McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met June 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Brian Sager on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Mayor Sager welcomed those present and explained the consent calendar process and invited public participation. He noted, as is the City’s policy, this evening’s meeting is being live-streamed with a recording archived should members of the public wish to view it in the future.

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

A roll call was taken.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Wendy Piersall, Jim Prindiville, Gorton Tebo, Michael Turner, and Mayor Brian Sager.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, Assistant City Manager/ Finance Director Paul Christensen, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Library Director Nick Weber, Library Circulation Manager Pam Moorhouse, Opera House Director Daniel Campbell, Opera House Building Manager Mark Greenleaf, Opera House Production Manager Joe McCormack, Opera House Office Manager Betsy Cosgray, Opera House Front of House Manager Holly Stika, City Planner Darrell Moore, Communications/Grant Manager Terry Willcockson, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Ryan Livingston, and many staff members of the Woodstock Public Library.

OTHERS PRESENT: Transportation Commission Chairman Andrew Celentano and City Clerk Cindy Smiley

III. FLOOR DISCUSSION

A. Proclamations

Noting this is a bittersweet moment, Mayor Sager stated tonight the City wishes to recognize two long-term employees who have made the decision to move into retirement. He stated tonight is to recognize and commend them, and to give them our best wishes for the future.

1. Proclamation – Retirement of Mark Greenleaf

Mayor Sager called Opera House Building Manager Mark Greenleaf and his wife, June, forward. Without objection, the City Council approved and adopted A Proclamation Honoring Woodstock

Opera House Manager Mark Greenleaf on the Occasion of His Retirement.

Mayor Sager read the Proclamation for all to hear and presented it to Mr. Greenleaf. He expressed thanks to Mr. Greenleaf for his significant contributions to the community and the Woodstock Opera House.

Mr. Greenleaf credited his career to John Scharres – his mentor, partner, and friend for over 30 years. Noting it was one of the two best things in his life, he stated it allowed him to raise a wonderful family of five children as an employee of Woodstock. He stated the best thing in his life was his wife, June.

Mayor Sager presented Mr. Greenleaf with the City’s gift. Mayor Sager presented Mrs. Greenleaf with flowers and thanked her for her sacrifice and contribution to Mr. Greenleaf’s career and to the community.

Mr. Greenleaf was recognized with hearty applause.

2. Proclamation – Retirement of Pam Moorhouse

Mayor Sager invited Woodstock Public Library Circulation Manager Pam Moorhouse and her husband John forward.

Without objection, the City Council approved and adopted A Proclamation Honoring Circulation Manager Pam Moorhouse on the Occasion of Her Retirement.

Mayor Sager read the Proclamation for all to hear and presented it to Mrs. Moorhouse. He stated she is being recognized not only for her employment with the City of Woodstock, but also for her many contributions to and involvement with the community. He noted it is difficult to summarize this in a proclamation and thanked her for her many contributions.

Mrs. Moorhouse thanked everyone for coming tonight and stated she owes much to Maggie Field Crane, whom she has known since she was a sophomore in high school, when she was a Library Page. She stated the library has been her second home. She stated the City of Woodstock could not have been a better employer.

Mayor Sager presented Mrs. Moorhouse with flowers and the City’s gift. He thanked Mr. Moorhouse for the sacrifices he and his family made so Mrs. Moorhouse could be a dedicated City employee.

Mrs. Moorhouse was recognized with hearty applause.

3. Proclamation – 175th Birthday of the Historic Woodstock Square

Mayor Sager stated tonight the City has an opportunity to recognize and celebrate an important event.

Without objection, the City Council approved and adopted A Proclamation Honoring the 175th Birthday of the Historic Woodstock Square.

Mayor Sager read the Proclamation for all to hear and called attention to a copy of the original plat of the Woodstock Square on display in the Council Chambers, noting our community was originally called Centerville. He thanked Darrell Moore, Garrett Anderson, and Terry Wilcockson for putting this recognition together.

The proclamation was recognized with hearty applause.

Recess

The meeting was recessed at 7:25 PM for a reception honoring Mr. Greenleaf and Mrs. Moorhouse.

Reconvene

Mayor Sager reconvened the meeting of the Woodstock City Council at 7:35 PM.

B. Public Hearing – Comcast Franchise Renewal Agreement

Mayor Sager stated this is a Public Hearing prior to consideration of a Cable Television Franchise Agreement, which would renew the City’s franchise with Comcast.

He invited Joan Sage, Government and Community Affairs Manager with Comcast, to make comments.

Ms. Sage thanked the City and the Council for this opportunity, noting this is a renewal of the previous franchise agreement between the City and Comcast. She stated this agreement permits Comcast to do business in Woodstock, allowing them to put cable and fiber in the easement and the City to charge a franchise fee. She stated the City can contact her at any time for assistance, noting Comcast has been working hard at making customer service their best product.

Ms. Sage then talked about Comcast’s Internet Essentials product to provide internet access to low income families and students.

Mayor Sager called the Public Hearing to order at 7:40 PM and invited the Public to come forward with comments. There were no Public comments.

Motion by M. Turner, second by L. Lohmeyer, to close the Public Hearing concerning the Comcast Franchise Renewal Agreement.

A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion Carried.

The Public Hearing was closed at 7:40 PM.

Motion by M. Turner, second by D. Flynn, to authorize the City Manager to execute the Cable Television Franchise Agreement, identified as Document 1, between Comcast of California/Colorado/Illinois/Indiana/Michigan, LLC and the City of Woodstock.

A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Absentees: none. Abstentions: none. Motion carried.

C. Public Comment

There were comments forthcoming from the Public.

D. Council Comment

Councilman Turner thanked Opera House Managing Director Daniel Campbell, the Opera House Staff, the Woodstock Police Department and the Public Works Department for their work on the City’s Memorial Day activities.

Mayor Sager noted this is an exciting time in Woodstock with lots of activity coming up this weekend. He commended City Staff who have been working on these events and for making them possible.

Noting the recent visit of members of the Council and the City Administration to Berry Plastics, Mayor Sager talked about the influence of this company not only in Woodstock, but around the world.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by J. Prindiville, second by W. Piersall, to approve the Consent Agenda.

In response to a question from Mayor Sager, no items were removed from the Consent Agenda by the Council or a member of the Public.

In response to a question from Mayor Sager, the following comments or questions were forthcoming from the City Council concerning those items remaining on the Consent Agenda.

Item D-7 – Statement of Concurrence/Resolution – Route 47 Improvements

In response to questions from Councilwoman Piersall concerning the document to be considered for this item, Mr. Stelford confirmed the improvements proposed for Rt. 47 at this time will extend from Rt. 14 to Rt. 120. He explained the document was prepared prior to the state legislature’s approval of the capital budget. He stated some of the costs called for in the document are new and have not been previously required as there has not been this level of landscaping prior to these improvements.

In response to a question from Councilman Tebo, Mr. Stelford stated the City will continue to lobby for traffic signal replacement and addition.

Item D-1 – Appointments – Deputy Mayor and Assistant Deputy Mayor

Mayor Sager expressed his appreciation to Councilman Turner and Councilman Tebo for accepting the leadership positions of Deputy Mayor and Assistant Deputy Mayor, respectively. He commended them, stating he is honored to nominate them. He stated he is grateful and impressed with the commitment of all Council members.

Item D-5 – Ordinance – Home Rule/UDO Amendment – Front Yard Fencing

Mayor Sager stated this proposed action is a result of an issue raised by residents, which went through the appropriate process, noting the process worked well and thanking Staff.

Item D-7 – Statement of Concurrence/Resolution – Route 47 Improvements

Mayor Sager stated the recent actions taken by the state legislature was incredibly significant for the City of Woodstock. He noted the passage of the capital bill included $57 million for Rt. 47 improvements from Rt. 14 to Rt. 120. He stated this segment was identified as the most highly- used portion of Rt. 47 in Woodstock. He stated the City will continue to lobby to extend the improvements to Charles Road and will also try to maintain emphasis on Rt. 47 from Huntley to Woodstock.

Mayor Sager noted the collaboration between the McHenry County Council of Governments, the County, other municipalities in the County, and Woodstock in an effort to secure these improvements. He stated by lobbying the state legislature in Springfield, they were able to emphasize the key issues with this project.

Mayor Sager expressed his sincere thanks to City Staff, a5, and the City’s lobbyists and also to the Transportation Commission and its Chairman Andrew Celentano.

Mayor Sager stated the next questions are what is going to happen and when will it take place? He noted now the real work begins in educating the public and businesses on this project as it will be a construction project. He noted Phase II will include final engineering and property acquisition and Phase III will be construction, which, in the best case, will begin in about three years.

Mayor Sager stated the City has been working on this for 14 years, again noting it is a significant opportunity.

Councilman Turner noted one person who deserves recognition for this accomplishment is Mayor Sager. He stated the Mayor started working on this in 2004-2005, with taking a stance regarding the importance and need for this project. He stated this led to a pathway that will spur economic development in Woodstock. He stated Mayor Sager proceeded in a purposeful way, met the challenges, and worked to get this done.

Councilman Turner stated this was accomplished through the dogged persistence of the Mayor and the significant step taken in the hiring of a lobbyist who served her purpose and role substantially.

Councilman Turner stated Mayor Sager was the force behind this effort, marshalling the forces in the County.

Mayor Sager opined it was a team effort expressing his gratitude to the team.

Item 10 – Resolution – Real Woodstock Inc. Agreement

Item 11 – Nominations for Appointments to Real Woodstock Inc. Board of Directors

Mayor Sager noted the first item is consideration of a resolution authorizing the execution of a new agreement, in terms for marketing Woodstock in a collaborative effort between the City and the Chamber of Commerce, and approval of the Bylaws for this new group. He stated this is a new phase, as was previously discussed. He talked about the history of the Real Woodstock campaign, opining the action being considered tonight is a natural evolution process to look at how to work in close partnership with the Chamber.

Mayor Sager stated the new organization will provide for a separate entity conjoined between the City of Woodstock and the Chamber of Commerce, which will work efficiently to provide an enhanced opportunity for marketing Woodstock.

Mayor Sager described the make-up of the Board of Directors, including those members appointed by the City and those by the Chamber of Commerce, opining it will be a powerful Board for the organization with much experience and expertise. He thanked them all for their commitment.

In response to a question from Mayor Sager, there were no questions from the Public.

Mayor Sager affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-11.

A. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

May 21, 2019 City Council Meeting

B. WARRANTS: #3859 #3860

C. MINUTES AND REPORTS:

Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Police Department Monthly May 23, 2019

Report Public Works Monthly Report April 2019

D. MANAGER’S REPORT NO. 135 April 2019

1. Appointments – Deputy Mayor and Assistant Deputy Mayor – Approval of the Mayor’s Nominations of Councilman Michael Turner as Deputy Mayor and Councilman Gordon Tebo as Assistant Deputy Mayor.

2. Ordinance – Opera House Advisory Commission Membership Amendments -

Approval of Ordinance 19-O-51, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Amending Section 2.17.2: Membership, Terms, Officers, of Chapter 17, Opera House Advisory Commission, of Title 2, Boards and Commissions, of the Woodstock City Code.

3. Resolution – CDBG Mini-Round Allocations for Old Courthouse Masonry –

Approval of Resolution 19-R-08, identified as Document 3, A Resolution Authorizing Application to the 2019 Community Development Block Grant Program Mini Round Allocations through McHenry County for the Historic Preservation of the Old Courthouse National Register Landmark.

4. Purchase – Computers for WPD Squad Cars - Approval of the expenditure of $28,098 in CIP funding for the purchase of nine (9) Getac S410 G2 LTE i5-8250 U 14 laptop in-car computers with the necessary computer docking systems to be purchased through the Midwest Public Safety Group, Decatur, Illinois.

5. Ordinance – Home Rule/UDO Amendment – Front Yard Fencing – Approval of the following:

a) Ordinance 19-O-52, identified as Document 4, An Ordinance Re-adopting the City of Woodstock, Illinois Unified Development Ordinance Pursuant to Home Rule Authority; and

b) Ordinance 19-O-53, identified as Document 5, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 7B.3.6 Fences, of the City of Woodstock, Illinois Unified Development Ordinance Relating to Chain Link Fencing.

6. Ordinance – Rezoning to B2C and Dwelling Size Variation – 329 Lake Avenue -

Approval of Ordinance 19-O-54, identified as Document 6, An Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment to B2C Downtown Commercial District and Approving a Variation to Allow a Reduction in the Minimum Dwelling Size from 600 Square Feet to 544 Square Feet at 329 Lake Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois.

7. Statement of Concurrence/Resolution – Route 47 Improvements - Approval of the following:

a) The Statement of Concurrence pertaining to the Letter of Intent provided by IDOT for Route 47 Improvements, identified as Document 7; and

b) Resolution 19-R-09, identified as Document 8, A Resolution of Intent with Regards to the City of Woodstock and Illinois Department of Transportation Regarding Illinois Route 47 Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements from US Route 14 to Illinois Route 120.

8. Resolution – MFT Allocation – Approval of Resolution 19-R-10, identified as Document 9, Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code, which appropriates $796,600 of Motor Fuel Tax funds from May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020.

9. Award of Contract – Pavement Marking – Award of contract for the 2019 Pavement Marking Program to the lowest responsible bidder, Precision Pavement Marking, Pingree Grove, IL in accordance with the unit prices as submitted for an amount not-to-exceed $75,000.

10.Resolution – Real Woodstock Inc. Agreement – Approval of Resolution 19-R-11, identified as Document 10, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement between the City of Woodstock and the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the Creation and Operation of Real Woodstock Inc. and for the Approval of the Bylaws for Real Woodstock, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney.

11.Appointments – Nomination for Appointment to Real Woodstock Inc., Board of Directors – Approval of the Mayor’s nominations for members and officers of the Board of Directors of Real Woodstock Inc.

A roll call vote was taken on items A through D-11. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

There were no changes, additions, or deletions to the tentative future agendas.

ADJOURN

Motion by J. Prindiville, second by G. Tebo, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/26421/f_-_06-04-19_city_councl_-_part_1_of_1_-_minutes.pdf