McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met Oct. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order by Mayor Turner at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 14, 2022 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 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: Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Wendy Piersall, Bob Seegers Jr., and Mayor Michael Turner.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Darrin Flynn and Gordon Tebo.

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, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, City Planner Darrell Moore, Deputy Public Works Director Brent Aymond, 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

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by W. Piersall, second by L. Lohmeyer, to approve the Consent Agenda.

In response to a question from Mayor Turner, no items were 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:

Item D-2 – Old Courthouse Lease – MobCraft Beer, Inc.

Mayor Turner stated the City is very excited to now have a lease with MobCraft Beer for space in the Old Courthouse Center, noting MobCraft has locations in Milwaukee and Denver, with this being their first Illinois location. Ms. Gulli stated MobCraft is very excited to be part of the project. Mr. Christensen opined their space is phenomenal, inviting Council members to view it.

Item D-5 – Change Orders – Bulley & Andrews

In response to questions from Councilman Nierman, Mr. Christensen stated the floors have not been opened up, which could result in additional change orders.

In response to questions from Councilman Seegers, Mr. Christensen stated the summary of the budget for the Old Courthouse project found in the Council packet does include the estimated cost of the Public House remodeling, but does not include the agreement for their closure, as TIF funds cannot be used for that. He stated there are no refinancing costs included, explaining this further.

Mayor Turner stated he had many conversations with City Staff regarding the items on the list, which the City feels to be contingency items, and therefore should be considered as part of the guaranteed maximum cost. He expressed his appreciation for the background they gave him on this item. He stated Staff will continue to be diligent on items they feel should be considered as part of the guaranteed maximum costs.

In response to a question from Councilman Seegers, Mayor Turner explained the City entered into a fixed cost project with Bulley and Andrews. He stated if the City wants changes or if something unanticipated comes up, such as finding asbestos, this will result in a change order for which the City is responsible. He stated a contingency is something that should be under the guaranteed maximum cost and Staff is being diligent in making sure these things are included as contingencies, which are applied as part of the guaranteed maximum cost, rather than a change order.

He stated it should be no surprise that items would come up that could not have been anticipated until the walls and floors are opened up. He further opined things will come up as the project proceeds that will make the buildings better and, therefore should be done, and that there is the potential that other things could be discovered as the process begins with the Public House. He stated no one should think this will be the last change order, but everyone can be sure Staff is being diligent about this.

Item D-6 – Police Pension FY21/22 Annual Statement/Actuarial Report

Noting he has been looking at these reports for many years, Mayor Turner stated there have always been ups and downs, asking Mr. Stelford to provide additional information.

Mr. Stelford talked about the analysis that is done, stating these costs fluctuate over the years. He agreed with Mayor Turner that this is one of the down years due to economic conditions. He also talked about the efforts the City makes to control Public Safety costs, stating Woodstock is very competitive to other communities its size. He commended Mr. Christensen and the Police Pension Board for being proactive in controlling investment management fees.

Mayor Turner stated this is one of the things that Council must rely on the expertise of Staff, noting it is not Council’s area of expertise to manage this through the ebbs and flows of the market. He expressed his appreciation for this, noting its importance.

Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-6 as follows:

A. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

October 4, 2022 City Council Minutes

B. WARRANTS: 4024 4025

C. MINUTES AND REPORTS

Cultural and Social Awareness Commission Minutes July 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 2022 Library Board of Trustees Minutes August 2022 Police Department Monthly Report August 2022

D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 213:

1. Ordinance – Annexation of Certain Territory Located Behind 801-999 South Eastwood Drive to the City of Woodstock – Approval of Ordinance 22-O-54, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Annexing Unincorporated Territory Located Behind 801-999 S. Eastwood Drive to the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois.

2. Ordinance – Old Courthouse Lease – MobCraft Beer, Inc. – Approval of Ordinance 22-O-55, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Authorizing a Lease Agreement between the Woodstock Courthouse LLC and MobCraft Beer, Inc., for the Lease of Lower Level and Front First Floor Spaces in the Old Courthouse Center Sheriff’s House at 101 S. Johnson Street subject to the inclusion of any final minor changes to the Lease Agreement that are approved by the City Manager and subject to review by the City Attorney.

3. Resolution – TIF Inducement - 823 Lake Avenue – Approval of Resolution 22-R 25, identified as Document 3, A Resolution of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, to Induce the Redevelopment of Certain Property within the Woodstock TIF#2 Downtown and Route 47 (823 Lake Avenue).

4. Award of Contract – Cleaning Services for City Facilities – Award of Contract, utilizing Home Rule Authority, for custodial services at five (5) public facilities to Eco Clean Maintenance, Inc., Elmhurst, IL, for a total monthly service cost not to exceed $6,611, and to be made effective on October 18, 2022 with the expiration date of September 30, 2023.

5. Change Order – Bulley & Andrews – Authorization for the City Manager to approve various Change Orders related to the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Renovations in the amount of $602,767.03 for October with Bulley & Andrews.

6. Police Pension FY21/22 Annual Statement/Actuarial Report – Acceptance of the Police Pension Fund’s FY21/22 Annual Statement and the Actuarial Report prepared by Nyhart, which recommends an employer contribution of $1,591,931 for the 2022 Police Pension property tax levy.

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

V. DISCUSSION

There were no Discussion items.

VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

In response to questions from Councilwoman Piersall, Ms. Betz confirmed the snow removal plan for Emricson Park is the same as last year and stated Staff will reach out to St. Mary’s church to request they clear the snow on the sidewalks adjacent to their cemetery.

Mayor Turner reminded Council of the Special Meeting to be held on Friday, November 4, 2022 to view presentations from prospective developers of the Die Cast Property.

There were no further additions, deletions, or corrections to the tentative future Council agendas.

ADJOURN

Motion by B. Seegers, second by T. Nierman, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to its next regular meeting on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: D. Flynn and G. Tebo. Motion carried.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/45681/10-18-22_city_council_minutes.pdf