Arts Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, March 19, 2025 5:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Arts Commission Commission Members Deborah Filotto Donna Franks-Tapley Eric Gorder Tom Grotovsky Vince Logan Ron Romero John Simpson,Jr. Peg Stoiber Deborah Summers Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 19, 2025 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. Meeting went into Recess Meeting reconvened Present John Simpson Jr, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ron Romero, Vince Logan and Deborah Summers Absent Tom Grotovsky, Deborah Filotto and Donna Franks-Tapley 1. ROLL CALL It was noted that Ron Romero's term as Chair expired in January. Therefore the Commission voted to have Mr. Romero chair the March 19, 2025, meeting as a temporary chair, until the item could be formally voted on to elect a new chair during the April 16, 2025, meeting. Present John Simpson Jr, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ron Romero, Vince Logan and Deborah Summers Absent Tom Grotovsky, Deborah Filotto and Donna Franks-Tapley 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - November 20, 2024 TMP-8145 Attachments: AC Minutes Nov 20 2024 A motion was made by Vince Logan, seconded by Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-8145: Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - November 20, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Logan and Summers Absent: Grotovsky, Filotto and Franks-Tapley 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS None. This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 4. NEW BUSINESS Update on the 2026 Illinois Arts Council General Operating Support Grant application. Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update on the 2026 grant application, stating that staff had applied for the application earlier in the month. The IAC intends to notify grant recipients by August of 2025 for 2026 grant awards. 5. OLD BUSINESS Discussion of potential items of expenditure for 2025. 2025 Arts Commission Budget Projections TMP-8292 Page 1 of 3 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 19, 2025 Attachments: Arts 2025 Budget Projections and 2026 Requests.pdf Staff Liaison Heitner provided an overview of projected expenditures from the IAC 2025 General Operating Support Grant fund and from the City's Art Maintenance budget. Mr. Heitner explained that $2,000 is committed to Juanjo Novella for his City Square finalist design from last Fall, and that this would be paid for from the IAC General Operating Support Grant fund. The Commission also authorized staff to make Uxmar Torres' $1,500 payment for his 2025 Poet Laureateship service from the GOS Grant Fund. This would leave approximately $16,950 for other projects and general operating expenses for 2025. Mr. Heitner explained that there is $15,000 for art maintenance budgeted for 2025. It is anticipated that smaller routine maintenance would occupy approximately $5,000 of this budget, leaving $10,000 for a larger maintenance project. It was mentioned that repairs and relocation of the George Mikan statue could be a viable candidate for a larger maintenance project this year. The Commission agreed to finalize its project recommendations by the April 16, 2025, meeting. Discussion on potential projects for 2025. The Commission discussed several potential projects for the 2025 year. Staff Liaison Heitner mentioned that the Commission would likely have between $15,000 and $16,000 to work with for a project this year. Commissioner Simpson suggested the Arts Commission do something to promote the Route 66 centennial. The rest of the Commission agreed that a Route 66 themed project would be beneficial. The Commission asked Staff Liaison Heitner to see if there are any opportunities for placement of public art within Route 66 Park. Mr. Heitner said that he would consult with staff and report back next month. The Commission also discussed if wayfinding signage or other grant eligible maintenance projects at Route 66 Park could be a use of grant funds. Commissioner Stoiber motioned, and Commissioner Logan seconded, that the Arts Commission authorize staff to pay for Uxmar Torres' 2025 Poet Laureate payment out of the 2025 IAC General Operating Support grant fund. The motion carried 5-0. 6. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION None. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT None. This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. Page 2 of 3 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 19, 2025 8. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, seconded by John Simpson, Jr, to adjourn COUNCIL MEMO #[FILE_NR]: [FILE_TITLE]. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Logan and Summers Absent: Grotovsky, Filotto and Franks-Tapley This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact The City Clerk Office, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 3 of 3