Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

If my city attorney will sit down, we'll go ahead and get the uh this meeting uh started.

A uh few brief announcements before we get started.

Um first um the agenda will be shown on the screens in the um in the room.

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

Consort consent format means that all items for action this evening will be considered in a single motion or a single vote.

If a member of council wishes to have an item separately considered and voted upon, they may request that item to be removed from the consent calendar.

If a member of the public would like to have an item separately considered and voted upon, they may also request that item to be uh removed for separate consideration of voting, and if agreed to by a member of council, it too will be removed for separate consideration and voting.

Uh there's two opportunities for public comment to meet uh this evening.

The first being at the start of the meeting under floor discussion.

Members of the public are uh may come to the podium in the middle of the room.

If you're willing to do so, state your name and address for purpose of the record.

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

Second opportunity for public comment is when we have items for action uh prior to the vote.

Um members of the public will have an opportunity to provide input to the city council.

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

Hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call the order this September 3rd meeting, uh September 3rd, 2024 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order.

And I'll ask the clerk Jane to please call the roll.

Councilman Flynn.

Councilwoman McMahon here.

Councilman Nearman.

Here.

Councilman Seegers.

Here.

Councilman Tebow.

Here.

Councilwoman Ziembah here.

Mayor Turner.

Here.

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

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

Yes, it is.

Thank you, Jane.

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

First item under our agenda this evening is floor discussion.

And under floor discussion, uh the first item is public comment.

At this point, I would invite any members of the public who wish to do so.

Come forward in the middle to the podium in the middle of the room.

Feel free to make comments uh to the Woodstock City Council.

Good evening.

I'm uh Jean Herbert Neiman, and I live at 958 Terra Court.

Uh last meeting I came and I explained that I accumulate two gallons of garbage a week, which is approximately one shopping bag when you check out at Joule, and 16 or less than 16 gallons of recycling per week.

I do understand that uh Morengo Disposal Company wants automation by using these pincher grips on their truck to pick up an empty toters.

If this is a given, then please offer the 35 gallon toters that better fit the needs of seniors and those who do not accumulate much garbage.

I watched McHenry disposal company use their automated system to pick up 35 gallon toters in my neighborhood last week with no problems uh lifting or dumping them.

Uh also McHenry Disposal or Morengo disposal has uh acknowledged that a smaller toter would represent an 8% savings and cost from buying a larger you know toters.

Uh I learned that uh Woodstock is applying for um age-friendly grants.

And I I got a coaster saying that um you know Woodstock is an age-friendly community, and I I would like to see them being age-friendly by offering the 35-gallon toters, which would be easier for seniors or people with disabilities to maneuver.

Uh the senior population in McHenry County is projected to increase by 22 percent in five years.

So that's significant for Woodstock also.

Um I think a large percentage of Woodstock residences do not realize that a change in garbage collection is proposed.

They will be surprised when they're told that large toters are required and mandatory, and they um will see charges for collection on their water bill.

At least offering a choice of a 35 gallon size for both the garbage and the um recycling.

And a senior rate might soften the blow for seniors and those used to paying by the bag.

Uh one size does not fit all.

Please offer a 35-gallon size toter.

Please negotiate with Marengo disposal.

So that the seniors have a size that is more maneuverable, convenient, and they're able to store that easier.

I I do uh I do welcome your comments.

Okay.