City Council

MINUTES WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL May 18, 2021 City Council Chambers A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, by Mayor Michael Turner in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Noting Council meetings have been held virtually over the past year due to COVID-19, Mayor Turner welcomed those present back to the Council Chambers for this momentous occasion. He explained the Consent Calendar process and invited public participation and noted, as is the City’s policy, this evening’s meeting is being live streamed with a recording archived should members of the public wish to view it in the future. City Clerk Smiley confirmed that the agenda before the Council was a true and correct copy of the published agenda. A roll call was taken. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Tom Nierman, Wendy Piersall, Bob Seegers, Jr., Gordon Tebo, and Mayor Michael Turner. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa Lohmeyer STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, Public Works Director Christina Betz, Deputy Public Works Director, Brent Aymond, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Grants/Communications Manager Terry Willcockson, City Clerk Cindy Smiley, and several staff members of the Woodstock Public Works Department. OTHERS PRESENT: none. III. FLOOR DISCUSSION A. Proclamations 1. Proclamation – National Public Works Week, May 16th – 22nd Mayor Turner stated this evening the City is honoring some very important people who work for the City of Woodstock, noting he is happy to see so many Public Works employees present this evening. Without objection the City Council approved and adopted the Proclamation Honoring National Public Works Week 2021 and Woodstock Department of Public Works. Mayor Turner was joined at the podium by Public Works Director Christina Betz. He stated it was his pleasure to read the Proclamation for all to hear. Mayor Turner stated these employees perform the services that are expected and demanded by the residents and do not always receive thanks, noting the City Council appreciates and understands that. He stated the work these employees do is vital to the City and thanked them on behalf of himself and the City Council. Ms. Betz showed a poster entitled Stronger Together, representing the theme of this week. She noted this also represents the Department working together with the community, recognizing the  Woodstock City Council 05/18/21 Page 2 of 6 employees present this evening from the various divisions of the Department of Public Works. Ms. Betz stated these employees also often step up as the first responders during emergencies, thanking them all. She also thanked Mr. Stelford for giving her the opportunity to come to Woodstock to work with this wonderful team. She then thanked the Mayor and City Council for their support of the Department. Mayor Turner again thanked the members of the Department, noting their jobs and responsibilities are of a 24-hour a day nature, which puts high expectations on them and their families, also thanking them for their support. The members of the Department of Public Works were recognized with hearty applause by those present. B. Public Comments There were no comments forthcoming from the Public. C Council Comments Noting action taken at the last Council meeting to facilitate expansion of their business, Mayor Turner thanked the owners of Napoli’s for their commitment to Woodstock. Mayor Turner recognized the City and District 200 for their extraordinary efforts to hold a Prom on the Square for Woodstock High School and Woodstock North High School students. He opined the impact of this effort will be one of the most long-lasting things the community has done, as the students will remember coming out of the pandemic with this event, after having had last year’s Prom cancelled due to COVID-19. He expressed kudos to everyone at the City, Woodstock High School, and Woodstock North High School, and to those members of the community who made this happen. Mayor Turner thanked the Chamber for once again hosting the State of the City. Mayor Turner thanked those on the Keep Woodstock Beautiful Committee and the volunteers for facilitating the annual clean-up day. Mayor Turner reminded all of the upcoming Memorial Day event on May 31st. Mayor Turner recognized the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and the Woodstock Police Department for their response to the serious event that occurred recently at Woodstock Food and Liquor. Mayor Turner recognized Officer Lintner for the very well-done virtual DARE graduation, commending him for the job he has done with the program. Mayor Turner recognized MBI Staffing for their various efforts to recognize and thank the Woodstock Police Department during National Police Week, including providing meals to the Department’s employees. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by D. Flynn, second by G. Tebo, to approve the Consent Agenda.  Woodstock City Council 05/18/21 Page 3 of 6 In response to a question from Mayor Turner, there were no items removed from the Consent Agenda by the Council or the Public. In response to a question from Mayor Turner, the following comments or questions were forthcoming from the Council or the Public regarding items remaining on the Consent Agenda: Item D-2 – Purchase – ALPR and Parking Enforcement Solution Councilman Tebo asked what is being done now in this area. Mr. Stelford stated the Officers now have in-car computers positioned near them, which they use to check license plates when safe to do so. He stated the new system will be automated and use multiple cameras on the car to scan license plates as they go by, coming back with any warrants or stolen vehicles. He stated the new system would automate everything, also providing enhanced investigation opportunities, explaining the Police could go back and identify all of the cars at the time of a crime. He noted parking enforcement is now done manually, explaining the current procedure and noting the new system would also automate this. Item D-6 – Resolution – Benton Street Improvements – RLF Agreements In response to a question from Councilman Tebo, Mayor Turner stated the location of storage of the tables and chairs is yet to be determined, stating the City will look to partner with the businesses to find a solution. Mr. Stelford agreed this is still under discussion, as the City does not have enough storage space available for this. In response to questions from Councilman Seegers, Mr. Stelford stated the funds requested for approval in Item D-6 are for the equipment, not for the façade improvement portion of this project. He stated the facade improvements are not being required for participation in this project at this time, noting Council could make this a requirement, if it was desirable. Mayor Turner stated that is not being voted on at this time. Councilman Seegers opined this project does not pass his theoretical resident benefit index, which should show that any substantial city expense would provide a discernable number of residents with actual benefits from either increased city services, decreased cost of services, increased entertainment value or an increase in city revenue, which would support on going services. He further opined this project is benefitting a small handful of businesses with this expenditure without an appropriate return. Councilman Seegers then opined Benton Street has the most blighted view, which is easily visible by Metra passengers who someday may wish to come to Woodstock. He stated it would be concerning to him if the business owners on Benton would only spend money on equipment to increase their sales volume without improving the building facades to reduce the blighted view. He stated if this were to happen, he would be supportive of discussion of the city reviewing options to require those improvements. Councilman Seegers expressed support of this project, urging the facade improvements be undertaken without the necessity of Council needing to force the issue. Mayor Turner stated the City does have a Facade Improvement Program, which is vetted at the Staff level and then brought to Council for approval. He opined a Council-driven initiative to force facade  Woodstock City Council 05/18/21 Page 4 of 6 improvements would be tricky, stating there are better ways to accomplish this. Noting time is of the essence for this project, he stated in the interest of time, impact, and getting things done for this season, the prior Council made the decision to accelerate this project, which he supports, so there is no coupling the facade improvements with the streets segment. Mayor Turner opined the assessment of a project’s impact is often subjective, citing the bricks on the Square as an example. He stated one should ask does a project meet the needs of the community, opining in that respect this project is worth doing, noting it is not just Metra passengers, but also people of Woodstock who drive by this area. Mayor Turner stated in the past the boardwalk was created with streets being closed off and then lights being added, which improved the appearance of this area. He states he sees this project as an opportunity to continue the momentum. Noting the City’s total risk at the end of the day is $59,000, Mayor Turner opined this is a good investment for something that is not just a one-time thing. He stated when the City is trying to get more residential and other development in that area, this will show a developer things are being done that will build synergy. In response to a question from Councilman Nierman, Mayor Turner noted the Pour House has chosen not to participate in the project at this time, but will have the opportunity to participate in the future should they wish to do so. Mayor Turner noted this is being considered for approval by Council at this evening’s meeting with the final solutions to be determined by the City Administration, stating it is not uncommon to pass such authority on to them. He continued noting Council is asking the City Manager to act on its behalf, which is totally appropriate as time is of the essence. In response to a question from Councilwoman Piersall concerning amplified music, Mr. Stelford stated that is not on the table at this time. He stated, as amplified music is now prohibited, the businesses will not be able to offer it at this point. Mr. Stelford pointed out the other item on this evening’s agenda is closure of Benton Street on May 20th to accommodate the project. He noted they will not have the furniture by that time, but will determine a temporary solution until the new equipment arrives. He noted the other items, including the facade improvements and request for amplified music, will have to come back for Council’s consideration at a future meeting. Item D-1 – Resolution – TIF Inducement, 320 Eastwood Drive In response to a question from Councilwoman Piersall concerning whether this will be a truck stop, Mr. Anderson stated it is the hope that the BP station in question will sell a large amount of diesel fuel, but there are certain parameters involved in meeting the requirements to achieve a truck stop designation. In response to further questions from Councilwoman Piersall concerning the possible sale of liquor and the inclusion of video gaming, Mayor Turner stated he does not wish to presume what the developer wants, preferring to allow them to come forward and approach the City with their request. He opined the corner in question could use redevelopment and improvement aside from those issues, noting the City will work to achieve a balance and then let the body decide. Mayor Turner explained what is being asked for in this action, noting it is a TIF Inducement Resolution, which is a normal and appropriate request.  Woodstock City Council 05/18/21 Page 5 of 6 In response to a question from Councilman Tebo, Mr. Anderson stated the City currently has no truck stops, noting land size and diesel sale volumes are requirements for this designation. He confirmed the gas tax does apply to the sale of diesel fuel. Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-6 as follows: A. WARRANTS: 3954 3955 B. MINUTES AND REPORTS: Opera House Advisory Commission Minutes March 3, 2021 Cultural and Social Awareness Commission Minutes April 12, 2021 Woodstock Public Library Monthly Report April 2021 C. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 179 1. Resolution – TIF Inducement, 320 Eastwood Drive – Approval of Resolution 21-R- 09, identified as Document 1, A Resolution of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois to Induce the Redevelopment of Certain Property within the Woodstock TIF #2 Downtown & Route 47 (320 S. Eastwood Dr.). 2. Purchase – ALPR and Parking Enforcement Solutions – Authorization to approve CIP/grant funding for ALPR and Parking Enforcement Systems, for a total not to exceed $71,373.30 to purchase: a) $46,960.00 for two (2) Vigilant ALPR Solutions from Motorola; b) $13,714.30 for one (1) TickeTrak parking enforcement solution from Cardinal Tracking; and c) $10,699.00 to purchase computer interface/integration between the ALPR and the parking enforcement systems. 3. Special Use Permit – Crematory 1253 Cobblestone – Adoption of Ordinance 21-O- 32, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Issuing a Special Use Permit to Allow a Crematory at 1253 Cobblestone Way, Woodstock, Illinois. 4. Ordinance – Surplus Vehicles – Approval of Ordinance 21-O-33, identified as Document 3, An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Personal Property Owned by the City of Woodstock. 5. Award of Contract – Pavement Marking – Authorization to award a contract for the 2021 Pavement Marking Program to the lowest responsible bidder, Maintenance Coatings Company, South Elgin, IL in accordance with the unit prices as submitted for an amount not-to-exceed $106,222.92. 6. Resolution – Benton Street Improvements – RLF Agreements – Approval of Resolution 21-R-10, identified as Document 4, A Resolution Authorizing Loan Agreements Between the City of Woodstock and Benton Street Businesses, which provides authorization for the City Manager to develop loan agreements between the City of Woodstock and Benton Street businesses with a combined total of $125,000 in  Woodstock City Council 05/18/21 Page 6 of 6 principal subject to identified loan parameters as well as final review and approval by the City Attorney’s Office, to execute the final loan agreements, to take any action necessary to finalize and implement these transactions, and to transfer funds from the General Fund to the Revolving Loan Fund to provide necessary funding. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: L. Lohmeyer. Motion carried. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Turner noted the anticipated addition of the reduction of the City of Woodstock building permit fees to the June 1st agenda. Councilman Flynn suggested the addition of an update from Real Woodstock to the June 15th agenda. Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to hold a Special Strategic Planning Workshop on Thursday, June 3, 2021 with the time to be determined. There were no other additions, deletions, or corrections to the future agendas. Noting the ordinance which provides for no City Council meeting the first Tuesday of July, Mayor Turner wished to suggest that Council have a discussion meeting on July 6th, considering its full calendar. He asked the Council members to think about this. ADJOURN Motion by D. Flynn, second by B. Seegers, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: D. Flynn, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: L. Lohmeyer. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley City Clerk