Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Land Use & Legislative Committee met Oct. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members

Councilman Terry Morris

Councilman Joe Clement

Councilwoman Jan Quillman

ROLL CALL

Present

Councilman Terry Morris, Councilwoman Jan Quillman and Councilman Joe Clement

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Councilman Joe Clement, seconded by Councilwoman Jan Quillman, to approve the Land Use & Legislative Committee Minutes from September 23, 2022. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Councilman Morris, Councilwoman Quillman and Councilman Clement

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 Committee members do 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 meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.

Ms. Christine Bright, Vice-Chair of the Will County Progessives, read a letter into the record regarding the Civilian Review Board.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, SECTION 22 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES (AMENDING SECTIONS REGARDING DOG RUNNING AT LARGE)

Mr. Regis gave the Committee background information about the proposed ordinance amendment pertaining to dogs running at large.

Ms. Jamie McKeen, Officer from Joliet Township Animal Control, appeared before the Committee to answer questions.

Councilwoman Quillman feels this ordinance is necessary. She questioned what happens to dogs after they are impounded. Ms. McKeen answered her questions.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Jan Quillman, seconded by Councilman Joe Clement, to recommend for approval by the City Council the Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, Section 22 of the Code of Ordinances (Amending Sections Regarding Dog Running at Large). The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Councilman Morris, Councilwoman Quillman and Councilman Clement

CDBG REALLOCATION--ST. JOHN'S JOLIET SURVEY

Ms. Jayne Bernhard, Planner, gave the Committee background information about the CDBG Reallocation for the St. John's Joliet Survey.

Councilwoman Quillman had concerns about the deadline.

Councilman Morris asked where the funds will be coming from. Ms. Kristi McNichol, Neighborhood Services, explained where the funds will come from. A motion was made by Councilman Joe Clement, seconded by Councilwoman Jan Quillman, to recommend for approval by the City Council the CDBG Reallocation--St. John's Joliet Survey, with the condition that it is completed by February 28, 2023. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Councilman Morris, Councilwoman Quillman and Councilman Clement

UPDATE ON CDBG-CV DOLLARS (Presentation)

Ms. Kristi McNichol gave a presentation to the Committee with an update on CDBG-CV Dollars.

Councilman Morris asked about the community infrastructure for the housing assistance and where that money would go. Ms. McNichol responded.

Councilwoman Quillman asked what the plan was for Holsten Properties to tear down the wooden apartments. Ms. McNichol responded.

Councilwoman Quillman asked Ms. Elizabeth Protich, Holsten, what she would do with the $27,000. Ms. Protich responded about all of the services they provide.

HONORARY STREET NAME CHANGE FOR LIEUTENANT GEORGE HERNANDEZ FOR PORTION OF COLLINS STREET (BETWEEN IRVING STREET AND WARD AVENUE)

Mr. Jim Torri, Planning Director, gave the Committee background information about the honorary street name change request for Lieutenant George Hernandez located on a portion of Collins Street (between Irving Street and Ward Avenue).

A motion was made by Councilman Joe Clement, seconded by Councilwoman

Jan Quillman, to approve the Honorary Street Name Change for Lieutenant George Hernandez for Portion of Collins Street (Between Irving Street and Ward Avenue). The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Councilman Morris, Councilwoman Quillman and Councilman Clement

CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD

Mr. Chris Regis, Deputy Corporation Counsel, gave background information about the Civilian Review Board.

Police Chief William Evans spoke to the Committee about the reasons why this type of board is not necessary. There are already several layers of oversight and review in place internally and externally. He went into greater detail about them.

Councilwoman Quillman said this was tabled until the Police Chief was hired. Chief Evans has been here for 8 months now.

Ms. Christine Bright, Will County Progressives, spoke in favor of having a Civilian Review Board.

There was brief discussion about page 6 and page 8 in the proposed ordinance. Mr. Karl Ferrell, Joliet resident, spoke in favor of having a Civilian Review Board.

Councilman Clement thanked everyone for working on this. He agrees with what the Chief said and said there are plenty of safeguards therefore he can not support this action item.

Councilwoman Quillman agreed with Councilman Clement. She would like to see how everything works with everything else that is already in place.

Councilman Clement complimented the Chief as well.

Councilman Morris said the Chief and his leadership staff have been doing a wonderful job. His personal opinion was not to go after the Police but he wanted to see the community have trust in the Police Department. He felt this would have been one more layer.

There was no motion, therefore this item fails.

NEW OR OLD BUSINESS - NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT

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 Committee members do 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 meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.

Mr. Ferrell commented on his disappointment that the Civilian Review Board did not pass.

Ms. Bright commented on her disappointment of the outcome of the Civilian Review Board.

Ms. Nicole Lurry, Joliet resident, commented on her disappointment of the outcome of the Civilian Review Board.

Ms. Tycee Bell, 3101 Heritage Drive, Joliet, commented on her disappointment of the outcome of the Civilian Review Board.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Councilwoman Jan Quillman, seconded by Councilman Joe Clement, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Councilman Morris, Councilwoman Quillman and Councilman Clement

https://joliet.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1001945&GUID=DC30E8EF-2131-4C99-BB82-6B7899565917