The Woodstock City Council met on June 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included recognition of departing Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan continued to August 6, 2024, numerous public comments, approval of the consent calendar (with one item postponed), and a detailed discussion on an Artspace affordable housing project. The council also entered executive session to evaluate the City Manager's performance.
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 this evening. Wood City of Woodstock operates under what's 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 wants to have an item separately considered and voted upon, they may do so, and that item will be removed from the consent calendar for separate consideration and voting. And a member of public may request an item to be removed for separate consideration of vote and voting, and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, then it too will be removed from the consent calendar and separately considered and voted upon. The agenda for the meeting will appear on the screens in the uh in the room. There are two opportunities for public comment this evening. Uh first opportunity being uh at the start of the meeting, members of the public may come forward to the podium in the center of the room if they're willing to do so, state them their name and address for purpose of the record, and they have three minutes under public uh comment to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any item not on this evening's agenda. Public also has an opportunity to uh provide comments on any items for action uh this evening when those items come up for a vote. Any questions on those announcements before we get started this evening? A reminder as well that the meeting is being live streamed and it is saved and recorded out on the uh city's uh website. Hearing no questions or comments on those announcements, I will go ahead and officially call to order this June 18th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order, and ask the clerk, please to call the roll. Councilman Flynn, here. Councilwoman McMahon, here. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilman Seegers? Here. Councilman Tebow? Here. Councilwoman Zimba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflect that all members of the Woodstock City Council are present and in chambers this evening. Jane, can 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. Uh the first item this evening is floor discussion. Um, Paul, it's not displaying in the very back, not that that's a big deal, but but yeah, thank you. Ice on in the corners. All right, good. Um, first item under uh on on our agenda this evening is floor discussion and under floor discussion, uh we have a recognition this evening. Uh it is a bittersweet recognition uh because it is recognizing Garrett Anderson uh who is leaving the city uh to pursue a new job opportunity uh in Colorado. And so we are very sorry to see Garrett uh go and uh but want to take this opportunity to recognize the work that he has done uh through this uh through this proclamation. Council uh without objection, all right. Garrett, if you join me at the podium on the side, please. It was a very nice proclamation with a lot of content, so that so staff printed it in bigger font for me. So thank you. I do I do appreciate that. Um this is a proclamation honoring Garrett Anderson. Whereas Garrett Anderson has served the City of Woodstock with unwavering dedication and passion for the nearly nine years as the economic development director, and whereas Garrett Anderson, alongside his wife Jeannie, and their sons Solomon and Jerry has been an integral part of our community fabric, contributing not only professionally but also personally. And whereas Garrett Anderson has navigated through two mayors, 15 council members during his tenure, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and leadership, and whereas Garrett Anderson has exemplified the spirit of economic development as a marathon, not a sprint, bringing visionary insights and strategic guidance to every project and initiative. And whereas Garrett Anderson has made economic development accessible and compelling through his story storytelling prowess, effectively conveying the importance and the impact of local economic initiatives. And whereas Garrett Anderson made being a numbers nerd is cool, with his trademark bowtie brand bringing an unblend a unique blend of professionalism and approachability to his role. And whereas Garrett Anderson's efforts have resulted in over 200 million in local investment, including significant milestones like the Chicago Hubs Realty Project on the DICAST site. And whereas Garrett Anderson's leadership was instrumental in the approval and implementation of the downtown development plan and TIFF number two, which have significantly contributed to the revitalization of our community.