City Council

MINUTES WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL December 6, 2022 City Council Chambers A regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order by Mayor Turner at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 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 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: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Wendy Piersall, Gordon Tebo, Bob Seegers Jr., and Mayor Michael Turner. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None. 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, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano, Opera House Managing Director Daniel Campbell, Deputy Public Works Director Brent Aymond, City Engineer Chris Tiedt, 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. Public Comment There were no comments forthcoming from the Public. B. Council Comment Councilman Nierman reminded those present of the Christmas Clearing House Delivery Day on Saturday, December 17, stating drivers are still needed. He noted there is no need to sign up in advance but just to arrive at the Silgan building by 8:30 AM to help deliver Christmas packages to 1,250 families. Mayor Turner thanked Councilman Nierman for being a part of this important community event. Councilman Tebo stated the roundabout seems to be a big hit with many people being happy with it. Ms. Betz wished to recognize all involved in the construction of the roundabout including the design and engineering consultant, HLR; general contractor, H. Linden & Sons; and Public Works Staff, Chris Tiedt, Brent Aymond, Michael Rousey, Tim Hickey, and Nicole Lewakowski. Mayor Turner commended Mr. Stelford, Ms. Betz, and Mr. Aymond for what they did during construction to make this happen before Thanksgiving. He agreed the roundabout is a great success,  Woodstock City Council 12/06/22 Page 2 of 5 expressing his pride in what the City did. He also thanked Ms. Gulli for her assistance with marketing this project. Councilman Tebo noted there are now 13 decorations on the Square, all but one the work of volunteers, including students from both high schools. He thanked everyone involved in this project. Mayor Turner thanked Councilman Tebo for bringing this idea forward and spearheading the project. Mayor Turner commended and thanked everyone involved in getting the Dean Street construction project completed. He thanked everyone involved with the Lighting of the Square including Mr. Campbell, Public Works Staff, City Manager’s Office Staff, the Woodstock Police Department, and the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District. He noted the event was outstanding and the crowd was large. He opined the sound system was an improvement, expressing his appreciation to Staff. Mayor Turner then recognized the NISRA Holiday Fashion Fundraiser, noting his and Councilman Flynn’s participation. He thanked all who participated and attended. Mayor Turner announced the Today Show will be broadcasting a 5-minute segment from Woodstock during their show Friday morning recognizing the community as one of America’s Merriest Main Streets. He stated some residents submitted this directly to the Today Show, recognizing them by name. Opining this will be wonderful exposure for the community, he urged people to come out and support the event. Ms. Gulli provided additional information on the event, including how it will be communicated to the community. She thanked Public Works for their work to get the Square ready. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by, D. Flynn, second by W. Piersall, to approve the Consent Agenda. In response to a question from Mayor Turner, no items were removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of the Council or Public: In response to a question from Mayor Turner, the following questions or comments were forthcoming from the Council or Public regarding items remaining on the Consent Agenda: Item D-3 – Ordinance – Opera House Surplus Equipment In response to Councilman Nierman’s suggestion, Mr. Campbell confirmed that much of the equipment will be made available for donation, as their sale value is not high. There were no further questions or comments forthcoming from the Public. Mayor Turner affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items A through D-7 as follows: A. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 15, 2022 City Council Minutes B. WARRANTS: 4030 4031  Woodstock City Council 12/06/22 Page 3 of 5 C. MINUTES AND REPORTS Cultural and Social Awareness Commission Meeting Minutes October 3, 2022 Opera House Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Opera House Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes November 15, 2022 Police Pension Board Meeting Minutes October 11, 2022 Police Department Monthly Report October 2022 D. MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 216: 1. Ordinance – Plat of Vacation – Oakwood Terrace Subdivision – Approval of Ordinance, 22-O-60, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Approving the Plat of Vacation of the Access Easement, Lots 1, 2, & 3 of Oakwood Terrace Subdivision. 2. Ordinance – 2022 City of Woodstock Property Tax Levy – Approval of Ordinance 22–O-61 identified as Document 2, The 2022 Tax Levy Ordinance of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, IL to levy $9,359,221 in property taxes for Operating Funds in calendar year 2022 to be collected and forwarded by the County to finance the City’s FY23/24 Budget. 3. Ordinance – Opera House Surplus Equipment – Approval of Ordinance 22-O- 62, identified as Document 3, An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale or Disposal of Personal Property Owned by the City of Woodstock, authorizing the City Manager to dispose of said property as allowed by law. 4. Resolution and Agreement – Legislative Advocacy Services – Approval of Resolution 22-R-28, identified as Document 4, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Joyce Nardulli, LLC for Intergovernmental and Legislative Advocacy Professional Services. 5. Contract Award – 2023 Liquid Alum – Approval for the purchase and delivery of Liquid Alum to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Affinity Chemical, LLC, Flanders, NJ, at the unit price of $389 per dry ton for all purchases throughout calendar year 2023. 6. Contract Award – Opera House Concept & Design Study – Approval utilizing Home Rule Authority to enter into a professional services agreement with DLR Group, Inc., from Chicago, IL, to provide a Facility Assessment and Concept Design Study for the Woodstock Opera House’s forthcoming renovation, enhancement and restoration project and to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract, subject to final review by the City Attorney, at the proposed fee of $52,000. 7. Contract Award – Applewood Lift Station Repairs – Approval to award, utilizing Home Rule Authority, a contract for repairs to the Applewood Lift Station to Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc., Arlington Heights, IL, for an amount not-to-exceed $49,888. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: D. Flynn, L. Lohmeyer, T. Nierman, W. Piersall, B. Seegers,  Woodstock City Council 12/06/22 Page 4 of 5 G. Tebo, and Mayor M. Turner. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: None. Motion carried. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Schedule Special Workshop(s) Mr. Stelford provided information on the workshops, noting historically there have been two, one for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and one for the Operating Budget. He provided information on the items generally discussed at the meetings. He also discussed areas of concern Staff will be considering during Budget preparation, including possible challenges brought about by the imposition of new state and federal regulations. Following a brief discussion, including of the timing and lengths of the meetings and the process and structure of them, it was agreed there is a need for two, three-hour meetings, one for CIP and an initial operating budget discussion, and a second meeting for a more detailed operating budget discussion. Mayor Turner stated he will consult with Jane Howie and Mr. Stelford to develop possible meeting dates for transmission to Council for consideration. He asked that Councilmembers submit any dates they may be unavailable to Ms. Howie as soon as possible. VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Turner stated the next item on the Agenda is an Executive Session held pursuant to Section 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Personnel – the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body of the Open Meetings Act, specifically for the purpose of conducting the City Manager’s Employment Evaluation. City Attorney Schlossberg confirmed this is an appropriate topic under this Section. Motion by G. Tebo, second by L. Lohmeyer, 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, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity. City Manager’s Performance Evaluation 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 7:27 PM. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION The City Council returned to Open Session at 10:30 PM.  Woodstock City Council 12/06/22 Page 5 of 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrin Flynn, Lisa Lohmeyer, Tom Nierman, Wendy Piersall Bob Seegers, Jr., Gordon Tebo, and Mayor Michael Turner. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Roscoe Stelford, City Attorney Ruth Schlossberg, and City Clerk Cindy Smiley VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no additions, deletions, or corrections to the tentative future Council agendas. ADJOURN Motion by D. Flynn, second by L. Lohmeyer, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. 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 meeting was adjourned at 10:31 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley City Clerk