OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024: Student Projects, Retirements, and Zoning Decisions

City Council — Tuesday, May 7, 2024
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 7, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:28:46

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:02

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

0:07

It's nice of our city attorney to take her seat, so thank you.

0:12

I'd like to welcome everybody here tonight.

0:14

We got a great crowd.

0:16

This is what council sometimes calls a good crowd.

0:19

Sometimes you know the crowds aren't so so, but it's terrific to see everybody here this evening for some uh very momentous and important events uh and uh activities tonight.

0:30

A few brief announcements for before we get started.

0:32

Uh the Woodstock City Council operates under what's called a consent format.

0:36

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

0:41

Uh if an item uh uh if a council member wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may they may request that, and then that item will be separately discussed and voted upon.

0:51

Uh if a member of public wishes to have a um an item separately considered and voted upon, they may also request a member uh request that, and if agreed to by a member of council, then I that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting.

1:07

Uh there are two opportunities for public comment this evening, the first being uh at the start of the meeting under floor discussion public comment section.

1:15

Uh members of the public may come forward to the podium in the center aisle if you're willing to do so.

1:21

State your name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make your comments on any item that's not on this evening's agenda.

1:27

Second opportunity for public comment will be for any items that we take action upon.

1:32

There will be an opportunity for the public to make comments.

1:35

The agenda this evening will be displayed on the screens of the room.

1:39

Are there any questions on those brief announcements before we get started tonight?

1:44

All right.

1:44

Hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this May 7th, 2024 meeting, the Woodstock City Council to order.

1:51

I ask the clerk to please call the roll.

1:53

Councilman Flynn.

1:54

Here.

1:55

Councilwoman McMahon.

1:56

Here.

1:56

Councilman Nearman.

1:58

Here.

1:58

Councilman Siegers.

1:59

Here.

2:00

Councilman Tebow.

2:01

Councilwoman Ziemba?

2:03

Here.

2:04

Mayor Turner.

2:05

Here.

2:05

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

2:10

Jane, would you please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda?

2:16

Yes, it is.

2:16

Thank you, Jane.

2:17

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

2:23

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

2:27

And under floor discussion, we have an opportunity to get a presentation from Project Lead the Way.

2:41

Sorry to put you on the spot.

2:42

Thirteen.

2:43

I knew you would know the answer.

2:44

So we've had the pleasure of working uh with Project Lead the Way uh under the and you've led it the entire time, is that correct, Andrew?

2:53

Not by myself.

2:54

I didn't, but you've been involved in it.

2:57

Very well.

2:57

So I started out with the Transportation Commission.

3:00

Correct.

3:00

Mark Endike and I have been continually going.

3:03

So we appreciate your work on the Transportation Uh Commission and the continued work that you and Mark Endike have had with uh some great students and fantastic ideas.

3:12

And uh it is uh an initiative and an effort that we are very proud to continue to support and uh have occur at the City of Woodstock.

3:20

So, Andrew, you have two two presentations this evening, I understand.

3:25

So I will turn it over to you to uh begin the uh those presentations and make a few comments.

3:32

Thank you, Mr.

3:32

Mayor.

3:33

And City Council, thank you for again fitting these presentations into your hideously busy schedule.

3:41

Uh and thanks to the student families and friends for their support.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Youth Programs██████████████14%
Procedural████████████12%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Active Transportation██████████10%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Energy Policy█████5%
Public Safety█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024

The Woodstock City Council convened on May 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured presentations by Project Lead the Way students, proclamations for National Police Week and retirements, a donation to the police department, and a consent agenda with several items pulled for separate discussion. Council also received an update on the Route 47 funding gap and introduced a new Parks and Recreation Director.

Consent Calendar

  • Acceptance of Minutes: April 16, 2024 City Council minutes (corrected to reflect Woodstock City Hall location) and Executive Session minutes approved.
  • Warrants: #4098 and #4099 approved.
  • Minutes and Reports: Environmental Commission (April 4, 2024), Library Board of Trustees (Special Meeting October 12, 2023 and February 8, 2024), Plan Commission (Special Meeting March 7, 2024 and March 21, 2024), Police Pension Board (January 30, 2024) accepted.
  • Manager’s Report No. 248: Items approved include nominations to boards and commissions (248a), zoning variation at 675 Oak Street (248b), liquor code amendment for space expansion (248e), MCMRMA bylaw changes (248f), FOP Collective Bargaining Agreement Unit A 2024-2028 (248g), contract award for Park in the Square electric upgrades ($114,160) (248h), contract award for Intergenerational Inclusive Playground in Emricson Park ($1,087,715) (248i), contract award for Water Well #13 ($497,461) (248j). Items 248c (zoning variation 359 S. Madison), 248d (rezoning 400 St. John’s Road), and 248k (sewer cleaning contract) were removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public addressed the council on non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

  • Project Lead the Way Presentations: Two student groups presented:
    • Solar Panel Installation for Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Proposed installing solar panels at the North and South plants to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Options included powering 90% of the North plant ($988,000, 2,000 panels) or 5% ($50,000, 60 panels), and similar options for the South plant. Council members praised the presentation and asked about ROI, maintenance, and grants.
    • Walkability Improvement Project: Proposed solutions include a 50/50 sidewalk replacement program, colorful crosswalks ($24,500 for materials), a website (WalkWise) for reporting issues, and a city ordinance to maintain walkability scores. The group won Project Lead the Way’s national High School Community Impact Award. Council members expressed support and discussed implementation challenges.
  • Donation to Woodstock Police Department: Ron Giordano presented a check for a rifle-rated protective shield, adding a third shield to the department’s inventory. Chief thanked the donor and noted a prior similar donation from MBI. Council recognized the gesture.
  • Proclamations:
    • National Police Week (May 12-18): Proclamation read and presented to the police chief.
    • Donna Limbaugh Retirement: Recognized for 34 years of service in the Building and Zoning Department; proclamation noted her leadership and humor.
    • Dave Zinnen Retirement: Recognized for 27 years as Recreation Director; proclamation highlighted achievements including Emricson Park walking path, Waterworks, and youth basketball programs.
  • Council Comments: Councilman Nearman reported on a trip to Springfield to secure $10 million in state funding for the Route 47 project, citing inflation-driven cost increases. He credited the city’s lobbyist and local legislators for support. Council also discussed the city attorney’s involvement.
  • Removed Consent Items:
    • Item D3 (Zoning Variation – 359 S. Madison Street): Council debated converting a single-family home to a two-family use. Staff had no recommendation. Council approved with an additional condition requiring the gravel driveway to be paved within an administratively determined timeframe. Motion passed 7-0.
    • Item D4 (Rezoning – 400 St. John’s Road): Request to rezone from B4 Office to B3 Service and Retail to allow a salon. Councilman Nearman expressed concern about future auto mechanic or used car lot uses. Council voted to approve 7-0 and directed staff to propose zoning amendments to make auto repairs a special use, with a target of July 2024.
    • Item D11 (Contract Award – FY24/25 Sewer Cleaning): Postponed to time indefinite at staff’s request pending further vendor investigation. Motion passed 7-0.
  • New Parks and Recreation Director: Mark Pentacost was introduced and welcomed. He previously served in Hanover Park, Belvidere, and Kane County Forest Preserve.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar Approved: All items except D3, D4, and D11 were approved in a single motion (7-0).
  • Item D3 Approved: Zoning variation for 359 S. Madison Street granted with condition of paved driveway (7-0).
  • Item D4 Approved: Rezoning of 400 St. John’s Road to B3 district (7-0). Council directed staff to amend the UDO to make auto repair a special use by July 2024.
  • Item D11 Postponed: Sewer cleaning contract delayed indefinitely (7-0).
  • Route 47 Funding: Council will continue lobbying for $10 million in the state budget; a letter of support from Local 150 was received.
  • Proclamations and Donation: Accepted and recorded.
  • Next Meeting: Executive Session on May 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM, and regular meeting on May 21, 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. It's nice of our city attorney to take her seat, so thank you. I'd like to welcome everybody here tonight. We got a great crowd. This is what council sometimes calls a good crowd. Sometimes you know the crowds aren't so so, but it's terrific to see everybody here this evening for some uh very momentous and important events uh and uh activities tonight. A few brief announcements for before we get started. Uh the Woodstock City Council operates under what's called a consent format. Consent format means that all items this evening will be considered in a single motion or a single vote. Uh if an item uh uh if a council member wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may they may request that, and then that item will be separately discussed and voted upon. Uh if a member of public wishes to have a um an item separately considered and voted upon, they may also request a member uh request that, and if agreed to by a member of council, then I that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting. Uh there are two opportunities for public comment this evening, the first being uh at the start of the meeting under floor discussion public comment section. Uh members of the public may come forward to the podium in the center aisle if you're willing to do so. State your name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make your comments on any item that's not on this evening's agenda. Second opportunity for public comment will be for any items that we take action upon. There will be an opportunity for the public to make comments. The agenda this evening will be displayed on the screens of the room. Are there any questions on those brief announcements before we get started tonight? All right. Hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this May 7th, 2024 meeting, the Woodstock City Council to order. I ask the clerk to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn. Here. Councilwoman McMahon. Here. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilman Siegers. Here. Councilman Tebow. Councilwoman Ziemba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflect that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present in the chambers this evening. Jane, would you please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true and published agenda? Yes, it is. Thank you, Jane. That being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the people's business is duly and appropriately before us this evening. The first item on this evening's agenda is floor discussion. And under floor discussion, we have an opportunity to get a presentation from Project Lead the Way. Sorry to put you on the spot. Thirteen. I knew you would know the answer. So we've had the pleasure of working uh with Project Lead the Way uh under the and you've led it the entire time, is that correct, Andrew? Not by myself. I didn't, but you've been involved in it. Very well. So I started out with the Transportation Commission.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com