Will County Gazette

City of Wilmington City Council met May 22.

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, Marty Orr, Ryan Knight, Rachel Conforti, Jonathan Mietzner, Todd Holmes and Tom Smith. 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.

CITIZENS COMMENT

Linda Bailey discusses the long-standing issues with property management in Foxtail Commons subdivision, including weeds and reptile problems.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Alderperson Conforti made a motion and Alderperson Smith seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Kyle Skoryi to Planning & Zoning Commission – Term Ends May 2028 (Replacing the expired term of John Tryner)

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8 Conforti, Knight, Smith, Kirwin, Orr, Vice, Mietzner, Holmes

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Alderperson Holmes made a motion and Alderperson Kirwin seconded to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Mark Shell to Planning & Zoning Commission – Term Ends May 2029 (Replacing the expired term of Bryan Humphries)

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8 Holmes, Kirwin, Conforti, Knight, Smith, Orr, Vice, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Mayor Dietz acknowledges the contributions of Mr. Tryner and Mr. Humphries, who have served on the Planning & Zoning Commission for almost two decades.

Mayor Dietz thanked Heritage Corridor Destinations and Joliet Area Museum for the grand opening of The Landing Pad, which received a positive turnout.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from May 6, 2025

2. Approve the Accounts Payable Report

3. Approve a Resolution Expressing Official Intent Regarding Expenditures to be Reimbursed by Funds Held by the City of Wilmington Regarding Elion Logistics Park 55

4. Approve the Sponsorship to the Wilmington School District Foundation for Excellence 26th Annual Golf Outing of $500.00

5. Approve the Will County CED Brownfield Eligibility Assessment Application

6. Approve the Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions Proposal for the June 27, 2025 Let Freedom Rock Event 7. Approve the 2025 Catfish Days Contracts & Agreements

a. Miller’s Petting Zoo

b. Portable Stage Rental Agreement (Rodney Emling)

c. Consideration to Approve the Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions Proposal for the July 25, 2025 Catfish Days Event

d. Whimsy Face Painting by Jacqueline

8. Approve the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Wilmington and Wilmington School District 209U and Southern Will County Cooperative for Special Education

9. Approve the Exemption to Ordinance 150.89a – Brian Sander

10. Approve A Resolution of the City of Wilmington in Support of RPIL Solar 13, LLC’s Special Use Permit Request to the County of Will

11. Approve the Right of Way Agreement with Surf Air Wireless, LLC

12. Approve the Installation of a Donated Paul Bunyan Giant in Claire’s Corner Park

13. Approve the Installation of a Fence on Jefferson Street

14. Approve Pay Request #1 in the amount of $401,265 be made to D Construction, Inc. for the Water Main & Roadway Improvement Project

15. Approve the Quotes Provided by Xylem to Repair the Lift Station Pumps in the amount of $14,988.60 16. Approve the Hire of Denise Cahill to Replace the Part-Time Fiscal Clerk at City Hall

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the Consent Agenda for the May 22, 2025 City Council meeting, except for moving #11 to order of business and the removal of #12 as the family did not win the auction

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8 Kirwin, Knight, Holmes, Conforti, Smith, Orr, Vice, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Alderperson Orr made a motion and Alderperson Vice seconded to approve the Right of Way Agreement with Surf Air Wireless, LLC, upon final review by City Attorney.

Discussion: Alderperson Orr requested clarification on the document regarding 220 Elizabeth Street to ensure that it is a correct city-owned property address. Staff assured that it will be remedied in the document before execution.

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8 Orr, Vice, Kirwin, Knight, Holmes, Conforti, Smith, Mietzner

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion and Alderperson Smith seconded to approve Ordinance No. 25-05-22-01, An Ordinance Repealing the Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Wilmington

NOTE: Alderperson Knight made the abstention before adjournment of this meeting, as well as Mayor Dietz voting no.

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 4 Kirwin, Orr, Smith, Holmes

NAYS: 4 Vice, Mietzner, Conforti, Mayor Dietz

ABSTAIN: 1 Knight

The motion was not 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 – No Comment

Alderperson Holmes – No Comment

Alderperson Orr – No Comment

Alderperson Knight – No Comment

Alderperson Mietzner – acknowledges the appointment of former Wilmington Chief of Police, Mike Imhof who is now Coal City’s Chief of Police.

Alderperson Smith – No Comment

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Conforti seconded to go into Executive Session at 7:18 PM to discuss Collective bargaining matters between the City of Wilmington (public body) and its employees [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)]

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8 Vice, Conforti, Orr, Holmes, Kirwin, Knight, Mietzner, Smith

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to close Executive Session at 7:31 PM

Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8 Vice, Mietzner, Conforti, Orr, Holmes, Kirwin, Knight, Smith

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

ACTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

No action taken.

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 22, 2025, adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

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