Will County Gazette

City of Wilmington City Council met May 6.

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, Dennis Vice, Ryan Knight, Rachel Conforti, Jonathan Mietzner, and Thomas Smith. Alderpersons Jeffries and Holmes were absent. The number present constitutes a quorum.

Also present: Attorney Bryan Wellner, City Administrator Jeannine Smith, Finance Director Nancy Gross, Public Works Director James Gretencord, Chief of Police Adam Zink, and Deputy City Clerk Joie Ziller.

SWEARING IN OF MAYOR BEN DIETZ

Judge Smith administered the oath of office to Ben Dietz, who was recently elected as Mayor.

SWEARING IN OF ALDERPERSONS

Mayor Dietz administered the oath of office to the recently elected Alderpersons; Marty Orr, Ryan Knight, Jonathan Mietzner, and Thomas Smith

ROLL CALL

After the oaths were administered, the following answered to Roll Call: Alderpersons Kevin Kirwin, Marty Orr, Dennis Vice, Ryan Knight, Rachel Conforti, Jonathan Mietzner, and Thomas Smith. Alderperson Holmes was absent. The number present constitutes a quorum.

CITIZENS COMMENT

Concerned resident living on Wilida expressed his concerns regarding the current road condition. Sheri Michaels spoke her opinion related to the grocery tax.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Alderperson Conforti made a motion and Alderperson Smith seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Gary VanDuyne to Police Pension Board – Term Ends May 2027

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Conforti, Smith, Kirwin, Orr, Vice, Knight, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Conforti made a motion and Alderperson Orr seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Jay Plese to Police Commission – Term Ends May 2026

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Conforti, Orr, Smith, Kirwin, Vice, Knight, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Orr seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Loren Burkey to Police Commission – Term Ends May 2027

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Vice, Orr, Conforti, Smith, Kirwin, Knight, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of James Welcher to Police Commission – Term Ends May 2028

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Kirwin, Knight, Vice, Orr, Conforti, Smith, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Orr made a motion and Alderperson Smith seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Eric Kempes to Planning & Zoning Commission – Term Ends May 2030 (filling the seat vacated by Frank Studer)

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Orr, Smith, Kirwin, Knight, Vice, Conforti, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Knight made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Larry Clennon to Planning & Zoning Commission – Term Ends May 2029

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Knight, Mietzner, Orr, Smith, Kirwin, Vice, Conforti

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Mietzner made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Chris Smith to Planning & Zoning Commission – Term Ends May 2028

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Mietzner, Knight, Orr, Smith, Kirwin, Vice, Conforti

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Smith made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the Proclamation in Recognition of World War II MIA Soldier Pvt. James C. Floyd

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Smith, Knight, Mietzner, Orr, Kirwin, Vice, Conforti

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Mayor Dietz expresses gratitude to Ryan Jeffries for representing the constituents of the first ward over the past four years.

Mayor Dietz is aware of the discussion to rescind the grocery tax ordinance so he is requesting that is be placed on the May 13, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion.

In celebration of National Municipal Clerks Week, Mayor Dietz took a moment to thank Joie Ziller for her dedicated service and contributions.

Mayor Dietz proposed that the meeting on May 20, 2025, be rescheduled to May 22, 2025, as he and the City Administrator will be out of town on City business. The council members agreed to this change.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from April 15, 2025

2. Approve the Accounts Payable Report

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion and Alderperson Conforti seconded to approve the Consent Agenda for the May 6, 2025, City Council meeting

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Kirwin, Conforti, Knight, Vice, Orr, Mietzner, Smith

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Alderperson Confori made a motion and Alderperson Smith seconded to approve the Request for Reimbursement for the 116 & 118 South Water Street Sidewalk Improvements Payable to Greg & Sons in the amount of $6,500

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Conforti, Smith, Knight, Vice, Orr, Mietzner, Kirwin

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Confori made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the Will County Division of Transportation Request for Reimbursement for the West River Road Improvements (Section 20-00174-06-PV) in the amount of $69,436.80

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Conforti, Knight, Smith, Vice, Orr, Mietzner, Kirwin

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve Resolution No. 2025-02, An IDOT Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for the FY 2025 MFT Road Improvements

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 6 Vice, Knight, Conforti, Smith, Mietzner, Kirwin

NAYS: 0

PASS: 1 Orr

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the Hire of One Water Crew Foreman ROINC at the Water Treatment Plant

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 6 Kirwin, Knight, Vice, Conforti, Smith, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

PASS: 1 Orr

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Knight made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to approve Waive the Bid Process and Enter Into a Contract with ACE Sign Co. to Fabricate a Gemini Giant Kiosk Sign In An Amount Not Exceeding $28,121.78

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Knight, Mietzner, Conforti, Smith, Vice, Orr, Kirwin

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Knight made a motion and Alderperson Orr seconded to authorize the City Administrator to purchase 6 Interpretive Signs from A&J Signs, Inc in an amount not to exceed $4,788

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Knight, Orr, Mietzner, Conforti, Smith, Vice, Kirwin

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Mietzner made a motion and Alderperson Kirwin seconded to reject all three bids submitted for the South Island Park Playground Equipment and Installation Project

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 6 Mietzner, Kirwin, Knight, Vice, Conforti, Smith

NAYS: 0

PASS: 1 Orr

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Smith made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to approve the Community Benefit Agreement with RPIL Solar 13, LLC

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 5 Mietzner, Orr, Knight, Conforti, Vice

NAYS: 1 Smith

ABSTAIN: 1 Kirwin

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION FROM CITY OFFICIALS

City Attorney – Bryan Wellner – No Report

City Administrator – Jeannine Smith – No Report

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 Vice – No Comment

Alderperson Conforti – thanked the Department Heads taking the time to show her the City properties

Alderperson Holmes – No Comment

Alderperson Orr – No Comment

Alderperson Knight – No Comment

Alderperson Mietzner – No Comment

Alderperson Smith – No Comment

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Kirwin seconded to go into Executive Session at 8:14 PM to discuss Appointment, Employment, Dismissal, Compensation, Discipline, and Performance of an Employee of the City of Wilmington [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)] and Collective negotiating matters between the City of Wilmington (public body) and its employees [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)]

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 6 Vice, Kirwin, Knight, Mietzner, Smith, Conforti

NAYS: 1 Orr

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to close Executive Session at 8:44 PM

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7 Vice, Mietzner, Knight, Kirwin, Orr Smith, Conforti

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

ACTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to approve the salary increases for the following non-bargaining personnel:

Jeannine Smith, City Administrator – 3.5% increase

Adam Zink, Chief of Police – 3.5% increase

Justin Dole, Deputy Chief of Police – 3.5% increase

James Gretencord, Public Works Director – 3.5% increase

Nancy Gross, Finance Director – 3.5% increase

Joie Ziller, Executive Secretary – 3.5% increase

Heather Whyte, WPD Administrative Assistant – 3.5% increase

Susie McDavid, Building Permit Tech – 3.5% increase

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 6 Vice, Kirwin, Knight, Mietzner, Smith, Conforti

NAYS: 0

PASS: 1 Orr

ABSENT: 1 Holmes

The motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderperson Mietzner and seconded by Alderperson Knight. Upon the voice vote, the motion carried. The City of Wilmington City Council's regular meeting on May 6, 2025, adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

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