Joliet City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025

The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers to conduct routine city business, approve the 2026 fiscal year budget, and hear extended public comments opposing a proposed 800-acre data center. The meeting lasted approximately 2.5 hours.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Approved minutes of the Pre-Council Meeting (November 17, 2025) and City Council Meeting (November 18, 2025).
• Invoices: Approved the invoices to be paid for December 16, 2025.
• 2026 Meeting Schedule: Approved the proposed 2026 Joliet City Council meeting schedule.
• Public Safety PC Replacement (650-25): Approved funding up to $250,000 to replace PCs in police and fire vehicles, with a pilot program shifting from Getac models to Lenovo devices for a per-unit cost savings of approximately $700.
• Surveillance System – Ottawa Street Parking Deck (651-25): Awarded contract to Orbis Solutions, Inc. for $116,927.90 for hardware and installation.
• Large Water Meter Replacement (652-25): Awarded contract to United Meters Inc. for $242,501.00.
• Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (653-25): Awarded contract to National Power Rodding Corp. for $737,425.00, plus an amendment to RJN Group Inc. for $69,900.00.
• Preliminary Engineering – 2027 Water System (654-25): Approved professional services agreement with Baxter & Woodman Inc. for $898,700.00.
• I-80 Coordination Study Amendment (655-25): Approved Amendment No. 3 with V3 Companies for $50,000.00 (state-reimbursed).
• Virginia Phase 1 Water Main Change Order (656-25): Approved Change Order No. 1 ($211,531.40) and final pay estimate ($636,005.01) to P.T. Ferro Construction Co.
• TIF District #7 Draw (658-25): Authorized Draw 14 in the amount of $677,031.04.
• All consent items except 657-25 were approved by a unanimous vote (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Proposed Data Center (Hillwood/Powerhouse – Joliet Technology Center): Twenty-one speakers (including Andrea Baumhardt, Timothy Antel, Abby Vollmer, Felix Ortiz, Guillermo Rodriguez, Isabel Gloria, Noah Martinez, Amy Vollmer, Griselda Chavez, Keith S., Jessica Juarez, Mallory DeSalvo, and others) voiced strong opposition to the proposed 800-acre data center near the Manhattan/Joliet border. Arguments included:
  • Water contamination and depletion of local aquifers (citing cases in Indiana and Georgia).
  • Increased energy costs and grid strain.
  • Noise and light pollution affecting health (diabetes, cardiac issues).
  • Perceived lack of transparency from the developer (propaganda website).
  • Temporary construction jobs (7,000–10,000 claimed) vs. only ~200 permanent jobs.
  • Fear that AI/data centers will automate jobs and harm the local economy.
  • Calls for the council to reject the project and prioritize residents over profit.
• Love's Truck Stop (DiAnn Matter): Requested a cul-de-sac at New Lenox Road and Oakview Avenue and a concrete barrier around Love's truck stop; also asked for a larger budget for the CERT team.

Discussion Items

• Council Committee Reports:
  • CTIS (Councilwoman Reardon): Reviewed IT updates on a pilot for a new Tyler Enterprise Permitting and Licensing system to digitize the rental inspection program, expected to take about 12 months.
  • Finance (Councilman Mudron): Reported that general fund revenues (sales, income, permits) are trending slightly above budget; utility and hotel/motel taxes are slightly below. The library had 66,000 visitors, 610 programs, and 118,000 books checked out in the last quarter.
  • Public Assets (Councilwoman Ibarra): Approved the Bicentennial Park Theatre stage rigging replacement (item 657-25) as a safety issue; the original rigging from the 1970s is outdated.
  • Public Service (Councilman Mudron): Reviewed contracts for water meter readers, IDOT change orders, and easements for the Washington Street water main project.
• Stage Rigging Contract (657-25): Councilwoman Quillman asked why the $117,000 contract was not bid out. Interim Corporation Counsel Todd Lenzie explained that the city code allows direct award when only one qualified vendor is available (three known vendors, one returned quote). The item was removed from the consent agenda and voted separately.
• 2026 Fiscal Year Budget Approval (661-25): Finance Director Kevin Sing and City Manager Beth Beatty highlighted the six-month process with department heads reviewing every line item. The budget is described as a roadmap for quality services, investments in sidewalks, roads, public safety, and Lake Michigan water. The ordinance passed 7-2, with Councilman Larry Hug and Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman voting no.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Consent Agenda (items 650-656, 658): Approved 9-0.
  • Bicentennial Park Stage Rigging (657-25): Approved 8-1 (Councilman Hug voted no).
  • Bond Abatement Ordinance (660-25): Adopted unanimously (Ordinance 18808).
  • 2026 Fiscal Year Budget (661-25): Adopted 7-2 (Ordinance 18809) – Hug and Quillman dissenting.
  • Washington Street Water Main License Agreements (663-25, 664-25, 665-25): All three resolutions adopted unanimously.
  • IMRF Authorized Agent (666-25): Adopted unanimously (Resolution 8233).
  • PACE Bus Route 511 Cost Sharing (667-25): Adopted unanimously (Resolution 8234).
  • Release of Closed Session Minutes (668-25): Adopted unanimously (Resolution 8235).
• Appointments:
  • Pam Heavens, Kim Hudgens, Gary Jones reappointed to Committee on Citizens with Disabilities.
  • Jeff Crompton reappointed to Plan Commission.
  • Ronald Van Dyke reappointed to Tree Advisory Board.
  • Edward F. Hennessy and Bob Nachtrieb reappointed to Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Mayor Pro Tem: Councilman Pat Mudron appointed to serve as Mayor Pro Tem from January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026.
• Next Steps: Council members acknowledged the public’s concerns about the data center and stated that no decision has been made; the proposal is in early stages. Councilman Clement requested an IDOT update on I-80 reconstruction in the new year. City Hall will be closed December 25, 2025, and January 1, 2026.