City Council

MINUTES WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL City Council Chambers October 6, 2020 A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, by Mayor Sager in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Mayor Sager noted this meeting of the Woodstock City Council is being held under the Mayor’s Emergency Declaration with Council members attending remotely and those attending at City Hall observing social distancing. He stated it is being livestreamed as is the City’s policy. Inviting all to participate, Mayor Sager explained the procedures to be used by the City Council, City Staff, and the Public to join today’s meeting, including how comments may be made and questions asked. Mayor Sager explained the Consent Calendar. A roll call was taken. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS: Mayor Brian Sager. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT ATTENDING REMOTELY: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Wendy Piersall, Jim Prindiville, Gordon Tebo, and Michael Turner. COUNCIL ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, and Grant Writer/Communications Manager Terry Willcockson. STAFF ATTENDING REMOTELY: Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, IT Director Dan McElmeel, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Library Director Nick Weber, and City Engineer Chris Tiedt. OTHERS PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS: City Clerk Cindy Smiley. OTHERS PRESENT REMOTELY: Friends of the Old Courthouse Board President Julie Miller. Mayor Sager noted the presence of a quorum under the revised rules of the Governor during this COVID emergency. City Clerk Smiley confirmed the agenda before the Council is a true and correct copy of the published agenda. III. FLOOR DISCUSSION Donation to the Woodstock Public Library by the Don Witty Family Mayor Sager stated many individuals in the community have known the Witty family for a number of years. He stated he is taken with their corporate citizenship and their dedication to the larger community. Mayor Sager stated members of the Witty family are present remotely this evening to make a contribution to the Woodstock Public Library in honor of their father, Don. He noted Don Witty was a role model in terms of public service, talking about his many contributions to organizations in .  Woodstock City Council 10-06-20 Woodstock, including serving on the Woodstock Public Library Board for 30 years. He also acknowledged Mr. Witty’s wife of many years, the talented artist Jill Witty, and their children and grandchildren. Mayor Sager noted $5,000 in contributions went to the Library in Mr. Witty’s name, to which the family is adding $15,000 for a total donation of $20,000. He stated this money will be used for the Donald Witty Reference Desk, which is a center of information for the community. Mayor Sager expressed both his and the community’s deep gratitude to the family for this donation and to Mr. Witty for his many contributions to the community, noting he was the ultimate community- minded individual. Library Director Nick Weber expressed the Library’s gratitude and thanked the family for this contribution, noting how much he and staff valued the donation and the time Mr. Witty gave to the Library and the community, noting he was a strong proponent of the Library. Mr. Weber noted this donation is doubly wonderful in this difficult time. He stated his hope the Library will dedicate the Donald Witty Reference Desk in the near future and that the family will attend. Mayor Sager stated his pleasure at having a number of members of the Witty family attending remotely this evening, acknowledging and welcoming them. On behalf of the Witty family, Peter Witty thanked the Mayor and Mr. Weber for their kind words. He stated his father was a great believer in small towns and believed Woodstock was the greatest of them. He talked about the significance his father felt the Woodstock Public Library brought to the community, stating his father felt a library was the glue of any small town. Councilman Tebo noted he has known the Witty family since moving to Woodstock, stating he does not think one can find a better family. He stated Don Witty was a great friend and it is great to see him honored. Mayor Sager stated the community began to rise up because of the contributions made by Mr. Witty over the years. On behalf of the City Council, the Library Board, and the community, he thanked Mr. Witty for his years of service. He stated he knows this took his time away from Mr. Witty’s family and thanked them as well for their contribution. He stated the Donald Witty Reference Desk will bring great opportunities to many generations yet to come. Friends of the Old Courthouse Donation Julie Miller, President of the Friends of the Old Courthouse Board, stated she is proud to present a check in the amount of $10,000 to be used for the restoration of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House, donating a total of $40,000 on behalf of their group to this project. She talked about the purpose of the Friends’ group and the various fundraisers held to raise these funds. Mayor Sager thanked Ms. Miller and the Friends’ group for their donations and their hard work on behalf of the Old Courthouse. Proclamation – Manufacturing Month in Woodstock Mayor Sager stated it is his honor to proclaim October as Manufacturing Month in Woodstock, noting the importance and significance of manufacturing in Woodstock including to the tax base and to its employees. 2  Woodstock City Council 10-06-20 Without objection, the City Council adopted and accepted a Proclamation Honoring Manufacturing Month in Woodstock October 2020. Mayor Sager read the proclamation for all to hear. Mayor Sager extended his gratitude to the manufacturing community and to each individual engaged in that sector for their contributions to the life of the Woodstock community. Public Comments There were no comments forthcoming from the Public. Council Comments There were no comments forthcoming from the City Council. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by M. Turner, second by G. Tebo, to approve the Consent Agenda. In response to a question from Mayor Sager, the following item was removed from the Consent Agenda by the City Council or the Public: • Item D-6 – Ordinance – City Code Parking Amendment, No Parking Greenley Street by a member of the Public and supported by Councilman Turner In response to a question from Mayor Sager, the following questions or comments were forthcoming from the Public or the City Council concerning items on the Consent Agenda. Item D-9 – Ordinance – Surplus Equipment Disposal Mayor Sager made a correction to this item, noting the sign in question is at the intersection of Kishwaukee Valley Road and Route 14, not at the intersection of Calhoun and Eastwood. Lighting of the Square Commission Report Mayor Sager noted the City Council had, at a previous meeting, asked Staff to take a look at all suggestions brought forward concerning Lighting of the Square. He stated they did so, putting many hours in to see if the Lighting of the Square could take place safely during these times, considering various factors. He stated they concluded it would be better to hold a virtual Lighting that will be filmed and made available to the Public. Mayor Sager stated businesses were surveyed, and the majority are in agreement. He noted the Gingerbread House Walk will be held virtually as well. There were no Public comments on items remaining on the Consent Agenda. Mayor Sager affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-5 and D-7 through D-12 as follows: A. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING September 15, 2020 City Council Budget Workshop B. WARRANTS #3923 #3924 #3925 3  Woodstock City Council 10-06-20 C. MINUTES AND REPORTS Board of Fire and Police Commissioners June 1, 2020 Economic Development Commission June 4, 2020 Economic Development Commission September 3, 2020 Environmental Commission June 4, 2020 Environmental Commission July 13, 2020 Historic Preservation Commission June 4, 2020 Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission & Historic Preservation Commission Joint Meeting May 18, 2020 Plan Commission September 24, 2020 Police Pension Commission January 14, 2020 Police Pension Commission April 20, 2020 Woodstock Public Library Trustees May 14, 2020 Woodstock Public Library Trustees June 11, 2020 Woodstock Public Library Trustees July 9, 2020 Human Resources Monthly Report August 2020 Department of Public Works Monthly Report August 2020 Lighting of the Square Committee Report October 2020 D. MANAGER’S REPORT NO. 165: 1. Ordinance – Reimbursement of COVID-19 Expenses – CURES Program – Approval of Ordinance 20-O-70, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Pertaining to the Local Cure Program, authorizing the Mayor & City Clerk to execute all required agreements and any additional documentation pertaining to the State of Illinois’ Local Cure Program for COVID-19 reimbursement, as well as ratification of any previous actions. 2. Ordinance – Resubdivision – Aldi Site – Northeast Corner of Lake Avenue and American Way – Approval of Ordinance 20-O-71, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Approving a Final Plat for Kensington Resubdivision at the Northwest Corner of Lake Avenue and American Way, Woodstock, Illinois 3. Ordinance – Zoning Map Amendment, 124 N. Madison Street – Approval of Ordinance 20-O-72, identified as Document 3, An Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment from B3 Service and Retail District to B2C Central Business District for the property at 124 N. Madison Street, Woodstock, Illinois. 4. Ordinance – Zoning Map Amendment, 304 W. Calhoun Street – Approval of Ordinance 20-O-73, identified as Document 4, An Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment from B4 Office District to B2C Central Business District for the property at 304 W. Calhoun Street, Woodstock, Illinois. 5. Purchase – Schryver Avenue Property – Authorization for the City Manager to execute all appropriate contracts and additional documentation, as well as take all necessary steps and expend funds, for the purchase of the vacant parcel (PIN 13-08-156-011) currently 4  Woodstock City Council 10-06-20 owned by McHenry County for the amount of $795, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney’s Office. 7. Award of Contract – Custodial Services – Authorization to waive the requirement for competitive bids and to award a contract for custodial services at City Hall, the Library, Public Works, Opera House and the Recreation Center to Eco Clean Maintenance, Inc, Elmhurst, IL for a monthly fee not-to-exceed$6,073 through September 30, 2021 and that unit prices of $0.17/ sq. ft. to strip, wax, and buff tile floors; $0.14/sq. ft. to clean carpets; and $520 per month to clean the train station be approved and applied on an “as needed” basis as determined by City staff. 8. Award of Contract – HVAC Preventative Maintenance and Hourly Rates – Authorization to award a contract to Sherman Mechanical Inc., Cary, IL based upon the rates and preventative maintenance costs as submitted in their proposal. 9. Ordinance – Surplus Equipment Disposal – Approval of Ordinance 20-0-74, identified as Document 7, An Ordinance Authorizing the Disposal of Items of Personal Property Owned by the City of Woodstock, designating these items to be surplus property and authorizing and directing the City Manager to dispose of said property as allowed by law. 10. Award of Contract – Waste Water Treatment Plant Facility Plans – Authorization to award a contract for professional services from Baxter & Woodman, Inc., to update the Facilities Planning Report for the North and Southside Wastewater Treatment Plants for a total cost not-to-exceed $50,000. 11. Award of Contract – Rec Center Dectron Dehumidifier Replacement – Approval of a contract with Sherman Mechanical, Inc., Cary, IL, to purchase and install an Eight-Ton Dectron Dehumidifier serving the area housing the pool and whirlpool at the Woodstock Recreation Center at a cost not-to-exceed $49,000. 12. DC Cobbs – Benton Street Tent/Closure Request – Authorization for the City Manager to approve a request to erect a tent on the public way and the continued closure of Benton Street until November 30, 2020. A roll call vote was taken on items A through D-5 and D-7 through D-12. 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-6 – Ordinance – City Code Parking Amendment, No Parking Greenley Street Lee Wilson, Lake Avenue, stated her property backs up to Greenley Street and expressed her objection to the proposed action, noting she has lived there for 23 years and there has never been a problem. 5  Woodstock City Council 10-06-20 Describing the location of her home, she stated there was nowhere for her guests to park except on Greenley Street and described the problems the proposed action would create for her especially during holiday gatherings. At the request of Mayor Sager, Mr. Van Landuyt described how this proposed action came about, noting the requester stated cars are continually going over the curb damaging the parkway when trying to park on Greenley Street because of the narrow width of the road. Mr. Van Landuyt stated a survey was sent to the neighbors with Mrs. Wilson being the only resident to negatively respond. He noted one option would be for Mrs. Wilson’s guest to park on Vine Street. Mr. Van Landuyt confirmed Mayor Sager’s statements that this street was actually and historically an alley, which became a residential street and is the reason why it is only 18-feet wide and presents various vehicular challenges, including parking, going over the curb and damage to the parkway. He noted it is not a high-traffic area. Discussion ensued concerning various answers to the identified challenges, including the proposed action. Suggestions discussed included establishment of No Parking only on the petitioner’s side of the street; turning a portion of right-of-way into a public parking area, perhaps using a portion of Mrs. Wilson’s or other private property; making Greenley a one-way street; and having a “no parking here to corner” area. At the request of Mayor Sager, City Engineer Chris Tiedt provided information on the right of way and sidewalks on Greenley. In response to a question from Mrs. Wilson, Mayor Sager explained the location of the public right-of-way. Councilman Turner expressed support of moving the parking away from Mr. Hill’s area and to Mrs. Wilson’s side of the street. Councilman Prindiville expressed support of moving the parking to the other side of the street, but questioned using gravel to create a parking area, opining it would detract from the appearance of the street. Dave Hill, 140 Greenley, noted the request did not come from only him. Noting he owns two properties fronting on Greenley, he described the configuration of the street with other properties having side yards and backing up to Greenley. He stated there is a very low curb and the various issues and problems he has had due to the configuration of the street and people parking on the parkway. He stated this street is below the standards of the City and opined it should not support parking. In response to a question from Councilman Turner, Mr. Hill confirmed the problem is people parking on the parkway, which causes ruts. Mary Ann Hill, 140 Greenley, agreed the problem is the ruts caused by people parking on the parkway, but opined allowing parking on either side of the street will not solve the problem, stating there is not enough space for parked cars and two cars driving in the opposite direction. Mayor Sager suggested postponing this item to a time specific so Staff can look into the various suggestions and have conversations with the residents to find a satisfactory approach and then bring this request back to the Council for further consideration. Councilman Prindiville requested that those 6  Woodstock City Council 10-06-20 who spoke this evening reach out to Council to discuss the situation. Councilman Turner asked Staff to look at implementation of a one-way street and using part of the north side of the street for parking. Motion by M. Turner, second by J. Prindiville, to postpone Item D-6 – Ordinance – City Code Parking Amendment, No Parking Greenley Street to a time specific, namely the next regular City Council meeting on October 20, 2020. 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. V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no additions or deletions to the Future Agendas. VI. ADJOURN Motion by G. Tebo, second by L. Lohmeyer, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting to be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 in the Council Chambers at 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. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley City Clerk 7