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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – July 16, 2024: Solar Amendment Approved

City Council — Tuesday, July 16, 2024

BodyWoodstock, Illinois

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, July 16, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 51:32

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:01

Well, good evening, everyone.

0:02

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

0:06

A few brief announcements, but before we get started tonight, uh first a reminder that the uh meeting is being live streamed and recorded on the city's uh website.

0:15

Uh the City of Woodstock operates in what's called a consent format.

0:19

Consent format means that all items for action this evening are considered in a single motion and a single vote.

0:25

A member of council may request an item or may request an item and remove an item for separate consideration and voting.

0:32

A member of the public may request an item to be removed, and if agreed to by a member of the city council, that item too will be removed uh for separate consideration and voting.

0:42

There are two opportunities for public comment this evening.

0:44

First being at the start of the meeting, under floor discussion, public comment.

0:49

Members of the public maybe 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 that are not on this evening's agenda.

1:01

Second opportunity for public comment is when we have items for action this evening.

1:06

There will be an opportunity for members of the public to make a comment.

1:10

Any questions on the nose of those announcements before we get started this evening?

1:15

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call the order this July 16th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask the clerk to please call the roll.

1:26

Councilman Flynn.

1:27

Here.

1:27

Councilwoman McMahon.

1:29

Here.

1:29

Councilman Nearman.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Councilman Seegers.

1:32

Here.

1:32

Councilman Tebow?

1:33

Here.

1:34

Councilwoman Zimba?

1:35

Here.

1:35

Mayor Turner.

1:36

Here.

1:36

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

1:41

Jane, I'll ask you to please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true is the true and published agenda.

1:47

Yes, it is.

1:48

That it thank you, Jane.

1:49

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

1:55

The first item under uh our agenda this evening is in fact floor discussion.

2:00

Did you just turn that?

2:01

You turn that on, thank you.

2:02

Is floor discussion.

2:04

And the first item under floor discussion is public comments.

2:07

At this time, I would invite any member of the public who wishes to do so to come forward to the podium in the middle of the room.

2:13

If they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make any comments that are not on this evening's agenda.

2:23

Members of the public.

2:29

Second opportunity, members of the public, to come forward under floor discussion.

2:36

Third and final opportunity for members of the public to come forward under floor discussion for public comment.

2:44

Hearing no uh public comments, I'll now turn to members of council.

2:51

Council, any comments uh from any of you this evening.

2:55

Council?

2:55

Yes, Cordy.

2:57

Uh I'd like to give a shout out to the Woodstock Children's Summer Theater, uh, which is one of the best kept secrets in our community in the county.

3:05

Uh the production of Shrek the Musical Junior was their 34th annual show.

3:11

All 52 cast members, grades four through eight, live within the district 200 boundaries.

3:16

Co-director, choreographer Billy Seeger, co-director Flora Ann McIntyre, vocal director, Elena DeVar, Technical Director, Stella Cosgray, costume designer Christie Geggy, and producer Christie Johansson to be commended.

3:32

A few side notes that most people don't know in the community.

3:36

Um dozens of WCST alumni have gone on to television, professional theater careers, including a few on Broadway, and as singers, actors, and directors around the country.

3:48

Three of the aforementioned directors, Billy Seeger, Elena DeVar, and Stella Casgrave were all as children on stage for children's theater.

3:56

Christy Geggy, our costume director, is so highly sought after.

4:01

Children's theater companies from all over the country call and seek to buy the entire set of costumes that she makes for each show.

4:11

I know that because when I was producer for a number of years, I got calls from Florida, the East Coast, and everything wanting our costumes for Lion King.

4:21

She also helps design costumes for her daughter, Zigi Good, who is making a nationally in fashion design and was also a child performer for WCST.

4:32

This is as close as you can get to actual professional theater for children.

4:36

The budget for each show is about $25,000, which is amazing.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████████████29%

Energy Policy██████████████████████22%

Public Works██████████████████████22%

Public Engagement███████████11%

Pending Litigation██████6%

Water And Wastewater Management███3%

Downtown Planning███3%

Taxation Policy██2%

Parks and Recreation██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – July 16, 2024

The Woodstock City Council met on July 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The meeting featured approval of the consent calendar (with two items removed for separate consideration), public testimony on a controversial solar energy farm text amendment, and a postponement of the Graham property redevelopment agreement. Key actions include a 5-2 vote to adopt a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendment restricting solar farms near arterial roads and a unanimous vote to postpone the Graham agreement to an indefinite date.

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously (all items A through D16 except D1 and D4): acceptance of June 18, 2024 minutes; warrants #4106–#4108; minutes from Board of Police Commission (June 10, 2024) and Parks and Recreation Commission (April 9, 2024); Manager’s Report No. 252 items including setback variations (1111 Galloway Drive and Dairy Queen at 310 Washington Street), Cultural and Social Awareness Commission member reduction (7 to 5), creation of an A-6 liquor license for Porkie’s Pig Roast, Industrial Pretreatment Program ordinance and resolutions, RISE Implementation Grant match commitment ($294,400 city match), SRO agreement with D200, appointments to boards/commissions, Recreation Center Master Planning Services (Nurture, up to $123,774.20), Water and Sewer Master Plan Updates and Rate Study (Fehr Graham, up to $80,000), postponement of Chicago Hubs Realty redevelopment agreement to August 6, facade improvement allocation ($5,000 for 220 N. Seminary Ave.), Cultural and Social Awareness Commission roadmap, and contract award for NFC Fitness Court installation (Dynamic Resources Inc., $27,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

Kate Duncan (attorney for Lillipond Solar One LLC) requested the council defer the solar energy farm text amendment (Item D1) until after the plan commission and council consider the pending special use permit for the Lily Pond Road project. She argued the amendment did not meet required approval criteria (no error/inconsistency or changing condition) and would effectively prohibit the project. Alternatively, she asked for a carve-out or delayed effective date.
Bethel Gashaw (project manager, Generate Capital) described the extensive investment ($2 million in design and procurement, $90,000 in storage costs, $137,000 ComEd queue payment) and good‑faith efforts to address council concerns (custom landscaping, welcome sign, community benefits). He urged deferral.
Dr. David Dominella (landowner) noted property taxes would increase from $400 to an estimated $15,000 annually (council clarified city’s share would rise from ~$60 to ~$2,250) and supported the project.
No other public comments were made during floor discussion or on remaining consent items.

Discussion Items

Item D1 – UDO Text Amendment (Solar Energy Farms): Council discussed the amendment’s purpose (restricting solar farms within 1,250 feet of arterial roads like Route 14). Several council members questioned whether the petitioner had provided requested renderings of the site’s appearance along Route 14; the petitioner cited cost and pending feedback as reasons for not preparing renderings. Councilman Tebow noted he was “frankly a little unhappy” with the lack of a rendering. The motion to approve the amendment was made by Councilman Flynn, seconded by Councilman Nearman.
Item D4 – Graham Property Redevelopment Agreement Amendment: City Manager Roscoe Stelford explained the petitioner requested postponement because of ongoing IDOT design discussions. The council voted unanimously to postpone the item to time indefinite, with the understanding the petitioner may return as soon as possible.
Future Agenda Items (August 6, 2024): Discussion included a request for advance information on the CHR redevelopment agreement, excitement about a hotel redevelopment agreement, a new comprehensive plan (Item A5), and interest in adding colored crosswalk markings (lightning bolt or school colors) in front of the high school. Councilman Nearman asked about the cost of adding the city logo to a water tower (estimated ~$25,000). Updates were provided on pickleball court net installation (soon, contractor back‑and‑forth) and broken pavers near the square (fall/spring contract).

Key Outcomes

Consent Calendar approved unanimously (all items except D1 and D4).
Item D1 (Solar Farm Text Amendment) approved by a vote of 5-2 (Councilmen Tebow and Ziemba voting no). The ordinance amends the UDO to restrict solar energy farms near arterial roads.
Item D4 (Graham Property Redevelopment Agreement) postponed to time indefinite by a unanimous vote (7-0).
Next Meeting: August 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, everyone. I'd like to welcome you to this evening's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council. A few brief announcements, but before we get started tonight, uh first a reminder that the uh meeting is being live streamed and recorded on the city's uh website. Uh the City of Woodstock operates in what's called a consent format. Consent format means that all items for action this evening are considered in a single motion and a single vote. A member of council may request an item or may request an item and remove an item for separate consideration and voting. A member of the public may request an item to be removed, and if agreed to by a member of the city council, that item too will be removed uh for separate consideration and voting. There are two opportunities for public comment this evening. First being at the start of the meeting, under floor discussion, public comment. Members of the public maybe 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 that are not on this evening's agenda. Second opportunity for public comment is when we have items for action this evening. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to make a comment. Any questions on the nose of those announcements before we get started this evening? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call the order this July 16th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask the clerk to please 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, I'll ask you to please confirm that the agenda this evening is the same as the true is the true and published agenda. Yes, it is. That it thank you, Jane. That being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the people's business is duly inappropriately before us. The first item under uh our agenda this evening is in fact floor discussion. Did you just turn that? You turn that on, thank you. Is floor discussion. And the first item under floor discussion is public comments. At this time, I would invite any member of the public who wishes to do so to 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 any comments that are not on this evening's agenda. Members of the public. Second opportunity, members of the public, to come forward under floor discussion. Third and final opportunity for members of the public to come forward under floor discussion for public comment. Hearing no uh public comments, I'll now turn to members of council. Council, any comments uh from any of you this evening. Council? Yes, Cordy. Uh I'd like to give a shout out to the Woodstock Children's Summer Theater, uh, which is one of the best kept secrets in our community in the county. Uh the production of Shrek the Musical Junior was their 34th annual show. All 52 cast members, grades four through eight, live within the district 200 boundaries.

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