OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Special Meeting - January 2, 2024: Bus Drop-Off Ordinance

City Council — Tuesday, January 2, 2024
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 2, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:25:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

0:05

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

0:10

Before we formally get started, a few brief announcements.

0:13

Um first is that the meeting is being live streamed and recorded, so you all are aware, aware of that.

0:19

Uh there is just uh the agenda, uh normally the full agenda is on the screens here, but we just have a single item tonight, so there's only one item on uh on this evening's agenda.

0:28

There are two opportunities for uh public comment this evening, with the first being um at the start of the meeting under floor discussion.

0:36

Members of the public may come forward to the podium in the center of the room.

0:39

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

0:42

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

0:48

Second opportunity for public comment will be when uh when we uh have items for action.

0:53

There will be an opportunity for the public to make comment, again, approaching the day as at the middle of the of the room, and if you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record.

1:03

Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started this evening?

1:08

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and call this uh I will go ahead and call this special meeting, the Woodstock City Council to order and ask our clerk Jane to please call the roll.

1:18

Councilman Flynn.

1:19

Here.

1:20

Councilwoman McMahon.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Councilman Nearman.

1:23

Here.

1:24

Councilman Seegers.

1:25

Councilman Tebow.

1:27

Here.

1:27

Councilwoman Ziemba.

1:28

Here.

1:29

Mayor Turner.

1:30

Here.

1:30

Thank you, Jane.

1:31

Let the record reflect that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present uh in the chamber this evening.

1:37

Jane, I'll ask you to please confirm that this evening's agenda or this agenda that was the agenda this afternoon is the same as the true and published agenda.

1:46

Yes, it is.

1:47

All right, thank you, Jane.

1:47

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

1:53

First item under our agenda this evening or this afternoon is uh floor discussion.

1:59

Uh at this time I would invite any members of the public to come forward to the podium in the middle of the room.

2:04

And if you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make comments on any item not on this evening's agenda.

2:17

Second opportunity, members of the public to come forward under floor discussion.

2:22

Third and final opportunity for members of the public.

2:26

Hearing no no public comments, I'll turn to council under floor discussion and council comments.

2:30

Council, any comments uh or uh from council on items not on this evening's agenda.

2:36

No.

2:37

Okay.

2:38

Very well.

2:39

Uh that does take us to our consent calendar.

2:41

The consent calendar does consist of only of only one item this evening, item A1.

2:46

Motion for concurrence would be in order.

2:48

So moved.

2:49

Motion by Councilman Flynn.

2:50

Is there a second?

2:51

Second.

2:52

Second by Councilwoman Ziemba.

2:53

It is a motion for concurrence on the consent calendar.

2:56

Turn to members of the council and ask if you would any members would like to have this item removed.

3:00

I'm going to go ahead and proactively and preemptively remove this item for separate consideration and voting.

3:06

So we will uh consider that in a single in a single motion.

3:09

With no other items, there's no need for any other requests for items to be removed, and there's no it's not necessary to request any questions or comments from member of council.

3:17

Council is good to that.

3:19

Very well.

3:20

All right.

3:21

That takes us to the um the single item that we have on the agenda this evening, and it is for consideration by the Woodstock City Council of an ordinance prohibiting or uh ordinance for unscheduled drop-off of large groups within the city.

3:35

I'm certainly going to assume that most of the folks on council and those in the room understand the uh uh the background and purpose of this particular uh this particular ordinance and why it's before us this evening in this special meeting.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Immigration Policy█████████████████████████████████████████████52%
Public Engagement███████████████████22%
Public Safety██████████11%
Procedural███████8%
Business Licensing███4%
Pending Litigation██2%
Homelessness█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Special Meeting - January 2, 2024

A special meeting of the Woodstock City Council was held on January 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers to consider an ordinance prohibiting unscheduled drop-offs of large groups (primarily from out-of-state buses) within the city. The meeting followed a December 30, 2023 incident where a bus carrying approximately 35–40 migrants from Venezuela was dropped off unscheduled at the Woodstock train station. The council heard extensive public comment and debated enforcement, resources, and community capacity before voting unanimously to approve the ordinance.

Consent Calendar

  • Item A1 – Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 11 (Unscheduled Drop-off of Large Groups)
    The Mayor preemptively removed this item from the consent calendar for separate consideration and voting, so it was not approved as part of a consent motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Paul Lockwood (2001 Olmstead Drive): Supported the ordinance, noting the lack of city infrastructure to handle such drop-offs. Asked about enforcement (e.g., using license plate readers) and received confirmation from the Mayor that enforcement would be pursued through police due diligence.
  • Eva Baker (280 Hutchins Court): Opposed the ordinance, advocating instead for a rapid response team to provide respite and legal information. She emphasized community compassion and the need for written resources in Spanish.
  • Jason Versolo (9016 Illinois Route 120): Raised liability concerns regarding minors without IDs on buses, and asked whether police involvement could create legal exposure. City Attorney Brandy stated the same risks exist with or without the ordinance.
  • Rob Muter (Warp Corps, 10820 Bull Valley Road): Described the human impact of the December 30 drop-off, noting migrants asking for work. He supported the ordinance pragmatically, warning that some migrants would return as homeless, but believed Woodstock could model a compassionate response.
  • Peter Sofield (Republican candidate for McHenry County Board District 7): Questioned enforcement impact on police staffing and health screening of migrants. Mayor replied there is no expected staffing impact and health screening is beyond city scope.
  • Jose (20-year Woodstock resident): Opposed the ordinance, calling it “kicking the can down the road.” He argued the community can provide resources without permanent housing and that migrants want to work.
  • Pastor Scott Zoucha (St. Anne’s Episcopal Church): Opposed, stating he does not accept the assertion that Woodstock lacks resources. Believed the community can do more to ease transitions.
  • Shanise Syas (2 Wild Meadow Lane): Encouraged the council to figure out how to help, comparing it to a family emergency.
  • Nata Lunsford (Stevens Home): Supported the ordinance, arguing that if you cannot provide needed resources (e.g., trauma care), it is more helpful to move people to where those resources exist. She emphasized compassion with realistic limitations.
  • James Young (808 Roger Road): Raised concerns about interstate commerce and potential constitutional challenges under the Commerce Clause. City Attorney Brandy responded that the ordinance regulates local business registration, not interstate commerce.
  • Tom Wilson (2105 Fairview Lane): Supported the ordinance as a necessary stopgap, stressing that structure and sustainability are required beyond initial passion. He praised the community response and urged patience.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor Turner’s Opening Remarks: Explained that the ordinance is modeled after Chicago and Aurora ordinances, aimed at preventing unscheduled drop-offs from out-of-state buses. He emphasized Woodstock lacks the staff, expertise, and money to provide social services for large groups. He described the December 30 incident, commending city staff, Councilwoman McMahon, Rob Muter, and Tom Wilson for their assistance. He clarified the meeting was not to debate national immigration policy but to address a local resource gap.
  • Councilmember Comments:
    • Councilwoman McMahon (present at the incident) expressed pride in the community response and commitment to continued gathering of supplies (warm clothing, backpacks) for future drop-offs, regardless of the ordinance. She noted misinformation about the December 30 group and said a rapid response team with translators and legal aid is forming.
    • Councilman Tebow supported the ordinance to encourage bus companies to schedule arrivals, allowing the city to prepare.
    • Councilman Flynn emphasized the council’s duty to current Woodstock residents and noted the city cannot afford even one busload ($600,000+ for 100 days). He urged residents to pressure federal officials for a coordinated national plan.
    • Councilman Nearman called the ordinance a “stopgap measure” until more permanent solutions exist.
  • Legal Clarifications: City Attorney Brandy confirmed the ordinance regulates local business registration, not interstate commerce, and liability risks exist regardless. Enforcement is through police using license plate readers and bus company information.

Key Outcomes

  • Vote on Ordinance (Item A1): Motion to approve by Councilman Tebow, seconded by Councilman Nearman. Passed unanimously, 6-0 (Councilman Seegers absent).
  • Next Steps: The ordinance becomes effective immediately. The council adjourned to the next regular meeting on January 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
  • Community Response: City staff and volunteers (Warp Corps, MBI CARES, Stevens Home) have stockpiled warm clothing and supplies, which will be shared with neighboring communities along the train line. A rapid-response network is being organized to provide legal information and translation services if unscheduled drop-offs occur again.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you all to this uh afternoon's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council. Before we formally get started, a few brief announcements. Um first is that the meeting is being live streamed and recorded, so you all are aware, aware of that. Uh there is just uh the agenda, uh normally the full agenda is on the screens here, but we just have a single item tonight, so there's only one item on uh on this evening's agenda. There are two opportunities for uh public comment this evening, with the first being um at the start of the meeting under floor discussion. Members of the public may come forward to the podium in the center of the room. If you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record. Feel free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any items not on this evening's agenda. Second opportunity for public comment will be when uh when we uh have items for action. There will be an opportunity for the public to make comment, again, approaching the day as at the middle of the of the room, and if you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record. Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started this evening? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and call this uh I will go ahead and call this special meeting, the Woodstock City Council to order and ask our clerk Jane 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. Thank you, Jane. Let the record reflect that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present uh in the chamber this evening. Jane, I'll ask you to please confirm that this evening's agenda or this agenda that was the agenda this afternoon is the same as the true and published agenda. Yes, it is. All right, thank you, Jane. That being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the people's business is duly and appropriately before us. First item under our agenda this evening or this afternoon is uh floor discussion. Uh at this time I would invite any members of the public to come forward to the podium in the middle of the room. And if you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make comments on any item not on this evening's agenda. Second opportunity, members of the public to come forward under floor discussion. Third and final opportunity for members of the public. Hearing no no public comments, I'll turn to council under floor discussion and council comments. Council, any comments uh or uh from council on items not on this evening's agenda. No. Okay. Very well. Uh that does take us to our consent calendar. The consent calendar does consist of only of only one item this evening, item A1. Motion for concurrence would be in order. So moved. Motion by Councilman Flynn. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman Ziemba.

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