City Council

MINUTES WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL City Council Chambers November 3, 2020 A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3, 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 Governor’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, Communications/Grants Manager Terry Willcockson and City Clerk Cindy Smiley. STAFF ATTENDING REMOTELY: Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, IT Director Dan McElmeel, Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Public Works Director Christina Betz, and City Planner Darrell Moore. Mayor Sager noted the presence of a quorum under the revised rules of the Governor during this COVID-19 emergency. City Clerk Smiley confirmed the agenda before the Council is a true and correct copy of the published agenda. III. FLOOR DISCUSSION A. Proclamation – Philanthropy Month Mayor Sager stated Woodstock and McHenry County are fortunate for the exceptional work done by so many individuals and organizations on behalf of others and so many worthy causes. He noted the Friends of the Library, Friends of the Opera House, Friends of the Old Courthouse, and McHenry County Community Foundation as examples of wonderful philanthropic organizations, noting they and so many other entities bring people together to help others in need. Without objection, the City Council approved and adopted A Proclamation Honoring Philanthropy Month in Woodstock – November 2020. Mayor Sager read the proclamation for all to hear. .  Woodstock City Council 11-03-20 Mayor Sager expressed his appreciation for all who share their gifts, finances, and time to help others. He also expressed his thanks to Communications/Grants Manager Willcockson for crafting the proclamation, and sharing her gifts and talents. Public Comments Jan Vanderspool spoke about the road conditions in front of 1215 Gerry Street and other areas in the City. He stated his family is in its 7th year of driving on a deteriorated roadway, showing examples of the asphalt they must drive over. Mr. Vanderspoel was critical of the City’s plan of spending only $1 million on streets each year, opining it leads to deteriorating roadways and that they have been neglected for decades. He opined all funds from all departments, including the library, should be dedicated to roads. Mayor Sager opined there is not an individual in the community that does not think something should be done about the roads. He stated the City Council and City Staff have had hours of discussion about how to address the streets and has determined it will take $55 – $60 million to bring the streets up to an acceptable level. He noted the past economic downturn resulted in many things being put on hold. Mayor Sager stated in recent years the City has been investing $2.2 million per year into streets with $8.6 million being allocated this year. He then provided information on the Five-Year Plan being considered by the City Council, which would bring the City’s streets into a satisfactory condition within five years. He noted the City does have a capacity to bond again as current bonds are expiring. Mayor Sager explained the City does not work on streets “worst to first” because of new technology, explaining further how this prolongs the lives of streets. Mayor Sager stated funds cannot be put into streets from other departments as this would mean cuts, which residents would not accept. Mayor Sager assured Mr. Vanderspool the City has spent a lot of time on this issue and has an extensive plan that has identified every single street and its condition and what needs to be done. He thanked Mr. Vanderspool for his comments. Council Comments There were no comments forthcoming from the City Council. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by M. Turner, second by D. Flynn, to approve the Consent Agenda. In response to a question from Mayor Sager, the following items were removed from the Consent Agenda by the City Council or the Public: • Item D-1 – Approval of a Class A-2 Liquor License for Lucky Café, 460 S. Eastwood Drive by Councilman Prindiville • Item D-8 – Woodstock Restaurant Relief Program by Councilman Turner based on the request of a member of the public. In response to a question from Mayor Sager, there were no questions or comments forthcoming from the Public or the City Council concerning items remaining on the Consent Agenda. 2  Woodstock City Council 11-03-20 Mayor Sager affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through C and D-2 through D-7 as follows: A. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING October 20, 2020 City Council Meeting B. WARRANTS #3928 #3929 C. MINUTES AND REPORTS Zoning Board of Appeals Commission July 23, 2020 Zoning Board of Appeals Commission August 11, 2020 Historic Preservation Commission September 28, 2020 Public Works Department Monthly Report September 2020 D. MANAGER’S REPORT NO. 167: 2. Resolution – Preliminary Property Tax Levy - Approval of Resolution 20-R-15, identified as Document 2, A Resolution Estimating the Calendar Year 2020 Property Tax Levy in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Act (35ILCS 200/18-60). 3. Ordinance –Variation for 420 Donovan Avenue – Approval of Ordinance 20-O-77, identified as Document 3, An Ordinance to allow a porch expansion having a front-yard setback of 12.7 feet at 420 West Donovan Avenue. 4. Ordinance – Variation for 529 Fremont Street – Approval of Ordinance 20-O-78, identified as Document 4, An Ordinance Granting a Variation from UDO Section 7B.3.2 (Accessory Uses and Structures) to allow an Accessory Structure to be Located One Foot from Side and Rear Lot Lines at 529 Fremont Street. 5. Resolution – IDOT ROW Maintenance Agreement – Approval of Resolution 20-R-16, identified as Document 5, A Resolution Pertaining to Maintenance and Improvement Activities by the City of Woodstock within State Highways. 6. Ordinance – Special Use Permit – Dental Office – Jewel Shopping Center – Adoption of Ordinance 20-O-79, identified as Document 6, An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to allow a Dental Office at 935-941 Country Club Road, Woodstock, Illinois. 7. Ordinance – City Code Amendment – Franklinville Road and Moraine Road - Approval of Ordinance 20-O-80, identified as Document 7, An Ordinance Providing for an Amendment to the Woodstock City Code Providing for Revisions to Various Traffic Schedules. 3  Woodstock City Council 11-03-20 A roll call vote was taken on items A through C and D-2 through 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 – Approval of a Class A-2 Liquor License for Lucky Café – 460 S. Eastwood Drive Councilman Prindiville stated he is not in favor of this liquor license because of the future video gaming request, so he would not be voting to approve. Mayor Sager noted the City now has its maximum number of video gaming licenses allowed, stating the petitioner knows that he will not be eligible for a video gaming license unless that changes. Motion by M. Turner, second by G. Tebo, to approve Ordinance 20-O-81, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Amending Title 3, Chapter 3, Liquor Control of the City Code, increasing the number of Class A-2 liquor licenses by one for Lucky Café, 460 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, IL contingent upon fulfillment of all identified requirements. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, W. Piersall, G. Tebo, M. Turner, and Mayor B. Sager. Nays: J. Prindiville. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. Item D-8 – Woodstock Restaurant Relief Grant Program Councilman Turner deferred to the member of the public who wished this item removed, Randy Tipps. Mr. Tipps commended City Staff and the City Council for what they have done to keep the health and welfare of the community safe while helping the businesses as the City has gone through the pandemic, noting they have been proactive with programs and assistance. He expressed appreciation for the City trying to maintain a balance between the businesses and the health of the community. Mr. Tipps opined it might be time to get Real Woodstock involved in this effort, encouraging them to look at other opportunities to help. Mr. Tipps stated he thinks the proposed program is great, but has some questions. He stated since March most business owners have strived to do the right thing, with a few choosing to not follow precautions causing a few issues. He asked if there is anything within the proposed program that pertains to those establishments that are not following precautions and ignoring safety guidelines, and if the grants are being offered to those establishments who have chosen to remain open. Mayor Sager stated there is nothing in the program which makes sure applicants are abiding by the regulations, noting there is a bottom line understanding that licensing ability is always in jeopardy if an establishment is a spreader of COVID-19. He stated the City is trying to achieve a balance with it being up to the County Health Department to oversee the public health of the County. He noted other communities are taking a similar approach and are in the process of implementing such a program. 4  Woodstock City Council 11-03-20 Mayor Sager stated tremendous thanks are owed to Terry Willcockson and Garrett Anderson who have worked hard to prepare for this situation, noting the community is prepared because of their fine work. He stated they secured the $1 million in CURE finances, noting Woodstock was the first community in the County to receive these funds. He stated the City also received a grant in the amount of $300,000, which means with other funds identified by the City, there is $500,000 available for this grant program. He stated because the City has been proactive, assistance is able to be offered right away. Mayor Sager noted because Mr. Anderson created a matrix for distribution, requests for applicants have already been issued, meaning grant awards can be distributed the last week of this month. He stated the community is very fortunate City Staff was proactive and knows how to get things done to bring money into the municipality to help our businesses. In response to a question from Councilman Prindiville, Mayor Sager stated the Governor’s guidelines calling for no indoor dining are not law, but rather guidelines put forth under Executive Order of the Governor. Councilman Turner expressed appreciation for the Mayor’s comments, noting the City is in a unique position to offer this assistance. He stated the only thing that will stem the hemorrhage that is occurring in the hospitality industry is when the businesses can come back. He stated the City does not have enough funds to be the solution, but can offer help as a stopgap. Mr. Tipps expressed appreciation for the clarification. There were no further questions or comments from the Public or the City Council. Motion by M. Turner, second by D. Flynn, to establish the Woodstock Restaurant Relief Grant Program as follows: • Funding will be provided by utilizing the $300,000 in grant funds awarded by the IL DCEO and $200,000 in additional funding from the City of Woodstock; • Program eligibility will be based on “restaurant/bar” designation by the McHenry County Department of Health, with City Staff provided flexibility to approve exceptions; • All available grant funds for this program will be dispersed based on the allocation formula recommended by City Staff, utilizing an evaluation of reductions in revenue for the seven- month period, with City Staff provided flexibility to approve exceptions; • In addition, the City Administration is authorized to release final grant disbursements to eligible restaurants and bars in an expedited manner in November, with the actual payments then forwarded via the Warrant at the next City Council meeting. 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. 5  Woodstock City Council 11-03-20 V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no additions or deletions to the Future Agendas. VI. ADJOURN Motion by D. Flynn, 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, November 17, 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 8:52 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley City Clerk 6