McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Joint Review Board Met April 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A Meeting of the Joint Review Board (JRB) of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, Downtown Redevelopment Project Area was called to order by Chairman Roscoe Stelford at 1:00 PM, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall.

CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VIRTUALLY: Ms. Sue Brokaw, Supervisor, Dorr Township; Ms. Bonnie Gabel, Community Representative; Mr. Scott Hartman, Deputy County Administrator, McHenry County; and Dr. Michael Moan, Superintendent, Woodstock Community Unit School District 200.

BOARD MEMBER PRESENT: Mr. Michael Hill, Chief, Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Mr. Roscoe Stelford, City Manager, City of Woodstock.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Bob Tenuta, McHenry County College.

OTHERS PRESENT VIRTUALLY: Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen.

OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Larry Lough, The Woodstock Independent; Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson and Executive Assistant/Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie.

PUBLIC COMMENT: none.

Motion to retain or elect Public Member:

R. Stelford said we’ve been in contact with Ms. Bonnie Gabel, who also serves as the Public Member on TIF #2, and she is willing to serve on the TIF #1 Board. Motion by S. Hartman, second by M. Hill, to retain Ms. Bonnie Gabel as the Community Representative. Ayes: S. Brokaw, B. Gabel, S. Hartman, M. Hill, and R. Stelford. Nays: none. Abstentions: M. Moan. Absentees: B. Tenuta. Motion carried.

Motion to retain or elect Chairperson:

Motion by S. Brokaw, second by M. Hill to retain R. Stelford as Chairman. Ayes: S. Brokaw, B. Gabel, S. Hartman, M. Hill, M. Moan and R. Stelford. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: B. Tenuta. Motion carried.

Review and approval of January 29, 2020 JRB Minutes:

Motion made by M. Hill, second by S. Brokaw to approve the Minutes from the 01/29/2020 meeting. Ayes: S. Brokaw, B. Gabel, S. Hartman, M. Hill, M. Moan and R. Stelford. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: B. Tenuta. Motion carried. Minutes accepted.

Report on Status of TIF and Review of Annual Report:

R. Stelford said we are in the final year of TIF #1, as it expires at the end of 2021. G. Anderson stated that two different programs run through the TIF; one of which is the façade improvement program for older buildings in and around the Square. G. Anderson shared a list of grant recipients and mentioned that these grants are usually in the amount of $5,000. This includes a required 50% contribution from the TIF and a 50% contribution from the building owner. These grants have paid for a lot of windows and brick work. G. Anderson continued on to say that there were three façade improvement grants in 2019, three in 2020 and there has been one grant so far this year. G. Anderson said the overall ratio is just over $400,000 in the downtown and approximately $150,000 from TIF funds. The area of TIF #1 covered almost the entire Square; TIF #2 covers a portion of the Square.

In response to a Board Member’s question, R. Stelford said it was not the intention of the City for the remaining funds in TIF #1 to go to the taxing bodies, and instead was going to be transferred to the new TIF #2, which is allowed by State law, as TIF #2 is adjacent. This decision is at the discretion of and supported by the City Council. The Old Courthouse was pulled out of TIF #1 and transferred into TIF #2. R. Stelford said with TIF #1 expiring, this provides working capital for TIF #2. M. Moan said the District would like the monies returned to School District 200. He asked if funds would be returned to the District after TIF #2 expires. R. Stelford said it is difficult for the City to guarantee this decision so far out in the future, as there are many variables and things can drastically change over the next twenty years.

P. Christensen added that this was a unique situation as it relates to transferring funds from TIF #1 to TIF #2. He mentioned that the primary reason for transferring money from TIF #1 to TIF #2 is to fund the improvements required by the Old Courthouse. In response to a question from S. Hartman about property being located in TIF #1 and TIF #2, G. Anderson explained that the City cannot have overlapping properties in both TIF #1 and TIF #2.

P. Christensen said the City is planning to transfer $300,000 in FY20/21 and $400,000 in FY21/22 from TIF #1 to TIF #2. In response to a question, R. Stelford said the City is not transferring 100% of available dollars from TIF #1 to TIF #2, as there are many costs still needed to be paid. TIF #1 funds must be used by 12/31/2021. R. Stelford said the geography of each TIF is important; properties may be adjacent to each other. G. Anderson said no parcel can remain in both TIFs at one time. He noted that many parcels were moved out of TIF #1 and added to TIF #2. In response to a question from M. Moan, R. Stelford said this Board will be provided another opportunity to review the cumulative TIF #1 project costs, once everything has been paid out.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by M. Hill, second by B. Gabel, to adjourn this Meeting of the Joint Review Board. Ayes: S. Brokaw, B. Gabel, S. Hartman, M. Hill, M. Moan and R. Stelford. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: B. Tenuta. Meeting adjourned at 1:21 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/office_of_the_city_manager/meeting/44175/f_-_joint_review_board_4-16-21_mtg_tif_1_2_-_part_1_of_1_-_minutes.pdf