Joliet Diversity & Community Relations Committee Meeting - September 30, 2026

The Diversity and Community Relations Committee met on September 30, 2026, at 4:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Chairperson Suzanna Ibarra presided, with Councilman Joe Clement and Councilman Juan Moreno present. The committee approved minutes from the July 16, 2026 meeting, and reviewed and approved three agenda items: CDBG PY 2026 resolutions, updated CDBG policies and procedures, and a contract extension for the City's Poet Laureate.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the July 16, 2026 Diversity & Community Relations Committee meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Gurtowski (Chair of Joliet Arts Commission): Expressed full support for extending Uxmar Torres's poet laureate contract through December 31, 2027. He noted that the Arts Commission voted unanimously to extend the agreement, and that Torres had gone above and beyond original requirements, including representing Joliet at the Printers Row Lit Fest and being recognized as Illinois's first poet laureate of Mexican descent.
• Uxmar Torres (Poet Laureate): Spoke in favor of the contract extension, emphasizing that his goal is to ensure the position continues for the community, not for personal gain. He clarified that the $5,000 in the contract is for specific programming (including paying other artists), not for holding the title. He noted he is willing to serve without compensation for the title itself. He also highlighted programming with District 86 schools and expressed desire to help transition to a future selection process.

Discussion Items

1. Approval of CDBG PY 2026 Resolutions (TMP-10351) Staff (Bridget) presented the resolutions for each Community Development Block Grant subrecipient agreement, noting they cleaned up language and held post-award meetings with subrecipients to clarify scopes and compliance. One minor change: Trinity had to reduce from three homes to two for repairs. Councilman Moreno asked about the timeline for the next year's process; staff indicated plans to start earlier (January) and mentioned developing a nonprofit academy to help organizations navigate grant requirements. The committee approved the resolutions unanimously.

2. Review of CDBG Policies and Procedures (TMP-10356) Staff reported on a recent technical assistance meeting with HUD, which recommended more detailed policies and procedures. The updated document aligns with city ordinance and changes procurement requirements – subrecipients must now follow City of Joliet procurement policies instead of their own. Staff noted other minor improvements. No questions from committee; approved unanimously.

3. Poet Laureate Extension Contract (TMP-10362) Luke Gunderson (Special Events Coordinator) presented the proposed contract extension for Uxmar Torres as Joliet's Poet Laureate through December 31, 2027. The original term ended June 30, 2026. Under the extension, Torres will continue to provide five public readings, five writing workshops, and one original poem about Joliet at no additional fee. Additionally, he will provide three specific programs (Poetry Under the Stars, Concert on the Hill open mic, three City Square poetry open mics) totaling $5,000 in compensation, which includes paying other artists. Torres will also assist in developing an RFP to select a future poet laureate.

Committee members expressed strong support:

• Councilman Clement praised Torres's past performance and emphasized the need to "sell" the program to the full council, noting the $5,000 is modest.
• Chairperson Ibarra commented that she felt the compensation was not enough for the value Torres provides, and hoped future poet laureates would receive more adequate funding.
• Councilman Moreno recalled his own appreciation for poetry.

Torres clarified that about half of the $5,000 goes to other contracted artists for events. The committee approved the extension unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve CDBG PY 2026 Resolutions (TMP-10351): Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve CDBG Policies and Procedures (TMP-10356): Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve Poet Laureate Extension Contract (TMP-10362): Approved unanimously. The item will be forwarded to the full City Council for final approval.
• Meeting adjourned after no further business.

Note: All votes were recorded as "Aye" by all three members present.