Joliet wants to set up panel to advise on comprehensive plan

Joliet is proposing a citizen advisory committee be formed to assist the City Council in developing the city’s comprehensive plan.

The ordinance will be presented at Tuesday’s regular council meeting, according to a news release from the city.

If approved, this advisory committee will provide guidance and work on the development and implementation of the comprehensive plan, according to the release.

In June, the City Council approved a $564,250 contract with the Lamar Johnson Collaborative to develop a comprehensive plan and a $138,768 contract with Urban3 to provide economic analysis on the impact of the plan.

A comprehensive plan serves as a blueprint document that guides the community’s capital improvements, civic investments and future development.

Mayor Terry D’Arcy is recommending 13 volunteers to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee:

· Samantha Ante Martinez – program associate, Joliet Latino Economic Development Association

· Elaine Bottomley – deputy chief of staff to the county executive of Will County

· Cesar Cardenas – District 4 Joliet City Council member, founder of Unidos Marketing Network

· Nora Gruenberg – local governmental affairs director, Three Rivers Association of Realtors

· Jen Howard – president, Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry

· Wendell Martin – senior pastor, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church

· Hugh O’Hara – executive director, Will County Governmental League

· Doug Pryor – president and CEO, Will County Center for Economic Development

· Steve Randich – retired from banking industry

· J.D. Ross - retired as Joliet Junior College president, retired CEO of Will-Grundy Medical Clinic

· Theresa Rouse – superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86

· Diane Viveros - director of programs, Joliet Latino Economic Development Association

· Damon Zdunich – board member, Joliet Regional Port Authority and founding partner of Bishop Hill Winery

“We need individuals from all areas of the city, from business and education to county government, and those with backgrounds in economic development,” D’Arcy said in the release proposing the committee. “Many of them were appointed under the last administration to serve on a similar committee, but the committee never met.”

The city hired a planner in 2019 to develop a comprehensive plan, but the project was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic because the process required public meetings that became impossible.

“I believe this group will put the city’s best interests at the forefront and help guide the council during critical stages of developing the final plan,” D’Arcy said in the release.

The Lamar Johnson Collaborative’s project approach consists of five phases and estimates the project will span 18 to 24 months.

The project is broken down into five phases and is expected to be completed by 2026.