Woodstock City Council Meeting - April 4, 2023

The Woodstock City Council met at 7:00 p.m. on April 4, 2023, in City Council Chambers. All seven council members were present. The agenda included proclamations, a public hearing on the FY23/24 budget, an update on the Comprehensive Plan, and approval of the consent calendar.

Proclamations

• Mayor Turner and the council honored Lisa Miller, who retired from the Woodstock Public Library on February 24, 2023, after more than 25 years of service. Nick Weber, library director, accepted the proclamation on her behalf and noted Miller was with grandchildren. Miller began at the library in 1997, became full-time in 2008, and was recognized as an ambassador and the 'fastest scanner in the Midwest.'
• The council proclaimed April 2023 as Diversity Month. Abdullah Kell, a member of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission, accepted the proclamation and thanked the council, noting the commission is working on a roadmap of initiatives.

Public Hearing - FY23/24 Budget

• The council opened and closed the formal public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget. No members of the public offered testimony.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the public comment period under floor discussion, no members of the public came forward. No comments were made during the budget hearing or on the Comprehensive Plan presentation.

Discussion Items

• Houseal Lavigne presented the existing conditions memo for the Comprehensive Plan update, the first comprehensive plan update since 2008. Tricia Parks presented, with team members Sam, Chloe, Michael, and Eric. The process has included over 500 points of community engagement: community surveys, key person interviews, focus groups, and a business community workshop. The memo also reviewed 17 past plans and studies.
• Key issues and opportunities identified from community input and data included: housing diversity and affordability - 35% of homeowners and 45% of renters pay 30% or more of income toward housing; the DICAS site as a catalyst to extend downtown; expanding and repositioning commercial/retail options; transportation concerns such as Route 47 congestion, fragmented pedestrian facilities, and Pace bus capacity; improved city entryways; aging sewer, water, and road infrastructure; workforce development; recreation and tourism including a hotel near the square; and protection of natural resources and watersheds. Parks noted the McHenry County water supply/demand issue is a regional finding, not Woodstock-specific.
• Parks emphasized the memo is a baseline and no recommendations have been made yet. In response to council questions, she said the engagement level is around what is typical for a community this size; no single person's comment outweighs others; and the outreach intentionally collects desires before budgeting or feasibility is applied. Mayor Turner said council and staff should provide aggressive input as the plan moves toward actionable recommendations.
• Councilman Nearman asked whether additional visioning workshops could be offered. The mayor asked staff to explore the option with Houseal Lavigne and suggested written comments as a flexible alternative.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved unanimously by roll call vote, 7-0. It included the March 21, 2023 City Council minutes; warrants #4046 and #4047; minutes from the Economic Development Commission special meeting, Environmental Commission, and Plan Commission; and Manager's Report No. 223 items.
• Manager's Report No. 223 included: a Class E-6 liquor license for Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main Street, contingent on requirements, with a modification that only one existing license would be rescinded rather than two because one current holder requested to keep its license; the new license was for Tavoli Enterprises. It also included an ordinance clarifying terms for newly elected officials to commence at the first regular meeting in May if election results are available; a Funbrellas installation contract with Fiesta Pools, Inc. for $5,318 and ratification of the purchase of two Funbrellas from Anchor Industries for $10,865.60; a contract not to exceed $9,757 for starting pool waterslide repairs with IPS, Inc.; an IT system backup contract with Unitrends not to exceed $71,300 through January 2027; and a three-year maintenance/services agreement with The Land Conservancy of McHenry County at no more than $15,000 annually.

Key Outcomes

• The FY23/24 budget public hearing was closed with no public comment.
• The Comprehensive Plan process advanced to the visioning stage; council and Planning Commission comments on the existing conditions memo are due April 11, and a community visioning workshop is scheduled for April 11. As of the prior week, 75 people had signed up. Adoption is targeted for late summer/fall 2023.
• The consent calendar was approved 7-0.
• Future meetings include a special budget workshop on April 10 at 3:00 p.m. and a special council workshop on May 2 for the city manager's annual review, followed by the May 2 council meeting.
• The meeting adjourned.