Woodstock City Council Meeting – February 4, 2025

The Woodstock City Council convened on February 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Black History Month, public comments regarding proposed redevelopment, council reports on the successful Groundhog Day celebration, and a consent agenda with ten items. One item (D10 – Temporary Garbage Financial Assistance Program) was pulled for separate discussion and approved by a 4-2 vote.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (6-0) all items A through D9, including:
  • Acceptance of January 21, 2025 City Council and Executive Session minutes.
  • Warrants #4134 and #4135.
  • Minutes from the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission (January 6, 2025) and Woodstock Public Library Board of Trustees (November 14 and December 12, 2024).
  • Manager’s Report No. 264 items:
    • Ordinance amending City Code regarding residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste disposal (D1).
    • Ordinance authorizing eminent domain proceedings for 101–109 S. Jefferson Street (D2).
    • Ordinance extending the Northern Illinois Purchasing Cooperative intergovernmental agreement (D3).
    • Ordinance amending City Code on disposal of surplus personal property (D4).
    • Ordinance approving a lease with TurnKey Digital at the Old Courthouse Center (D5).
    • Ordinance modifying the K-1 liquor license classification (D6).
    • Ordinance creating a new K-1b.15 liquor license for Clayworkers’ Guild d/b/a Artisans on Main (D7).
    • Renewal of Intergovernmental Agreement for the McHenry County Gang Task Force (D8).
    • Mayor’s nominations for appointments to boards and commissions (D9).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Beth Walsdorf (1135 Donegal Court, Woodstock) spoke in opposition to the city’s plan to remove three businesses—Unique Nails, Woodstock Dance Academy, and Stuart Cleaners—on East Calhoun Street to provide a parking lot for a hotel. She emphasized the businesses’ long history (Stuart Cleaners celebrated 10 years under owners Roberta and Maria Diaz in January 2025) and called on the Council to prioritize business retention. She also noted the convenience of these in-town amenities for residents and highlighted that hotel guests would benefit from having a cleaners, nail salon, and dance studio within walking distance.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation – Black History Month (February 2025): Jose Rivera, a longtime member of the Social and Cultural Awareness Commission, accepted the proclamation. Councilman Nearman recommended the book “Project 1619.”
• Council Comments – Groundhog Day Celebration: Multiple council members praised the February 2, 2025 Groundhog Day event. Councilwoman McMahon reported:
  • 353 pub crawlers visited 12 locations.
  • First annual Groundhog Day 5K held by the Woodstock Backers.
  • 700 drinks to world peace sold at Squire on the Square on Sunday; 100 on Saturday.
  • A bags tournament raised $1,000 for Warp Corps.
  • Woodstock Willie volunteers contributed 35 hours each (70 total handler hours). Mayor Turner and others highlighted the economic boost for square businesses during a traditionally slow period, extensive media coverage, and the need for a sound system upgrade at the square.
• Consent Calendar Item D1 (Refuse Ordinance): Councilman Nearman noted that residents cannot place hazardous waste or white goods in regular pickup and suggested improved communication on the city website.
• Consent Calendar Item D2 (Eminent Domain): Councilwoman McMahon requested that the record reflect three attempts to negotiate with the landowner before the ordinance was brought forward. Mayor Turner clarified that approval does not preclude further negotiations.
• Consent Calendar Item D6 (Liquor License Modification): Councilwoman Ziemba commended staff for a creative solution that subdivided the K-1 license into three categories to meet business needs.
• Item D10 – Temporary Garbage Financial Assistance Program (Pulled): Councilwoman McMahon expressed concern that the qualification criterion—SNAP guidelines (165% of federal poverty level)—would exclude many families experiencing hardship. She noted that 46% of School District 200 students receive fee waivers (free or reduced lunch). City Manager Roscoe Stelford III explained the program:
  • 8,000 residential housing units are subject to the new MDC contract.
  • 5,200 are already served by the current contract, leaving 2,800 potential new customers.
  • Maximum exposure was estimated using two models: McHenry County SNAP rate (6.7% = 188 households) and state average (15.7% = 440 households), with a worst-case annual cost of $53,200.
  • The program covers half the estimated cost increase (about $5.17/month for non-seniors).
  • Staff recommended SNAP eligibility as a clear, objective line, with some discretion for changed financial circumstances. Several council members supported the staff proposal as a starting point, while Councilwoman McMahon sought a higher eligibility threshold and possibly a two-tier benefit. She also requested paper application options. The item was not postponed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items A–D9): Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Item D10 – Temporary Garbage Financial Assistance Program: Approved by a vote of 4-2 (Councilwoman Ziemba and Councilwoman McMahon opposed). The program will provide a subsidy equal to half of the cost increase for eligible residents meeting SNAP guidelines, with staff discretion for special circumstances. The city will use paper copies in addition to an online form. The program is reviewed after one year.
• Future Agenda Items: The next meeting on February 18, 2025, will have a light agenda; Mayor Turner and Councilwoman Ziemba will be absent due to a trip to meet with state legislators regarding Route 47 funding. A quorum of four members will be required for action.