[0:00] So, it is now 5:00 pm here on Tuesday,
January 13th. So, we will call to order
[0:06] the Golden Township regular board
meeting uh for today, Tuesday, January
[0:10] 13th. Clerk, if you could Oh, sorry.
Yes. Uh if you could call to order. Um
[0:17] sorry, getting out of myself.
Call to order the meeting. Uh we'll
[0:22] begin with the pledge of allegiance
after which we'll do
[0:28] pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
[0:33] republic for which it says one nation
indivisible.
[0:47] » Trusty Adamski
>> here.
[0:49] » Trusty Bivian
>> here. Trustee Gavin
[0:52] » here.
>> Trustee Washington
[0:53] » here.
>> Supervisor Guerrero
[0:55] » here.
>> We have a quorum.
[0:57] » So, first on our agenda is approval of
minutes. We've got three items under
[1:02] this section. So, we will be calling
these uh to vote separately. Um that
[1:07] they're different nature. So, uh the
first is approval for minutes of our
[1:12] regular town board meeting from last
month, December 9th, 2025. Hopefully,
[1:17] everyone's had a chance to review them.
questions regarding those minutes. If
[1:22] there are no questions, then I would ask
for a motion and a second to approve the
[1:27] minutes of the regular town board
meeting of December 9th, 2025. Second
[1:32] motion and second, Madam Cler.
>> Trusty Gavin.
[1:35] » Hi,
>> Trusty Adamski. Hi,
[1:37] » Trusty Bibian. Hi,
>> Trusty Washington. Hi,
[1:39] » Supervisor Guerrero. I
>> motion carried.
[1:42] » Good. This next item is a little bit
different. The this will be for approval
[1:47] of the close session minutes of the
regular town board meeting on December
[1:51] 9th, 2025. Likewise, if there are no
questions, I'll ask for a motion and a
[1:56] second to approve.
>> So moved. Second,
[2:00] » Trusty Washington.
>> Hi,
[2:02] » Trusty Gavin. Hi,
>> Trusty Adamsky. Hi,
[2:05] » Trusty Bivian. Hi,
>> Supervisor Guerrero. Hi.
[2:08] » Motion carried. And finally, uh, last
item to approve under minutes is the for
[2:15] the salt bid of the road district's bid
opening on December 29th, 2025.
[2:21] Ask now if there is a motion and a
second to approve the salt bid minutes.
[2:25] » So move second.
>> Trusty Vivian.
[2:29] » Hi.
>> Trustee Gavin. Hi.
[2:31] » Trustee Adamski. Hi.
>> Trusty Washington. Hi.
[2:33] » Supervisor Guerrero. Hi.
>> Motion carried.
[2:37] » Thank you. Um so that concludes the
approval of minutes. We'll now enter the
[2:42] public comment portion of the meeting.
This would be the time for any audience
[2:47] members any members of the public to
come forth uh and address the any the
[2:51] township board.
If we have any that's going once, going
[2:57] twice.
Seeing none, we will conclude public
[3:01] comment portion of our uh agenda today
and we will move forward now with the
[3:07] public hearing. So this public hearing
is for the in regards to the amended
[3:12] budget and appropriation ordinance
um number 4162025.
[3:21] Uh just to clarify this item here is not
for us to vote. This is to open the
[3:28] public hearing which we are required to
do so before approving uh the budget or
[3:33] any amendments to. Um so during this
time I'll I'll ask uh the board for a
[3:40] motion and a second to enter the public
hearing. We'll then entertain any uh
[3:45] feedback or participation from the
public. Once that is concluded, then
[3:49] we'll ask again to um bring the public
hearing to a close and carry on with the
[3:55] remainder of the agenda. So, is there a
motion to recess the regular meeting to
[4:01] enter the public hearing uh for the
amended budget and appropriations
[4:07] township ordinance number 416-2025?
So, second a motion made by trustee
[4:13] Adamski and a second by trustee Gavin.
and clerk to call the role.
[4:18] » Trustee Adamski,
>> hi.
[4:20] » Trustee Gavin, hi.
>> Trusty Vivian,
[4:22] » hi.
>> Trusty Washington,
[4:23] » hi.
>> Supervisor Guerrero,
[4:25] » hi.
>> Motion carried.
[4:26] » Then at the show at 50:04 is the time.
Um, and so at 504, we will commence the
[4:33] public hearing.
>> There is anybody in the audience now
[4:37] that would like to speak on this agenda
item uh regarding our budget amendments,
[4:42] now would be the time to do so.
[4:47] twice.
Okay. Seeing none, then um so I accept
[4:54] the roll call from the regular town
board meeting for this public hearing.
[4:57] Um just like to verify that in
accordance with legal notice that uh the
[5:02] legal notice was published in the Joliet
Herald News on Friday, December 12th,
[5:06] 2025.
Um
[5:10] a separate public hearing will be held
for the town budget. Um,
[5:16] but I think this will be considered at
the regular town meeting. Just make sure
[5:21] that we've got all our uh
uh everything checked off here.
[5:27] You've all had time to review the
ordinance.
[5:31] » There any questions that you'd like to
bring forth on the site?
[5:39] All right. So if there are no further
comments uh and if there is
[5:46] no public guess
>> what is the budget year
[5:49] » uh
>> what is the run
[5:51] » uh what is the more asking for just the
the total amount or what is the cycle
[5:55] the calendar
>> calendar cycle uh April 1st so April 1st
[5:59] is when our fiscal year begins um the
item on on this agenda is for an
[6:05] amendment to this year's uh budget which
we approved back in we we started late.
[6:12] So, we approved this one in is that our
June meeting?
[6:15] » June, sorry.
>> Yeah. So, we're still still within the
[6:18] the legal limits of when it's allowed to
be uh voted and approved on. Um but as
[6:24] as time goes on, it's pretty standard
for township boards to make uh
[6:29] adjustments um for unanticipated costs,
things that go over, things that come
[6:34] under. So, um, believe everybody's had a
chance to to review what those changes
[6:39] are.
>> I know we had a couple more people walk
[6:42] in, so we'll just ask one more time if
there's anybody that would like to speak
[6:46] for the public hearing portion of the
amended budget. Uh, now would be the
[6:51] time to do so. Seeing none, then there
are no further comments, but request a
[6:56] motion to close the public hearing and
reconvene the previously scheduled
[7:01] January 13, 2026 regular town board
meeting.
[7:04] » So, Second.
>> Trustee Gavin.
[7:08] » Hi.
>> Trustee Washington. Hi.
[7:10] » Trustee Adamski. Hi.
>> Trusty Bibby and Supervisor Guerrero.
[7:15] » Hi.
>> Motion carried.
[7:17] » Then
at 5:07 the public hearing was
[7:22] concluded.
[7:29] Uh with the public hearing portion now
having come to a close, we will now
[7:34] return to our regular agenda and now
would be the time that we would make a
[7:41] vote to adopt the amended general town
uh budget for fiscal year 202526
[7:49] uh under the budget and appropriations
ordinance number 416-2025.
[7:54] So, is there a motion and a second to
adopt the amended budget?
[7:59] » So, move second.
>> That's a motion made by Trustee Gavin
[8:02] and a second by Trustee Adamski.
>> Madam Cler, could you call the role?
[8:06] » Trustee Gavin. Hi.
>> Trustee Adamski. Hi.
[8:09] » Trusty Bivian. Hi.
>> Trustee Washington.
[8:11] » Hi.
>> Supervisor Guerrero. Hi.
[8:13] » Motion carried.
[snorts]
[8:16] » Carrying on with our next agenda item.
We've got two proclamations.
[8:21] » [clears throat]
>> uh the first of which is a proclamation
[8:24] for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I'll
read that for the record now.
[8:31] Whereas Martin Luther King Jr. Day
observed on the third Monday of January
[8:35] honors the life and legacy of Reverend
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. whose
[8:38] leadership transformed the fight for
racial, economic, and social justice in
[8:42] the United States. Whereas Dr. King, a
minister, scholar, and global advocate
[8:46] for human rights, was born January 15th,
1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He dedicated
[8:51] his life to a philosophy of nonviolence
and building a future embodied by the
[8:55] beloved community. His vision of our
society achievable through a fundamental
[8:59] transformation of hearts and systems
alike. And whereas Dr. King's words
[9:03] inspired countless individuals to
participate in change, most notably with
[9:06] his I have a dream address, establishing
him as a national symbol of hope,
[9:10] reminding the country of its
responsibility to fulfill its
[9:13] foundational promises. Whereas Dr.
King's leadership and advocacy helped to
[9:17] move the government into action,
securing landmark civil rights
[9:20] legislation, including the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, which prohibited
[9:24] segregation and employment
discrimination, the Voting Rights Act of
[9:27] 1965, which protected voting rights, the
Fair Housing Act of 1968, which
[9:32] prohibited housing discrimination.
Whereas at the age of 35, Dr. King
[9:36] received the ASEM Nobel Peace Prize and
gained an international platform that he
[9:40] used to connect the issues of
militarism, racism, and materialism.
[9:44] While controversial and unpopular at the
time, Dr. King pushed for an end to the
[9:47] Vietnam War through speeches and
anti-war demonstrations while also
[9:51] addressing class exploitation by
creating the poor people's campaign. And
[9:55] whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
brought his mission of advancing justice
[9:58] to Joliet during his visit on June 4th,
1965 when he spoke at a rally at
[10:04] Memorial Stadium, calling on the
community to embrace racial integration
[10:07] and a true brotherhood grounded in moral
and ethical action. Whereas this holiday
[10:11] is the nation's only federal day of
service. Dr. King's dream of a just and
[10:16] inclusive society remains guiding light
for generations, yet the work of turning
[10:20] that dream into a reality remains
unfinished. Whereas racism and
[10:24] inequities persist in housing, wages,
education, health, and access to
[10:28] opportunity, his legacy urges us to
confront these injustices and work
[10:32] together toward a society rooted in
dignity, equity, and shared humanity.
[10:37] And now, therefore, be it resolved that
the board of Juliet Township Government
[10:40] proclaims January 19th, 2026, Spartan
Luther King Jr. Day, Juliet Township,
[10:45] and encourages all residents to honor
Dr. King for reflection, service, and
[10:49] continued commitment to justice for all
to be adopted this 13th day of January,
[10:54] 2026.
We have a motion and a second to
[10:58] approve.
>> So move second.
[11:01] » Call the role.
>> Trustee Gavin.
[11:03] » Hi.
>> Trustee Washington.
[11:04] » Hi.
>> Trustee Adamski. Hi.
[11:06] » Trusty Bibian.
>> Hi.
[11:08] » Supervisor Guro.
>> Motion carried.
[11:11] » Now at this time, uh we'll pause before
continuing on to our next agenda item. I
[11:16] believe we are joined here by Deb
Upshaw. Uh if you'd like to podium share
[11:21] a few words with us. Thank you for being
here.
[11:28] » Good evening everyone
and thank you for the invitation uh to
[11:33] speak about the proclamation and how it
speaks to us today.
[11:37] When we reflect on this proclamation, we
are reminded that Dr. Martin Luther King
[11:42] Jr.'s His dream was never meant to live
only in history books or commemorative
[11:48] ceremonies. His dream was and still is a
blueprint for communities like ours. A
[11:55] community that has endured decades of
disinvestment.
[11:59] A community where grocery stores are
absent,
[12:02] jobs are scarce, transportation is
limited, and inequities are woven into
[12:07] daily life. A community that has been
underserved. Not because lack of
[12:13] potential, but because of lack of
access. For 35 years, the National
[12:18] Hookup of Black Women Incorporated
Juliet chapter, a 501c3 organization,
[12:24] has stood in that gap, meeting needs
that should never have existed in the
[12:28] first place. We've fed families,
supported seniors, uplifted women and
[12:34] children, and work to restore dignity
where systems have failed. In many ways,
[12:40] our work is a continuation of Dr. King's
unfinished business. Dr. King's dream
[12:47] and today's reality. Dr. King fought for
fair housing, living wages, quality
[12:53] education, accessible health care, and
equal opportunity. He spoke boldly about
[12:59] poverty, economic justice, and the moral
obligation to care for the most
[13:04] vulnerable.
If he were to look at communities today,
[13:08] communities still battling food deserts,
unemployment, undermployment, and
[13:14] structural inequities,
he would recognize the struggle. He will
[13:19] see that while progress have been made,
the promise of justice remains unevenly
[13:25] distributed. But he would also see the
power of community-led organizations
[13:30] like ours. He will see neighbors feeding
neighbors, volunteers stepping up, and
[13:36] leaders refusing to accept despair as
destiny. He will see this dream still
[13:42] alive, carried forward not by speeches
alone, but by service, advocacy, and
[13:49] collective action. We are working
together toward dignity, equity, and
[13:55] shared humanity. The path forward
requires all of us. Dr. King taught that
[14:02] justice is not the responsibility of a
few but the calling of a community. We
[14:08] move forward a more equitable society
when we invest in dignity, ensuring
[14:14] families have choice, respect, and
access to healthy foods. We build
[14:19] pathways to opportunity through
workforce development, education, and
[14:25] partnerships that open doors. We stand
united. nonprofits, businesses, faith
[14:32] communities, and residents working side
by side. We refuse to normalize inequity
[14:39] and instead commit to transforming it.
Dr. King reminds us that the ark of the
[14:45] moral universe is long, but it bends
towards justice. But it does not bend on
[14:51] its own. It begins because people like
you, you, you and us, we pull ourselves,
[14:59] we together, we pull out, pull it with
our hands, our hearts, and our
[15:04] unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.
And that is our belief. And thank you
[15:08] for the opportunity.
[applause]
[15:25] what you have written down
[15:33] just for the fragrance. We are joined
also now by Judy Easley likewise like to
[15:39] take the podium and share a few words
with us.
[15:42] Thank you for this proclamation and for
the honor of accepting you today. On
[15:47] behalf of the NAACP and the community
you serve, we are deeply grateful for
[15:52] this recognition of the life, legacy,
and enduring work of Dr. Martin Luther
[15:56] King Jr. Dr. King was more than a leader
of his time. He was a moral compass for
[16:02] our nation. His commitment to justice,
equality, and nonviolent social change
[16:07] continues to guide us as we confront the
challenges of today. He reminded us that
[16:12] prog progress does not come through
silence or complacency but through
[16:17] courage, [snorts] collaboration and and
an unwavering belief in the dignity of
[16:22] all people. This proclamation is not
only a tribute to Dr. King's words and
[16:27] actions but also a call to action for
each of us. Dr. King challenged
[16:32] communities to move beyond symbolic
gestures and toward meaningful change.
[16:36] change that uplifts the marginalized,
protects civil rights, and ensures equal
[16:41] opportunity in education, economic
access, voting rights, and justice under
[16:46] the law. As an organization, the NAACP
remains committed to carrying forward
[16:52] Dr. King's vision through civic
engagement, advocacy, education, and
[16:57] community service. We continue the work
of dismantling inequity and building
[17:02] bridges across differences. We
understand that the work is not finished
[17:06] and that the responsibility to advance
justice belongs to all of us. We thank
[17:11] the Joliet Township government for
recognizing the importance of Dr. King's
[17:15] legacy and for standing with us and
affirming that his dream still matters.
[17:20] May this proclamation serve as a
reminder that justice requires action,
[17:25] equity requires intention, and uni unity
requires effort. Let us honor Dr. King,
[17:31] not only with our words today, but with
our continued commitment to service,
[17:35] fairness, and love for humanity tomorrow
and beyond. Thank you.
[17:41] [applause]
[17:47] » Thank you.
[17:58] I had one night in my home because I was
little when he came to
[18:04] my oldest brother had the honor.
He is just out of the military
[18:11] and he came home to bury our brother.
But because he was a military cop,
[18:18] he was one of the ones that was standing
on the podium as a bodyguard. So he got
[18:22] a chance to be Dr. King. Also,
Ferdan Range because he had CDL license
[18:32] was a chauffeur for the Limy that day.
Um, Vernon Boss,
[18:40] Sydney Edwards, two black police
officers were also on the podium. Two
[18:45] people that I grew up with, grew up
with, Vern being one of my brother's
[18:50] oldest and closest friends and Sydney
Edwards being mentor and like a stepdad
[18:56] to me. So, as a
10year-old,
[19:03] I remember that when he came to Jo,
>> but it's hard to find anything in the
[19:09] archives.
I do have one picture
[19:14] and it's a picture we don't know who
took it, but Dr. King was standing with
[19:19] a bunch of ministers.
I recognized two of them.
[19:26] Reverend Walton was one and Reverend
Bondor was the other. There was three
[19:31] others in the picture that I did not
know, but I have that picture in my
[19:35] manual.
So, I remember that moment when he was a
[19:39] child.
[19:42] The only thing I would like to add is
that in today's environment, it is so
[19:47] important that we come together, that we
stick together and [snorts] not let
[19:54] what's going on in the world
um make us feel we have nothing to say
[20:02] or nothing to do. It comes from all of
us working together, standing up for
[20:10] each other, and uh not only remembering
Dr. King's legacy, I can say personally
[20:18] coming from Mount Zion Baptist Church,
Pastor Dr. Isaac Singleton was one of
[20:25] those pastors. And that's where I get my
commitment to serving in the community
[20:32] is coming up in that environment. And we
must re remember it's not about a black
[20:39] person. It's not about a brown person, a
white person. It's about humanity. all
[20:46] of us
[20:53] lot of history here in Julia that might
not have known about. So definitely I
[20:58] think the context study would like to to
see any of those photos or documents if
[21:03] you got them.
[21:10] » I don't think I can follow up on that.
>> [laughter]
[21:14] » Amen.
>> We'll uh we'll we'll follow up with with
[21:18] our next proclamation
um which is proclamation recognition of
[21:24] National Human Trafficking Prevention
Month. Um so I'll read that into the
[21:30] record now and follow me like a a motion
and a second to approve. Uh so this
[21:36] proclamation reads, "Whereas January is
recognized as human trafficking
[21:40] prevention month, a time to learn the
signs of human trafficking and
[21:44] strengthen our shared commitments and
this crime. Whereas this month honors
[21:47] the efforts of individuals and
organizations committed to preventing
[21:50] human trafficking, uplifts the voices of
survivors and remembers those whose
[21:54] lives were lost in justice. Whereas the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of
[21:58] 2000 affirmed the national priority of
preventing trafficking, protecting
[22:02] victims, and prosecuting traffickers.
These principles are now used by
[22:05] countries around the world. Whereas
while human trafficking can affect
[22:09] people of all backgrounds, individuals
experiencing abuse, violence, economic
[22:13] hardship, housing instability, or social
isolation face a heightened risk of
[22:17] exploitation. Whereas human trafficking
is closely linked to other forms of
[22:20] violence and exploitation and is often
driven by shared conditions, including
[22:25] limited access to resources and
environments that fail to provide safety
[22:28] and support. And whereas human
trafficking, including forced labor and
[22:31] sex trafficking, threatens public
safety, violates human rights and harms
[22:35] millions of adults and children
worldwide. And whereas the United States
[22:38] Department of Labor has identified 158
goods from 77 countries that are
[22:42] believed to be produced using child
labor or forced labor in violation of
[22:47] international standards.
Whereas national data indicate that
[22:50] black women and girls account for
approximately 40% of women trafficked in
[22:54] the United States while about 24% are
Latina LGBTQIA plus individuals
[22:59] particularly transgender women of color
are also disproportionately
[23:02] [clears throat] impacted by sex
trafficking and whereas an estimated
[23:05] 27.6 million people remain vulnerable to
traffickers who often exploit poverty
[23:11] instability and crisis. Now therefore be
resolved that the board of Julia
[23:15] Township government proclaims January
2026 as National Human Trafficking
[23:19] Prevention Month in Julia Township
encourages all residents to learn the
[23:23] science of trafficking and join in
efforts to protect the freedom and
[23:25] well-being of every person to be adopted
this 13th day of January 2026.
[23:31] I have a motion and a second to approve
uh this proclamation.
[23:35] » So move second.
>> Madam clerk, you call the role.
[23:38] » Trustee Gavin. Hi.
>> Trustee Adamski. Hi. Trusty Bibian.
[23:42] » Hi,
>> Trusty Washington. Hi,
[23:44] » Supervisor Guerrero. Hi.
>> Motion carried.
[23:47] » Uh, up next uh is an amended 2026
holiday calendar for Trolia Township of
[23:53] Government. Um, and we added in New
Year's Eve also. Um, and kind of brought
[24:00] this into line with what our neighboring
townships uh their schedule are. So, uh,
[24:05] there is a motion and a second to
approve the amended 2026 holiday
[24:10] calendar. Some move. Second.
Call the role.
[24:14] » Trustee Washington.
>> Hi.
[24:16] » Trusty Adamski.
>> Hi.
[24:18] » Trusty Vivian.
>> Hi.
[24:19] » Trusty Gavin.
>> Hi.
[24:20] » Supervisor Guerrero.
>> Hi.
[24:22] » Motion carried.
>> U. Up next. So we will have now a
[24:28] resolution number 20261
reporting the the determination of the
[24:34] Joliet Township Board's review of close
session minutes pursuant to section 2.06
[24:38] six of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
That's quite the title. Uh so in uh in
[24:45] short, this is
um in approval of past close session
[24:50] minutes. Uh we have reviewed those those
close session minutes and every so often
[24:57] we need to make a determination as to
whether or not those close uh session
[25:02] minutes can be released to the public.
um and then what to do with the uh
[25:07] verbatim recording of said minutes. So
if you look in the schedules A and B
[25:14] that accompanied this agenda item, uh we
had close session meeting minutes
[25:20] spanning back from January 10th, 2023 uh
to most recently July of 2025.
[25:27] made the determination that uh two,
three, four, five, six meetings
[25:33] um would remain confidential uh not to
be released. And under schedule B, we've
[25:40] got recordings of minutes spanning all
the way back to 2013. These were
[25:45] previously approved for release, but the
recording still exists. And so this will
[25:49] authorize us now to dispose of recording
as it's no longer necessary. Um,
[25:56] back to schedule a the close session
minutes that we will not be releasing uh
[26:03] the suggestion was made to us by the
legal council that these call sessions
[26:07] were still recent enough uh and were
pertinent to uh matters that were still
[26:13] still recent still kind of affecting
ongoing operations uh and so the
[26:18] recommendation was made not to release
those. Any questions regarding um close
[26:23] session minutes or content of this
agenda?
[26:27] There's no further questions, then I
would ask for a motion and a second to
[26:31] approve resolution number 2026-01.
>> So,
[26:38] it's been motion and seconded. Call the
RO.
[26:42] » Trusty Gavin.
>> Hi.
[26:43] » Trusty Bibian. Hi,
>> Trusty Adamski. Hi,
[26:46] » Trusty Washington. Hi,
>> Supervisor Berero. Hi.
[26:49] » Motion carries.
Uh this next item uh ordinance number
[26:54] 417-2026
establishing a records retention and
[26:59] disposal policy. Uh this is basically
just to bring in all of our different
[27:04] programs and departments uh to have of a
standardized policy um that's in
[27:10] compliance with uh state law and any
other statutory requirements.
[27:15] um it's been shared with the different
program um you know different department
[27:20] heads of of each program they been made
made aware of this um so everybody will
[27:27] kind of be following a standardized
uniform policy any questions regarding
[27:31] this ordinance
[27:35] there's no questions and I will ask if
there is a motion and a second to adopt
[27:40] ordinance number 417-2026
[27:45] Second
call.
[27:47] » Trustee Adamski.
>> Hi.
[27:49] » Trusty Gavin. Hi.
>> Trusty Vivian. Hi.
[27:51] » Trusty Washington. Hi.
>> Supervisor Guer.
[27:54] » Motion carries.
[28:00] [snorts]
[28:10] Order here. U.
Next on the agenda then we'll have
[28:15] ordinance number 418-2026
establishing a township asset inventory
[28:21] and control system. Um, in summary, as
we've been picking our way through uh
[28:28] some improvements to the building, some
renovations, we have uh put bluntly just
[28:34] stuck. Uh so you know we some of which
has already been disposed of things that
[28:42] are either broken or um it's not not in
good condition but we do have uh a lot
[28:47] of things that are still in good shape
that were expensive when we purchased
[28:52] them. And so we want to make sure that
even if they are no longer in use or um
[28:57] you know no longer of need to us that
we're disposing of those properly. Um,
[29:02] so this will allow us to create an
inventory system. Deputy clerk has uh
[29:08] started to to prepare some of the work
for that. Um,
[29:13] identifying items in township possession
uh that are valued at above $200. Um, so
[29:22] those will be catalog inventory. We have
a a uh code uh basically a barcode or QR
[29:28] code system uh that will allow us to ate
that into a digital spreadsheet for
[29:33] easier management. Um, and then if we
make determination that anything that we
[29:38] have that we no longer have use of, uh,
that's valued at over $200, um, we'll
[29:44] follow through with a a standard policy
of how to get rid how to properly uh,
[29:48] rid ourselves of that inventory. Whether
that be putting it up for for bid, u
[29:54] transferring ownership over to a
different entity, or making the
[29:58] determination that while this item might
have been valued at 200, $500,000 at the
[30:04] time of purchase, because of
depreciation, it's no longer valued at
[30:07] that amount and we can just simply
dispose of it. Um, so that'll that'll
[30:12] just help us overall um get a better
sense of what is in our possession, what
[30:17] we do have ownership of, identify where
there might be some needs to replace
[30:21] things or modernize things um as we as
we go through our renovations throughout
[30:26] our multiple buildings. Any questions
regarding this ordinance?
[30:32] And if there are no questions, I'd ask
for a motion and a second to adopt
[30:37] ordinance number 418-2026.
>> Some moved.
[30:41] » Second. It's been a motion and seconded.
Trust clerk, please call the role.
[30:46] » Trusty Washington.
>> Hi.
[30:47] » Trusty Gavin. Hi.
>> Trustee Adamski.
[30:50] » Hi.
>> Trusty Vivian.
[30:51] » Hi.
>> Supervisor Guerrero.
[30:52] » Hi.
>> Motion carried.
[30:55] Uh, next item is ordinance number
419-2026
[31:00] establishing rules and procedures for
township meetings. Uh, we did previously
[31:04] have an ordinance on already on on file
for um rules procedure for township
[31:11] meetings for updating those rules and so
by adopting this ordinance will
[31:16] effectively replace the uh the previous
ordinance. Um
[31:22] uh highlights would include uh we
actually upped the time limit previously
[31:27] was three minutes. We've increase that
to to four minutes. That's in line with
[31:32] what the uh COLette has. Uh we also just
kind of clarified some of the the
[31:36] language on what the rules of procedure
are. um just to ensure that we're having
[31:43] a a smooth uh meeting that any public
participation is directed to the board
[31:49] as a whole. Uh trying to avoid anything
that would be inflammatory or
[31:55] derogatory, anything of that nature. Um
so not too many not a not a major change
[32:02] to what we had previously. Uh it's
really more of a revision to to what the
[32:06] rules of procedure were. Any questions
uh on campus here with this or
[32:14] there are no questions and I'll ask for
a motion and a second to adopt ordinance
[32:18] number 419-2026
[32:26] » who was
>> okay so motion made by trusty Gibian and
[32:31] second by trustee
[32:36] » motion made by trusty Gavin Second by
trusty Vivian.
[32:40] » Trustee Gavin. Hi
>> Trusty Bivian. Hi
[32:43] » Trusty Adamski. Hi
>> Trusty Washington. Hi
[32:45] » Supervisor Guerrero. Hi.
>> Motion carries.
[32:48] » Thank you.
>> Uh this next item I ask for this to be
[32:52] added to the agenda just as a review uh
to be able to bring this forth for open
[32:57] discussion uh with the entirety of the
board. Um, so I I'm at this time not
[33:03] asking for a motion for approval or to
bring this board to a to a vote. Uh, but
[33:09] did want to have the opportunity to
discuss this openly. Um, this ordinance
[33:13] number 420-2026
regulating weeds, grass, bushes, trees,
[33:18] ponds, establishing fees for leans and
releases, designating authorized
[33:22] officials, and repealing ordinance
381-2022
[33:26] resolution 2002-7.
Um so a little bit similar to our
[33:32] previous item by bringing this forth we
are updating um what we had previously
[33:40] um streamlining the process and bringing
it into a a singular item. This would uh
[33:46] is in regards to uh bond enforcement. So
uh while it's going to do a whole lot of
[33:54] it throughout the year, it is uh one of
the responsibilities of township to
[33:58] enforce um regulations on nuisance
properties. Um so when the determination
[34:07] has been made, we typically get a
report, right? A neighbor will call in.
[34:11] I will go visit the the location. We'll
make a determination if the property is
[34:16] in fact a nuisance property. Um
with the shortenance kind of streamlines
[34:21] that that process a little bit uh and
allows us to establish a lean which
[34:26] would allow us to recover some of the
cost incurred during that process. It is
[34:33] in some sense uh
grant a little bit of an extension or u
[34:42] interpretation of executive power and it
is involving a fee, right? Uh and so
[34:49] They anticipated that there might be
some resistance to this or some push
[34:52] back. Uh which is why I'm bringing this
forth just as a discussion item today.
[34:56] Get some feedback from the board on on
what your thoughts might be.
[35:02] » I mean I'm all for property maintenance
and
[35:07] these are probably the best way to
enforce property maintenance
[35:11] » especially because within here you give
time for warning and people have time to
[35:15] correct something on their own.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I I didn't want this to feel
[35:20] like it was just an outright punitive
measure that we're going to be punishing
[35:24] people for letting their grass grow a
little longer than usual, right? That's
[35:29] that's not the intention of this. Um but
uh just to draw your attention to if you
[35:36] guys have it guess additional copy uh
page four for me it' be article six fees
[35:44] uh section 6.1
allows for an administrative fee of $150
[35:50] per property for each notice of lean
filed. Section 6.2 two, um, upon
[35:57] satisfaction of all amounts due under
noticeable leave, including principal
[36:00] amount, administrative fee, recording
fees, and other applicable costs,
[36:04] property owners shall then pay a release
fee of $75.
[36:09] Um,
>> is this for vacant properties as well as
[36:15] properties that are inhabited?
>> Um, it it should cover
[36:20] as it's written.
>> Although it's not
[36:24] someone living in the township whose
neighbor rents this property, but they
[36:29] got chicken roosters
far and she wanted to know if they're
[36:38] anything that addresses that.
>> I don't think that that would be
[36:42] something that we would enforce. I think
that would be county land use
[36:57] » I guess. So I
know that's bringing forth any sort of
[37:02] fees or or fines can sometimes be uh
little controversial, right? Nobody
[37:07] wants to be met with extra. Nobody has
wants to have to pay money that they
[37:12] didn't have to pay before. So, I wanted
to bring this forth to get some feedback
[37:16] we could uh
bring this back at at our next uh next
[37:22] month's meeting kind of finaliz
the dollar amounts seem okay to everyone
[37:29] here.
[37:32] » And again, you're giving people a
warning to correct the issue.
[37:40] You have to have some skin.
[37:50] So this is my
warning. There there are also provisions
[37:56] included in here um where we we have the
the the authorized um uh guess officials
[38:06] with within the ordinance would have the
discretion to be able to wave those
[38:09] fees. Um it's uh kind of request of of
the applicant. it's determined that they
[38:16] have their financial hardship. Um,
elderly property owners, we kind of take
[38:22] that all into account and approach it
with a holistic consideration. Um, so
[38:27] this isn't necessarily just a blanket.
Everybody's going to have to pay an
[38:31] extra $250 a year now because we just
really love to find people. That's not
[38:37] the the approach that we're bringing.
Um, but again, nobody nobody likes
[38:43] fines. It's not
So, how many warnings before um go
[38:50] through the process of putting a
property
[39:03] number
[39:11] under notice requirements article
Uh,
[39:16] township shall notify the owner
of the existence of the nuisance and
[39:21] inform the owner or association of the
township's intention to abate the
[39:26] nuisance on a date certain if the owner
fails to take appropriate action within
[39:30] seven days of set notice.
[39:39] So we would yeah upon this being brought
to our attention I would go out make the
[39:45] determination if it if it is in fact
nuisance property we'll give them
[39:49] written notice they would have then
seven days u to abate the the issue um
[39:57] if the there's failure to to bring it
into compliance within seven days then
[40:03] that would allow us to to initiate the
lean
[40:07] with again the consideration that we can
wave that it circumstances dictates it.
[40:16] » Any any questions then regarding this?
That was smoother than I thought it
[40:21] would be. Um, a question for legal. Then
we we place this on the agenda as just
[40:28] as a discussion item, but if the seems
that we're in agreement, can we still
[40:34] move this to a vote tonight or should we
just wait until our our next board
[40:38] meeting?
>> It probably would have been better to
[40:42] say rem review and possible adoption.
>> Sure. Since it was on the agenda,
[40:49] » it's probably safer then to
>> separately state it on the agenda next
[40:53] time for adoption
>> to to pass this since
[40:56] » you probably could, but you know me,
I've always advised to be cautious.
[41:00] » Sure.
>> Somebody challenges it.
[41:02] » Practicality, none of this really goes
into effect until summertime.
[41:06] » Um so we've got some time still.
>> Absolutely.
[41:09] » Yeah. Um okay, good. We'll we'll leave
this as a discussion item. um with the
[41:15] intent to return this uh to next month's
agenda.
[41:20] So that would be all for new business
items
[41:26] and that brings us to now the reports
section of our meeting. Um
[41:34] so in order of appearances listed uh
we'll begin with our lead transportation
[41:40] coordinator Leo Har.
[41:50] My printer didn't wait before coming
here. Um, good evening everyone. So for
[41:56] transportation program I mean every
every month is
[42:01] a lot of trips. uh for December of uh
last year we completed a total of uh 839
[42:08] trips just 39 less than November and out
of those 839 trips 254 were senior
[42:16] trips. In addition um we helped the
Salvation Army Community Center to
[42:23] transport children uh you know children
to the YMCA for the Christmas break.
[42:28] Um and
that was very much December kind of slow
[42:34] month for us. Uh our final numbers for
2025
[42:41] uh the transportation program completed
a total of 10,137
[42:46] trips with all partnerships seniors and
special requestes.
[42:52] And out of this 10,37 trips 36 were
senior trips which now will be going to
[43:01] the W County dial program starting next
month. So, what we've been doing is
[43:06] we've been telling our seniors to
uh if they have not used that program
[43:11] before is to call them. We provide them
with the phone number if they struggle
[43:16] with
uh technology too because the have a
[43:21] option for seniors to fill out
information on their website. All we ask
[43:25] is for their permission for us to fill
out the forms and then we [snorts] can
[43:29] scan it to the world county program. So
um I'm sure that those
[43:37] not helping you know not transporting
seniors to medical appointments is going
[43:41] to have a some kind of like an impact in
our program. But um we are looking to
[43:50] uh bring more organizations into our
transportation so we can continue with
[43:56] services for our community.
[44:02] » Oh, I want to add started this Friday we
have a mar training.
[44:09] » One more time the total number of rides
for the year
[44:12] » 10,137.
[44:15] That's right.
>> So,
[44:18] » that's a lot. And you said it's only
with what, nine, seven. Nine drivers.
[44:26] » So, good job.
>> Kuds.
[44:28] They're doing the hard work.
[applause]
[44:36] » I emailed it to you. My parents didn't
work.
[44:39] » Up next, then ask for our general
assistance director, Patricia.
[44:53] So, we did not have any outreach events
last month. Um, but last month, Sue
[44:58] Boston did retire after 22 years with
the township. While we will miss Sue, I
[45:04] am pleased to announce that uh after
conducting interviews with several
[45:07] applicants, Jesse Stiff agreed to step
into the position and will now serve as
[45:12] a general assistance caseworker/workfare
investigator. I think Jesse is going to
[45:18] be the perfect fit for for the position.
I'm thrilled to say that we filled four
[45:24] boxes for the Toys for Tots campaign.
And again, I appreciate all the
[45:28] donations that were made to help us
accomplish that goal.
[45:32] Alejandra and I uh both completed our
certifications for VITA. We have
[45:38] prepared our packets and Isabelle
submitted an article to the Herald News
[45:42] which was published last week. So, we've
already got residents that are coming in
[45:46] picking up their tax packets.
Our first outreach last month for the
[45:51] lie season was a great success. You
never know what you're going to get when
[45:56] it's a week away from Christmas and you
hold something like that. But we
[46:00] actually had 26 township residents. Um,
special thanks to Isabelle for spamming
[46:05] that message on Facebook and on our
website to ensure that the residents
[46:10] knew where to come for help. Our next
live event will be on January 21st from
[46:15] 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Um, later on when Ivan speaks, he is
[46:21] going to be talking about the budget
amendment uh being requested for GA. And
[46:26] I just wanted to point out that that is
a consequence of our having provided
[46:30] nearly twice the amount of assistance in
20 25 than what we did in 2024.
[46:36] Uh many things factored into that, most
notably that most of the surrounding
[46:41] social service agencies simply did not
have funds or they had very limited
[46:45] funds in 2025.
Um the biggest driving factor, however,
[46:50] was that the previous administration
against my advice uh raised our
[46:54] qualifying income from from 110% of
poverty level to 150%.
[47:01] That was
just way overboard. Um the raise in
[47:06] income saw us serving clients that not
only normally would not qualify at the
[47:10] township, but they were also over income
for other social service agencies as a
[47:17] scenario that never should have existed.
Um township is always your option of
[47:23] last resort. When you can't get help
anywhere else, you go to the township.
[47:28] It should never be that you're over
income for everybody else's program and
[47:32] that you come to the township. And
that's the position that we found
[47:35] ourselves in. Um I make an annual
adjustment to our qualifying income
[47:40] guidelines every January when the new
poverty guidelines are published and
[47:45] Caesar and I will be making that
adjustment sometime this month and we
[47:49] will return back to 100 110%
once those numbers are available.
[47:55] Other than that, it's just business as
usual.
[48:04] » Moving right along, our animal control
director, Whitney.
[48:19] December was a particularly busy and
successful month highlighted by a strong
[48:23] increase in cat and kitten adoptions. A
total of 43 cats and kittens found homes
[48:27] during this month reflecting continued
community engagement and demand for
[48:31] adoptions. For reference, last December
we only adopted out 20 cats. So it was
[48:36] more than double.
[clears throat] On December 12th, we
[48:40] were grateful to receive a large
donation from the Rust United's car
[48:43] club, which included cat litter, dog and
cat food, and other essential supplies.
[48:47] In addition to these inind donations,
they also collected and contributed
[48:51] monetary donations to support our
program. We greatly appreciate their
[48:55] generosity and continued community
support. Throughout December, Lyanna and
[48:59] I worked closely with our database
provider, PPoint, to trade staff on a
[49:03] new mobile checkout feature for
adoptions and to prepare our system for
[49:07] full implementation. While this has been
an ongoing [snorts] process, we're
[49:10] nearly ready to fully roll out this
feature. Mobile checkout will provide
[49:14] notable cost savings, particularly with
microchipping as the cost for microchip
[49:18] is reduced to $5 using the mobile
checkout compared to $14 without it.
[49:23] This feature will be available for
adopters who have a valid email address.
[49:27] As this busy year came to a close, we
are proud to share that 628 animals were
[49:32] adopted in 2025, an increase from 597 in
2024. This growth the hard work and
[49:38] dedication of our staff as well as the
continued support from our community. We
[49:42] look forward to building up this
momentum as we move into
[49:47] any questions.
[49:54] » We'll call our finance director.
[50:03] Um, I'll start with the amended budget
since Pat made a shout out. Um, we did
[50:08] have to transfer over some funds for uh
shelter utilities
[50:14] to increase appropriations in the GA
budget
[50:17] 46,000
dollars. So that's just coming from the
[50:23] general town fund. General Town went out
125,000 um in appropriation. So, it's
[50:30] just uh like in ending balance, not you
know in between line items like most of
[50:35] the other changes were. Um a couple
other factors that played into that. We
[50:40] did have a new rates come in from for
2026. Um one of those rates is suda suda
[50:48] state unemployment tax. Um we were
previously at 1.75. We are now at 5.55
[50:54] which is dramatic increase. Um they have
a formula that calculate um the rate on
[51:01] we just had a lot of benefit charges
last year resulted from
[51:06] one of our programs that ended. Um yeah,
another rate change was IMRF. We've been
[51:12] steady at the low what percentage point
for since I've been here. Uh and it it
[51:19] went up. It's not a lot. It's 2.2. It's
not as drastic as the unemployment rate,
[51:23] but it still, you know, needed some
changes. Those changes were taken care
[51:27] of in the amendment. You know, kind of
got lucky it was doing at the same time
[51:31] just, you know, took care of that. Um,
but that's it for the amendment changes.
[51:35] Other than that, it's January. You know,
people already asking for the W2. So,
[51:40] I'll be busy with those 1099s to any of
the vendors that we paid out over $600
[51:46] will get 1099 from us.
Other than that, that's
[51:52] all I'm in for for J. Any questions?
[52:05] here
tonight. So, we'll skip ahead to program
[52:09] and policy coordinator Tyler.
[52:20] » Good evening everybody. I just have a
couple quick updates for us on how we're
[52:24] doing. One of the big changes this month
has been uh the transition into the
[52:29] access world county program with our
transportation department. I know Leo
[52:32] touched on how all the great work we've
been doing this year. Leo, myself and
[52:36] the county met last week just to keep
talking about the specifics of this
[52:39] transition, how we can make sure writers
are able to kind of move from one
[52:43] service to the other smoothly with the
least amount of trouble. Um so that's
[52:47] going really well. We're excited to We
also needed to kind of warn the county
[52:51] about the quantity to expect from us.
Um, as Leo highlighted, we did nearly
[52:55] 10,000 rides last year. Uh, the entirety
of W County did about 16,000 last year.
[53:00] So, our addition is a sizable change for
them. So, we're trying to make sure the
[53:04] whole process doesn't get flooded in the
as we transition. Um, other thing we've
[53:09] been working on is the as part of the
purchase of the Luis Race Center, um, we
[53:14] ended up owning a number of properties
in the area. Um, and myself have been
[53:18] lead meeting with the city engineers,
various stakeholders to explore
[53:22] different ideas for how to develop that
area and how to make sure the community
[53:26] continues to grow. Um, we haven't really
come to any major decisions. We're just
[53:30] really exploring options right now. So,
I don't have anything specific to
[53:32] report, but we're looking at ways to
kind of change up the area and keep
[53:36] helping uh the neighborhood thrive.
Lastly, uh this is uh we are working
[53:42] later this month hopefully to uh have a
food pantry popup out of the Louis Ray
[53:46] Center. Um we're currently looking
sometime in the last week of January. Um
[53:50] so make sure to keep an eye out for that
as we get everything finalized.
[53:54] » That's all I've got. Any questions?
[54:01] [snorts]
>> Jumping over to the next column, our
[54:04] violence prevention convenor Garcia.
[54:13] Hello. Hello. Good evening everyone.
>> Um so really quickly just some stats
[54:18] around the violence prevention work that
we've been doing. Uh in the month of
[54:21] December we closed tracking about 51
incidences of violence uh across Will
[54:26] County. Um two of which were gunshot
wound surviving victims um and one fatal
[54:32] stabbing unfortunately.
Uh this month so far we're tracking 10
[54:36] incidences uh of violence uh within Will
County
[54:41] uh programmatically across the region
that we partner with which again is as
[54:45] far east as like the Ind uh Illinois
Indiana state border and as far north as
[54:51] uh Wisconsin Illinois uh borders. We're
seeing a lot more traction and
[54:56] communication from our regional partners
that are also doing this uh RPSA
[55:02] violence prevention work. Um so as a
result of that in December we seen about
[55:07] six applications come in for flex funds
uh and we were able to disperse about
[55:11] $30,000 worth of financial assistance to
the families that have been impacted by
[55:15] gun violence in their in the respective
areas. Uh and this month alone already
[55:20] in the first two weeks of January we've
got the same number six applications so
[55:23] far we're able to disperse up to $30,000
just within these six applications. And
[55:30] with the communication that we've had
this week from the partners, it looks
[55:33] like January is probably going to be our
biggest month um for how much we're able
[55:38] to provide assistance. Um so that's I
think that's a tribute to all of the
[55:43] collaborative partnerships that we've
been uh working on internally and
[55:47] externally because we're getting the
word out. I think that speaks to the
[55:50] community awareness campaigns that we've
been leading um over the past three
[55:54] months.
partnership with PAT creating a flyer
[55:58] for us to distribute. Um, Juan giving us
great ideas on how to make access easier
[56:05] uh to the to the resources that we have
in this program.
[56:09] Um, something else that I kind of
realized uh with specifically our area
[56:15] here in greater Joliet and Will County
is that under this grant, we don't have
[56:20] a youth development organization. So to
your point um
[56:26] Trusty Washington, the preventative
approach uh
[56:31] is not complete for our area without
having a youth development grantee under
[56:36] this grant. So since we are coming up to
the end of this grant year in uh March
[56:42] of this year, so just in two short
months, um what we're going to propose
[56:45] to the state is that we need a youth
development grantee within our area. Uh
[56:51] right now we have our convenor grantee
which is us the township. We have our
[56:54] behavioral health grantee which is uh
Haiti. I think she's up after me. Um and
[56:59] we have a violence prevention service
provider grantee in our area which is
[57:02] Illinois youth and family services. But
we don't have a youth youth uh program
[57:07] devel development program grantee. So
we're going to propose to the state that
[57:13] we need one right. We need some
additional uh funds allocated for our
[57:16] region so that we can um expand the work
to be more preventative as opposed to
[57:22] this reactive
>> question. No, I actually talk to you
[57:28] later.
>> Yes, ma'am. Well, yeah, we're going to
[57:31] ask for it when we get it and we'll see
who can apply for it.
[57:35] » Oh,
>> yeah.
[57:38] Um so yeah, as I mentioned, uh we just
closed quarter three of this grant year.
[57:44] Um so the report everything is ready and
with Ivan support and a Caesar um we're
[57:49] all working Haiti and myself all working
to submit the um continuation
[57:54] application so that we want to extend
this program um that the township has
[58:00] been leading through uh March of 2027.
Uh so it's looking good. they make it
[58:05] sound like it's it's almost uh a
certainty that we will be able to extend
[58:10] the services in the program. Um
so I think that's the main updates that
[58:16] I had for violent prevention efforts
for December January.
[58:23] » Thank you.
>> Thank you. Can I can I I was inspired
[58:26] earlier. I think the our speakers left
but um I don't know if you all knew of
[58:31] Dr. King's many legacies. He left a set
of principles for us to uh try to live
[58:37] by and as the violence prevention uh
convenor I think I I would offer them to
[58:42] you. A lot of folks surprisingly have
not heard of these val these principles.
[58:47] Uh so principle number one is
nonviolence is a way of life for
[58:51] courageous people. I think that
principle is important because nowadays
[58:54] the people who are perpetrating violence
think that they're more courageous, more
[58:58] brave or more strong because they're
perpetrating violence. whereas not
[59:03] acting in violence is a lot harder I
think. So if we're able to do that uh
[59:09] Dr. King believed that we were more
courageous if we were able to live
[59:12] nonviolent. The second one is I think
what uh Trusty Washington we've talked
[59:18] about in the past and what we're working
towards is the beloved community is the
[59:22] framework and the foundation of the
future. So we want to bring in more
[59:25] partnerships, get the community more
involved um towards building a better
[59:31] future for greater Joliet in our
partnering uh regions.
[59:35] Um what I have here is it says attack
forces of evil but I think it's speak
[59:41] out against contest and disagree with
forces of evil as opposed to persons
[59:46] doing evil. And that would be hard to
do, right? You want to say that person's
[59:50] doing these bad things, but that in
itself is kind of a violent accusation.
[59:55] Whereas we want to acknowledge the
things being done are not right, right?
[59:59] Or unjust. Number four is accepting
suffering without retaliation,
[1:00:04] which just sounds difficult to do,
>> but if we're able to achieve that, then
[1:00:09] we will be contributing to peace as
opposed to perpetrating more the cycle
[1:00:14] of violence. um accepting suffering
without retaliation for the sake of the
[1:00:19] cause to achieve the goal.
I think there was a lot of controversy
[1:00:24] for Dr. King on that one, right? But I
try to live by it too. Uh avoid internal
[1:00:31] violence of spirit as well as external
violence. And as uh as a therapist
[1:00:36] myself, I think that's our own inner
selft talk. If you get frustrated with
[1:00:40] yourself, disappointing yourself, angry
at yourself, you're being violent
[1:00:43] towards yourself. But trying avoid that.
Uh the last one is the universe is on
[1:00:49] the side of justice. So if you believe
it, we can achieve it, right? So I just
[1:00:54] want to earlier when the speakers before
they left, I was like yes. Um but I just
[1:00:59] wanted to close with that. Uh thank you.
If there's no question for the updates,
[1:01:03] thank you.
>> Thank you. [applause]
[1:01:10] Then right up next we'll have our
behavioral health team director uh Katie
[1:01:15] Martinez.
[1:01:21] » Good evening everyone. So currently the
program is serving um 21 individual
[1:01:28] clients. Um this month of January we
have completed three intakes so far. So
[1:01:32] that number should be increasing um for
the next quarters to come. We have We
[1:01:36] connected with the Lincoln school to
restart our second round of group
[1:01:40] therapy, increasing it from two groups
um last quarter to now four groups this
[1:01:45] upcoming um this month of January. So,
we're just working out the final details
[1:01:50] so that we can start providing uh four
groups in total to the school at
[1:01:55] Lincoln. Um in December, I participated
in two professional training courses
[1:02:00] focused on trauma and juvenile
delinquency as well as domestic violence
[1:02:04] and trauma. These trainings support
continued skill development and ensure
[1:02:08] evidence informs care for the
populations we are currently serving.
[1:02:12] Additionally, I have been working
closely with Anna, the executive
[1:02:15] assistant, to revamp our reporting
process in order to capture the most
[1:02:19] accurate data possible. This is to
support the completion of accuracy for
[1:02:24] quarter 2, which we'll be submitting
this um Thursday, and to make sure all
[1:02:28] future quarters are more in compliance
and that we're providing accurate data.
[1:02:42] Director of human resources, Dr. Erica
Waters.
[1:03:02] Good evening.
>> Happy new year.
[1:03:05] » 26
[1:03:08] last year. [laughter]
>> Wait, I'm to say that.
[1:03:12] » I know, right?
My new year.
[1:03:18] » It's been to the 31st.
>> Oh, sorry.
[1:03:28] » Um like earlier, so the organizations
that did come for the proclamation. I'm
[1:03:33] a member of both the National Hookup of
Black Women and NAACP women. So, yeah.
[1:03:40] Uh yes, I am grateful for MLK uh as well
because it reminds us that leadership
[1:03:47] doesn't start with us and it won't end
with us. But Dr. King lived with
[1:03:51] courage, conviction, and service even
when it cost him everything. And as a
[1:03:56] leader today, I don't compare myself to
his greatness. I align myself with his
[1:04:00] responsibility to serve people, speak
truth, and leave the door open wider
[1:04:04] than I found it. So, as we go into this
new year, um human resources, uh you
[1:04:13] know, my job is really good. Like, I
love y'all. Uh but we focus on
[1:04:19] leadership development, safety, and
compliance, and workforce planning as we
[1:04:23] close out 2025 and prepare for 2026. The
leadership training continued with an
[1:04:28] emphasis on accountability,
communication, and supervisory
[1:04:32] effectiveness. Uh safety efforts include
ongoing coordination with Torma and
[1:04:38] Narcan training followup with them uh
with an additional sessions scheduled
[1:04:43] for January 16th. There has been no
reported safety incidents in the last
[1:04:48] past 30 days. Let's keep that up. uh
reflecting strong adherence to safety
[1:04:53] protocols, HR continues personnel file
audits, attendance and approval reviews
[1:04:59] and benefits and leave administration to
maintain compliance. Upcoming priorities
[1:05:04] include finalizing personnel file
reviews, implementing the summer
[1:05:08] internship program with our partners and
releasing the January 2026 coral HR
[1:05:14] newsletter highlighting 2025
accomplishments.
[1:05:18] I give y'all a more longer version. I
didn't want to do that to the people.
[1:05:22] So, any questions for me?
>> Good. Good to see y'all again in 2026.
[1:05:30] » Thank you.
[1:05:35] » And we'll have our hear from our senior
leazison Wallace.
[1:05:40] » Absolutely.
Um
[1:05:45] » well last part of uh December after our
meetings I was talking to veterans that
[1:05:49] came to our lunchon I've been talking
about our tax service program there's an
[1:05:54] old senior service calendar for the
first time I I've called and called and
[1:06:01] called and called and uh I saw a lady at
a senior group last Thursday that goes
[1:06:06] down there quite frequently and she was
really not sure how much staff to
[1:06:13] I leave messages and there's no
response.
[1:06:17] Um,
so I'm going to get some flyers for our
[1:06:22] tax service program.
I'm going to start handing those out the
[1:06:26] rest of this month in the month of
February.
[1:06:29] Um,
there was a few groups that didn't meet
[1:06:33] this month. They take off January,
but February have 10 meetings.
[1:06:41] That's all we have to go to. So, if you
have any questions, just don't hesitate
[1:06:46] to ask me.
[1:06:50] » Thank you.
[1:07:00] » So, for December, we were working with
the state archivist office regarding
[1:07:04] record retention management in order to
stay compum.
[1:07:09] records that like including election
records and records from the
[1:07:12] transportation and private prevention
programs that weren't added on the
[1:07:16] records retention schedule before. So
now as we had our first bid opening for
[1:07:22] the road district and our first grass
cutting lean that we had to file um and
[1:07:28] then as you all heard one all of the
ordinances the ordinances 417420 that
[1:07:34] were on the agenda today so we're
thankful for that and the website's been
[1:07:39] updated on the clerk's office page. Um,
and then a section on the website has
[1:07:44] been included about election dates. So,
that's on there. And then the
[1:07:48] organizational charts and other
documents that need to be on display
[1:07:51] have been updated as well.
[1:07:56] Questions?
[1:08:06] Um
I think everyone got through really the
[1:08:11] highlights that I wanted to share
previously. Um so I guess just looking
[1:08:16] ahead uh well tonight we approved our
amended budget uh and we're already
[1:08:21] considerations for the upcoming fiscal
[snorts] year uh starting on April 1st.
[1:08:26] So we're already kind of laying the
groundwork to uh plan around next uh
[1:08:31] next fiscal year. Um, as you saw in in
the amendments tonight, uh, you know,
[1:08:38] our expenses have increased and so
without really getting into the
[1:08:42] particulars or or the details just yet,
um, you know, we're we're really trying
[1:08:49] our our our best to uh continue all of
our services, make sure that there isn't
[1:08:54] a a lapse in service. Um but getting
creative with uh kind of adapting some
[1:09:03] programs how they operate. Um a very
good example is our our transportation
[1:09:08] program. Uh so we will be retaining a a
fleet of vehicles even though we are uh
[1:09:14] transitioning some of our ridership over
to uh the county style ride service. So
[1:09:19] um it's that sort of uh that sort of
thinking um really having to get uh
[1:09:24] creative with some of these solutions to
ensure that no matter what happens, we
[1:09:29] continue to provide those services to
the public. Clearly, there's there's a a
[1:09:34] demand, there's a need uh for for these
to be addressed. Um but we're we're
[1:09:39] trying our best to to do those within
the the constraints of our of our
[1:09:43] limited budgets. Um since really the
only way for us to increase revenues
[1:09:48] would be to increase taxes and nobody
wants to do that. So, um I'll be meeting
[1:09:54] uh hopefully with uh each each one of
the trustees individually uh over the
[1:09:58] weeks to come um to discuss kind next
year's budget. It's never never too
[1:10:04] early to start. Uh so we do have a
couple of months to prepare and and
[1:10:09] bring that to order for April 1st fiscal
year. Um but again, we'd like to have
[1:10:15] those conversations started now well in
advance uh so we're ready to kind of hit
[1:10:19] the ground running. Um, we've made some,
uh, good building improvements that's
[1:10:26] kind of been on ongoing. Uh, so we'll
expect to see some improvements to our
[1:10:32] first floor lobby here at our main
office very soon. Um, continued
[1:10:38] improvements at the Louise Ray uh,
center. We've got designs for animal
[1:10:42] control building. Um, so you know, I I
kind of touch on uh capital improvements
[1:10:48] every time we're here, but these are
long-term projects that take many months
[1:10:52] to complete. So, uh, glad to see
progress being made on on those fronts.
[1:10:57] And again, um, thanks to to all of our,
uh, different employees, our our
[1:11:03] department heads. Uh, none of this work
is possible without you guys. And so,
[1:11:06] I'm very grateful for for all of you.
Um, we're going to make sure that we
[1:11:10] continue to provide u, you know,
excellent service to to all of our
[1:11:14] township residents.
[1:11:20] So, we'll carry on with the remainder of
the agenda as I'm sure everyone's
[1:11:26] anxious to wrap up here and get home.
So, uh, first would be approval of cash
[1:11:35] receipts.
Cash receipts for uh the month of
[1:11:39] December totaled $142,121.93.
[1:11:45] Is there a motion and a second for the
approval of cash receipts?
[1:11:49] » So move
second.
[1:11:52] » So that's a motion by trusty Gavin,
second by Trusty Adams.
[1:11:57] » Trusty Gavin. Hi,
>> Trusty Adamski. Hi, Trusty Vivian. Hi,
[1:12:01] Trusty Washington. Hi, Supervisor Guo.
Hi. Motion carried. Moving [snorts] on
[1:12:07] now to expenditures. Uh the general town
fund for the month of December, uh
[1:12:12] expenditures total $367,66.90.
[1:12:18] There a motion and a second to approve
the expenditures for general town fund.
[1:12:22] » So move second.
>> Trustee Washington.
[1:12:26] » I.
>> Trusty Gavin. Hi.
[1:12:27] » Trustee Adamski.
>> Hi.
[1:12:29] » Trusty Bivian.
>> Hi.
[1:12:30] » Supervisor Guo. Hi.
>> Motion carried.
[1:12:34] Next is our capital fund for the month
of December. Expenditures total $32,816.
[1:12:41] There a motion and a second to approve
these expenditures. So move
[1:12:45] » second.
[1:12:48] » Trustee Gavin. Hi.
>> Trusty Bivian.
[1:12:50] » Hi.
>> Trustee Adamski. Hi.
[1:12:52] » Trusty Washington. Hi.
>> Supervisor Guerrero.
[1:12:54] » Motion carries.
>> Next is our general assistance fund for
[1:12:58] the month of December. expenditures
total $41,78455.
[1:13:05] Is there a motion and a second to
approve uh these expenditures?
[1:13:09] » So move second.
>> Trustee Gavin.
[1:13:13] » Hi.
>> Trustee Washington. Hi.
[1:13:15] » Trustee Adamski. Hi.
>> Trusty Vivian.
[1:13:17] » Hi.
>> Supervisor Guerrero.
[1:13:19] » Hi.
>> Motion carried.
[1:13:21] Road and Bridge Fund for the month of
December had expenditures totaling
[1:13:25] $99,854.72.
[1:13:29] » A motion and a second to approve.
>> So move.
[1:13:34] » Trusty Washington.
>> Hi,
[1:13:36] » Trusty Gavin. Hi,
>> Trusty Adamski. Hi,
[1:13:39] » Trusty Vivian. Hi,
>> Supervisor Guerrero.
[1:13:41] » Hi.
>> Motion carries.
[1:13:44] and patrol fund for the month of
December uh expenditures total $12,1358.
[1:13:51] Is there a motion and a second to
approve these expenditures?
[1:13:54] » So move second.
>> Trustee Gavin.
[1:13:58] » Hi.
>> Trustee Adamski.
[1:13:59] » Hi.
>> Trusty Vivian.
[1:14:00] » Hi.
>> Trustee Washington.
[1:14:02] » Hi.
>> Supervisor Guerrero. Hi.
[1:14:04] » Motion carries.
>> And [snorts] finally our senior fund
[1:14:07] expenditure for the month of December
total $1,080.
[1:14:12] Is there a motion and a second to
approve?
[1:14:14] » So second
>> trustee Gavin. Hi
[1:14:18] » Trusty Bivian. Hi
>> Trusty Adamski. Hi
[1:14:21] » Trusty Washington.
>> Hi.
[1:14:23] » Supervisor Guerrero.
>> Motion carries.
[1:14:27] » Thank you. So that concludes uh
expenditures and bills for approval for
[1:14:32] this month. The final item on our agenda
is a uh to be held in close session. So
[1:14:39] just as advisory to our audience, we
will be entertaining a motion uh to
[1:14:44] enter close session to discuss personnel
matters. Uh upon conclusion of close
[1:14:50] session, we'll return, but since there
are no longer any agenda items um for
[1:14:55] the open session, this is effectively
the conclusion of our meeting. Um but
[1:15:02] for our board formally, we will be
looking for a motion and a second to to
[1:15:08] to uh suspend our open meeting and enter
close session to discuss personnel.
[1:15:13] » So second that's a motion by trustee
Adamski and a second by trustee Gavin.
[1:15:19] Madam
>> cler call the role.
[1:15:20] » Trustee Adamski.
>> Hi.
[1:15:22] » Trustee Gavin.
>> Hi.
[1:15:23] » Trusty Bibian.
>> Hi.
[1:15:25] » Trusty Washington.
>> Hi.
[1:15:26] » Supervisor Guerrero.
>> Hi.
[1:15:28] » Motion carried.
[1:15:37] Okay, so we are once again recording
um
[1:15:43] we have returned from our close session
and are now looking to
[1:15:52] really only one one thing left uh with
everything on our agenda having been
[1:15:57] addressed. Supervisor, do you want to
say that there is nothing to vote on uh
[1:16:01] that arose in the closed session? Just
for the record, even though I just said
[1:16:05] it.
[snorts]
[1:16:07] » So, um so for the record of our close
session meeting, there was nothing
[1:16:13] required a vote. Um so, we are now
returning to our public session. Is that
[1:16:19] sufficient?
>> Yes.
[1:16:21] Um, so unless there's any closing
thoughts, uh, everything on our agenda
[1:16:27] has been covered. Only item that is left
is adjournments.
[1:16:31] » I have a motion and a second to adjurnn.
>> So second,
[1:16:37] » Trusty Gavin, hi,
>> Trusty Washington. Hi,
[1:16:39] » Trustee Adamski. Hi,
>> Trusty Bibian. Hi,
[1:16:42] » Supervisor Guerrero. Hi.
>> Motion carries
[1:16:46] at 73.
[1:16:52] I got to