Woodstock City Council Organizational Meeting – May 2, 2023

Mayor Turner presided over the Woodstock City Council meeting on May 2, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The evening combined the outgoing council's final actions with the swearing-in of new members, followed by proclamations, a McHenry County Conservation Foundation presentation, public comments, and unanimous approval of the new council's consent calendar.

Organizational Ceremonies

• The outgoing council unanimously approved the April 18, 2023 City Council minutes as a single consent item.
• The outgoing council then voted to adjourn sine die; Mayor Turner and colleagues recognized outgoing Councilmembers Wendy Pearsall and Lisa Lomeyer, noting Lomeyer's service since age 29.
• Circuit Judge Tiffany E. Davis administered the oath of office to Councilman Darren Flynn for a second term and to two newly elected councilmembers. The newly seated City Council was called to order and all members were present.

Proclamations

• The council proclaimed Public Service Recognition Week, May 7–13, 2023, honoring city employees and volunteers.
• The council proclaimed National Police Week, May 14–20, 2023, honoring the Woodstock Police Department. Police Chief John Lee accepted; the proclamation noted more than 900,000 law enforcement officers serve nationally and more than 20,000 officers have died in the line of duty since 1781, a figure that does not include any Woodstock Police Department officers.

Presentation: McHenry County Conservation Foundation

• Kevin Ivers and Executive Director Shauna Flavell presented on behalf of the McHenry County Conservation Foundation. They described the foundation as the philanthropic partner of the Conservation District, active since 1999, and said it has raised close to $4.5 million for district projects.
• They said Conservation District property taxes provide 89% of district revenues, with more than 60% of that going to debt service from 2001 and 2007 bond referenda, and that less than 1–2 cents of every property-tax dollar supports the district and less than 1 cent supports programs.
• They highlighted regional biodiversity: within 75 miles of downtown Chicago there are more than 1,600 native plant species, more than any of the 60 national parks, with the Grand Canyon next at 1,544 species.
• They invited council and community support, volunteers, and newsletter promotion, and mentioned a behind-the-scenes tour of the former Camp Lakota site.

Public Comments & Testimony

• McHenry County Board Member Gloria Van Hoffen (District 2) thanked outgoing and incoming councilmembers and congratulated them on their service.
• McHenry County Board Member Lou Ness (District 7), a Woodstock resident, thanked outgoing members, welcomed new members, and declared herself 100% behind the DICAST project. She criticized Plan Commission comments about attracting youth and seniors and about seniors being endangered by railroad tracks, calling them unacceptable and offensive, and noted that she is 75. She said the County Board's ARPA allocation board fully funded the project after an applicant request of $1.2 million and referenced a $1.9 million county ARPA allocation to the project. Mayor Turner responded that the Plan Commission is advisory, that the project is on the preliminary agenda for June 6, and that he supports it and is grateful for the county funding.
• Woodstock resident Kathy McNeil (281 Prairie Ridge Drive) asked the council to build outdoor pickleball courts, noting that nearby cities have courts while Woodstock does not. Mayor Turner said the idea is under review. Councilman Nearman noted the Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss converting Olsen Park tennis courts to pickleball at its next Tuesday 7:00 p.m. meeting, with postcards being sent to nearby residents.

Consent Calendar

• The new council approved the full consent calendar unanimously. No councilmember or member of the public requested removal of an item.
• Items included warrants #4050 and #4051; the March 2023 Woodstock Police Department report; board/commission reappointments; a Class D liquor license for Mary's Mexican Grill at 108 Cass Street while rescinding a Class A-6 license for Americano Inc.; an ordinance on meter inspections; a contract award to Geske and Sons, Inc. for the 2023 Enhanced Streets Improvement Program not to exceed $4,872,029.98; a contract award to Bolder Contractors, Inc. for the Lake Avenue Watermain Replacement Project not to exceed $2,716,110.20; Addendum #1 with Trotter and Associates for construction engineering not to exceed $788,244; a one-year Morton Salt rock salt extension at no more than $96.86 per ton; and a Studio GWA agreement for Old Courthouse architectural services not to exceed $30,000.
• Councilman Seegers commented that consent items C.4 and C.5 together make up the city's total $11-plus million street improvement program and that separate contracts were expected to generate savings.

Future Agenda Items

• The council noted the next regular meeting is May 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. The DICAST development PUD and redevelopment agreement was listed on the preliminary June 6 agenda at the petitioner's request.

Key Outcomes

• Outgoing council adjourned sine die; new councilmembers were sworn in and seated.
• Two proclamations were adopted.
• The full consent calendar, including contracts totaling over $8.3 million for street and watermain work plus engineering, was approved unanimously.
• Public comment created a record of community support for the DICAST project and for outdoor pickleball; pickleball was referred to the upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission discussion.
• The meeting adjourned; the next regular council meeting is May 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.