Chambana Sun

Woodstock City Council met March 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Brian Sager on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Sager welcomed those present and explained the consent calendar process and invited public participation.

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: Daniel Hart, Maureen Larson, Joseph Starzynski, RB Thompson, Michael Turner, and Mayor Brian Sager.

Council Members Absent: Mark Saladin

Staff Present: Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen, City Attorney T.J. Clifton, Public Works Director Jeff Van Landuyt, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano and Human Resources Director Debbie Schober.

Others Present: Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commissioner Jim Prindiville and City Clerk Cindy Smiley

A. Floor Discussion

Public Comment

There was no public comment forthcoming Council Comments

Councilman Turner informed Council, Staff, and the public that this week marks the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism at which Promote Woodstock’s Real Woodstock Campaign was recognized as the Best Branding Initiative in the state of Illinois. He noted the 110 entries in this category came from different public organizations and entities that promote things in their communities or regions and were judged by six State Directors of Tourism from surrounding states. Mr. Turner stated he is proud of the work done by Promote Woodstock and a5 on this campaign.

Mayor Sager commended Promote Woodstock and a5 for establishing and creating this marketing effort that has now been recognized by professionals in the travel and tourism field. He thanked Councilman Turner and Councilwoman Larson for their efforts on this campaign. Councilman Turner also recognized the McHenry County Visitors’ and Convention Bureau, which was recognized for Best Visitor’s Publication.

Councilman Thompson noted the Square was packed on Saturday night with people attending Shamrocked on Benton Street, Legally Blonde at the Opera House, and various movies at the Woodstock Theater. Mayor Sager agreed, noting this activity on a March evening was great to see. He expressed his gratitude to all businesses and individuals who put on these events and to all of the people who came out to enjoy and support them.

Consent Agenda

Motion by M. Larson, second by M. Turner, to approve the Consent Agenda.

There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda.

In response to Mayor Sager’s call for comments or questions on any item remaining on the Consent Agenda, Councilman Thompson expressed his hope that the work done and the settlement agreements being considered this evening will end the water problems coming from Dutch Crest Subdivision to the surrounding area.

Mayor Sager affirmed the Consent Agenda to include items B through E-5 as follows:

B. Minutes of Previous Meeting:

February 24, 2017 Budget Workshop #2 Minutes

March 7, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes

C. Warrants: 3752 3753

D. Minutes and Reports

Building and Zoning Department Monthly Report January 2017

Building and Zoning Department Monthly Report February 2017

Department of Public Works Monthly Report February 2017

Human Resources Department Monthly Report February 2017

Opera House Monthly Report February 2017

F. Manager's Report No. 86

1. Ordinance – Utility Facilities in the Rights-of-Way

Approval of Ordinance 17-O-26, identified as Document 1, An Ordinance Amending Title 6, Chapter 1, Article D of the Woodstock City Code Entitled “Construction of Utility Facilities in the Rights-of-Way regarding Personal Wireless Telecommunication Facilities.

2. Ordinance – Variance – Maples at Sonatas

Approval of Ordinance 17-O-27, identified as Document 2, An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Items of Personal Property Owned by the City of Woodstock, designating a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup with snow plow, the JET brand Metal Cutting Band Saw, and the WARN Winch as surplus property and authorizing and directing the City Manager to dispose of said property as allowed by law.

3. Waiver of Competitive Bids and Award of Bid – Storm and Sanitary Sewer Televising – Approval of waiver of the requirement for competitive bids and award of contract to Pipe View America, Schaumburg, IL for storm and sanitary sewer televising at a cost of $33,600.

4. Resolution – Old Courthouse Windows – Change Order #003 Approval of Resolution 17-R-07, identified as Document 3, A Resolution Authorizing Change Order 003 in the Contract for the Old Courthouse Phase I Window Project resulting in an increase to the contract of $5,008.25 and an extension to the completion date to April 14, 2017.

5. Settlement Agreement – 1498 White Oak Lane – Approval of the following subject to final review and approval by the City’s Attorney’s Office: 

a) Authorization to execute a Settlement Agreement Regarding Damage to a Patio Between the City of Woodstock and the Property Owners of 1498 White Oak Lane, Woodstock, Illinois, identified as Document 4; and 

b) Authorization to execute a Settlement Agreement Regarding Landscape Damage Between the City of Woodstock, Illinois and The Villas at Bull Valley Property Owners’ Association, identified as Document 5.

A roll call vote was taken to approve Consent Agenda Items B through E-5. Ayes: D. Hart, M. Larson, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: M. Saladin. Motion carried 6-0.

Discussion Items:

6. Transmittal of the Proposed FY17/18 Budget

Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Paul Christensen stated City Staff is proud to present to Council a balanced budget that incorporates a 10% property tax decrease, an additional $250,000 to the Police Pension Fund as required by state law, and $1.2 million for road construction, which is an 18% increase over last year. Mr. Christensen also noted the budget includes funds for a second Code Enforcement Officer and a Construction Engineer, which will ultimately save the City money. He stated in addition, the budget includes nearly every Capital Improvement Project identified as an “A” priority by the City Council.

Mr. Christensen noted the upcoming FY17/18 Budget Public Hearing and FY17/18 Budget Workshop, and stated the complete FY17/18 Budget is available on the City’s website. Mayor Sager noted this is a transmittal to the City Council and that the proposed budget comes as a result of previous Council discussions, the CIP discussion, and two previous Budget Workshops. Mayor Sager recognized that Staff has spent an exceptional amount of time taking these discussions and crafting the proposed FY17/18 Budget. He thanked Staff for maintaining a strong fiscal approach while including those items that are important to residents as expressed to the City Council.

Mayor Sager stated there will be an opportunity to go into the detail of the proposed FY17/18 Budget at the Budget Workshop Session. He invited the public to attend and participate in the

Workshop. He also noted there will be a Public Hearing dedicated to the proposed FY17/18 Budget at the next City Council meeting, which is also an opportunity for the public to make comments.

Future Agenda Items

There were no changes or additions to the Future Agendas.

Adjourn

Motion by RB Thompson, second by M. Larson, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the April 4, 2017 City Council Meeting at 7:00PM in the Council Chambers of Woodstock City Hall. Ayes: D. Hart, M. Larson, J. Starzynski, RB Thompson, M. Turner, and Mayor Sager. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: M. Saladin. Meeting adjourned at 7:16 PM.