Woodstock City Council Meeting - February 6, 2024
Woodstock City Council Meeting - February 6, 2024
The Woodstock City Council met on February 6, 2024 at 7:00 PM with five of seven members present (Councilman Flynn and Councilman Nearman absent). The meeting opened with a proclamation and public comments, followed by a consent calendar from which two items were removed for separate discussion and voting.
Proclamation
- Black History Month – February 2024: Mayor Turner read and presented a proclamation to Carrie Smith of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission, encouraging citizens to participate in activities that foster awareness of African American contributions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Buckley (1331 Wood Drive): Expressed strong support for the March 19 county referendum to shift mental health funding from a property tax levy (currently $10.9M) to a sales tax, projected to generate $12–13M annually. He noted the property tax levy has been flat for 10 years and the new mechanism would be more stable and less politically charged.
- Rick Belairs (1403 Marine Drive): Provided a detailed report on Groundhog Day 2024 success: an estimated 3,500 at the prognostication, 700 pizza slices given away by Antioch Pizza ($2,600 value), 700 shots sold at Public House, 500 courthouse tours, and international visitors from Argentina, Czech Republic, Scotland, Spain, Yemen, etc. TV coverage included Tom Skilling from WGN, Good Morning America, and the Today Show. The media equivalency was estimated in the millions. Rick thanked the city staff, especially Police and Public Works (Roger Vidales sweeping streets at 3:45 AM).
- Melissa (marketing): Added that the committee’s video invitation to Tom Skilling was key; the live stream reached viewers in Australia and Ireland. She reported that merchants created their own Groundhog Day merchandise, and the event generated joy and positive feedback.
- John Hallsbach: Expressed appreciation for the city’s planning, particularly roundabouts at Lake and McConnell and a pedestrian tunnel. He supports sidewalk and crosswalk safety improvements.
- Gordon Van (301 West Judge Street): Raised concerns about traffic congestion during large events, noting the square’s capacity. Mayor Turner and staff responded that for events exceeding about 8,000 people, the square is closed to traffic and shuttles are used. Gordon also asked about the courthouse lighting schedule; marketing confirmed an annual plan for color changes on holidays and special events.
Consent Calendar
- Items Approved Unanimously (motion by Councilman Thibaut, second by Councilwoman McMahon; roll call vote 5-0):
- Acceptance of January 16, 2024 City Council minutes
- Warrants #4085, #4086, #4087
- Plan Commission minutes December 14, 2023
- Woodstock Police Department monthly reports for October and November 2023
- Manager’s Report No. 242 items (except D1 and D2):
- D3: Change Order #1 for 2023 Sidewalk Replacement Program – increase of $40,306.78 due to unforeseen apron damage.
- D4: Four-year Intergovernmental Agreement with McHenry County for Police Social Worker Program – praised as effective and collaborative.
- D5: Expenditure of $291,669 for body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, and cloud storage from Midwest Public Safety, LLC.
- D6: Contract award to Twin’s Sealcoating for path maintenance at Emricson and Merryman Parks, not to exceed $35,300.
- D7: Ordinance establishing a Business Registration Program (Title 3, Chapter 11 of City Code).
Discussion Items
- Item D1 – UDO Text Amendments (Solar Energy Farms and Smoke Shops/Vape Shops):
- Council voted to split the question into two parts (motion by Mayor Turner, second by Councilman Seegers; 5-0).
- Smoke Shops/Vape Shops (Sections 1 & 2): Approved unanimously (5-0). The ordinance amends the Unified Development Ordinance to regulate smoke shops and vape shops.
- Solar Energy Farms (Section 3): Postponed to time indefinite with a target date of March 5, 2024, due to the absence of two council members and desire for full-body discussion. Motion by Councilman Seegers, second by Councilwoman Ziemba; 5-0.
- Item D2 – Redevelopment Agreement with Chicago Hubs Realty, LLC (Die Cast Site):
- Extensive discussion: The agreement covers three phases – Phase 1: 70 units of affordable senior apartments (55+), Phase 2: 153 units of assisted living and memory care, Phase 3: undetermined (affordable market-rate apartments potentially). Total city incentives ~$19.5M from TIF, contingent on property tax generation. Council member questions focused on mixing TIF funds between sites, traffic impacts, and school district reimbursement (50% of TIF increment for school impact, though phases 1&2 expected to generate zero students due to age restrictions). The public comment by Molly Oakford raised concerns about lack of summary in the packet, the nature of blight, and the Wheeler Street railroad crossing (Union Pacific will not reopen it).
- Council approved the ordinance with a direction to the city manager and city attorney to finalize language regarding the “no further remediation” letter. Motion by Mayor Turner, second by Councilman Thibaut; 5-0.
- Transmittal of FY24/25 – FY33/34 Capital Improvement Program (CIP):
- City Manager Roscoe Stelford III presented the 253-page CIP, which includes $185+ million in projects over 10 years, with $41.6M planned for FY24/25. The CIP incorporates the city’s strategic plan and new brand colors. Over $9M in grants have been secured. Staff will request council approval to release $3M in ARP funds to support the first year. The CIP will be posted on the city website.
Key Outcomes
- Black History Month Proclamation: Adopted by acclamation.
- Consent Calendar: Approved 5-0 (all items except D1 and D2).
- Smoke Shop/Vape Shop UDO Amendment: Approved 5-0.
- Solar Energy Farm UDO Amendment: Postponed to March 5, 2024 (or later) – 5-0.
- Die Cast Site Redevelopment Agreement: Approved 5-0, with staff authorized to finalize one specific language change.
- CIP Transmittal: Received; further discussion will occur at a future budget workshop.
- Next Meeting: February 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM (Mayor Turner absent); the March 5 meeting may be rescheduled. The solar farm item is expected on March 5.
Meeting Transcript
Well, 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 tonight. First, the agenda for this evening's uh meeting will be shown on the uh monitors in the uh uh in the council chambers. Um the city of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent uh format, consent format that means that all items for action this evening will be considered under a single motion and a single vote. If a member of uh council uh wishes, they may ask for an item to be removed, and it will be considered uh discussed and considered uh in a separate uh separate motion. Uh if a member of public wishes to have an item separately removed for consideration, uh if agreed to by a member of council, it also will be removed for separate consideration and voting. There are two opportunities for public comment this evening. The first being at the start of the meeting, members of the public may come forward under floor discussion uh to the podium in the middle of the room, state your name for the purpose of the record and address if you're willing to do so. Feel free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any items not on this evening's agenda. And then when we have items for action this evening, there will be an option uh an opportunity for members of the public to uh make comments as well. Any questions on those uh announcements before we get started. All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this February 6th meeting uh 2024 of 2024 to order for the Woodstock City Council and ask please ask Jane to call the roll. Councilman Flynn. Councilwoman McMahon. Yes. Councilman Nearman, Councilman Seegers. Here. Councilman Thibaut. Here. Councilwoman Ziembah. Here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflect that five of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present this evening. Jane, can you please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda? Yes, it is. It is uh that being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the uh uh council people's business is duly and appropriately before us. Uh the first item we have for action this evening is I'm sorry, for on the agenda this evening is floor discussion. Uh and it is my uh honor to um make a proclamation uh honoring Black History Month for February 2024, Council without objection. Very well. I think uh Carrie Smith from uh from our uh Cultural and Social Awareness Commission is with us. Would you join me at the podium on the side? Hi, Gary. Thank you for joining us. So it is my honor to to uh make this proclamation on behalf of the city. Um one of the great things about Woodstock is the diversity of of cultures and of the folks that live live here and visit here, and you know that should never be lost in us, regardless of of our you know, political or other ideology, uh, you know, a diverse community that is engaged and is you know is part is part of what makes Woodstock a terrific place to live. So uh this proclamation means a lot to me and means a lot to council, and it's our uh our pleasure to do that this evening. So proclamation honoring Black History Month, February 2024. Whereas each year, Black History Month is observed in February, providing the opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of African American history and acknowledge the centuries of struggles for equality and freedom. And whereas in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a noted Harvard scholar, established the observance of of African African American history to reveal the contributions, achievements, and involvement of African American people in the development of our American democracy. And whereas America is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, all part of the land of the free, Black History Month fosters awareness and understanding while encouraging education about contributions made by Americans of color. And whereas the celebration of Black History Month is a positive way to recog uh to of recognizing the culture and history of African Americans as vital to the core beliefs and values of this society. And whereas Black History Month also celebrates the achievements and contributions that African Americans have made in shaping our country, society, and communities. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that this Woodstock City Council, on behalf of all citizens of Woodstock, wishes to observe February 2024 as Black History Month and encourage our citizens to participate in activities that foster awareness and appreciation of contributions to shaping the history of America. Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County the sixth day of February 2024. On behalf of the city council, it's my pleasure to offer this to you and and uh appreciate your your cut your contributions on the commission and the work of the commission as well. So feel free to make a few comments if you wanted to on behalf of the diversity community.
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