Freewheeling -- Looking Down The Road!

For our faithful PRU readers who take an interest in local political doings, the PRU Crew is wondering if anyone has given any thought to what should happen in the event a certain 6th Ward Alderman locates his conscience and resigns his position.

The PRU Crew hasn't researched the issue and so we remain unaware of how or if it may be possible to remove an Alderman from office in the event of an ethics violation. We also remain uncertain about the outcome of any current ethics investigation. Though, it sure is odd that no disclosure evidence has been quickly produced in support of the claim by 6th Ward Alderman Tom Carey that, approximately 4 years ago, he specifically disclosed the $5million economic relationship between his employer, Patrick Engineering, and the City of Chicago's O'Hare Modernization Program.

However, we have seen evidence that not only should Mr. Carey have been aware of the specific OMP economic relationship, but also that Mr. Carey was Patrick Engineering's registered attendee at a City of Chicago's Department of Procurement Service's pre-bid conference -- we are unclear about when the conference took place or for what pre-bid procurement purpose Mr. Carey participated.


Click on image for larger view

In any case, Mr. Carey was more than well aware of at least Patrick Engineering's general economic relationship interest with the City of Chicago.

The PRU Crew will admit to being profoundly stunned to find out in the end that Ald. Carey may have so blatantly lied to the public, on video tape, at a City Council meeting. If so, the only remaining question for us will be whether the man is a complete fool or an unmitigated idiot.

For our part, we see issues that go well beyond the narrow concerns some 6th Ward residents and the rest of the community may have regarding O'Hare expansion. The job of Alderman demands a more expansive view of public policy considerations and a deeper understanding of democratic processes than we've recently witnessed from our current crop of Alderdopes and the Mayor.

Beyond the issue of O'Hare, fast approaching is the time when the City Council will again take up budget planning for the next fiscal year. God help us all! The Mayor and City Council just recently completed finalizing some details from the last round of the fiscal budget fun!

The City Council can ill afford another unprepared, know-nothing representative voting on public policy. And keep in mind who will have the authority to appoint a replacement, with the advice and consent of the City Council, should an aldermanic vacancy occur.

We're also wondering if anyone in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th Wards will be picking up an election packet from the City Clerk's office for the upcoming aldermanic elections in the Spring. Election packets, only one each, have been taken for the upcoming races in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 7th Wards.

Things to think about, if you're looking down the road.

COW 9-27-2010 Video!

And a good time was had by all!

There Oughta Be A Law!

In a Friday, September 24th online article from the Journal & Topics, Falling Trees Could Lead To Lawsuit, we read --

"Neighborhood dissatisfaction with the falling of two trees on Bonita Drive in Park Ridge is manifesting itself in other ways and could lead to a lawsuit against the city.

Police received an anonymous complaint about a B class truck parked in a driveway on Greenwood Avenue.

The truck belongs to the parents of the family on Bonita where the two trees were recently removed, explained Police Chief Frank Kaminski.

“The man parks his truck on his driveway a couple days a week,” Kaminski confirmed. “According to the zoning ordinance, that’s illegal."

Of course, now the City will enforce the zoning code ordinance and put an end to this illegal activity. Right?

Wrong.

If our faithful PRU readers have been paying attention, then you know at last night's City Council COW, staff proposed a housekeeping ordinance change action item for approval -- Parking of Commercial Vehicles in Residential Areas (.pdf). The memo states --

"The City Attorney has recommended moving the attached language from the Zoning Ordinance to the Municipal Code. Paragraph 13-10-11 B has been added to the Municipal Code to address off-street parking. This change will result in a violation being fined a $50 fine, not $250 as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance."

Please note -- "from the Zoning Ordinance to the Municipal Code."

Additional language in the City staff memo suggests the weight and size of commercial vehicles that qualify for a waiver from the parking restrictions, specifically --

c. Exceeds twenty (20) feet in length, eight (8) feet (6) six inches in height or seven (7) feet six (6) inches in width, or has more than four (4) wheels.

We again remind our faithful PRU readers of the memo language -- "from the Zoning Ordinance to the Municipal Code."

Setting aside for a moment the questionable wisdom of essentially removing a land use ordinance from the zoning code, we're wondering why the newly proposed language seems to have expanded the size for which a commercial vehicle may qualify for a waiver. The existing zoning code ordinance (.pdf), section 12, 11-A-3 states --

"A. No truck of eight-thousand (8,000) pounds GVW or less (i.e., Class B license) shall be permitted to park in the front or corner side yard of any residential lot, if the truck:

3. Exceeds twenty (20) feet in length, eight (8) feet in height or seven (7) feet in width, or has more than four (4) wheels."

It appears the more restrictive zoning code language, governing the size of commercial vehicles, is being eased in the proposed language for addition to the municipal code.

The Journal & Topics article goes on to report --

"...resident Tom Bernick says the trucks don’t qualify for a waiver.

He said three vehicles, two cargo vans and a straight truck, are being parked at the address.

He claims one of the vans has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds, the other is 8,900. “The straight truck is 14,500 pounds,” he said.

Bernick said the family has parked the trucks for about three years and said he has also seen the resident allegedly dumping food waste products down the storm drain. “We’re going to sue the city for not enforcing its ordinance,” he said. Referring back to the tree decision, he added, “It’s the same favoritism that’s going on."

It took three years for someone to alert the proper authorities? The PRU Crew is pretty confident the commercial vehicle parking problem wasn't viewed as much of a problem until neighbors in the area got the idea that for some people no doesn't mean no, especially when it comes to buying and removing City property -- which is precisely what we feel occurred in the continuing saga of the Meatgate trees.

The PRU Crew can't say for certain if Mr. Bernick is correct in his assessment of favoritism. But we sure do wonder what the hell is going on over at 505 Butler Place these days.

Anyone know a municipal attorney willing to issue a cease and desist order on bullshit from City staff?

Anyone know a zoning attorney willing to submit a map amendment to the zoning code designating City Hall a No Bullshit zone?

Monday Grab Bag!

Grab a seat at a meeting, or grab a book to read! Either way, there's no reason for boredom here in Action Ridge!


#1 -- Our illustrious City Council will be holding another COW meeting tonight at City Hall, starting at 7:00 pm. The agenda (.pdf) covers Finance and Budget, and Procedures and Regulations.

It looks as if there is a ton of potential fun to be had! The PRU Crew is eagerly anticipating the discussion of the Davis separation agreement (.pdf), as well as another variance discussion concerning zoning code regulations. How new is the new zoning code rewrite? And how much did the City pay for consulting services to rewrite it?

We also see the 5th ward's Benedict Ald. Ryan has gotten his wish -- the Council COW will be discussing the merits of the possible unbudgeted purchase (.pdf) of the Scharringhausen parking lot. The PRU Crew again believes this to be an especially stupid idea at this time. But then again, consider the source of this idea, and stupid is to be expected.

Finally, for our faithful PRU readers who pay very close attention to what's taking place, we're sure the contents of two particular background memos caught your attention -- succinctly stated, no doesn't mean no for some people.


#2 -- The District 64 School Board will be holding their annual budget hearing (agenda.pdf) this evening. The budget hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:20 pm, before the regular School Board meeting (agenda.pdf) begins at 7:30 pm at Jefferson School.

We strongly urge anyone, who is interested in how the School Board has planned to spend our money in the upcoming year, to take full advantage of those ten generous minutes allotted to the task. Though the PRU Crew doesn't blame the School Board for setting such a brief budget hearing schedule -- traditionally, nobody shows up for the monumental event.


3# -- If attending meetings of your local government bodies isn't quite what you do for fun, may we suggest reading a book?

It's once again time for Banned Books Week!

For those interested in making a subversive selection of reading material, you can check here and here for ideas!

As we offered here, the PRU Crew still thinks "District 207 should consider adding an elective Junior and Senior level course to the high school curriculum devoted entirely to the reading and discussion of "banned" books.

With a heavy dose of Constitutional and public policy issues thrown into the mix.

Keep the thought police hopping!"

What Matters

Have a good weekend!

The Political Folly of Ethics Demands?

For our faithful PRU readers, who sat through the entire video we posted for last Monday night's City Council meeting, beginning at the 2:00:10 mark you undoubtedly heard 6th Ward Alderman Thomas Carey make the following statement under new business --

"Mr. Mayor, I'm not certain of the protocol on this regard but as all of you may know I have not made a determination as to what decision I'll make regarding running for Alderman again.

However, it appears the political folly has begun and I want to restate what I've stated previously, approximately four years ago.

I happen to work with and for Patrick Engineering and I am disclosing the fact that Patrick Engineering does work for the CDA, the OMP, and that there are contracts in place and there have been in place, and so again I want to make sure that that is out and disclosed in public."

Political folly? Demands for timely disclosure of economic interests is political folly?

We don't think so.

Alderman Carey, you are beholden to the voters in your ward as well as the larger community to make sure they are aware of any economic interests you may hold directly or indirectly in any given matter of legislation on which you intend to act. We do not recall you ever disclosing the particulars of the economic relationship between your employer, Patrick Engineering, and the O'Hare Modernization Program. If you did so, "approximately four years ago," we missed it. But can you explain why you did not offer the time, place, and date of that "approximately" four year old disclosure when you addressed the matter at Monday night's City Council meeting? At best, you are treating the ethical questions and demands of your constituents far too casually.

The contracts you referenced in your statement about your employer, Patrick Engineering, aren't merely a small matter of, say, something like a fee for acting as an insurance agent.

The contract Patrick Engineering holds with the OMP is worth $5million.



The PRU Crew is aware there are those calling for your resignation over what they believe to be your failure to properly disclose the economic relationship and that you have been in violation of the demands of the ethics ordinance -- Article 2, chapter 5 (.pdf). The PRU Crew believes it would be a waste of effort, and would essentially leave the residents of the 6th Ward unrepresented for what remains of your term as Alderman. We also don't feel you possess the appropriate level of chagrin to even consider stepping down from your Council seat.

However, Mr. Carey, we strongly encourage you to consider what it is you owe to your constituency -- even those who disagree with you and find fault in your positions -- in serving as their representative to the City Council, while you're thinking over another run at the job for another four two years. (Note to our friendly correspondent, thanks for the heads up, we completely flubbed it -- Aldermen in even numbered Wards will be elected for only two years, to comply with the referendum approving the staggering of Aldermanic terms.)

City Council Meeting 9-20-2010 Video!

More theater of the absurd for your viewing pleasure!

Another Two-fer Tuesday!

#1 -- For our faithful PRU readers interested in a mini recap of last night's City Council meeting, we provided the following in response to a comment request --

Alright -- per our sources --

The various proclamations were well received.

Anne Lunde's history presentation was the answer for those seeking non-pharmaceutical sleep aids.

The City Attorney recommended the Council take action to approve the severance contracts or the City could be open to litigation. The Council seemed pissed off.

The City Manager's contract was approved by a vote of 4 (Bach, Allegretti, Ryan, Carey) to 3 (Wsol, Sweeney, DiPietro).

More than ever, there is no love being lost between Mayor Schmidtzkrieg and Benedict Alderman Ryan.

The Pickwick theater received a unanimous vote for landmark designation, becoming the first historic building to receive the designation under the new historic preservation ordinance.

Discussion of the Taber report about the airport was deferred.

The Mayor's veto of community group contributions received sustaining votes on all but three line items -- Center of Concern, Maine Center for Mental Health, and Meals on Wheels.

We told ya so, Schmidtzkrieg!

We're also told, under new business a certain Unfriendly Ghost attempted to make ethics ordinance amends by finally disclosing a $5million economic relationship his engineering firm has with the O'Hare Modernization Program.

The fun never ends at 505 Butler Place!



#2 -- Speaking of airport noise mitigation efforts, the Tree Preservation Task Force will be meeting again tonight at 6:00 PM to go over a revised version (.pdf) of the private property tree preservation ordinance they intend to forward to the City Council for consideration.

The PRU Crew noticed in the minutes from the last meeting (.pdf) a curious little blurb --

III. NEW BUSINESS

A. Director Zingsheim handed out a memo he received from City Forester Gliot regarding parkway trees, stating that he was distributing it solely as a courtesy for the Committee to have the information. Pat Livensparger, 413 Courtland, said that it shouldn’t be given out, as it was not the agenda. Director Zingsheim replied that although he disagreed with her about it being required on the agenda, he would collect the memo back from the Committee members. (Note: City Attorney Hill has verified that the distribution of the memo was not required to be on the agenda.)

As we understand it, the Task Force chairman invited the Public Works Director to pass out and discuss the memo before the Task Force Committee members.

In any event, we see the City Attorney has assured everyone that the courtesy offered to the Committee members was perfectly legit, despite the memo not having been listed among the supporting documents for the last meeting, nor placed on the agenda for distribution and possible discussion, and the Task Force chairman's apparent knowledge of the intended courtesy.

So the PRU Crew is wondering why the courtesy isn't being offered to the Task Force Committee at tonight's meeting?

Another Monday Call To Order!

Once again our faithful PRU readers have another chance to watch what passes for our local democracy in action! The City Council will be meeting tonight at City Hall beginning at 7:30 PM.

The most interesting item, not noted for discussion anywhere on the agenda (.pdf) nor specifically listed under the City Attorney's report, is likely to be discussion of the City Attorney's Authority of City Manager Memo (.pdf).

The memo is the result of "Park Ridge Mayor David Schmidt [having] asked for a legal opinion as to whether City Manager Jim Hock overstepped his authority by providing a laid-off city employee with a payment of $25,000 without receiving approval from the City Council." as recently reported in an article in one of the local rags. The article also notes the concern of 7th Ward Ald. Frank Wsol -- "Wsol pointed out that the City Council did not approve a contract with former Public Information Coordinator Aggie Stempniak for Stempniak to produce future copies of the city newsletter, The Spokesman. He has also sought a legal opinion on the matter."

What is most notably absent from the City Attorney's memo is any information regarding the City Manager's authority in reference to the $20,000 severance paid to our dearly departed Director of Economic Development Ms. Kim Uhlig -- presumably because neither Mayor Schmidtzkrieg, Ald. Wsol, nor anybody else asked about that.

All of the above and the absence of specific agenda placement, for discussion of the City Attorney's memo, should make the debate surrounding the City Manager's Employment Agreement (.pdf) all the more entertaining!

Enjoy A Crazy Weekend!

By request, for those with a 70's sensibility --

And for those who may prefer newer music --

Listening Politely!

Sorry people -- this post was supposed to be scheduled for publishing this morning but PRU.ADMIN, not to name any names, somebody forgot!



For our faithful PRU readers interested in the City's efforts to mitigate neighborhood flooding problems, by proposing use of Park District property as we mentioned here a few weeks ago, some of the news does not appear very promising.

As many of you may be aware, the City of Park Ridge has approached the Park Ridge Park District, armed with the recommendations from Burke Engineering -- the City Flooding consultant, about the idea of using park property for storm water retention ponds. The location currently under consideration for discussion are a significant portion of the fields at Northwest Park.

At last week's Park District Board COW meeting, Park District Commissioners were treated to a 90 minute presentation and discussion of the subject with two of the consultants from Burke Engineering, the Park Ridge City Manager Jim Hock, Director of Public Works Wayne Zingsheim, City Engineer Sarah Mitchell, and 2nd ward Alderman Rich DiPietro. City officials attempted to persuade the Park Board of the necessary wisdom of allowing the City to spend $1.9 million for the project, which could probably reduce flooding for 145 homes in the area, but would have the effect of also reducing the availability of the playing fields.

According to the Park Board minutes (.pdf) page 7 of the meeting, in addition to the reduced availability of the fields, Park District Commissioners also expressed concern about field damage and water safety issues.

Park District Executive Director Ray, The Big O, Ochromowicz did offer an alternative option to City officials -- turfing and lighting fields at Centennial Park so they are playable and available for night games. Some preliminary estimates we've heard are that the alternative plan could cost as much as $2 million in additional dollars to the City. Ironically, if the alternative plan were accepted, the total cost would be approximately $4 million -- equal to the amount Burke Engineering has estimated it would cost for underground work at Northwest Park.

The Park Ridge Park District Board has not formally discussed the alternative plan and City officials are said to be requesting the Mayor's involvement in the discussions, moving forward.

Why the Mayor hasn't already been involved in the discussions we can't explain.

In other Park Ridge Park District news, according to their meeting minutes --

"Executive Director Ochromowicz expressed his concern with the [Senior Services] agreement and said the District needs to stop the increasing subsidy. He said subsidy has to be decreased and he believes the senior building is used 99% of the time for Senior Services so the Senior Services should pay 100% of the full-time employees' salaries. Still under negotiations are that all programs that are planned and organized by Park District staff are open to all Park Ridge residents with no penalty." (sic)

~~THUD!!!~~ We're in love!!!

Committee of the Whole 9-13-2010 Video!

Enjoy the show!

We're sure our faithful PRU readers will appreciate the very gifty natures of some of our Aldermopes.

And we just loved the policy vs. ordinance discussion about tree preservation!

How Many?

A September 1st article in the online version of one of our local rags reported -- Park Ridge executive picked to join District 64 board. The lucky winner of the appointment to the School Board vacancy is Mr. Scott Zimmerman.

The background and credentials Mr. Zimmerman brings to the position are -- "chief information officer of CenterPoint Properties in Oak Brook and [he] has served on company boards and professional advisory committees. He has a master's degree in management information systems from DePaul University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Loyola University."

Sounds pretty good.

Mr. Zimmerman is quoted in the article as saying, "I had a desire to give back to the community," Zimmerman said. "I felt it was good to get involved."

Sounds pretty cliche.

No offense to Mr. Zimmerman or anybody else, but the PRU Crew is inclined to present a lovely gift certificate to the next person stepping into a public service role who can come up with something, anything, different to say!

However, what really really really caught the PRU Crew's attention in the article is --

"District 64 received 18 applications for the position.

"We had a very healthy number of applicants," said Board President John Heyde, who said the candidates showed a great deal of enthusiasm and were from a wide variety of backgrounds."

How many??? Eighteen???

Outstanding!!!

We hope no less than eighteen candidate packets are requested from the Park Ridge City Clerk for the upcoming elections! We look forward to each of these eighteen enthusiastic people continuing their enthusiasm for...giving back...to the community!

And just in case these eighteen enthusiastic individuals weren't aware of it -- No, you do not -- we repeat, you do NOT -- have to obtain the endorsement of the District 64 & 207 General Caucus in order to run for election to either the District 64 or 207 School Boards!

The PRU Crew may even be more enthusiastic about your candidacy if you didn't!

More COW Bell!

The ding-a-lings we call our elected representatives will be holding another COW meeting this evening at City Hall, beginning at 7:00 pm. The agenda (.pdf) for tonight's meeting covers Finance and Budget, Public Works, and Public Safety.

The first item of business, under Finance and Budget, is an action item -- a. City Manager's Employment Agreement (.pdf). For those of you paying attention, you will remember this item of business was deferred from the last City Council meeting, in keeping with Council tradition. The PRU Crew feels the contract is more than fair for a City Manager position in a community the size and type of Park Ridge -- but we must admit, we're not sure there's enough money in the world to compensate anyone having to deal with our current crop of elected representatives.

Under the Public Works portion of the agenda, the PRU Crew cannot wait to hear the discussion which will take place regarding item 1. Parkway Tree Removal Policy (.pdf) -- and the PRU Crew is wondering what the hell the amount of $167,438.94 is supposed to reference in the cover memo.

The most recent installment of "Meatgate" was covered in one of the local rags here and here. Tree preservation and the Bonita Drive Bunyans were originally discussed on our blog here and here. We are particularly interested in hearing when and how a mere policy overrides a City ordinance, in addition to learning when and how the new City Forester Mr. Tony Gliot can override settled Council policy in particular cases. However, the PRU Crew does have to give a big old tip of our lumberjack hats to the Bonita Drive Bunyans who clearly live by the standard that if at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Two Mayors -- two City Managers -- Two Public Works Directors, and three City Foresters! Third time's a charm!

The last portion of tonight's COW meeting will cover Public Safety and the PRU Crew's favoritest subject, Red Light Cameras. B.O.H.I.C.A.!

And finally, the PRU Crew are very very very proud of ourselves for not making any tasteless jokes here about Police Chiefski's Pig Roast report!

Variety!

Enjoy a variety of simple pleasures this weekend!

City Council Meeting 9-7-2010 Video!

More detailed indexing to come --

Press Release from Mayor Schmidtzkrieg!

For your reading enjoyment --

Good afternoon-

Attached is the text of the message I delivered to the Council last night vetoing appropriations for community groups. Pursuant to state statute, the City Council will automatically debate overriding the vetoes at the next City Council meeting on September 20.

You will hear some claim that the vetoes were unnecessary and should be overridden because the total amount involved is a small percentage of our overall budget. That is nonsense. Every single dime we have available to us must be spent wisely and solely for the benefit of the taxpayers, not private organizations, nor anyone or anything else for that matter.

As I mentioned last night, the perceived nobility of the purpose does not change the fact that it is still an expenditure of public funds to private entities without any determination that an essential public need is being met through the expenditure. Wrongfully spending taxpayer funds because politicians determine the cause is "just" or the amount involved is "slight" does nothing to make it right.

More importantly, this issue is just part of the bigger picture which involves defining the role of the city government and ensuring that we finally get our fiscal house in order lest we end up in the same financial condition as the State.

This is a public debate. I encourage everyone, regardless of their opinion, to let the aldermen know and me how you feel and to attend the September 20 meeting if you can.

-Dave

Mayoral Veto 09072010

For our part, the PRU Crew is getting the idea that Mayor Schmidtzkrieg has developed a political tin ear.

Enjoy!

Have a long, relaxing Labor Day weekend!

Hump Day PRU Briefs!

#1 -- Calling All Grubbers!

For those of you who like to treat yourselves to some good grub, you can do so and help out a good cause!

Despite notions to the contrary, one of our local service agencies has begun another fundraising effort --

Restaurant Rewards Center of Concern

Eat hearty!



#2 -- Thank You, Sir! May We Have Another!

In case our faithful PRU readers missed it at the August 23rd COW meeting, our Aldermopes discussed the possibility of what government officials amusingly like to call Modifications to the ordinance governing business license fees. For those of you new to government-speak, modifications to fees usually translates to mean increases in fees.

In keeping with what has become a tradition with the current crop of Aldermopes, action on the item was deferred in deference to getting feedback from the business community.

According to a press release on the City's spanky new website, "The Procedures and Regulations Committee of the Whole will discuss the proposed increase again at their September 27, 2010 meeting."

The PRU Crew is gong to go out on a limb and speculate that the feedback from the business community will be something along the lines of, "The economy stinks! We're generating less sales! We're generating less in sales tax! So now you want to hit us with higher fees!?!? Thank you, sir! May we have another!?!?"

The PRU Crew could go either way on this issue -- except -- we find some of the spending decisions, voted on by a majority of our Aldermopes so far, negates their ability to reasonably persuade anyone of the absolute necessity for these increases.

And while the last page of the memo provides a nice comparison of Park Ridge fees to those in some fo the surrounding communities, we feel our Aldermopes should keep in mind the size of the Park Ridge market in which these businesses operate.



#3 -- Wanna Buy A House?

According to information contained on the Crook County Treasurer's website, today is the last day to pay delinquent 2008 tax bills or the property will be included in the Treasurer's upcoming 2008 Annual Tax Sale.

The purpose of the tax sale is to garner the unpaid taxes and return the properties to the participating tax roles.

The PRU Crew hasn't done anything close to a comprehensive review of properties in Park Ridge at risk of having their taxes sold due to non-payment. But we know of one in particular. Wanna buy a house? It looks like a nice house --

And according to other information on the Crook County Treasurer's website, the 1st installment taxes for 2009 haven't been paid either.

We sense a trend occurring for Property Index Number (PIN): 09-27-414-018-0000.