Joliet City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025

The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda (with one item pulled for separate debate), adoption of several ordinances and resolutions, a staffing study discussion, and public comments on a denied variation of use and a truck stop development. All council members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes approved from October 20 and November 3 pre-council meetings and October 21 and November 4 city council meetings.
• Invoices approved as presented.
• Contracts and purchases approved:
  • Tree removal/stump grinding (Arbor Tek, $99,981.56)
  • Tree trimming East (Arbor Tek, $92,530.00)
  • Tree trimming West (Arbor Tek, $58,606.00)
  • Four heavy‑duty dump‑plow bodies (Henderson Products, $565,424.20)
  • Amendment to Phase III engineering for Houbolt Road (Civiltech, $296,695.86 + $392,850.96 final payment)
  • Change Order No. 2 for 2023 sidewalk/curb replacement (Davis Concrete, $15,352.92 + $29,902.37 final)
  • HVAC replacement at Slammers Stadium (Anchor Mechanical, $242,041.80)
  • Asbestos/lead abatement at former Stadium Club (Nationwide Environmental, $227,700.00)
  • Joliet Area Historical Museum ceiling repair (Cosgrove Construction, $69,275.00)
  • SE Joliet Sanitary District water system improvements design (Baxter & Woodman, $181,600.00)
  • Professional engineering support services (Baxter & Woodman, $100,000.00)
  • Amendment to water/sewer financial planning (Burns & McDonnell, $20,000.00)
  • Garnsey Park sanitary sewer rehabilitation change order (Hoerr Construction, $299,346.40)
  • Audio‑visual engineering services (Jeffrey Prah Engineering, $73,500.00)
  • Amendment for Phase III engineering for Chicago Street streetscape (V3 Companies, up to $150,000.00)
• Note: Council Memo #603‑25 (citywide service level and staffing study) was pulled from the consent agenda and voted on separately (see Discussion Items).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bipin Sharma (property owner at 616 Williamson Ave.) expressed confusion over the denial of his variation of use application. He explained he purchased the property zoned R3, intended to create a residential unit with personal storage, and had not been given an opportunity to speak before the vote. Staff (Dustin Anderson) clarified the application requested two primary uses; Mr. Sharma was invited to meet further.
• DiAnn Matter raised concerns about the Love’s Truck Stop development near New Lenox Road. She cited increased truck traffic, lack of a silt fence (installed only after her complaint), downed internet cables, muddy roads, and trucks exceeding weight limits on non‑designated roads. She asked for updates on the proposed cul‑de‑sac and concrete barrier, and requested proactive enforcement to protect the residential neighborhood.
• Dennis C. supported Mr. Sharma, noting the building had been vacant and used by squatters, and urged the council to reconsider allowing a positive use.
• Jim Roolf (Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee) announced the first community workshop had been held. Upcoming workshops on housing, transportation, utilities, environment, arts, economic development, and land use will take place from December 8 through January 27 (6:30 PM in council chambers). He encouraged resident participation.
• Cathy Garthus shared a personal story about the loss of her mother and her struggles with housing and grief. A subsequent public speaker urged the council to pay attention to her situation.
• Blaine spoke about assisting those having trouble in the city.

Discussion Items

• Council Memo #603‑25 – Citywide Service Level and Staffing Study (Raftelis, $156,500): Councilman Hug spoke against the study, arguing previous consultant reports (from 2016) had not been fully implemented and that staffing had already increased 11% since 2022; he feared the study would recommend additional hires and tax increases. He moved to table the item; Councilwoman Quillman seconded. Councilwoman Ibarra supported the study, stating it was data‑based and needed because previous legislation (e.g., single‑family rental inspections) added workload without adequate staff. City Manager Beth Beatty noted the city had 895 authorized positions in 2015 and now over 1,000, requiring expert analysis. Councilman Mudron and Mayor D’Arcy supported the study, citing $97 million in payroll and $12 million in overtime (about $27,397 per day). The motion to table failed 3‑6 (Hug, Moreno, Quillman in favor). The main motion to approve passed 6‑3 (D’Arcy, Cardenas, Clement, Ibarra, Mudron, Reardon aye; Hug, Moreno, Quillman nay).
• Council Memo #616‑25 – Change Order No. 2 for Chicago Street Streetscape ($579,861.02): Approved 8‑0‑1 (Moreno abstained).
• Council Memo #617‑25 – Change Order No. 4 for Houbolt Road Reconstruction (deduction of $2,242,739.71; final payment $1,812,604.25): Approved unanimously (9‑0).
• Ordinance #619‑25 – Variation of Use at 616 Williamson Ave. (ZBA 2025‑35): Staff (Dustin Anderson) recommended denial because the request did not meet the three criteria for a variation (no reasonable return, unique circumstances, alteration of locality). The Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended approval 4‑0. Council denied the ordinance unanimously (9‑0).
• Ordinance #620‑25 – Special Use Permit for Truck/Trailer Parking Lot (west of Vera Court, south of Oak Leaf St.) (ZBA 2025‑46): Adopted unanimously (Ordinance 18803).
• Ordinance #621‑25 – Special Exception for Roof‑Mounted Solar Installation (3300 Channahon Rd.) (ZBA 2025‑49): Adopted unanimously (Ordinance 18804). Dustin Anderson explained the difference among variation, special use, and special exception. Councilman Hug clarified residential solar would only require a building permit; this project sells power back to ComEd, thus needing a special exception. Staff report noted no negative impact on the neighborhood.
• Resolutions 623‑25 through 629‑25 were all adopted unanimously:
  • #623‑25: Accepting $2,500 Powering the Holidays Grant from Metropolitan Mayors Caucus/ComEd.
  • #624‑25: IGA with Central Will Dial‑A‑Ride and Will County for Title XX grant funds.
  • #625‑25: IGA with IDOT for I‑80/IL Route 53 interchange improvements.
  • #626‑25: IGA with IDOT for I‑80/Des Plaines River improvement.
  • #627‑25: Project Labor Agreement with Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council and Three Rivers Construction Alliance for Alternative Water Source Program projects.
  • #628‑25: IGA with IDOT for I‑80/Chicago Street interchange (Contract 62F94/JN‑126‑010).
  • #629‑25: IGA with IDOT for I‑80/Des Plaines River bridge project (Contract 62R23/JN‑126‑005).
• City Manager Report: Recognized promotion of Sgt. Michael Pauly (21‑year veteran). Announced holiday tree installation (donated, moved by Homer Tree Service) and tree lighting ceremony November 28 at 5:15 PM, followed by Light Up the Holidays parade. Residents can submit addresses for the Holiday Lights map from Dec. 1–31. City Hall closed Nov. 27–28 for Thanksgiving.
• Council Comments: Members wished Happy Thanksgiving; Councilwoman Ibarra praised East Side road crew and donated a turkey to Salvation Army; Councilwoman Reardon celebrated 36th wedding anniversary; Mayor D’Arcy attended Veterans ceremonies and encouraged parade attendance.

Key Outcomes

• Citywide Staffing Study (603‑25) Approved 6‑3 after a failed motion to table (3‑6).
• Chicago Street Streetscape Change Order (616‑25) Approved 8‑0‑1 (Moreno abstained).
• Houbolt Road Reconstruction Change Order (617‑25) Approved 9‑0.
• Variation of Use at 616 Williamson (619‑25) Denied 9‑0.
• Truck/Trailer Parking Special Use Permit (620‑25) Adopted 9‑0 (Ordinance 18803).
• Solar Installation Special Exception (621‑25) Adopted 9‑0 (Ordinance 18804).
• All resolutions (623‑25 through 629‑25) adopted unanimously.
• Consent agenda (except 603‑25) approved unanimously.
• Meeting adjourned unanimously.