City of Joliet Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee met Jan. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Present
Terry D’Arcy, Cesar Cardenas, Elaine Bottomley, Warren Dorris, Nora Gruenberg, Jen Howard, Hugh O’Hara, Doug Pryor, Steven Randich, Jim Roolf, Theresa Rouse, Diana Viveros, Boise Walker and Damon Zdunich
Absent Wendell Martin, Christopher Parker and Juan Rico
ALSO PRESENT: Deputy City Manager Christa Desiderio, Community Development Director Dustin Anderson, Planning Director Jayne Bernhard, Economic Development Director Paulina Martinez, Planner Raymond Heitner, Planner Francisco Jimenez, Legal Assistant Katy Fyksen, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Lauren Helland
Steve Randich appeared via Microsoft Teams.
Wendell Martin arrived at approximately 10:10 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 12-3-25
A motion was made by Nora Gruenberg, seconded by Jen Howard, to approve Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 12-3-25. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: D’Arcy, Cardenas, Bottomley, Dorris, Gruenberg, Howard, O’Hara, Pryor, Randich, Roolf, Rouse, Viveros, Walker and Zdunich
Absent: Martin, Parker and Rico
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Status Update: Topic Area Workshops TMP-9336 Planning Director Jayne Bernhard provided an overview of two topic area workshops held in December and five workshops scheduled for January, including attendance, promotion strategies, and the presentation of goals and objectives to attendees. Committee members discussed additional promotion of the workshops, highlighted a Superintendent Roundtable event, noted the enthusiasm of participants, and suggested potential roundtables with Township superintendents and County Board members. Ms. Bernhard also described Mentimeter engagement activities used at past workshops and noted that a workshop summary would be provided to the consultant.
Community Workshop #2 TMP-9337
Ms. Bernhard explained the Community Workshop #2 would take place on Thursday, February 26th at 5:00 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library Ottawa Street Branch in the Daniel Burnham room. Ms. Bernhard reported that staff were coordinating with consultants on workshop planning, marketing, and online engagement. Ms. Bernhard explained the workshop’s purposes were to introduce subareas, gather feedback on the subareas to refine design concepts, and build on the information gathered from the topic area workshops to create draft recommendations.
Subarea Plans TMP-9339
Committee members reviewed four subareas identified for study: the Louis Joliet Mall area, Ridge Road corridor, legacy east side industrial area, and the Chicago Street and McDonough Street corridors. Members provided feedback on each subarea. Discussion topics included mall occupancy and potential housing development, EV parking and production, population and commercial needs along Ridge Road, subarea site selection, the U.S. Steel location, and the potential cost of adding a fifth subarea. Ms. Bernhard noted that concepts and strategies developed for the identified subareas could be replicated in other areas of the City.
STAFF REPORTS
None
MEMBER COMMENTS
Jen Howard shared information about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation National Civics Bee competition.
Boise Walker provided information on the Ezio Community Development Services home remodel and repair program.
Wendall Marthin announced a Martin Luther King celebration would take place on Sunday, January 18th at 6 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, featuring guest speakers Reverand Dr. Charlie Dates and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.
Hugh O’Hara requested that photos from other areas of Joliet be included in the comprehensive plan documents.
Ms. Bernhard shared details about the Joliet Township High School District’s State of the District event taking place on January 29th at 5 p.m. at Joliet West.
Doug Pryor noted that the application period was open for the Will County Center for Economic Development high school internship program.
Diana Viveros highlighted the Silver Cross Community Scholarship and encouraged flu shot vaccinations.
Jim Roolf encouraged committee members to promote the topic area workshops and Community Workshop #2.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Doug Pryor, seconded by Elaine Bottomley, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: D’Arcy, Cardenas, Bottomley, Dorris, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O’Hara, Pryor, Randich, Roolf, Rouse, Viveros, Walker and Zdunich
Absent: Parker and Rico
https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2026/1/2524_M_Comprehensive_Plan_Advisory_Committee_26-01-07_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
