McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met Dec. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Michael Turner in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. He explained the Consent Calendar process, invited public participation, and 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.

A roll call was taken.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Gordon Tebo, and Mayor Michael Turner.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Wendy Piersall and Bob Seegers.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, Chief John Lieb, Public Works Director Christina Betz, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, City Planner Darrell Moore, Communications/Grants Manager Terry Willcockson, City Clerk Cindy Smiley, and several members of the Woodstock Police Department.

OTHERS PRESENT: Board of Fire and Police Chairman Ron Giordano.

III. FLOOR DISCUSSION

A. Proclamation – Woodstock Santa Hut

Mayor Turner invited Chris Cantwell, Woodstock Noon Rotary Club, to the podium for the presentation. He stated the Santa Hut has been part of Woodstock for a very long time. He expressed his appreciation to all who make this a Woodstock holiday tradition, stating it seems like a small thing, but is a very big thing.

Without objection, the City Council approved and adopted A Proclamation Honoring Woodstock Santa Hut – A Timeless Treasure Made New Again. Mayor Turner read the proclamation for all to hear, with this being recognized with hearty applause.

Mr. Cantwell stated as volunteers, those participating in the Santa Hut do so because of their love for the children, love for the community, and the opportunity to give back. He thanked the City Council for this recognition.

B. Recognition – Ceremonial Swearing in of Officers Kevin Avers and Mitchell Marino Mayor Turner stated this is an opportunity to swear in new police officers, which is also a joyous and important occasion. He expressed his appreciation for the officers and members of the Police Department present this evening.

Chief Lieb called Officers Avers and Marino and their families to the podium. He stated this is the opportunity to introduce new police officers to the community, noting it is a highlight in their careers. He stated soon they will assume their solo patrol duties.

Chief Lieb stated due to the pandemic, two other new officers did not receive this opportunity. He introduced Officers Lucas Schmidt and Spenser Svehla, noting they have been officers for over two years, completing their training and beginning their solo patrols during COVID-19. He thanked them for their service to the Woodstock community.

Chief Lieb then thanked Officers Avers and Marino for their service. He stated their family members are asked to join them for this important moment because it is not just the officers who go through their careers.

Chairman Giordano administered the oaths of office to Officer Avers and Officer Marino, following which their badges were affixed by family members.

The officers were recognized by those in attendance with hearty applause.

Mayor Turner recognized the officers and their families, stating the Police Department has Council’s complete support.

C. Public Comments

There were no comments forthcoming from the Public.

D. Council Comments

Mayor Turner stated the Lighting of the Square event was fantastic, thanking the Opera House Staff, the Police Department, Department of Public Works, the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, and City Staff who made this possible.

Mayor Turner also recognized and thanked Councilman Tebo for his idea for the public display of holiday items and for making this possible, opining they look great. Councilman Tebo stated many people in the community made this possible.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by D. Flynn, second by L. Lohmeyer, to approve the Consent Agenda.

In response to a question from Mayor Turner, there were no items removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Council or the Public:

In response to a question from Mayor Turner, the following questions were forthcoming from the Public or the Council regarding items remaining on the Consent Agenda.

Item D-1 – Ordinance – Video Gaming License Modifications

In response to a question from Councilman Tebo, Mr. Stelford stated Penny’s Place could be considered a video gaming café. He stated existing license holders are grandfathered in by the proposed ordinance.

In response to questions from Councilman Tebo, City Attorney Schlossberg provided information on how the definition in the proposed ordinance was developed, noting a percentage approach was not implemented because it was felt it would not accurately reflect the current situation. She described the particulars of the definition in more detail. Ms. Schlossberg noted the City may ask for additional data at the time of license renewal if there are any concerns. She stated the ordinance was written to reflect that the City is supportive of gaming to support the City’s existing bars and restaurants, but is not interested in gaming alone. Mr. Stelford agreed the definition indicates the primary business of an establishment cannot be gaming.

Mayor Turner provided additional information on the many discussions held between the City Manager, City Attorney, and himself to develop the definition and the ordinance. He stated he is happy with the proposed ordinance, which allows for a process that moves quickly, but also allows for review by the Liquor Commissioner.

In response to a question from Councilman Tebo concerning signage as indicated in the proposed ordinance, Ms. Schlossberg stated this applies to on-site signage. She stated it would be very difficult to regulate off-site signage

Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D.8 as follows:

A. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

October 31, 2021 City Council Special Meeting Minutes

November 16, 2021 City Council Minutes

B. WARRANTS: 3981 3982

C. MINUTES AND REPORTS:

Plan Commission Minutes September 16, 2021 Board of Library Trustees and Director Report September 2021 Library Director Report October 2021

D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 193:

1. Ordinance – Video Gaming License Modifications – Approval of Ordinance 21-O 63, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Amending Sections 3.3.5, Video Gaming Terminals, 3.3.6 Rules of General Applicability Regarding Licenses, Number and Fees and 3.3.14 Prohibited Acts and Conditions, of Chapter 3, Liquor Control, and Title 3, Business and License Regulations, of the Woodstock City Code.

2. Agreement – Parking Lot Lease Extension – Approval of Ordinance 21-O-64, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of a Parking Lot Lease Agreement Between the City of Woodstock and Aurora University with the new lease agreement beginning on December 21, 2021 and Extending through December 20, 2026.

3. Ordinance – Property Tax Levy – Approval of Ordinance 21-O-65, identified as Document 3, The 2021 Tax Levy Ordinance of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois.

4. Resolution – Impact Fee Deferral Program – Approval of Resolution 21-R-26, identified as Document 4, A Resolution Extending the City of Woodstock’s Impact Fee Deferral Program Subject to Specific Terms and Conditions.

5. Award of Contract – WWTP Sludge Disposal Services – Authorization to award a contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant sludge disposal services for calendar years 2022 and 2023 to the lowest responsible bidder, Dham Enterprises, Inc., Woodstock, IL at the bid unit prices of $12.25 per cubic yard for dry solids disposal, $0.023 per gallon for liquid solids disposal, and $0.032 per gallon for transportation of liquid solids between the two wastewater treatment plant facilities for both calendar years 2022 and 2023.

6. Award of Contract – Portable Toilet Service Contract – Authorization to award a contract for the rental and service of portable toilets to the lowest responsible bidder, Crown Restrooms, Woodstock, IL, in accordance with the unit prices as submitted and for calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024.

7. Award of Contract – Softener Salt – Authorization to award a contract for the purchase and delivery of water softener salt to the lowest responsible bidder, Midwest Salt, LLC, West Chicago, IL at the bid unit price of $113.65 per ton for all purchases throughout calendar year 2022.

8. Courthouse Historic Tax Credit Property Transfers and Entity Creations – Authorization given to the City Manager and City Attorney to undertake the real estate transfers of the Courthouse complex from the City of Woodstock to the Woodstock Courthouse Historic Preservation Fund, Inc. and from there to the Woodstock Courthouse MM LLC. This authority includes such actions as are necessary to complete the transactions and to administer the changes for the benefit of the city, including procuring insurance, directing the execution of such corporate documents of the Woodstock Courthouse Historic Preservation Fund, Inc. and the Woodstock Courthouse MM LLC as are necessary to authorize the transactions, obtaining title insurance, granting easements from the City necessary to ensure clean title associated with property boundaries of the property and otherwise completing the real estate transfers; and also ratification of all actions of the Woodstock Courthouse Historic Preservation Fund, Inc. and the Woodstock Courthouse MM LLC necessary to complete these transaction.

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

V. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Turner stated the next item on the Agenda is for the City Council to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Real Estate – the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body as allowed by 5ILC 120/2(c)(6) and Personnel - The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body as allowed by 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

Motion by D. Flynn, second by L. Lohmeyer, to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing:

Real Estate (Open Meetings Act: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(6))

The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.

Personnel (Open Meetings Act: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1))

The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body as allowed by 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1)

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

The Woodstock City Council adjourned to Executive Session at 7:33 PM.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

The City Council returned to Open Session at 8:54 PM.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Gordon Tebo, and Mayor Michael Turner

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Wendy Piersall and Bob Seegers.

STAFF PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, and City Clerk Cindy Smiley

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

There were no further additions, deletions, or corrections to the tentative Future Agendas.

ADJOURN

Motion by D. Flynn, second by G. Tebo, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, G. Tebo, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: W. Piersall and B. Seegers. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/42951/f_-_a.1_-_12-07-21_city_council_minutes.pdf