Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee met Sept. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

Present

Terry D'Arcy, Cesar Cardenas, Elaine Bottomley, Nora Gruenberg, Jen Howard, Wendell Martin, Hugh O'Hara, Doug Pryor, Steven Randich, Juan Rico, Jim Roolf, Theresa Rouse, Diana Viveros, Boise Walker and Damon Zdunich

Absent Warren Dorris and Christopher Parker

ALSO PRESENT: Deputy City Manager Christa Desiderio, Media Engagement & Communications Director Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Community Development Director Dustin Anderson, Planning Director Jayne Bernhard, Economic Development Director Paulina Martinez, Grant Coordinator Rebecca Degroate, Planner Raymond Heitner, CDBG Program Manager Jackie Lozada, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Lauren Helland

Christopher Parker arrived at approximately 10:25 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 8-6-25

A motion was made by Jen Howard, seconded by Doug Pryor, to approve Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 8-6-25. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Cardenas, Bottomley, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Pryor, Randich, Rico, Roolf, Viveros and Walker

Absent: Dorris and Parker

Abstain: D'Arcy, Rouse and Zdunich

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

None

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Comprehensive Plan Survey Update TMP-8947 Page 1 of 3

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval September 3, 2025

Planning Director Jayne Bernhard outlined the Comprehensive Plan timeline, covering the completed Existing Conditions Report (Evaluate Phase 1), the current survey and Workshop (Investigate Phase 2), and upcoming phases with recommendations, working group meetings, public workshops, and the final deliverable.

Ms. Bernhard reviewed survey responses received, particularly from the east side and 60436 zip codes, and discussed promotion efforts by City staff and the Advisory Committee.

A discussion was held about the July Focus Group meetings and ongoing communication with topic experts. Ms. Bernhard explained opportunities to engage with those experts would continue in the upcoming Investigate phase and that the survey would close on September 19.

Comprehensive Plan Workshop #1 Update TMP-8948

Ms. Bernhard noted the first Comprehensive Plan Community Workshop would take place on September 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Joliet West. A robust discussion was held about the Workshop table areas and names, shift assignments, the interval between community workshops, public access to survey and workshop summaries, ongoing email engagement, social media count down to survey close, promotion at the September 16 City Council meeting, and the Quality of Life plan.

Comprehensive Plan Outreach & Engagement Opportunities TMP-8949

The Committee discussed community engagement strategies, including wearing Comprehensive Plan shirts to initiate conversations, highlighting accomplishments from past plans such as the Quality of Life Plan and Near West Side Neighborhood Plan, and using items like socks and workshop cards. Media Engagement and Communications Director Rosemaria DiBenedetto provided a social media update, and the Committee discussed the potential use of influencers to promote the Comprehensive Plan, as well as the importance of creating safe and anonymous participation opportunities. Mayor Terry D’Arcy emphasized the importance of multiple ongoing studies working in parallel, including Choice Neighborhoods, ETOD, and Urban 3, and highlighted the continued relevance of past plans.

STAFF REPORTS

Community Development Director Dustin Anderson acknowledged City staff for their work on the Comprehensive Plan.

MEMBER COMMENTS

Dr. Theresa Rouse highlighted the junior high school buildings.

Page 2 of 3

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval September 3, 2025

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Nora Gruenberg, seconded by Diana Viveros, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: D'Arcy, Cardenas, Bottomley, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Parker, Pryor, Randich, Rico, Roolf, Rouse, Viveros, Walker and Zdunich

Absent: Dorris

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2025/9/2463_M_Comprehensive_Plan_Advisory_Committee_25-09-03_Meeting_Minutes.pdf