Summary

Joliet City Council meeting summary

JolietMay 19, 20264 min read

At a glance

Quick context to catch up fast.

Council approved multiple development and public works items, awarded several city contracts, and adopted intergovernmental agreements and a labor contract. Zoning actions included approvals for self-storage developments and a three-unit residence; a drive‑thru permit and a tattoo studio special use were also approved. The council accepted easements for water main work, authorized funding and contracts for pavement marking and other infrastructure, and approved a memorandum of understanding with a neighboring fire protection district. Appointments and historic preservation awards were announced.

Projects mentioned

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West Acres Water Main Improvement Project On-Call Development Rock Run Collection Development

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City Council Meeting

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LaborTransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceHousingUtilities

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What this means

The council approved projects and contracts that will affect local roads, utilities, public safety, and some new businesses. Approvals for zoning changes and permits mean new storage facilities, a multi‑unit residence, a drive‑thru restaurant, and a tattoo studio may move forward. The city accepted easements and funded pavement markings and other infrastructure work, and finalized a labor agreement with AFSCME that sets terms for represented employees. Intergovernmental agreements (for license‑plate readers, transit shelters, and a fire district MOU) were also authorized, which affects public safety and transit services.

Key decisions

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Adopted AFSCME, Local 440 collective bargaining agreement (Resolution 8280)
Approved special use and zoning variations for self‑storage at 1701 Drauden Road (Ordinances 18845/18846)
Approved special use for self‑storage at 2450 W. Jefferson Street (Ordinance 18848)
Approved variation to continue three‑unit residence at 201 N. William Street (Ordinance 18847)
Approved special use and variation for a tattoo studio at 81 N. Chicago Street (Ordinances 18851/18852)
Approved drive‑thru permit for Zaxby’s at 110 S. Larkin Avenue (Council Memo 270‑26)
Awarded 2026 Pavement Marking Program contract to America’s Parking Remarking, LLC ($307,416)
Awarded Joliet City Square AV background music system contract to Forte ($554,742)
Awarded 2026 Streetlight Assembly Painting Contract A to Cosgrove Construction Inc. ($84,300)
Approved purchase of interior painting for Fire Stations 1 and 9 from Smith Painting Services ($67,062)
Approved purchase of traffic barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group Sales LLC ($126,344.06)
Approved Change Order No. 3 for Lead Service Line Replacement Phase 4 to Stip Bros. Excavating Inc. ($89,410)
Accepted ComEd easement agreements for Glenwood/West Acres water main improvement projects
Authorized intergovernmental agreement for placement of license plate reading cameras on county highways (Resolution 8284)
Authorized intergovernmental agreement with Pace regarding transit shelters (Resolution 8288)
Authorized Regular 2025 Justice Assistance Grant IGA with Will County (Resolution 8283)
Adopted ordinance and resolution vacating portion of Breen Road and accepting related utility easement (Ordinance 18849 / Resolution 8279)
Approved plat of vacation for drainage and city utility easement along former Bridge Road right‑of‑way (Ordinance 18850)
Authorized MOU between Joliet Fire Department and East Side Joliet Fire Protection District (Resolution 8282)
Accepted Joliet Historic Preservation Commission 2025 annual report and presented historic preservation awards
Appointed and reappointed members to boards and commissions (Historic Preservation Commission, Joliet Public Library Board, Committee on Citizens with Disabilities, Tree Advisory Board)

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Meeting information

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City Council Meeting

May 19, 2026, 12:00 AMCity Hall, Council Chambersscheduled

Agenda

Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov.
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:
ROLL CALL:
PRESENTATION:
Annual Update on Historic Preservation Activities, Projects, and Initiatives - Presented by Jayne Bernhard, Planning Director
MAYOR:
Proclamation Presenting the Owners of 408 Whitney Avenue the 21st Annual Joliet Historic Preservation Award
Proclamation Presenting the George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club at 226 East Clinton Street the 21st Annual Joliet Historic Preservation Award
Proclamation Presenting the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church at 416 North Chicago Street the 21st Annual Joliet Historic Preservation Award
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS:
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the City Council does not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the Council shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
APPOINTMENTS:
Reappointments to the Joliet Public Library Board
Appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission
Reappointment to the Committee on Citizens with Disabilities
Reappointments to the Tree Advisory Board
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CONSENT AGENDA:
Invoices to be Paid
Purchase of Interior Wall Painting and Sanding Services for Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 9 from Smith Painting Services in the Amount of $67,062.00
Award of Contract for the 2026 Streetlight Assembly Painting Project - Contract A to Cosgrove Construction Inc., in the Amount of $84,300.00
Award of Contract for the 2026 Pavement Marking Program - MFT Section No. 26-00575-00-ST to America’s Parking Remarking, LLC in the Amount of $307,416.00
Approval of Purchase of Traffic Barriers from Meridian Rapid Defense Group Sales LLC in the Amount of $126,344.06
Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Strand Associates Inc., International Code Council (ICC) and HR Green, for On-Call Development Review for the Rock Run Collection Development
Approval of Change Order No. 3 for the Lead Service Line Replacement Phase 4 Contract to Stip Bros. Excavating Inc. in the Amount of $89,410.00
Award of Contract to VideoTec for Five-Year Renewal of Genetec Advantage Support Agreement in the Amount of $83,872.00
Award of Contract to CDWG for Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure Subscription, Licensing and Hardware Support Renewal in the Amount of $101,687.68
Award of Contract to Heartland Business Systems for VMWare Annual Renewal in the Amount of $66,014.08
Award of Contract to Avolve for the Three-Year Renewal of ProjectDox Premium Bundle in the Amount of $129,210.00
Award of Contract to Forte for the Joliet City Square - AV Background Music System Project in the Amount of $554,742.00
Approval of Minutes
LICENSES AND PERMIT APPLICATIONS:
Application for a Drive Thru Permit for a Zaxby’s Restaurant at 110 S. Larkin Avenue
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
ORDINANCES:
Ordinances Associated with the Development of 1701 Drauden Road Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to Allow a Self-Storage Facility, Located at 1701 Drauden Road (ZBA 2025-51) Ordinance Approving a Variation of Use to Allow a B-3 (general business) use in the B-1 (neighborhood business) Zoning District, Located at 1701 Drauden Road (ZBA 2025-52)
Ordinance Approving a Variation of Use to Allow the Continuation of a Three-Unit Residence, an R-4 (Multi-Family Residential) Use, in the R-2 (Single-Family Residential) Zoning District, Located at 201 N. William Street (ZBA 2026-22)
Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to Allow a Self-Storage Facility, Located at 2450 W. Jefferson Street (ZBA 2026-16)
Ordinance and Resolution Associated with the Vacation of a Portion of Breen Road Ordinance Approving a Vacation of 76,289 Square Feet of Breen Road, East of Route 53 (V-2-26) Resolution Accepting the Dedication of a Public Utility Easement along Breen Road, East of Illinois Route 53
Ordinance Proposing the Creation of a Business District in the City of Joliet, Will and Kendall Counties, Illinois, and Fixing the Date and Time for a Public Hearing in Connection with the Same (Rock Run Collection Business District)
Ordinance Approving a Plat of Vacation for a 3.788-Acre Drainage and City Utility Easement Along the Former Bridge Road Right-of-Way South of Gladys Avenue and North of Noel Road
Ordinances Associated with the Tenant Space at 81 N. Chicago Street Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to Allow a Tattoo Studio, Located at 81 N. Chicago Street (ZBA 2026-13) Ordinance Approving a Variation of Use to Allow a B-3 (General Business) Zoning District Use in the B-2 (Central Business) Zoning District, Located at 81 N. Chicago Street (ZBA 2026-14)
RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution Accepting and Placing on File the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report for 2025
Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Joliet and AFSCME, Local 440
Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) Between the City of Joliet Fire Department and the East Side Joliet Fire Protection District
Resolution Appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the 2026 Pavement Marking Program - MFT Section No. 26-00575-00-ST
Resolution Requesting Authorization to enter into a Regular 2025 Justice Assistance Grant Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Joliet and Will County
Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the County of Will for the Placement of License Plate Reading Cameras Located on County Highways
Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Pace Regarding Transit Shelters
Resolution Accepting an Easement Agreement from ComEd for the Glenwood and West Acres Water Main Improvement Project (Glenwood Avenue, Just East of Hammes Avenue)
Resolution Accepting an Easement Agreement from ComEd for the Glenwood and West Acres Water Main Improvement Project (Oneida Street, Just East of Hammes Avenue)
CITY MANAGER:
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the City Council does not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the Council shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact The City Clerk Office, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Live, online streaming of Regular City Council and Pre-Council meetings is now available at www.joliet.gov. Videos and agenda packets can be accessed by clicking on the Meetings & Agendas link at the center of the home page for "Joliet City Council E-Agenda & Streaming Video." The new page includes archived footage and interactive agendas available for the public to view at their convenience.
Communication, Technology & Information Systems
Father Chris Groh, Chaplain for the Joliet Fire and Police Departments
Diversity & Community Relations
Finance
Public Service
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Beth Beatty and Interim Assistant Corporation Counsel Stephanie Silkey
Consent Agenda Items Approved
Agenda Item

Joliet City Council meeting summary

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