OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026: Wayfinding Plan, Liquor License, Pool Design, and Hotel Tax Grants

City Council — Tuesday, May 5, 2026
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:18:48

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:02

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

0:06

A few brief announcements before we get started.

0:09

Uh a reminder that the uh the agenda for the meeting will be displayed on the uh monitors in the uh chamber.

0:15

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

0:18

Consent format means that all items for action this evening will be considered in a single motion and a single vote.

0:24

If a member of council wishes to have an items removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request and it will be removed from the consent calendar.

0:33

Members of the public may make a request to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting.

0:43

There are two opportunities for public comment this evening, the first being at the start of the meeting under floor discussion public comment.

0:50

Members of the public may 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 feel free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any item not on this evening's agenda.

1:01

Second opportunity for public comment is um when for when we consider items for action, uh we will offer an opportunity for members of the public to provide comments to the Woodstock City Council before we take a vote.

1:13

Per Woodstock City ordinance, public comment may be limited to three minutes at the discretion of the chair.

1:19

Any questions on those items before we get started this evening?

1:24

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and call this May 5th meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order, May 5th, 2026, meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order, and ask Jane to please call the roll.

1:35

Councilman Flynn.

1:36

Here.

1:36

Councilman Hansen.

1:37

Here.

1:38

Councilwoman McMahon.

1:40

Councilman Nearman.

1:41

Here.

1:41

Nope, not yet, Melissa.

1:44

Oh, sorry.

1:45

That's okay.

1:45

Councilman Nearman.

1:47

Here.

1:48

Councilman Seegers?

1:49

Here.

1:49

Councilwoman Zemba?

1:50

Here.

1:51

Mayor Turner.

1:52

Here.

1:52

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

1:57

That means we do have a quorum and is appropriate for us to proceed.

2:01

One item the first item that we're going to um address on this evening's meeting is the telephonic participation by Councilwoman uh Melissa McMahon.

2:10

Councilwoman McMahon is currently working out of town is requested to participate in tonight's meeting by Zoom and conference call.

2:16

If the council is supportive of her request, a motion to that effect would be in order.

2:20

So moved.

2:21

Motion by Councilwoman Ziemba is there a second.

2:23

Second.

2:23

Second by Councilman Seegers.

2:25

It is a motion to approve the telephonic participation by Councilwoman McMahon.

2:30

Is there any questions in the motion before us?

2:32

Council.

2:33

Any questions in the motion before us, members of public?

2:36

All those voice vote or roll call there, TJ?

2:39

Voice voice.

2:39

Voice vote.

2:40

All those in favor of the motion to allow uh Councilwoman McMahon to participate remotely, please please signify by saying aye.

2:47

Aye.

2:47

Aye.

2:48

All opposed, nay.

2:51

All right.

2:51

That item passes unanimously those by those present and voting this evening.

2:55

Jane, I'll ask you then please to call attendance for all members of the Woodstock City Council.

3:02

Councilman Flynn.

3:03

Here.

3:04

Councilman Hansen.

3:05

Here.

3:05

Councilwoman McMahon.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████21%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Downtown Planning███████████████15%
Public Works████████████12%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%
Public Safety████4%
Economic Development████4%
Cannabis Regulation████4%
Homelessness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Woodstock City Council met on May 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, a presentation on the Wayfinding Master Plan, public comments, a consent calendar with several routine items, and separate discussion and votes on a liquor license change, a pump-and-haul agreement, pool renovation architectural services, and hotel/motel tax grant disbursements.

Proclamation

  • National Police Week (May 11–16, 2026): Mayor Turner read a proclamation honoring the Woodstock Police Department for its service. Chief Leib accepted, noting the department responded to over 11,500 calls and patrolled over 235,000 miles in the past year, contributing to a decrease in reported crimes and vehicle crashes.

Wayfinding Master Plan – Presentation and Adoption

  • The Council heard a presentation from KMA Design Group (Mariana Mahoney and David Kosick) on a comprehensive Wayfinding Master Plan. The plan includes phased signage types (gateway, directional, pedestrian, parking, park signs) with estimated total costs of approximately $3.2 million over eight phases. Staff noted $2,000 was budgeted for FY26/27 to begin implementation.
  • Council discussion focused on cost, modularity for future brand changes, and phased priorities. Councilmembers expressed support for the plan as a guiding document but emphasized the need for value engineering and long-term phasing. Councilman Nearman raised concerns about private business inclusion (e.g., Bull Valley Golf Club). Mayor Turner clarified the plan is a framework, not a spending commitment.
  • Key Outcome: The Council unanimously approved Resolution 1 adopting the Wayfinding Master Plan as a guiding document.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Don Francis (415 Lincoln Avenue) spoke about Flock Safety cameras, citing recent news reports of data misconfigurations, privacy concerns, and incidents in other cities. He urged the Council to cut ties with Flock Safety.
  • Ryan (Sweetwater) supported the previous speaker and also criticized the policy restricting Tween Night at the Aquatic Center to season pass holders, calling it exclusionary. City Manager Roscoe Stelford III agreed to review the policy.
  • Clay Mutard (Warp Corps) announced the relocation of their free store to 722 East Calhoun Street and promoted the upcoming Max Happy Fest on May 30, thanking the Council for support.

Consent Calendar

  • The following items were approved unanimously in a single motion (Items A through D7, after D3 and D7 were discussed but not removed from consent):
    • Acceptance of City Council Minutes (April 8 and April 21, 2026)
    • Warrants #4194 and #4195
    • Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes (April 14, 2026)
    • Manager’s Report No. 292:
      1. Reappointments to Boards and Commissions
      2. Ordinance amending Liquor License Class A-1 (Tavern) parameters
      3. Ordinance for Sophie’s Whiskey & Wine license change from E-4 to A-1 (discussed below, then included in consent)
      4. Ordinance amending Video Gaming and Liquor Codes
      5. Ordinance adding properties to the McHenry County Enterprise Zone
      6. Resolution for 2026 Pavement Marking Program contract ($136,201.07)
      7. Resolution for Temporary Pump and Haul Agreement Amendment #2 for Riverwoods Subdivision (discussed below, then included in consent)

Discussion Items

  • D3 – Sophie’s Whiskey & Wine Liquor License Change: Owner Tim explained the switch from Class E-4 to Class A-1 (Tavern) was needed because premium spirit and wine sales (including barrel picks) skewed the food-to-alcohol revenue ratio. He confirmed food will not be removed and may expand. Councilwoman Ziemba questioned the rationale; Mayor Turner supported the change, noting Sophie’s unique business model. The item was later approved as part of the consent calendar.
  • D7 – Pump and Haul Agreement Amendment #2: Councilwoman McMahon asked about repeated delays in installing lift station equipment. Staff (Roscoe, Chris) explained equipment lead times and utility service queues are causing extensions, but no complaints have been received and fire hydrant service is unaffected. The item was later approved as part of the consent calendar.
  • D8 – Pool Renovation Architectural Services: Councilman Nearman questioned the short lifespan of the existing dehumidifier (installed in 2022, now rusted) and the need for specialized design. Facilities Manager Mark and Finance Director Paul explained the prior system was improperly specified by an HVAC company, and Burbach Aquatics will provide expertise to prevent recurrence. Council discussed maintenance schedules, warranties, and value engineering. The Council directed staff to challenge Burbach on long-term reliability and maintenance plans. Key Outcome: The resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with Burbach Aquatics for $67,750 was approved unanimously.
  • D9 – Hotel/Motel Tax Grant Disbursements: Council debated the grant recommendations. Councilman Hansen voted no, citing concerns about the process. Councilman Nearman questioned the lower award to Max Happy Fest ($2,000 vs. requested $5,000). Staff (Kathleen) explained the tiered scoring system based on attendance and application quality. Mayor Turner and others praised the improved objectivity. Key Outcome: The motion to authorize $110,000 in disbursements passed 5–1 (Hansen opposed).

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimously adopted the Wayfinding Master Plan.
  • Approved all consent calendar items (A through D7) unanimously.
  • Approved the liquor license change for Sophie’s Whiskey & Wine (part of consent).
  • Approved the Pump and Haul Amendment #2 (part of consent).
  • Approved the Burbach Aquatics contract for pool design ($67,750) unanimously.
  • Approved hotel/motel tax grants ($110,000 total) by a vote of 5–1.
  • The Council will review the Tween Night policy and consider future liquor license fee adjustments.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Uh, I would like to welcome you to this evening's meeting of the Woodstock City Council. A few brief announcements before we get started. Uh a reminder that the uh the agenda for the meeting will be displayed on the uh monitors in the uh chamber. Uh the City of Woodstock operates under what's called a consent format. Consent format means that all items for action this evening will be considered in a single motion and a single vote. If a member of council wishes to have an items removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request and it will be removed from the consent calendar. Members of the public may make a request to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, and if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item too will be removed for separate consideration and voting. There are two opportunities for public comment this evening, the first being at the start of the meeting 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 their name and address for purpose of the record, and feel free to make comments to the Woodstock City Council on any item not on this evening's agenda. Second opportunity for public comment is um when for when we consider items for action, uh we will offer an opportunity for members of the public to provide comments to the Woodstock City Council before we take a vote. Per Woodstock City ordinance, public comment may be limited to three minutes at the discretion of the chair. Any questions on those items before we get started this evening? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and call this May 5th meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order, May 5th, 2026, meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order, and ask Jane to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn. Here. Councilman Hansen. Here. Councilwoman McMahon. Councilman Nearman. Here. Nope, not yet, Melissa. Oh, sorry. That's okay. Councilman Nearman. Here. Councilman Seegers? Here. Councilwoman Zemba? Here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflect that six of the seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present in the chambers this evening. That means we do have a quorum and is appropriate for us to proceed. One item the first item that we're going to um address on this evening's meeting is the telephonic participation by Councilwoman uh Melissa McMahon. Councilwoman McMahon is currently working out of town is requested to participate in tonight's meeting by Zoom and conference call. If the council is supportive of her request, a motion to that effect would be in order. So moved. Motion by Councilwoman Ziemba is there a second. Second. Second by Councilman Seegers. It is a motion to approve the telephonic participation by Councilwoman McMahon. Is there any questions in the motion before us? Council. Any questions in the motion before us, members of public? All those voice vote or roll call there, TJ? Voice voice. Voice vote. All those in favor of the motion to allow uh Councilwoman McMahon to participate remotely, please please signify by saying aye. Aye.

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