OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – September 5, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, September 5, 2023
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 5, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:28:23

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:02

I'd like to welcome you to this evening's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council.

0:06

A few brief announcements before we get started this evening.

0:08

Uh first a reminder that the meeting is live streamed and recorded.

0:13

The uh the agenda will be displayed on the uh screens and inside of the room.

0:18

Um the City of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent format.

0:22

Consent format means that all items for action this evening are considered under a single motion and a single vote.

0:28

If a member of the uh Woodstock City Council wishes to have an item separate or removed for separate consideration and voting, they may do so uh at the start of the meeting.

0:37

And if a member of public of the public would like to have an item on consent this the consent calendar this evening removed for separate consideration and voting, they can ask a member of council to support that, and if they do, then that item will also be removed for separate discussion and voting.

0:53

There's two opportunities for public um input and public comment tonight.

0:57

The first will be during floor discussion at the start of the meeting.

1:00

Any member of the public at that time is may come forward to the podium in the middle of the room.

1:05

If you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make your comments to the Woodstock City Council on any item that is not on this evening's agenda.

1:13

And then during each agenda uh item, uh the consent calendar, any items that are removed, and then during the discussion items, uh members of the public will also have an opportunity to speak to the city council.

1:25

Any questions on those announcements before we get started?

1:30

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order the September 5th, 2023 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order, and I'll ask Cindy our clerk to please call the roll.

1:41

Councilman Flynn.

1:42

Here.

1:43

Councilwoman McMahon.

1:44

Here.

1:45

Councilman Nearman.

1:47

Councilman Seegers.

1:48

Here.

1:49

Councilman Tebaugh here.

1:50

Councilwoman Zamba?

1:52

Here.

1:52

Mayor Turner.

1:53

Here.

1:53

I hope the record reflect that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present uh and voting this evening.

2:00

I'll ask Cindy to please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda.

2:05

It is.

2:06

Thank you, Cindy.

2:06

That being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the city's business is duly inappropriately before us.

2:12

First item on the agenda this evening is floor discussion.

2:15

Under floor discussion, we have two um presentations uh this evening.

2:20

The first is a uh presentation to the uh uh to the folks that put on the Woodstock on the square benefit car show.

2:28

Uh it is a check uh through their uh their efforts that they are going to generously donate to the Woodstock Police Department uh police explorers post 765.

2:38

So I would like to ask uh uh councilwoman McMahon, Chris Maroey, and Ashley Maruly if you'd come over to uh to the podium on the side here and uh we'll bring up uh uh the folks to make your uh your presentation and your uh and your donation.

2:54

Sergeant, you're gonna accept the check.

2:56

All right.

2:57

Yes.

2:57

We'll keep a close eye on that.

3:00

I don't think I'll lose it.

3:01

The real ones on the back.

3:05

Thank you.

3:06

All right.

3:06

Uh first I would like to thank Councilwoman McMahon and uh Chris and Ashley Marouli for making us a beneficiary of the car show this year.

3:14

Uh without help from people like them, we wouldn't be able to keep this great program alive.

3:18

You know, the Woodstock Police Department started the Explorer program back in 2012.

3:23

And in that process, the purpose of this program is you know, a to give youth in our community something to do, but to keep people interested in the profession of law enforcement.

3:35

Uh you know, during that time we've had hundreds of kids go through the program and uh move on to different facets of law enforcement from prosecutors or defense attorneys to police officers all over the country.

3:51

So it just speaks words on how good this program is.

3:54

And during my almost 20 years of being a police officer for the city of Woodstock, it seems like we need this now more than ever.

4:03

I have unique perspective in this is because I, in this last year for our recruiting cycle, I've gone to job fairs and everything else to try to get people apply.

4:14

This is not just a Woodstock problem.

4:16

This is all over the nation.

4:18

People just don't want to be police officers anymore.

4:21

When I took the test almost 20 years ago, we probably had 200 and something people apply.

4:29

I went to five different colleges to do recruiting.

4:32

And what did we get, Chief?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning███████████████████████23%
Miscellaneous██████████████████18%
Energy Policy████████████████16%
Procedural████████8%
Strategic Planning████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – September 5, 2023

The City Council met at 7:00 PM on September 5, 2023, with six of seven members present. The meeting included presentations, a police officer swearing-in, public comments, a consent agenda (with one item removed for separate vote), discussion on a solar farm extension request, and a zoning map amendment discussion for 708 McHenry Avenue. No binding votes were taken on the discussion items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the August 15, 2023 City Council minutes, warrants #4065–#4067, and various minutes/reports (Arts Commission, Police Department, Library Board).
  • Approved Manager's Report No. 232 items including board appointments, removal of a Class C-2 liquor license for VFW Post 5040 (with Councilwoman McMahon clarifying the post is not closing), an intergovernmental agreement with Village of Hebron for plumbing inspection services, an amendment to vehicle impound provisions, an economic incentive agreement with Kunes Country Auto Group, a lease for incubator space at Old Courthouse Center (Seleta Scents), an amendment to the Police Extra Detail Program, contracts for downtown snow removal (Langton Group, Gavers Excavating, Bell Cartage), Opera House window/door restoration (Heritage Restoration & Design Studio, up to $887,713), Old Courthouse refuse collection (MDC Environmental Services, $36,000 over 3 years), water treatment filter valve replacement (Dorner Company, up to $35,949), and a holiday lights contract extension (Associated Electrical Contractors, up to $57,500).
  • Item D8 (Strategic Plan) was removed for separate consideration (see Key Outcomes).
  • Consent calendar items (excluding D8) passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were offered during the floor discussion period for non-agenda items.
  • During the solar farm discussion, no members of the public spoke.
  • During the 708 McHenry Avenue discussion, multiple neighbors expressed strong opposition:
    • Patricia Ruleau (655 Flag Lane) questioned the need for storage, noting six competing facilities were not full (two at 85%, two at 60%, one at 90%) and raised concerns about loss of trees and wildlife.
    • Carol Malmgren (671 Flag Lane) objected to rezoning the southern RPUD portion to B3, fearing loss of buffer and stormwater impacts; she asked about retention pond placement.
    • Lance Kubachak (671 Flag Lane) argued industrial/mini-warehouse uses do not belong near residences and said zoning should protect residents.
    • Michael Pagano (755 Flag Lane) cited lighting intrusion from halogen lights atop buildings, noise from 24-hour access, and lack of local economic benefits (no jobs, low tax revenue).
    • John Barlow (741 Flag Lane) said he bought his home for the forested view and feared loss of wildlife; he noted eight storage facilities within two miles.
    • Jenny Murray (769 Flag Lane) raised flood concerns due to prior tree removal and existing code violations on adjacent properties.
    • Another unnamed resident (husband of Patricia) highlighted flooding from five drains and urged a quick resolution.

Discussion Items

  • Extension of Special Use Permit for Solar Farm (US-14 & Lily Pond Road):

    • Petitioner Kate Duncan (attorney for Generate Capital) explained the project received state incentives under the Illinois Shines program in May 2023 and ICC approval in July 2023. A building permit application is pending; construction could start within three months. The project is now under new ownership (Generate Capital), which intends long-term ownership.
    • Council members expressed skepticism over the lengthy process (since 2018), concerns about the gateway appearance, decommissioning bonding, and lack of clear financial benefits for the city. Councilwoman McMahon opposed another one-year extension; she and others favored a six-month extension with clear milestones. Councilman Nearman (absent) had previously raised maintenance concerns. Mayor Turner suggested six-month limit and requested renderings, track record of the owner, and specifics on the state incentive. Staff was directed to bring back a proposal with conditions.

  • Zoning Map Amendment – Proposed Development Agreement at 708 McHenry Avenue:

    • City Manager Roscoe Stelford announced that the petitioner (represented by attorney Mark) would withdraw the petition to rezone to M1 (manufacturing) and instead seek a text amendment to allow mini-warehousing as a special use in B3 zoning, with a companion special use request for this property. This approach would allow the council to attach enforceable conditions.
    • Mayor Turner emphasized that M1 was “off the table.” The existing property has B3 frontage but the southern portion is residential (RPUD); the rezoning would affect only about four lots behind Flag Lane.
    • Neighbor concerns (listed above) centered on lighting, noise, stormwater, traffic, loss of wildlife, and potential devaluation. Councilman Seegers argued the project would improve stormwater management, add assessed value, and that lighting can be mitigated with downward fixtures and non-24-hour operation. Councilman Nearman voiced trust issues about rezoning near homes. Councilwoman Ziemba noted existing code enforcement problems. Councilman Tebow said he is torn but stressed that the neighbors' property rights are important.
    • No vote was taken; the item will proceed to the Plan Commission (September 21) and likely to Council on October 3.

Key Outcomes

  • Strategic Plan (FY23/24–FY28/29) – Item D8: Approved unanimously (6-0) after Councilman Seegers raised concerns about language that could be used by future special interests, but he voted in favor noting the plan is 90% good.
  • Solar Farm Extension: No formal vote; direction from council is to work with petitioner to return with a six-month extension proposal that includes concrete milestones, renderings, ownership track record, and details on state incentives.
  • 708 McHenry Avenue: The petitioner will withdraw the M1 rezoning and instead pursue a text amendment plus special use permit; the process will go back through Plan Commission and then to Council for a future vote.
  • Police Officer Swearing-In: Edward Harrell, a former Explorer program participant, was sworn in as a Woodstock Police Officer.
  • Car Show Donation: Organizers presented a $7,000 check from the

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you to this evening's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council. A few brief announcements before we get started this evening. Uh first a reminder that the meeting is live streamed and recorded. The uh the agenda will be displayed on the uh screens and inside of the room. Um the City of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent format. Consent format means that all items for action this evening are considered under a single motion and a single vote. If a member of the uh Woodstock City Council wishes to have an item separate or removed for separate consideration and voting, they may do so uh at the start of the meeting. And if a member of public of the public would like to have an item on consent this the consent calendar this evening removed for separate consideration and voting, they can ask a member of council to support that, and if they do, then that item will also be removed for separate discussion and voting. There's two opportunities for public um input and public comment tonight. The first will be during floor discussion at the start of the meeting. Any member of the public at that time is may come forward to the podium in the middle of the room. If you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make your comments to the Woodstock City Council on any item that is not on this evening's agenda. And then during each agenda uh item, uh the consent calendar, any items that are removed, and then during the discussion items, uh members of the public will also have an opportunity to speak to the city council. Any questions on those announcements before we get started? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order the September 5th, 2023 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order, and I'll ask Cindy our clerk to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn. Here. Councilwoman McMahon. Here. Councilman Nearman. Councilman Seegers. Here. Councilman Tebaugh here. Councilwoman Zamba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. I hope the record reflect that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present uh and voting this evening. I'll ask Cindy to please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda. It is. Thank you, Cindy. That being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the city's business is duly inappropriately before us. First item on the agenda this evening is floor discussion. Under floor discussion, we have two um presentations uh this evening. The first is a uh presentation to the uh uh to the folks that put on the Woodstock on the square benefit car show. Uh it is a check uh through their uh their efforts that they are going to generously donate to the Woodstock Police Department uh police explorers post 765. So I would like to ask uh uh councilwoman McMahon, Chris Maroey, and Ashley Maruly if you'd come over to uh to the podium on the side here and uh we'll bring up uh uh the folks to make your uh your presentation and your uh and your donation. Sergeant, you're gonna accept the check. All right. Yes. We'll keep a close eye on that. I don't think I'll lose it. The real ones on the back. Thank you. All right. Uh first I would like to thank Councilwoman McMahon and uh Chris and Ashley Marouli for making us a beneficiary of the car show this year. Uh without help from people like them, we wouldn't be able to keep this great program alive. You know, the Woodstock Police Department started the Explorer program back in 2012. And in that process, the purpose of this program is you know, a to give youth in our community something to do, but to keep people interested in the profession of law enforcement.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com