Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

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

It's officially the nicest night outside that we've had a council meeting so far this year.

So uh but we're happy to be in here this evening, right, team?

Absolutely.

Um few brief announcements before we get started this evening.

Uminder that the um that the meeting is being streamed, live streamed and uh recorded and saved on the uh city's website.

City of Woodstock operates under a consent format, which means that all items for action this evening will be considered in a single motion and a single vote.

Um if a member of the Woodstock City Council wishes to have an item separately voted upon and considered, uh they can make that request.

That item will be removed and separately considered and voted upon.

If a member of the public wishes to have an item removed and separately considered, considered and voted upon, they may make that request.

And if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately in a single uh separate motion and a separate vote.

There are two opportunities for public comment this evening, the first being at the start of the meeting uh during floor discussion, and again when we have items for action, we will invite members of the public to come forward to the podium in the middle of the room.

If they're willing to do so, state their name and address for purpose of the record, and they are free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council.

Public comment on the start of the meeting will be on, they can make comments on any item not on this evening's agenda.

Public comment may be limited to three minutes per Woodstock City ordinance at the discretion of the chair.

Any questions on those announcements before we get started?

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this April 21st, 2026 meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask Jane, please call the roll.

Councilman Flynn.

Here.

Councilman Hansen.

Here.

Councilwoman McMahon.

Here.

Councilman Nearman.

Here.

Councilman Seegers.

Here.

Councilwoman Ziemba.

Mayor Turner.

Here.

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

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

Yes, it is.

Thank you, Jane.

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

The first item on our agenda this evening is floor discussion.

Uh and under floor discussion, we have a uh a proclamation to make uh on the retirement of John or Johnny Mecklenburg.

So I'd like to invite uh Johnny up to the podium on the side here.

Council without objection?

No objection.

Roscoe was going to object, but he's okay.

So uh retirements such as this, in particular one one like this, is um uh it's always better sweet for the city and for us, maybe it's very, very sweet for you uh to be able to retire, and that's a good thing, but for us, losing a valued and and uh important employee is always always tough.

Um and even when but when we we want to recognize the service, you know, of folks that uh have worked for the city, particularly for the length of time that Johnny has, uh, but it always seems like it doesn't capture it enough.

You know, we read the proclamation, it feels like there should be more to it, like a parade or something.

But you know, this is this is this is what we do, you know, for everybody, and uh it it does not fully capture, but it is appropriate way to recognize the uh the service that you've had to the city.

So it's my pleasure to read this proclamation this evening.

A proclamation on a proclamation honoring John Mecklenburg, whereas John Johnny Mecklenburg has officially decided to retire and permanently clock out, choosing instead to clock in at the first T, marking the conclusion of a legendary career and the beginning of what can only be described as a full-time commitment to lowering his handicap.

That's snowball.

That's fair.

That's noble.

And whereas Johnny began his journey on September 21st, 1989, starting a career that would span decades, defined by determination, grit, and a willingness to take a few practice swings before finding his stride.

Whereas Johnny worked his way up up the up, worked worked his way up to his final and esteemed position as Parks and Street Superintendent, proving that through steady leadership, practical know-how, and a commitment to getting things done right, he was able to keep the streets smooth and the greens greener than most of the golf courses.

And whereas Johnny demonstrated his uncanny ability to handle challenges, much like a golfer handles a bad shot by briefly blaming external conditions, taking a deep breath, and then finding a way to recover and deliver results.

Whereas, whether dealing with snow infrastructure or the occasional hazard, Johnny approached every task with the confidence of someone who absolutely believed this next shot was going to be perfect, and occasionally it was.

Clearly, um thank you.

Thank you to the council, past, present, and future, for the direction that you give.

It's been an honor working here for this long.

I started uh my brother got me a summer help job at a high school.

Graduated June fifth, nineteen eighty-eight.