OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – September 3, 2024: Consent Calendar, Public Comment on Garbage Toter Options

City Council — Tuesday, September 3, 2024
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 3, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 28:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:03

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

0:09

A uh few brief announcements before we get started.

0:12

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

0:17

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

0:21

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

0:27

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.

0:34

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.

0:49

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

0:52

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

0:55

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

0:58

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

1:01

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

1:06

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

1:11

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

1:16

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

1:21

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.

1:29

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

1:32

Councilman Flynn.

1:34

Councilwoman McMahon here.

1:36

Councilman Nearman.

1:37

Here.

1:37

Councilman Seegers.

1:38

Here.

1:39

Councilman Tebow.

1:39

Here.

1:40

Councilwoman Ziembah here.

1:41

Mayor Turner.

1:42

Here.

1:43

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

1:48

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

1:53

Yes, it is.

1:54

Thank you, Jane.

1:55

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

2:00

First item under our agenda this evening is floor discussion.

2:04

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

2:09

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

2:12

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

2:14

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

2:22

Good evening.

2:23

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

2:28

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.

2:44

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

2:56

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.

3:07

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.

3:22

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.

3:37

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

3:46

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.

4:05

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

4:12

So that's significant for Woodstock also.

4:16

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

4:26

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.

4:40

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

4:50

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

4:57

Uh one size does not fit all.

5:00

Please offer a 35-gallon size toter.

5:04

Please negotiate with Marengo disposal.

5:09

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

5:20

I I do uh I do welcome your comments.

5:23

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Waste Management██████████████████████23%
Public Engagement███████████12%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – September 3, 2024

The City Council met on September 3, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of a consent calendar with 11 items, discussion of future agendas, and the introduction of a new Economic Development Director. Six of seven council members were present.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jean Herbert Neiman (958 Terra Court) spoke during floor discussion about the proposed change to automated garbage collection. She requested that the city offer 35-gallon toters as an option for seniors and those who generate less waste. She noted that Marengo Disposal acknowledged an 8% cost savings for smaller toters and that the senior population in McHenry County is projected to increase by 22% in five years. She urged the city to negotiate for the 35-gallon size and to improve public communication about the change.
  • Carol Chikatosta (851 East Kimball Avenue) asked for clarification on whether the new system would save residents money. The City Manager responded that it will not be cheaper than the current sticker program, but could be more economical for those already paying for larger toters.
  • The Mayor and City Manager confirmed that negotiations with Marengo Disposal include a request for 35-gallon toters and that the topic will appear on the October 1, 2024 agenda for action. Staff will continue outreach via the city website and social media.

Consent Calendar

All items on the consent calendar (A through D11) were approved by a single 6-0 vote. Items included:

  • Acceptance of August 20, 2024 City Council minutes
  • Warrants #4114 and #4115
  • Minutes and reports from various commissions and the Police Department (May 2024)
  • Manager’s Report No. 255 comprising:
    • Appointment to the Enterprise Zone Board
    • Ordinance amending tobacco/cannabis code
    • Ordinance granting a special use permit for a cannabis dispensing organization at 601 S. Eastwood Drive
    • Ordinance granting a setback variation for a garage at 130 North Street
    • Allocation of $5,000 for facade improvements at 310 Washington Street (TIF #2)
    • Allocation of $5,000 for historic district facade assistance at 126 North Benton Street
    • Contract with Baxter & Woodman for Industrial Pretreatment Program engineering services (not to exceed $50,000)
    • Contract awards for Davis Road Park soccer fields: $73,940 for earth materials (Thelen Materials LLC) and $51,625 for grading/leveling (Langton Group)
    • Contract with Vega Building Maintenance Inc. for custodial services ($7,802.50/month, Oct 2024–Sep 2026)
    • Contract for 2024 skip patching with Chicagoland Paving Contractors (not to exceed $51,000)
    • Purchase of a 2024 Combination Backhoe and hammer attachment from McCann Industries ($165,246)

Discussion Items

  • Council Comments on Consent Item D8 (Davis Road Park Soccer Fields): Councilman Tom Nearman noted that the next phase will require an upgraded irrigation system because the sand-based fields need more water. Staff confirmed they are looking at purchasing a water cannon and will begin doing their own seeding and fertilizing more frequently.

Future Agendas

  • The mobile food truck discussion was moved to the October 1, 2024 meeting.
  • The CHR (Community Housing Resources) update was also moved to October 1, 2024; the City Manager noted the agreement is complex but progressing.

Introduction of New Economic Development Director

  • Jessica was introduced as the new Economic Development Director, having started nine days prior. She has 20 years of experience in economic development and public service, including work at the governor’s office in Colorado. Council welcomed her and expressed enthusiasm for her role.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar approved 6-0 (all items A through D11).
  • Public comments on garbage toters were received and will inform ongoing negotiations; the matter is scheduled for action on October 1, 2024.
  • Future agenda items were adjusted: mobile food trucks and CHR update moved to October 1, 2024.
  • Meeting adjourned by a voice vote (all ayes).

Meeting Transcript

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.

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