City of Woodstock City Council met Dec. 2
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order by Mayor Michael Turner at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. He explained the Consent Calendar process and invited public participation. This meeting was livestreamed.
A roll call was taken.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Gregg Hanson, Melissa McMahon, Tom Nierman, Bob Seegers, Jr., Natalie Ziemba, and Mayor Michael Turner.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Brandy Quance, Executive Director – Strategy & Planning Paul Christensen, Executive Director – Business Development Danielle Gulli, Police Chief John Lieb, Economic Development Director Jessica Erickson, Public Works Director Brent Aymond, Engineering Director Chris Tiedt, Grant Writer Barb Szul, Public Works staff members Alex Martenson, Gavin Burenschoen, and Bryant Williams, and City Clerk Jane Howie.
OTHERS PRESENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT VIRTUALLY: Mr. Alex Padrnos with KEBB CS-WK, LLC.
City Clerk Howie confirmed the agenda is a true and correct copy of the published agenda.
II. FLOOR DISCUSSION
Mayor Turner shared that three Public Works employees were unable to attend last month’s meeting to receive their service award due to assisting with a water main break. Therefore, these employees are here this evening to be recognized for their service. He introduced each employee who joined him at the front of the room for a photo. Each employee was welcomed with hearty applause.
A. Public Comments
Grant Talabay, 801 Laurel Avenue, wanted to share a petition to Council in support of an Ordinance Prohibiting Civil Immigration Enforcement and Staging in City-owned Spaces that he wrote. He explained the purpose of the petition and the proposed Ordinance, which is to uphold the laws and constitution of Illinois and the federal government. Mr. Talabay handed the documents to City Clerk Howie, to be shared with and reviewed by Mayor Turner and Council members.
Zachary Reimer, who lives off Castleshire Drive, said he’s been a Woodstock resident for over 35 years. He wanted to share his frustration with the recent road work that had taken place on Borden Street, Castleshire Drive and the surrounding area. He said the entire area was a mess during the construction. The crew tore up several roads at the same time, leaving it difficult to travel through the area, and without flaggers on site to assist. Mr. Reimer said there were numerous construction vehicles parked in entrances to streets, leaving it nearly impossible to get through. In addition, the construction crews left their equipment parked on streets overnight. While he appreciated the construction being done, he said someone should have been out there to see what’s going on and take care of this better as this left no access for residents, school buses and commercial vehicles.
Mayor Turner asked if any of the residents called the City to share this info. Mr. Reimer was unsure if this was reported to the City. Director Tiedt said there was a consultant on site, and calls came into the Engineering Department. He agreed that the flaggers were not the best, and staff are trying to improve that. Staff did their best to keep the City’s website updated weekly on what roads were being repaired. Mayor Turner explained that to keep costs down, road repairs are completed in the same area at the same time. He opined that perhaps the contractor didn’t perform as expected.
Mr. Reimer also expressed his concern about a halfway house and a zoning meeting that he believed was cancelled about this topic. He shared that he, and residents in his area, have questions about where the people will come from. Mayor said he doesn’t recall the details around this topic, Mayor Turner asked City Manager Stelford to follow up on this, and he asked the resident to email citymanager@woodstockil.gov so that staff can provide answers. Mr. Reimer thanked Mayor Turner and City Council members for their time.
B. Council Comments
Councilman Nierman shared kudos to Public Works for handling the snow removal so well this past weekend. In addition, he added that he was impressed that staff still took on the task of decorating a vehicle and participating in the Christmas Parade during this super busy weekend.
In response to a question from Councilwoman McMahon, Director Tiedt said the City’s website is updated weekly with what roads are being repaired. He added that the contractor puts a notice on the resident’s doors 48 hours in advance notifying them of the repair and who to contact with questions. Also, when concrete workers are out there, those crews also put notices out 48 hours in advance with contact information. Director Tiedt shared that Borden Street had 12 inches of concrete, therefore, the repair took three weeks instead of two. He added that it’s extremely difficult to dig out all of that with so many trucks coming and going constantly. Mayor Turner said it doesn’t excuse if the contractor wasn’t flagging appropriately, but it was a big job with issues. Director Tiedt said some of the issues were with the subcontractor, sometimes they get new employees / drivers every day. Councilwoman McMahon shared kudos to City staff that assisted with the Lighting of the Square event. Mayor Turner agreed that the Lighting event was well done and well managed. Executive Director Christensen added that this was the first year with the City’s new sound system.
Mayor Turner shared that some members of Council & City staff were at the Rec Center for a photo opportunity, taking swings at interior walls before the demolition begins next week. It is the City’s hope that the new facility opens in 2026.
Mayor Turner mentioned that he attended an event yesterday at Kelco Industries on Lake Avenue, formerly Guardian Electric, where they were awarded a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center. He shared information about the business and their processes and congratulated them on their successes.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ziemba, second by Hanson, to approve the Consent Agenda.
In response to a question from Mayor Turner, no items were removed from the Consent Agenda by the Council or requested by the Public.
In response to a question from Mayor Turner, the following questions were forthcoming from the Council or the Public regarding items remaining on the Consent Agenda.
Item D-3
Councilman Seegers expressed, as it pertained to Resolution – GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Agreement – Supplement #1, that he’s irritated by the amount of money involved in the remediation, and that staff is now asking to spend another $39,500. Director Tiedt said the first contract was $36,000. The land was purchased through quick take to construct the roundabout.
Councilman Seegers said he’s afraid we’re going to have a ton of money in a useless property. In response, Director Tiedt said this site was rolled into the Illinois’ Underground Storage Tank Fund, it will cost the City a little more, but the costs will be reimbursable. He added that the costs are typically aligned to what the reimbursable costs would be. The timeline of reimbursement is unknown, and further discussion ensued.
Councilman Nierman opined that if the City left this property alone, we wouldn’t have to do anything. Director Tiedt said the City didn’t want to knock the building down until the extent of contamination was known, as staff wanted to see what options might be available. Councilman Nierman said he prefers to leave the building, do some repairs, and perhaps use it for cold storage or something else. Director Tiedt shared that there are no utilities to the building; perhaps a cold storage building for the leaf vacuums in there. Mayor Turner said Council wants to spend the least amount of money at this site. The City could keep the building if there’s something it could be used for. Councilwoman McMahon asked if staff would know more after this $39,500 is spent. Director Tiedt reminded them that staff are dealing with the ILEPA, which can be difficult as they continue to put new regulations in place. He added that staff are trying to recoup some of the costs already spent. Councilman Seegers said, “the goal posts move constantly.” Mayor Turner advised staff to continue to find the lowest cost pathway, spend as little as possible and get the most utility out of it.
Councilman Flynn asked if this is the first dip into the $100,000 budgeted amount. In response, City Manager Stelford said there could be a bit of carryover from the last contract. Director Tiedt said this proposal is for the sampling. Staff met with ILEPA representatives; it’s been quite the process. After sampling is done, staff will submit the information to ILEPA, then continue through the required steps. We can submit for reimbursement after each step. In response to a question from Councilman Flynn, Director Tiedt said the City is looking for the lowest level of NFR (No Further Remediation), for the lowest use. Councilman Seegers said one of the biggest concerns should be for the neighboring property(ies). Director Tiedt said when the City acquired the property, they took ownership of all contaminated areas. Mayor Turner asked Director Tiedt to find a way to limit the cost and proceed as needed.
Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-3.
A. ACCEPTANCE OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
1. November 18, 2025, City Council Minutes
B. WARRANTS:
1. #4174
2. #4175
C. MINUTES AND REPORTS:
1. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 20, 2025
2. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 11, 2025
D. MANAGER’S REPORT NO. 283:
1. Ordinance – 2025 Property Tax Levy
Approval of the 2025 Tax Levy Ordinance #25-O-51, known as DOC. 1, of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, IL to levy $10,477,302 in property taxes, excluding debt service levies, for various funds for calendar year 2025 to be collected and forwarded by the County to finance the City’s FY26/27 Budget.
2. Ordinance – Revocation of Existing Redevelopment Agreement and Approval of an Amended and Restated Redevelopment Agreement with KEBB CS-WK, LLC (Downtown Hotel Project)
Approval of Ordinance #25-O-52, known as DOC. 2, revoking a prior Redevelopment Agreement and approving and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute an amended and restated Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, and KEBB, CS-WK, LLC, related to redevelopment of the City-owned property at the northeast corner of Calhoun and Jefferson Streets, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney.
3. Resolution – GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Agreement – Supplement #1
Approval of Resolution #25-R- 62, known as DOC. 3, authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute Supplement #1 to the existing professional services agreement with GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. for environmental remediation work at 311 Lake Avenue at a cost not to exceed $39,500.
V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
In response to a question from Mayor Turner, Councilwoman McMahon asked if any items on the December 16th agenda could be shared sooner than later, as twelve items are a lot to review over the weekend. City Manager Stelford said he’ll see to it.
ADJOURN
Motion by Flynn, second by McMahon, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular Council meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall.
Ayes: Flynn, Hanson, McMahon, Nierman, Seegers, Ziemba, and Mayor Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
https://www.woodstockil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12022025-510
