McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met Aug. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall by Mayor Turner. He explained the Consent Calendar process, invited public participation, and noted, as is the City’s policy, this meeting is being livestreamed 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, Wendy Piersall Bob Seegers, Jr., Gordon Tebo and Mayor Michael Turner.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Deputy City Manager/Executive Director of Strategy & Planning Paul Christensen, Executive Director of Business Development Danielle Gulli, Executive Director of Operations Christina Betz, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Grants Manager Terry Willcockson, and City Clerk Cindy Smiley.

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

III. FLOOR DISCUSSION

A. Public Comments

There were no comments forthcoming from the Public.

B. Council Comments

There were no comments forthcoming from the City Council.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by D. Flynn, second by W. Piersall, 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 or comments were forthcoming from the Council or the Public regarding items remaining on the Consent Agenda.

Items D-3 – Resolution – MBI Staffing TIF Inducement, 200 E. Judd Street In response to a question from Councilman Tebo, Mr. Anderson stated this will be MBI’s first venture into development, noting they are interested in investing in Woodstock.

Mayor Turner noted the address for this property is incorrect on the Agenda, but is correct within the packet materials.

Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-3 as follows:

A. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

July 19, 2022 City Council Minutes

B. WARRANTS: 4013 4014

C. MINUTES AND REPORTS

Police Department Monthly Report June 2022

D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 208:

1. Appointment to Boards & Commissions – Electrical Commission

Advice and Consent for the Mayor’s Appointments to the Electrical Commission.

2. Resolution – Property Right of Way Acquisition for Route 47 Project Approval of Resolution 22-R-21, identified as Document 1, A Resolution Authorizing the Sale or Disposal of Property Owned by the City of Woodstock to the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Route 47 Project and authorization for the City Manager to execute all documents associated with this sale.

3. Resolution – MBI Staffing TIF Inducement, 200 E. Judd Street

Approval of Resolution 22-R-22, identified as Document 2, A Resolution of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, to Induce the Redevelopment of Certain Property Within the Woodstock TIF2-Downtown & Route 47 Redevelopment Project Area (200 East Judd Street).

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

V. DISCUSSION

1. FY21/22 – Fourth Quarter Financial Reports

Stating last year was an unbelievably good financial year for Woodstock, Mr. Christensen provided an update to the City Council, particularly regarding sales taxes. He talked about the difficulties within the automobile industry, including getting cars, and the effect this has had on sales tax collections. In response to Mayor Turner’s questions regarding sales tax prospects, Mr. Christensen stated there is still an issue with cars; and, noting interest rates were recently raised making things more expensive, he stated the question is whether people will spend money.

Mayor Turner requested that in future Financial Reports Staff carve out the extraordinary, large expenditures so Council can see the normal operating expenses. He also encouraged Council members to contact Staff if they would like to see additional information or a different format in future reports.

In response to questions from the City Council, Mr. Christensen confirmed the interest expenses for FY21/22 include all City debt. He stated he continues to feel that the City’s finances are moving in a positive direction, opining if there is any concern it is with the sales tax as it relates to car sales. He stated every Department of the City only spends funds where needed and does a very good job running its operations. Mr. Christensen stated he does not see any problem with revenue streams. Mr. Stelford noted income tax is part of the budget and could be affected if there is a recession. He further opined suspension of other state-shared revenues by the state could have an impact although the state has indicated they will compensate the municipalities for the temporary suspension on sales taxes involving groceries and school supplies.

There were no further comments or questions forthcoming from the Council or the Public.

VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

There were no additions, deletions, or corrections to the tentative future Council 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, August 16, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/45675/3._08-02-22_city_council_minutes.pdf