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Record of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026: Tax Abatements, Contracts, and Public Comment

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, April 7, 2026
BodyJoliet, Illinois
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:04:18

Original source
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0:50

Good evening, everybody.

0:53

This is Julian City Council meeting on here.

1:05

Okay.

1:10

Here I'll show up to your case.

1:14

Okay, well, we're off to a good start.

1:17

I'm glad we can make everybody laugh.

1:19

Nice evening tonight.

1:21

Okay, let's start over.

1:24

So welcome everybody to Tuesday April 7th 2026.

1:29

Council meeting at the City of Jolia.

1:32

6 30 p.m.

1:33

in council chambers.

1:36

Mary Terry Darcy will be attending the meeting, of course, and I am Mayor Pro Ten Jan Quillman.

1:42

So would you please call the role?

1:45

Invocation.

1:46

Do we want to do the oh is there an invocation?

1:49

I'm sorry, I was not informed that you were here.

1:51

I apologize.

1:52

So I'm off to a great start.

1:54

I don't know.

1:54

Just drinking water.

1:57

So we'll do the invocation and then we'll do the pledge of allegiance.

2:01

Okay.

2:05

Good evening, members of the council.

2:07

My name is Kurt Paddock.

2:08

I'm the pastoral leader to have word in Christ Episcopal Church here and Joliet.

2:13

Let us pray.

2:15

Almighty God who has given us this good city for our heritage.

2:19

We humbly beseech thee that may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

2:28

Bless our city with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.

2:42

Defend our liberties and fashion us into one united people, brought out of many kindreds and tongues.

2:49

And do with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy name we entrust the authority of city government that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy glory among the nations of the earth.

3:05

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail.

3:13

Amen.

3:15

Please join me in the pledge of allegiance to our country.

3:18

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

3:23

And to the Republic for which it stands.

3:40

We'll begin with roll call.

3:42

Mayor Darcy?

3:43

Here.

3:44

Councilman Cardinals?

3:45

Here.

3:45

Councilman Clement?

3:46

Here.

3:46

Councilman Hub?

3:47

Here.

3:48

Councilwoman of Barra?

3:49

Here.

3:49

Councilman Moreno?

3:51

Here.

3:51

Councilman Mudrin?

3:52

Here.

3:53

Councilman Quillman?

3:54

Here.

3:54

Councilman Maroon.

3:56

Here.

3:57

Okay.

3:58

Next is the approval of the agenda.

4:00

Hi.

4:02

Good evening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████27%
Personnel Matters█████████████████17%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Procedural████████8%
Zoning And Land Use███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

The Joliet City Council met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included the invocation by Pastor Curt Paddock, approval of the agenda with a removal, several appointments, committee reports, a consent agenda, discussion items, public comments, and resolutions. Key actions included approving a tax abatement for HYUNDAI Translead, a tax incentive for Supermercados El Güero, multiple infrastructure contracts, and a resolution regarding an intergovernmental agreement with the Joliet Park District. The city manager also alerted the public to a scam involving fraudulent utility refund mailings.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approved: Minutes from the March 16, 2026 City Council meeting and the reconvened March 19, 2026 meeting were approved.
  • Invoices: A report of invoices to be paid was approved.
  • Fire Department Equipment (Memo 180-26): Approved the purchase of 10 Air-Pak X3 Pro SCBA, one Air-Pak X3 Pro, and eight Air-Pak X3 Pro CGA units for the Joliet Fire Department from MES Life Safety for $157,225.00.
  • School Zone Flashers (Memo 181-26): Approved Purchase Order No. 1 for 2026 School Zone Flasher Materials to Mobotrex, Inc. for $41,312.00.
  • Traffic Signal Materials (Memo 182-26): Approved Purchase Order No. 2 to Traffic Control Corporation for $29,642.00.
  • Northpoint Development Engineering (Memo 183-26): Approved Amendment No. 1 for professional engineering services from Hutchison Engineering for $20,000.00, which will be fully reimbursed by the developer.
  • Utilities Restoration Program (Memo 184-26): Awarded a contract for the 2026 Utilities Restoration Program for $700,000.00.
  • Sanitary Service Lateral Lining (Memo 185-26): Awarded a contract to Performance Pipelining Inc. for $719,939.64 and a professional services agreement to RJN Group for $71,700.00.
  • Safety Consulting (Memo 186-26): Awarded a professional services agreement to Sheffield Safety & Loss Control LLC for $485,750.00. Councilman Clement commented that he hopes the city can eventually move this function in-house.
  • Storm Sewer GIS Mapping (Memo 187-26): Approved Amendment No. 2 to TWIG Technologies for $153,140.00.
  • Fairmont Sanitary Sewer Change Order (Memo 188-26): Approved Change Order No. 1 to Hoerr Construction Inc. for a deduction of $77,241.00 and final payment of $44,224.90.
  • Heggie Park Water Main Change Order (Memo 189-26): Approved Change Order No. 2 to P.T. Ferro Construction Co. for a deduction of $291.17.
  • Lower Des Plaines Watershed Dues (Memo 190-26): Approved payment of 2026 membership dues for $105,826.00.
  • Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (Memo 191-26): Awarded a contract to Tyler Technologies for an annual fee of $156,009.00 plus one-time implementation fees not to exceed $260,100.00.
  • Time Clock Upgrade (Memo 192-26): Awarded a contract to Tyler Technologies for $47,700.00.
  • Managed Print Services (Memo 193-26): Awarded a three-year contract to Xerox Business Solutions for $349,698.23.
  • TIF District #7 Draw (Memo 194-26): Authorized Fund Draw 15 for Tax Increment Financing District #7 in the amount of $1,368,951.12.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kathy Garthus (on agenda item 204-26): Expressed opposition to the tax abatement for HYUNDAI Translead, arguing that tax breaks for businesses lead to higher taxes for citizens and that the burden should not be shifted to residents. She stated that citizens do not get discounts on their property taxes like the companies are requesting.
  • Unnamed speaker (on agenda item 204-26): Echoed opposition, stating that cutting property taxes for the company will pass the burden to citizens, who have already not received help from previous city actions. He urged that businesses pay their fair share.
  • Brent Fraser (non-agenda): Spoke about his upcoming retirement after 25 years as Chief Operating Engineer. He thanked the council and his family.
  • Magdalena Campos (non-agenda): Spoke as program coordinator for HLM Recovery about Narcan training and presented Councilwoman Ibarra with a HERO Award.
  • Fabian (non-agenda): Expressed concern that the public feels unheard regarding recent votes, particularly regarding the data center annexation, and asked for more communication from the council.

Discussion Items

  • Appointment to Plan Commission: Scott Hammac was appointed to replace Roberto Perez, approved unanimously (9-0).
  • Committee Reports: Reports were given from the Communication, Technology & Information Systems (CTAS) Committee (April 1, 2026), Land Use & Economic Development Committee (March 18, 2026), Public Safety Committee (April 7, 2026), and Public Service Committee (April 6, 2026). Items covered included contracts, tax abatements, and easements.
  • Item 196-26 (On-Call Excavation/Utility Repair): Councilman Hug clarified that the $500,000 is an emergency repair fund, awarded via competitive bidding to the lowest available bidder. Approved 8-0-1 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
  • Item 199-26 (Security Services Amendment): Councilman Clement clarified that the goal is to bring security services in-house once the police department reaches near-full staffing (approximately 285 officers). Approved unanimously (9-0).
  • Item 204-26 (HYUNDAI Translead Tax Abatement): Councilman Hug explained it is a minimum abatement: 50% property tax abatement for five years. Estimated capital investment: $148 million; 1,291 new jobs; approximately $1 million in annual property taxes after abatement. Councilwoman Reardon thanked the company for investing in Joliet. Approved unanimously (9-0).
  • Item 205-26 (Supermercados El Güero Tax Incentive): Presented as a housekeeping item for Tax Year 2025. Approved unanimously (9-0).
  • Item 202-26 (City Manager Authority Ordinance): Removed from the agenda and sent to the Legislative Committee for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Agenda as amended (removing Item 202-26).
  • Approved: Scott Hammac to Plan Commission (9-0).
  • Approved: Consent Agenda items 180-26 through 194-26 (9-0).
  • Approved: Item 196-26 (Award of Contract for On-Call Excavation/Utility Repair, $500,000) with an 8-0-1 vote (Councilman Moreno abstaining).
  • Approved: Item 197-26 (Amendment No. 1 for 2027 Water Main Engineering, $1,323,900) unanimously (9-0).
  • Approved: Item 198-26 (Will County Governmental League Dues, $25,077.45) unanimously (9-0).
  • Approved: Item 199-26 (Security Services Amendment, $80,516.37) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adopted: Ordinance 18828 (Zoning Reclassification at 717 Henderson Avenue) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adopted: Resolution 8263 (HYUNDAI Translead Tax Abatement) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adopted: Resolution 8264 (Supermercados El Güero Tax Incentive) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adopted: Resolution 8265 (Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with Joliet Park District) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adopted: Resolution 8266 (Easement Agreement with Plainfield Park District) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adopted: Resolution 8267 (Utility Easement from Burton Place Apartments) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adopted: Resolution 8268 (Encroachment Stipulation Letter with Kinder Morgan) unanimously (9-0).
  • Adjourned: Meeting adjourned unanimously (9-0).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. This is Julian City Council meeting on here. Okay. Here I'll show up to your case. Okay, well, we're off to a good start. I'm glad we can make everybody laugh. Nice evening tonight. Okay, let's start over. So welcome everybody to Tuesday April 7th 2026. Council meeting at the City of Jolia. 6 30 p.m. in council chambers. Mary Terry Darcy will be attending the meeting, of course, and I am Mayor Pro Ten Jan Quillman. So would you please call the role? Invocation. Do we want to do the oh is there an invocation? I'm sorry, I was not informed that you were here. I apologize. So I'm off to a great start. I don't know. Just drinking water. So we'll do the invocation and then we'll do the pledge of allegiance. Okay. Good evening, members of the council. My name is Kurt Paddock. I'm the pastoral leader to have word in Christ Episcopal Church here and Joliet. Let us pray. Almighty God who has given us this good city for our heritage. We humbly beseech thee that may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our city with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Defend our liberties and fashion us into one united people, brought out of many kindreds and tongues. And do with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy name we entrust the authority of city government that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy glory among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail. Amen. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance to our country. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy? Here. Councilman Cardinals? Here. Councilman Clement? Here. Councilman Hub? Here. Councilwoman of Barra? Here. Councilman Moreno? Here.

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