According to our faithful sources, last night's City Council meeting lasted 5 1/2 hours.
The first half of the meeting was dedicated to listening to a long parade of residents detail their recent experiences with flooding, residents' concerns and ideas for addressing the problem, and marginal updates provided by city staff.
According to one of our sources, there was a disturbing pattern of people who related that they had never experienced any flooding until last September and then again this past June 19th. The most frequently asked question was, "What changed?" The PRU Crew is wondering the same thing, and hoping the learned engineers on the Flood Control Task Force, along with the consultants hired to study the problem, will answer that question.
Many people addressing the Council used the word "emergency" to convey their belief that the City must address this issue immediately. The Crew believes people have paid enough attention to know that without the problem being given "emergency" status, the likelihood of approval for spending any money to mitigate the problem is nil. We're told even Mayor Schmidtzkrieg characterized the problem as an "emergency", so we feel confident in believing the Mayor would not veto a spending ordinance approved for this matter by the Council.
One of the exasperating circumstances for residents seems to be the snail's pace at which information is being gathered, by both the consultants hired to study the issue and the Flood Task Force formed to discuss the issue to come up with recommendations, and formulation of a final plan. We hate to tell you this people, but things can only move as fast as they can move -- and then the search for money begins. And make no mistake about it, whatever plan is eventually settled on will require gobs of money. We hope a majority of residents will be prepared to pay for what it is they say they need and want.
In the meantime, people may want to keep Service Master on speed dial.
The second half of last night's Council meeting was devoted to discussions of zoning changes for commercial parcels along Northwest Highway.
The zoning for the Napleton Cadillac parking lot property was changed from a B1 zoning designation to an R3, which means residential, despite the recommendations made by the Planning and Zoning Commission. We trust the neighbors in the immediate area are pleased with this change. We also trust that nobody will be surprised if Mr. Bill Napleton becomes totally pissed off about the change and files a law suit. The Crew hasn't heard any rumors about such a thing, as we try to avoid moving in the same circles as the likes of Mr. Napleton, but we're just saying we wouldn't be surprised by such a move.
The old Audrey's property was left as-is in terms of the zoning designation, but should the owner wish to place a generator 5 feet from the sidewalk, that could now be done, as the Council voted on an amendment offered by 3rd ward Alderman Don Bachtard that allows generators to be placed as close as 5 feet from any property lot line.
We hear this change to the zoning code for the placement of generators is a particular triumph for one particular resident. We also hear this particular resident thinks his shit doesn't stink and he has the right to act obnoxiously at Council meetings -- throwing a stack of petitions at the Director of Community Development and demanding that she pass the petitions around to the Council.
We're told Mayor Schmidtzkrieg got all up in the guy's grill. Good.
As for the PRU Crew, we generally feel Ms. Davis operates at a level barely above incompetence but, nevertheless, she's still the Director of Community Development -- required to attend public meetings for the benefit of the public. Be careful, sir, at whom you throw things or we may be tempted to see to it you go home wearing whatever it is you chose to throw at a city staff member.
As for Alderman Bachtard and the other Alderidiots, your silence on the matter was duly noted.
There you have it people, an admittedly lite recap.
The Crew has decided to take the month of July off -- off meaning an irregular posting schedule, if any -- we'll see you again in August.
June 30, 2009
Venice Ridge? Council Recap!
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49 comments:
PRU:
I was not at the meeting (5 1/2 hrs...sorry I missed that one) so I very much appreciate the update.
The question apparently posed by some about why flooding now when they had not had flooding before demonstrated the complexity of the problem. There are many reasons why people do or do not flood and, therefore, there is not one over riding solution.
In my neighborhood (Washington School area) there were many homes that had not flooded since the
80's, did not flood in September, any yet flooded a few weeks ago. Some of these homes had sumps that could not oeprate due to the power outage. Some even had battery backup systems that ran out and then in came the water. If it were not for the lack of power, I believe that 75% of the homes in my neighborhood would not have received any water.
I also think that as more and more people get flood control systems preventing water from entering their homes this puts additional pressure in the system. If the water is backing up the pipes toward peoples homes and is shut off from many of them, it will mean additional pressure and water for thomes with no flood control system.
Then, there are cases that defy comprehension. There is a guy who lives 4 doors doen from me. His house was built in the 40's and he has no flood control system - not even a sump pump. He never gets water yet his neighbor floods all the time. Who the hell knows why that is.
The most important part of your entire post is the GOBS of money part. I do not know what your definition of gobs is but I have maintained since since day one that, depending on how one defines solving the problem, the cost will be prohibitive.
I certainly hope I am wrong and I look forward to finally having a planning document that we can discuss rather than pure conjecture and assumptions.
Lastly, I hope you enjoy your month off. I am, as always, amazed at the amount of thought provoking posts you generate (even when I disagree). I would not be as informed without the hard work you put in. It is much appreciated.
PRU--first of all that PIC is AWESOME! Thank you for the great laugh and entertainment.
It is puzzling to me why all of a sudden we are flooding in certain areas. We MUST ask what happened in that timeframe. It's that simple.
Aldermonkeys...get off your friggin asses and REPRESENT. Uh, that's why you are there.
5-1/2 hours? I'm sorry, but that is excessive.
Isn't there something in your contract that says you can't take a month off? We will be bereft, buggered and bewildered and will be putting untoward pressure on Publicwatchdog.org to take up the slack, since you guys ARE "the press" in thesehere parts.
Have a nice time and don't do anything reckless on vacation. Even when we couldn't agree less,
we need youse!
I was there untill a little bit after 11 last night.
1 of the thing mentioned if I heard right is many of the nearby towns seem to be more prepared in one way or another.
I remember the 80's floods and I think there were new sewers put in around that time.
Matter of fact they tore up Glenlake near Cumberland in the summer of 86 which of course was not long before the flood in the fall of that year. And there was the 87 flood that summer which we did get some water in the basement but not much.
Same with the more recent ones.
But with so many others in more dire straits make me think they didn't put in enough sewers the first time.
Of course with the change of rain patterns as someone told me, that would have to explain why these problems are growing.
It was an interesting meeting, no question. It's unfortunate that the police chief wasn't there to handle the obnoxious little twit who flung papers at Ms. Davis. A little pepper spray would have made for an even more interesting meeting.
Have a good vacation, you'll be missed!
Some people are just rude. That paper tosser prances around like he owns the world. His whole problem with the generator zoning code as it was written is because he doesn't want to have to look at or hear his own loud ugly generator, so now his neighbors will have to. Thanks alot Bachretard and the Alderasses. Great amendment.
A whole month without the SNARK RIDGE UNDERSCUM? There is a God!
I often wonder why there isn't at least 1 or 2 from the PD that aren't there all the time.
I don't ever recall in my lifetime hearing some kind of inncident durring a council meeting but things do happen sometimes.
Mike:
How exactly did they say that other towns were more prepared?? I am not saying you are wrong but I do have friends in Des Plaines, Niles, Skokie and even further north who all experienced flooding in September.
What ever these supposed differences are, I hope the flood committee documents them and includes the plan they submit.
I might of misunderstood something.
It's hard to remember everything said.
With 4 storm cells back to back...
its no wonder that we did not have the park ridge water taxis all along
the " cumberland ".
We wish the flooding task force the best.
Let's hope there's " fed " monies out there to help.
B.O.H.I.C.A.
Oh my gosh someone wants to do something on their own property!
Who cares if anyone wants to put a generator or not.
I'm glad that this is passing, this city needs to let people do more things on their property instead of being so strict.
I bet when your power goes out you wish you could hear that generator noise, and don't lie!
To 8:08 PM,
You don't get it. What people do on their property is fine as long as it doesn't affect anyone else enjoying their property.
I promise you this, put your generator near my bedroom window and neither of us will be hearing it for long.
8:44 PM
I get it completely. I don't think you understand what generators do.
They kick on when the power goes off, so can't you handle it for a night or 2?
If you can't you are overly stressed by something, sorry.
Have a nice night.
Do we have a noise ordinance also? I know that some places have maximum dB levels at the lot lines. If the generator is quiet enough, then 5 feet isnt that bad...but if it is loud, would 10 feet even be enough???
Just to clarify--I believe the description of what happened last night with regard to the Audrey's property at NW Hwy and Elm is incorrect.
That parcel was RE-ZONED to R-3, which was what P&Z recommended. It's was previously zoned B-1.
The City Council voted to enact P&Z's recommendations for two of the three properties. The re-zone of the Napleton parking lot was an amendment brought forth by Alderman Ryan.
I live very close to the Napleton parking lot, and we are very pleased by this outcome. The fact that the two parcels comprising the lot are now zoned R-2 and R-3 represents a significant obstacle for the type of development that would compromise the character of the neighborhood.
As you note, the potential of Napleton bringing a lawsuit to challenge this was discussed, both by P&Z and the CC. Thankfully, they did not allow the specter of possible lawsuits to intimidate them into changing their vote.
Oh, and given the amount of flack as the Aldermen take on this site, it would be nice if you recognized Alderman Ryan's work on this issue. He initiated this zoning change and championed it through the entire process. Thanks, Alderman Ryan!
Yes - add another notch to O'Ryan's belt.
I'd like to thank Ald. Ryan for doing something without paying a consultant.
Here is an interesting article about home flooding issues in Atlanta area, which may be of interest & relevant to Park Ridge residents and readers of your blog:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/03/05/sewersuits_0306.html
Any one know any good attorneys?
you don't have to go that far. check out Downers Grove.
Public works has not received their contracted raise. The budget has been cut so that the usual summer part-time help has been eliminated. The city has threatened to lay off at least 5 PW workers. There is too much work to be done and not enough personnel to get it accomplished. The residents are not getting the level of service they used to get for their tax dollars. That is the fault of the past city manager, mayor and city council.
The area of Greenwood and Crescent flooded big time a few months ago. It had never flooded before.
During routine (but extremely delayed due to budget/personnel cuts) inspection, it was found that asphalt had been dumped (probably by some private contractor) in the sewer at Greenwood and Gillick. A PW crew found it obstructing 90% of the sewer flowage. They broke it up and sucked it out. Dirty, scummy, smelling, unsafe work without a contract and without their raise and with more work to do with less pay.
The sewer now flows 100%.
The number of homes affected by that blockage may have extended way beyond the Greenwood area.
Thank your PW workers. Would you be willing to pay $12 a month more in a garbage tax to get back the number of workers and the extra summer help that frees up your PW crews to do the kind of care they used to be able to do up until a year or two ago?
anon @ 9:05--while I realize your frustration and sympathize with it, we ALL need to realize that in this economy, stuff needs to be cut. (HEL-LO City Council?!!!) It's unfortunate, yes. But it has to be done. WASTEFUL SPENDING is another topic for another day.
We all appreciate what the PW staff does for us. If the $$ issue could be fixed immediately, I would wave my magic wand. But it cannot. We have to do the best we can with what we have.
It's NOT going to happen overnight. If you think it will, then you need to check yourself.
ugh park ridge and all its issues
Anon at 9:05, to answer your question, no, I'm not willing to pay any more in garbage taxes. I am willing to purchase a roll of duct tape to tape across Wsol's mouth so we don't have to listen to any more of his speeches about 'those less fortunate' people at the Park Ridge Historical Society. That money, and other unnecessary expenditures could have been cut, and the money used for PW.
Anon 7/3 at 9:05,
From your post:
"without a contract and without their raise and with more work to do with less pay."
How does this make them any different from most of the workers in the U.S? Do you think that the PW Department is the only entity feeling the recession?
I appreciate the work and efforts of the employees of the PW Department, but I don't like the whining. Perhaps as an insider, you can suggest some cost saving measures that would free up some funds for other purposes like raises for the employees.
In addition, if you don't like the "Dirty, scummy, smelling, unsafe work", then get another job. I'm sure that there would be a line of applicants who would be elated to have your job at your current pay rate.
Thank you PW for ALL that you do.
As far as inspecting the sewers that may be clogged (in the all areas of concern )...
lets keep up the good work.
I think PW Dir.Wayne Z. is correct in going in with a camera for a look see.
Maybe Howie's money is down there somewhere too!
Keep up the great work!
I thought Schmidt was supposed to solve all our problems..
To me, it feels like Schmidt was just running to beat Frimark and he fooled all of us..
lol who do we blame now.
Theres not 1 one thing Schmidt did, well thats how it looks to me, everyone is still here complaining about flooding months after Schmidt's promises to help and get on it right away.
Schmidt has put together the Flood Task Force, so he did get right on it. Obviously, it will take some time to analyze the issue.
As far as other promises, the city council appears to be blocking him every way they can. At the end of the day, we need to vote the majority of them out. The are speed bumps in the effort to save out town.
5:02--you are friggin kidding me! After two months in office you expect Schmidt to "fix" everything in Park Ridge?
Jeez, Linda-ski, is that YOU?
Get over yourself. either pitch in and help or shut the F up.
anon 5:02:
There is a part of me that smiled when I read your post. While I voted for Schmidt, I did not completely drink the kool-aid.
That being said, I would ask you to at least be fair (or should I say realistic?). If I am not mistaken, Mayor Schmidt was sworn in to office on May 4th - 2 months ago!! If you thought that the city would be high and dry at this point than it is your expections that are wrong, not the new mayor.
There is a process, including the flood committee, that the mayor committed to follow and he is doing so. These are things that should have been done years ago and, to my knowledge, the previous mayor never did. Unfortunately, the community involvement and investigation portion is a process that takes months, not weeks or days. If you have any magic flood answers that the mayor already should have started on I am sure he and the committee would love to hear them - I know I would!
If you think this part is slow wait until we start to talk about what it is going to cost!
Anon June 5 5:02
Mayor Dave was going to fix all the sewers right after being sworn in, but what with all this rain he's had trouble getting out.
Are you in town for the Mensa Convention?
From my understanding, whenever there is a major issue in any type of environement- a business, a city, etc....usually, there are many factors that contribute to the problem. Flooding is a big issue in Park Ridge, as it is in many towns. If the city doesn't look into all the causes of flooding and power outages, the problem will never be solved. There needs to be better maintenance of tree trimming around power lines-this would avoid some outages, and help with flooding issues. There needs to be a better analysis of roots interfering in sewer lines. Wayne Z. wanted to puyrchase root pruning machinery to use in sewers. That speaks volumes.There needs to be the realistic acceptance that generators need to be allowed in town. If the city and its residents don't budge, and change their views, the flooding problem will not go away. It will be a vicious circle.
As for putting blame on Mayors and Aldermen, no one is perfect. If anyone is, please cast the first stone.
This town needs common sense, willingness to change for a purpose and a goal, and unity. Otherwise, Park Ridge will no longer have the class it has had for many years.
Good luck with the unity thing!!!!
I never said that I thought it had to be perfect.
I realize its only been 2 months.
I was stating that Schmidt made it seem that he would solve all our issues,right away and made himself seem perfect.
Why is everyone on here so afraid to say anything bad about Schmidt?
I'm sure theres one thing Schmidt did that you didn't like.
11:07:
I do not believe Schmidt is perfect - as I said, I did not drink the kool-aid.
On this issue, I do not think you are being realistic. Schmidt did not say he would solve the flooding issue "right away". If that is wha it seemed like to you or what you heard that is your fault, not his. In my time here (granted breif) there has been ZERO attention given to a plan or an analysis of the flood issue in PR. How about something that includes a definition of the problem(s), a proposed solution(s) and what it will cost? Does it not make sense to have that information before we throw money at it? This document was not handed off by the prior administration - it did not exist!!
Your premise is not realistic. This town has been flooding for several decades. Now, two months into the new mayors term, he has a committee, the investigation has begun (never done before)and you are made because the problem is not solved.
Now you turn it around to say that anyone who points out how stupid your post is must be afraid to say anything negative about the new Mayor - too funny!!!
I agree with "Anonymous said..." posted at 11:07 a.m. on July 6, 2009.
I don't think he/she is turning anything around-just like you have the right to defend what you believe, so do they!!! Be fair!!!
Kudos to Mayor Schmidt, if he is taking care of flooding-how exactly, though? we need actions, not meetings till dawn. But, I believe all Mayors and Aldermen are trying to do what is right. We rush to judgement-put yoruselves in their shoes-what would you do differently?
We all feel entitled in Park Ridge!!!-that is how the destruciton begins.
A task force is not going to do anything, if the real issues are not addressed-you all know what they are!!! DO IT!!!!!, and stop hiding behind task forces. Otherwise, we might as well sell our cars and buy boats.
6:14:
Sorry, it is a bit late but you lost me. Perhaps there is some hidden subtlety that I missed.
What exactly are these "real issues" you refer to?? Are these issues related to what can be done about the flooding or more global issues?
I again have to say that if you know the answer and if there are "shovel ready" things they should already be doing please share them here on the board. If you do, you would be the first person that I have heard with tangible steps to solve the problem.
July 6, 2009 6:14 PM:
You say "DO IT!!!!!" But do what, exactly? Put relief sewers throughout all of Park Ridge? Replace all of the damaged combination sewers? Build our own municipal "Deep Tunnel"?
As for the city council doing the right thing, a majority of those goobers can't even give us a balanced budget. So where is the money going to come from?
You don't have much faith in the town you live in, and obviously have a lot of anger issues with the council. I am sorry, however, I have had good experiences with them. They are reasonable people. No wonder nothing gets done at these meetings. The aldermen are firemen trying to put out fires coming out of residents ears.
By "Do It," I meant starting somewhere: Better trimming of trees around power lines, as suggested further up in this discussion. Accepatance of having to remove and replace some trees that are known to make homes in sewers for their roots. Allowances for residents to put in generators.That is what I meant. All the other fancy sewer stuff, let's leave to Wayne-he is a great guy, and he knows what to do.
The budget problem-well, welcome to the club-that is just the way it is right now. Have a little patience and faith and things will have to get better.
Sorry I upset you so much-that was not my intent.
11:31, you aren't just drinking the kool-ade, you are bathing in it! What a dorkus. You want a "DO IT!!!" now action that goes right over the task force that's supposed to immerse themselves into the issue of flooding (pun intended) but then you come back with trimming trees???? Then you say to have patience??? When you don't have any??? Make that dorkus majorus!
lol 12:27 PM
LoL make your point to 6:14 PM, but please talk in normal words. I'm sorry but are you trying to be a wizard?
12:48, as I said earlier you are a dorkus majorus. Here's the easy read for you, that means major dork! Doesn't take a wizard to see that you are.
Anon at 11:31 on July 7th, I would like to know what evidence you have that the trees are the cause of the flooding problem? I know some of them cause power issue, and we need to trim the tree roots in the sewers, but why do you think that will solve the problem. The flooding in certain parts of town goes way back to before we had a tree preservation ordinance. Other towns experienced flooding as well that do not have as many trees as PR.
i agree!!!!! trees suck!!!!!
The evidence that I have that trees cause issues with flooding is the storm we had a few weeks ago. First of all, we have too many overgrown trees in this town that interfere with power lines. I witnessed first hand, a tree falling on a power line, and the neighborhood that happened in was without power for almost one entire day-while we had storms. With no power, sump pumps don't work, thus there is flooding. Also, there are numerous species of trees that are known to grow their roots where there is water. You tell me, if there are roots in the sewers, how can't we have flooding? As for other towns that have less trees, and I haven't seen any, almost all towns have lots of trees, they may not have the sewers they are supposed to have. As far as the Tree Preservation Ordinance-I agree we need trees, they add beauty and value to our city, but the ordinance needs to make allowances for removal and replacement of problematic trees. Believe me, if we don't do it, nature will.That sounds like a big risk to take when people can get hurt and properties can be damaged. We need to become more aware, and more proactive with this issue because it is part of the flooding problem. My wife and I have friends in Michigan that are part of a class action suit against their town for tree/root issues with sewers and damage to their houses-there is the proof!!
the other day a squirrel fell on my head, effin trees and im not kidding!!! trees suck
It's probably best when people plant trees they do it away from the utility wires.
Wonder why some people do that?
You may still have problems with flying branches when the wind is strong but still it's worse to do so close to the wires.
Anon at 6:52, I agree with you about the Tree Preservation Ordinance. It needs to be amended, and much more reasonable. It seems so obvious and I'm always a bit surprised when people don't see this. I hadn't really thought about the trees in terms of the flooding issue. What about the fact that trees absorb a lot of water? Seems like perhaps trees cut both ways on this issue.
I have seen several flood control systems being put in at neighbors' homes recently, often to the tune of many thousands of dollars. Yet I see no permit signs (the green ones), so I am left to wonder if my neighbor's new system is up to code, and if it is going to have an adverse effect on flooding my home. The water has to go somewhere, and if it is being prevented from going into your house, it might come into mine.
What are the local ordinances regarding same?
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