McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met Oct. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order by Mayor Michael Turner at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. He explained the Consent Calendar process and invited public participation. This meeting was livestreamed.

A roll call was taken.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Melissa McMahon, Tom Nierman, Bob Seegers, Jr., Gordon Tebo, Natalie Ziemba and Mayor Michael Turner.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, Executive Director of Business Development Danielle Gulli, Executive Director of Operations Christina Betz, City Engineer Chris Tiedt, Utilities Manager Mike Rousey, Grants Writer Barb Szul, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson and City Clerk Jane Howie.

OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Prindiville.

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

III. FLOOR DISCUSSION

A. Public Comment

There were no comments forthcoming from the Public.

B. Council Comment

Councilman Seegers said he received a message from the organizer of the Pro-Life Event, Carolyn Sweeney, who extended compliments to both J. Howie and the Police Officer who worked the event. R. Stelford said he would pass this along to Chief Lieb.

Mayor Turner mentioned the serious incident last week, (the home explosion) and extended his heartfelt thanks to Woodstock Fire/Rescue District along with several neighboring fire departments. He added that the entire team of WFRD with Chief Parker did an outstanding job. In addition, he commended City staff, the Woodstock Police Department, the Department of Public Works and the entire team for going into quick-action mode, getting communications out quickly to the public and the press. He thanked The Woodstock Independent as well as City staff for adding resources to the City's website for residents that were affected by the disaster. He extended special thanks to Jackie Speciale on behalf of the American Red Cross for all her/their assistance. He shared his appreciation to those in the community that donated goods and funds (Go Fund Me pages) for all the folks who were directly affected. He added that WFRD is handling this incident. Mayor Turner recognized that Nicor Gas had a sizeable presence as well as their Community Affairs Representative to set expectations and advise of the situation. He said Nicor reacted very quickly that day in a very tough situation. Thanks to all involved.

Councilwoman McMahon thanked two shop owners, EmpowHer Boutique and Redwood & Sage, as they opened their businesses to act as a collection site for donations. In response to Councilman Tebo, Councilwoman McMahon said gift cards and Go Fund Me is a great way to assist those in need.

Mayor Turner said the claims process will take some time. Nicor Gas provided a lot of the information needed. Councilwoman McMahon asked if the information can be added to the City's website in Spanish and if hard copies can be made available for Woodstock's Spanish-speaking residents. R. Stelford said he will look into this.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Flynn, second by Tebo, to approve the Consent Agenda.

In response to a question from Mayor Turner, no items were pulled from the packet.

Councilman Seegers had questions about Item D-1 regarding the budget, specifically the Rec Center Fund. He said there is an increase of 20.2% for front desk staff. He asked what caused the cost of labor increase? And, why was this large increase not forecasted? R. Stelford said he will look into this further and report back to Council.

There was a bit of discussion about the Water & Sewer - CIP Fund as it pertains to the Enhanced Streets Improvement Program and why it wasn't up to $10M. It was noted that the water main work on Lake Avenue was requiring a portion of the budgetary funds. R. Stelford confirmed that the Enhanced Streets Improvement Program will be under budget.

The City's Health Fund was discussed and R. Stelford explained the overage in claims and the availability of the stop-loss provision. He added that each year a small handful of folks are likely to unfortunately undergo serious medical issues. The City incurs those costs and then later is reimbursed if they exceed the stop-loss levels.

Councilman Nierman had questions about Item D-3, Antigua Grill, as it pertains to video gaming machines. He wanted to confirm that the machines won't be seen through the front windows and that the interior area will be screened from customers. Mayor Turner confirmed that they will have to abide by the rules.

There was some concern about adding video gaming to Trademark Events, which is a new banquet hall/ event venue, as this would be the first of its liquor license classification to have video gaming. Several Council members wanted clarification on what hours video gaming would be allowed along with what events would constitute as private or public events. Some examples of public events would be bingo and karaoke; private events could include weddings, birthdays and Quinceaneras. Attorney Schlossberg mentioned that the City Code may need some revisions to provide specific events and times of service; this is not in any way similar to a bar/tavern liquor license. Mayor Turner believes that the owner will act appropriately and with the best intentions. If not, his liquor license could be in jeopardy. City Manager Stelford agreed with Mayor Turner and said City staff will be watchful.

Councilman Seegers agreed that we should revise the code before this is approved. There was a consensus by Council members. In response to a question from Councilman Tebo, it was confirmed that video gaming licenses are not determined by a formula using the City's population.

There was a bit of discussion about signage for video gaming establishments, which is only allowed in the first 60 days after the City issues the municipal video gaming license. After that, video gaming signage may not be displayed outside and any indoor signage must not be viewed from the outside.

Resident Jim Prindiville thanked the City Council for their consideration of a potential development on his property located at 101 S. Jefferson Street, Item D-4 on this evening's Agenda.

Councilman Seegers asked if the City has anything to do with the Police Pension Fund, Item D-6. He added that it doesn't look like a regular City fund being that it's up 6.2% year after year. R. Stelford confirmed that this is regulated outside of the City.

Councilman Seegers made a motion to amend the motion for approval of the consent calendar of all items A - D-7, splitting the question on item D-3, to remove the requested approval for video gaming for Trademark Events and postpone this item to a time specific to the first meeting in November, second by Councilman Nierman.

Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A - D-7, with the approval of a video gaming license for Trademark Events (Item D-3) being postponed until the November 7th Council meeting.

A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Flynn, McMahon, Nierman, Seegers, Tebo, Ziemba and Mayor Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

A. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

1. October 3, 2023 City Council Minutes

B. WARRANTS

1. #4072

2. #4073

C. MINUTES AND REPORTS

a. Cultural and Social Awareness Minutes July 18, 2023

b. Environmental Commission Minutes July 6, 2023

c. Environmental Commission Minutes September 7, 2023

d. Human Resources Monthly Report September, 2023

e. Opera House Advisory Commission Minutes August 22, 2023

D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 235:

1. Ordinance – FY22/23 Final Budget Amendments

Approval of an Ordinance 23-0-49, identified as Document #1, providing final amendments to the FY22/23 Budget for the City of Woodstock, Illinois.

2. Ordinance - Class A-5, Banquet Hall/Event Venue - Trademark Events

Approval of an Ordinance 23-0-50, identified as Document #2, amending Section 3.3.6, Classification of Licenses; Number and Fees of the Woodstock City Code, for the creation of a new Class A-5 Banquet Hall/Event Venue liquor license and issuance to Trademark Events, LLC, located at 240 Throop Street, Suite A, contingent upon fulfillment of all requirements.

3. Video Gaming -- Antigua Mexican Grill

Approval of a Video Gaming License for Antigua Mexican Grill, Liquor License Class A- 6, Restaurant/Caterer. Consideration of a Video Gaming License for Trademark Events is postponed until time specific of the November 7th, City Council meeting.

4. Resolution – TIF Inducement - 101 S. Jefferson Street

Approval of a resolution 23-R-13, identified as Document #3, to induce the redevelopment of certain property within the proposed Woodstock TIF #2 - Downtown & Route 47 Redevelopment Project Area (101 S. Jefferson Street and adjacent parcels.)

5. Tolling Agreement – Third Addendum – Video Gaming Push Tax

Approval and execution of the Third Addendum to the Tolling Agreement, identified as Document #4, with the municipalities Algonquin, Carpentersville, Lake in the Hills, and McHenry, and the video gaming terminal operators J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC, Gold Rush Amusements, Inc., Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Lattner Entertainment Group Illinois, LLC, Eureka Entertainment, LLC, Velasquez Gaming, LLC, Ashiq Gaming, LLC, and Pocket Aces Gaming, Inc. for the purpose of tolling the City's video gaming Push Tax.

6. Police Pension FY22/23 Annual Statement/Actuarial Report

Acceptance of the Police Pension Fund's FY22/23 Annual Statement and the Actuarial Report prepared by Nyhart, which recommends an employer contribution of $1,846,017 for the 2023 Police Pension property tax levy.

7. Contract Extension - Custodial Services

Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract extension for custodial services for six (6) public facilities from October 2, 2023 to September 30, 2024 to Eco Clean Maintenance, Inc. of Elmhurst, IL for a total price not to exceed $111,624.

V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

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

Councilwoman Ziemba asked if Item 9, Die Cast Site TIF Redevelopment Agreement - Chicago Hubs Realty, would be on the agenda for an actual vote. In response, D. Gulli said yes, this is likely to remain on the November 7th agenda and would be ready for a vote. Councilman Nierman requested staff's documents be shared with Council members earlier than the normal schedule for this item. Mayor Turner said staff and the petitioner have had many discussions over the past several months and they've been negotiating to determine the best decision for the City and petitioner. Staff will provide documents to Council members before Friday afternoon, November 3rd, if this item is ready for Council's consideration at the November 7th agenda.

Councilman Tebo asked if there's anything new since Council's meetings with staff last week. D. Gulli said the developer will receive the City's final draft and recommendations very soon. With due diligence, the extended time will assist in making the best decisions. Phases 1, 2 & 3 will be presented to Council.

VI. ADJOURN

Motion by Flynn, second by McMahon, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall.

Ayes: Flynn, McMahon, Nierman, Seegers, Tebo, Ziemba, and Mayor Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/46491/city_council_minutes_10-17-23.pdf