McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met May 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 on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 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 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, 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, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Public Works Director Brent Aymond, City Engineer Chris Tiedt, Chief John Lieb, Grants Manager Willcockson, Grants Writer Barb Szul, IT Director Dan McElmeel, Deputy Chief Rob Pritchard, Opera House Managing Director Daniel Campbell, Marketing Assistant Jonathon Napiorkowski, many members of the Woodstock Police Department and Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie. 

OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmembers-elect Melissa McMahon and Natalie Ziemba, Circuit Court Judge Tiffany Davis, Ms. Shawna Flavell and Mr. Kevin Ivers from McHenry County Conservation Foundation, and Ms. Gloria Van Hof and Ms. Lou Ness, County Board Members. 

Chief Deputy City Clerk Howie confirmed the agenda is a true and correct copy of the published agenda. 

CONSENT AGENDA: 

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

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. 

IV. ADJOURN SINE DIE 

Mayor Turner noted all business of this current sitting body has been completed. 

Motion by Councilwoman Piersall, second by Councilwoman Lohmeyer to adjourn this meeting. There was a consensus by Council to adjourn, followed by hearty applause. 

V. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Turner asked Wendy Piersall to join him at the podium. Mayor Turner thanked Ms. Piersall for her public service over the years. He said, although they are both political junkies, they haven't always agreed, but they have become friends. Mayor Turner added that this Council formed a great team of passionate, respectful members with a common purpose and goal. He added that it has been his pleasure to serve with Wendy over the past four years. 

Ms. Piersall thanked Mayor Turner and Council members and thanked the public for this honor to serve. Hearty applause followed. 

Mayor Turner asked Lisa Lohmeyer to join him at the podium. Mayor Turner said that Ms. Lohmeyer did a remarkable thing by becoming a Council member at the young age of 29-years old. She took the leap into local politics and joined a public body that works so well together! He added that maybe she'll have a future in public service. Mayor Turner thanked Ms. Lohmeyer for her service and said she was valued and she will be missed. 

Ms. Lohmeyer said she is proud of the work of this Council, and she is very confident of staff and the incoming Council members. Hearty applause followed. 

Mayor Turner said, to fill those two seats, we are honored to welcome two new council members, who will be sworn-in this evening, along with a second term for Councilman Darrin Flynn. 

Judge Tiffany Davis came to the center of the room to introduce herself as a 25-year resident of Woodstock. She thanked Mayor Turner for serving the City of Woodstock. 

VI. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS 

Circuit Court Judge Tiffany E. Davis joined the proceedings, stating it is her pleasure to be present for this occasion. 

Judge Davis swore in Councilman Darrin Flynn. Hearty applause followed. 

Judge Davis swore in Councilwoman Melissa McMahon. Hearty applause followed. 

Judge Davis swore in Councilwoman Natalie Ziemba. Hearty applause followed. 

VII. CALL TO ORDER OF NEWLY-SEATED CITY COUNCIL 

Mayor Turner invited the newly-seated Woodstock City Council member to take their seats. 

VIII. ROLL CALL 

A roll call was taken. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: D. Flynn, M. McMahon, T. Nierman, B. Seegers, G. Tebo, N. Ziemba and Mayor M. Turner. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None. 

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

IX. FLOOR DISCUSSION 

A. Proclamations: 

1. Public Service Recognition Week (5/7-5/13) 

Mayor Turner read the Public Service Recognition Week Proclamation. ED Christensen, ED Gulli and ED Betz accepted this Proclamation on behalf of City staff. Mayor Turner said he didn't fully appreciate the City of Woodstock employees until he became more involved in Council. He added that this is a very well run City with an excellent staff. There was hearty applause by the audience. 

2. National Police Week (5/14-5/20) 

Mayor Turner was joined at the podium by Chief John Lieb where he read the Proclamation for all to hear. Chief Lieb shared a story about "Below 100," which is an initiative to try to keep the number of officers killed in the line of duty below 100. Chief Lieb added that this initiative has unfortunately taken a 'back seat' and that our country has seen such an increase in violence among our society, which is negatively impacting police officers. He shared statistics from 2022 and 2023, so far. Chief Lieb said it takes a special individual to become a Police Officer, who swears an oath to uphold the constitution and the City's ordinances, as well as protect our residents and visitors. He thanked the men and woman of the Woodstock Police Department who work to keep Woodstock safe. He thanked the City Council and community for their support and added that it has been his privilege to be the Police Chief for the past seven years. Hearty applause followed. 

B. Presentation – McHenry County Conservation Foundation 

Kevin Ivers congratulated the outgoing and incoming Council members. He stated that the McHenry County Conservation Foundation was developed in 1999 with a passion for preserving and protecting the natural areas. Mr. Ivers shared his presentation for all present to view. He added that in 2018, the Foundation hired their first Executive Director. This group is volunteer driven. He explained the difference between the conservation district vs. the conservation foundation, which helps to bridge the gap in public funding to maintain the public lands. He explained the purpose of the foundation, which is able to access grant funds, and how your property taxes are spent. He shared some of the work the foundation manages in McHenry County. 

Foundation Executive Director Shawna Flavell thanked Council for having them here to present this evening. She mentioned the pandemic, and how one of the good things to arise was bringing more people out into nature. They want this to grow, but they need volunteers. She mentioned that, if possible, they'd like to be included in newsletters, as they are looking for donations, volunteers and community support, which allows them to do the work they do. Mayor Turner thanked Mr. Ivers and Ms. Flavell for the partnership they have throughout the county. He added that conservation is very important to the City of Woodstock and this community. 

C. Public Comments 

Ms. Gloria Van Hof, County Board Member, District #2, thanked the Council members for stepping up and running for office. She knows it takes a lot of work and determination. She congratulated the two new Council members. Mayor Turner thanked Ms. Van Hof for her work at the County. 

Ms. Lou Ness, 466 W. Jackson Street, County Board Member, District #7, said she is Woodstock's voice at the County. With a rapidly growing corridor, Ms. Ness said Woodstock is tracking to be the largest city in the county. She thanked the Council members; she knows what a difficult job it is. 

Ms. Ness wanted to share her thoughts about Chicago Hub Realty (CHR) and the Die Cast site. She said that she was excited when CHR was chosen. She opined this is the best project she's seen in a very long time. She added that she was happy when the City applied for and received the $1.9M grant from the County Board. She believes Chicago Hub Realty's development to be innovative, creative and very exciting. And, she is happy that the County can be partners in this project. 

Ms. Ness continued on to say that she read about the Plan Commission's recent vote on this project, and she found some of the Commissioner's comments unacceptable. She asked if the concerns related to zoning can be worked out; she believes so. She noted that data confirms that the senior population is growing and seniors are purchasing homes now more than ever. She added that seniors are vibrant, they volunteer and they get involved in the community. She appreciates the ordinance and zoning concerns from the Plan Commission, she's concerned that it hit the press. She assumes the City doesn't plan to give the County's grant money back. She added that as a resident and County Board member, she 100% supports this project. She'd like to see something happen with this property that has been sitting vacant for decades. She believes members of this Council are supportive of this project. She loves Woodstock; she loves living here. Woodstock has created an opportunity for walkability to shopping, theatre, parks, etc. She thanked the City Council for their time. 

Mayor Turner thanked Ms. Ness for her service and for being here tonight. Mayor Turner agreed that the development is unique, innovative and creative, which is why he is supportive of this project. He added that they are exceptionally grateful for the $1.9M for this project; the City has no chance of giving this money back. He explained that the Plan Commission is an advisory board and respected as such. 

Kathy McNeil, 281 Prairie Ridge Drive, is interested in having the City build outdoor pickleball courts. She said pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports. She named some of the neighboring towns with outdoor courts. Ms. McNeil hopes that this can be considered here in Woodstock. 

In response, Mayor Turner said staff has discussed this option and the City is interested in this, as well. D. Gulli added that the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting has this topic on the Agenda for their May 9th meeting. She added that staff is looking at some tennis courts and a basketball court, which could possibly be transformed into pickleball courts. Mayor Turner invited Ms. McNeil to attend the May 9th Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to share her interest. 

D. Council Comments: None. 

X. CONSENT AGENDA 

Motion by Councilman Seegers, second by Councilman Flynn to approve the Consent Agenda. 

In response to a question from Mayor Turner, none of the 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. 

Councilman Tebo asked if the funding for items C-4: Contract Award - 2023 Enhanced Streets Improvement Program and item C-5: Contract Awards - Lake Avenue Watermain Replacement Project are both part of the Enhanced Streets Improvement Program, as this contract award would generate budgetary savings. Staff affirmed this is true. 

Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through C-8, as follows: 

A. WARRANTS: 4050 4051

B. MINUTES AND REPORTS 

 Woodstock Police Department Monthly Report March 2023 

C. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 225: 

1. Appointments/Re-appointments of Board/Commission Members (225a) 

Mayor's Appointments/Re-appointments of Board/Commission Members to the City's Boards and Commissions. 

2. Ordinance – Approval of Class D Liquor License – Mary's Mexican Grill (225b) 

Approval of an Ordinance Amending Section 3.3.6, Classification of Licenses; Number and Fees of the Woodstock City Code, which would add one Class D liquor license for Mary's Mexican Grill, 108 Cass Street, contingent upon fulfillment of all identified requirements, and rescind one existing Class A-6 liquor license for Americano Inc., 11671 Catalpa Lane. 

3. Ordinance Amend Section 6.4C.9, Inspections, Access to Premises, of Title 6, Chapter 4, Regarding Meter Inspections (225c) 

Approval of an Ordinance Amending Section 6.4C.9, Inspections, Access to Premises, of Title 6, Chapter 4, Regarding Meter Inspections. 

4. Contract Award - 2023 Enhanced Streets Improvement Program (225d) 

Approval to award a contract for the 2023 Enhanced Streets Improvement Program to the lowest responsible bidder, Geske and Sons, Inc., of Crystal Lake, Illinois in accordance with the unit prices, as submitted, for an amount not to exceed $4,872,029.98. 

5. Contract Award - Lake Avenue Watermain Replacement Project (225e) 

Approval to award a contract for the Lake Avenue Watermain Replacement Project to the lowest responsible bidder, Bolder Contractors, Inc. of Cary, Illinois in accordance with the unit prices, as submitted, for an amount not to exceed $2,716,110.20. 

6. Addendum #1 to Professional Services Agreement to Include Construction Engineering Services (2251) 

Approval of Addendum #1 with Trotter and Associates, Inc. to provide Construction Engineering Services for the 2023 Enhanced Streets Improvement Program and the Lake Avenue Watermain Replacement Project and authorize the City Manager to execute said contract, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney, at a total cost not to exceed $788,244. 

7. Contract Extension – Road Rock Salt FY23/24 (225g) 

Approval of a one-year contract extension for the purchase and delivery of rock salt for use during ice control operations to Morton Salt, Inc., Chicago, IL, for no greater than a unit price of $96.86 per ton.

8. GWA Agreement (Old Courthouse) (225h) 

Approval of an agreement with Studio GWA dated April 13, 2023 for architectural services related to the Old Courthouse for the period of May through July 2023 and authorize the City Manager to execute said agreement, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney, for a cost not to exceed $30,000. 

XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

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

XII. ADJOURN 

Motion by Councilman Flynn, second by Councilman Tebo, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to its next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: D. Flynn, M. McMahon, T. Nierman, B. Seegers, G. Tebo, N. Ziemba and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/46481/city_council_minutes_5-2-23.pdf