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.

Councilman Mudrin?

Here.

Councilman Quillman?

Here.

Councilman Maroon.

Here.

Okay.

Next is the approval of the agenda.

Hi.

Good evening.

So I spoke with Councilman Quillman earlier today about ordinance 2026, which is the ordinance amending chapter two, Article 2, the City Manager Authority for Succession Hiring and Temporary Appointments.

I think that we have some things that we need to clarify so you know the council fully understands and the residents can fully understand what this does and doesn't do.

Okay.

Is there a motion to approve the agenda as written with the following change?

Remove council memo 202-26 back to legislative committee for further discussion.

So move.

Second.

It's been motioned and seconded to approve.

Councilman Cardinals.

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman Ibarra?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudron?

Aye.

Councilman Quillman?

Aye.

Councilman Rudin.

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Next is citizens to be heard on agenda items.

Is there anyone who would like to speak on an agenda item this evening?

Good evening, city councils.

No means Kathy Garvis.

Hey, uh, on this abatement thing versus on that plan thing.

You know, it's exciting that something's going in that old pair bill of place.

You'll have somewhere on around six, you know, but when you allow businesses to come in and get tax atbates, you know, discounts on their taxes and everything.

But then you turn around and raise all the taxes of everything on the citizens.

And make the citizens pay so much more to handle what all these businesses have been causing us, all the damages for rolls and all this stuff and gas taxes and everything on the way up.

Now businesses want to come in.

They gotta understand they're in business and make you know the they gotta be willing to accept that all the costs that come with the businesses.

You know, if citizens can't get discounts on their property taxes, like these guys are asking over 50% off their property taxes.

You know, because they say they would you know we'd create more better economy for people.

Well, you know what?

People get better economy if you cut their property taxes all down too.

It would have more money to spend on economy too.

So I don't think it's very big giving tax breaks to businesses and these businesses just keep on driving and breaking the meetings for itself, and meanwhile, you raise everything for citizens.

This is wrong, and I don't think it should be allowed.

They're coming here to come in here to Joly, you know, billing in those things that they get billings that then sitting there, but please yes, think of the citizens too and don't be raising taxes on anything else for the citizens in order to cover this taxes how you give this business or any business.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak on an agenda item this evening?

Good afternoon, uh City Council.

Uh, to go by from the previous point of the property tax being cut for Hondi.

Um, I will like to agree as well that this is coming into building bank uh vacant areas are uh an positive for the city, however, they also have to understand that cutting property tax uh will only just be passed to the citizens.

Citizens have to um suffer through higher tax rates on their property and have not received any help uh even from previous agendas where uh um citizens have not been listed to it's very disappointing to see that um that I won't bring up uh the um previous uh events, but I do believe that um organizations and uh businesses do need to pay their fair share and not pass the burden to citizens.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak on agenda item this evening?

Okay, seeing none under appointments.

The mayor is recommending Scott R.

Hammock be appointed to the plan commission to replace Roberto Perez.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second, it's been motioned and seconded to approve.

Councilman Clement?

Aye, Councilman Hug?

Aye, Councilwoman Barrow?

Aye, Councilman Moreno, aye, councilman Mudron?

Aye, councilwoman quilman.

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Next are council committee reports.

We will start with communication technology and information systems.

The CTAS committee met April 1st, 2026 in the executive conference room in attendance were Councilman Moreno and Councilman Cardenas and myself.

We had four agenda items.

The first was a contract with Tyler Technologies for implementation of enterprise permitting and licensing, annual fee of 156,009 dollars and a one-time implementation fee of 260,100.

The council has had this discussion before about simplifying special event permitting and modernizing and streamlining the efficiencies in the inspection process.

We have had we do have capital funds budgeted for this process.

The reason the the implementation fee is so large.

We intended or we anticipate that will take about 12 to 6 or 12 to 18 months to implement.

So it's quite a process.

Number four, we uh a renewal of contract for the Xerox business solutions for three-year term for our managed print services in the amount of 349,698 dollars and twenty-three cents.

There is a one-time device replacement cost of eighty, eight hundred dollars, and the remaining is the cost of the three-year printing, maintenance, and servicing of the equipment.

Is there anything else that we okay?

That is our report.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is land use and economic development.

Land use and economic development committee met Wednesday, March 18, 2026 here in City Hall at 330 p.m.

in the chambers.

In attendance was Councilman Mudger and myself, Councilwoman Ivar was unable to attend.

We had an approval of the minutes, then we reviewed agenda item TNP 9496.

The resolution approving a property tax abatement at 3835 Young's Road for Hyundai Translave Inc.

Uh Hyundai Translate Translat estimates a capital investment of 148 million dollars, the creation of 1291 new jobs and full operational capacity and approximately one million in property taxes annually at that 3835 Young's Road site.

The company would have to show approved of the following of the following to receive the annual property tax abatement, the 148 million dollar capital investment by the completion of this project.

In year one, 113 employees, year two, uh 1,001 employees, and by year three, 177 employees.

Following our review and discussion, the committee recommended investing this items for full council for approval for our support with our support.

Next we'll review TMP 9638 resolution authorizing a property tax abatement at 118 East Jackson Street El Wedding for tax year 2025.

Uh like we discussed yesterday, it's just a basic housekeeping.

Uh so again, next coming to this council for full support.

Um did I miss anything?

No.

Thank you.

Okay, public safety.

Thank you.

The public safety committee met today here at the council chambers at 5 32 p.m.

We approved the minutes from February 3rd, 2026.

There were no citizens be heard on any agenda items.

There were three agenda items.

The first one purchase of 10 AirPack X3 Pro S C BA, which is self-contained breathing apparatus, and one AirPacks X3 Pro and eight AirPack X3 Pro CGA for the Joliet Fire Department from MES life safety in the amount of 157,225 dollars as on tonight's agenda under 180-26.

Um with a first second, everybody approved of move forward, which it's already on tonight's agenda.

Um purchase of purchase for the fire station one of cabinets from Riverton Cabinet Company in the amount of $32,450.

And the installation of cabinets for Fire Station One from Heinz Construction Incorporated in the amount of $35,194 for a total of $67,644.

This was uh both of those items were brought by uh Fire Chief Carey, and we have a first second and approved to move to the full council at a later date.

Number three, uh approve the purchase of body armor vests for the SOS from first spear in the amount of fifty-four thousand six hundred and sixteen dollars and twenty-five cents.

Brian Prohasco from the uh SOS team from the police department spoke on this item.

Basically, we're replacing uh the vests that are have a shelf life of five years.

We're replacing these for 26 uh July Police SOS members.

Um this was also approved to move the full council at a later date.

Um questions, comments on that?

No, carpet.

Okay.

Uh we had no ordinances and then under under resolution.

Resolution uh authorizing the sale of a police dog to canine officer Adam Stapleton.

Uh the chief explained we will the city would sell this to Adam who's since retired, and the dog is retired for a dollar.

Uh this also will be brought at a later date for approval here at the council dice.

Um basically on our new or old business.

Susanna and I brought our I bar brought up uh item 199-26, which is basically the security service agreement that we're gonna vote on today.

She believes, and I agree, and I believe uh Jan Quoman agrees this item probably should have came to public safety set up public act um uh assets committee.

Um there were no public comments, and then we adjourned.

Did I miss any?

No, I covered okay.

That's the report, Mayor.

Thank you.

And public service.

Public service committee met here at City Hall and the Council Chambers yesterday, Monday, April 6th, at 4:30 in the afternoon on the committee in attendance was Councilwoman Rarity, Councilman Mudrin, and myself.

We had uh eight contracts, force change change orders to ask them into final payments and three ordinances that we looked at.

Um the contracts ranged um from as little as 41,000 up to 1.3 million.

Uh again, all contracts are vetted in one or two ways, just so people understand, either through sealed bid, which you can go online and look at each contract to see who you each of the bidders were and who bid how much.

And then for professional services, it's done with a review by staff.

Um they put in a rear, they put out a re request for proposal, and then it's judged who's got you know who meets the criteria for the scope of work.

So I won't go into too much detail on all the contracts.

Um the 1.3 million dollar contract is for the 2027 water main rehabilitation program, um, and that's for the uh engineering from Baxter and Woodman.

Um other ones that we looked at.

We there's there was 41,000 that we looked at uh the bid, but we're gonna be replacing some school zone flashing lights.

Um they're getting end of life.

You know, we don't want those to fail when the kids are going to school.

So we looked at all eight of the contracts and we found them all to have been in order and done properly and legally and uh unanimously approved and moving forward with the committee recommendation that the council approve them under the change order pay estimates and final payments.

We had four items.

Um was for twenty thousand dollars uh on the it had to do with the North Point Development Review, um project review to Hutchinson Engineering.

That $20,000 will be completely reimbursed by North Point to the city of Joliet.

Um we we had another change order for the uh sanitary firm on sanitary sewer rehabilitation program from Hoore Construction, and that was a deduction of $77,000 with a final payment then closing out the project at 44,000.

So we looked at all four of those and again we found them to be have have uh been done properly and legally, and we are voted unanimously to send all four of them forward to this council with committee recommendation to improve.

Um we had uh three ordinance resolutions, two had to do with uh well, actually, all three had to do with uh utility easements.

One was construction utility easement with Plainfield Park District, another was the uh public utility easement from the Burton Place Apartments for the Larkin Avenue Water Main Project, and the final one was a uh uh encroachment stipulation letter with Kinder Morgan Incorporated for the 2026 Glenwood and West Acres Water Maine Improvements Project.

Um so we looked at looked those over and they seemed to meet the uh criteria.

And again, we unanimously send them all three items forward to the city council with committee recommendation to approve.

And on the good news, uh we always have once a month, we'll have a report from Alison Fisher, and it's on utilities maintenance activities, uh, water main breaks, uh, and uh certain emergency repairs that we had to do, uh get a contractor to do, and our water main breaks have continued to go down again this year, lower than last year or the year before.

So we're making headway with the water, you know, water main improvements project that we're we're uh engaged in.

And so not only is that serving the purpose of the alternative line supply meeting criteria to get for our allotment of water from Lake Michigan.

It also means it'll be less water main breaks for the citizens to have to suffer through.

So we'll keep that going, and it's gonna work from the water and sewer department.

So we'll keep that calling and it's gonna work from the water and sewer department.

Um that's all I really have unless uh Sherry or Pat anything I missed good job okay mayor that will be our report.

Thank you.

I show no other reports under consent agenda approval of minutes.

It is recommended the minutes of the combined council meeting March 16, 2026, and the reconvened March 16th meeting held on March 19th, 2026 stand approved as recorded.

Invoices to be paid.

It is recommended this report be approved.

Council Memo number 180-26, purchase of 10 AirPack X3 Pro S C BA, one air pack X3 Pro and 8 AirPack X3 Pro CGA for the Juliet Fire Department from MES life safety in the amount of 157,225.

Council Memo number 181-26, approval of purchase number one for the 2026 school zone flash of materials purchase to Bobo Trucks Incorporated in the amount of 41,312.

Council Memo number 182-26, approval of purchase order number two for the 2026 traffic signal materials purchase to traffic control corporation in the amount of 29,642 dollars.

Council Memo Memo number 183-26 approval of amendment number one for the professional engineering services related to the North Point Development Plan review to Hutchinson Engineering in the amount of 20,000.

Council Memo number 184-26, award of contract for the 2026 utilities restoration program in the amount of $700,000.

Council Memo number 185-26, award of contract for the 2026 Sanitary Service Lateral Lining Program to Performance Pipeline Incorporated in the amount of 719,939.64 cents and award of the 2026 Sanitary Service Lateral Professional Services Agreement to RJN Group in the amount of $71,700.

Council Memo number 186-26 award of professional services agreement for the safety consulting services to Sheffield Safety and Loss Control LLC in the amount of 485,750.

Council Member No.

187-26, approval of amendment number two to the professional services agreement for the Storm Sewer GIS mapping project contract to to TWIG Technologies in the amount of 153,140.

Council Member No.

Approval of change order number one for the Fairmont Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Program to Hair Construction Incorporated for a deduction in the amount of $77,241 and payment number four and final in the amount of $44,224 and 90 cents.

Council Memo number 189-26 approval of change order number two for the Heggy Park Water Main Improvements Project on behalf of PT Farrell Construction Company for a deduction in the amount of 291 dollars and seventeen cents.

Council Member No.

190-26 payment in the amount of 20 payment of the 2026 membership dues for the lower displains watershed group in the amount of 105,826.

Council Member No.

191-26, award of contract to Tyler Technologies for the Implation of Enterprise Permitting and Licensing EPL solution in the amount of 156,099 annually plus an amount not to exceed 260,100 for a one-time implementation fees.

Council Member No.

Technologies for time clock upgrade in the amount of $47,700.

Council Member No.698.23 cents.

Council Member number 194-26 authorization to fund draw 15 for tax increment financing district number seven in the amount of $1,368,951 and 12 cents.

It is recommended Council Memo 180-26 through 194-26 be approved.

Is there a motion to approve all set consent agenda items?

So moved.

Second.

It's been motioned seconded to approve.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilwoman of Barra?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno.

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilwoman McQuillman.

Aye.

Councilman Ridden.

Aye.

Councilman Carterness.

Councilmanc Clement.

Mayor, just real quick, under 186-26, the agreement for the safety consultant.

I just want to make a comment.

We spoke briefly yesterday.

I'd like to see the city moving forward after you know we need this uh safety agreement, and it's very important, but I'd like to see down the road at some point when we can.

If we could have our own people be trained or somebody here that could that could take this over and we could do it in-house.

So but I do vote at so thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor Darcy.

Hi.

Motion carried.

Under agenda items.

Council Memo number 196-26, award of contract for the 2026 on-call excavation and underground utility repair program in the amount of 500,000 dollars.

It is recommended, Council Memo number 196-26 be approved.

Motion approved.

Second.

Any comments, questions?

It's my motion and second and to approve.

Councilwoman Barrow.

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Same.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quoman.

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman McCartanus.

Aye.

Councilmanc Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug.

Just to clarify too.

That's $500,000 and it's not to exceed amount.

This is for emergency repairs, folks.

So if it's a repair needs to be done, we get bidding in the top three bidders.

We go to the lowest bidder if they're available.

We go to the second lowest bidder if the first one's not.

So this is not an amount that we're given to any particular company.

This isn't reserved to pay for uh needed repairs if they come up.

I vote aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Council Memo number 197-26 approval of amendment number one to the professional services agreement for the 2027 water main rehabilitation program for detailed design services to Baxter and Woodman Incorporated in the amount of $1,323,900.

It is recommended Council Memo number 197-26 and approved.

So moved.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's a motion, second and to approve.

Councilman Marino.

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilwoman Quoman.

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Council McCartanus.

Aye.

Councilman Clemen.

Aye.

Councilman Hug.

Aye.

Councilwoman of Barra?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Council Member No.

198-26 approve payment to Will County Governmental League for annual membership dues in the amount of $25,077 and 45 cents.

It is recommended Council Member number 198-26 be approved.

So moved.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilwoman McCloman.

Aye.

Councilman Rudin?

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals?

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman Avari.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Councilmember number 199-26.

Approval of an amendment to contract for security services to universal protection services LP DBA Allied University Security Services in the amount of $80,516.37 cents.

It is recommended Council Member number 199-26 be approved.

So moved.

Second.

Any comments, questions?

Mayor, just to be clear, our goal is, and I think you outlined it yesterday.

Our goal is once the police department gets back up to somewhere near full staffing, at least at 285, that will bring it back in-house with our own police officers as they've done in the past.

Um that's all dependent on hiring new officers, which uh I think you've got a good crop coming up.

Yes.

So just wanted to let the folks know that.

Thank you.

Okay.

It's been motion and second and to approve.

Councilwoman Quoman.

Aye.

Councilman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman McCartanus.

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilman Barrow?

Aye.

Councilman Moreno?

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Under ordinances.

Council Memo number 201-26.

Ordinance approving the reclassification of 717 Henderson Avenue from R3, 1 and 2 family residential to R2, it's single family residential zoning Z-1-26.

It is recommended that ordinance be adopted.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Thank you.

It's been motion and seconded to approve.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Councilman Cardinals.

Aye.

Councilman Clement?

Aye.

Councilman Hug?

Aye.

Councilwoman of Barra.

Aye.

Councilman Moreno.

Aye.

Councilman Mudrin.

Aye.

Councilman McCloman.

Aye.

Mayor Darcy.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Under resolutions.

Council Memo number two zero four-26.

Resolution approving a property tax abatement at 3835 Young's Road, Juliet, Illinois, 60434 for Hyundai Translate Incorporated.

It is a recommended said resolution be adopted.

So moved.

Second.

Any comments or questions?

Mayor, if you don't mind.

I do want to address and I don't know what concern.

At a five-year 50% property tax abatement in today's economy, that's a minimum.

Myself and I think other members, I think uh Councilman Ibera expressed that too.

We don't want to give uh abatements at all.

We understand you know the that position, but you'll have no development if you don't.

It's a very minimal.

We've lost projects because we won't really generally go above that unless they're they're gonna put in golden roads.

concern at a five year fifty percent property tax abatement in today's economy that's minimum um myself and I think other members I think uh councilman I barrel expressed that too we don't want to give a uh a abatements at all we understand you know the that position but you'll have no development if you don't it's a very minimal we've lost projects because we won't really generally go above that unless they're they're gonna put in golden roads we've lost them because other communities have given a hundred percent tax abatement for ten years 50 percent tax abatement for 20 years um in cases where it applies there's other communities that have given 50 to 75 percent um sales tax abatements for five ten fifteen and twenty years we won't get into that level of abatement this is a minimum abatement and uh the reason we can do it on a minimum and not have to compete with uh some of these other communities that have in the past taken from us is because we are Joliet is situated in an area where industry really does want to move and you've got the canal you've got the highway you've got the airports in Chicago you've got a lot going on for Joliet and um so I want to let people know that that's really a very very minimum tax abatement five 50% of taxes for five years.

I hope that clarifies for anybody thank you thank you mayor mayor I just want to say uh thank you for investing in Joliet and welcome that's it okay it's been motion and second to approve councilman cardinus aye councilman clemen aye councilman hug aye councilman barra aye councilman moreno aye councilman mudrin aye councilman quillman aye councilman aye mayor darcy aye motion carried council memo number two zero five twenty six resolution authorizing the execution of a property tax incentive with supermercados of Wero Incorporated at 118 East Jackson Street for tax year 2025 it is recommended that resolution be adopted move second any comments or questions thank you councilman clement aye councilman hug aye councilman of barra aye councilman moreno aye councilman mudrin aye councilwoman quilman aye councilman rudin aye councilman cardinus aye mayor darcy aye motion carried council member number two zero six dash twenty six resolution authorizing execution of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the city of Joliet and the Joliet Park district it is recommended said resolution be adopted so moved second any comments or questions thank you it's been motion seconded to approve councilman hug aye councilwoman of barra aye councilman moreno aye councilman mudrin aye councilwoman quilman aye councilwoman rudin aye councilman cardinus aye councilmanclement aye mayor darcy aye motion carried council memo number two zero seven twenty six resolution approving easement agreement for water facility construction with plainfield park district rob air soccer complex southeast of Caton Farm Road and Ridge Road it is recommended that resolution be adopted so I'll move any comments or questions thank you it's been motioned seconded to approve councilman of barra aye councilman moreno aye councilman mudrin aye councilman quilman aye councilwoman murden aye councilman carterness aye councilmanclement aye councilman hug aye mayor darcy aye motion carried council member number two zero eight twenty six resolution accepting a grant of public utility easement from Burton Place apartment DBA Burton Place J L L C for the Larkin Avenue Water Main Improvements Project it is recommended said a resolution be adopted so moved any comments or questions thank you it's been motion and second and to approve councilman aye councilman mudrin aye councilwoman quillman aye councilman aye councilman carterness councilmanclement aye councilman hug aye councilman of barra aye mayor darcy aye motion carried council memo number two zero nine-26 resolution authorizing approval and execution of an encroachment stipulation letter with Kinder Morgan incorporated for the 2026 Glenwood and West Acres water main improvements project it is recommended that resolution be adopted so moved second any comments or questions it's been motion and second and to approve councilman mudron aye councilwoman quillman aye councilwoman murder aye councilman cardinus aye councilmanclement aye councilman hug aye councilman aye councilman moreno aye mayor darcy aye motion carried next is the city answer support I just want to make everyone aware of something that looks like a Joliet utility customer refund information it is um a scam it's not coming from the city of Joliet it has like approved amounts for your refund and um refund ID number on it so we just want to make sure that all residents please be cognizant of this it did not come from the city of Joliet um and is a scam so it's all over our social media right now police department also put it on their social media just want to make sure that everyone knows anything that says um customer refund information from utilities did not come from the city of Joliet can I ask you is it coming by mail or how is it being delivered to people I believe by mail but Sydney what do you think yeah that's what it looks like.

So it's all over our social media right now.

Police department also put it on their social media.

Just want to make sure that everyone knows anything that says customer refund information from utilities did not come from the city of Juliet.

Can I ask you a question?

Is it coming by mail or how is it being delivered to people?

I believe by mail.

But Sydney, what do you think?

Yeah, we probably can pass it down.

And we have some exciting things coming up with the opening of City Square soon, so we'll have some announcements on that next week.

Otherwise, I have no further comments.

Okay.

Next we have public comments.

Hello, good evening.

April 16th, I'm retiring from my position of chief operating engineer, local 399 after 25 years of service to the city of Joliet.

I've joined the projects, challenges, accomplishments, and most of all the people that I have met along the way.

My father, Robert Fraser, served the city for 43 years as director of management and budget and city treasurer.

Ironically enough, today's his birthday.

He retired at the age of 74, and he taught me how to love this city.

I was fortunate enough to have worked with him for seven years.

He cast a big shadow, and his name still comes up daily in conversations with city staff, contractors, and citizens.

I can only hope that I've made them both proud, and I have left my own imprint on City of Champions.

My daughters Madison, Shelby, and Peyton are the fifth generation of the Fraser family to be born, raised, educated, and living in Joliet.

My wife Michelle is a longtime seventh grade math teacher for the Troy School District.

My responsibilities with the city require that I often work evenings, weekends, holidays, and respond to call-outs all hours of the night.

Michelle has been patient, understanding, and supportive when it came to my unpredictable schedule and how obsessed I was with my job.

I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to have served the city of Joliet.

I'm extremely proud of our city's rich history and very excited to see the direction we are heading as we move into the future.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor, if I may, before he leaves.

Brent, um, you'll be sorely missed.

You were a great asset around here.

I knew your mom and your dad, and when I first came on board, your dad was nothing but kind to me.

He showed me the ropes and kind of took me as a dad under his wing and showed me all the ropes to get through to this place, especially on the city council and being the first woman in very, very long time.

Um I went to you when your dad retired, and anything we needed at City Hall, especially the Vietnam pictures that we have down there by the city manager's office.

You help with that, and so many other things that Joliet Catholic High School over here, you were in that all the time.

I mean, you were constantly constantly working, and anything we would ask you would do it.

So congratulations on your retirement, well deserved, but you will be sorely missed by me and I hope others as well.

Happy life and good luck and safe travels and good health to you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Jim.

You have been fantastic all the time I've known you since I've been on this council.

You have been you do whatever anybody asks at any time, any time, any place, anywhere.

Um I don't know how we're gonna do it without you.

You know, you have just been a the most amazing person to work with and have for the city.

And thank you.

I know you deserve this retirement, but we don't want to see you go.

But congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Brent can I go next?

Oh, I'm sorry, you go next, you asked.

I just want to say I went to school with you and your brother.

You it has been such a joy to work with you here.

You are so completely obsessed with your job, and you are nothing short of amazing, no matter what time I called you, early morning, day, night.

You are the first person to jump in and help us.

And that was a super awesome ride you arranged for me on the gator.

I'll never forget that.

I was holding on for dear life, but I got to tour all the facilities and see everything I needed to see as uh the chairman of the public assets committee.

So thank you so much.

Now we want you to go and be obsessed with your retirement.

Fish, have a great time, and thank you so much, and your beautiful wife who is amazing.

Thank you so much for all the understanding that it has uh you have put in over all of these years.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Brent, just congratulations on your retirement.

Uh we have a history.

I knew your data very well, 99.

Never forget that.

Um, but uh thank you so much for uh everything you've ever done for the city and everything whenever I asked you to do do something or help me out.

You're always there, and uh you have three beautiful children, beautiful wife, and uh you're gonna be sorely missed, but thank thank you so much for everything you you ever did for me and the city.

So thank you, councilman.

Thank you.

Brent, are you sure you want me to comment?

We're good now.

Hey, my friend, and I don't use that.

Thank you.

My friend, and I don't use that term loosely.

I'm a hard case when I come to that stuff.

Um, one word from the first time we met you, I was impressed.

And it was a quick, quickly developed and smooth relationship.

You are the consummate professional.

You knew your stuff.

And uh you were always there when we needed it.

So congratulations to you, even more so.

Congratulations to Mrs.

Frazier.

You get to have them full time now.

Thank you.

It'll be like having one of your seventh graders at home full time.

Right?

Thank you.

So again, can congratulations on your retirement and enjoy it.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you.

Brent, I too uh knew your dad.

I've been in business 35 years here, and I've always been engaged in City Hall, and your dad was always a bright light when I come down here and talk to him.

And the love that he had for the city is the love you have for the city.

I want to thank your wife because I know that you took a lot of time for your family to do what you did for this community.

You know, your smile's infectious, and and they say that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.

And I know you love what you've done here, and your knowledge is gonna be missed.

Your ambitions are gonna be missed, and we really reap we love you and we appreciate you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, man.

Brent, I only got to work with you for a few months, and I loved it.

And thank you for all the work you've done here.

Um I really appreciate it, and even the help that you've given me.

So thank you for all you've done for the Joliet and for this community.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you.

Can I ask the city manager if they can come up and get a picture with the council?

Absolutely.

Okay.

Would you guys like to come up and get a picture?

Oh, I'm sorry to have it.

So Brent wants to roll to everyone.

Thank you.

Uh everyone here is really indicated.

Anytime any of us had an issue that we needed some help for, you were there, so appreciate it.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, Brent.

Also, as well, I might my time here was short with you as well, but it was very well uh you showed me around with a lot of things that we needed right off the gate to learn things.

And uh just thank you and enjoy retirement.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Picture, thank you, picture time.

Yeah.

Shape that don't watch.

Thank you.

Well, thank you.

Thank you.

We're gonna hug it out in a minute.

Okay, just wait for me.

Thanks.

You aren't going nowhere.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks, Lauren.

Of course.

Congratulations.

Appreciate you guys.

You're welcome.

Yeah.

Okay.

Is there anyone who would like to address the council this evening on a non-agenda item?

Okay.

Good evening, everyone, councilman, councilwoman.

Mayor Darcy.

My name is Magdalena Council.

And I serve as the program coordinator for HLM Recovery.

And we are in charge or to service Grundy, Kankakee, and Will County through the Illinois Department of Human Services Rosc, which is recovery-oriented systems of care.

We also partner up with Hero, which is the heroin epidemic relief organization.

We have Lassandra here who is from the board.

I am an educator there, and what I do with Hero as a collaboration is we provide naloxone or Narcan training.

And we do this virtually.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Is there anyone else who would like to address the council this evening on a non-agenda item?

Yes.

Yes.

Hello, uh Council.

As I stated before, um what's something I wanted to talk about?

A non-agenda issue.

I would just like to keep in mind with uh previous votes on uh specifically data center.

Um it is something I would like to keep you uh you guys keep in mind that people within my generation and those in the rural area are very unpleased with the votes.

And I'm sorry, I'm nervous because first time here.

But um I would like to address and keep in mind that you know uh the people of Joliet with that vote in particular have felt unheard and very um very sources of um social media have put out their uh outcry on uh this vote that uh was seemingly for the people of Joliet feeling like they've been unheard.

And I would like for you guys to keep in mind that people would um maybe like to hear a comment from the city of Juliet, maybe given their perspective on why why the vote was passed, um if you could um it would be very much appreciated.

Um again, I'm also one of the individuals who are upset with the vote, but it's not something that I would like to bring in like um big issue with instead would like to hear from the council on um why why it was approved.

Um maybe I'm mis uh under underinformed, but again, I would just like to hear from you from social media, it would be fine as well.

Thank you.

Okay, seeing none, we'll move on to mayor and council comments.

I have nothing to say.

Yes, uh I was uh fortunate enough uh this past Monday to be at the swearing in ceremony for the seven new police officers, and I just want to wish them all the luck in the world over this next, I guess approximately a year of training before they actually get out in the street, and we need them and great job, Chief.

And hope we can keep them coming.

I understand we have quite a number of applicants for the next ROM.

So thank you.

That's it.

Yeah, I just wanted to uh congratulate uh well, Brent Fraser.

One more time for your retirement.

Thank you.

And Julia Fire Department Captain Michael's banner and Jolia Police Department, Tony Lakota for uh his retirement as well.

And I think it's a chance earlier to speak on the on the one of the items 186, the ice 26.

Uh Joel was able to get in there and speak on it real quick.

Um, we also I know we share the same um views as far as making sure we try to do this in-house.

I was a little late to speak on it now, but I'm still speaking on it.

So those are my comments for that.

And also it's uh construction season, so please slow down.

You see orange, slow down.

Uh get up on phones, pay attention to the road and be careful out there and thank you, and be patient.

Uh everybody's working as as hard and soft and hard and safe as they can.

So thank you guys.

Those are my comments.

Okay.

So my goddaughter was here and she left, but I want to say hi to her.

Um, I want to know if we could possibly at the next council meeting um get a lobbyist update for the lobbyists that we all hired.

I'm hoping that is gonna be possible at the next council meeting, just so we know where we stand with that or what productivity they have.

I don't know how many months it's been.

I think it's been about three.

Yeah, it hasn't been many, but I'm sure they'd be happy to come back so it'll update.

So even if they gave it to you and you give it to us, that would be good too.

I'm happy to have them come as well.

They're they're happy to do that.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

Also, I want to mention to everybody how beautiful St.

Joe's church is looking.

If you haven't seen it all lit up at night, they have outdoor lights for that church now, and it looks so beautiful and majestic to the downtown.

It's beautiful anyway, but with the lights, it is just breathtaking.

So if you have a chance to get downtown at night, please look at the lights from St.

Joe's Church.

They have done a great job with that.

Also, would like to thank Hero.

It was not necessary at all for you to do that.

I really do appreciate it.

It's almost like a movie the way it plays over in my head right now.

I only know it really happened because I don't know how people got video or pictures of it or something.

It was very weird how that happened.

But when you trained me, I promise you, I didn't think there was ever a single day I would use it.

But I have it at home, I have it in the car.

I gave it to all my nieces and nephews one year for um Easter in their basket because you want to be safe than sorry.

And from a teaching perspective, if you have pain medicine in your home, this is something you should have.

You can have an elderly mom that may have thought she took her pills, may have not taken her pills, may take three times more of the pills than is necessary because she forgot.

Also, I don't think a lot of people know this, but it if your pet accidentally gets into your pain meds, in addition to it saving the life of human beings, which we always want to do.

You can also save the life of your pet with Narcan.

And not to go into too much detail, but at the time I was doing it, you taught me so well, it was a reflex.

I didn't even think about it.

And people around me were screaming, no, no, no.

They didn't know what I knew that this was going to be no harm.

So if all of the signs that you taught me were not there, or I was over reading the signs, it was not gonna harm the person at all.

It wasn't it was my luck and that person's luck that it was what I thought what you trained me for, it was what I thought I was seeing, and it was very simple to administer without any hesitation.

Is everyone around me is screaming no?

I'm like, done.

So and then our heroes from the fire department showed up, and the paramedics showed up and took over from there, and I was so happy when I got past that along, and it it of course was a good outcome.

So I think everybody that has pain medicine in their house should have should have this in their car in their house.

You should have it just as a standard rather be safe than sorry.

I also want to congratulate Brett Fraser and his wife.

It's gonna be such a beautiful life for you now.

And you put in so much hard work and service.

Like, let's see pictures of the fish you catch and you know the trees you cut down and everything you're doing, maybe a water ski, possibly.

Like, let's see.

Okay, well, we won't go that far, but let's see what you're doing.

We'll be overjoyed and thrilled to see that.

And then just I'm not gonna belabor the point, but I definitely will address the data center question, just to say that whether you were for the data center or against the data center, I feel like the public feels like they weren't heard.

So seven and a half hours of public comment, but that wasn't a back and forth exchange.

JJC, what it was reported to me that a lot of people there were not qualified for the highly technical questions that were asked there.

So that wasn't the opportunity for a back and forth exchange.

And this is just my opinion from my district's perspective and what my district is telling me, because these are the people that put me here, and I'm gonna have to listen to them.

That they felt like maybe we belabored points on liquor stores longer than I feel like we did this.

Um, we've had town halls for smaller issues, so I'm I'm echoing and uplifting the voices of my district.

I hear you when you say you feel like you weren't heard or there wasn't a real back and forth exchange.

Public comment is not even a back and forth exchange.

That's a we're hearing you, and we're taking it in.

So I do feel and understand what you're saying.

And again, I'm not gonna believe the point, but I understand what you're saying, and thank you.

Have a good night.

Um, first, I'd like to thank the young man who spoke tonight.

Don't be nervous, just be yourself.

You did a good job doing that.

If you look at the the screen right now at the monitor, you see that cell phone number up there?

That's my personal cell phone number.

I don't give a city number, it's my personal cell phone number.

Uh it is open to anybody watching it on TV.

I kind of started a trend about eight years ago by putting my cell phone number up there.

Um, call me and we'll talk.

As you may have heard, were you here at the uh the the two different meetings we had?

Okay.

We had one one, a couple of young uh young ladies who said they had called me and one said we spent an hour and 40 minutes talking.

That's absolutely true.

So certainly, what was your first name?

Uh Fabian.

Fabian, call me.

Anybody else that has questions?

I'll we'll talk.

We'll talk, I'll explain my position, the research I did and all that.

Always remember that if somebody disagrees with you, it doesn't mean they didn't hear you, it just means they heard what you said and they don't agree.

And so we can't agree to this read, you know, and be pleasant like you and I are being now.

So certainly call me.

I'm I'm willing to you know to talk as long as you would like.

And again, thank you for coming here tonight.

Don't be nervous.

We're just we're we're just residents up here just like you.

We just were dumb enough to get you know, put her name on a ballot.

So um with that said, I want everybody to hear this.

Okay.

I'm writing up my follow-ups, and your record still shows unresolved black issues that could lead to additional charges or potential collection activity and not reviewed because the attention period is still active.

There are relief programs available that may reduce postpone or remove certain amount of it entirely.

Every case is different, but many individuals are qualifying for reduced payments or full settlement, depending on their filing status.

Their review only takes 15 minutes and once verified.

I'm not gonna make you listen to the whole thing.

Can you anybody want to describe that with one word?

Scam.

Sounded pretty professional, didn't it?

Yeah.

I I called them back and I did star 6-7 and uh I won't say what I said.

And uh I won't say what I said to them.

Um I let them talk.

I played well, I played a little bit like dumb.

Oh, I played a little dumb on it.

Do I have a problem here?

And then I went into them after they, you know, I said, are you with the IRS?

And they did say, no, we're private company.

Um the number.

Anybody that sounds like that call.

I'm gonna give you the number that it came from.

The number it came from is 833 962 1587.

You see that number?

You got a scam.

Uh the number they want you to call back at is 888-905-3401.

And uh, yeah, it's a scam.

I I thought of that.

That's when you brought up that scam.

I there's probably too many to list right now.

Look, most serious people when it comes to finances and and and personal and you know, the delicate information, don't do it by text or or by voicemail.

They'll contact you in a traditional manner.

So do not fall for it.

You say you would have fallen for it, Lan.

Yeah, I think it would have fallen.

No, don't, because they'll go own your account.

They'll own your accounts in no time at all.

With that said, um so thank you for bringing that up about the city, Beth.

We we gotta keep telling people, especially those that are older.

Right.

It seems to be although I stand corrected.

You're right.

Um, so uh with that said, I just hope everybody had a happy and blessed Easter and they carry the spirit of Easter and what Easter is about through the rest of the year.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Suzanne, I'm gonna jump on board with your St.

Joseph's church.

Um, and that was done by Dave Sloan at Accents Lighting.

Um beautiful.

It's it's I mean, I saw photos, but you have to see it in person, which I did.

He's done work for me in the past.

He's a good guy and he does great work.

But um on a sad note, um, I think all of us here at one point or another spoke and knew of uh Karen Ward.

Karen Ward uh uh passed away a few days ago.

Uh she had deep roots here in the City of Jolie Fistorian, and um she always advocated for the city of Julius.

I think Mr.

Mayor, we just have a moment of silence for uh Karen Ward, please.

Thank you.

Those are my comments.

Thank you.

No comment.

Uh speaking of losing some of the uh champions of our community, we lost Roger Powell, who is a unbelievable basketball player, brought a lot of recognition to the city, played worldwide, and uh he was just a heart of champions from here in Joliet.

We'd like to take a moment of silence for him.

On another note, um, and I know you're not supposed to talk about women's ages, and I may get some big trouble for this one, but a very important person in my life is crossing the line into three figures.

My mother.

She is uh we're gonna celebrate another year of her journey to heaven.

Deservedly so.

She's not only raised her eight kids who have all turned out pretty well, she's still working on me.

She told me that one day.

Um, you know, I grew up in a house of uh there was nine of us in a two-bedroom, one bathroom house.

And being Irish Catholic, they had another kid.

So you had ten people in a two-bedroom, one bathroom house, and they put on two more bedrooms.

And I thought, why don't you put on two more bathrooms?

I can sleep standing up away in the morning with difficulty.

So I just want to say thank you to my mom.

I I can't thank her enough for the wisdom and the love she shared with her family, her friends in this community.

So happy birthday on the 18th, Mom.

I love you.

Thank you for all you've done.

With that, I wish peace and blessings to everyone here in Julia and have another great weekend.

We thank you.

Okay, is there a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Thank you.

All in favor?

Aye.

Okay, meeting adjourned.