City Council

MINUTES WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL City Council Chambers March 17, 2020 A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, by Mayor Sager in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Mayor Sager noted there are Council members who will be attending telephonically. A roll call was taken. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Gordon Tebo, Michael Turner, and Mayor Brian Sager. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Wendy Piersall and Jim Prindiville STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, Assistant City Manager/ Finance Director Paul Christensen, Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, and Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano. City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg attended telephonically. OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk Cindy Smiley TELEPHONIC ATTENDANCE Motion by M. Turner, second by G. Tebo, to allow Council members Wendy Piersall and Jim Prindiville to attend this meeting of the Woodstock City Council telephonically. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor Brian Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: W. Piersall and J. Prindiville. Motion carried. A roll call was taken. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Wendy Piersall, Jim Prindiville, Gordon Tebo, Michael Turner and Mayor Brian Sager. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: none Mayor Sager acknowledged an amended agenda with the addition of the telephonic attendance of Councilmembers Piersall and Prindiville and the removal of the presentations by members of the District 200 music program and of the annual report from Real Woodstock, both of which have been postponed to a later date. He noted the amended agenda was appropriately posted and noticed. City Clerk Smiley confirmed the agenda before the Council was a true and correct copy of the published agenda. .  Woodstock City Council 03-17-20 III. FLOOR DISCUSSION – A. Proclamation – Music in Our Schools Month Without objection, a Proclamation Designating Music in Our Schools Month was approved and adopted by the City Council. Mayor Sager read the Proclamation for all to hear and extended congratulations to all those in the community involved in music. B. Public Comment There were no comments forthcoming from the Public. C. Council Comment There were no comments forthcoming from the City Council. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by M. Turner, second by L. Lohmeyer, to approve the Consent Agenda. In response to a question from Mayor Sager, the following items were removed from the Consent Agenda by the Council or a member of the Public: Item D-1 – Ordinance – Emergency Powers by Mayor Brian Sager Item D-6 – Award of Contract – Façade Improvement – 216 Main Street by Councilwoman L. Lohmeyer In response to a question from Mayor Sager, there were no questions or comments forthcoming from the City Council or the Public concerning items remaining on the Consent Agenda: Mayor Sager affirmed the Consent Agenda to include Items A through C, D-2 through D-5, and D-7 as follows: A. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS March 3, 2020 City Council Workshop B. WARRANTS: #3896 #3897 C. MINUTES AND REPORTS: Economic Development Commission January 9, 2020 Environmental Commission January 9, 2020 Old Courthouse & Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission January 13, 2020 Opera House Advisory Commission January 21, 2020 Opera House Advisory Commission February 18, 2020 Plan Commission December 5, 2019 Plan Commission January 23, 2020 Human Resources Report January 2020 Human Resources Report February 2020 2  Woodstock City Council 03-17-20 D. MANAGER’S REPORT NO. 152 2. Resolution – Motor Fuel Tax – Approval of Resolution 20-R-03, identified as Document 2, A Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code, which appropriates $1,035,000 of Motor Fuel Tax funds from May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021. 3. Resolution – Neighborhood Revitalization Program – CDBG - Approval of Resolution 20-R-04, identified as Document 3, A Resolution Authorizing Application to the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Program through McHenry County for Designation of a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) to Implement a Neighborhood Improvement Initiative. 4. Award of Contract – Brine Tank, First St. Water Treatment Plant – Approval of a contract with Consulting Engineers, Baxter & Woodman, for an amount not-to- exceed $23,800 for services described in their Work Order identified as Engineers Project No. 200431.40 related to the construction of an underground dual-chamber brine tank at the First Street Water Treatment Plant. 5. Award of Contract – Roof Framing Replacement, First Street Water Treatment Plant – Authorization to approve a contract with Wold Architects and Engineers for the provision of design drawings, construction documents, bidding and construction administration services for the replacement of a roof section at the First Street Water Treatment Plant for a fee not-to-exceed $11,025 and miscellaneous incidentals not-to- exceed $3,975. 7. Ordinance – Tax Levy Abatement – Approval of Ordinance 20-O-20, identified as Document 4, An Ordinance Abating a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy for the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois A roll call vote was taken on items A through C, D-2 through D-5, and D-7. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner and Mayor B. Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. Item D-1 – Ordinance – Emergency Powers Mayor Sager provided a summary of the proposed ordinance noting this afternoon he made a Declaration of Local Emergency. He stated the ordinance places the municipality in a better position to access state and federal funds should they be needed and made available. He stated it also allows for greater flexibility to assigning labor. Mayor Sager stated the declaration demonstrates to residents and businesses the serious nature of the present health concerns and the collaborative nature of the work of all Departments and Staff of the City and noted there were 3  Woodstock City Council 03-17-20 five other municipalities who made simultaneous declarations today all of whom are working closely together. He stated he is proud of all City Departments and Staff for their work to prepare for this situation and for their response to the public. Mayor Sager stated the Ordinance being considered tonight would allow for an opportunity to extend the State of Emergency period as appropriate, identifying a variety of processes and procedures for doing that. He stated the City’s wish to assure residents and businesses that it is working closely with other governments to be well informed and to encourage residents to be diligent in their approach to this situation. He encouraged all to visit the City’s website for more information and to avoid gatherings of more than 50 persons. He noted tonight’s telephonic attendance of two Council members and the reconfiguration of seating is an attempt to do this. Noting national news reports, Councilman Tebo asked if the City has any buildings which could be used as hospital rooms in an emergency or if any plans are being made for this. Mayor Sager replied there are currently no specific plans, but the City has close outreach to the hospital and the Fire District, and that McHenry County Emergency Planning is working hard to ensure adequate facilities are available. He noted all bodies are working together in a collaborative manner. Concerning the proposed Ordinance, Councilman Turner asked if there is something that terminates the provisions related to expenditure appropriation. Mayor Sager noted the time period of the declaration can be extended by the Mayor or by a vote of the City Council in concert with the Mayor and also may be terminated. He noted the declaration is in concert with the County and has the same termination date, stating this is flexible and may be reduced by the City if that is appropriate for the community. Councilman Turner stated his question is not about Mayor Sager or this Council, but rather about some point in the future, noting he is cautious about the process of giving away meetings and processes. Mayor Sager stated this action is statutory with the State statutes and noted the proposed ordinance addresses this concern. City Attorney Schlossberg noted Sections 1.D addresses this specific matter, stating it provides that the Mayor or the City Council can terminate the declaration. She further noted this item must be placed on every agenda of the City Council, so the Council has to address this at every meeting, stating this was suggested to be placed in the proposed Ordinance by Mayor Sager. She stated Section 1.E makes it clear the rights of the City Council remain unchanged. There were no comments or questions forthcoming from the Public. Motion by M. Turner, second by D. Flynn to approve Ordinance 20-O-21, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Amending Title 1, Chapter 5, Section 1.5.1H of the Woodstock City Code Regarding the Duties of the Mayor to Declare a State of Emergency. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor B. Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. 4  Woodstock City Council 03-17-20 Item D–6 – Award of Contract – Façade Improvement – 216 Main Street Councilwoman L. Lohmeyer recused herself and left the Council Chambers at 7:29 PM. Motion by M. Turner, second by G. Tebo, to approve allocation for paint and awning work at 216 Main Street, approximately 47% of the exterior improvement costs, up to $5,000 from TIF #1 funds. There were no comments or questions from the City Council or the Public. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor B. Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: L. Lohmeyer. Motion carried. Councilwoman L. Lohmeyer returned to the Council Chambers and rejoined the proceedings at 7:32 PM. V. DISCUSSION 1. Transmittal of FY20/21 Budget Mayor Sager stated Staff has been working diligently over the past several weeks to put the Budget together and asked Mr. Stelford for comments. Mr. Stelford stated Staff is proud to turn this Budget over to Council, noting it is also on the City’s website. He noted many of the decisions for this document were made in January and February stating going forward the City Administration will watch closely and make any corrections based on what is happening now. He opined there may be changes in revenue and expenditures, and that associated priorities may need to shift. He stated Staff will work on making sure the Budget meets the City’s needs. Mayor Sager noted this is a transmittal and urged Council to read the City Manager’s Budget Letter and the Budget with the caveat just discussed by Mr. Stelford. He opened the floor to questions or comments from the City Council. Mr. Stelford responded to questions submitted by Councilwoman Piersall, stating property taxes are collected by the County, describing what happens at the County level if they are not paid. He opined challenges are not anticipated. Concerning funds collected by the State to be distributed to the City, Mr. Stelford noted the State puts those dollars aside in special funds and in turn distributes them to local governments. He stated if collections are less, the City receives less in revenue. He noted the State did reduce the amount of income taxes distributed to the City in 2007/08 with the State not sharing all with the local governments. Mr. Stelford stated it could be anticipated that income tax revenue would decline over the next year with the City’s share declining also. Mayor Sager stated the timing of the transmittal from the State to the local governments is at the discretion of the State with Mr. Stelford agreeing the State can hold the funds to meet its own needs. In response to further questions from Councilwoman Piersall, Mr. Stelford stated the amount of sales tax revenue received from the restaurants and bars can be found in the Budget, noting it 5  Woodstock City Council 03-17-20 represents 9% of all sales taxes collected or $397,000. He stated it is anticipated the City will see a reduction in the MFT that is tied to roads. He noted the City is not reliant on this to fund the debt, stating overall he would encourage the City to move forward with the street improvements. He stated this is a prime time to issue government debt, explaining this further. He stated Staff is aggressively exploring the ability for the City to move this forward, noting it could result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings over the 20 years of the bond. He stated construction costs may also be cheaper due to the lower price of oil. Mr. Stelford stated it would be Staff’s recommendation to be aggressive and move forward with the program as it would benefit to the community and the local economy. There were no comments or questions forthcoming from the Public. 2. Quarterly Financial Reports – Transmittal of the following financial reports for the Third Quarter of FY19/20: a) Third Quarter Revenues and Expenditures Report b) Third Quarter Investment Report Mr. Christensen noted these reports are through January 31st at which point the City was doing very well, stating during the last month and a half, things have changed. He stated his wish to assure Council the City has sufficient reserves to weather the current situation. Mayor Sager expressed appreciation to Staff for their diligent work on these reports and the Budget. He also expressed appreciation for the comments on the reserves, which will allow the City to remain stable and meet its financial responsibilities. 3. Schedule City Council Workshop – Enhanced Streets Program Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to schedule a Special City Council Workshop on Monday, April 20th at 3:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no changes, additions, or deletions to the tentative future agendas. ADJOURN Motion by G. Tebo, second by L. Lohmeyer, to adjourn the meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, J. Prindiville, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor B. Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley City Clerk 6