OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - August 6, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, August 6, 2024
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 6, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:12:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:03

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

0:07

A brief uh a few brief announcements before we get started.

0:10

Uh the agenda for this evening will be displayed on the monitors uh inside the uh council chambers.

0:16

Um the meeting is being live streamed and is recorded uh and maintained out on the city's website uh for people to watch uh at their leisure.

0:25

Um the city of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent uh format.

0:30

Consent format means that all items for action are considered in a single motion in a single vote, with one exception tonight is that the um bond uh the bond approval does require uh it to be separately considered and not on consent.

0:44

That will be considered separately this evening as well.

0:47

There are two opportunities for public comment.

0:49

First being under floor discussion at the start of the meeting.

0:53

Members of the public may come to the podium in the middle of the room if they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purposes of the record.

0:59

Feel free to make your comments to the Woodstock City Council on any items that are not on this evening's agenda.

1:04

Second opportunity for public comment will be during all items for action.

1:09

Uh there will be an opportunity for members of the public to provide input and commentary to the city uh council.

1:15

Any questions on those uh announcements before we get started?

1:21

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this August 6th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask uh the clerk Shane to please call the roll.

1:31

Councilman Flynn here, Councilwoman McMahon?

1:35

Here.

1:35

Councilman Nearman?

1:36

Here.

1:36

Councilman Seegers?

1:37

Here.

1:38

Councilman Tebow?

1:39

Here.

1:39

Councilwoman Ziemba?

1:40

Here.

1:40

Mayor Turner.

1:41

Here.

1:42

Record reflect that all members of the Woodstock uh City Council are present in chambers this evening.

1:47

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

1:52

Yes, it is.

1:52

Thank you, Jane.

1:53

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

1:58

First item under uh on our agenda this evening is floor discussion.

2:03

And under floor discussion, the first item we have tonight is a public hearing.

2:08

I will go ahead and officially I don't need motion to open the public hearing, correct, Ruth?

2:12

That's right.

2:12

Okay.

2:12

I will go ahead and officially open the public hearing on the adoption of the comprehensive plan for the city of Woodstock.

2:22

At this time, I invite any members of the public who wish to come forward under floors uh under the public hearing for the adoption of the comprehensive plan.

2:30

Please come forward to the podium in the middle of the room.

2:39

Second opportunity, members of the public, come forward under the public hearing for the adoption of the Woodstock Comprehensive Plan.

2:55

Third and final opportunity for members of the public to come forward under the public hearing for the adoption of the comprehensive plan for the city of Woodstock.

3:07

Hearing no comments uh requests from public for um to speak further under the public hearing.

3:13

I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing.

3:17

So moved.

3:18

Motion by Councilman Flynn.

3:19

Is there a second?

3:20

Second.

3:21

Second by Councilman Thibault.

3:22

It is a motion to close the public hearing.

3:25

Council, any questions on the motion before us?

3:28

Members of public.

3:30

Any questions of the motion before us?

3:31

It is a motion to close the public hearing.

3:35

Hearing no questions on the motion before us.

3:37

We have a motion to close the public hearing with an appropriate second.

3:40

I'll ask Jane to please call the roll on the motion before us.

3:44

Councilwoman McMahon?

3:46

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████17%
Economic Development██████████10%
Cannabis Regulation████████8%
Taxation Policy███████7%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Public Works██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - August 6, 2024

This meeting, held on August 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers, included adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, issuance of General Obligation Bonds, public comments, approval of a consent agenda with several action items, and discussion on quarterly financial reports and future projects. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Acceptance of City Council Minutes (July 16, 2024)
  • Warrants #4109, #4110, #4111
  • Minutes and Reports: Arts Commission (June 10), Cultural and Social Awareness Commission (July 8), Historic Preservation Commission (Special May 20, June 24), Plan Commission (Special May 30, June 20).
  • Manager’s Report No. 253 items approved collectively:
    • Ordinance – UDO Text Amendments (B3 Zoning)
    • Ordinance – Redevelopment Agreement – Kebb CS-WK, LLC (hotel project)
    • Ordinance – Title 4, Chapter 4.9.5 (Tobacco Products – raising possession age from 18 to 21 to match state law)
    • Ordinance – Sign Variation – 320 S. Eastwood Drive (Chase Bank)
    • Ordinance – Plat of Easement – 1460 South Eastwood Drive
    • Resolution – TIF Inducement – 200 Washington Street
    • Redevelopment Agreement – Chicago Hubs Realty, LLC – postponed to time indefinite
    • Fleet Purchase Agreement – Dump Truck with Upfitting for Streets Division (JX Peterbilt chassis: $149,585.83; Henderson Products upfitting: $148,996.00; total $298,581.83)
    • Fleet Purchase Agreement – Landscape Equipment for Parks Division (Hustler mowers: $54,834; John Deere 1575 TerrainCut with attachments: $56,657.27)
    • Contract Award – 2024 Pavement Marking Services (Precision Pavement Markings, Inc., not to exceed $144,620.08)
    • Contract Award – 2024 Sidewalk Replacement Program (Alliance Contractors, not to exceed $40,000)
    • Contract Award – Water Tower Cleaning (Tecorp Inc., not to exceed $140,000)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing – Comprehensive Plan Adoption: No public testimony offered; hearing closed unanimously.
  • Public Comments (non-agenda items): Adele Mickelson, Vice President of Friends of the Opera House, spoke about the organization’s support for the Opera House and upcoming fundraiser “Hoppy Hour” on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, featuring beer flights, charcuterie, and a 50/50 raffle. She invited community participation.
  • Council Comments: Councilman Nearman expressed gratitude to city staff and public works for supporting the Gavers Barn Dance, which helped surpass $10 million in funds raised for cancer awareness. Councilwoman Ziemba promoted the 27th Annual Benefit Car Show on August 17, 2024, and announced a community art contest for Groundhog Day 2025 with submissions via WoodstockGroundhog.org.

Discussion Items

  • Comprehensive Plan Adoption: The Council adopted an ordinance approving the City of Woodstock Comprehensive Plan, dated May 9, 2024. Mayor Turner noted the plan had not been updated since 2008 and included extensive public input over a year. The plan was developed with consulting partners House of Levien. Passed unanimously (7-0).
  • FY24/25 General Obligation Bond Ordinance: The Council approved an ordinance authorizing issuance of not to exceed $13,500,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024. Proceeds fund the fourth year of the five-year road improvement program (2021 plan), water main replacement on Pleasant Street, and improvements at the Opera House. City Manager Roscoe Stelford noted the bond market is favorable, with interest rates down from six months ago, and the actual issuance will be about $12.5 million. The ordinance provides flexibility for premium/discount issuance. Passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Consent Agenda Items – Council Comments:
    • D2 – Redevelopment Agreement (Kebb CS-WK, LLC): Mayor Turner expressed enthusiasm for a 60-room national chain hotel in downtown Woodstock, noting TIF funds used are tied to future payments from the same property. Councilman Nearman highlighted community demand. Councilwoman Ziemba credited late George Hahn and Garrett Anderson for earlier work. A state-required public notice for land conveyance will run concurrently, not delaying the project.
    • D3 – Tobacco Ordinance (possession age 21): Councilman Seegers initially opposed criminalizing possession for 18-20 year-olds but was reassured by Police Chief that it is a ticketable ordinance violation (not criminal) and does not affect records. Penalty is a fine plus court costs. Public commenter Roy Wilson expressed concerns about enforcement and potential harsh fines. Staff clarified the ordinance aligns with state law.
    • D7 – Chicago Hubs Realty, LLC Postponement: Councilman Flynn requested postponement to time indefinite because the developer’s architectural plans for the diecast site required aesthetic improvements. The city remains actively engaged and hopes for a redevelopment agreement at the next meeting.
    • D8 – Dump Truck Purchase: Councilman Seegers asked about procurement methods (used Sourcewell cooperative) and fleet replacement strategy. Staff confirmed tracking software and technician knowledge guide retirements.
    • D9 – Landscape Equipment: Councilman Thibault recommended considering a beefier John Deere model (1575 vs. 1585) for durability and advised keeping older equipment as backup. Staff will evaluate. Councilman Seegers inquired about equipment storage; Brent (Parks) confirmed new park building will house equipment once complete.
  • Quarterly Financial Reports – Fourth Quarter FY23/24: Paul (Finance) reported a large surplus that will transfer to the capital program. Discussion focused on headwinds: the state’s elimination of the grocery tax (estimated $400,000 annual loss for Woodstock), potential economic slowdown affecting sales/income tax, and the Route 47 project cost increase from $6M to $16M (due to construction inflation). City Manager Stelford noted the city’s strong financial position, including a 10% property tax cut in 2017 and no PTELL increase for 10 years. Discussion included state and federal grant efforts for Route 47 (Congressman Bill Foster secured a $3 million earmark; state capital bill in January may provide more). The city has a five-year payment plan with IDOT for its portion.
  • Executive Session: The Council held a closed session under the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/21(c)(1)) for the city manager’s performance evaluation. No decisions were announced.
  • Future Agenda Items: The Council previewed items for the August 20, 2024 meeting (next regular meeting) and considered September 3, 2024. Mayor Turner noted he would miss the August 20 meeting and asked council to provide feedback to staff. Items include a development at 801 Eastwood (restaurant seeking liquor license before construction).

Key Outcomes

  • Comprehensive Plan: Adopted unanimously by vote of 7-0.
  • General Obligation Bonds: Ordinance approved unanimously (7-0) to issue up to $13.5M in Series 2024 bonds.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0) with all items A through D12 affirmed.
  • Executive Session: Motion to adjourn to closed session carried 7-0; council returned to open session and adjourned.
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for August 20, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you all to this evening's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council. A brief uh a few brief announcements before we get started. Uh the agenda for this evening will be displayed on the monitors uh inside the uh council chambers. Um the meeting is being live streamed and is recorded uh and maintained out on the city's website uh for people to watch uh at their leisure. Um the city of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent uh format. Consent format means that all items for action are considered in a single motion in a single vote, with one exception tonight is that the um bond uh the bond approval does require uh it to be separately considered and not on consent. That will be considered separately this evening as well. There are two opportunities for public comment. First being under floor discussion at the start of the meeting. Members of the public may come to the podium in the middle of the room if they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purposes of the record. Feel free to make your comments to the Woodstock City Council on any items that are not on this evening's agenda. Second opportunity for public comment will be during all items for action. Uh there will be an opportunity for members of the public to provide input and commentary to the city uh council. Any questions on those uh announcements before we get started? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this August 6th, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask uh the clerk Shane to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn here, Councilwoman McMahon? Here. Councilman Nearman? Here. Councilman Seegers? Here. Councilman Tebow? Here. Councilwoman Ziemba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. Record reflect that all members of the Woodstock uh City Council are present in 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. First item under uh on our agenda this evening is floor discussion. And under floor discussion, the first item we have tonight is a public hearing. I will go ahead and officially I don't need motion to open the public hearing, correct, Ruth? That's right. Okay. I will go ahead and officially open the public hearing on the adoption of the comprehensive plan for the city of Woodstock. At this time, I invite any members of the public who wish to come forward under floors uh under the public hearing for the adoption of the comprehensive plan. Please come forward to the podium in the middle of the room. Second opportunity, members of the public, come forward under the public hearing for the adoption of the Woodstock Comprehensive Plan. Third and final opportunity for members of the public to come forward under the public hearing for the adoption of the comprehensive plan for the city of Woodstock. Hearing no comments uh requests from public for um to speak further under the public hearing. I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing. So moved. Motion by Councilman Flynn. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Thibault.

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