Woodstock City Council Meeting – April 16, 2024
Woodstock City Council Meeting – April 16, 2024
The Woodstock City Council met on April 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of a consent calendar with several items removed for separate discussion, and a detailed deliberation on modifying an ADA restroom design to include an adult changing table. The council also moved into executive session for probable litigation.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Magnuson (400 N. Madison St.) criticized the council’s prior vote on the Lennar project, stating the decision was predetermined and that the council serves special interests rather than the public. He questioned the police department’s salary (105% above national average and 132% above median) and objected to a no-bid $119,000 prefabricated ADA restroom for Emricson Park. He also inquired about the “probable litigation” executive session item. Mayor Turner and Councilman Flynn rejected his insinuations of impropriety, asserting decisions are made after thorough information gathering.
- Julie Peters (formerly of Woodstock, now Twin Lakes, WI) requested that the Emricson Park ADA restroom include an adult changing table to accommodate individuals with disabilities who require assisted changing. She read a prepared statement from Renee Abraham (parent of a child with SMA) and noted that 16 million Americans live with cognitive disabilities, 8 million need daily self-care assistance, and 20 million have limited mobility. She urged the council to prioritize inclusion and dignity.
Discussion Items
- Item D9 – Contract Award for Emricson Park ADA Restroom: The council discussed modifying the prefabricated restroom from a traditional men’s/women’s configuration to two unisex bathrooms, with one containing a height-adjustable adult changing table (approx. $11,000). Staff noted the critical path: the restroom must be installed by September 2024 to meet grant deadlines. Options included one or two tables, and cost estimates ranged from roughly neutral to an additional $20,000. Council members expressed strong support for the inclusive design, emphasizing that the playground’s mission is to be truly welcoming to all.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar (Items A–D11 except D7, D8, D9): Approved unanimously on a single motion.
- Item D7 (Employee Benefits FY24/25): Approved 6-0 (Mayor Turner recused).
- Item D8 (Hotel/Motel Tax Disbursements): Approved 6-0 (Councilwoman McMahon recused). $110,200 allocated to local non-profit and government organizations. Woodstock Groundhog Days Committee thanked the council for ongoing support.
- Item D9 (Emricson Park ADA Restroom): Approved unanimously (7-0) with the following modifications: the restroom shall be configured as two unisex bathrooms, one equipped with an adult changing table; staff authorized to proceed administratively with up to $20,000 in additional cost above the $119,000 base contract.
- Executive Session: The council voted 7-0 to adjourn into executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) for probable litigation.
- Future Agenda Items: Upcoming meetings May 7 and May 21; council noted a $6,000 donation for police shields and a planned trip to Springfield on April 30 to advocate for Route 47 funding.
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 tonight. First, that the agenda will be displayed on the monitors in the council chambers. The City of Woodstock operates under what is 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 council wishes to uh wishes to, they may ask or have an item removed for separate consideration and voting. Members of the public may request to have an item separately removed and considered and have agreed to by a member of council, it too will be removed and separately considered and voted upon. There are two opportunities for public comment tonight, 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. If they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record, and 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 we make uh take any items for action. There will be an opportunity for the public to make comments. Are there any questions on those brief announcements before we get started? I did not make this room as cold as it is tonight. So I don't, I just wanted to. That's not on the record, but I at least wanted to state that for the participants. Um any questions in those announcements. All right. Hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call an order this April 16th meeting, uh, April 16th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order. Unless the clerk please call the roll. Councilman Flynn? Here. Councilwoman McMahon. Here. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilman Seegers. Here. Councilman Thibault? Here. Councilwoman Zemba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflect that all seven members of our present in the chambers this evening for the City Council meeting. Jane, would you please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda? Yes, it is. That being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the people's business is duly inappropriately before us. First item this evening uh is on the agenda is floor discussion. And under floor discussion, uh we have public comments. At this time, I would invite any members of the public who wish to do so come 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. Feel free to make your comments to the Woodstock City Council. Good evening, Council. David Magnuson, 400 North Madison Street, Woodstock, Illinois. Uh I come to you today. Uh one with an apology. I was quite rude uh at the Lennar hearing when I provided an outburst at the end of the meeting. Uh was really out of a voice of immense frustration in that within five minutes of first attending uh the last meeting.
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