McHenry Times

The Woodstock City Council met Oct. 4 to honor emergency nurses.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:

The city of Woodstock operates under the council-manager form of government that 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 October 4, 2016 City Council Chambers

The regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Brian Sager on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Sager welcomed those present and explained the consent calendar process and invited public participation.

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

A roll call was taken.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Maureen Larson, Joseph Starzynski, RB Thompson, Michael Turner and Mayor Brian Sager.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Daniel Hart and Mark Saladin

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Chief of Police John Lieb, Library Director Nick Weber, Human Resources Director Debbie Schober, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Librarian Pam Moorhouse, Librarian Martha Hansen, Librarian Julie Fee, Officer Eric Schmidtke, and Officer Sharon Freund and K-9 Blue.

OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk Cindy Smiley

A. FLOOR DISCUSSION

Proclamation – Emergency Nurses Week Mayor Sager stated the City is pleased to recognize those who serve as emergency nurses with a proclamation honoring them and Emergency Nurses Week.

Without exception, the proclamation was approved by the City Council and with appreciation and gratitude, Mayor Sager read the proclamation into the record.

PROCLAMATION HONORING EMERGENCY NURSES and EMERGENCY NURSES WEEK October 9-15, 2016

WHEREAS, there are approximately 180,000 Emergency Nurses in the United States who have expertise in caring for all emergency patients across the spectrum of the lifespan, ushering life in at birth and allowing for a dignified death; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Nurses are highly trained to recognize life-threatening problems and solve them on the spot, playing a vital role in treating patients in emergency situations, caring for those most in need, and saving lives on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, these characteristics provide a broad scope of practice for the delivery of critical and complex care within a limited timeframe to healthcare consumers of all ages and backgrounds. Emergency Nurses integrate critical thinking skills and knowledge of evidence based practice into their delivery of care and decision making; and

WHEREAS, through research, education, and Emergency Nursing advocacy, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) supports and honors the advancement of professionalism of Emergency Nurses everywhere; and

WHEREAS, ENA, the ENA Foundation, and other groups around our country have joined together to honor the extraordinary acts of service, compassion, and commitment that Emergency Nurses provide to patients every day.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City Council of the City of Woodstock, on behalf of all citizens of Woodstock, congratulates and commends Emergency Nurses everywhere, with special recognition and appreciation for those serving at Woodstock’s Centegra Health System and Mercy Health System facilities, for their outstanding efforts as medical professionals offering comfort, security, and time-critical assistance to save lives and improve the health of all Woodstock community residents.

APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, this 4th day of October, 2016.

/S/Brian Sager, Ph.D., Mayor /S/Cindy Smiley, City Clerk

Recognition – Drug Arrest – Canine Officer Freund and Officer Schmidtke Mayor Sager stated the City is also extremely pleased to recognize members of the Woodstock Police Department. He stated the City of Woodstock is blessed with a highly-professional team of individuals who provide protection 24 hours per day, 365 days per year without concern for their own safety and wellbeing.

Mayor Sager stated this evening the City is recognizing a team of its professional officers who did exceptional work, as they do every day, and the City and its residents wish to recognize them for this accomplishment.

At the request of Mayor Sager, Chief Lieb provided additional information. He stated Officer Eric Schmidtke has been a member of the Woodstock Police Department for 18 years and has been one of the Department’s most proactive officers in the aspect of traffic enforcement and traffic safety.

He stated Officer Sharon Freund has been a member of the Woodstock Police Department for almost four years and is currently assigned as the Department’s K-9 Officer after showing a high degree of law enforcement competence early in her career. He noted Officer Freund’s law enforcement partner is K-9 Blue who joined the Department just over one year ago. He stated



Officer Freund and Blue have partnered together on over 25 drug-related arrests and more than 17 assists to neighboring jurisdictions.

Chief Lieb described the events of August 28, 2016, when Officer Schmidtke, Officer Freund, and K-9 Blue partnered to stop, detain, and arrest an individual with 17 pounds of cannabis in his car. He stated thanks to the aggressive stance on Illinois Vehicle statute violations and astute observations by Officer Schmidtke and the drug search capabilities of the Woodstock K-9 Unit, namely Officer Freund and Blue, another drug mule/dealer was arrested.

Chief Lieb stated the City of Woodstock and its residents enjoy police protection every single day from police officers doing fantastic work, noting those being recognized this evening performed above-exceptional work.

Without exception, the City Council approved commendations for Officer Eric Schmidtke and Officer Sharon Freund and K-9 Blue.

As he presented the commendation to Officer Schmidtke, Mayor Sager stated it was his honor to do so. Officer Schmidtke was recognized with hearty applause.

With a great deal of respect, Mayor Sager then presented a commendation to Officer Freund. Officer Freund was recognized with hearty applause.

Mayor Sager then recognized K-9 Blue with a commendation that was met with hearty applause.

Mayor Sager stated the City is grateful for the exceptional service of those recognized this evening and thanked and commended them for every single day of their service.

Proclamation Recognizing Reference Librarian Julie Fee for Her 32 years of Service at the Woodstock Public Library Mayor Sager stated the City also wishes to extend its appreciation and best wishes to a member of staff who has been at the Public Library for 32 years. He stated tonight is bittersweet as we extend to Julie Fee our thanks for her 32 years of service, but are sad that we will not see her as often. He noted while she will be missed, it is the City’s honor to provide a proclamation honoring Reference Librarian Julie Fee.

Without objection, the City Council approved the proclamation honoring Julie Fee upon her retirement from the Woodstock Public Library.

Mayor Sager, joined by Library Director Nick Weber, asked Ms. Fee to join them at the podium and read the proclamation into the record.

PROCLAMATION HONORING REFERENCE LIBRARIAN JULIE FEE

WHEREAS, Julie Fee began her career at Woodstock Public Library on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1984, and has served the community as a full-time Reference Librarian for more than 32 years; and

WHEREAS, for many years Julie Fee dutifully fulfilled the role as Woodstock’s Government Documents Librarian, maintaining state and federal documents for public view in the detailed manner proscribed by related statutes and authorities; and

WHEREAS, Julie Fee ably managed the Library’s proctoring program, allowing an increasing number of individuals to pursue educational alternatives that require supervised online/remote testing to obtain college and technical school credit; and

WHEREAS, the Library's extensive periodicals collection has also been supervised and organized by Julie Fee, as she handled the selection, ordering, display, and maintenance of nearly 200 magazines and newspapers, in a variety of sizes and formats; and

WHEREAS, Julie Fee has enlightened audiences and expanded cultural awareness through the origination and continued coordination of Woodstock Public Library’s World Film Night, a bi- monthly program that has developed a strong and devoted following enjoyed by a wide variety of Library patrons; and

WHEREAS, helping to foster Woodstock’s reputation as a community that welcomes new residents and embraces cultural diversity, Julie Fee initiated the Library's Adult Literacy Program; developed this essential service into the popular English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring program; and, further established an English Conversation Club to encourage beneficial social connections, thereby providing invaluable assistance to hundreds of non-native-English speakers throughout her many years of contributions to Woodstock Public Library.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City Council of the City of Woodstock, on behalf of all citizens of Woodstock, thanks, congratulates and commends Reference Librarian Julie Fee for faithfully serving Woodstock area residents, families, and Library program participants for over three decades, and wishes her the very best of health and happiness in her well-deserved retirement years.

APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, this 4th day of October, 2016.

/S/Brian Sager, Ph.D., Mayor /S/Cindy Smiley, City Clerk

Mr. Weber presented Ms. Fee with a gift from the City in honor of her retirement.

Ms. Fee thanked the Mayor and the City for this recognition. She noted she has seen many changes in her 32 years while the library remained a great place to work and a great place to come as a patron, providing wonderful service to the community.

Ms. Fee was recognized with hearty applause.

Public Comment There was no Public Comment forthcoming.

Council Comment Noting a recent article in the Smithsonian Magazine which described how, when the Statue of Liberty was placed in New York in 1886, it was a dark bronze which turned a light green after 20 years, RB Thompson stated this should serve as an example when considering the colors to coordinate with the copper dome of the Old Courthouse.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by J. Starzynski, second by M. Larson, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda.

The following items were removed from the Consent agenda at the request of Councilmembers:

• Item E-1 – Appointments – New and Reappointments of Commission Members by M.

Turner

Mayor Sager asked if any members of the Council or members of the Public had any questions or comments on any of the items remaining on the Consent Agenda.

Item E-2 – Ordinance – Mia Passione Liquor License Mayor Sager introduced the petitioner, Mr. Palmieri, for this item, noting this would create a new Class A-6 liquor license for a new restaurant, Mia Passione, located in the building which formerly housed Off the Rails and Pirro’s restaurants. He also thanked him for his investment in Woodstock. Mr. Palmieri stated he and his colleagues are very pleased to be in Woodstock, stating they hope to open the restaurant by the end of November.

Item E-3 – Ordinance – Amending Section 3.3.6 Classification of Licenses Item E-4 – Liquor License Application - Wondertucky Mayor Sager introduced Dave Cunningham, owner of Wondertucky Distillery, who is requesting a waiver of the moratorium for a Class B-9 liquor license. Mayor Sager stated there are special circumstances with this request as Mr. Cunningham has a manufacturer’s license with the federal government, but does not have a right to serve or distribute on his premises. He noted that Item E- 3 would approve an amendment to Class B-9, which would allow Mr. Cunningham to sample alcohol liquor on his premises. Mayor Sager provided additional information as to how this is regulated in the state of Illinois and why this action needs to be taken. He noted that sampling would be held for special events or for tourists’ visits and to provide samples to individuals who are considering carrying Mr. Cunningham’s product. He stated that the license would not allow Mr. Cunningham to sell his product at events.

Mayor Sager affirmed the Consent Agenda to include the following items:

B. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

C. WARRANTS: 3730 3731

D. MINUTES AND REPORTS:

Building and Zoning Department Monthly Report – August 2016 Woodstock Police Department Monthly Report – August 2016

E. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 76

2. Ordinance – Mia Passione Liquor License - Approval of Ordinance 16-O-56, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Liquor Control of the Woodstock City Code, Classification of Licenses; Numbers and Fees, increasing the number of Class A-6 liquor licenses by one for Mia Passione located at 228 Main Street.

3. Ordinance – Amending Section 3.3.6, Classification of Licenses - Approval of Ordinance 16-O-57, identified as Document No. 2, An Ordinance Amending Section 3.3.6, Classification of License; Number and Fees, of Chapter 3, of the Woodstock City Code, modifying the parameters of the B-9 Liquor License Classification.

4. Liquor License Application – Wondertucky - Approval of waiver of the moratorium on the acceptance of an application for a Class B-9 (Brewpub, Distillery, Vintner, or Winery) Liquor License for Wondertucky Distillery and Bottling Company at 315 E. South Street with the understanding this is not a guarantee of license approval and that it is a one-time waiver for this location only.

5. Ordinance – Surplus Equipment and Disposal - Approval of Ordinance 16-O-58, identified as Document No. 3, An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale or Disposition of Items of Personal Property Owned by the City of Woodstock, designating these items to be surplus property and authorizing and directing the City Manager to dispose of said property as allowed by law, including but not limited to sale to the highest bidder via GovDeals.com, recycling, and/or disposal.

6. Waiver of Competitive Bids and Award of Bid – Downtown Snow Removal –

Approval of the following: a. Waiver of the requirement for competitive bids; b. Award of contracts for downtown snow removal based on quoted unit prices to the following: GRO Horticultural Enterprises Inc. for snow-removal services; Gavers Excavating Inc. for snow-loading services; Excavating Concepts Inc. for snow-hauling services.

7. Waiver of Competitive Bids and Award of Bid – Southside WWTP Pumps –

Approval of the following: a. Waiver of the requirement for competitive bids; b. The purchase of two (2) new Fairbanks Morse Pumps for installation in the City’s Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant from their authorized manufacturer’s representative, Drydon Equipment Inc., for an amount not-to-exceed $21,062.

8. Waiver of Competitive Bids and Award of Contract – Application of Asphalt

Pavement Rejuvenating Agent (Reclamite) – Approval of the following: a. Waiver of the requirement for competitive bids; b. Award of contract to Corrective Asphalt Materials, LLC to apply Reclamite to an

estimated 37,000 square yards at the unit prices of $0.82/SY; c. Authorization of $35,000 in additional expenditures to be funded through the General Corporate CIP Fund, line item #82-08-7-703 titled Resurfacing and adjustment of the budget as part of the year-end FY16/17 budget amendments forwarded by the Finance Department after the conclusion of the fiscal year.

9. Award of Contract – Paving Improvements to DPW Parking Lot – Award of contract for pavement patching in the Public Works parking lot to the lowest responsible bidder, Champion Paving Corporation, Hampshire, IL in accordance with the unit prices as submitted for an amount not-to-exceed $58,000.

10. Waiver of Competitive Bids and Award of Contract – Work to Preserve Veneer

Stone Wall in the Park in the Square – Approval of the following: a. Waiver of the requirement for competitive bids; b. Award of contract to Jimmy’Z Masonry Corporation to seal the bottom on the new veneer wall, replace coping stones and pier capstones, and tuck-point existing stone on the piers for an amount not-to-exceed $26,075.

11. Resolution – Safe Routes to Schools Program – Approval of the following:

a. Authorization for the Mayor to execute an intergovernmental agreement, identified as Document 4, with the State of Illinois and the City of Woodstock appropriating funds for the Meadow Avenue at Tappan Street Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Sidewalk Project; b. Resolution No. 16-R-18, identified as Document 5, A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Illinois and the City of Woodstock Appropriating Funds for the Meadow Avenue at Tappan Street Safe Routes to Schools Sidewalk Project, confirming this intergovernmental agreement and authorizing the expenditure of $114,651 in construction costs and $44,531 in construction engineering costs or such sum as may be needed to match the associated federal funds for the aforementioned SRTS project.

12. Ordinance – Amended Agreement for the Harvard/Woodstock Enterprise Zone – Approval of Ordinance 16-O-59 identified as Document 6, An Ordinance Amending the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of and the City of Harvard and the County of McHenry Regarding the Harvard/Woodstock Enterprise Zone, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney.

13. Ordinance – Extending the Smoking Ban in the Park in the Square and Sesquicentennial Park – Adoption of Ordinance 16-O-60, identified as Document 7, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Public Parks and Playgrounds, Article B. Public Square, of Title 6, Public Ways and Property, of the Woodstock City Code Regarding Repealing the Sunset Provision.

A roll call vote was taken to approve Consent Agenda Items B through E-13, with the exception of Item E-1. Ayes: M. Larson, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: D. Hart and M. Saladin. Motion carried.

Item E-1 – Appointments – New and Reappointments of Commission Members M. Turner stated he requested removal of this item in order to request amendment of the recommendations.

Motion by M. Turner, second by J. Starzynski, to:

a) Remove from the table the question of the appointment of Donovan Day to the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission as tabled at the September 6, 2016 City Council meeting; and b) Amend the list of nominees for appointment and reappointment before the Council tonight to include Donovan Day for appointment to the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission for a term to 2019.

Mayor Sager stated this was tabled at the September 6th City Council meeting in order to have a dialog with the nominee. He noted he is pleased to have had that discussion and to have the motion before the Council at this time. He clarified that the first vote will be a vote on Councilman Turner’s motion and then, if such a motion is made, to vote on the original item E-1 as amended.

A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: M. Larson, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: D. Hart and M. Saladin. Motion carried.

Motion by M. Turner, second by M. Larson, to approve Item E-1, the Mayor’s list of appointments to the Plan Commission, Library, and Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission, as well as reappointments for Commission members with terms expiring in 2016 as amended on its face.

A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: M. Larson, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: D. Hart and M. Saladin. Motion carried.

Noting Mr. Day’s appointment, RB Thompson stated he is pleased to see someone appointed who has extensive knowledge of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House, noting he is a welcome addition to that Commission.

Mayor Sager noted the welcome addition of Alan Fyfe to the Library Board and Donna Besler to the Plan Commission, as well as the reappointment of the other Board and Commission members who have so ably served.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

14. Police Pension – Transmittal of the 2016 Actuarial Report and Property Tax Levy Request by the Woodstock Police Pension Board Mayor Sager stated this item is for the transmittal of the 2016 Actuarial Report and Property Tax Levy for the Police Pension Board so that Council has an opportunity to study and review this document with discussion to occur as part of the budget process.

P. Christensen stated this report is presented to Council each year as the first step in the property tax levy process. He stated the report indicates an increase of $258,000 that is required over last year, as a result to some extent of less than expected investment returns, but primarily due to a change in the mortality table. A brief discussion of this ensued, with Mr. Christensen explaining this further and noting that this rate of growth is unsustainable. M. Turner noted this represents 10% of the City’s tax levy.

At the request of Mayor Sager, City Manager Stelford agreed this is unsustainable stating it is driven by the actuary and the employee benefit levels, which are set by the state legislature. He noted any changes to this must be made at the state level by the state legislature. Mr. Stelford stated the City has been proactive and has been trying to fund this ahead of the actuarially required levels to take advantage of added investment income, but that it is not financially- sustainable long-term. Discussion followed of the employee contribution vs. the City contribution and of the benefits provided. Mr. Stelford noted the employee is responsible for only his or her contribution with the City being responsible not only for its contribution, but also for all investment and actuarial risk.

Mayor Sager described discussions that have taken place at MCCG concerning this as all communities will been faced with this same challenge.

Mayor Sager reminded those present that Council will have an opportunity to discuss this further as part of the planning and budget process. He stated the Council realizes, and the City’s legislative advocate realizes, that changes must be made and stated his hope that state legislators realize that also.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no additions or corrections to the Future Agendas.

ADJOURN Motion by RB Thompson, second by M. Larson, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regularly-scheduled City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: M. Larson, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: D. Hart and M. Saladin. Meeting adjourned at 7:52PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Cindy Smiley City Clerk