15,352.92, and Payment Request No. 4/Final – $29,902.37
• Award of Contract for HVAC Replacement of Five Rooftop Units at Slammers Stadium to Anchor Mechanical, Inc. – $242,041.80 (units are over 23 years old and beyond life expectancy)
• Award of Contract for Former Stadium Club Asbestos/Lead Abatement to Nationwide Environmental & Demo, LLC – $227,700.00
• Award of Payment for Joliet Area Historical Museum Gallery Ceiling Repair and Painting to Cosgrove Construction Inc. – $69,275.00 (scaffolding required because lift is too heavy for subfloor)
• Award of Professional Services Agreement for Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water System Improvements to Baxter & Woodman Inc. – $181,600.00 (reimbursed by ARPA funding from the county)
• Award of Professional Services Agreement for Professional Engineering Support Services to Baxter & Woodman Inc. – $100,000.00 (annual contract, consolidating multiple smaller contracts)
• Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement for 2025 Water and Sewer Financial Planning Services to Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc. – $20,000.00
• Change Order No. 1 for Garnsey Park Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Program to Hoerr Construction Inc. – $299,346.40
• Award of Contract to Jeffrey Prah Engineering Services for Audio Visual Engineering Services – $73,500.00
• Amendment No. 1 for Phase III Engineering Services – Chicago Street Streetscape, City Square, and Watermain Improvements to V3 Companies – not to exceed $150,000.00

Discussion Items

• Council Memo 616-25: Change Order No. 2 for Chicago Street Streetscape (Jefferson Street to Cass Street), City Square, and Watermain Improvements to Austin Tyler Construction Inc. – $579,861.02. The City Manager noted this was discussed at length during the Public Service Committee meeting.

• Council Memo 617-25: Change Order No. 4 for Houbolt Road Roadway Reconstruction Project to D Construction Inc. – a deduction of ($2,242,739.71) and Payment Request No. 25/Final – $1,812,604.25. This is a balancing of quantities; IDOT will reimburse all costs.

• Council Memo 619-25: Ordinance Approving a Variation of Use to Allow a Mixed-Use Structure at 616 Williamson Avenue (ZBA 2025-35). Staff does not concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval because a mixed-use proposal with a dwelling unit and non-residential storage is a prohibited use in the R3 zoning district. Staff recommends denial.

• Council Memo 620-25: Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for a Truck and Trailer Parking and Storage Lot west of Vera Court, south of Oak Leaf Street. The property is zoned I-1 light industrial, and industrial uses are already occurring in the area.

• Council Memo 621-25: Ordinance Approving a Special Exception for a Roof-Mounted Solar Installation at 3300 Channahon Road (Target distribution center). The property is zoned I-2 general industrial.

• Resolution 623-25: Accepting the 2025 Powering the Holidays Grant from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in partnership with ComEd. The grant is $2,500; the city matches with $500; funds provide energy-efficient lights for the city square.

• Resolution 624-25: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between Central Will Dial-A-Ride and Will County and acceptance of Title XX grant funds.

• Resolution 625-25: Approving an IGA with IDOT for the I-80 at IL Route 53 (Chicago Street) Interchange Improvement Project. Total project: $165 million. City's share: $24,150 (for emergency vehicle preemption).

• Resolution 626-25: Approving an IGA with IDOT for the I-80 at Des Plaines River Improvement Project. Total project: $183,417,58. City responsible for water main/sewer relocations on McDonough Street with a separate reimbursable agreement to recover $423,500.

• Resolution 627-25: Authorizing a Project Labor Agreement with Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council and Three Rivers Construction Alliance for projects in the Alternative Water Source Program.

• Resolution 628-25: Approving an IGA with IDOT for the I-80 at Chicago Street Interchange (relocating water, sewer, etc.). IDOT will pay because the city had right to the property prior to I-80 installation.

• Resolution 629-25: Approving an IGA with IDOT for the I-80 at Des Plaines River Bridge Project. IDOT reimburses city for engineering costs.

• Councilman Clement thanked the City Manager, Mayor, Greg Ruddy, and Allison Swisher for addressing manhole covers on Black Road (Six Corners Corridor). He also publicly supported a water department employee who was the subject of a recent news article about overtime, stating the employee works hard and that overtime is approved by directors.

Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items

• Trista Brown spoke emotionally about a recent incident at the Joliet Library where a man allegedly assaulted her, triggering past trauma. She criticized Chief Evans and the police department for not taking her concerns seriously and urged better protection and communication. She mentioned that the same man had made sexual comments to a child at the library.
• Valerie Terlep spoke in support of Trista Brown and voiced concerns about safety across Joliet, particularly on the west side. She referenced personal experiences and called for more attention from the police department.
• Cathy Garthus echoed safety concerns and raised other issues: the Brandon Road Bridge has been closed for over two years (originally expected late summer/early fall 2025; now IDOT says June 2026); she criticized a warehouse development near her old neighbor's property on Houbolt Road and urged the council to prioritize residents' quality of life over development.

Key Outcomes

• City Manager Beth Beatty responded to public comments by stating that the police department arrested the person who allegedly assaulted Trista Brown earlier that day. She reaffirmed her support for Chief Evans and the police department. Regarding the west side speaker's concerns, she noted the individual in question had been arrested three times but released by a judge.
• Councilman Clement also reiterated his support for city workers and the police department.
• No votes were taken during the Pre-Council meeting. All consent agenda items and ordinances/resolutions are scheduled for action at the regular City Council meeting on November 18, 2025.
• Adjournment: Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Juan Moreno. All council members voted aye, and the meeting adjourned.