'Twas Halloween day, and all through the town,
Not a creature was sure of what would go down;
The council would meet in just five more short days
And Norwood was hoping they'd hear four "okays".
The children in costumes were ringing door bells,
And some folks were saying, "We think Norwood's plan smells."
And Norwood was reading Park Ridge Underground,
Maybe looking for info. that's floating around?
Well here is our take, if you really must know;
We think the new ordinance really does blow.
The City Attorney said that he wrote it again,
And that by consensus he left the "out" clauses in.
Now, we don't recall hearing Aldermen speak
About the "out" clauses as something they seek.
As a matter of fact, we distinctly recall
Five of the Aldermen were not pleased at all!
The variance being sought for the density,
Is based largely on the senior amenity.
So it seems a bit odd, if not totally queer
That the new ordinance is not a lot more austere.
But we're pretty sure that just like last time,
Allegretti and Ryan will think it's just fine.
So for this fine Halloween that is our story to tell.
We'll leave it at that and hope all does go well.
Not a creature was sure of what would go down;
The council would meet in just five more short days
And Norwood was hoping they'd hear four "okays".
The children in costumes were ringing door bells,
And some folks were saying, "We think Norwood's plan smells."
And Norwood was reading Park Ridge Underground,
Maybe looking for info. that's floating around?
Well here is our take, if you really must know;
We think the new ordinance really does blow.
The City Attorney said that he wrote it again,
And that by consensus he left the "out" clauses in.
Now, we don't recall hearing Aldermen speak
About the "out" clauses as something they seek.
As a matter of fact, we distinctly recall
Five of the Aldermen were not pleased at all!
The variance being sought for the density,
Is based largely on the senior amenity.
So it seems a bit odd, if not totally queer
That the new ordinance is not a lot more austere.
But we're pretty sure that just like last time,
Allegretti and Ryan will think it's just fine.
So for this fine Halloween that is our story to tell.
We'll leave it at that and hope all does go well.
7 comments:
What is going on with the water retention? Frank Wsol brought this up at the last Council Meeting. Park Ridge does not have 2 million in our budget to pay for the water retention improvements. So, has anyone seen the latest ordinance proposal? Is Norwood still fronting this money? Neri agreed in their proposal to assume their portion of it. Or are we giving that away to the builder as well.
I'm not sure I understand exactly how all the money moving works, but...
The Attorney's memo said the Council will establish an SSA...Special Service Area. That means the City will bond for the cost, then tax the residents in the SSA...ONLY within the SSA...and "recover" the costs over time.
SSA bonds are neither counted against a City's debt nor backed by the full faith and credit of the City.
SSAs are established by ordinance, as adopted by City Councils. They can be amended.
Short answer...no, it doesn't appear as if Norwood will be fronting the money...the condo buyers will be paying it back.
If you care to see a "score-card" on the players involved..... publicwatchdog.org has a great article...updated this week.
If the City bonds for the costs that are then assessed to the SSA residents, do those residents get charged ALL of the City's costs relative to the bonds? And if the SSA can be amended by ordinance, what safeguards are there that the Council won't grant some relief to the developer or the unit owners sometime down the road?
Sounds like more of the same smoke and mirrors we've been getting from the developer and City Staff on the "senior housing" at EOP.
Love the poem! Here's a limerick back at ya:
There once was an Alderman named Ryan
whose votes left his constituents cryin'
They stood up one day
and to him did say,
"for who's support, if not ours, are you vyin'? ?"
about City Council meetings...can anyone go? I have never been and am interested in seeing what goes on. I see from the website that it's "Council Chambers". Where is THAT?
Absolutely. Council meetings, and those of committees and commissions are public meetings, by law, and the public is encouraged to attend; traditionally, the public may speak to the council on either non-agenda items, which are issues any member of the public would like to raise on any matter of concern, or scheduled agenda items, which means there should be time during the meeting for speaking on the item listed. However the mayor, as the meeting chairman, may choose not to allow public comment, as he did last meeting. However again, any member of the council may choose to appeal the decision of the chair.
The council chamber is at city hall: 505 Butler Place, between Vine and Courtland. The actual council chamber is on the main floor and extends out from the back of the city hall building.
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