Public Meetings - Woodstock, Illinois

The Woodstock City Council met on July 19, 2022, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured proclamations for the Woodstock Farmers Market's 40th anniversary and the retirement of market manager Keith Johnson, a donation from Friends of the Old Courthouse, unanimous approval of a consent agenda, and discussions on courthouse signage and the 2022 community survey results. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously: All items A through D11, including: - Approval of June 21, 2022 City Council minutes. - Warrants 4010, 4011, 4012. - Police Department Monthly Report for May 2022. - Ordinance rezoning 10806 US Route 14 to B3 Service and Retail District (FoodShed Coop request). - Resolution for TIF inducement for Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction (Die Cast Site). - Resolution for TIF inducement for WellQuest Living (Die Cast Site). - Contract award for Emricson Park Dream Field fence replacement to Classic Fence, Inc., not to exceed $51,921. - Contract award for Woodstock Opera House structural assessment to The HOH Group, Inc., not to exceed $20,400. - Contract award for Opera House window restoration to Thoughtful Craftsmen, not to exceed $315,550. - Contract award for 2022 Sidewalk Replacement Program to Globe Construction, Inc., not to exceed $40,000. - Contract award for 2022 Skip Patching Program to Schroder Asphalt Services, Inc., not to exceed $51,000. - Contract award for Union Pacific Railroad Water Main Replacement to Copenhaver Construction, Inc., not to exceed $480,442. - Contract award for City Hall first-floor office renovations to Advanced Construction & Design Services, not to exceed $33,600. - Authorization to purchase office furniture from Madison Liquidators, LLC, not to exceed $35,000. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the meeting. Discussion Items 1. Old Courthouse & Sheriff's House Complex – Signage - Staff requested council input on the name to be carved into the new back entrance lintel. Options discussed included "1857 Courthouse" (Councilman Gordy) and retaining "Old Courthouse" (Councilwoman Pearsall, supported by Councilwoman Lomaier). Mayor Turner suggested including "Est. 1857" and "Renovated 2023" as small accents. The council directed staff to develop up to four options with renderings by the end of the week, given a tight deadline for ordering the engraving. 2. 2022 Community Survey Results - Marketing Manager Heather Arnold and Analyst Jonathan Napierkowski presented results from a survey distributed in June 2022, receiving 1,700 responses (18% of households, 6.9% of population). Key findings: - Net Promoter Scores (NPS) ranged from high (City Parks) to lower (Stage Left Cafe), with many neutrals indicating opportunity. - Top priorities for the city: road repairs, sidewalks/walkability, parks, communication. - Primary information sources: Woodstock Independent newspaper, City Scene Facebook group, city website. - Preferred communication methods: social media, email, website; most residents want weekly updates. - Word clouds showed community desires for the Old Courthouse: restaurant, art gallery, museum, brewery, event space. - 27% of respondents expressed interest in participating in focus groups for comprehensive planning. - Council discussed sample size, age breakdown, and the need for deeper analysis. Councilman Gordy emphasized drawing conclusions from the data. Mayor Turner noted the survey as a valuable tool for customer-focused governance. Key Outcomes - The consent calendar was approved unanimously by roll call vote (7-0). - Staff will bring signage options for the Old Courthouse back to council by end of week for a decision. - The marketing team will continue analyzing survey data, including demographic breakdowns, and present further conclusions to council. - A future agenda item was requested on enforcing landscape ordinances for businesses (e.g., Walmart, Farm & Fleet) to ensure maintenance of required plantings. - Council noted the closure on the Old Courthouse tax credits, converting them to $4.7 million in cash ($1.4 million received immediately, remainder upon building being placed in service in March/April 2023). - Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM (noted from motion to adjourn).

The Woodstock City Council met on June 21, 2022, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The primary agenda item was a presentation by HR Green on value-engineered options for Route 47 decorative paving, landscaping, and street lighting, followed by a vote. The consent calendar, including several routine approvals, was also passed unanimously. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: May 31, 2022 Special Meeting, May 31 Executive Session, and June 7, 2022 City Council minutes. - Warrants: 4008 and 4009. - Minutes and Reports: Arts Commission (Feb 10, Apr 14), Plan Commission (Apr 21, May 19), Police Pension Board (May 23), Board of Police Commissioners (Mar 7, Jun 6), and Human Resources Monthly Report (May 2022). - Manager’s Report No. 206: - Ordinance amending Athletic Exhibitions (206a). - Ordinance amending Clerk compensation (206b). - Ordinance authorizing lease for Woodstock Chamber of Commerce at the Old Courthouse (206c). - Contract award for 2022 Pavement Marking Program to Precision Pavement Markings, Inc. (not to exceed $152,531.81) (206d). - Contract award for Ice Control rock salt to Morton Salt, Inc. (unit price ≤ $92.72/ton) (206e). - Four-year agreement with Darktrace for email-protection platform and extended network detection ($115,100) (206f). - Approval of Cultural and Social Awareness Commission's 2022 DEI Plan, including community survey (206g). - Authorization for Mayor to execute Push Tax Tolling Agreement with surrounding municipalities and gaming operators (206h). All consent items were approved unanimously without separate discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public comment periods for non-agenda items or for items on the consent calendar. - Deb Shilbert (Human Resources Director), speaking as liaison to the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission, expressed pride in the commission’s renewed energy and productivity, noting the upcoming electronics collection resulting from their work. Discussion Items - Route 47 Landscaping and Lighting Plan: HR Green presented revised options to reduce costs from the previous $6.5 million estimate to approximately $4.2 million. Two paving measures were proposed: Measure 1 (stamped colored concrete at key locations, standard gray concrete elsewhere) and Measure 2 (further reductions to seed). Three lighting alternatives were offered: Alternate 1 (decorative lights throughout), Alternate 2 (decorative lights only at roundabouts, Calhoun, and Route 120, standard lights elsewhere), and Alternate 3 (minimal decorative lights at roundabouts only). Council members discussed preferences: - Mayor Turner supported Measure 1 and Alternate 2, favoring concrete over seed for maintenance and aesthetics. - Councilman Nearman opposed seeding medians due to ongoing mowing costs and preferred concrete, but supported green space where practical. - Councilman Seegers favored seed in wider areas for green space and suggested using dyed concrete (without stamping) in narrow strips to add color at minimal cost. - Councilwoman Lomaier emphasized keeping stamped concrete at gateway intersections for a sense of arrival and supported Alternate 2. - Councilwoman Pearsall favored seed where possible but expressed concern about maintenance responsibility; she also asked about potential future signage conflicts. - Councilman Tebow preferred measure one and noted maintenance trade-offs. - Councilman Flynn supported measure one and wanted to ensure that all concrete is maintained to prevent weed growth. - Councilman Seegers raised concern about dark-sky compliance of decorative lighting; HR Green confirmed they are exploring compliant fixtures. - Old Courthouse Lease (Consent Calendar discussion): Councilman Flynn questioned whether the Chamber’s lease rate ($9.50/sq ft) was consistent with market rates. Mayor Turner noted the rate accounts for the Chamber’s operation of the visitor center seven days a week. Councilwoman Lomaier requested that any future arts tenants receive the same rate for consistency, which Mayor Turner indicated would be considered on a case-by-case basis. - Council Comments: - Councilwoman Pearsall asked about mowing at Donato Conservation Area; staff noted the maintenance agreement with the land conservancy would be addressed. - Mayor Turner recognized the success of Pride Fest, the new mural by Mauricio Ramirez, and Terry Wilcoxon’s awards (Woman of the Year and NW Herald Woman of Distinction). He also announced Summer in the Park events starting June 22. - Councilwoman Lomaier praised the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission’s DEI work. Key Outcomes - Route 47 Improvements Approved: Council approved Measure 1 for decorative paving and landscaping at $2,068,512 and Street Lighting Alternate 2 at $2,128,071, totaling $4,196,583. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). - Consent Calendar Approved Unanimously: All items A through D8 passed without opposition. - Next Meeting: July 19, 2022, at 7:00 PM. No meeting on July 5 due to the Independence Day holiday. - Future Agenda Item: The Responsible Landlord Program will be scheduled for a future meeting.