Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Committee on Citizens with Disabilities met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ROLL CALL

Present Billie Jo Adams, Chairperson Tony Arellano, Kim Hudgens, Gary Jones, Veronica Pollard, Riley Spreadburry , Sherry Voight, Steven Voight and John Jamontas

Absent Pam Heavens

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Kim Hudgens, to approve the Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Minutes-10/17/23. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adams, Chairperson Arellano, Hudgens, Jones, Pollard, Spreadburry, Voight, Voight and Jamontas

Absent: Heavens

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.

None.

HUMAN RESOURCES: PRESENTATION HIRING PRACTICES & OUTREACH EFFORTS TO CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES

Ms. Krystal Walsh, Senior HR Generalist, gave the Committee a presentation on the hiring practices and outreach efforts to citizens with disabilities at the City of Joliet.

Ms. Pollard explained her experience with Senior Services. She feels people with disabilities need to have opportunities.

Ms. Walsh explained how the application process has changed over the years at the City.

Ms. Spreadbury spoke about her experience with past jobs and being in a wheelchair. It does start with the education of the workplace.

Ms. Hudgens asked if the City provides any training for hiring managers. Ms. Walsh responded.

PUBLIC WORKS: UPDATE ON PUBLIC ACCESS & RIGHT-OF-WAY PLAN

Mr. Sean Mikos, Deputy Director of Public Works, gave the Committee an update on public access and the right-of-way plan with a Powerpoint presentation.

Chairman Arellano asked if there is a measure taken to ensure the sidewalks will last longer than 5 years. Mr. Mikos responded.

Ms. Spreadbury had a few questions that Mr. Mikos answered.

Ms. Voight spoke about a bad sidewalk on Hammes where a woman fell and was injured. Ms. Pollard asked if there is a timeline for the project. Mr. Mikos responded.

The Committee requested another update in the future.

DISCUSSION: DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH, MARCH 2024

Chairman Arellano spoke about developmental disability awareness month in March. The other part of March is how they interact with police.

NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION

CHAIRMAN ARELLANO REPORT ON MAYOR INITIATIVES No discussion.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING DISCUSSION

Chairman Arellano spoke about accessible parking and the need to keep the parking spaces available for the people that need them.

Ms. Pollard added that she had a conversation with a concerned citizen about people parking in accessible parking. When the officers issue a ticket and it goes to court, the court system drops it. The court system needs to enforce it.

There was further discussion regarding accessible parking.

Ms. Spreadbury spoke about her experiences with parking and being unable to deploy her ramp so she is either stuck inside the car or outside of the car.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Chairman Arellano would like to have the meetings put on television.

In the future he would like to skip the meetings in December and January due to potential weather events.

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.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Billie Jo Adams, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adams, Chairperson Arellano, Hudgens, Jones, Pollard, Spreadburry, Voight, Voight and Jamontas

Absent: Heavens

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2024/2/2096_M_Committee_on_Citizens_with_Disabilities_24-02-20_Meeting_Minutes.pdf