City Council

MINUTES WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL August 16, 2022 City Council Chambers A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall by Mayor Turner. He explained the Consent Calendar process, invited public participation, and noted, as is the City’s policy, this meeting is being livestreamed with a recording archived should members of the public wish to view it in the future. A roll call was taken. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Wendy Piersall, Bob Seegers, Jr., Gordon Tebo and Mayor Michael Turner. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Darrin Flynn. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, Deputy City Manager/Executive Director of Strategy & Planning Paul Christensen, Executive Director of Business Development Danielle Gulli, Executive Director of Operations Christina Betz, Chief John Lieb, IT Director Dan McElmeel, City Planner Darrell Moore, Grants Manager Terry Willcockson, and City Clerk Cindy Smiley. City Clerk Smiley confirmed the agenda is a true and correct copy of the published agenda. III. FLOOR DISCUSSION A. Presentation – Real Woodstock Update Melissa McMahon of the Chamber of Commerce presented the Quarterly Report on Real Woodstock’s marketing efforts from February 2022 through July 2022. Ms. McMahon provided information on social media usage during the quarter, noting usage was up on all platforms except YouTube, which was down from Groundhog Days. She stated it is expected to rise once again with the addition of new content. Ms. McMahon then provided information on Real Woodstock’s advertising efforts with Star 105.5, which includes an on-going ad campaign and co-op radio ads that are available to local businesses, and the Woodstock Independent, which includes 23 half page and 5 full page ads, as well as co-op ads that also promote six to eight local businesses. She provided information on Real Woodstock’s other marketing efforts including articles and advertisements in multiple Northwest Quarterly publications, a three-page co-op ad in Geneva Lakes Area Visitor’s Guide and a full-page ad in the MCYSA Baseball program, and detailed Real Woodstock’s partnership with the Chicago Wolves including additional takeovers due to highly- attended post-season playoff games. Finally, Ms. McMahon told those present about filming activity in Woodstock when actor/comedian/TV host John McGivern brought his Main Streets television show to film in Woodstock, noting the show focused on Woodstock’s business, tourism, and residents.  Woodstock City Council 08/16/22 Page 2 of 5 In response to Councilmembers’ questions, Ms. McMahon explained post reach/engagement, noting Real Woodstock’s posts had 8% to 15% post engagement, while most posts in the industry average 5%. She explained negative feedbacks, noting most of these are generated by bots rather than real people and stated she responds to all comments from real people. Ms. McMahon also described how the Main Street filming came about as a result of the City’s marketing efforts, noting most previously-featured communities were in Wisconsin. Mayor Turner commended Real Woodstock for its efforts, expressing his appreciation for the City’s partnership with the organization. He stated Real Woodstock’s and the Chamber’s use of the resources provided by the City is extremely important and continues to work. Ms. McMahon stated it is great to be working together with the City’s new marketing team. B. Public Comments Dan Malone, Heron Way, Woodstock, speaking on behalf of MCYSA expressed thanks and appreciation for the City’s efforts to help put on the recent baseball tournament. He particularly thanked Alan Dunker of the Recreation Department and the Parks Department staff who maintained the fields in such a way to enable teams to play all but three games, even with significant rain. Noting teams came from many states plus Puerto Rico and Japan, he stated many positive comments were heard about Woodstock’s fields. Stating it is difficult to measure the tournament’s economic impact, he noted tournament participants and their friends and families occupied 575 hotel room nights at Woodstock hotels, with many of the visitors spending a lot of time on the Square. C. Council Comments Councilman Seegers commended Staff for the wonderful job they did in keeping Emricson Park clean, citing the crowds that attended the MCYSA tournament. He encouraged the City to find more groups to utilize this asset. Stating he had attended a couple of the tournament games, Councilman Tebo encouraged the MCYSA to advertise the tournament locally so Woodstock residents are more aware of it, which could result in more local teams participating. Mayor Turner agreed, encouraging them to work with Real Woodstock and the City’s Marketing team. Noting the recent groundbreaking, Mayor Turner encouraged all to drive by the Dream Field and Sullivan Field, noting the work that is being done to rehab these fields as a result of the T-Mobile Hometown Techover award. Stating there are times in history when big things happen, Mayor Turner opined the recent Florida Georgia Line concert, which was also part of the T Mobile award, was one of these. He thanked City Staff, the Chamber of Commerce, County law enforcement, the workers and hundreds of volunteers who helped make this an exceptional event. He also talked about the tremendous impact T-Mobile’s 5G will have on Woodstock. He stated if Woodstock did not have Real Woodstock, it would not have received the award, noting the City’s investment in this is paying off. Mayor Turner stated another extraordinary development in Woodstock’s history is the recent award of an Illinois DCEO grant in the amount of $2.96 million dollars, which will be used for already- identified CIP projects to rehab of the Downtown and the Opera House. Noting Woodstock received the biggest grant of all awarded, he acknowledged Grants Manager Terry Willcockson for her  Woodstock City Council 08/16/22 Page 3 of 5 extraordinary work on this, thanking her for her knowledge, persistence, and skill. Ms. Willcockson was acknowledged by all with hearty applause. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by G. Tebo, second by W. Piersall, 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 or comments were forthcoming from the Council or the Public regarding items remaining on the Consent Agenda: Items D-6 – Change Orders – Old Courthouse & Sheriff’s House In response to a question from Councilman Tebo regarding the elevator change order, Mr. Moore stated this change was required by a code compliance issue. Noting his support of the identified change orders presented with this item, Councilman Seegers stated he wished to state for the future he would not be supportive of change orders due to tenants’ requests to make changes to already approved plans. Mayor Turner stated should that happen, he would request that such an item be placed on an agenda for Council’s discussion and consideration. A brief discussion ensued of the possibility for future change orders as the project proceeds. Mayor Turner stated while the City Council is not rubber-stamping change orders, if it is something that makes the building better, Staff has the authority and can bring something to the Mayor who will determine whether it should come to the Council. Item D-2 – D200 School Resource Officer Agreement – School Year 2022-2023 Mayor Turner expressed his continued appreciation of the City’s partnership with District 200 which benefits both the District and the City. Item D-1 – Sister City Program – Jerez, Zacatecas Mayor Turner stated he is going to Zacatecas September 15 through 19 to approve and sign this Sister City Agreement, noting this is also a cultural trip focusing on tourism, economics, and education. He stated Mayor Emeritus Brian Sager is also leading a tourism visit and noted no City funds are spent on these visits. There were no Public comments on any items remaining on the Consent Agenda. Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-3 as follows: A. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES August 2, 2022 City Council Minutes B. WARRANTS: 4015 4016  Woodstock City Council 08/16/22 Page 4 of 5 C. MINUTES AND REPORTS Woodstock Library Board of Trustees Minutes June 9, 2020 Woodstock Library Board of Trustees Minutes July 14, 2020 Police Pension Board Minutes July 12, 2022 D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 209: 1. Sister City Program – Jerez, Zacatecas Approval of the formal designation of the City of Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico as the third official Sister City for the City of Woodstock. 2. D200 School Resource Officer Agreement – School Year 2022-2023 Authorization to execute the Police/High School Liaison Agreement for School Year 2022-2023, identified as Document 1. 3. Ordinance – Sale/Disposal of Surplus Equipment Approval of Ordinance 22-O-40, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale or Disposal of Personal Property Owned by the City of Woodstock designating miscellaneous vehicles and equipment as surplus property and authorizing and directing the City Manager to dispose of said property as allowed by law. 4. Purchase – Apple Creek – Extreme Weather Warning Siren Approval of an expenditure of City funds for the shipping and installation of one (1) Whelen electronic warning siren for a total of $38,965.40 from JS Communications Technologies LLC of Antioch, Illinois. 5. Schedule of Authorized Positions – Addition of an IT Employee Authorization of an increase of one (1) full-time Information Technology (IT) employee and adoption of the Revised Schedule of Authorized Positions/FTEs, identified as Document 3. 6. Change Orders – Old Courthouse & Sheriff’s House Approval of various Change Orders submitted by Bulley & Andrews related to the Old Courthouse & Sheriff’s House renovations for a total amount of $125,652.92. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: L. Lohmeyer T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: D. Flynn. Motion carried. Mayor Turner wished to recognize Tom Wilson and MBI for its donation to the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District for a Jaws of Life, opining it is a great corporate citizen. VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no additions, deletions, or corrections to the tentative future Council agendas.  Woodstock City Council 08/16/22 Page 5 of 5 ADJOURN Motion by L. Lohmeyer, second by B. Seegers, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to a Special Joint City Council/Plan Commission meeting on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 6:00 PM at Stage Left Café. Ayes: L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers, G. Tebo, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: D. Flynn. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley City Clerk