The city of Joliet has launched a new electronic recycling program, after forming a pact with Will County.
The deal, which was approved last week by the Joliet City Council, intends to provide Joliet residents with a new option for recycling electronics.
Councilwoman Jan Quillman said the deal means Joliet residents won’t have to see line items added to their monthly water and sewer bills.
“That’s what makes this a sweet deal for folks,” she said.
For those looking to utilize the new service, recycling began Oct. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Will County parking lot located at the corner Marion and Ottawa Streets. THe service is expected to continue operating on site on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month during an agreed upon timeframe.
Joliet and Will County residents will be allowed to drop off up to two television sets and unlimited amounts of other electronics, according to the agreement. Residents will be required to show identification in order to use the service.
Until last week, Will County operated four recycling locations with limited days and hours in Lockport, Peotone, New Lenox and Romeoville.
The previous electronic collection program in Joliet, dubbed Recyclepalooza, came to a halt about a year ago, city officials said. Those events weren’t provided as frequently as the new electronic recycling program.
Joliet City Manager Jim Hock said issues previously seen at recycling events in Joliet, according to Hock, are addressed under the new pact.
“Last year, they did two programs, Recyclepalooza, and it was a huge major drop off,” Hock said. “Because of the logistics and increased participation of those programs, there were lines all the way out to JJC; they couldn’t loop them back and forth enough and drop them off in time, so that’s why we’re changing the program.”
The city will pay Will County up to $10,000 using general funds to account for one year’s cost of the program.
To date, Joliet officials have only approved funding through February.
At that time, the city will review community input gathered through a Waste Management survey regarding door-to-door electronic recycling pickup service to decide if that’s a better option. That service would cost taxpayers $15 a year, and it is set up to include disposal of all hazardous materials, in addition to electronic recycling,
Hock said he would bring the results of the Waste Management survey to city officials’ attention to decide what course of action is necessary.
Joliet City Council approves 2016-17 contract for rock salt purchase
The Joliet City Council last week approved an annual contract for the purchase of rock salt.
Officials estimate that winter 2016-17 will require a purchase of 12,000 tons of bulk salt. That deal allows the city to pay for its delivery at a total cost of $688,800, or $57.40 per ton of salt.
The matter was last reviewed in March when officials agreed to the purchase as part of a joint purchasing agreement formed with the state for 2016-17.
The city is allocating funds for the contract using this year’s budget to finish the fall season.
City seeks to finalize TIF feasibility study, report for Presence-St. Joes area
The Joliet City Council set plans in motion to finalize a tax increment financing feasibility study and report for portions of the Presence-St. Joseph Medical Center area.
The initial scope of the project was limited to properties located on Republic and Springfield Avenues, the city said. Under the proposed changes to the eligibility map, Hammes Avenue is now being included.
The idea of implementing a TIF district, or a financial tool designating properties for redevelopment using the new tax dollars generated from investment, began in 2014, when the city decided to work with the real estate and development advisory firm S. B. Friedman.
All taxing district affected by the proposed expansion of the TIF will be notified by certified mail, in accordance to the TIF Act.
Joliet secures agreement with IDOT for Houbolt Road improvements
The city is moving forward with plans to improve roadways along Houbolt Road from I-80 through Route 6.
The project, also dubbed the bridge project, includes the extension of Houbolt Road between U.S. Route 6 and Schweitzer Road by constructing a bridge over the Des Plaines River.
In September, the city approved a memorandum of understanding for the project between Illinois Department of Transportation, Will County, the city of Joliet and Centerpoint Properties Trust.
The agreement, which was approved last week by the Joliet City Council, grants the city further incentive to proceed with the project.
Officials will pay for engineering and constructions costs, valued at $21,000,000 using public funds for all improvement north of Route 6, the pact shows.
Should the work performed under contract abide to objectives outlined in the agreement, the city will be reimbursed what’s owed.
If there are overrun costs, the city will be responsible for any remaining charges, the pact shows.
The remaining costs of the project will be absorbed by Centerpoint Properties Trust, the city said.