OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – June 16, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, June 16, 2026
BodyWoodstock, Illinois
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:14:40

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:02

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

0:06

A few brief announcements before we get started.

0:09

The agenda for this evening's this evening's meetings and topics will be shown on the screens in uh throughout the room.

0:16

Um as a reminder, this uh meeting is uh live streamed and recorded and uh maintained out on the city's uh webs uh website.

0:26

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

0:30

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

0:36

If a member of the Woodstock City Council wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request, and that item will be removed for separate consideration.

0:45

If a member of public wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request as well.

0:51

And if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item as well will be removed for separate consideration and voting.

0:58

There are uh three opportunities for public comment this evening.

1:02

First being uh during the public hearing on TIF 1, second opportunity is during public comment under floor discussion, and then third opportunity is when we have items for action.

1:14

Um members of the public will have the opportunity to uh uh to make comments to the Woodstock City Council.

1:20

Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started?

1:25

All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this June 16th meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask Jane to please call the roll.

1:33

Councilman Flynn.

1:35

Here.

1:35

Councilman Hansen.

1:36

Here.

1:37

Councilwoman McMahon.

1:38

Here.

1:38

Councilman Newerman.

1:39

Here.

1:40

Councilman Seegers.

1:41

Councilwoman Ziemba.

1:43

Here.

1:43

Mayor Turner.

1:44

Here.

1:44

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

1:48

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

1:53

Yes, it is.

1:54

Thank you, Jane.

1:54

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

2:00

Uh the first item on the agenda this evening uh is floor discussion, and under floor discussion, we have a public hearing uh for the downtown gateway and station area tax increment financing district, also known as TIFF number three.

2:15

Uh I would take a motion from member of council to open the public hearing.

2:19

So moved.

2:20

Motion by Councilman Flynn.

2:21

Is there a second?

2:22

Second.

2:22

Second by Councilwoman McMahon.

2:24

There's a motion to open the public hearing.

2:27

There's no vote on that, right, TJ?

2:29

No.

2:30

Huh?

2:30

No vote.

2:31

Thank you, sir.

2:32

Okay.

2:33

The uh public hearing uh is hereby open.

2:36

The purpose of this meeting is that the Woodstock uh of this public hearing is the Woodstock City Council is con is um conducting the public hearing as required under the Illinois uh tax increment allocation redevelopment act for the proposed downtown gateway and station area redevelopment project area number three, also known as TIF number three.

2:55

Uh the proposed TIFF district is intended to support development and reinvestment in this particular area.

3:02

Uh the purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments on the proposed downtown gateway and station area redevelopment area number three uh plan and project.

3:11

And as part of the first step prior to public comments, which we will open up in in a in a bit.

3:17

Uh the first step is actually to introduce uh our TIFF consultant, Pete uh IOC from Tesca to provide a presentation uh before we open it up for public comment.

3:30

So at this time, I'd like Pete to please take the podium in the middle of the room.

3:35

I was wondering.

3:36

All right.

3:40

Thank you for that introduction.

3:42

First of all, thank you for you are the second person in my entire life who pronounced my name correctly.

3:48

Somebody gave me a good phonetic explanation or guidance on it.

3:54

Um so thanks for that introduction.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████37%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Historic Preservation███████████11%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Woodstock City Council Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Woodstock City Council held a regular meeting on June 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured a public hearing on the proposed Downtown Gateway & Station Area Tax Increment Financing District (TIF #3), a check presentation from the Friends of the Old Courthouse, public comments on various topics, and adoption of the Downtown Master Plan. All seven council members were present.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of June 2, 2026 City Council minutes and Executive Session minutes.
  • Approval of warrants #4200 and #4201.
  • Approval of minutes from the Arts Commission (May 11), Historic Preservation Commission (April 20), Plan Commission (March 19), Police Pension Board (May 18), and Woodstock Public Library Board of Trustees (May 14).
  • Approval of Manager’s Report No. 295b – a resolution authorizing a linking agreement with Salt Xchange, Inc. for 2026/27 road salt delivery. (Item D1 was removed for separate discussion.)
  • The consent calendar passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing – TIF #3:

  • Brian Christensen (121 Grove St.) asked for clarification on prior TIF districts and learned TIF #1 ended in 2018 and TIF #2 runs through 2042. He noted one parcel would move from TIF #2 to TIF #3.
  • Amy Smith (125 Grove St.) asked why the vacant Die Cast site had not been used as a park. Council members explained the need for downtown residents to drive economic activity and that the schools have 55–60% capacity. She also asked about parking, environmental impacts, and affordable housing. Council responded that the developer must follow standard approvals and that a parking study is underway.
  • Marilyn Clavez (445 Fremont St.) questioned the expected EAV growth. Council estimated the proposed Die Cast development (approx. $47.5 million cost, $17 million valuation) could generate $600,000/year in property taxes, up from zero. She also asked about architectural standards and was told the developer must go through Historic Preservation and Plan Commission review.
  • Emily Eddy (409 Washington St.) asked about the timing of TIF fund use and whether further public meetings would be held for future developments on the public works site. Council confirmed that any future project would undergo full public review.
  • Randy Tips (124 Newell St.) asked about the impact on the general fund if TIF #3 fails to generate revenue. Council said there is no impact; the general fund is not affected.
  • Council member Greg raised concerns about a housing impact study included in the TIF plan, fearing it could lead to future displacement. Council and staff clarified that the study was done for safety and contiguity, and there is no intention to displace residents. The TIF does not grant additional eminent domain powers.

Other Public Comments:

  • Peggy Hart (President, Friends of the Opera House) announced a new children’s theater production of Rainbow Fish in September 2026, with auditions August 2 and performances September 25–26.
  • Dan (McHenry County Youth Sports Association) reported on the 33rd annual international baseball tournament (July 10–19, 2026) with 85 teams, including five from Japan, Brazil, and Canada. He estimated a $1 million economic impact.
  • Don Francis (415 Lincoln Ave.) expressed concerns about Flock Safety’s audit log integrity, citing investigative reports showing employees misusing camera feeds and attempting to delete records. He urged the city to cancel its contracts with Flock Safety.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing on TIF #3: Pete (Tuska Associates) presented the proposed Downtown Gateway & Station Area TIF District, explaining how TIF works, eligibility (the area meets 4 of 13 criteria), eligible expenses, and the 23-year lifetime. The Joint Review Board recommended support. Council and the public asked questions about EAV growth, school district impact, housing study, and use of funds for infrastructure. The public hearing was closed at 8:26 p.m. The item will return for formal approval at the June 30 special meeting.
  • Friends of the Old Courthouse Check Presentation: Julie Miller, president, presented a $10,000 check for signage at the Old Courthouse. She also highlighted recent exhibits (Dick Tracy, Groundhog Day, historical wallpapers), the gingerbread house walk, an online shop, and a new book The Heart of Woodstock.
  • Downtown Master Plan (Item D1): Council member Bob expressed opposition to including publicly funded EV charging stations in the plan, but stated he would support the plan overall. Council member Melissa praised the process and the quality of the document. The ordinance adopting the Downtown Master Plan was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • The public hearing for TIF #3 was officially closed; formal approval is scheduled for the June 30, 2026 special meeting.
  • The consent calendar (all items except D1) passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance adopting the City of Woodstock Downtown Master Plan (Item D1) was approved unanimously (7-0).
  • The city accepted a $10,000 check from the Friends of the Old Courthouse for signage.
  • The next meeting is a special City Council meeting on June 30, 2026, at 7:00 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 for this evening's this evening's meetings and topics will be shown on the screens in uh throughout the room. Um as a reminder, this uh meeting is uh live streamed and recorded and uh maintained out on the city's uh webs uh website. 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 or a single vote. If a member of the Woodstock City Council wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request, and that item will be removed for separate consideration. If a member of public wishes to have an item removed for separate consideration and voting, they may make that request as well. And if agreed to by a member of the Woodstock City Council, that item as well will be removed for separate consideration and voting. There are uh three opportunities for public comment this evening. First being uh during the public hearing on TIF 1, second opportunity is during public comment under floor discussion, and then third opportunity is when we have items for action. Um members of the public will have the opportunity to uh uh to make comments to the Woodstock City Council. Any questions on those brief announcements before we get started? All right, hearing none, I'll go ahead and officially call to order this June 16th meeting of the Woodstock City Council to order and ask Jane to please call the roll. Councilman Flynn. Here. Councilman Hansen. Here. Councilwoman McMahon. Here. Councilman Newerman. Here. Councilman Seegers. Councilwoman Ziemba. Here. Mayor Turner. Here. The record reflect all seven members of the Woodstock City Council are present 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. Thank you, Jane. That being the case, ladies and gentlemen of the council, the people's business is duly and appropriately before us. Uh the first item on the agenda this evening uh is floor discussion, and under floor discussion, we have a public hearing uh for the downtown gateway and station area tax increment financing district, also known as TIFF number three. Uh I would take a motion from member of council to open the public hearing. So moved. Motion by Councilman Flynn. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman McMahon. There's a motion to open the public hearing. There's no vote on that, right, TJ? No. Huh? No vote. Thank you, sir. Okay. The uh public hearing uh is hereby open. The purpose of this meeting is that the Woodstock uh of this public hearing is the Woodstock City Council is con is um conducting the public hearing as required under the Illinois uh tax increment allocation redevelopment act for the proposed downtown gateway and station area redevelopment project area number three, also known as TIF number three. Uh the proposed TIFF district is intended to support development and reinvestment in this particular area.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com