OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - June 4, 2024: Pride Proclamation, Settlement with Public House Operator

City Council — Tuesday, June 4, 2024
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 4, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:54:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

To welcome you to this evening's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council.

0:03

Before we get started, a few brief announcements.

0:07

First, the meeting is being live streamed and is recorded and saved on the city's uh website.

0:13

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

0:20

Uh members of the public, if they want to may come forward to the podium in the center of the room.

0:25

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.

0:33

Second opportunity for public comment will be uh when we uh have items up for consideration and vote, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to make comment.

0:44

Uh the city council operates on what's called a consent uh format.

0:47

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

0:53

Member of council may choose or may ask to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting.

0:59

Um if a member of the public wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request and agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting.

1:12

There is one item that for action that is not on this evening's or that is not on the consent agenda.

1:17

I just want to make the public aware of that.

1:19

That item is appropriately placed on the agenda, uh, but is not part of consent, and there will be uh discussion uh by the Woodstock City Council prior to action on that item and an opportunity for a public comment if they wish to make comments on that item as well.

1:36

It's just not a board.

1:37

Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started?

1:42

Sir.

1:43

When would be the time that we uh floor to during floor discussion uh public comment section, so I'll make it very clear uh when that I will send the entire room a cue when we do that.

1:55

Any other questions before we get started this evening?

1:58

All right, hearing none, I'll go to head go ahead and officially call to order this June 4th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council order and ask the clerk to please call the uh the roll.

2:09

Councilman Flynn Here.

2:10

Councilwoman McMahon here.

2:13

Councilman Nearman.

2:14

Here.

2:14

Councilman Seagers.

2:16

Here.

2:16

Councilman Tebow?

2:17

Here.

2:18

Councilwoman Ziemba, here.

2:20

Mayor Turner.

2:21

Here.

2:21

Let the record reflect that all members of the Woodstock City Council are present this evening.

2:26

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

2:31

Yes, it is.

2:32

Thank you, Jane.

2:33

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

2:38

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

2:43

And under floor discussion, we begin with a proclamation.

2:46

This is a proclamation uh by the Woodstock uh City of Woodstock for Pride Month in the City of Woodstock.

2:53

And uh Council, I have a proclamation without objection.

2:58

Thank you.

2:59

Um at this time, I'd like to call uh Melissa McMahon, who is the president of the Pride organization, in addition to being a member of the Woodstock City Council.

3:06

If she'll join me at the podium uh on the left-hand side of the room, be happy to make that uh proclamation.

3:26

Thank you, Melissa.

3:29

So Woodstock uh has been uh a supporter of the Pride um uh Pride Month as well as the uh Pride Fest and other activities around Pride for multiple multiple years now.

3:42

And I think that it speaks to the to the acceptance and the nature of people that live in Woodstock in that we understand that diversity, inclusion, acceptance, kindness, tolerance for people is part of who we are as a as a community, and quite frankly, it is part of who we are as a country.

4:07

Uh tolerance for others and acceptance is a core part or core elements, I believe, of uh of the founding of our country and who we are as a country.

4:18

So I've always been very proud of uh of the uh of the role the city takes in in supporting uh Pride Month.

4:25

And so it's my pleasure to uh to read this proclamation this evening and pass it along to Melissa.

4:32

Proclamation honoring Pride Month, June 2024.

4:36

Whereas the month of June has been designated Pride Month, celebrating the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ plus community, and to commemorate the June 1969 Stonewall riots, generally recognized as the catalyst of the LGBTQ rights movement.

5:00

And whereas all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, LGBTQ plus individuals have had an immeasurable impact on the cultural, civic, and economic success of our community, county, and nation, serving in positions in the federal government, state and local governments, the United States Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, honorably and with distinction and bravery.

5:24

And whereas Woodstock strives to serve as a role model community in promoting diversity and inclusion for every human being, regardless of age, gender identity, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical challenges.

5:43

And whereas the City of Woodstock is committed to supporting the rights, dignity, and equality of LGBTQ people throughout our community, and encourages participation and enjoyment by residents and visitors of Woodstock Pride's annual Pride Fest, held this year on June 8th through 9, 2024, and to continue working towards a more inclusive society.

6:08

And whereas it is especially imperative that all residents in the community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feel valued, safe, empowered, and supported by their peers, educators, and community leaders.

6:22

And whereas Woodstock celebrates and reflects upon the courage and extensive accomplishments of the LGBTQ community who continue to fight for progress towards securing their rights to live freely and authentically, often through struggle and adversity.

6:38

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, Illinois, that the month of June 2024 be recognized as Pride Month in support of the LGBTQ plus community.

6:51

Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County this fourth day of June 2024.

6:58

Melissa, it's my pleasure to uh present this to you as a representative of the Pride Group and to all of your members and supporters and board people.

7:06

So thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████33%
LGBTQ Rights███████████████████████23%
Pending Litigation████████████████16%
Economic Development███████████████15%
Public Safety██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – June 4, 2024

The Woodstock City Council met on June 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a Pride Month proclamation, public comments both in support and opposition, unanimous approval of a consent calendar (including an Opera House renovation contract for $3,394,000 and a fleet purchase of $58,508.53), a settlement agreement with Katlo Inc. (operator of the Public House restaurant) passed by a 6‑1 vote, and two executive sessions (one for probable litigation involving Katlo Inc., and one for the City Manager’s performance evaluation).

Proclamation – Pride Month

  • Mayor Turner read a proclamation designating June 2024 as Pride Month in Woodstock, emphasizing diversity and inclusion. Councilwoman Melissa McMahon, also president of Woodstock Pride, accepted the proclamation alongside board members, thanking the city for its support since 2018.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Stefan McKenzie (self‑identified as a former U.S. Army sergeant) strongly opposed the Pride Month proclamation, characterizing LGBTQ+ identity as “deviant ideology” and questioning the appropriateness of exposing children to Pride events. He also described receiving a protective order from a Buffalo Grove Pride organizer after his social media posts. His comments were cut short after exceeding the time limit.
  • Colleen Jackson (Raffle Road, Woodstock) raised safety concerns about parking on both sides of the square during parades, noting that large vehicles (fire trucks, parade floats) have difficulty turning. She suggested restricting parking to one side and providing shuttles from nearby school lots.
  • Brittany Stack (Queen Anne Street, Woodstock) expressed strong support for Woodstock Pride, stating she moved to the city because of the Pride community and thanked the council for their support.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent calendar (items A1 through D3) unanimously, with a friendly amendment to remove the May 21, 2024 Executive Session Minutes due to a missing statutory basis for entering closed session. Remaining items included:
    • Approval of May 20 and May 21, 2024 City Council minutes and executive session minutes (May 20 only).
    • Warrants #4102 and #4103.
    • Historic Preservation Commission and Opera House Advisory Commission minutes.
    • Manager’s Report No. 250:
      • 250a: Nominations for appointments to boards and commissions.
      • 250b: Award of contract for the Woodstock Opera House Renovation Project to Kandu Construction Inc. of Skokie, IL, for $3,394,000 (including Alternates 1, 2, and 3), with authority for the City Manager to execute.
      • 250c: Purchase of four mobile column lifts and four high‑rise stands from Mohawk Lifts LLC through a Sourcewell contract for $58,508.53, with waiver of bids under Home Rule authority.
  • During discussion, Councilman Seagers asked about vetting the contractor for the Opera House project, and Councilman Thibault inquired about training for the mobile lifts; staff confirmed experienced operators.

Discussion Items – Settlement Agreement with Katlo Inc. (Public House)

  • The council returned to open session at 8:37 PM after an executive session on probable litigation related to Katlo Inc., which operated the Public House restaurant in the courthouse.
  • Mayor Turner summarized the situation: the restaurant closed unexpectedly, the city sought to recover losses and gain full control of the space. He described the settlement as the best option to move forward quickly and attract a new tenant.
  • Councilman Seagers (voted no) argued the settlement recovers only about $97,000 (including interest) of the $633,500 the city provided (a $350,000 non‑recourse loan plus $283,500 in compensation for construction delays). He preferred to risk another $100,000 to pursue a larger recovery and noted the lease already gives the city control of the space.
  • Councilwoman Ziemba stressed the ongoing economic harm to downtown businesses from the vacancy and supported the settlement to expedite a new restaurant.
  • Councilwoman McMahon noted that the $75,000 base settlement plus interest equals nearly $100,000, and that under the original lease the city would have received no cash beyond rent; thus the settlement yields a net gain.
  • Councilman Flynn echoed that the settlement provides a clean break and allows staff to focus on vetting new operators.
  • Executive Director Danielle Gully reported more than 12 inquiries, three letters of intent, and several other strong expressions of interest in the space.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously after a friendly amendment to remove the May 21 executive session minutes.
  • Settlement with Katlo Inc.: Ordinance authorizing execution of a settlement agreement passed 6‑1 (Councilman Seagers dissenting). The settlement provides $75,000 plus interest (estimated total ~$97,000), return of equipment, and gives the city unrestricted control of the restaurant space.
  • Executive Sessions: The council held two closed sessions: one for probable litigation (Katlo Inc.) and one for the City Manager’s annual performance evaluation. No votes were taken in closed session.
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for June 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

To welcome you to this evening's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council. Before we get started, a few brief announcements. First, the meeting is being live streamed and is recorded and saved on the city's uh website. There are two opportunities for public comment this evening, the first being at the start of the meeting during floor discussion, public comment. Uh members of the public, if they want to may come forward to the podium in the center 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 uh when we uh have items up for consideration and vote, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to make comment. Uh the city council operates on what's called a consent uh format. Consent format means that all items for action this evening uh will be considered in a single motion in a single vote. Member of council may choose or may ask to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting. Um if a member of the public wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request and agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting. There is one item that for action that is not on this evening's or that is not on the consent agenda. I just want to make the public aware of that. That item is appropriately placed on the agenda, uh, but is not part of consent, and there will be uh discussion uh by the Woodstock City Council prior to action on that item and an opportunity for a public comment if they wish to make comments on that item as well. It's just not a board. Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started? Sir. When would be the time that we uh floor to during floor discussion uh public comment section, so I'll make it very clear uh when that I will send the entire room a cue when we do that. Any other questions before we get started this evening? All right, hearing none, I'll go to head go ahead and officially call to order this June 4th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council order and ask the clerk to please call the uh the roll. Councilman Flynn Here. Councilwoman McMahon here. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilman Seagers. Here. Councilman Tebow? Here. Councilwoman Ziemba, here. Mayor Turner. Here. Let the record reflect that all members of the Woodstock City Council are present this evening. Jane, can you please confirm that the agenda this evening is the true as and published agenda? Yes, it is. Thank you, Jane. Ladies and gentlemen of the council, that being the case, the people's business is duly and appropriately before us. Uh the first item for uh on this evening's agenda is floor discussion. And under floor discussion, we begin with a proclamation. This is a proclamation uh by the Woodstock uh City of Woodstock for Pride Month in the City of Woodstock. And uh Council, I have a proclamation without objection. Thank you. Um at this time, I'd like to call uh Melissa McMahon, who is the president of the Pride organization, in addition to being a member of the Woodstock City Council. If she'll join me at the podium uh on the left-hand side of the room, be happy to make that uh proclamation. Thank you, Melissa. So Woodstock uh has been uh a supporter of the Pride um uh Pride Month as well as the uh Pride Fest and other activities around Pride for multiple multiple years now. And I think that it speaks to the to the acceptance and the nature of people that live in Woodstock in that we understand that diversity, inclusion, acceptance, kindness, tolerance for people is part of who we are as a as a community, and quite frankly, it is part of who we are as a country. Uh tolerance for others and acceptance is a core part or core elements, I believe, of uh of the founding of our country and who we are as a country. So I've always been very proud of uh of the uh of the role the city takes in in supporting uh Pride Month. And so it's my pleasure to uh to read this proclamation this evening and pass it along to Melissa. Proclamation honoring Pride Month, June 2024.

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