Well, good evening, everybody.

This is the pre-council meeting at City of Joliet, meeting up in City Council Chambers.

I'm Jan Quillman, Mayor Pro Tem.

And this is Monday, June 1st, 2026 at 5 30 p.m.

Please call the roll.

Okay.

Mayor Darcy is absent this evening.

He did let me know he would not be in attendance.

Councilman Cardinals?

Here.

Councilman Clement?

Here.

Councilman Hug?

Here.

Councilman Abarro?

Here.

Councilman Moreno is absent.

He did let me know he would not be here this evening.

Councilman Mudron.

Sure.

Councilwoman Quillman?

Here.

Councilwoman Rurdin.

Here.

Next is citizens to be heard on agenda items.

This is if you have an agenda item this evening and you would like to speak.

Now is the time.

Good evening, members of the council.

Dave Silverman, I'm here on behalf of the Autobody Country Club, which is number two ninety-nine on your agenda.

I have representatives from the Autobond here.

We're just here to answer any questions they might come up.

Thank you.

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

Okay.

Seeing none.

Next, we'll have the city manager review tomorrow night's actionable items.

Good evening, everybody.

Okay, tomorrow we will have appointments to the Plan Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Police Pension Board.

We will hear from Diversity and Community Relations Committee, Land Use and Economic Development Committee, Public Assets, and Public Service Committees.

On the consent agenda, Council Memo 28926, approval of amendment number one to the professional services agreement for the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water System Improvement Project for Construction Engineering Services to Baxter and Woodman and the amount of 94,200.

Again, these are dollars that come from the county ARPA funding.

Council Memo 290 26 approval payment for emergency repairs to the Jefferson Street Sewer to Aries Inc.

in the amount of 260,5545.62 cents.

Council Memo 29126, approval purchase order of the 2026 automotive and heavy duty batteries and related support services to Fleet Pride Inc.

in the amount of $60,000.

Council Member 292 26, approval to purchase order for the 2026 Fleet Tires and Tire Services in the amount of 200,000.

Council Memo 29326, award of professional services agreement for the study and designation of the downtown special service area to SB Friedman Development Advisors in the amount of $54,260.

Council Memo 29426 award payment for the Ottawa Street Park and Garage Painting Project to Cosgrove Construction in the amount of 190,625.

Moving on to agenda items, Council Memo 29626, award of contract for the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water System Improvement Project to Austin Tyler in the amount of 2,982,535 and 68 cents.

Again, we will be reimbursed by the county.

Council Memo 29726, award a contract for the 2026 roadways reservicing contract A to PT Fairrop Instruction in the amount of 2,434,217.

Ordinances and resolutions, ordinances, council memo 29826 and ordinance amending chapter 18, Article 1, Section 20, and Chapter 26, Article 7, Division 1, Section 141 through 148 regarding sidewalk cafes of the City of Joliet Court of Ordinances.

We do have Dan Magan here with us this evening, who is our um business services supervisor, and he has a short presentation if it would be helpful to the council.

Sure.

Everyone look at it.

Okay.

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Dan.

I'm business services supervisor, as Beth just said.

So I've been part of this group that's really been working on uh kind of amending our sidewalk cafe ordinance, which those who don't know is really focused on businesses and what really enhancing the dining opportunity in the public right away.

Um so we have found just with a lot of the businesses, it's been a little bit of difficult time to maybe put tables and chairs upside to really offer an outdoor dining experience at this current state.

So what we really tried to do is just kind of clean up our code on the sidewalk cafes.

It's really to be more inviting, especially with you know the introduction of the social district, uh City Square, we felt like this is the perfect opportunity to implement something like this and make changes we felt were needed.

Um so I'd say some of the big changes we really made were again just adding more enforced guidelines on particularly the fencing for uh businesses or restaurants that want to serve alcohol and for like businesses uh that maybe don't want to serve alcohol, but but keeping like a five-foot um public right of way passageway for people to be able to use.

Um so again, we've really just tried to clean up our code and just make it a more simple process for businesses.

Um, right now, with kind of how it's set up the services department.

Um currently, businesses have to apply for a sidewalk cafe license, which allows them to put the tables outside, and then businesses that want to serve alcohol also have to get a liquor permit.

Um, and we found that some of those regulations are kind of conflicting each other, whether it'd be time or fence height requirement.

Um, so that was one of the big changes we wanted to make was the fencing.

Um, just because right now our current says a fence must be minimum of four feet high, which we find that to be an issue because if someone's sitting downtown and they say there's a concert in the city square, uh fence is four feet high, it's really tough for most people to be able to see outside and kind of enjoy what's going on.

Um so we we in our in our ordinance we wanted to lower that to be the maximum be three feet, um, just so again, really enhance the dining opportunities so people are out enjoying dinner.

Um, they can also take part in the social district uh liquor permit, which allows them to get a cup, they can sit and have dinner, watch concert, get done with dinner, they can get up and go outside and enjoy the concert.

Um that was one of the big things we uh we changed with that.

And then also another another thing it really just cleans up is the application process.

Like I mentioned, um, there were multiple different permits that businesses have to apply for.

Um so this just really combines it into one application process for the businesses, keeps it simple.

Um, we feel like it makes it a lot easier on them.

So that is kind of the basis for what we were trying to accomplish with this.

Um so again, this is really what we've been working on the past month or so, and I've I've gone out and communicated with a lot of business owners about how they felt about this.

Um so and I I've gotten some mixed reviews and good reviews.

Um, so it's been good.

I I got a lot of feedback, and we've I mean we've revised this thing I know probably 10 times over the last month.

So you know, we've really taken that feedback to make the change we feel are necessary.

And I again I think with the implementation of the city square, we really want to uphold what we've created down here in downtown.

So we've also put more regulations into the furnishings, the fencing, tables, chairs, umbrellas, you name it, um, just to be able to uphold um what we're trying to build down here in Juliet, maybe a more inviting and welcoming environment for people.

Mayor Proton.

Okay.

Can I ask a question?

Do you have a question?

Go ahead.

I do, yeah.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Town.

You work for the City of Joliet?

Yes.

How long have you been here?

Uh three months.

You make amazing sense, and thank you for being here at the City of Joliet.

You did all the research, you went out and talked to the businesses, everything that came out of your mouth.

Amazing, amazing.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Town.

I was gonna my question is when people want to sign up for this, will all the fencing and the umbrellas and chairs be alike, or is that we're gonna have some something different?

So that was something we had initially discussed, and I think this is again part of the feedback we took in.

Initially, we wanted every single business to have the same fencing, um, same furnishing, same everything to keep it aligned.

And after talking to the businesses and just kind of talking with them with each other, we kind of realized that's not it's not attainable.

It's you know, the options I think that we were presenting were a little out of budget for uh some of the businesses down here, and so I think we took that information, and after speaking with them, we realized um we wanted to give more options.

So we've established guidelines and what we want the fencing to look like and uh furnishings and all that, but there's nothing like you have to get this fence.

It's this is what we're looking for.

Um, and we we want to be able to help every business down here to be able to afford this fencing and these furnishings without necessarily saying you have to get this certain type of fence or this certain type of table.

So are there certain standards put in place which you have to have because I know in other towns things are kind of like a nightmare?

Yeah, appropriate and just this or our folding chair here or tray there, and if we're gonna make it look nice, I think it should have some type of continuity.

Yeah, so we have I've created a guideline, um, and I believe we have printed out copies here that we're passing out, and it has some examples of kind of what we're looking for.

So we we say in the ordinance talks about pre-approved standards.

There's nothing in written saying a chair or table has to look this way.

Um we've provided pictures and images for these businesses to be able to reference.

Um that's kind of the guidelines we have in terms of that.

I know it's nothing super strict, but it gives a visual reference on what we're looking for.

Anybody else have questions?

Yeah, Mayor Proton, if you don't mind.

Go ahead, Lark.

Is this just uh is it just applying to downtown or is this citywide?

Uh it's pretty much focused on the downtown area.

It's for businesses that are located within the public right away, which is pretty much the taste all the business downtown.

Um so yeah, it technically could be to uh a lot of the businesses in the city, but it it most, if not all the businesses are right here in downtown.

So if any business anywhere else in the city that comes up to the sidewalk, you know, with a business, say along Rumi Street, they can do the same thing.

Yeah, okay.

If they're on the public public side, yes.

Dan, there's uh a number of uh these that have had outside dining before.

Yeah, are they automatically approved?

Do they have to reapply for this?

Obviously, they'd have to meet the new standards.

Yeah, so they wouldn't have to meet the new standards.

So I mean, again, we probably would ask them just to go through the application process again, um, just so they can provide that they are um going to a DRT sample that we are um hopefully implementing.

So if I understood what they just uh would uh Larry that it's just not for the social district, no, it's not just for the social districts, yeah.

So anybody else?

Um so and then the fencing in only is required if you have several alcohol.

Yes, only required if you start an alcohol.

Thank you.

So if you're a coffee chef, you don't have the fence we don't need to.

So I do have one more question.

What you're showing here, I think is very wonderful and elegant, but you're saying they're not gonna adhere to that, whatever they want if they don't want this one.

Is that what you're telling me?

Sorry, can you read that?

The fencing that's on here is very chic and elegant, okay, because we want to go with the new city square.

So I'm wondering, you said people can have different things, but I would like to see all the same fencing at each place.

So it looks continuity, like so it looks really nice.

I don't want to see an old wooden fence.

I don't want to see a chain link fence.

You know, I I think this is this is top notch right here, and easy to bring in enough because of the way the stand is.

So Dan will excuse me.

Dan will have an opportunity to review what the businesses are thinking about, and he's already been talking to them.

That's what we added a couple of different some of these came directly from the businesses, but yeah, that looks very elegant and um and in application process, you'll be able to review all of that.

Or something or something similar to each one.

They don't want that design that as long as it all looks nice, like this.

There's different ones, but it all looks really nice.

Right.

And that was an effort, like you said, to accommodate the businesses, like you know what one wants to invest in their fence, another may not be able to, so we provided a lot of different options for them.

And sizes and sizes, and yeah, it'll depend on how much space will be different what they need.

So I think it's exciting.

Thank you.

But I just want it to look nice.

Any other questions?

Okay.

Great job, Dan.

Thank you.

Three months in already talking to the council.

Great job.

Thank you guys.

Well, that's me.

Sorry, I'm up again.

Uh the city manager Beth Bailey will uh council memo 29926 ordinance and resolution associated with the Autobahn Country Club.

There's an ordinance approving a special use permit to allow development on a lot containing Cedar Creek watershed protection area and resolution approving an agreement and amendment to the master development plan for Autobutton Country Club.

Any questions from them?

They are here.

Council Memo 326, ordinances associated with the Vista Ridge phase one resubdivision.

One planned unit development.

This um is so they are able to install patios in their backyards.

Any questions on that?

Pat?

Yeah, question.

Sure.

I'm sorry, what I don't why don't they allow to install?

That's usually an HOA thing that we're doing.

Right.

I don't know, Dustin.

Can you speak to that for us?

Absolutely.

Uh we are vacating a drainage easement, and that was that's what requires the council action.

I think the lot depth is 58 feet, and the petitioner would like to move it to 70.

Uh engineering and public works have looked at this, take no upset uh exception.

We have no uh outside utilities in that corridor, so it is a request to extend the depth of the lot so that individual townhomes can have their patios.

Okay.

We also have a representative here if you want to ask any questions.

Well, I was just curious why they wouldn't.

Yeah, that's an interesting thought.

I understand Dustin's explanation.

They were never prohibited, but they didn't have the room.

They didn't have the room.

I thought, did they have a do we have some ordinance that only those folks weren't allowed to so we're we're doing a uh uh a vacation of an easement so they can extend.

Right.

Makes perfect sense to me.

Okay, great.

Thank you.

Um council memo 3012 ordinances associated with Cherry Hill Business Park.

Moving on to resolutions.

Council Memo 30326 resolution authorizing the acquisition of property for the Farrell Road over Spring Creek Bridge Improvement Project and the amount of three thousand six hundred dollars.

Council Memo 30426 resolution authorizing execution of an intergovernmental agreement between the county of Kendall and the City of Joliet for Kendall County Transportation Alternative Program funding to reservice the multi-use pass along the west side of Ridge Road between Theodore Street and Black Road.

So I know that um Greg and spoke a little bit about it in public service.

This is a 70,312 project for which the city of Joliet is is responsible for 14,062 because it's just a small portion of it.

Council Memo 30526 resolution approving amendment number two to incentive agreement property tax abatement for Supermercado's El Guerro de Joliet Inc.

at 118 East Jackson.

So originally um the project the project's now completed, but it due to delays in the project caused by COVID 19.

Um they were forced to shift its initial project completion timeline.

So that's what we're changing here.

Um it requires a final uh amendment to reflect a five-year property tax abatement covering tax years 2025 through 2029.

So it's the same abatement, it's just been delayed because they weren't able to build and etc.

through COVID, and then their timeline got pushed out.

Ah, that's the that's the conclusion of the agenda.

Okay.

Next we have public comments.

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

Anyone who'd like to address the council this evening.

Okay.

Can you say something, Jim?

Would you like to say something, please?

Um I was working with Todd a while back on the mailbox issue when we're out snow plowing and it's our fault we're knocking mailboxes over.

I guess the ordinance was changed uh years ago to where the city would only pay a hundred dollars.

That's correct.

We we have a uh resident that $380 is is what the damage is.

And I I think it's kind of unfair if we're knocking someone's mailbox over, we're only gonna offer them a hundred dollars.

And I understand why I get it.

We're we're gonna have people in neighborhoods that potentially could say we knocked it over and there could be 50 of them.

I understand that, but I think we need to revisit that uh maybe case by case basis, or you know, I don't want to get 50 people on these things, but it would be an ordinance change.

Yeah, I just think we need to revisit.

I just think it's unfair that if we're knocking it the mailbacks over, we're only offering them a hundred dollars.

And then some of these uh, you know, masonry and uh whatnot, but I I just think we need to revisit it uh sometime for winter time.

Sure.

All right, I'm happy to look into it.

All right, thanks.

I have one question.

I've been getting a lot of calls lately about the parkways where the streets were torn up and um the uh the parkway's all torn up.

Yes, they're all torn out, parkways torn up.

The streets are wonderful, and then what came through are weeds?

There's no grass, and I've been hearing complaints and hearing complaints.

I have called some people, and they're still now they're knee-high.

Some of the weeds all along it looks terrible.

Okay, um, we just need locations.

So um, I don't know how long ago we did approve some money for restorations for these parkways.

You know, it's got to happen when it's nicer weather.

So through the winter we got a lot of complaints about some of that work happening, and you know, we couldn't come into plants it's been several neighborhoods, no, it's not just one particular one.

Get us the locations and we'll take care of it.

Okay, thank you.

Mayor Proton.

Yes.

I don't normally address social media.

I'm gonna take a moment and maybe revisit it tomorrow because it kind of exploded over the weekend.

I got phone calls, now I've gotten emails about it too.

Um for those that are concerned, you know, be careful with social media.

Be careful with Facebook pages and trusting ones that you think are news organizations, and they're really not.

There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that erupted over the last three or four days that anybody has requested permission to put a strip club in Anthony's, the closed Anthony's restaurant.

Beth, can you back me up on that?

I can back you up on that, and I think Dan could too.

We've not been approached with that uh at all by anyone, so it's just a rumor on paper.

And I'll be frank.

I mean, I was 99.9% sure that that, but I wanted to dot my eyes when I called you.

Yeah, and I think yourself and the mayor, Terry, both have the same reaction.

Yeah, you you explained it to me, but there's a little bit of a chuckle up front because it's just so ludicrous.

Yeah, um, that would take an immense heavy lifting of changing an ordinance.

So again, and I'm gonna revisit it tomorrow because I think more people should know.

It's absolutely not true.

There is not gonna be any strip club in Anthony's.

So go down to Ottawa if that's what you're looking for.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I do have one more request.

Sure.

Um the parking deck that's right around the um square.

Uh-huh.

No railings for people that are handicapped to go down.

I got some complaints about that.

Uh and the stairwolves?

Yes.

There's no railings on series?

Okay.

Wait a minute.

Beth, I can address that.

So Greg can address it.

Sorry.

There was a um an email that went out about the um stairs that lead from the city square down into the deck, uh, about there being no handrail there.

Um it was taken down during city square construction for to allow for some things to occur.

It was reinstalled last week.

So it it's in place already.

The one that um if you receive that same email, because I heard about it from a number of council people.

A couple others, but that's okay.

As long as it's taken care of, I'm just glad.

Yeah, yeah.

Thanks, Greg.

Sure.

But no one told me it was finished, so I didn't know either.

They just took care of it, which is awesome.

That was good.

Mayor Pro Tum, I have a question.

Sure, go ahead.

Beth, is there any way we can get Ann Sylvester to come up and talk about the workout in the plaza tomorrow?

Sure, because it's happening at seven, and I'm sure she wants people to show up for it.

Sure.

Okay, thank you.

Uh-huh.

Sorry to do this spontaneously, but it's okay.

We're excited about the events too.

Hi, good evening, everyone.

Um very excited.

This is the opening week of City Square and all the programming that's taking place.

Um, as councilwoman Ibarra said, I am really kind of challenging people in City Hall and all over to be part of our first workout tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.

Hip hop should be a lot of fun.

Get you moving before the day starts.

I do also want to add that this week we have on Wednesday, we've got our first dancing in the square.

So if you want to come down and learn how to swing dance and then show off your moves afterwards, that's from five to seven.

And on Thursday, we have cars and guitars, and then we actually, per kind of the mayor's request, we have a special country music singer, Laura Braina, who's performing at nine o'clock in City Square.

And then Friday will be our first Sounds On 66 with the righteous hillbillies, and then the Chicago Public Library on Saturday is doing Star Wars Days.

And I don't want to forget, we do have a great partnership with the um Joliet Public Library.

Um, as far as on Wednesday, they're going to be starting their story time outdoors so people can enjoy the weather.

Any questions?

What level workout is that?

Is it is could you go from beginner to like middle or on all of these workouts and in all of the programming, the dancing, everything like that, you will find everywhere from novice to people who really know what they're doing.

Okay, sounds like a lot of fun.

Thank you.

Yes, thanks.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

You're welcome.

Anybody else have anything?

And there's closed session today.

I did receive a request for closed session.

Is there a motion to go into closed session to discuss personal collective bargaining, land acquisition, or conveyance penning or threat litigation, after which the meeting will adjourn?

Selma second.

It's a motion and second and to approve.

Councilman Cardinus.

Councilman Clement.

Councilman Hug.

Aye.

Councilman Ibarra.

Councilman Mudron.

Aye.

Councilman Quoman.

Aye.

Councilwoman Rudin.

Aye.

Motion carried.