City Council

MINUTES WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL December 21, 2021 City Council Chambers A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 by Mayor Michael Turner in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. He explained the Consent Calendar process, 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. A roll call was taken. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Wendy Piersall, Bob Seegers, Gordon Tebo and Mayor Michael Turner. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, Public Works Director Christina Betz, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano and City Clerk Cindy Smiley. Mayor Turner stated he will be adding an Executive Session to this evening’s agenda. City Attorney Schlossberg confirmed this is appropriate, contingent upon the City Council voting to go into Executive Session. III. FLOOR DISCUSSION A. Public Comment There were no comments forthcoming from the Public. B. Council Comments On behalf of the City, Mayor Turner wished to thank Rotary for its outstanding work on Christmas Clearing House, noting it is an exceptional event. Councilman Nierman stated the project provided Christmas deliveries to 1,200 families and 1,800 children this year, noting this event has been going on for 51 years. Mayor Turner stated this is extraordinary, again thanking all involved. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by W. Piersall, second by D. Flynn, to approve the Consent Agenda. In response to a question from Mayor Turner, there were no items removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Council or the Public. In response to a question from Mayor Turner, the following questions were forthcoming from the Public or the Council regarding items remaining on the Consent Agenda.  Woodstock City Council 12/21/21 Page 2 of 5 Item D-1 – Ordinance – Single-Use Bag Fee – Extension to Internet Sales Exemption Noting buyers pay for groceries ordered online prior to pick up or delivery, Councilman Tebo asked how they can be charged for plastic bags unless there is a standard fee applied to these orders. Mayor Turner noted the intent of this ordinance is to extend the exemption for a period of time. Mr. Stelford stated this will provide a window for the City to sit down with the retailers to discuss this challenge, noting some discussions have already taken place. A brief discussion ensued. Councilman Nierman noted Council previously discussed setting up a program so the bag fees are used for educational purposes, benches in the park, or electronics recycling, rather than just going into the Environmental Fund. Mr. Stelford stated this would be resolved during the budget process, which will start in a couple of weeks for the next fiscal year. He noted Council will have an opportunity to discuss this at upcoming budget workshops and give their ideas to Staff for inclusion in the budget. Mayor Turner stated Council is in agreement that it wishes to identify a specific use for this money. Mayor Turner stated he was contacted by someone expressing a concern that someone using a LINK card has to pay for these bags. He stated perhaps the City should find a way to address this as the program continues to evolve, opining it is a good program for many reasons, including the negative impact these bags have on the City’s sewer system. Mr. Stelford stated when this ordinance was originally passed, the Environmental Defenders stated they would assist anyone who needed help obtaining reusable bags. Councilwoman Piersall asked if there is a way to know if there is an impact from this program. She stated some of the vendors are selling their own bags for $0.10 which are heavier than the traditional plastic bags. Mr. Stelford stated heavier bags would not meet the ordinance. Item D-3 – Ordinance – Special Use Permit – Old Courthouse Banquet Facility Councilman Tebo noted parking seemed to be an issue for the Plan Commission as it considered this request. He opined Mr. Moore’s comments in response to this concern that there is a perception that may not be a reality were very appropriate. He stated even so, the City does not have a lot of room to build parking out, but can build up. In response to his question, Mr. Stelford stated it costs about $55,000 per space for constructing a parking garage. Opining this probably will come up in the future, Councilman Tebo suggested using some of the sales tax money for this in the future. Noting he understands the Plan Commission process, Mayor Turner stated he appreciated Mr. Moore’s comments at that meeting. He reminded people that the proposed banquet facility has a capacity of 180 maximum. He opined people attending would come in cars holding 2 to 4 people, meaning this would result in 90 cars. Noting there are 1,400 parking spaces on and around the Square, Mayor Turner opined having an event that results in 90 cars does not sound overwhelming. He agreed this is something that should be looked at and discussed with developers, and that the City will have to deal with this issue in the future, but noted there is a healthy amount of parking. Councilman Nierman agreed with Councilman Tebo’s comments stating, the City should continue to monitor the parking issue, reminding everyone the new businesses in the old BMO Bank will open in the future.  Woodstock City Council 12/21/21 Page 3 of 5 Councilman Nierman asked about who should be obtaining the Special Use Permit. Noting the City is the petitioner for this Special Use Permit, he questioned whether the business should be doing this rather than using City Staff time. In response to a question from Mayor Turner, Mr. Stelford stated there was not a concern with the amount of time Staff spent on this, as they know the process. He stated this is being done to prepare for the future change in ownership and the need for a bank to become involved in the change of ownership. City Attorney Schlossberg stated the City must provide zoning confirmation prior to closing, noting time was of the essence. Item D-4 – Ordinance – IDOT Intergovernmental Agreement – Traffic Signals In response to a question from Councilman Tebo, Ms. Betz noted there is an exhibit in the packet outlining the different responsibilities for the traffic signals. She noted there is an amount set each year for the City’s portion by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Item D-6 – Purchasing – Streets Division Asphalt Roller In response to a question from Councilman Seegers, Ms. Betz stated this is a smaller roller that is a replacement of the City’s previous unit. She noted this is a new piece of equipment that will allow Public Works to do more things than it presently can. Councilman Seegers advocated for the City to own its own grinder so that it can better control the schedule. Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-7 as follows: A. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 7, 2021 City Council Minutes December 7, 2021 City Council Executive Session Minutes B. WARRANTS: 3983 3984 C. MINUTES AND REPORTS: Arts Commission Minutes October 11, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes October 12, 2021 Woodstock Police Department Monthly Report October 2021 D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 194: 1. Ordinance – Single-Use Bag Fee – Extension to Internet Sales Exemption – Approval of Ordinance 21-O-66, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Extending the Exemption of Bags Used for Curbside Pickup or Delivery for Items Purchased Using the Internet. 2. Award of Contract – Construction Engineering Services for Madison-Lake-South Roundabout – Approval of the Engineering Services Agreement submitted by Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc., to provide construction engineering services for the South-Lake-Madison Roundabout project at a total cost not to exceed $319,753. 3. Ordinance – Special Use Permit – Old Courthouse Banquet Facility – Approval of Ordinance 21-O-67, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Issuing a Special Use Permit to Allow a Banquet Facility at the Old Courthouse, 101 N. Johnson Street.  Woodstock City Council 12/21/21 Page 4 of 5 4. Ordinance – IDOT Intergovernmental Agreement – Traffic Signals – Approval of Ordinance 21-O-68, identified as Document 3, An Ordinance Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Woodstock and the Illinois Department of Transportation Regarding State Maintained Traffic Signals on State Highways within the Corporate Limits of the City of Woodstock. 5. Award of Contract – Sewer Line Televising and Cleaning – Authorization to award a contract for the televising and cleaning of storm and sanitary sewer lines to the lowest responsible bidder, Visu-Sewer of IL, LLC., Bridgeview, IL, in accordance with the unit prices, as submitted, and not to exceed $105,600 for FY21/22. 6. Purchasing – Streets Division Asphalt Roller – Approval to purchase one Asphalt Roller from Burris Equipment, Ingleside, IL through the Sourcewell Contract for a total price of $43,377. 7. Resolution – Change Order #2 – 2021 Street Resurfacing Program – Approval of Resolution 21-R-27, identified as Document 4, A Resolution Authorizing Change Order #2 in the Contract for the 2021 Street Resurfacing Program revising the completion date from November 12, 2021 to May 15, 2022. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. V. DISCUSSION Quarterly Financial Reports – Transmittal of the following financial reports for the second quarter of FY21/22: a) Second Quarter Revenues and Expenditures Report; and b) Second Quarter Investment Report. Mr. Christensen stated the City is doing an outstanding job financially. He noted Sales Tax is up, partly due to the Wayfair case, which has resulted in actual sales tax rather than use tax coming to the City from internet sales. He stated expenditures were as expected. Noting building permit fees were down, Mayor Turner urged Staff to advertise and market the City’s reduced impact fees with a targeted campaign. A brief discussion ensued of the reports, with Mayor Turner noting they show increased economic activity. In response to a question from Mayor Turner concerning expenses, Mr. Stelford stated the increase in FY21/22 expenses versus last year is a result of the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 and the furloughing of City staff reducing labor costs as well as other expenses. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Turner stated the next item on the Agenda, as previously stated, is for the City Council to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Personnel – The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body as allowed by 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1). City Attorney Schlossberg again confirmed it is  Woodstock City Council 12/21/21 Page 5 of 5 appropriate and acceptable for the City to add this to the agenda and for Council to adjourn to Executive Session upon a motion by City Council. Motion by D. Flynn, second by G. Tebo, to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing: Personnel (Open Meetings Act: 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body as allowed by 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1). A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. The Woodstock City Council adjourned to Executive Session at 7:30 PM. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION The City Council returned to Open Session at 8:05 PM. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, Gordon Tebo and Mayor Michael Turner COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: none. STAFF PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen and City Clerk Cindy Smiley FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A brief discussion ensued of the future agenda items. Mayor Turner noted Item 2 on the Tentative January 18, 2022 Agenda will be rescheduled to a later date. There were no further additions, deletions, or corrections to the tentative Future Agendas. ADJOURN Motion by W. Piersall, second by L. Lohmeyer, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley City Clerk