Will County Gazette

City of Wilmington City Council met Aug. 5.

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, Todd Holmes, and Tom Smith. Alderpersons Marty Orr and Jonathan Mietzner were absent. The number present constitutes a quorum.

Also present: Attorney Bryan Wellner, Jessica Liesure, Law Student, 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

Peggy Kunz inquired about the lack of signage for Veterans Memorial Park and the expiration date of the TIF. She also expressed concerns regarding youth misusing the old paper mill property and the associated code enforcement issues in that area.

MAYOR’S REPORT

1. Liquor Code Amendment: Increase the Number of Class B

This discussion will take place under the order of business

2. Proclamation Underage Drinking Prevention Day

Mayor Dietz read the proclamation as presented. Pauka Ekstrom from the Wilmington Coalition for a Healthy Community provided an overview of the WCHC Town Hall Meeting on August 11th at 6:30 PM at the Mar Theatre.

3. Mayor Dietz thanked the Catfish Days Committee for planning a great festival. He also thanked ESDA, the Police, and Public departments for keeping our streets safe and the community clean during the event.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

2. Approve the Accounts Payable Report

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion, and Alderperson Vice seconded to approve the August 5, 2025 City Council Consent Agenda

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 2 Orr, Mietzner

The motion carried.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Alderperson Smith made a motion, and Alderperson Kirwin seconded to approve Ordinance No. 25-08-05-01, An Ordinance Calling for a Public Hearing and a Joint Review Board Meeting to Consider the 2025 Amendment to the TIF Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Ridgeport Logistics Center Intermodal Terminal Facility Area (Elion Logistics Park 55/TIF District No. 2)

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 2 Orr, Mietzner

The motion carried.

Alderperson Knight made a motion, and Alderperson Conforti seconded to table the approval of an Ordinance Amending Provisions of Chapter 112, Section 25 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances Imposing Restrictions on the Number of Liquor Licenses Authorized until the August 19, 2025 City Council meeting

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 2 Orr, Mietzner

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 – No Comment

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 Smith seconded to go into Executive Session at 7:19 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 Kirwin, Smith, Vice, Conforti, Knight, Holmes

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 2 Orr, Mietzner

The motion carried.

Alderperson Vice made a motion and Alderperson Kirwin seconded to close Executive Session at 7:32 PM Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 2 Orr, Mietzner

The motion carried.

ACTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

No action taken.

ADJOURNMENT

The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderperson Knight and seconded by Alderperson Kirwin. Upon the voice vote, the motion carried. The City of Wilmington City Council's regular meeting on August 5, 2025, adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

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