McHenry Times

City of Woodstock City Council met Feb. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order by Deputy Mayor Darrin. Flynn at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 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 PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Melissa McMahon, Bob Seegers, Jr., Gordon Tebo, and Deputy Mayor Darrin Flynn. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Nierman, Natalie Ziemba, and Mayor Mike Turner, 

STAFF PRESENT: City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Executive Director of Strategy & Planning Paul Christensen, Executive Director of Operations Christina Betz, Police Chief John Lieb, Economic Development Director Jessica Erickson, Building and Planning Director Joe Napolitano, Parks & Recreation Director Mark Pentecost, Grant Coordinator Barb Szul, and City Clerk Jane Howie. 

OTHERS PRESENT: Attending telephonically, Mr. Alex Padrnos, representing KEBB CS- WK, LLC. 

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

III. FLOOR DISCUSSION 

Anyone wishing to address the Council on an item not already on the agenda may do so at this time. 

A. Public Comments: 

Ms. Kathy Olson, a current member of the Woodstock Recreation Center, was made aware of the ongoing design of conceptual plans for the future renovations to this City facility, which will need to be approved by the Council. She is a racquetball player and feels slighted by the current design, and would like a racquetball court to remain an amenity being offered by the Recreation Center. 

Deputy Mayor Flynn said there has not been a final decision regarding the design of this project yet. He has spoken with City Manager Stelford and other staff members, along with the City's Consultant, Nurture, and these discussions are continuing. Ms. Olson reiterated that there are people interested in keeping the racquetball courts. 

Councilman Tebo asked if there's talk about the courts being repurposed. Director Pentecost noted the preliminary plan is to remove the one existing court and two former racquetball courts that have already been repurposed, but they are investigating other options. Overall, the City staff are looking at the highest and best use of the space for the facility. In response to Councilman Tebo's question, Director Pentecost confirmed that there would not be a new racquetball court in the most recent design. Councilman Seegers asked about the current use statistics for this amenity and if staff considers the use by residents vs. non-residents. The current racquetball court experiences around 60% non-resident use. However, they are members of the Recreation Center. Director Pentecost said racquetball courts have been phased out, and the City of Woodstock has one of the last courts in the area, with the closest option believed to be in Arlington Heights. Director Pentecost said they are running about a 33% rate of court use, approximately six hours of the 18 hours per day that they're open. This court is also used for a flex space, stretching, etc. The facility had originally offered three courts, but now just one is still in use. 

In response to Councilman Tebo, Director Pentecost said the current plan includes a new entrance, a socialization space, workspace for staff, and expansion of fitness space. Plans will be presented to the Council in the future. If the City were to move forward with a second floor, it would include space for cardio equipment, two rooms for general programming, and a room for more passive fitness. In response to Deputy Mayor Flynn, Director Pentecost confirmed that if the racquetball court remains, it would hinder the construction of a second floor. Deputy Mayor Flynn thanked Director Pentecost for the information. 

B. Council Comments: 

Deputy Mayor Flynn provided information about the upcoming Firelight Family Walk, an evening stroll on Friday, March 7th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Emricson Park. Councilwoman McMahon mentioned the recent snowstorm and commended DPW for cleaning all the snow, recognizing their hard work and long hours. 

IV. CONSENT AGENDA 

Motion by Councilman Tebo, second by Councilman Seegers, to approve the Consent Agenda, 

In response to a question from Deputy Mayor Flynn, the following item was removed from the Consent Agenda by Council or the Public: 

• Item D-2 was removed by Councilman Seegers 

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

Item D-3 

Deputy Mayor Flynn asked City Attorney Schlossberg to review the scrivener's error related to the Special Service Area Ordinance being considered by the Council. City Attorney Schlossberg explained that the total area provided in the legal description needed to be removed in two parts of the Ordinance, as it had been accidentally included; however, all of the other information was correct. 

Councilwoman McMahon noted the HR Monthly Report was difficult to read and asked for revisions to the format. 

Deputy Mayor Flynn affirmed the Consent Agenda to include Items A, through D-1 and D-3, as follows: 

A. ACCEPTANCE OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 

1. February 4, 2025 City Council Minutes 

B. WARRANTS 

1. #4136 

2. #4137 

C. MINUTES AND REPORTS 

1. HR Monthly Report September through December, 2024 

2. HR Monthly Report January, 2025 

D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 265: 

1. Ordinances - Property Tax Abatements (265a) 

Approval of various Ordinances authorizing the annual abatement of property taxes related to the City's Alternate Revenue Source and General Obligation Bonds: 

a. Approval of Ordinance #25-0-09, known as DOC. 1, abating the levy of the additional tax imposed for the purpose of borrowing money and issuing $2,350,000 principal amount General Obligation Waterworks and Sewerage Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2016, of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, for the purpose of refunding all or a portion of the City's outstanding General Obligation Waterworks and Sewerage Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2008A; and 

b. Approval of Ordinance #25-0-10, known as DOC.2, abating the levy of the additional tax imposed for the purpose of borrowing money and issuing $9,430,000 principal amount General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020A, of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, issued for constructing roadway improvements for the City of Woodstock; and 

c. Approval of Ordinance #25-0-11, known as DOC. 3, partially abating the levy of the additional tax imposed for the purpose of borrowing money and issuing $9,385,000 principal amount General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021, of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, issued for constructing roadway improvements for the City of Woodstock; and 

d. Approval of Ordinance #25-0-12, known as DOC. 4, partially abating the levy of the additional tax imposed for the purpose of borrowing money and issuing $9,000,000 principal amount taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022A, of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, issued for renovations to the Old Courthouse for the City of Woodstock; and 

e. Approval of Ordinance #25-0-13, known as DOC. 5, partially abating the levy of the additional tax imposed for the purpose of borrowing money and issuing $9,860,000 principal amount General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022B, of the City of Woodstock City Council Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, issued for constructing roadway improvements for the City of Woodstock; and 

f. Approval of Ordinance #25-0-14, known as DOC. 6, partially abating the levy of property taxes imposed for the purpose of borrowing money and issuing $13,500,000 principal amount General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024, of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, issued for constructing roadway and waterworks improvements for the City of Woodstock, 

3. Ordinance - Establishing a Special Service Area (SSA) for Riverwoods Subdivision (265c) 

Approval of Ordinance #25-0-15, known as DOC. 8, proposing the establishment of Special Service Area Number 17 within the City of Woodstock and providing for a public hearing and other procedures in connection therewith for the property commonly known as the Riverwoods Subdivision. 

Ayes: McMahon, Seegers, Tebo, and Deputy Mayor Flynn, Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Nierman, Ziemba, and Mayor Turner. Motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda. 

Item D-2 - Ordinance - First Amendment to a Redevelopment Agreement by and among the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois and KEBB CS-WK, LLC, identified as Document #7: 

Deputy Mayor Flynn noted that Mr. Alex Padrnos, representing the developer KEBB CS-WK, LLC, was available to answer the Council's questions. Councilman Seegers said he is a bit paranoid due to our experience with the Die Cast site. City staff has put a considerable amount of time into this project, so should the Council request a change to the agreement to provide a form of financial assurance from the developer that the project will move forward? Economic Development Director Erickson said the redevelopment agreement has been executed between the two parties, so that would need to be a separate amendment. She understands the Council's concerns; however, City staff has confidence, based on the preliminary design submittals, that the project is moving forward. 

Two factors have required the need to modify the milestones in the current agreement. One is on the City's end, which was an update to the hotel study that took longer than expected, and the other is on the developer, who is experiencing some delays with architectural and design firms. Staff has considered some sort of escrow or something similar for future redevelopment agreements; however, retroactively incorporating this requirement may not be possible or recommended. Councilman Seegers said he understands, but he will not be in favor of any future redevelopment agreements without financial assurances being in place. 

Mr. Padrnos said they've been making strides with this project and have submitted it for preliminary design review. He noted the cost for the design process for the hotel is in the range of $150,000-$250,000. They continue to invest time and money in this project. Councilman Seegers asked about a finance contingency for this project and asked if the agreement addresses this contingency. Mr. Padrnos confirmed that is true. Councilman Seegers said he's extremely happy about their decision to invest in Woodstock, but he wants to protect the City's resources. 

Director Erickson said one of the first milestones is to have them provide the City with proof of financing. Unfortunately, the City's consultant preparing the update to the hotel study took longer than they estimated. Councilman Seegers opined that financing is the biggest part of the project, and the City of Woodstock is very excited to have this investment in a hotel. He will vote in favor of this amendment tonight. Councilman Tebo said he agreed with Councilman Seegers. Councilman Tebo said there were red flags with the Die Cast project's developer. He opined these developers should have "skin in the game" going forward. 

Motion by Councilwoman McMahon, second by Councilman Tebo, to approve Ordinance 25-0- 16, identified as Document #7. Ayes: McMahon, Seegers, Tebo, and Deputy Mayor Flynn, Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Nierman, Ziemba, and Mayor Turner. Motion carried. 

V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

No Council comments or changes. 

VII. ADJOURN 

Motion by Councilman Tebo, second by Councilman Seegers, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the Budget Workshop meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. 

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. 

https://www.woodstockil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02182025-492