McHenry Times

 The Woodstock City Council recently released the minutes of its April 17 meeting.

The City of Woodstock operates under the council-manager form of government which combines the political leadership of an elected mayor and six City Council members with an appointed city manager. The City Council oversees all activities in the city and serves the needs of city residents. City Council meetings are held at 7 p.m.on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 121 W. Calhoun St. 

Minutes

Woodstock City Council

April 19, 2016

City Council chambers

The regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m by Mayor Brian Sager on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Sager explained the consent calendar process and invited public participation.

City Clerk Smiley confirmed that the agenda before the Council is a true and correct copy of the published agenda.

A roll call was taken.

Council members present: Daniel Hart, RB Thompson, Maureen Larson, Mark Saladin, Joseph Starzynski, Michael Turner, and Mayor Brian Sager

Council members absent: None

Staff present: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney T.J. Clifton, Finance Director Paul Christensen, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Building and Zoning Department Director Joe Napolitano, Human Resources Director Deborah Schober, Chief of Police Robert Lowen, Assistant Public Works Director Tom Migatz, and IT Manager Dan McElmeel.

Others present: Transportation Commission Chairman Andrew Celentano, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Mike McCleary, and City Clerk Cindy Smiley

Floor discussion

Public comments

Lydia Baltalbos, 621 Dean Street, expressed her appreciation for the work that was put into the minutes of the previous meeting, stating they were clear and concise.

Ms. Baltalbos then cited a recent article in the Northwest Herald concerning the issues surrounding Hebron Board President John Jacobsen. She stated even though he is a Hebron leader, he was arrested on drug and firearms charges; and at the most recent Hebron Board meeting, residents presented petitions requesting his resignation. She noted his stated defense that even through the residents were asking for his resignation, this was a matter of personal privacy and is his business, not the people’s business. She stated he refused to resign even in light of his arrest and that the people feel they don’t have any authority over the process.

Ms. Baltalbos then noted it was previously stated by Council that there would be a discussion of a Home Rule policy at an upcoming meeting. Mayor Sager interjected that this discussion is scheduled for placement on the May 3rd meeting agenda. In response to a question from Ms. Baltalbos, Mayor Sager stated this discussion will occur at the end of the meeting, as are all discussion items. Ms. Baltalbos expressed her wish that this be widely published with Mayor Sager indicating the agenda will be published as are all Council agendas.

Ms. Baltalbos stated a recent TV interview with a representative from the Illinois Municipal League (IML) knowledgeable about Home Rule stated there is much lobbying going on to downsize the Home Rule population requirement from 25,000 to 5,000. She noted it was stated that the bond houses are very supportive of this and requested that this also be included as part of the discussion. Mayor Sager indicated that this is not the nature of the planned discussion. Ms. Baltalbos asked if it is possible to have a representative from IML present at the discussion with Mayor Sager indicating that it is not. In response to a question from Ms. Baltalbos, Mayor Sager stated the City of Woodstock is not lobbying for this requirement. In response to a question concerning whether residents would have the opportunity to address the bond houses, Mayor Sager stated there are no bond houses involved in this discussion. Ms. Baltalbos stated it has become obvious that with Home Rule on the horizon, this expands the opportunities for borrowing, stating the ceiling is cracked. She opined that borrowing will take off, stating it was already expanded at 25,000, but at 5,000 it would really take off. She stated when it comes to budgets, this is at the top and must be paid. She further stated it is a given for investors in our state and some who don’t even live in this country. Ms. Baltalbos stated she appreciates this topic will be on the May 3rd agenda for discussion and would like to have the opportunity to discuss how the financial aspect is involved at present and in the future.

Council comments

There were no Council comments forthcoming.

Consent agenda

Motion by M. Turner, second by RB Thompson, to approve Consent Agenda Items A through D-7 as indicated.

Mayor Sager opened the floor to questions and comments concerning the Consent Agenda items.

Item D-5 – Schedule of Authorized Positions

In response to a statement and request from M. Turner that Paragraph 2 of the Staff Memo associated with item D-5 be amended to strike the word “governor” from the text as the budget crisis is of the state legislature’s making, Mayor Sager stated he would exercise the Chair’s discretion and ask that this be done as requested by Councilman Turner.

Item D-6 – FY16/17 Sewer Rates

M. Saladin stated with respect to an increase in water rates as identified in Item D-6, there was a discussion of this at the Budget Workshop and after listening to all of the considerations with respect to this fund and what projects are outstanding and what infrastructure improvements are necessary, he supports this item. He also noted that he had his meter changed this week, and commended City staff who did this for their excellent efforts.

Item D-1 – Mosquito Abatement

M. Turner noted that though he often argues against this program, changes seem to have been made that are more advanced in their approach. He requested that next year, the Environmental Commission do an in-depth study of this so that Council can make an informed decision. M. Larson stated the larvacide makes sense to her, noting she very much is in favor of this program. She also stated her appreciation of the Environmental Commission’s comments and is comfortable with the plan for now.

Item D-4 – Award of Contract – Police Portable Radios

Mayor Sager expressed his gratitude for the thorough analysis of the Police radio item. In fact, he stated, he is grateful for the thorough analyses of all items coming before Council.

Item D-7 – Annual Budget for FY16/17

Mayor Sager stated approval of the annual FY16/17 Budget is on the Council’s agenda this evening. He noted the Council has held a Public Hearing and a public Budget Review Meeting prior to this evening. He stated his appreciation of staff’s very thorough job of presenting the budget in a logical, conservative, fiscally-responsible manner.

A. Minutes of previous meetings:

April 5, 2016 regular meeting

B. Warrants: 3708 3709

C. Minutes and reports:

Human Resources Monthly Report – March 2016

Public Works Monthly Report – March 2016

Environmental Commission Minutes – March 3, 2016

Old Courthouse Advisory Commission Minutes – March 21, 2016

D. Manager's report No. 66

1. Designation of Video Gaming Revenue - Adoption of Resolution 16-R-08, identified as Document No. 1, A Resolution Designating Video Gaming Revenue to Specific Purposes.

2. Award of Contract – Mosquito Abatement – Approval to waive the requirement for competitive bidding for the provision of mosquito control services and award a contract for 2016 mosquito control services to Clarke Environmental for the quoted price of $4,913 per each application of larvae control products and $9,200 per

each application for adult mosquito spraying.

3. MFT Allocation of Funds – Adoption of Resolution 16-R-09, identified as Document No. 2, A Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code, which appropriates $695,000 of Motor Fuel Tax funds from May 1, 2016, through April 30, 2017.

4. Award of Contract – Police Portable Radios – Approval of the following:

a) Waiver of competitive bids and award of contract to the sole-source provider, Motorola, for police radios and miscellaneous radio equipment necessary to utilize the Starcom21 Radio Network in an amount not to exceed $135,000;

b) Authorization for the City Manager to execute any service-related contracts subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney.

5. Schedule of Authorized Positions – Approval of Exhibit III – City of Woodstock Salary Structure for Non-Represented/Non-Bargaining Unit Employees and Exhibit IV – Schedule of All Authorized Positions/FTEs Proposed for FY16/17, as identified by Document No. 3.

6. FY16/17 Water and Sewer Rates - Approval of Ordinance 16-O-27, identified as Document No. 4, An Ordinance Amending Portions of Title 6, Chapter 4 of the City Code of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, Pertaining to Water and Sewer Rates.

7. Annual Budget for FY16/17 - Approval of Ordinance 16-O-28, identified as Document No. 4, An Ordinance Approving the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2016-2017.

8. Award of Contract – Walnut/Ash/Tappan- Approval of the following:

a.) An award of contract for Walnut/Ash/Tappan Storm Sewer improvements to the low bidder, PirTano Construction Company, Inc. for the Alternate 3 bid (construction of both Phase 1 and Phase 2) in the amount of $596,277.23.

b.) An agreement with HLR for construction engineering services related to the construction of the Walnut/Ash/ Tappan Street Storm Sewer Improvements for Alternate 3 for a not-to-exceed amount of $132,740.

A roll call vote was taken to approve Consent Agenda items A through D-7. Ayes: D. Hart, M.

Larson, M. Saladin, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none.

Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

Discussion items

Item D-8 – Transportation Commission Presentation – Bike Rental Program and Bike Rack System Mayor Sager noted there are a number of students here this evening and thanked them for their presence. He invited Transportation Commission Chairman Andrew Celentano to come forward to introduce the students and their project.

Mr. Celentano stated the students here this evening are four-year students in Woodstock High School’s Engineering Design and Development program. He noted they have been working with the Transportation Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission, meeting with Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Parks & Recreation Commission Chairman Mike McCleary, and Mr. Celentano since last May and wished to present a brief overview of their final project, a bike rental system with a functioning bike rack, to the Mayor and City Council. He noted another group of students is also present this evening, identifying them as Tess Devinger, Martin Halilaj, Patrick McGrath, and Nick Gulli, stating they are working on a new bike path program in Woodstock. Mr. Celentano stated both groups of students have had input from the Woodstock Police Department, bike advocates, and engineering firms.

Mr. Celentano invited students Jordan Loacker, Dan Regna, Spencer Stumpff, and Sam Wright to

come forward to present their bike rental system project summary.

Mr. Loacker noted they have designed a modular electronic bike rack which is similar to the DIVVY system used in Chicago. He stated there are 1,000 bike rack locations in Chicago which are placed conveniently for their targeted audience. Mr. Loacker stated the targeted audience for the Woodstock program would include tourists, commuters, and defendants. He noted frequently people come to Woodstock by train for appearances at the McHenry County Government Center, stating once they are dropped off at the station they have few options to reach the Government Center. In addition, he noted, many of these defendants have lost driving privileges. Mr. Loacker stated there are bike rental programs all over the world, including Mexico and Washington D.C., with China having the largest program in the world.

The students presented various aspects of this program, stating it was chosen because of its potential in

Woodstock, the affordability of the bikes, their environmental friendliness, and the impact it could have on personal fitness. It was also their wish to advance bike friendliness in Woodstock. The students also expressed their opinion that many streets can accommodate sidewalks, and if they were more readily available, Woodstock would move to come more bike-friendly. The students identified and discussed each of their roles in the development of the prototype which was present for review. They described the rack, how it was designed and fabricated, and how it operated, impressing those present with their knowledge. They also showed the specs. All students expressed the satisfaction they received from their roles in the design and creation of the prototype.

In response to questions from the Council, they expanded on the workings of the locking mechanism, demonstrating how it works and discussing how payment would be made for use of the bike. In response to further questioning from the Council, the students indicated it was their feeling there should be five bike racks located in Woodstock, with one right outside the Square, one at Emricson Park, one at the train station, one at the hospital, and one at Bates Park. In response to a question from Mayor Sager concerning the estimated cost, they stated while they did not calculate this, the actuator for each rack would be about $50 and the cost of the bike could be estimated at approximately $500.

The students noted one way to offset costs would be to place advertising on the racks. In response to

further questioning, they stated “regular” bikes could not use the racks, only the custom rental bikes.

The students noted if many other bikes took up all the space in the rental racks, there would be no place

to return the rental bikes. 

In response to questioning from the Council, further discussion took place on how payment could be made, with the students opining this program could piggy back on the Recreation Department’s ID system. In addition, the students stated they did not keep track of the hours spent on this project, but only had 45 minutes per day to work on it. They also noted the racks would be anchored into the concrete or a concrete pad and did require electricity to operate. They stated that solar panels could be used and would make an economical use of power.

In response to a question from Mayor Sager, each student stated their plan to major in engineering with each identifying the university they will attend next year and the field of engineering they hope to pursue.

Mayor Sager commended the students on their remarkable work, stating this is certainly an idea worth pursuing. He stated the City of Woodstock has always had a strong interest in environmental management and conservation. He also noted this project provides an opportunity for increased quality of life, making things more available to the community. He stated he was incredibly impressed with each student, wishing them good luck in the future. Mayor Sager also acknowledged the work of the advisors involved, thanking them for their efforts. The students, including those students involved in the Bike Path Project, were acknowledged with hearty applause.

Future agenda items

There were no items added or removed from the Tentative Future Agendas.

Adfourn

Motion by M. Saladin, second by M. Larson, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock CityCouncil to the next regularly-scheduled City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at 7:00 p..m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: D. Hart, M. Larson, M. Saladin, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none.

Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.