Will County Gazette

City of Wilmington City Council met June 3.

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, Finance Director Nancy Gross, Public Works Director James Gretencord, Chief of Police Adam Zink, and Deputy City Clerk Joie Ziller.

PUBLIC HEARING

Fiscal Year 2025 Amended Appropriation Ordinance

Alderperson Vice made a motion, and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to open the public hearing at 7:01 PM to discuss the Fiscal Year 2025 Amended Appropriation Ordinance

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Finance Director Gross reported that our appropriations are set at three times our working budget, and due to a specific project, we have exceeded that amount. The request is to amend the appropriations ordinances and increase the budget by $669,000. She also noted that the amendment is necessary to comply with the auditor’s requirements before passing the fiscal year 2026 budget. An ordinance will be included on the June 17, 2025, consent agenda.

Alderperson Vice made a motion, and Alderperson Orr seconded to close the public hearing at 7:02 PM to discuss the Fiscal Year 2025 Amended Appropriation Ordinance

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

CITIZENS COMMENT

Mark Yule raises his concerns about the Rivals Road solar project and expresses frustration over the lack of public input and potential impact on his neighborhood.

Royanne Moore expressed her concerns about the solar farm’s proximity to residential areas and potential contamination of wells and water sources.

Vincent Burke, President of the Wilmington Moose Lodge, discusses the impact of a water main break, causing the lodge to lose a significant source of income, and is requesting compensation, which the lodge estimates at $1,423.41. The consensus of the Council is to reimburse the lodge for its losses.

Jayson Walinski expresses frustration over delays in receiving building permits, despite approvals from B&F and the city engineer. A meeting was set for Friday, June 6th, to resolve the permit issues and ensure that the applicant receives the necessary guidance.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Dietz provides an update on the draft plan for the bike path, which will be discussed at the June Committee of the Whole meeting. The MFT project bid packet is ready for letting, and the playground proposal is expected to be finalized by the end of the week. Notification from IDOT indicates that the remainder of Baltimore Street will be let out for construction in August or September, including concrete replacement of sidewalks.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

Alderperson Orr made a motion, and Alderperson Vice seconded to approve the May 6, 2025 City Council meeting minutes with the necessary amendments and place them on file

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

2. Approve the Accounts Payable Report

Alderperson Mietzner made a motion, and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the June 3, 2025, Accounts Payable report for $334,774.78

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

N/A

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION FROM CITY OFFICIALS

City Attorney – Bryan Wellner – Introduced Jessica Leisure, a law student intern who will be assisting this summer

City Administrator – Jeannine Smith – Absent

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 – proposes hiring a company to video public meetings

Alderperson Knight – No Comment

Alderperson Mietzner – No Comment

Alderperson Smith – No Comment

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Knight seconded to go into Executive Session at 7:41 PM to discuss Matters of Land Acquisition [5 ILCS 2(c)(5) and 2(c)(6)]

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to close Executive Session at 7:47 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 June 3, 2025, adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57ced2d71b631bb8d8f3a628/t/685ebfa7f6688f6b5a46d7c6/1751039911142/06-03-2025+City+Council+Minutes.pdf