OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, February 17, 2026
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:49:28

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:03

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

0:07

A few brief announcements before we get started.

0:09

The agenda and topics for this evening's meeting will be displayed on the screens in the in the uh chambers.

0:16

Um the um City of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent format, which means that all items for action this evening will be considered under a single motion and a single vote.

0:27

If a member of the uh city council wishes to have an item separately or removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request, and that item will be removed and separately considered.

0:37

Uh similarly, if a member of public wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they can make that request, and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed uh for separate consideration and voting.

0:50

There will be two opportunities for public comment this evening.

0:53

The first being uh under floor discussion public comment.

0:57

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

1:03

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

1:08

And then we, when we have items for action, uh we will also uh offer the opportunity for members of the public to address City Council on those specific items.

1:19

Any questions on those announcements before we get started?

1:23

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call the order this February 17th, 2026 meeting of the Woodstock City Council order and ask Jane to please call the roll.

1:32

Councilman Flynn Here.

1:33

Councilman Hansen.

1:35

Here.

1:35

Councilwoman McMahon here.

1:36

Councilman Nearman.

1:38

Here.

1:38

Councilman Seegers.

1:39

Councilwoman Zemba?

1:40

Here.

1:41

Mayor Turner.

1:41

Here.

1:42

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

1:46

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

1:51

Yes, it is.

1:52

All right, thank you, Jane.

1:53

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

1:58

Uh the first item on the agenda this evening is floor discussion.

2:02

And under floor discussion, the first item we have is a presentation by Chris Teat.

2:08

Um it is a presentation about our enhanced streets improvement program uh update and five-year plan.

2:15

Uh streets are always a huge focus for members of the city council.

2:20

And as we have completed our five-year build out that actually uh began uh back in the middle of last decade, end of last decade with the prior council and prior mayor on uh on reviewing options to uh make some substantial improvements to the city of Woodstock's streets.

2:39

Uh that was enacted in uh August.

2:42

I believe we passed it, we passed it in August of 2021, and then begin the process of uh of moving through that program.

2:50

Uh it is of keen interest to us here at the city and to the public as to what the next phase looks like of our road program and very importantly, how are we going to maintain the roads that we've spent a great deal of money on to install?

3:05

So, Chris uh Teat, our city engineer, is uh going to provide an overview to the city council.

3:10

It's an opportunity for us to hear staff's ideas, provide our own questions and comments uh on those things, and uh as he uh prepares to bring something more formally forward.

3:21

This is not a finalized decision or presentation.

3:25

Uh uh that will come at a later time, but this is an opportunity for us to hear the thinking of council of staff and for us to ask questions questions and provide feedback.

3:35

So thank you.

3:37

Good evening, mayor and members of council.

3:39

Over the past five years, the city has made one of the most significant infrastructure investments in its history.

3:45

This program was designed to aggressively improve our pavement condition index, also known as a PCI rating, stabilize long-term infrastructure costs, and improve the overall writability and safety for our residents and businesses.

4:02

To understand the importance of this program, it's critical to remember where we started.

4:06

In 2015, the city's overall PCI rating was a 44, which is dangerously close to being classified as a failing system.

4:15

At that time, 62% of our streets were considered poor or fair and failed, and only 16% were considered good to very good.

4:24

Nearly half of our streets were requiring significant rehabilitation.

4:30

Engineering analysis at that time confirmed that existing funding levels were not sufficient to prevent continued deterioration.

4:37

Without intervention, costs would have escalated dramatically as more streets slipped into a failure condition, where reconstruction costs are significantly higher than preventative maintenance costs.

4:49

In short, we are falling behind even faster than we could keep up with maintaining those streets.

5:00

In response, as you indicated, council committed to spend $10 million a year over five-year term on our streets.

5:05

The objective of this $50 million investment was simple but ambitious.

5:10

Front load our street program to catch up and reverse the downward trend of the overall PCI rating before the total costs for reconstruction became insurmountable.

5:20

By focusing on the preventative resurfacing and targeted rehabilitation, we could raise the overall PCI rating, reduce long-term liabilities, improve safe and ride quality, and avoid even higher costs in the future.

5:40

Over the life of the program, 50 miles of streets were either resurfaced or reconstructed.

5:45

During this program, a disciplined and predictable strategy was used that balanced reconstruction with resurfacing.

5:52

It prioritized streets at risk of failure, but also ensured that a steady progress was made rather than deferring work to create future crisis situations.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████████30%
Public Works███████████████████19%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Homelessness███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – February 17, 2026

The Woodstock City Council met on February 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured a presentation on the Enhanced Streets Improvement Program update and five‑year plan, public comments touching on homelessness, a proposed gravel mine, surveillance concerns, and road conditions, and unanimous approval of the consent calendar with a correction to the February 3 meeting minutes. Council also discussed the Flock surveillance contract and future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Acceptance of February 3, 2026 City Council minutes (corrected per Councilman Seegers’ request).
  • Approval of warrants #4184 and #4185.
  • Acceptance of minutes and reports from the Arts Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Plan Commission, and Woodstock Opera House Advisory Commission.
  • Manager’s Report No. 287:
    • Ordinance authorizing a First Amendment to the BratHaus Squared, Inc. lease for the Sheriff’s House Space at the Old Courthouse Center.
    • Resolution authorizing a contract with Dynamic Industrial Services Inc. for spot repairs to three elevated water towers, not to exceed $171,070.
    • Resolution authorizing purchase of two 2026 Ford Utility Police Interceptor vehicles through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative, not to exceed $103,829.36.
    • Ordinances approving the Final Plat of Subdivision and a Special Use Permit/Planned Unit Development for 2050 S. Eastwood Drive (Goodwill store and self‑storage facility).
  • All consent items approved unanimously (7‑0) with the noted minutes correction.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Nada Lunsford (Stevens Home and Homeless Street Outreach) reported providing 100 nights of emergency hotel shelter, delivering 3,700 meals to camps, and working with the workforce roundtable and county agencies. She expressed readiness to serve as a city liaison.
  • Robert Lesowski, Mike Phillips, Terry Rosa, Harry Boffman, and Maurice Romey spoke in opposition to the proposed gravel mine annexation, citing health and safety impacts, property value declines (citing a study showing up to 30% loss near mines), truck traffic, and damage to roads like McConnell Road and Lily Pond Road. They urged the council to respect the comprehensive plan.
  • A speaker (name not clearly stated) criticized the installation of Flock surveillance cameras in Woodstock Square without public oversight and shared a personal experience of being asked to leave the public square during Groundhog Day celebrations while holding a sign. She called for an independent civilian oversight board to audit Flock data use.
  • Chuck Courier submitted written materials and requested clarification on free speech and protest rights.
  • Brian (Chase’s dad) alleged excessive force during an arrest and asked the council to contact him.
  • Councilwoman McMahon voiced concern that Groundhog Day is a public event and that free speech should be equally allowed; she asked City Attorney TJ Clifton to review the incident for consistency. Mayor Turner directed Clifton to investigate and report.

Discussion Items

  • Enhanced Streets Improvement Program Update and Five‑Year Plan (presentation by City Engineer Chris Teat)
    • The city’s overall PCI (Pavement Condition Index) improved from 44 in 2015 (near failing) to 67 after a $50 million program that resurfaced or reconstructed 50 miles of streets. 45% of streets are now in good to very good condition, up from 16%. Poor‑to‑failed streets dropped from 62% to 24%.
    • The next phase will shift to preservation with an annual investment of $3‑4 million (down from $10 million), focusing on reclamite, microsurfacing, chip sealing, and crack sealing. A proposed 10‑year budget was reviewed, with a heavy maintenance year in 2026.
    • Council members discussed cost‑effectiveness, in‑house versus contracted services, coordination with water/sewer upgrades, and the impact of inflation. Councilman Seegers emphasized that well‑maintained roads increase property values. Mayor noted that freeze‑thaw cycles and heavy vehicles are the main drivers of road damage.
    • A question was raised about bringing reclamite application in‑house; Chris Teat noted skilled labor and equipment costs are significant but could be evaluated.
  • Council Comments
    • Councilwoman McMahon requested an update on the Flock surveillance contract. City Attorney TJ Clifton reported that the city’s red‑lined Master Services Agreement (incorporating council conditions) was sent to Flock on February 12; negotiations with Flock’s legal counsel are ongoing, and a definitive answer is expected within a week.
    • McMahon asked whether footage from the city‑owned square cameras would be subject to FOIA; Clifton believes it can be exempted, and staff will provide a formal response.
    • Councilman Hansen reported participating in a DARE graduation at Westwood Elementary with about 70 students, praising the program and police partnership.
    • Councilman Seegers requested a correction to the February 3 minutes: he had said he was “fine with the concept of the McHenry County Foundation providing the portal for donations” for the Route 47 business relief fund, not that he supported funding the program (he voted no). The correction was accepted by unanimous consent.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved unanimously (7‑0) with the noted correction to the February 3 minutes.
  • Council directed City Attorney TJ Clifton to review the free speech incident at the Groundhog Day celebration and report on whether police actions were consistent with the city’s approach to protesters.
  • Flock contract negotiations are ongoing; council will be updated by the next meeting.
  • Future agenda items noted: Budget Workshop #1 on March 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.; regular council meeting moved from March 17 to March 18, 2026 due to the Illinois primary election; Councilman Seegers requested moving the video gaming regulation ordinance to the first meeting in April.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you to this evening's meeting of the uh Woodstock City Council. A few brief announcements before we get started. The agenda and topics for this evening's meeting will be displayed on the screens in the in the uh chambers. Um the um City of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent format, which means that all items for action this evening will be considered under a single motion and a single vote. If a member of the uh city council wishes to have an item separately or removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request, and that item will be removed and separately considered. Uh similarly, if a member of public wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they can make that request, and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed uh for separate consideration and voting. There will be two opportunities for public comment this evening. The first being uh under floor discussion public comment. Members of the public may come forward to the podium in the middle of the room if they'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 item not on this evening's agenda. And then we, when we have items for action, uh we will also uh offer the opportunity for members of the public to address City Council on those specific items. Any questions on those announcements before we get started? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call the order this February 17th, 2026 meeting of the Woodstock City Council order and ask Jane to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn Here. Councilman Hansen. Here. Councilwoman McMahon here. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilman Seegers. Councilwoman Zemba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. Let the record reflect all seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present and 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. All right, thank you, Jane. Ladies and gentlemen, the council, that being the case, the people's business is duly and appropriately before us. Uh the first item on the agenda this evening is floor discussion. And under floor discussion, the first item we have is a presentation by Chris Teat. Um it is a presentation about our enhanced streets improvement program uh update and five-year plan. Uh streets are always a huge focus for members of the city council. And as we have completed our five-year build out that actually uh began uh back in the middle of last decade, end of last decade with the prior council and prior mayor on uh on reviewing options to uh make some substantial improvements to the city of Woodstock's streets. Uh that was enacted in uh August. I believe we passed it, we passed it in August of 2021, and then begin the process of uh of moving through that program. Uh it is of keen interest to us here at the city and to the public as to what the next phase looks like of our road program and very importantly, how are we going to maintain the roads that we've spent a great deal of money on to install? So, Chris uh Teat, our city engineer, is uh going to provide an overview to the city council. It's an opportunity for us to hear staff's ideas, provide our own questions and comments uh on those things, and uh as he uh prepares to bring something more formally forward. This is not a finalized decision or presentation. Uh uh that will come at a later time, but this is an opportunity for us to hear the thinking of council of staff and for us to ask questions questions and provide feedback. So thank you. Good evening, mayor and members of council. Over the past five years, the city has made one of the most significant infrastructure investments in its history. This program was designed to aggressively improve our pavement condition index, also known as a PCI rating, stabilize long-term infrastructure costs, and improve the overall writability and safety for our residents and businesses. To understand the importance of this program, it's critical to remember where we started. In 2015, the city's overall PCI rating was a 44, which is dangerously close to being classified as a failing system. At that time, 62% of our streets were considered poor or fair and failed, and only 16% were considered good to very good. Nearly half of our streets were requiring significant rehabilitation.

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