City of Wilmington City Council met Jan. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
MAYOR BEN DIETZ CALLED TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE WILMINGTON CITY COUNCIL AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
After the pledge of allegiance, the following answered to Roll Call: Alderpersons Kevin Kirwin, Marty Orr, Dennis Vice, Ryan Knight, Rachel Conforti, Jonathan Mietzner, Todd Holmes, and Thomas Smith. The number present constitutes a quorum.
Also present: Attorney Bryan Wellner, City Administrator Jeannine Smith, Finance Director Nancy Gross, Public Works Director James Gretencord, Police Chief Adam Zink.
CITIZENS COMMENT
No public comments were made.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Dietz administered the oath of office to Police Officer Jeremy Bailey.
Mayor Dietz announced that Taco Bell has petitioned the City to construct a new building on south Water Street. The public hearing is scheduled for the February 5, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from January 6, 2026
B. Approve the Accounts Payable Report
C. Approve the Will County Governmental League 2026 Membership for $6,895.70
D. Approve & Authorize the Mayor to execute a loan agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for the purpose of constructing a backup municipal well
E. Approve the Shallow Creek Kennels, Inc., quote for $16,600
F. Approve and execute the Illinois Community Solar Subscription Agreement with SunCentral LLC
G. Approve Resolution No. 2026-01, a resolution authorizing the city administrator to enter into a contract for the purchase of electricity from the lowest cost electricity provider for the purposes of commercial accounts through the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative bid process
H. Approve the mezzanine buildout at the Water Reclamation Plant at the estimated cost of $5,000
I. Approve the Xylem quotes for $18,018
J. Approve the Joliet Electric Motors quote for $8,490
K. Approve the purchase of the Miller Multimatic Welder for $4,693
Alderperson Kirwin made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to approve the Consent Agenda except for D. Approve & Authorize the Mayor to execute a loan agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for the purpose of constructing a backup municipal well which will be moved to Order of Business for the January 20, 2026, City Council meeting
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Kirwin, Mietzner, Orr, Conforti, Vice, Smith, Holmes, Knight
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Alderperson Orr made a motion, and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the purchase of two Ford Regular Cab Pick Up Trucks for $46,289.63 each from Rob Baker Ford
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Orr, Knight, Holmes, Kirwin, Mietzner, Conforti, Vice, Smith
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Alderperson Mietzner made a motion, and Alderperson Smith seconded to approve the purchase of one Chevy Extended Cab Pick Up Truck for $49,930.63 from Arnie Bauer Chevrolet
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Mietzner, Smith, Orr, Knight, Holmes, Kirwin, Conforti, Vice
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Alderperson Mietzner made a motion and Alderperson Conforti seconded to Approve & Authorize the Mayor to execute a loan agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for the purpose of constructing a backup municipal well
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Mietzner, Conforti, Kirwin, Orr, Vice, Smith, Holmes, Knight
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION FROM CITY OFFICIALS
City Attorney – Bryan Wellner – the issue regarding multiple families residing at 205 School Street, an industrial type building, is nearly resolved, with only one person left. However, it has been reported that this individual will vacate the property soon.
City Administrator – Jeannine Smith – reported that the engineer working on the Forked Creek bridge replacement project since 2012 has retired, so another engineer has been assigned. The State is requesting that we hold a public hearing to present the plans for the bridge to the public so they can move us to the next level.
Finance Director – Nancy Gross – No Report
Public Works Director – James Gretencord – No Report
Chief of Police – Adam Zink – No Report
ALDERPERSON COMMENTS
Alderperson Kirwin – No Comment
Alderperson Orr – announced that the Park District will decide on the two individuals who will serve on the Committee for the Civic Center at their upcoming meeting, and hopes to have their first meeting in the first or second week of February.
Alderperson Vice – No Comment
Alderperson Knight – No Comment
Alderperson Conforti – No Comment
Alderperson Mietzner – No Comment
Alderperson Holmes – No Comment
Alderperson Smith – No Comment
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Holmes seconded to go into Executive Session at 7:13 PM to discuss collective negotiating matters between the City of Wilmington (public body) and its employees [ILCS 120/2(c)(2)] and Probable or Imminent Litigation and Pending Litigation [ILCS 2(c)(11)]
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Holmes, Kirwin, Knight, Jeffries, Mietzner, Smith, Conforti
NAYS: 0
The motion carried.
Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Holmes seconded to close Executive Session at 7:26 PM
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 Vice, Holmes, Mietzner, Conforti, Kirwin, Smith, Knight, Jeffries
NAYS: 0
The motion carried
ACTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderperson Kirwin and seconded by Alderperson Holmes. Upon the voice vote, the motion carried. The City of Wilmington City Council’s regular meeting on January 20, 2026, adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
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