Committee on Citizens with Disabilities

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, April 16, 2024 1:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Committee Members Tony Arellano Pam Heavens Billie Jo Adams Kim Hudgens John Jamontas Gary Jones Veronica Pollard Riley Spreadburry Sherry Voight Steven Voight Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final April 16, 2024 Page 1 of 1 Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final April 16, 2024 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. ROLL CALL Present Billie Jo Adams, Chairperson Tony Arellano, Pam Heavens, Kim Hudgens, Gary Jones, Veronica Pollard, Riley Spreadburry , Sherry Voight, Steven Voight and John Jamontas APPROVAL OF MINUTES Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Minutes-February 20, TMP-7206 2024 Attachments: 022024 A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Kim Hudgens, to approve the Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Minutes-February 20, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adams, Chairperson Arellano, Heavens, Hudgens, Jones, Pollard, Spreadburry, Voight, Voight and Jamontas 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 Committee 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. DISCUSSION: UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED, ARREST AND PRISON STATISTICS, NUMBER OF DISABLED PARKING VIOLATIONS ISSUED Officer Charles Mascolino, Joliet Police, appeared before the Committee regarding the needs of the disabled, arrest and prison statistics. There was brief discussion about interactions between the disabled and the police. Ms. Spreadbury asked if the police has connections with social workers or mental health professionals. Officer Mascolino responded. Ms. Hudgens spoke about the Connect and Protect Program. Officer William Otis, Joliet Police, spoke about his experiences with issues on disabled parking violations. There was brief discussion about the cost of fines for parking violations. DISCUSSION: INCREASING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Chairman Arellano said he would like to get the meeting information out to different agencies and organizations to have more public participation. He would also like to have the meetings on Channel 6. Page 1 of 2 Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Final April 16, 2024 Ms. Pollard suggested the Committee look into possibly having the meeting at a later time during the day to allow more people to be able to attend. DISCUSSION: MOVING MEETINGS TO EVERY OTHER MONTH Chairman Arellano spoke about appointments to the Committee and whether they would be 2 year appointments or 3 year appointments. He asked that the Committee members think about it and get back to him with their thoughts. He also spoke about possibly having meetings every other month during the winter. He asked that the members think about that as well. Ms. Spreadbury requested that the Chairman send the agenda in a group e-mail instead of separately. Mr. Sinnett said he can start sending the agendas in a group email. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION UPDATE: JJC MEETING Chairman Arellano spoke about the meeting that he will be having with Joliet Junior College on Wednesday. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Jamontas inquired about the Committee having a presence on social media. Chairman Arellano responded. Ms. Spreadbury said social media would be a good thing for the Committee. 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 Committee 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. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Riley Spreadburry , to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adams, Chairperson Arellano, Heavens, Hudgens, Jones, Pollard, Spreadburry, Voight, Voight and Jamontas This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 2 of 2