OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – December 5, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, December 5, 2023
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, December 5, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 36:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:04

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

0:08

A few brief announcements before we get started this evening.

0:11

The agenda for this evening will be will appear on the uh monitors in the uh council chambers.

0:16

Uh the city of Woodstock uh operates under what's called a consent format.

0:20

Consent format means that all items for action this evening will be considered in a single motion and a single vote.

0:27

If a member of the Woodstock City Council would like to have an item separately uh removed for consideration and voting, uh member may choose to make that request.

0:35

If a member of the public uh would like to have an item separately uh removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be considered in a separate motion and a separate vote.

0:49

Uh reminder for all uh those in attendance this evening, the meeting is being live streamed and is recorded uh on the city website.

0:58

There are two opportunities for public comment this evening.

1:00

The first being at the start of the meeting under floor discussion.

1:03

Members of the public may come forward to the podium in the middle of the room, and if they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record.

1:10

Feel free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any item not on this evening's agenda.

1:15

And then uh there's an opportunity for public comment as well on any uh when we get to uh items for action this evening.

1:23

Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started?

1:27

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this December 5th 2023 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order.

1:35

I'll ask our clerk Bernie to please call the roll.

1:38

Councilman Flynn.

1:39

Here.

1:40

Councilwoman McMahon?

1:41

Here.

1:42

Councilman Nearman.

1:43

Here.

1:44

Councilman Seegers.

1:46

Councilman Tebow?

1:48

Here.

1:48

Councilwoman Ziemba?

1:50

Here.

1:51

Mayor Turner.

1:52

Here.

1:52

The record reflect that all uh that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present this evening.

1:58

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

2:03

Yes, it is.

2:04

All right, thank you, Bernie.

2:05

That being the case, the people's business is duly and appropriately before us, council.

2:09

Uh the first item on this evening's agenda is floor discussion.

2:13

At this time, I would like to invite members of the public to come forward to the podium in the middle of the room.

2:18

If they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record.

2:22

Feel free to make comments to the city council on any item not on this evening's agenda.

2:31

Second opportunity, members of the public under floor discussion.

2:38

Third and final opportunity for members of the public to make public comments this evening under floor discussion.

2:44

Hearing no members of the public uh coming forward, I'll turn to members of the council and ask if you have any items uh that you would like to make comments on under floor discussion.

2:53

Council.

2:54

Not me.

2:55

I do.

2:56

Yes, Melissa.

2:57

Uh just one comment.

2:58

Um, this is our first meeting since the lighting at the square.

3:01

Um, which if you were able to attend was absolutely magical as usual.

3:05

Um so my kudos to city staff, opera house, um, everybody for making that wonderful and being there watching the courthouse light up for the first time.

3:14

That's pretty darn special.

3:15

So that's all.

3:16

Just kudos to everybody.

3:17

Thank you, Melissa.

3:18

I I echo those comments.

3:19

I'd like to thank staff as well.

3:21

Uh the uh opera house for putting the uh event and helping to run the logistics, public works for all the work that they did, Wood Woodstock PD and uh Fire Rescue, and all the folks at the uh city who uh helped make that magnificent building setting aside cost discussions for just a brief moment.

3:41

Um the uh the uh colors and the lighting looks uh utterly spectacular and it it everybody should pause uh who is involved in this project and uh and uh should feel a level of satisfaction uh with maybe not the costs, but with the outcome.

4:00

It's a magnificent building and it looks uh it looks terrific.

4:03

So any council, any other comments under floor discussion for this evening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████24%
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████24%
Emergency Management██████████████████18%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████13%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████9%
Public Works█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – December 5, 2023

The Woodstock City Council met on December 5, 2023, at 7:00 PM with six of seven members present. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, discussion on several items, and an executive session for real property purchase. The consent calendar was approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of November 21, 2023; warrants #4078 and #4079.
  • Ordinance extending a special use permit for a gravel pit (10210 US Route 14) for mining/extraction (3 years) and asphalt/concrete recycling and site reclamation (5 years).
  • Ordinance opting out of the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act via home rule authority and amending City Code.
  • Ordinance amending City Code to add unexpected childcare obligations as a basis for remote attendance at public meetings.
  • Ordinance approving the 2023 property tax levy of $9,814,315 for operating funds.
  • Ordinance establishing a Lead-Service Line Replacement Program with reimbursement amounts ($8,000 for owner-occupied residential, $4,000 for commercial/rental).
  • Resolution authorizing Change Order #1 with Design Workshop for Parks Master Plan (+$10,250, new total $149,317).
  • Resolution approving Change Order with OpenGov for two-year agreement (+$25,218).
  • Expenditure agreement with Everbridge for Nixle Alert Notification System (first year $11,856).
  • Contract award to Carmichael Construction for Emricson Park storage building replacement ($597,845).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during floor discussion or on consent agenda items.

Discussion Items

  • Lead-Service Line Replacement Program: Councilman Nearman expressed concern that requiring landlords who receive reimbursement to register with the landlord program might single out good landlords. Staff clarified registration is only for contact information and does not trigger inspections or a full program. Councilman Flynn suggested providing educational pamphlets and a list of local contractors. Staff took note.
  • Parks Master Plan Change Order: Councilman Nearman asked about the three added items: youth engagement workshop, recreation trends analysis, and indoor facilities assessment. Staff explained these were not originally included but were negotiated at a lower price. Councilwoman Ziemba highlighted the need for programs targeting the 13–15 age group. Mayor Turner encouraged regular reporting of key operational metrics.
  • Everbridge/Nixle Alert System: Councilman Gordon requested an explanation. Staff detailed three tiers: opt-in for non-emergency notifications, opt-out for emergency alerts (estimated 80% phone number coverage via data mining), and a certified Amber alert system through Nixle. The system will also serve the Woodstock Fire Rescue District. Council expressed support, with Councilwoman McMahon noting positive experiences in other communities. Mayor Turner emphasized it is for emergencies, not marketing.
  • Emricson Park Storage Building: Councilman Flynn suggested rehabbing the existing building to add cold storage, but staff noted the foundation is structurally unsound and demolition is required. Council proceeded with the contract approval.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar approved unanimously (6-0).
  • Quarterly financial reports presented. Staff reported sales tax up 0.7% (regular) and down 1.8% (home rule), interest income at 4.84% (more than double year-over-year). Notable performance: pool passes grew from $66,000 (2019) to $142,000 (2023); Rec Center revenue from $218,000 (2019) to $228,000 (2023); Opera House revenue from $160,000 (2019) to $348,000 (2023) with concessions tripling to $83,000. Mayor directed staff to develop regular KPI metrics for major operational areas.
  • Executive session held to discuss purchase of real property (5ILCS 120/2(c)(6)).
  • Next regular meeting: December 19, 2023; no meeting January 2, 2024; next meeting January 16, 2024.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you to this evening's meeting of the Woodstock City Council. A few brief announcements before we get started this evening. The agenda for this evening will be will appear on the uh monitors in the uh council chambers. Uh the city of Woodstock uh operates under what's called a consent format. Consent format means that all items for action this evening will be considered in a single motion and a single vote. If a member of the Woodstock City Council would like to have an item separately uh removed for consideration and voting, uh member may choose to make that request. If a member of the public uh would like to have an item separately uh removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be considered in a separate motion and a separate vote. Uh reminder for all uh those in attendance this evening, the meeting is being live streamed and is recorded uh on the city website. There are two opportunities for public comment this evening. The first being at the start of the meeting under floor discussion. Members of the public may come forward to the podium in the middle of the room, and if they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record. Feel free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any item not on this evening's agenda. And then uh there's an opportunity for public comment as well on any uh when we get to uh items for action this evening. Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this December 5th 2023 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order. I'll ask our clerk Bernie to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn. Here. Councilwoman McMahon? Here. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilman Seegers. Councilman Tebow? Here. Councilwoman Ziemba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflect that all uh that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present this evening. I'll ask uh Bernie to please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda. Yes, it is. All right, thank you, Bernie. That being the case, the people's business is duly and appropriately before us, council. Uh the first item on this evening's agenda is floor discussion. At this time, I would like to invite members of the public to come forward to the podium in the middle of the room. If they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record. Feel free to make comments to the city council on any item not on this evening's agenda. Second opportunity, members of the public under floor discussion. Third and final opportunity for members of the public to make public comments this evening under floor discussion. Hearing no members of the public uh coming forward, I'll turn to members of the council and ask if you have any items uh that you would like to make comments on under floor discussion. Council. Not me. I do. Yes, Melissa. Uh just one comment. Um, this is our first meeting since the lighting at the square. Um, which if you were able to attend was absolutely magical as usual. Um so my kudos to city staff, opera house, um, everybody for making that wonderful and being there watching the courthouse light up for the first time.

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