Woodstock public meetings in 2024
12 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Tue Dec 17, 2024
City Council
✓ Decided: Council approves $11M Rec Center Phase 1 architectural services
The Woodstock City Council approved a professional services agreement with Nurture for Phase 1 architectural services for the Recreation Center renovation, funded in part by a $2.8 million state grant. The council also approved a settlement agreement with MobCraft Beer, Inc., a 'Love is Love' public art project agreement, and employee benefits for 2025. All votes were unanimous, with recusals noted for the art project and benefits items.
- Approved $11M Rec Center Phase 1 architectural services agreement (7-0)
- Approved MobCraft Beer settlement agreement (7-0)
- Approved 'Love is Love' public art project agreement (6-0, McMahon recused)
- Approved employee benefits for 2025 (6-0, Mayor recused)
- Approved consent agenda including Old Courthouse lease, CDBG application, and contracts (7-0)
🗳️ How they voted (6 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a professional services agreement for Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Disposal Services for calendar years 2025 and 2026 to Lizard Express…
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by McMahon to approve Ordinance #24-O-75 — Settlement Agreement — MobCraft Beer, Inc., known as DOC.2, second by Seegers
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Flynn to approve Resolution #24-R-31— “Love is Love” Public Art Project Agreement (known as DOC. 4), second by Nierman
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Flynn to approve Professional Services Agreement — Recreation Center — Phase 1 Architectural Services for the IDNR PARC Grant Award (known as DOC. 5), second by Seegers
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Ziemba to approve Employee Benefits for Calendar Year 2025, second by McMahon
5 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea
Motion by Flynn, second by McMahon to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the Regular Council meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at…
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Thu Dec 12, 2024
Library Board of Trustees
✓ Decided: Library board approves updated Animals in the Library Policy
The Woodstock Public Library Board approved an updated Animals in the Library Policy that now permits well-behaved, domesticated animals beyond service animals, with the city covering any legal issues. The board also changed regular meeting start times to 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month and approved December expenditures. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved updated Animals in the Library Policy (unanimous)
- Changed regular meeting start time to 7:00 p.m. on 2nd Thursday (unanimous)
- Approved December 2024 operating and building expenditures (unanimous)
- Approved November 2024 regular meeting minutes (unanimous)
Thu Dec 12, 2024
Plan Commission
✓ Decided: Plan Commission recommends rezoning 200 E. Judd St. to B2C
The Woodstock Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a zoning map amendment for 200 E. Judd Street, changing it from M1 Light Manufacturing to B2C Central Business District. The recommendation will go to the City Council for final decision. The commission also approved its 2025 meeting schedule.
- Recommended approval of zoning map amendment for 200 E. Judd St. from M1 to B2C (6-0)
- Approved 2025 Plan Commission meeting schedule (unanimous)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
Motion by Speciale, second by Calvin to approve the October 17, 2024 Plan Commission regular meeting minutes as presented. A roll call vote was taken
5 yea
Calvin yea · Cesaroni yea · Gavers yea · Paluch yea · Speciale yea
Motion by Speciale, second by Paluch to recommend approval of a zoning map amendment from M1 Light Manufacturing District to B2C Central Business District for the property located at 200 E. Judd…
5 yea
Calvin yea · Cesaroni yea · Gavers yea · Paluch yea · Speciale yea
Tue Dec 10, 2024
Parks & Recreation Commission
✓ Decided: Commission approves Little League batting cages at Merryman Fields
The Parks and Recreation Commission approved Woodstock Little League's request to install a batting cage at Merryman Fields Park, with staff oversight. The motion passed unanimously. Other items discussed included a potential art sculpture in Park in the Square, an updated user agreement policy, and the Prairie View space acquisition, but no formal action was taken on those.
- Approved Little League batting cage installation at Merryman Fields (3-0)
- Accepted minutes of November 12, 2024 meeting (3-0)
🗳️ How they voted (3 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
Motion by S. Jackson, second by P. Riis, to accept the minutes of the November 12, 2024 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission
2 yea
P. Riis yea · S. Jackson yea
Motion by P. Riis, second by S. Jackson to approve Woodstock Little League’s request to install a batting cage at Merryman Fields Park with project oversight from staff
2 yea
P. Riis yea · S. Jackson yea
Motion by S. Jackson, second by P. Riis, to adjourn the regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council…
2 yea
P. Riis yea · S. Jackson yea
Mon Dec 9, 2024
Arts Commission
✓ Decided: Arts Commission advances bronze groundhog statue for staff approval
The Woodstock Arts Commission voted unanimously to move the bronze groundhog statue forward to staff for approval, after discussing maintenance, signage, and the application process. The commission also accepted the November minutes and discussed delaying the yarn bombing project to March 2026. No other formal decisions were made.
- Approved moving bronze groundhog statue forward to staff for approval (7-0)
- Accepted minutes from November 11, 2024 meeting (7-0)
🗳️ How they voted (3 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
Motion by B. Bundick, second by L. Mueffelmann, to accept the minutes from the November 11, 2024, Arts Commission Meeting
7 yea
B. Bundick yea · B. Fritz yea · J. Hegner yea · J. Miller yea · L. Mueffelmann yea · M. Murray yea · Whitmore Lenzini yea
Motion by M. Murray, second by J. Hegner, to move the bronze groundhog statue forward to Staff for approval
7 yea
B. Bundick yea · B. Fritz yea · J. Hegner yea · J. Miller yea · L. Mueffelmann yea · M. Murray yea · Whitmore Lenzini yea
Motion by B. Bundick, second by J. Miller, to adjourn to the next regular meeting of the Woodstock Arts Commission to be held on January 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at…
7 yea
B. Bundick yea · B. Fritz yea · J. Hegner yea · J. Miller yea · L. Mueffelmann yea · M. Murray yea · Whitmore Lenzini yea
Tue Sep 17, 2024
City Council
✓ Decided: Council approves 2MW solar farm at 3601 Lily Pond Rd (4-2)
The Woodstock City Council approved a variation and special use permit for a 2MW solar energy farm at 3601 Lily Pond Road, with a 4-2 vote (Flynn, Tebo, Ziemba, Mayor Turner in favor; Nierman and Seegers against). The approval authorizes the City Manager, City Attorney, and Mayor to negotiate and execute a development agreement, with the final agreement shared with Council for possible future consideration. The council also approved the consent agenda, including contracts for leaf disposal, downtown lighting, holiday lights, and an administrative law judge.
- Approved solar farm variation and special use permit at 3601 Lily Pond Rd (4-2)
- Approved consent agenda including historic landmark designation for Dairy Queen at 310 Washington St
- Approved ITEP grant application with $991,116.80 local match
- Authorized leaf disposal contract with Thelen Materials LLC at $485 per load
- Authorized downtown perimeter lighting contracts totaling $262,721
- Authorized holiday lights contract extension up to $61,000
- Authorized independent contractor agreement for Administrative Law Judge Mark Schuster
🗳️ How they voted (5 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
to authorize the City Manager to execute an independent contractor agreement with Mark Schuster to serve as the City’s Administrative Law Judge
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Ordinance to locate a Solar Energy Farm less than 1,250 feet from the right-of-way of any arterial road and approving a Special Use Permit to allow a 2MW Solar Energy Farm at 3601 Lily Pond Road…
4 yea
Flynn yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion to adjourn into Executive Session by Flynn, second by Seegers. Ms. Duncan thanked Mayor Turner and City Council members for their approval
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Flynn, second by Seegers to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at…
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Flynn to adjourn from Executive Session and return to Open Session, second by Tebo. A roll call vote was taken
6 yea
Flynn yea · Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · M. Turner yea
Thu Sep 12, 2024
Library Board of Trustees
✓ Decided: Library board approves Bluestem Ecological Services landscaping proposal
The Woodstock Public Library Board of Trustees approved a landscaping design proposal from Bluestem Ecological Services, the only bidder among five RFQs. The board also unanimously approved the August 2024 operating and building expenditures and the August meeting minutes. No other substantive decisions were made; several items were postponed or reported as updates.
- Approved Bluestem Ecological Services landscaping proposal (6-0, 3 absent)
- Approved August 2024 combined warrant of operating and building expenditures (unanimous)
- Approved August 2024 regular meeting minutes (unanimous)
Tue Sep 10, 2024
Parks & Recreation Commission
✓ Decided: Commission reviews draft Parks Master Plan, no action taken
The Parks and Recreation Commission held a regular meeting on September 10, 2024, which included a tour of city parks. The only formal action was accepting the minutes from the August 13, 2024 meeting. The commission discussed the draft Parks Master Plan, with members expressing concerns about the tight timeline for review and adoption, but no decision was made. Staff reported on ongoing projects, including the Intergenerational Inclusive Playground and electrical upgrades at Park in the Square.
- Accepted minutes of August 13, 2024 meeting (5-0)
- Adjourned to next regular meeting on October 8, 2024 (5-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
Motion by J. Cohen, second by K. Gutierrez, to accept the minutes of the August 13, 2024 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission
4 yea
P. Riis yea · S. Jackson yea · J. Cohen yea · K. Gutierrez yea
Motion by J. Cohen, second by S. Jackson, to adjourn the r egular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council…
4 yea
S. Jackson yea · P. Riis yea · J. Cohen yea · K. Gutierrez yea
Mon Sep 9, 2024
Arts Commission
✓ Decided: Arts Commission supports groundhog statue, reviews public art projects
The Woodstock Arts Commission accepted the August minutes with a correction, discussed updates on the roundabout sculpture, Art Fair on the Square, and a proposed groundhog statue, and reviewed a project evaluation score sheet. No formal votes were taken on these items; the commission expressed support for the groundhog statue and will forward criteria to staff. The meeting was procedural and informational, with no binding decisions made.
- Accepted August 12, 2024 minutes with correction from 'Synergy Fest' to 'collaborative program' (unanimous)
- Confirmed support for groundhog statue proposal; criteria to be forwarded to Economic Development Director
- Reviewed and discussed project evaluation score sheet; safety element to be added by M. Murray
- Discussed roundabout sculpture base; no formal action taken
- Noted Art Fair on the Square upcoming with 75+ artists; no action taken
- Discussed Artspace funding and land donation; no formal action taken
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
Motion by M. Murray, second by B. Bundick, to accept the minutes from the August 12, 2024, Arts Commission Meeting with the change from “Synergy Fest” to “collaborative program” as referenced above
5 yea
B. Bundick yea · B. Fritz yea · J. Hegner yea · M. Murray yea · Whitmore Lenzini yea
Motion by J. Hegner, second by B. Bundick, to adjourn to the next regular meeting of the Woodstock Arts Commission to be held on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room…
5 yea
B. Bundick yea · B. Fritz yea · J. Hegner yea · M. Murray yea · Whitmore Lenzini yea
Mon Sep 9, 2024
Board of Police Commissioners
✓ Decided: Police board approves 2025 meeting dates and re-elects officers
The Board of Police Commissioners approved the minutes from the June 10, 2024 meeting, selected meeting dates for 2025, and re-elected Ron Giordano as Chairman, Larry Howell as Commissioner, and Joe Troc as Commissioner. The board also received updates on recruit testing, hiring, and field training statuses.
- Approved minutes of June 10, 2024 Regular Meeting
- Selected 2025 meeting dates: March 3, June 2, September 8, December 1
- Re-elected Chairman Ron Giordano, Commissioners Larry Howell and Joe Troc for 2025
Tue Sep 3, 2024
City Council
✓ Decided: Council approves cannabis dispensary special use permit
The Woodstock City Council approved the consent agenda, which included a special use permit for a cannabis dispensing organization at 601 S. Eastwood Drive, along with several other items such as contracts and fund allocations. The vote was unanimous (6-0) with one member absent. The council also discussed the proposed garbage contract with MDC, with residents requesting a 35-gallon toter option, and agreed to bring samples to the next meeting.
- Approved special use permit for cannabis dispensing organization at 601 S. Eastwood Drive (6-0)
- Approved ordinance correcting tobacco and cannabis code (6-0)
- Approved setback variation for garage at 130 North Street (6-0)
- Approved $5,000 FIP allocation for 310 Washington Street (6-0)
- Approved $5,000 Historic District Facade Assistance for 126 North Benton Street (6-0)
- Approved $50,000 IPP engineering services contract with Baxter & Woodman (6-0)
- Approved $73,940 land grading contract with Thelen Materials and $51,625 with Langton Group for Davis Road Park (6-0)
- Approved $165,246 backhoe purchase from McCann Industries (6-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
[context] (255k) Approval for the City Manager, or his designee, utilizing Home Rule authority and waiving of bids, to execute a purchase agreement for one (1) 2024 Combination Backhoe and hammer…
5 yea
Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by McMahon, second by Ziemba, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at…
5 yea
Nierman yea · Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Tue Feb 6, 2024
City Council
Woodstock City Council to consider business registration and smoke shop rules
The City Council will discuss a new business registration program and amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding smoke and vape shops. The body will also review a redevelopment agreement and a sidewalk replacement change order.
- Ordinance 24-O-05: New business registration program
- Ordinance 24-O-06: UDO amendment for smoke shops and vape shops
- Ordinance 24-O-07: Redevelopment agreement with Cow and Chicago Hubs Realty, LLC
- Resolution 24-R-02: Change order for 2023 sidewalk replacement program
- Resolution 24-R-03: IGA for McHenry County Sheriff's co-responder police social worker
business-registrationzoningredevelopmentinfrastructurepublic-safety
🗳️ How they voted (6 roll-call votes)
Named votes as recorded in the official record.
to award a contract for path maintenance at Emricson Park and Merryman Park to the lowest responsible bidder, Twin’s Sealcoating, not to exceed $35,300; and authorization for the City Manager, or his…
4 yea
Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Mayor Turner that we split the question, splitting the solar energy farm UDO Text Amendment and the smoke shop/vape for separate consideration and voting on those two items, second by…
4 yea
Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Mayor Turner that the Council approve Document #1, Ordinance 24-0-06 adopting UDO Text Amendments relating to Smoke Shops/Vape Shops, excluding Sections 2 and 3, second by Seegers. Mr…
4 yea
Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Seegers to remove Section 3 of the Ordinance - UDO Text Amendment from Document #1, Solar Energy Farms, to postpone this section to time indefinite for later consideration, second by Ziemba
4 yea
Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by Mayor Turner approving Document #2, Ordinance 24-O-7 supporting a Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois and Chicago Hubs Realty, LLC with…
4 yea
Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea
Motion by McMahon, second by Tebo to adjourn this regular meeting of the Woodstock City Council to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at…
4 yea
Seegers yea · Tebo yea · Ziemba yea · Turner yea