Will County Gazette

City of Wilmington City Council met July 15.

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, Marty Orr, Dennis Vice, 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.

PUBLIC HEARING

to receive and consider testimony and public comment on the Annual Appropriation Ordinance for the Fiscal Year 2026

Alderperson Mietzner made a motion and Alderperson Knight made a motion to open the public hearing at 7:01 PM.

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

No public comments were made.

Alderperson Mietzner made a motion and Alderperson Kirwin made a motion to close the public hearing at 7:02 PM.

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

CITIZENS COMMENT

Sherry Michaels shared a heartfelt story about a vase she purchased. She donated the vase to the Mayor’s office, ensuring that it will be cherished by future generations to come.

Isaac Orr, Wilmington Township Tax Assessor, discussed the solar farm projects' annexation agreements and provided rough estimates of the city’s assessed value and potential savings for residents due to these projects. Mr. Orr also noted that the time zone on the agenda is incorrect.

Nick Staniford, attorney representing Cypress Creek, the solar farm developer, outlines the changes made to the annexation agreement to address city concerns, including road repairs and debris removal. The developer agrees to ensure the road can support construction activities and to make necessary upgrades to the road, and remove the concrete, brick, and cinder blocks from the ditch on the south side of the property to prevent water flow issues. Mr. Staniford also emphasized the benefits of the solar farm project, including financial remuneration for the city and environmental improvements for the land.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Dietz reminded us that the Catfish Days festival begins on July 24 and runs through July 27.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from July 1, 2025

2. Approve the Accounts Payable Report

3. Approve to Hire an Additional Water Reclamation Plant Operator

4. Approve the request to purchase a new high-service pump with installation from Applied Industrial Technologies for a total cost of $24,036.07

5. Approve KDI Diving Invoice #10070 for $9,856

6. Approve the Hach Quotes for the oxygen probes at the Water Reclamation Plant

7. Approve the Gasvoda & Associates, Inc. Proposal for an Effluent Flow Meter at the Water Reclamation Plant

8. Approve the 2025 CFD Invoices and Agreements

9. Consideration to Approve the Daily Permit Liquor License Applications (The Rustic Inn & Local 150)

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion, and Alderperson Conforti seconded to approve the July 15, 2025 City Council Consent Agenda

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Alderperson Mietzner made a motion, and Alderperson Kirwin seconded to approve Ordinance No. 25-07-15- 01, An Ordinance Appropriating for All Corporate Purposes for the City of Wilmington, for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2025 and Ending April 30, 2026

Discussion: Alderperson Orr stated that he will be voting against this ordinance because he felt there was no opportunity to discuss it with the department heads. He also expressed strong concerns regarding Alderperson Mitzner's proposal to use the grocery tax for growth, emphasizing that specific line items should be designated for this tax.

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 1 Orr

The motion carried.

Alderperson Conforti made a motion, and Alderperson Orr seconded to Approve Ordinance No. 25-07-15-02, An Ordinance Adopting a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Wilmington and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Wilmington Police Chapter #129

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Alderperson Knight made a motion, and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to table An Ordinance Adopting Rules for City Council Meetings to Provide for Participation and Voting by Electronic Means. This draft ordinance will be discussed at the August 12, 2025, Committee of the Whole meeting.

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

The motion carried.

Alderperson Holmes made a motion, and Alderperson Orr seconded to Approve Ordinance No. 25-07-15-04, An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territory to The Corporate Limits of The City of Wilmington, Will County, Illinois, Approving an Annexation Agreement Between the City of Wilmington, James R. Fleishman and Laurie S. Fleishman, And Fleishman Solar, LLC, And Approving a Conditional Use, Site Plan, and Subdivision for Certain Property

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSTAIN: 1 Smith

The motion carried.

Alderperson Orr made a motion, and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to Approve Ordinance No. 25-07-15-05, An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territory to the Corporate Limits of the City of Wilmington, Will County, Illinois, Approving an Annexation Agreement Between the City of Wilmington, James R. Fleishman and Laurie S. Fleishman, and IL Wilmington Solar, and Approving a Conditional Use for Certain Property

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSTAIN: 1 Smith

The motion carried.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION FROM CITY OFFICIALS

City Attorney – Bryan Wellner – outlined the draft ordinance related to meeting participation and voting by electronic means.

City Administrator – Jeannine Smith – reported that the DMA was in favor of a water fountain replacement in Claire Corner’s park and discussed RV parking in the municipal parking lot on Bridge Street. These items will be discussed at the August Committee of the Wole meeting.

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 – No Comment

Alderperson Smith – No Comment

EXECUTIVE SESSION

NONE

ACTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

N/A

ADJOURNMENT

The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderperson Mietzner and seconded by Alderperson Holmes. Upon the voice vote, the motion carried. The City of Wilmington City Council's regular meeting on July 15, 2025, adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

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