City of Joliet Land Use & Legislative Committee met April 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
ROLL CALL
Present Terry Morris, Jan Hallums Quillman and Herb Lande
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Herb Lande, seconded by Jan Hallums Quillman, to approve Minutes from the March 10, 2021 Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Lande
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS
NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov “Public Comments” web page.
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding items listed on the agenda. Anyone speaking on an agenda item is entitled to speak for a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff and the Land Use & Legislative Committee do not generally respond to public comments. Please note speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the Land Use & Legislative Committee shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
LIQUOR CODE AMENDMENTS
Mr. Regis gave the Committee background information about the liquor code amendments.
There was brief discussion about the options. Mr. Regis responded to the Committee's questions.
A motion was made by Herb Lande, seconded by Jan Hallums Quillman, to approve Liquor Code Amendments. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Lande
ORDINANCE 4-34.1 TO ALLOW SALES OF SINGLE SERVINGS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM LIQUOR STORES
Mr. Regis gave the Committee background information about the single serve alcohol ordinance.
Councilman Morris explained the discussion that took place when the proposed amendment went before the Economic Development Committee. It was referred at that time to the Land Use & Legislative Committee.
A motion was made by Herb Lande, seconded by Terry Morris, to approve Ordinance 4-34.1 to Allow Sales of Single Servings of Alcoholic Beverages from Liquor Stores. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Morris and Lande
Nay: Hallums Quillman
PROHIBITED OPEN BURNING
Mr. Regis gave background information about prohibited open burning.
There was minor discussion.
A motion was made by Jan Hallums Quillman, seconded by Herb Lande, to approve Prohibited Open Burning. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Lande
SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL INSPECTIONS
Mr. Regis gave background information about the single-family rental inspections. This item was considered before and was approved by the Land Use & Legislative Committee. Before it moved to the City Council it was suggested that some meetings take place. Some meetings did take place and it became clear at that meeting that everybody's position at that meeting was universal registration of all rental properties in Joliet would be required under a framework moving forward. Some people want all of those single-family rentals subject to inspections. There are also people that are very opposed to universal inspections of single-family rentals. The recommendation from the Legal Department is that any decision that is made has to be data/fact driven. The essential first step is universal registration of all rentals including single-family so that it is known exactly how many there are.
Ms. Tonya Rand, resident of Joliet, appeared before the Committee in opposition to the proposal for single-family rental inspections.
Mr. Quinn Adamowski, 520 Knox Place, appeared before the Committee in favor of the proposal for single-family rental inspections.
Mr. Neil Malone, CEO of Three Rivers Association of Realtors, appeared before the Committee in opposition to the proposal for single-family rental inspections.
Ms. Ibarra spoke about pictures that she has seen of the inside of affordable housing homes and it is horrendous. She stated she is in favor of the proposal for single-family rental inspections.
Mr. Eddie Ruettiger, President of the Three Rivers Association of Realtors, appeared before the Committee in opposition to the proposal for single-family rental inspections.
Mr. Jerry Hervey appeared before the Committee in favor of the proposal. Mr. Adamowski spoke again about the need for the inspection program.
Mr. Britt Enix, Vice-President of the Joliet Regional Landlord's Association, appeared before the Committee and stated they were never notified of the past meetings to discuss the proposal. He suggested the meeting happen again and invite everyone that should be included. Mr. Enix spoke in opposition to the program.
Mr. Adamowski said he was the president of the Cathedral Area Preservation Association for 3 years. During that time this issue constantly came up.
Mr. Regis said universal registration licensing was agreed to in some form by everyone.
Councilman Lande asked how to start the first step of getting universal licensing. Mr. Regis responded by requiring registration.
Councilman Lande asked if there is an opposition of listing properties for people that are with landlords. Ms. Rand responded.
Mr. D'Andre Smith, member of the Three Rivers Association and the Landlord's Association, explained his duties as a security officer pertaining to case work. He has many questions pertaining to the proposed program.
Councilman Morris said they do not want to penalize anyone.
Councilman Morris feels another meeting is needed. Mr. Regis said he will put something together and have it ready for the next meeting.
Ms. Jimmie Faywright Cartwright, landlord, appeared before the Committee in opposition to the proposed single-family rental inspection. She suggested another meeting be had to allow all of the landlords and others to speak.
Councilwoman Quillman thought that everyone had already met and came to a conclusion but that must not have happened. Mr. Adamowski spoke about who attended the meeting that already took place and said there does not need to be another meeting because no one will ever agree.
Ms. Cartwright wanted to know what residents are asking for this program. She also feels it is not fair because all of the players have not been invited to the table.
POLICE DEPARTMENT CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD
Mr. Regis gave the Committee some background information with the newest revisions that have been made to the proposed Police Department Citizen Advisory Board.
Councilman Lande feels the newest revisions are good and he feels confident to send it to the full City Council for action.
Councilman Morris made a few comments about the amendments. Mr. Regis responded.
Mr. Karl Ferrell asked if the Police Chief reviewed the newest document with the revisions. Councilman Morris thought she did.
Mr. Ferrell said they would like the opportunity to speak with the Chief before the proposal is passed. He also stated his opposition to one of the revisions.
Councilman Morris said if a complaint comes in then the Advisory Board would just review that current complaint and not what the officer might have done in the past.
Mr. Regis responded the reason the limiting language is present is to ensure that whatever the board is looking into is limited to relevant evidence. Mr. Ferrell responded.
Mr. Regis explained the phases of any investigation.
Ms. Christine Bright, Will County Progressives Board Member and Joliet citizen, appeared before the Committee suggesting the item be tabled and to establish a Planning Committee first. She explained in further detail what a Planning Committee would do.
Ms. Suzanna Ibarra agreed with Ms. Bright's recommendations and also expressed her thoughts about the reasons the board is necessary.
Councilman Lande said he is happy to table the proposal to continue the research and come up with the best solution.
Councilwoman Quillman said she would like to see the Chief of Police in attendance as well as the Command Staff to get more input.
Mr. Jerry Hervey expressed his concern with one of the amendments.
Councilman Morris responded.
Ms. Bright said they have met with Chief Malec and she agrees that there should be an Advisory Board but she was not clear on the procedural parts of it. That is why Ms. Bright is recommending a sub-committee that can go through all of the procedural items.
A motion was made by Herb Lande, seconded by Jan Hallums Quillman, to table the Police Department Citizen Advisory Board. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Lande
PET STORE
Mr. Regis, Inspector General, gave the Committee some background information about the updates to the ordinance.
Ms. Peggy Grandall, Ryehill Drive, Joliet, appeared before the Committee requesting support from the Committee on the proposed addition to the municipal code regarding the sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits by pet stores. She gave further background information about the ordinance.
Ms. Morgan Mason, Westminster Road, Joliet, appeared before the Committee requesting approval of the proposed ordinance revisions.
Ms. Raquel Melendez, Joliet, appeared before the Committee requesting approval of the proposed ordinance revisions.
Councilwoman Quillman said the reason they added rabbits is because at Easter time people are buying rabbits for their families and when they find out they can't take care of them they are dumping them which is inhumane.
Councilman Morris stated his concern that everyone had an opportunity to speak for or against the ordinance before and he feels they should have that same opportunity again. Therefore he would like to see this item be tabled.
Councilwoman Quillman said the issue was with Furry Babies 4 years ago. They are no longer in business at the mall, therefore Joliet should revise the ordinance now.
Councilman Lande requested more information. Ms. Grandall explained in further detail.
A motion was made by Terry Morris, seconded by Herb Lande, to table Pet Land Use & Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2021 Store. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Morris and Lande
Nay: Hallums Quillman
NEW OR OLD BUSINESS - NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION
Councilman Lande inquired about the alley closure. Mr. Regis responded there was talk of sending it back to the Land Use & Legislative Committee.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov “Public Comments” web page.
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 Land Use & Legislative Committee do not generally respond to public comments. Please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the Committee shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Jan Hallums Quillman, seconded by Herb Lande, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Morris, Hallums Quillman and Lande
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