Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Committee on Citizens with Disabilities met Sept. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ROLL CALL

Present: Chairperson Tony Arellano, Pam Heavens, Kim Hudgens, Gary Jones, Riley Spreadburry , Steven Voight and John Jamontas

Absent: Billie Jo Adams, Veronica Pollard and Sherry Voight

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

These minutes were approved.

Approval of Meeting Minutes from 8/20/2024

A motion was made by Kim Hudgens, seconded by Steven Voight, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-7729: Approval of Meeting Minutes from 8/20/2024. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Chairperson Arellano, Heavens, Hudgens, Jones, Spreadburry, Voight and Jamontas

Absent: Adams, Pollard and Voight

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

NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION

Discussion: ADA Transition Plan Updates

City of Joliet's Deputy Director of Engineering Sean Mikos joins the discussion to update the Committee on the ADA Transition Plan - including the ongoing sidewalk programs and the progress made. With ongoing water and sewer projects currently underway, some areas of City sidewalks may be delayed. The budget and capacity constraints are discussed, as well as the prioritization of available funding.

Discussion: Disability Resource Center/Accessibility Survey

The Committee discussed the possibility of working with Disability Resource Center to offer an accessibility survey. This survey may provide the opportunity to get more input from those with disabilities to share trained and personalized recommendations, beyond the ADA compliance standards. The topic of CitizenVue is brought up as a way for residents to communicate concerns to the City. The Committee requests more information/resources to be shared with them on this service.

Discussion: Housing Accessibility & Affordability for Persons with Disabilities.

The Committee discusses the need for accessible and affordable housing, and the difficulty those with disabilities face to find and keep housing. Rising rent costs and substandard housing units are discussed. The Committee requests involving the Housing Authority of Joliet to be present in future discussions. Discussion: Accessible Playgrounds - Joliet Park District

The Committee discusses accessible playgrounds, and lack of inclusive playgrounds within the City. The high cost to create these playgrounds is brought up as a concern. It is discussed to attend the Joliet Park District meetings to promote the need within the community.

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.

None

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Riley Spreadburry , to adjourn COUNCIL MEMO #[FILE_NR]: [FILE_TITLE]. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Chairperson Arellano, Heavens, Hudgens, Jones, Spreadburry, Voight and Jamontas

Absent: Adams, Pollard and Voight

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2024/9/2198_M_Committee_on_Citizens_with_Disabilities_24-09-17_Meeting_Minutes.pdf