Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, March 5, 2025 10:00 AM City Hall, Council Chambers Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Committee Members: Mayor Terry D'Arcy Councilman Cesar Cardenas Elaine Bottomley Warren Dorris Nora Gruenberg Jen Howard Wendell Martin Hugh O'Hara Christopher Parker Doug Pryor Steve Randich Juan Rico Jim Roolf Dr. Theresa Rouse Diana Viveros Boise Walker Damon Zdunich Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2025 Page 1 of 1 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2025 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present Cesar Cardenas, Elaine Bottomley, Nora Gruenberg, Jen Howard, Hugh O'Hara, Doug Pryor, Theresa Rouse, Diana Viveros, Damon Zdunich, Terry D'Arcy, Warren Dorris, Juan Rico, Jim Roolf and Boise Walker Absent Wendell Martin, Steven Randich and Christopher Parker Mr. Martin and Mr. Parker arrived at approximately 10:05 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS Kathy Garthus spoke about truck traffic. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS a. Welcome and Introductions Mayor Terry D’Arcy welcomed the Committee members and discussed the Comprehensive Plan. Committee members, Deputy City Manager Christa Desiderio, City Clerk Lauren O'Hara, Community Development Director Dustin Anderson, and Planner Jayne Bernhard introduced themselves and explained what excites them about the planning project and the advisory committee. Ms. Bernhard introduced other City of Joliet staff members who were present, including: Economic Development Director Paulina Martinez, Interim Corporation Counsel Todd Lenzie, Planner Raymond Heitner, Legal Assistant Katy Fyksen, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Lauren Helland. City Manager Beth Beatty and Deputy Director of Engineering Sean Mikos arrived later during the meeting. b. Roles and Responsibilities of Comprehensive Plan TMP-8296 Advisory Committee Members Attachments: Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Description.docx Ms. Bernhard explained the Committee’s roles and responsibilities. There were no questions or comments from the Committee. Page 1 of 4 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2025 c. Overview of Project TMP-8297 Attachments: City of Joliet Comprehensive Plan_LJC Scope of Work.pdf Ms. Bernhard discussed the Comprehensive Plan, public outreach and engagement, types of meetings, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, subconsultants, final document deliverables, project phases, and project timeline. d. Economic Analysis (prepared by Urban3) TMP-8298 Attachments: Economic Analysis - Approved Scope of Work - Urban3.pdf Ms. Bernhard provided an overview of Urban 3’s economic analysis project. Councilman Cesar Cardenas inquired about the economic analysis project’s completion date. Ms. Bernhard responded. Mr. Anderson discussed Promenade Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jim Roolf spoke about the Joliet Will County Center for Economic Development, Fort Wayne, and Urban 3 visuals. Mayor D’Arcy discussed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods grant, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) study, vertical housing, and truck traffic. Warren Dorris and Mr. Lenzie spoke about a comprehensive plan ordinance. In response to Christopher Parker’s inquiry, Ms. Bernhard explained the timeframe and meeting frequency of the working groups. Ms. Bernhard responded to Mayor D’Arcy’s question about who defines the working groups and topics. e. Adoption of Bylaws for the Comprehensive Plan Advisory TMP-8299 Committee Attachments: Proposed CPAC Bylaws.docx Boise Walker commented that she did not see the bylaws as an attachment and therefore did not review them. There were no other questions or comments from the Committee. A motion was made by Nora Gruenberg, seconded by Doug Pryor, to approve Adoption of Bylaws for the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. The motion carried by the following vote: Page 2 of 4 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2025 Aye: Cardenas, Bottomley, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Pryor, Rouse, Viveros, Zdunich, D'Arcy, Dorris, Parker, Rico and Roolf Absent: Randich Abstain: Walker f. Election of Chair A motion was made by Warren Dorris, seconded by Christopher Parker, to appoint Jim Roolf as Chair. There were no questions or comments from the Committee. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Cardenas, Bottomley, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Pryor, Rouse, Viveros, Zdunich, D'Arcy, Dorris, Parker, Rico, Roolf and Walker Absent: Randich g. Election of Vice-Chair A motion was made by Damon Zdunich, seconded by Theresa Rouse, to appoint Wendell Martin to Vice-Chair. There were no questions or comments from the Committee. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Cardenas, Bottomley, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Pryor, Rouse, Viveros, Zdunich, D'Arcy, Dorris, Parker, Rico, Roolf and Walker Absent: Randich STAFF REPORTS Ms. Bernhard explained a group picture would be taken after the meeting. Ms. Bernhard highlighted a project branding questionnaire and an updated calendar invite . Ms. Bernhard explained the consultant firm, Muse, would discuss project branding at two meetings in April and clarified agenda packets would be posted for the meetings. MEMBER COMMENTS Mr. Roolf thanked the Committee for their vote and highlighted thinking about the City at large. There was a discussion about school buildings relating to economic development, a past referendum, school open houses prior to demolition, and a school community building located in Lombard. In response to the Committee’s comments and questions, a discussion was held regarding zoning codes, evaluation of maintenance obligation, Grand Prairie Water Commission, and Page 3 of 4 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2025 building codes. A discussion was held regarding the HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant, downtown floodplain, River Edge Redevelopment Zone tax credit, and I-80 Des Plaines River Bridge Community Plan. In response to the Committee’s comments and questions, there was a discussion about existing housing stock and housing diversity. PUBLIC COMMENT Kathy Garthus spoke about truck traffic and annexation. Mayor D’Arcy introduced Betty Washington as a member of the previous Quality of Life Plan committee and highlighted past studies. Ms. Bernhard explained past planning studies were available on the City’s website. Mr. Anderson and Ms. Bernhard explained past planning studies were provided to Lamar Johnson Collaborative and were evaluated by City of Joliet staff. Ms. Washington spoke about the Quality of Life Plan. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Doug Pryor, seconded by Elaine Bottomley, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Cardenas, Bottomley, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Pryor, Rouse, Viveros, Zdunich, D'Arcy, Dorris, Parker, Rico, Roolf and Walker Absent: Randich 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. Page 4 of 4