Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, May 7, 2025 10:00 AM City Hall, Council Chambers Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Committee Members: Mayor Terry D'Arcy Councilman Cesar Cardenas Elaine Bottomley Warren Dorris Nora Gruenberg Jen Howard Wendell Martin Hugh O'Hara Christopher Parker Doug Pryor Steve Randich Juan Rico Jim Roolf Dr. Theresa Rouse Diana Viveros Boise Walker Damon Zdunich Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final May 7, 2025 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present Terry D'Arcy, Cesar Cardenas, Elaine Bottomley, Warren Dorris, Nora Gruenberg, Jen Howard, Wendell Martin, Hugh O'Hara, Doug Pryor, Steven Randich, Juan Rico, Jim Roolf and Damon Zdunich Absent Christopher Parker, Theresa Rouse, Diana Viveros and Boise Walker ALSO PRESENT: Deputy City Manager Christa Desiderio, City Clerk Lauren O’Hara, Media Engagement and Communications Director Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Community Development Director Dustin Anderson, Neighborhood Services Director Joe Fleischauer, Interim Corporation Counsel Todd Lenzie, Planner Jayne Bernhard, Planner Raymond Heitner, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Lauren Helland Boise Walker arrived at approximately 10:05 a.m. Warren Dorris left at approximately 10:55 a.m. Juan Rico left at approximately 11:50 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes TMP-8545 4-23-25 Attachments: CPAC Meeting Minutes 4-23-25.pdf A motion was made by Nora Gruenberg, seconded by Doug Pryor, to approve Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 4-23-25. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: D'Arcy, Cardenas, Bottomley, Dorris, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Pryor, Randich, Rico, Roolf and Zdunich Absent: Parker, Rouse, Viveros and Walker CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS Doug Kasper spoke about the environment. OLD BUSINESS None Page 1 of 3 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final May 7, 2025 NEW BUSINESS Stakeholder Interviews TMP-8542 Attachments: Key Person Small Group Interview Schedule.docx Staff Report_Stakeholder Interviews.docx Planner Jayne Bernhard explained the consultant team would facilitate small group discussions with Joliet area stakeholders in the summer that focus on the themes of Economic Development, Environment, Mobility and Transportation, Housing and Neighborhoods, Quality of Life, Infrastructure, and Land Use and Future Development. Ms. Bernhard asked the Committee to identify possible stakeholders for those stakeholder interviews. A discussion was held about the structure, duration, and amount of stakeholder interviews. There was discussion about whether the stakeholders would have continued participation. Community Development Director Dustin Anderson and Ms. Bernhard explained the Committee’s concerns would be conveyed to the consultant firm. There was a robust discussion regarding the themes of Economic Development, Environment, Mobility and Transportation, Housing and Neighborhoods, Quality of Life, Infrastructure, and Land Use and Future Development, which included identifying potential people or organizations that could participate in the stakeholder interviews. Public Engagement Events TMP-8543 Attachments: Staff Report_Public Engagement Events .docx In response to the Committee’s discussion and questions, Mr. Anderson and Ms. Bernhard explained data would be gathered during public engagement events and consultants would synthesize the information in Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan Project. Ms. Bernhard inquired if the Committee wanted to provide public engagement event examples at that time or via email. At the consensus of the Committee, Ms. Bernhard encouraged the Committee to email staff in response to four questions in the staff report. Project Visioning TMP-8546 Attachments: Staff Report_Project Visioning .docx Vision Statement Worksheet.pdf Ms. Bernhard explained the agenda item would be discussed at another meeting. Page 2 of 3 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final May 7, 2025 STAFF REPORTS Ms. Bernhard explained the Downtown Joliet Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Plan open house would take place on May 14 and highlighted Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study Community Interviews Event that would take place on May 17. Ms. Bernhard explained staff would contact Committee Members about utilizing a City issued iPad or iLegislate app to view meeting agendas. MEMBER COMMENTS Boise Walker highlighted a resident’s inquiry about intermodal traffic on the Illiana Expressway and commented about Joliet’s growth in relation to the City’s appearance when entering from neighboring cities. Jim Roolf encouraged others to take pride in their community. Mayor Terry D’Arcy thanked the Committee Members for their time and thoughts. Committee Members thanked City staff for their work. PUBLIC COMMENT None ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Wendell Martin, seconded by Elaine Bottomley, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: D'Arcy, Cardenas, Bottomley, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Pryor, Randich, Roolf, Walker and Zdunich Absent: Dorris, Parker, Rico, Rouse and Viveros 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