[PAGE 1]
MINUTES
CITY OF WOODSTOCK
ARTS COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING
February 9, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the City of Woodstock Arts Commission was called to order by Chair
Anne Marie Whitmore Lenzini at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, in Council Chambers
at Woodstock City Hall.
ROLL CALL: A roll call was taken, and Chair Whitmore Lenzini confirmed a quorum was
present.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Bethany Fritz, John Hegner, Narayani Hiffman, Mark
Murray, and Chair Whitmore Lenzini.
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Barbara Bundick and Lynn Mueffelmann.
STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Jessica Erickson, Marketing &
Communications Manager Colleen Rogalski, and Deputy Clerk Bernie Walker.
OTHERS PRESENT: Tina Hill, Semiquincentennial Planning Coordinating Committee; Lydia
Lague Lopez, The Woodstock Independent.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Motion by M. Murray, second by B. Fritz, to accept the minutes from the January 12, 2026, Arts
Commission Regular Meeting.
Ayes: B. Fritz, J. Hegner, N. Hiffman, M. Murray and Chair Whitmore Lenzini. Nays: None.
Abstentions: None. Absentees: B. Bundick and L. Mueffelmann. Motion carried; minutes
accepted.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: As a private citizen, Bethany Fritz handed out information on Starline
Factory’s Emergence, which is a four-part series (Grief, Healing, Rebirth, and Joy) that will evolve
through each show. She stated that many groups in the community will be involved, including
Warp Corps, SOAR@Dorr, and Turning Point. Part 1: GRIEF will be held on March 7th from 5-8
p.m., and she invited the Commission to attend. She also mentioned that Harvard is hoping to
establish its own Arts Commission.
Mrs. Fritz serves on the Board of Naturally McHenry County and their film subcommittee. They
are working on creating a database of filming locations, and they plan to act as a resource for
answering filming questions, recognizing that each municipality will have different guidelines.
Director Erickson would like to see consistent policies for filming in Woodstock, including
business interruption compensation for businesses. Mrs. Fritz agreed, adding that in addition to
attracting more people to Woodstock, there is also an opportunity to educate businesses on
policies. Mrs. Lague Lopez recommended including “movie filming locations” in their database,
which could draw people to those locations and result in pictures/selfies being posted.
COMMISSION COMMENTS: None.

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Woodstock Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
2/9/26
NEW BUSINESS:
Due to time constraints, Tina Hill requested to present first, so the agenda order was switched.
2. Discussion – Semiquincentennial Planning – Tina Hill, Coordinating Committee
Tina Hill stated that she is a member of Friends of the Old Courthouse and that Sue
Stelford had brainstormed some ideas and pulled together a quasi-committee to celebrate
the Country’s 250th birthday. Ms. Hill said that the committee, Real Woodstock, the
Chamber, and Naturally McHenry County are all working together, and the Chamber will
maintain a calendar of events that includes what is being planned in support of the
Country’s 250th birthday. Ms. Hill and Arlene Lynes are working together to rally the
troops and find out if any Woodstock groups have events planned for this year. Ms. Hill
provided a few examples of what is being planned, adding that the calendar could also
include events outside of the community.
Ms. Hill confirmed that the 250th birthday celebration will continue throughout the year,
noting that the committee should be done meeting by July 4th. Chair Whitmore Lenzini
stated that the Chamber sent out an email with a questionnaire to local businesses,
inquiring if and how they are planning to celebrate. Director Erickson inquired whether
Ms. Hill received the list of recommendations from the Arts Commission, which she
hasn’t, and Ms. Hill requested that the list be forwarded. Discussion ensued about
different ways to celebrate, including games, signing a card, porch decorating, flags at
establishments, a Grassroots arts festival, etc. Ms. Hill also mentioned that the City
Council passed a resolution in support of the Illinois America250 Commemoration and
that we can use the America250 logo for communications. The Commission thanked Ms.
Hill for attending and sharing.
1. Discussion – City of Woodstock Social Media Policy – Colleen Rogalski, Marketing
& Communications Manager
Marketing & Communications Manager Colleen Rogalski introduced herself, stating that
she recently revised the City’s Social Media Policy, which is awaiting final approval.
Manager Rogalski stated that the City uses social media as an extension of their website
to disseminate news. She reviewed the policy, which covered the following topics: Staff
& Elected Official Policy, Policy for the Public, Enforcing Comment Policy, Commission
Policy, Best Practices, and Enforcement. Manager Rogalski will forward the updated
policy once it is finalized. The Commission thanked Manager Rogalski for coming.
3. March Meeting Date
Director Erickson has a conflict with the March 9th meeting date and asked the
Commission if they would like to meet on a different date or if she should arrange to
have an alternate liaison cover the meeting in her absence. The Commission discussed
alternate dates but, based on availability, decided to keep the March 9th date. Director
Erickson will follow up prior to the meeting and ensure there is a quorum.
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[PAGE 3]
Woodstock Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
2/9/26
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Expanding Arts Commission Membership
Director Erickson stated that at last month’s meeting, the Commission brought forward a
motion to expand this Commission from seven to nine members. She shared that Mayor
Turner isn’t supportive of expanding this Commission at this time, so it will remain at
seven members.
STAFF REPORTS: None.
UPDATES AND OPPORTUNITIES: Chair Whitmore Lenzini confirmed that some local
artists have applied to receive the discounted booth fee with Amdur Art Fair, but she isn’t sure
how many.
Director Erickson isn’t aware of any arts grants for 2026 at this time; however, there is funding
in the FY27/28 CIP to be used for future roundabouts. Discussion ensued about the timing of
submitting an RFP for future roundabouts, and Director Erickson stated that uniform aesthetic
requirements (scale, theme, etc.) need to be identified before submitting an RFP, as all of the
identified requirements will need to be included. Director Erickson will find out if IDOT has any
height limitations. Chair Whitmore Lenzini asked the Commission to bring their roundabout
ideas to the March 9th meeting.
M. Murray stated that a concrete plan for outside fundraising should be in place by year end for
the three roundabout sculptures, and he recommended fundraising for them collectively, rather
than one at a time. M. Murray expressed concerns about rising costs and suggested adding a
buffer to the budget to account for them. He also volunteered to do some research on cost
estimates, which he will present at their March meeting.
Chair Whitmore Lenzini shared that she received an email from the Community Foundation of
McHenry County stating that the annual grants program will open on Monday, February 23rd,
and close on April 10th. It will be a universal application process, meaning each organization
may submit one application to be considered for funding in the entire 2026 grant year, which is
different than what was done in previous years (different grants had different timelines).
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Downtown Master Plan
2. Arts Identity Visioning
3. Roundabout Art – Uniform Aesthetic Requirements
4. Artspace
5. Public Art Review & Approval Process
6. Public Art at the Library Reading Room
7. CFMC Transformational Grant
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[PAGE 4]
Woodstock Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
2/9/26
ADJOURN:
Motion by M. Murray, second by J. Hegner, to adjourn to the next regular meeting of the
Woodstock Arts Commission to be held on March 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor
Conference Room at Woodstock City Hall.
Ayes: B. Fritz, J. Hegner, N. Hiffman, M. Murray, and Chair Whitmore Lenzini. Nays: None.
Abstentions: None. Absentees: B. Bundick and L. Mueffelmann. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernie Walker
Deputy Clerk
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