OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BodyJoliet, Illinois
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, September 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 59:55

Transcript — Verbatim
0:16

Everybody ready?

0:22

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Tuesday evening City Council meeting for the City of Joliet September 1st at 6 30 in Council Chambers with Honorable Mayor Terry Darcy presiding.

0:36

We will be led in the invocation by Pastor Curtis Bryant from Mount Zion Baptist Church, 402 St.

0:43

Wilton Place, after which he'll lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:55

Pleasure to say it before you all.

0:57

That's what God together in prayer.

1:00

Gracious and eternal God.

1:02

We thank you for this city we know as home, the city of Joliet.

1:06

We thank you for its people, its history, its neighborhoods, and the promise for its future.

1:12

God, we ask you for your blessing upon our mayor, the city council, administration, staff, and all who accepted responsibility of leadership.

1:20

God you will grant them all humility to listen before they speak.

1:24

Courage to do what is right, and integrity to place the needs of the people above personal interests.

1:29

God remind each leader that's been entrusted by you.

1:32

Remind each one that has authority, that they have been given, and that same authority is the sacred responsibility to serve.

1:39

Lord, right now we pray that you grant our city faithful stewardship over every resource entrusted to us mayor.

1:45

God give us wisdom in the management of our finances, our infrastructure, our public safety, economic development, and community resources.

1:55

God, we pray that all the decisions made in this chamber stricken part of Joliet and prepare our city for generations yet to come.

2:03

God, let there be fair and faithful representation across every district, neighborhood, generational circumstance.

2:10

God make no community ever feel forgotten.

2:12

No voice ever feel insignificant, and then no resident ever feel that their concerns do not matter.

2:18

And finally, God, we pray that you are renew within all of us a commitment to faithful service to our neighbors and to the city.

2:27

Remind us that this great city is built not only through policies and projects, but through people who are willing to serve one another.

2:34

God, where there is disagreement, let there be respect.

2:38

Whether our challenges, God, give us creativity to navigate.

2:42

God, whether our divisions help us find common ground.

2:46

And God, whether our needs give us compassion enough to respond.

2:51

Bless the work of this city council.

2:53

Bless all those who represent these communities, and bless the people of Joliet.

2:59

May everything accomplish here move us forward as a city that is stronger, that is safer, that is more just and more united.

3:08

And to your son Jesus' name we pray.

3:10

That all God became our flag by way of our pledge of allegiance.

3:21

Our pledge of allegiance is a flag.

3:45

We'll begin with roll call.

3:46

Mayor Darcy.

3:47

Councilman Cardinals.

3:48

Councilman Clement.

3:49

Councilman Hugg.

3:50

Councilwoman Abarro?

3:51

Here.

3:51

Councilman Moreno.

3:52

Here.

3:52

Councilman Modern.

3:54

Councilwoman Pullman.

3:55

Here.

3:55

Councilman Vernon.

3:56

Here.

3:57

Under Mayor is a proclamation recognizing the 2026 Neighborhood Hero Award winners presented by Councilwoman Cullman.

4:22

Okay, good evening, everyone.

4:24

And we're going to start off, and just so you don't even have to listen to every single proclamation.

4:29

I'm going to read one proclamation and then have and then I'm going to call each family up after that to give them their awards.

4:35

So we will start with since 2015, the Neighborhood Hero Award Program has recognized residents who take pride in their property.

4:46

Neighborhood Hero Award honorees have outstanding yards that include maintained lawns with flowers, shrubs, and decorative trees.

4:55

Neighborhood Hero honorees have labored intensely to create visual beauty at their property.

5:01

By showing great pride in their property, these residents demonstrate great civic pride in their neighborhood and in our city.

5:08

Now therefore I, Terry Darcy, Mayor of the City of Joy, Illinois, on behalf of the Joliet City Council, do hereby recognize the efforts and outcomes of the 2026 Neighborhood Heroes and hope others will follow their example.

5:23

And it's signed September 1st, 2026 by Mayor Terry Darcy.

5:28

So the first one will be the Walsh family at 3309 Blackwater Drive.

5:33

Are you here, please?

5:36

And we will say this for them.

5:38

Not everyone can make it today.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Public Engagement█████████████████████████25%
Public Safety██████████████████████22%
Utilities and Infrastructure████████████12%
Public Health██████6%
Arts And Culture███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Joliet City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Joliet City Council met on September 1, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included the presentation of Neighborhood Hero Awards, approval of numerous contracts and expenditures, adoption of ordinances and resolutions, and public comments on public safety and infrastructure. Council members also recognized community events and expressed concerns about local hospital services.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from Pre-Council Meeting on August 17, 2026, and City Council Meeting on August 18, 2026.
  • Approval of invoices to be paid.
  • Approval of Biosolids Application Spring Lease Payment to Jackie Stunkel in the amount of $36,600.00.
  • Award of Contract No. 2999-0926 for Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant Pump Replacements Project to Airy’s Inc. in the amount of $299,887.00.
  • Award of Contract No. 3000-0926 for Southeast Joliet Sanitary District Water Tower / Well House Demolition Project to National Wrecking Co. in the amount of $164,000.00.
  • Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement for the Water Meter Asset Management Program to Core & Main LP in the amount of $95,000.00.
  • Authorization to Fund Draw 17 for Tax Increment Financing District #7 in the amount of $318,524.90.

Council Committee Reports

Public Safety – Councilman Clement reported on the Public Safety Committee meeting held earlier on September 1, 2026. The committee reviewed the Intergovernmental Police Service Assistance (IPSA) Agreement with DuPage County for the President’s Cup at Medina golf course. Chief Brown provided an update on Flock camera policy, stating a new policy is being developed with enhanced transparency and audit procedures. Interim Corporation Counsel Todd Lenzie discussed a new state law on e-bikes effective January 1, 2027; the city will consider future regulations.

Public Service – Councilman Hug reported on the Public Service Committee meeting held August 31, 2026. The committee reviewed several contracts, change orders, and resolutions. Key items included the biosolids lease, wastewater plant pump replacements, the 2026 MFT Resurfacing Contract B ($2,769,186.30), the Des Plaines River Tunnel Water Main Improvements Project ($5,063,328.90), and three change orders totaling deductions and final payments for water main projects. Also reviewed were the water meter asset management program, motor fuel tax resolutions, the Farrell Road bridge replacement intergovernmental agreement with the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and the partial closure of Routes 6 and 30 for the Joliet Central Homecoming Parade.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Todd Nobles (Cumberland South subdivision resident) raised concerns about ADA compliance and pedestrian safety in the subdivision, requesting the engineering department to measure correctly, increased police presence for traffic violations, and a comprehensive overview of neighborhood services complaints over the past 12 months.
  • Barry McCue (808 Mason Avenue) spoke on Flock camera transparency, suggesting the police department issue periodic public reports (every 3–6 months) showing how often the system is used, for what purposes, and its effectiveness rate.
  • Kathy Garthus thanked Mayor D'Arcy for speaking out about bridge issues with IDOT and criticized the state for lack of response. She also commented on truck loads and bridge age, and made remarks regarding the 25th anniversary of 9/11, ICE, and the death of Dolly Parton.

Discussion Items

  • Neighborhood Hero Award Proclamations – Councilwoman Quillman presented proclamations to 21 families for outstanding property maintenance and civic pride. Recipients were recognized for beautifying their yards.
  • Agenda Items (Contracts & Change Orders):
    • Award of Contract for 2026 MFT Resurfacing Contract B to Austin Tyler Construction Inc. ($2,769,186.30). Approved 8-0-1 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
    • Award of Contract No. 2997-0826 for Des Plaines River Tunnel Water Main Improvements to Austin Tyler Construction Inc. ($5,063,328.90). Approved 8-0-1 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
    • Change Order No. 1 for Upper Bluff Water Main Improvements – deduction of $551,910.46 and final payment of $869,608.13. Approved 8-0-1 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
    • Change Order No. 2 for Broadway Street Water Main Improvements – deduction of $1,561,954.91 and final payment of $584,633.14. Approved 8-0-1 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
    • Change Order No. 2 for North Prairie Water Main Improvements – deduction of $647,156.35 and final payment of $418,270.88. Approved 8-0-1 (Councilman Moreno abstained).
  • Licenses & Permits:
    • Issuance of Class B liquor license at 35 E. Cass Street (Jonny’s Bar) – Approved unanimously.
    • Issuance of Class B liquor license at 508 N. Chicago Street (Judge’s Bar) – Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinances (adopted unanimously):
    • Ordinance Amending Chapter 26 (Municipal Use Tax) – Ordinance 18888.
    • Ordinance Approving Special Use Permit for truck repair facility at 608 Railroad Street (ZBA 2026-31) – Ordinance 18889.
    • Ordinance Imposing Business District Taxes within Rock Run Collection Business District – Ordinance 18890.
  • Resolutions (adopted, with one abstention):
    • Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement with Forest Preserve District of Will County for Farrell Road over Spring Creek Bridge Replacement – Resolution 8328 (unanimous).
    • Resolution Appropriating MFT Funds for 2026 MFT Resurfacing Contract B ($2,769,186.30) – Resolution 8329 (8-0-1, Moreno abstained).
    • Resolution Appropriating MFT Funds for Right of Way Expenses for Farrell Road Bridge Project – Resolution 8330 (unanimous).
    • Resolution Requesting Partial Closure of Routes 6 and 30 for Joliet Central Homecoming Parade – Resolution 8331 (unanimous).
    • Resolution Approving IPSA Agreement with DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for President’s Cup – Resolution 8332 (unanimous).
  • City Manager’s Report: Beth Beatty recognized the success of the Black Joy Parade (August 30), swore-in new police (3 officers) and fire (10 members) personnel, encouraged participation in the CMAP My Daily Travel Survey, and welcomed new Chief of Police Robert Brown.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent agenda items approved (9-0).
  • Five agenda contracts/change orders approved with Councilman Moreno abstaining on each.
  • Both liquor licenses approved unanimously.
  • Three ordinances adopted unanimously.
  • Five resolutions adopted; two resolutions (450 and 451) passed 8-0-1 with Councilman Moreno abstaining.
  • Public comments noted for follow-up by city staff regarding ADA compliance, Flock camera transparency, and bridge issues.
  • Council expressed concerns over St. Joe’s Hospital ending maternity services, with Councilwoman Quillman and Mayor D’Arcy pledging to work with hospital leadership to restore services.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Everybody ready? Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Tuesday evening City Council meeting for the City of Joliet September 1st at 6 30 in Council Chambers with Honorable Mayor Terry Darcy presiding. We will be led in the invocation by Pastor Curtis Bryant from Mount Zion Baptist Church, 402 St. Wilton Place, after which he'll lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pleasure to say it before you all. That's what God together in prayer. Gracious and eternal God. We thank you for this city we know as home, the city of Joliet. We thank you for its people, its history, its neighborhoods, and the promise for its future. God, we ask you for your blessing upon our mayor, the city council, administration, staff, and all who accepted responsibility of leadership. God you will grant them all humility to listen before they speak. Courage to do what is right, and integrity to place the needs of the people above personal interests. God remind each leader that's been entrusted by you. Remind each one that has authority, that they have been given, and that same authority is the sacred responsibility to serve. Lord, right now we pray that you grant our city faithful stewardship over every resource entrusted to us mayor. God give us wisdom in the management of our finances, our infrastructure, our public safety, economic development, and community resources. God, we pray that all the decisions made in this chamber stricken part of Joliet and prepare our city for generations yet to come. God, let there be fair and faithful representation across every district, neighborhood, generational circumstance. God make no community ever feel forgotten. No voice ever feel insignificant, and then no resident ever feel that their concerns do not matter. And finally, God, we pray that you are renew within all of us a commitment to faithful service to our neighbors and to the city. Remind us that this great city is built not only through policies and projects, but through people who are willing to serve one another. God, where there is disagreement, let there be respect. Whether our challenges, God, give us creativity to navigate. God, whether our divisions help us find common ground. And God, whether our needs give us compassion enough to respond. Bless the work of this city council. Bless all those who represent these communities, and bless the people of Joliet. May everything accomplish here move us forward as a city that is stronger, that is safer, that is more just and more united. And to your son Jesus' name we pray. That all God became our flag by way of our pledge of allegiance. Our pledge of allegiance is a flag. We'll begin with roll call. Mayor Darcy. Councilman Cardinals. Councilman Clement. Councilman Hugg. Councilwoman Abarro? Here. Councilman Moreno. Here. Councilman Modern. Councilwoman Pullman. Here. Councilman Vernon. Here. Under Mayor is a proclamation recognizing the 2026 Neighborhood Hero Award winners presented by Councilwoman Cullman. Okay, good evening, everyone. And we're going to start off, and just so you don't even have to listen to every single proclamation. I'm going to read one proclamation and then have and then I'm going to call each family up after that to give them their awards.

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