Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Arts Commission met May 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m.

Present John Simpson Jr, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ron Romero, Vince Logan , Tom Grotovsky, Deborah Summers and Donna Franks-Tapley

Excused Debra Volling

Absent Deborah Filotto

Present John Simpson Jr, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ron Romero, Vince Logan , Tom Grotovsky, Deborah Summers and Donna Franks-Tapley

Excused Debra Volling

Absent Deborah Filotto

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by John Simpson, Jr, seconded by Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-8601: Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - April 16, 2025. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Logan, Grotovsky, Summers and Franks-Tapley

Excused: Volling

Absent: Filotto

Abstain: Romero

Aye: Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Logan, Grotovsky, Summers and Franks-Tapley

Excused: Volling

Absent: Filotto

Abstain: Romero

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

None.

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 Commission 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.

OLD BUSINESS

Chairman Grotovsky expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Commission Chair.

Update on potential items of expenditure and projects for 2025

Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update on the items of expenditure from the IAC General Operating Support Grant for 2025. Heitner confirmed that Chairman Grotovsky and Vice-Chair Donna Franks-Tapley are still interested in attending the One State Conference in November. Heitner stated he would follow up with registration for those interested in attending the conference.

Chairman Grotovksy described a conceptual Route 66 sign that would be located at the intersection of Ottawa Street and Chicago Street. Grotovsky stated that the design and fabrication would cost an estimated $7,000. The Commission discussed changing the vertical text to say "Joliet" but to keep the "Route 66" shield on the top. Grotovsky also stated that local artists could design the back/south side of the sign in a wrapping, similar to the utility cabinets in downtown. Vice-Chair Franks-Tapley asked if the City would be open to painting the red brick on the sidewalk around the sign area. Mr. Heitner stated that he would need to check into this request. The Commission recommended by a vote of 7-0 to have staff pursue the Route 66 sign project with the Joliet text and Route 66 shield, pending further staff review on site feasibility.

Mr. Heitner then went on to discuss several other options for projects. A recent quote on restoring the Joliet Central High School murals was discussed. Several commissioners supported the idea of hiring an artist to restore a portion of the mural this year. Vice-Chair Franks-Tapley stated that she felt it was time to start fresh at most of these mural sites and to not restore the older murals. The Commission agreed that the mural spaces require a multi-year plan, with deaccessioning being the first objective. Commissioner Romero stated that alternative sources of funding need to be explored, including potential sponsorship opportunities.

Chairman Grotovsky provided an overview of the successful St. Charles banner art program. Grotovsky explained that the project would involve purchase of 100-150 banners that the general public could paint. Banners would be collected and then displayed along the riverwall. The Commission discussed whether banners and paint kits should be donated to the public or if there should be a small charge for the supplies. The Commission agreed to table this discussion to a later date, but requested that staff go ahead and purchase supplies this summer for a Spring 2026 project rollout, if there is a need to expend grant funds.

In the interest of time, the Commission decided to table discussion on other projects to a later date.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION

Discussion on supporting a Poet Laureate for the 2026-2028 term

The Commission discussed the benefits of the Poet Laureate program to date, and decided it would be in the City's interest to renew the program for a 2026-2028 term. Several commissioners stated that Uxmar Torres is doing an exemplary job in the role. Staff Liaison Heitner stated that planning for next term will need to get started this summer and that the Commission should consider if it wants to seek out a new Poet Laureate in the same way it did with the current position. Commissioners Logan and Stoiber motioned to renew the program for the 2026-2028 term. The motion carried 7-0.

Discussion of upcoming public art events in Joliet

Staff Liaison Heitner requested that the Commission let him know about any upcoming art events so that he can make sure they are advertised on the City's website in on the City's social media platforms.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

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 Commission 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 John Simpson, Jr, seconded by Donna Franks-Tapley, to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Logan, Grotovsky, Summers and Franks-Tapley

Excused: Volling Absent: Filotto

Aye: Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Logan, Grotovsky, Summers and Franks-Tapley

Excused: Volling

Absent: Filotto

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2025/5/2402_M_Arts_Commission_25-05-21_Meeting_Minutes.pdf