OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, January 20, 2026
BodyJoliet, Illinois
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, January 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:20:21

Transcript — Verbatim
0:37

Welcome everyone to the City of Joliet City Council meeting here Tuesday evening January 20th at 630 The meeting is presided over by our mayor Gary Darcy.

0:53

We will have the invocation from Reverend Carl Huber from the Cathedral of St.

1:02

Raymond's, and then he'll lead us in the regular allegiance.

1:17

I'd like to start with a uh reading from the first letter of St.

1:22

Paul to the Corinthians.

1:26

God so constructed the body that there were that there may be no dissension in the body, but that all members may be concerned for one another.

1:39

If one member suffers, all members suffer with it.

1:43

If one member is honored, all the members share in its joy.

1:54

And let us pray.

1:56

Father in heaven, we thank you for all of the blessings you've given us.

2:02

Bless the members of this city council may their decisions be wise and fair.

2:08

Father, bless the citizens of our city, bless those from all walks of life, that they may work together as one body to help keep our city safe by obeying the laws.

2:20

And should these same citizens disagree with the law, may they demonstrate their right to protest in a lawful and peaceful manner.

2:29

Lord, we ask you to protect those who protect us.

2:33

Protect our country's military personnel, police officers, and firefighters.

2:40

We pray for peace.

2:42

Peace in our world.

2:43

Peace in our country.

2:45

Peace in our cities, peace in our families.

2:48

Bless us, Lord, we pray with peace in our hearts.

2:54

Amen.

2:58

Please join me in the pledge to the flag.

3:03

I pledge allegiance.

3:08

And to the republic for which we stand, one nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all.

3:19

We also want to uh say a prayer for the Elliott family who lost their son, brother, dad.

3:30

He passed away in a uh snowmobile accident.

3:33

So we pray for the repose of his soul, may his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

3:41

Amen.

3:56

Thank you so much.

4:10

We'll begin with roll call.

4:12

Mayor Darcy.

4:13

Here.

4:13

Councilman Cardinals?

4:15

Councilman Clement?

4:16

Councilman Hug?

4:16

Here.

4:16

Councilwoman Abarro?

4:18

Here, sorry.

4:19

Councilman Marino?

4:20

Here.

4:20

Councilman Mudron.

4:21

Here.

4:21

Councilman Quillman?

4:23

Here.

4:23

Councilman Redin.

4:24

Here.

4:25

First, we'll have a presentation, Cultural Affairs and Special Events 2026 Priorities presented by Ann Sylvester, Director of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

5:00

Good evening, Mayor, Council Members, and City Manager.

5:04

Thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight and for the ability for me to share the strategic priorities for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for 2026.

5:13

As I approach six months within the city of Joliet, I have been encouraged by the collaboration, creativity, and community pride that I see across Joliet.

5:23

Momentum that shapes how we look ahead.

5:26

That momentum points to why arts and culture matter to the city's future.

5:31

Alton Carcher Alter Arts and Culture are not luxuries.

5:35

They're powerful, cost effective ways to activate spaces, boost local economies, strengthen community pride, and enhance well-being, making Joliet a more vibrant place to live and visit.

5:48

With that understanding as our foundation, I'd like to walk you through our 2026 strategic priorities.

5:55

Activate downtown Joliet through City Square, enhance programming and utilization of Billy Leemacher Bicentennial Park, strengthen citywide programming and partnerships, improve efficiency and coordination of the event permitting process, and conduct a cultural asset review while strengthening arts commission engagement.

6:15

It's important to acknowledge that while I am presenting these, the City of Joliet is in the process of developing its comprehensive plan.

6:23

As that advances, these strat these strategic priorities will remain flexible and responsive, evolving as needed to align with this to support the plan's goals, recommendations, and long-term vision for the community.

6:37

We are all excited for the opening of City Square this spring.

6:41

We're looking to position City Square as Joliet's central gathering place through coordinated branding and promotion and promotion.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████12%
Data Centers███████████11%
Athletic Events█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Utilities and Infrastructure████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Urban Planning██████6%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Education Funding█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Joliet City Council met on January 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers to consider a lengthy agenda including a presentation on 2026 cultural priorities, numerous consent agenda items, several water main improvement contracts, public hearings, and multiple ordinances and resolutions. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a contested Planned Unit Development for Joliet Catholic Academy's athletic fields, which passed 6-3. Public comments also focused on opposition to a proposed data center.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of December 15 and 16, 2025.
  • Approved invoices to be paid.
  • Approved numerous contracts and renewals, including:
    • CDWG for Mimecast renewal ($48,880.21)
    • CDWG for Barracuda Cloud Data Protection ($239,976 for 3 years)
    • Omega Plumbing for miscellaneous plumbing at 9 Osgood St. ($100,000)
    • Elliot Electric for electrical services at 9 Osgood St. ($175,000)
    • Al Warren Oil for 2026 motor fuel purchase
    • Traffic Control Corporation for software subscription ($45,493) and materials ($269,690)
    • Well rehabilitations: Well 5D ($219,883), Well 29D ($221,830), Well 24D ($211,949)
    • Chemical purchases: sodium permanganate ($359,382.72), sodium bisulfite ($49,680), bulk polymer ($126,050), bulk sodium hypochlorite ($60,345), blended phosphate ($97,440), manganese sulfate ($236,933.76)
    • Utilities generator maintenance ($220,565.21)
    • Professional services agreements for pre-treatment ($120,000), ice pigging ($71,337), electrical maintenance ($295,360), plumbing maintenance ($353,600), water source transfer assistance ($487,500)
    • Water metering equipment for SE Joliet Sanitary District ($523,965)
    • Change orders for Highland Phase 2 (deduction $191,793.40, final $1,388,541.22), Krings Acres Phase 2B (deduction $286,699.37, final $448,831.01), and North Downtown (extension of completion dates)
  • All consent items approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Cultural Affairs Presentation: Tom Grotovsky (Joliet Arts Commission chair), Christa Conner (Joliet Drama Guild), and Emmanuel Lopez (Joliet City Center Partnership) spoke in support of the 2026 priorities.
  • JCA PUD (Item 78-26): Several residents spoke in opposition (Emily Gura, Jori Gura, Raven Brown) citing traffic, parking, and neighborhood disruption. Supporters included Ricky Guerrero (Joliet Titans), Tim Broderick, Annette Jelinik, and Max Rathbun (JCA student).
  • Community Center (Item 81-26): Dr. Glena Wright McCullum spoke in support of the Arise Impact Center.
  • Data center (non-agenda public comments): Numerous residents (Sandy Costa, Timothy Antel, Andrea Baumhardt, Isabel Gloria, Abby Vollmer, Felix Ortiz, Rick Norman, Araya Williams, Noah Martinez, Abraham Martinez, Portia Gallegos, Jim Roolf, and a speaker who also spoke on JCA) expressed opposition to a proposed data center, citing concerns about water usage, power grid strain, environmental impact, lack of transparency, and ethical concerns about AI. Jim Roolf encouraged attendance at Comprehensive Plan workshops.

Discussion Items

  • Cultural Affairs & Special Events 2026 Priorities: Ann Sylvester presented priorities including activating City Square, enhancing Bicentennial Park programming, citywide partnerships, improving event permitting, and conducting a cultural asset review. Multiple council members expressed support.
  • Council Committee Reports:
    • CTIS (Councilwoman Reardon): Reviewed Mimecast and Barracuda renewals.
    • Finance (Councilman Mudron): Approved payment to Heritage Corridor Destinations ($44,595.24) and noted December financial trends.
    • Public Service (Councilman Hug): Reviewed 32 contracts for water main projects, chemicals, and SE Joliet Sanitary District items; all recommended for approval.
  • Agenda Items (Votes separated from consent):
    • Heritage Corridor Destinations payment ($44,595.24): Approved 8-0-1 (Cardenas abstained).
    • SE Joliet Water Meter Replacement Program ($1,027,250): Approved unanimously.
    • Multiple water main improvement contracts (Cunningham Phase 1, Emerald Lawns Phase 2, Forest Park Phase 4, Fourth & Eastern, Heggie Park Phase 2, Oneida, Twin Oaks Phase 2, Virginia Phase 2, Washington Street, York Avenue): Each approved with 8-0-1 or unanimous votes; Councilman Moreno abstained on Cunningham and Twin Oaks.
  • Public Hearings:
    • PY24 CAPER: Dustin Anderson presented; no public comments; hearing closed.
    • 580 Caton Farm Road Annexation: Nate Washburn (applicant attorney) spoke; Councilman Hug requested description (daycare and retail); hearing closed; resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinances:
    • 580 Caton Farm Road ordinances (annexation, B-1 zoning, PUD): Adopted unanimously.
    • JCA PUD (PUD-10-25): Extensive discussion. JCA representatives (Jeff Budz, Ryan Quigley, Javier Milan, Sean Benson, Sister Jean Bessette, Dave Silverman) presented plans for a multi-purpose stadium, tennis courts, parking, stormwater, lighting, and sound. Council members Quillman, Hug, Clement, Moreno, Ibarra, and Mudron asked questions. After debate, the ordinance passed 6-3 (Ayes: D'Arcy, Cardenas, Clement, Ibarra, Mudron, Reardon; Nays: Hug, Moreno, Quillman).
    • Variation of Use for laundromat at 629 N. Hickory St.: Adopted unanimously.
    • Special Exception for solar installation at 2114 Oak Leaf St.: Adopted unanimously after explanation by Dustin Anderson.
    • Special Use Permit for community center at 111 McDonough St.: Adopted unanimously; Councilwoman Ibarra expressed strong support.
  • Resolutions:
    • Intergovernmental Agreement with Will County for plumbing inspections (SE Joliet Sanitary District): Adopted unanimously.
    • Intergovernmental Agreement with SE Joliet Sanitary District and Will County: Adopted unanimously; Councilwoman Ibarra praised the water service improvement.
    • Consulting Services Agreement with Governmental Solutions, Inc. for state advocacy: Adopted unanimously after discussion about performance tracking and quarterly updates.
    • Collective Bargaining Agreement with IUOE Local 399: Adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved a $44,595.24 payment to Heritage Corridor Destinations (8-0-1).
  • Approved over $30 million in water main improvement contracts for 2026.
  • Approved the annexation, zoning, and PUD for a daycare and retail development at 580 Caton Farm Road.
  • Approved the Joliet Catholic Academy Preliminary Planned Unit Development for athletic field expansion (6-3).
  • Approved a variation of use for a laundromat, a special exception for a solar installation, and a special use permit for a community center.
  • Approved intergovernmental agreements for the SE Joliet Sanitary District water meter replacement program.
  • Approved a one-year contract with Governmental Solutions for state advocacy services.
  • Approved a collective bargaining agreement with IUOE Local 399.
  • The council heard extensive public comments opposing a proposed data center, but no formal action was taken on that item.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome everyone to the City of Joliet City Council meeting here Tuesday evening January 20th at 630 The meeting is presided over by our mayor Gary Darcy. We will have the invocation from Reverend Carl Huber from the Cathedral of St. Raymond's, and then he'll lead us in the regular allegiance. I'd like to start with a uh reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. God so constructed the body that there were that there may be no dissension in the body, but that all members may be concerned for one another. If one member suffers, all members suffer with it. If one member is honored, all the members share in its joy. And let us pray. Father in heaven, we thank you for all of the blessings you've given us. Bless the members of this city council may their decisions be wise and fair. Father, bless the citizens of our city, bless those from all walks of life, that they may work together as one body to help keep our city safe by obeying the laws. And should these same citizens disagree with the law, may they demonstrate their right to protest in a lawful and peaceful manner. Lord, we ask you to protect those who protect us. Protect our country's military personnel, police officers, and firefighters. We pray for peace. Peace in our world. Peace in our country. Peace in our cities, peace in our families. Bless us, Lord, we pray with peace in our hearts. Amen. Please join me in the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance. And to the republic for which we stand, one nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. We also want to uh say a prayer for the Elliott family who lost their son, brother, dad. He passed away in a uh snowmobile accident. So we pray for the repose of his soul, may his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Thank you so much. We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy. Here. Councilman Cardinals? Councilman Clement? Councilman Hug? Here. Councilwoman Abarro? Here, sorry. Councilman Marino? Here. Councilman Mudron. Here. Councilman Quillman? Here. Councilman Redin. Here. First, we'll have a presentation, Cultural Affairs and Special Events 2026 Priorities presented by Ann Sylvester, Director of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Good evening, Mayor, Council Members, and City Manager. Thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight and for the ability for me to share the strategic priorities for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for 2026. As I approach six months within the city of Joliet, I have been encouraged by the collaboration, creativity, and community pride that I see across Joliet.

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