Will County Gazette

City of Wilmington City Council met Oct. 7.

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

Also present: Attorney Bryan Wellner, City Administrator Jeannine Smith, Finance Director Nancy Gross, Chief of Police Adam Zink, and Deputy City Clerk Joie Ziller.

OPEN PUBLIC HEARING

Alderperson Conforti made a motion, and Alderperson Holmes seconded to open the public hearing related to the 2025 TIF Plan Amendment at 7:00 PM

A resident on Kavanaugh Road questioned the TIF’s impact on their property. Benjamin Schuster, Attorney representing Elion explains the TIF Act allows for splitting parcels and describes the legal process for determining TIF boundaries.

CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING

Alderperson Conforti made a motion, and Alderperson Mietzner seconded to close the public hearing at 7:08 PM.

CITIZENS COMMENT

Bob Thomas expresses frustration over the delays and fines related to obtaining his permit to dismantle the structure on Kankakee Street and requests that he be allowed to proceed.

Steve Evans from the Chamber of Commerce announces the Autumn Fall Fest at North Island Park on October 12th.

Paula Ekstrom provides details about the WCHC events, including the summit on human trafficking and a birthday anniversary celebration at the library.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Dietz administered the oath of office to new Police Officer Jared Lynn.

Mayor Diez reported that a Route 66 $250,000 grant has been submitted and that we were awarded a $70,000 grant for rooftop replacement on the Brookside facility.

Michael Stellino provides an update on the industrial park, including the leasing of two large warehouses and the completion of a $27 million infrastructure project. Discussion to attract commercial development, including potential hotel and restaurant projects.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from September 16, 2025

2. Approve the Accounts Payable Report

Alderperson Kirwin made a motion, and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the October 7, 2025 City Council Consent Agenda

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Orr

The motion carried.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Alderperson Knight made a motion, and Alderperson Conforti seconded to approve the Funding Request and Authorization to Accept the 2026 Buick Encore GX bid of $31,155.70

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 1 Kirwin

ABSENT: 1 Orr

The motion carried.

Alderperson Mietzner made a motion, and Alderperson Kirwin seconded to approve Ordinance No. 25-10-07- 01, An Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Wilmington, Illinois, and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Wilmington Police Chapter #129, Regarding a One Time Lump Sum Retention Bonus Funded By The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (“ILETSB”) Police Recruitment and Retention Grant

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Orr

The motion carried.

Alderperson Knight made a motion, and Alderperson Holmes seconded to approve Ordinance No. 25-10-07-02, An Ordinance Declaring Surplus Personal Property and Authorizing the Disposal of Said Equipment in a Manner in the Best Interest of the City of Wilmington (In-Car Camera System)

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Orr

The motion carried.

Alderperson Holmes made a motion, and Alderperson Knight seconded to approve the Contract between the City and ComEd for work needed to convert the overhead power line at the North Water Tower to underground, ensuring rehabilitation work can continue without signal loss for SCADA or water metering systems, and provide staff direction

Upon roll call, the vote was:

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

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 1 Orr

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 – Shared her positive experience at the Illinois Municipal League conference and encourages others to attend.

Alderperson Holmes – No Comment

Alderperson Orr – No Comment

Alderperson Knight - Discusses the need for matching trash cans on South Water Street. Alderperson Mietzner – No Comment

Alderperson Smith – Suggests installing a motion light at the outside back corner of the City Hall for better visibility.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

NONE

ADJOURNMENT

The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderperson Holmes and seconded by Alderperson Knight. Upon the voice vote, the motion carried. The City of Wilmington City Council's regular meeting on October 7, 2025, adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

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