Woodstock City Council approves funding for 12 firefighters, pays down bond early and adopts two ordinances

The Woodstock City Council on Oct. 13 voted unanimously to fund 12 new firefighter positions after the city was not awarded a FEMA SAFER grant, authorized prepayment of the city's 2020 Development Department Authority bond, ratified a design services contract for a new fire station and adopted two ordinances regulating parking-deck behavior and electric vehicle charging stations.

Councilors approved all items on a lengthy agenda by 6-0 votes. The actions together address short-term staffing needs in public safety, reduce long-term debt service costs and put in place local rules for two downtown infrastructure items.

Chief Scott Ealy told the council staff had applied for the federal SAFER grant in June but "we were not awarded that grant." He asked council to authorize funding for 12 firefighter positions to staff new stations; council approved the request 6-0. The motion to approve agenda item 6.1 was made by Councilman Wolf and seconded by Councilman Asher; the council recorded the outcome as carried 6 to 0.

Finan…