Joliet council previews multiple contracts and appointments for Wednesday; votes to enter closed session

The City of Joliet’s city manager reviewed a slate of appointments, contracts and ordinances slated for the May 20 council meeting and the council later voted to go into closed session at the May 19 pre-council workshop.

In a briefing of actionable items, the city manager listed multiple appointments (Historic Preservation Commission, Arts Commission, Fire Police Commission, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Tree Advisory Board and the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority/Rialto Theater) and proposed contract awards and purchases. Notable items on the upcoming agenda included:

- Annual VMware renewal to Heartland Business Systems: $59,730.88. - Granicus products, services renewal and upfront implementation costs: $583,225.73 to be paid over three years. - School-zone flasher materials (order 1) to Mobotrex Inc.: $41,597. - Insurance brokerage services to Alliant Insurance Services: $40,500. - Phase 1 engineering services for the Abe Street Bridge over Spring Creek to Willett Hoffman and Associates: $38,782 (and a related amendment showing a deduction of $14,035.08 and a final payment request of $6,335.45). - Purchase of water metering equipment from Core & Main LP: $42,300. - 24-inch check valves from LAI & Associates, Inc.: $36,300. - John Deere mower assembly from Shorewood Home and Auto: $122,644.38. - Purchase and installation of three 1-ton dump bodies from Henderson Products: $162,424. - Change orders and schedule adjustments for the 2024 sidewalk/curb replacement projects (Central Joliet and Far West Side) with Deconstruction Inc.

The city manager also previewed two ordinances: a variation of use at 470 South Hames Avenue to allow wholesale business in a B-1 zoning district, and a special use permit for a cellular communications tower and ground equipment at 2500 Brandon Road. Resolutions included acceptance of a permanent utility easement for Heggie Park Phase 1 water-main work; appropriation of motor fuel tax funds for Abe Street Bridge engineering; approval of a $200,000 Will County Community Mental Health Board grant to fund the community mental health program; and a request to close State Route 171 for the 2025 Mexican Independence Day Parade.

Council members also discussed potential conflicts involving a newly seated council member employed by Austin Tyler. A councilmember asked that items tied to Austin Tyler be removed from the consent agenda so the new member could recuse, and staff confirmed those items will be pulled from consent going forward.

Later in the meeting, a motion and second were made to go into closed session “to discuss personnel, collective bargaining, land acquisition or conveyance, pending or threatened litigation,” after which the meeting would adjourn. The motion passed on a verbal roll-call with the following recorded votes: Councilman Cardenas, aye; Councilman Clement, aye; Councilman Hugg, aye; Councilwoman Abara, aye; Councilman Moreno, aye; Councilman Mudrin, aye; Councilwoman Quillman, aye. No further action was taken on the public record at the pre-council workshop.

The items previewed will appear on the full council agenda the following day for formal consideration and recorded votes.