We're good.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the meeting of Woodstock City Council.

Bear with me.

I do this about once every three years since the mayor and the assistant mayor are both not here tonight.

Before the meeting is called to order, I would like to make some brief announcements.

First, meetings of Woodstock City Council are live streamed.

So please be aware that if you wish to participate and speak, you will be broadcast and copies of the broadcast will be archived.

Second, the agenda for tonight's meeting is posted on the monitors in the front corners of the chamber council chambers, providing you the opportunity to follow along with this evening's business.

Third, the City Council operates under consent calendar.

That means that all items that remain in the consent calendar are considered under a single motion and a single vote.

If members of the city council wish to have an item separately discussed and considered, they simply ask for that item to be removed from the calendar, and it will be considered under its own motion and vote.

Likewise, if a member of the public would like an item separately considered, they should make that request known, and if a council member agrees, that item would also be removed from the calendar for separate discussion and voting.

Again, all items remaining on the consent calendar would be considered under a single motion and a single vote.

Finally, it is the tradition of the city council to invite public comment.

It is done under two formats.

First is a floor discussion, during which members of the public are invited to address city council on any item not on this evening's agenda.

Additionally, the public is invited to comment on any item on the consent calendar or any item removed from the consent calendar before any action is taken.

Should a member of the public wish to address the council and they are asked to come forward to the podium and if willing, state their name and address for the purposes of the record and then make whatever comments they like to make.

Are there any questions on the announcements?

Hearing none, uh, I will officially call this August 16th, August 6th, 2019 meeting of Woodstock City Council to order and ask the clerk to please call the role of those council members physically present this evening.

Cindy?

August 15th.

Councilman Flynn.

Councilwoman McMahon.

Here.

Councilman Nearman.

Here.

Councilman Seegers?

Here.

Councilman Tebow?

Here.

Councilwoman Ziamba?

Here.

Mayor Turner.

Thank you, Cindy.

I I made I'm reading from a script here, and they had August 6th.

This is certainly not August 6th, August 15th.

So let's change that.

The record should reflect that five City Council members are physically present and participating, and we do therefore have quorum, and it is appropriate for us to proceed.

Before continuing, I'd like to ask the clerk to verify the agenda before the City Council is a true and accurate reflection of the published agenda.

It is.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen of the council, that being a case of people's business is duly inappropriate before you.

The city offers our sincere and best wishes to a valued employee in a public works department.

Patrick O'Leary, whose official retirement date is September 1st, 2023.

Pat was an integral part of the public works department for over 25 years.

Pat is finishing his career as a forestry technician in the streets division.

Pat was hired into this role on August 24th, 1998 due to his credentials as a licensed arborist in the state of Illinois.

Pat continually excelled at providing extraordinary customer service for the residents and sharing his expertise with his co-workers as the city's only arborist.

Aside from his role as the city's arborist, Pat was also a team player that often assisted his department by mowing, prepping ball fields, and setting up for special events.

Pat also led the banner program in the downtown area.

As we honor his decades of service to City Woodstock, we wish Pat the happiest of days in his retirement.

Pat uh was not able to make it tonight, so I will read the proclamation.

Whereas Pat O'Leary has officially retired from his role with the City of Woodstock as forestry technician after its distinguished 25-year career.

And whereas Pat O'Leary is hired on August 24th, 1998, and has been known as the city's arborist, specializing in the care of and maintenance of trees and shrubs through trimming and pruning to ensure they don't interfere with public works power lines, roads, or sidewalks.

And whereas Pat O'Leary spearheaded the Emerald Ash Bore process that included removing 207 ashtries between 2009 and 2015.

And whereas Pat O'Leary had been an integral part of the public works department's snow removal plans for years and operated a snowplow for many seasons.

And whereas Pat O'Leary runs the city's banner program, including the installation of banners throughout the downtown four times a year, as well as installing the beloved lightest snowflakes that bring joy to residents and visitors during the holiday season.

Pat has seen over 180 banners throughout the years.