Woodstock City Council Meeting – September 6, 2022
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Woodstock City Council Meeting – September 6, 2022
The Woodstock City Council met on September 6, 2022 at 7:00 PM. The meeting included a public hearing, public comments, approval of a consent agenda (with two items removed for separate discussion), and votes on a performance-based property improvement program and a TIF redevelopment agreement. Several construction updates were also provided.
Public Hearing – Annexation at 2020 South Eastwood Drive
- The council held a public hearing for a proposed annexation of property at 2020 South Eastwood Drive (Murphy's Flooring). No public comments were made. The council subsequently voted unanimously to approve the annexation agreement, annexation, zoning map amendment to B3 Service and Retail District, and variations for the property.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Neely Erickson (Illinois Realtors Government Affairs Director) spoke on behalf of the Heartland Realtor Organization (over 1,200 members) regarding the performance-based property improvement program. She expressed support for the ordinance, emphasizing that it balances private property rights with addressing problematic landlords, and urged the council to continue collaborative efforts with housing providers.
Discussion Items
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Construction Updates (Council Comments): Councilmember Thibault asked about ongoing construction projects. Staff reported that the Dean Street roundabout project is on schedule despite utility relocations, and the old courthouse project is running 2–3 weeks late with completion expected around mid-April. Councilmember Nearman noted a resident’s positive feedback about street paving.
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Performance-Based Property Improvement Program (Agenda Item D3): Councilwoman Lowmeyer recused herself from this item. The ordinance amends Title 4 of the Woodstock City Code to add Chapter 13, creating a program that focuses on landlords with repeated adjudicated violations. The program is described as performance-based, with no new taxes or fees, but potential fines for noncompliance. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting extensive collaboration with the realtor community and landlords. The ordinance passed unanimously (6–0).
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TIF Redevelopment Agreement – Graham Enterprises (Agenda Item D5): The council considered a redevelopment agreement for a planned convenience store and truck stop at the intersection of Route 47 and Lake Street. The developer, Graham Enterprises (a 100-year-old family business), presented plans for a high-quality “trio” store with diesel fueling, video gaming, and package liquor sales (no pour license). Key points: the project includes a new connector road to the south (to city standards), aims to catalyze further development on the adjacent former Dominic’s site, and the TIF incentive is approximately 15–16% of project costs. Concerns raised by some councilmembers included truck traffic, 24-hour operations, and the location in the heart of town. Supporters cited improved aesthetics, sales tax revenue, and long-term blight reduction. The motion passed 5–2 (Councilwoman Lowmeyer and Councilman Nearman voted no).
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar (items A through D7, except D3 and D5 removed) was approved unanimously. Items included:
- Approval of August 16 and August 22, 2022 meeting minutes.
- Warrants #4017, #4018, #4019.
- Minutes and reports from Arts Commission, Cultural & Social Awareness Commission, Economic Development Commission, Environmental Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Police Department (July 2022), and Opera House Annual Report FY21/22.
- Manager’s Report No. 210: Liquor license classification modification, Route 47 ITEP grant application support, HVAC maintenance contract award to Sherman Mechanical Inc., TIF redevelopment agreement (Graham Enterprises – removed), emergency purchase of a 2022 John Deere loader for $179,900 (net cost $134,900 after trade-in), and cancellation of the Opera House window restoration contract due to a successful grant requiring project delay.
Key Outcomes
- Annexation at 2020 South Eastwood Drive: Approved unanimously via four ordinances (annexation agreement, annexation, zoning map amendment to B3, and variations).
- Performance-Based Property Improvement Program (Ordinance D3): Passed unanimously (6–0, with Lowmeyer recused). The ordinance adds Chapter 13 to Title 4 of the City Code.
- TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Graham Enterprises (Ordinance D5): Passed 5–2. The agreement is subject to final review by the city’s TIF attorney. The developer must begin the roadway project by July 1, 2023 and complete it by December 31, 2023.
- Consent Calendar: All remaining items approved unanimously.
- Future Agenda Items: The council noted that a proclamation for the Sister City (Zacatecas) will be on the September 20, 2022 agenda. The planned Zacatecas trip was postponed due to security concerns.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you all to uh this evening's meeting of the Woodstock City Council. A few reminders before we begin the meeting tonight. Uh the City Council operates on what's uh called a consent format. Consent format means that all items for action this evening will be considered under a single motion and a single vote. Member of the public may request to have an item separately removed. Uh I'm sorry, member of council may have an a request to have an item separately removed for consideration and voting. Members of the public may request an item to be removed for separate consideration and voting. And if concurred by a member of council, then that also will be uh removed from the consent calendar. Uh there's two opportunities for public comment this evening. The first is at the start of the meeting during um floor discussion. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to come forward to the podium in the middle of the aisle. If you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record, uh, and feel free to make comments on any items not on this evening's agenda. Then the final or second opportunity for uh members of the public is to uh come and speak on any items that uh council is considering or voting on this evening. Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and formally call this September 6th, 2022 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask Cindy to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn? Here. Councilwoman Lowmeyer. Here. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilwoman Pearsall? Here. Councilman Seegers. Here. Councilman Tebaugh here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflective the Woodstock City Council. Uh all members of Woodstock City Council are present this evening. I'll ask City to please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda. It is. Very well. Thank you, Cindy. That being the case, the people's business is duly inappropriately before us tonight. So the first item during the first item tonight is floor discussion and uh for uh floor discussion. Uh the first item under floor discussion is a public hearing. It is a public hearing to consider an annexation agreement, um, annexation zoning map amendment to B3 service and retail district and variations for the property located at 2020 South Eastwood Drive. KNM Land LLC. Uh a motion to open the or do I need a motion for that? Ruth to open it. Um that was very definitive. Um I'll motion to open the public meeting would be in order. Yes, sir, is what I meant. Is there a motion? So moved. Motion by Councilman Lynn. Is there a second? A second.
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