Park Ridge Underground

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

New Beginnings
by Gertrude B. McClain

It's only the beginning now
...a pathway yet unknown
At times the sound of other steps
...sometimes we walk alone

The best beginnings of our lives
May sometimes end in sorrow
But even on our darkest days
The sun will shine tomorrow.

So we must do our very best
Whatever life may bring
And look beyond the winter chill
To smell the breath of spring.

Into each life will always come
A time to start anew
A new beginning for each heart
As fresh as morning dew.

Although the cares of life are great
And hands are bowed so low
The storms of life will leave behind
The wonder of a rainbow.

The years will never take away
Our chance to start anew
It's only the beginning now
So dreams can still come true.

Happy New Year from the Crew.

Have A Very Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T00:00:00.002-06:00

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
-Roy L. Smith

To our faithful PRU readers and other drop-ins, we wish you all a joyful holiday!

PS To our kind and gracious Santa at last Monday night's meeting -- thank you very much for the generous gesture. We hope you and yours have a great Christmas.

City Council 12-20-2010 Video!

2010-12-22T11:06:00.006-06:00

And a jolly good time was had by all, if you're a fan of clusterf#%&$!

The PRU Crew would like to point out that we strongly believe, on the issue of voting to appeal from the decision of the chair regarding his ruling on the motion to reconsider being out of order, the Council is in violation of the law.

In support of our belief, we offer --

Appeals that cannot be entertained

Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised states that "when the chair rules on a question about which there cannot possibly be two reasonable opinions, an appeal would be dilatory and is not allowed." Demeter's Manual recommends using the mnemonic devices F, T, R, L and J, O, D to remember that no appeals can be taken from the Chair's rulings which arise out of known Facts, evident Truths, established Rules or operative Laws, but can be taken only from rulings which are based on his personal Judgment, Opinion or Discretion.

The City's Zoning law, an established operative law, providing fact, truth and rule is unequivocally clear -

H. Limitations on denials

"No application for a variance which has been denied by the City Council or Zoning Board of Appeals shall be reconsidered for a period of one (1) year from that date of denial."

And we note the City Attorney's opinion on the matter. We also note the City Council's lack of understanding the necessary fine point of the language denying an application versus preventing applicants from coming before the public body more than once in a given year. It is reasonable to deny repetition of specific applications while allowing applicants to submit as many different applications before the public body as he or she can possibly muster.

So gentlemen of the City Council, if you are going to cite and follow the rules provided for by Robert's Rules of Order and the City's laws, then it appears you've once again screwed the legal pooch.

Hey Baby, What's Your Sign?

2010-12-20T14:02:00.002-06:00

For our faithful PRU readers, who've had the dubious privilege of attending a meeting in the City Council chamber at City Hall, you may have noticed there are signs on either side of the Council horseshoe -- No Citizens Beyond This Point.

The PRU Crew feels very strongly, we need new signs. See above.

The practical effect of the new signs may be reducing the number of Alderdunces allowed to sit at the Council horseshoe, but the voters of Park Ridge have already shown their approval for reducing their representation. What could possibly go wrong?

For those interested in watching the smaller, more efficient Council in action -- there's another City Council meeting tonight, set to begin at 7:30 pm. If you're interested, you can review the revised agenda (.pdf) and then send Ald. Allspaghetti and possibly Ald. assWsol a thank you note -- so much for Allspaghetti's continual harping on talking issues to death! The Council is reportedly set to entertain a motion to reconsider the Hoffman Homes project (.pdf) proposed for Touhy Avenue. Because as we are all learning, "no" does not mean "no."

The meeting will also include another veto (.pdf) from Mayor Schmidtzkrieg -- this time, of the Police Chiefski's salary. Approval of the proposed City Manager's contract (.pdf), is also up for discussion and a vote, and we look forward to more unsubstantiated claims by those expected to whine their way through discussion of suspending the City's Facade Improvement Program (.pdf).

B.O.H.I.C.A. humbug.

COW 12-13-10 Video!

2010-12-17T19:00:00.003-06:00

The City managed to get last Monday's COW meeting video posted by this morning -- damn thing's been up all day but has only gotten 20 views. Come on, people! Take the weekend to relax and give your local government some of your time and attention!

There's more fun yet to come at the next City Council meeting on Monday night!

Bah Humbug Grab Bag!

2010-12-16T10:39:00.009-06:00

The PRU Crew is in a bad mood. Sorry. Not really.

For our faithful PRU readers who look forward to viewing the City Council meeting videos, it appears you may have to wait longer than usual. The City did manage, after 48 hours, to post a 3 minute video of the Special City Council meeting -- aren't they all? -- from Monday night, but hasn't managed to post the video of the regular City Council meeting as of 10:00 AM this morning. We may have thought somebody would get a clue and realize that 3 video views in 24 hours means people aren't very interested in what's been made available, and are instead waiting for something more substantive than the Council rubber stamping approval of the tax levy. Apparently not.

The PRU Crew is wondering if any of the people posing as our representatives in local government have bothered to inquire about the delay.

For our faithful PRU readers who thought there was any hope of city officials getting the message through your majority votes on referendums, guess again. As covered in an online article by one of the local rags, we learn "no" does not mean "no." Just ask the O'Hare Airport Commission people -- they'll explain it!

And remember, way back when, we explained why Police Dept. brass was willing to keep on keepin' on with "the golden fleece boy, who answered the siren's call - hi there, Hoopty Lou, how's it going in traffic? - [who] can be kept safe for future use as a PRPD pitchman; there are not too many coppers with the ability to speak and write impressive sounding bullshit as well as Hoopty Lou can."

A new proposal for renovation and expansion of the Park Ridge Police Dept. was offered for review at the City Council's budget workshop on Tuesday night. And the PRU Crew now understands very well why no supporting documents were included on the City website for review prior to the meeting.

The PRU Crew is again wondering if any of the people posing as our representatives in local government have bothered to inquire about the lack of supporting documents being made available for public review -- and the limited demands of the law should not be an acceptable excuse.

Covered in another online article in one of the local rags is the anatomy of a travesty. While the PRU Crew more than understands the legal questions, as well as the risk of precedence, we cannot get past how thoroughly and completely the City process screwed the Vine Ave. residents.

We don't know what the answer is, but we know we haven't heard it yet. And we strongly encourage the City Council and staff to find a way to make those residents whole. What has happened to them, throughout this saga, is unacceptable and should never be allowed to happen again.

Finally, the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Board will be meeting tonight (agenda .pdf). They are scheduled to go into closed session, which is expected to last a very very very long time. We hope the discussion includes talking really really really bad about these people!!!

In all seriousness, we wish calm heads and reasoned consideration for the Park Board as they contend with the task ahead -- it's certainly a loss, but not the end of the PRRPD world as we know it.

Good luck.

Have Some! And a Welcome Note!

2010-12-13T08:47:00.009-06:00

Have Some Cow pie!

For our faithful PRU readers who may want to take a break from the holiday madness, may we suggest some madness of a different sort? How about a COW meeting!

If you're up for some assorted madness, you can attend tonight's City Council COW meeting -- the agenda (.pdf) offers topics for discussion and action on subjects for every City Council committee!

The PRU Crew is very interested in hearing the discussions on a number of issues. We feel the pending agreement with Lutheran General Hospital, on the issue of the parking garage tax, should be of extreme interest to the people of Park Ridge. And we look forward to learning precisely what community health care services the City has been providing, in addition to ambulance and paramedic services, since the community groups listed on exhibit A (last page) of the supporting documents (.pdf) are not City-provided community health services. But the PRU Crew is mighty intrigued by the idea of being able to contract for the rescinding of tax ordinances and then earmarking payments to government for preferred program support!

We're also wondering about Lutheran General Hospital's ability to use the proposed agreement to help satisfy legal requirements for providing charity care.

The PRU Crew expects the Mayor and City Council will support the addition of "advice and consent of the City Council" when reviewing department head hiring, and express approval of the City Council, by vote, of severance payments. And we feel this is a cluster f%$# waiting to happen. If history provides any instruction and-or insight, it is likely this Mayor and City Council would have approved the extra severance payment made to the former Director of Economic Development, while voting against any extra severance payment to the former Director of Community Development. And their doing so would have been highly subjective and rife with personal sentiments. But hey, discrimination lawsuits are always interesting!

Finally, we expect the residents on Vine Ave., seeking reimbursement for engineering costs (.pdf), may want to be prepared to bend over and grab their ankles. But some of the residents on Bonita Drive may have better luck with the City Council, right after explaining what they are really after is enforcement of the current truck parking ordinance -- versus the inexplicably stupid cover memo (.pdf) which states, "There seems to be two groups of thought – one believes the restrictions on truck parking should be stronger and the other group believes they aren’t strong enough." Just more of the same nonsense of the continuing saga of Meatgate and one family's adventures in local government!

Welcome Note!

Today was the first day candidates for local office could submit their petitions for inclusion on the ballot for the upcoming spring elections.

We're told, as of noon today, current Aldermen Joseph Sweeney (1st ward) and Rich DiPietro (2nd ward) have submitted their petitions to the City Clerk for inclusion on the ballot.

We're also told relative newcomers to the fun that is local City of Park Ridge government, Franklin Ramirez (7th ward), Sal Raspanti (4th ward), and Dan Knight (5th ward), have also submitted their petitions to the City Clerk for inclusion on the ballot in the same aforementioned elections.

Welcome! The PRU Crew is very much looking forward to your campaigns!

Let The Friday Fun Begin!

2010-12-10T17:00:00.003-06:00

'The Cocktail Hour' by Joseph Catanzaro
at chicagocontemporaryart.com

Have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend
with your contemporaries!

Mayor Schmidt -- Email -- Budget Hearings

2010-12-09T13:05:00.001-06:00

From: Dave Schmidt
To: supporters@electdaveschmidt.com
Subject: Budget hearings

I wanted to let you all know that we will be starting budget discussions much earlier this year. The first session will take place this coming Tuesday, December 14, beginning at 7pm at City Hall. The first session will involve a capital budget review, an overview of goals and priorities and a review of revenue projections. The next scheduled meeting is January 31 when the actual budget booklet will be distributed to the Council. However, it is entirely possible, perhaps likely, that there will be one or more additional meetings between those dates.

Last year's budget hearings we by far the best-attended in any one's memory. Although I obviously was not satisfied with the final product, I was pleased that there was so much resident involvement. I strongly believe that it has an impact, and I encourage residents to participate again this year. I hope to see you Tuesday.
(sic)

City Council 12-6-2010 Video!

2010-12-08T14:11:00.001-06:00

For the viewing displeasure of our faithful PRU readers!

We suggest viewers pay special attention to the discussion of the vote to override the Mayor's veto of the amended and suspended Facade Improvement Program, which begins @ the 0:23:13 mark of the video. It would seem Mayor Schmidtzkrieg may have made a new frenemy!

Residents Mr. Declan Stapleton and Mr. Ed Berry, of O'Reilly's Public House fame, address the Council beginning @ 0:24:00 mark of the video. And the PRU Crew feels it's very sad how little understanding Mr. Stapleton has not only for general municipal accounting practices, but also that Mr. Stapleton has less than zero understanding of TIF district financing in general, or the Uptown Redevelopment TIF district, specifically.

And despite the PRU Crew's strong suspicions that the Council doesn't understand either municipal accounting or TIF district financing much better than Mr. Stapleton, they somehow managed to vote to sustain the Mayor's veto of the amended and suspended Facade Improvement Program -- which they plan to discuss and amend again at the December 20th Council meeting.

Under Citizens Wishing to Address the Council on Non-agenda items, we hope people will give consideration to the remarks offered by resident and local builder, Mr. Rob Lohens, begining @ 1:14:02 mark of the video. Unfortunately, while Mr. Lohens' comments on public employee salaries and pensions have much merit, his grasp of the Crook County property assessments and the property tax system is lacking.

For others who may not quite get how the whole mess currently works -- as simply as we can state the matter -- property value assessments are created for the purpose of apportioning shares of the property tax burden, within any given taxing district. You can have your property tax assessment reduced and you still may end up paying as much or more in actual property tax dollars. Why? Because until the local taxing bodies actually reduce the tax levies -- the actual total dollars they ask for from the taxpayer pool -- taxes will generally continue to remain the same or rise. Place your bets, people!

Thus concludes our PRU civics lesson for today.

The discussion of the proposed Hoffman Homes project, as recommended to the City Council by the Planning and Zoning Commission, begins @ 1:20:51 mark of the video. And we found the discussion of affordable...er...no...make that, attainable housing very entertaining.

The Aldermen voted 3-yes (Sweeney, Bach and Allegretti) to 3-no (DiPietro, Ryan and Wsol) on the matter. Mayor Schmidtzkrieg attempted to break the tie by voting "no," but the City Attorney advised him his vote was not necessary as a tie vote means the request for approval of the special use dies for lack of receiving a majority.

The project developer, Mr. Hassinger, then took the opportunity to let the Council know he would not be back with a new application. So there!

Enjoy the rest of the show!

Comments In the Spotlight

2010-12-07T13:17:00.002-06:00

Under our post yesterday, one Ken Hubbs remarked --

"Did anyone see the Spokesman? Is the Mayoral opinion piece a message to the community or a campaign 2011 mail piece? He goes way beyond discussing the issues at hand and lays direct blame at the feet of the Council. He cites three separate issues and then goes on to heap blame directly on “The Council”. I’ve seen previous Mayors use the Spokesman before as a tool to disseminate information on issues. I’ve even seen the prior Mayor use it as a tool to pursue his political spin on various issues. However not even he ever used this publically funded mail piece to directly attack other elected officials."(sic)

For those who may have missed the latest issue of the Spokesman, and the particular Mayoral message being discussed, here you go --

A further exchange took place later --

Anonymous said...

"Hubbs,

You can call it "blame," but each thing Schmidt said the Council did is what the Council did. That would make it fact. Do you have something against facts?"

December 7, 2010 9:03 AM

Ken Hubbs said...

"No I have something with people using taxpayer funded resources for political purposes. What happened may be fact, but the implied reason is opinion."

December 7, 2010 11:25 AM

The PRU Crew felt our faithful PRU readers may wish to review what Mayor Schmidtzkrieg had to say about the use of taxpayer dollars and resources for the promotion of political agendas, in a discussion regarding Veterans, PBS, and Bill Moyers, back when Mayor Schmidtzkrieg was still just a lowly Alderdunce --

"I do not relish the thought of my tax money going to fund someone like Moyers so that he can despouse his agenda on my dime. And that, my friend, is my fair and balanced view."(sic)

As for the PRU Crew, we're wondering if Mayor Schmidtzkrieg still believes "The Spokesman provides a service which is a cost-effective way of distributing information to the citizens," given his statements about the City of Park Ridge being on the "brink of financial disaster" and his repeated professions of his preference for "fiscal conservatism" and only spending on "essential City services."

Is the Spokesman an essential City service?

Are You Paying Attention?

2010-12-06T13:01:00.006-06:00

The PRU Crew and all our faithful PRU readers should, by now, have come out of our Thanksgiving turkey comas.

If you have been paying attention, then you know there's a City Council meeting tonight, at City Hall, beginning at 7:30 pm.

And if you have really really really been paying attention, then you also know the City's Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended to the City Council that the residents of Park Ridge be spared the blight of non-conforming signs.

However, P&Z Commissioners Arrigoni, Piche, Wells and Rifkind believe it is in the best interest of the Park Ridge community to allow a 70% increase in density (8 additional units over the zoning code limit of 12 units for this "high density" district) for the proposed Hoffman Homes condominium development at 1963-1975 W. Touhy Ave., and have recommended the City Council grant a special use for the 3-story, 20-unit condominium development. Did we also mention the allowances for additional lot coverage and decreased set-backs? Flooding, schmudding.

The PRU Crew takes particular note of Commissioner Rifkind's observation of the economics involved -- we must have missed the part of the Planning & Zoning Commission's mandate to ensure economic benefit to developers who ask for lots of extras.

Of course, when developers come asking for extras, they offer amenities to the community from which they are asking for those extras. What will Park Ridge be getting? Affordable housing units.

Be still our beating, bleeding hearts!

Nobody saw this one coming, right? Oh. That's right. We did.

The rest of tonight's City Council agenda should be entertaining, as well -- included under the action items for the Finance & Budget Committee is a "First reading for approval of December 2010 Property Tax Levy – For the Budget Beginning May 1, 2010 and Ending April 30, 2011." B.O.H.I.C.A.!!!

Have A Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T00:00:00.003-06:00

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

COW 11-22-2010 Video!

2010-11-23T23:00:00.000-06:00

Another fine performance for your viewing displeasure!

They'll Be Discussing Our Mooney Again!

2010-11-22T13:08:00.003-06:00

The City Council will be holding another COW (committee of the whole) meeting tonight, after a special 10 minute Council meeting (.pdf) to discuss the appointment of the City's new Director of Finance!

As usual, the COW agenda (.pdf) includes some items of interest -- the PRU Crew is looking forward to the discussion of the Financial Report (.pdf). Over all, it doesn't look too bad, and the Mayor's concerns for some of the revenue streams appear to not be as nearly doomy and gloomy as he feared. However, we would like to hear an explanation for the increased legal counsel expenses -- we're wondering if the increase has anything to do with the City appearing to have lost the case against the Napleton rezoning, a change initiated by the City Council and supported by the Mayor, which you can get a flavor for here (.pdf - page 2).

The Procedures and Regulations portion of the meeting will cover topics ranging from expanding the "occupancy limit" (.pdf) for the Youth Commission to consideration of restrictions on occupancy limits for residences (.pdf). The PRU Crew is very interested in hearing the discussion about who gets the honor of hiring City Department Heads (.pdf). So far it looks as if the City of Park Ridge will continue to operate under a City Manager form of government. So far.

Today's Post Possibly NSFW --

2010-11-19T15:15:00.002-06:00

-- depending on how nannified your IT department is.

The PRU Crew feels the recent news over the brouhaha surrounding the enhanced screening procedures instituted by the TSA just prior to the holiday travel season could be quelled with an enhanced marketing campaign.

Of course, any successful marketing campaign requires a popular celebrity spokesperson.

We would like to suggest musical artist Janet Jackson.

As you can see, Ms. Jackson is already familiar with enhanced pat-down procedures -- and she would be an excellent spokesperson for a new TSA marketing campaign. The TSA could contract with Ms. Jackson to use her 'Janet' album cover for posters placed in airport terminals, which would demonstrate for airline passengers what lies ahead for them as they snake their way through the security lines.

Enjoy your own escapade this weekend!

City Council 11-15-2010 Video!

2010-11-17T12:29:00.001-06:00

For our faithful PRU readers who've got a couple hours to kill.

The PRU Crew believes the Mayor's pre-ramble, before his remarks about his veto of the amended and then suspended facade improvement program, was a disclosure of some kind. We get the impression the Mayor found the matter pesky. However, we were pleased to hear the Mayor treat the veto subject as he did, though we are wondering why the Mayor chose not to issue his traditional email blast to supporters explaining his reasons for exercising his veto authority. We hope the City Council will choose to moooooves forward accordingly -- allow for the completion of the last remaining facade reimbursement agreement and reject any further applications, then fully suspend the program. We also hope that should any future Council choose to reinstate the program, they also demand a financial accounting to support the claims on which the program is predicated.

As for the discussion of the PROAC recommendations to retain the Taber Law Group for consulting on fighting O'Hare expansion, the PRU Crew found Commission Chairman Sue Perschke's offerings very entertaining. Where the former chairman had nearly perfected the damsel in distress approach, we find Ms. Perschke's baffle them with bullshit approach rather refreshing!

Two PRUdos are due!

The first goes out to City Manager Jim Hock for his ~~THUD!!!~~HOLY WOW!!!~~ inducing comments opposing a request, by Uptown developer PRC Partners, to grant a zoning text amendment and special use to again allow the developer to lease space to a non-retail, non-sales tax generating business. Mid-America Real Estate Group, the partner in the PRC Partnership which is responsible for retail leasing, may want to read their own rather up-lifting Retail Review – Fall 2010 Newsletter, then study their own 2010 Retailer Demand Study, and get to work.

Our second PRUdo of the day goes to resident Ms. Pat Livensparger for so clearly pointing out that an appeals process of any kind, in this instance the Tree Preservation on Private Property ordinance, must include criteria on which an appeal may be based. Spot on, Ms. Livensparger!

Enjoy the show, people!

Ready! Fire! Aim!

2010-11-16T00:30:00.000-06:00

Hey Chiefski, are you running for office? A little more circumspection in consideration for the judicial process may have been better for all concerned.

PressRlseLeavittNov2010

For our faithful PRU readers who may have missed the conventional press coverage of this story, the Herald-Advocate has an online article for your reading displeasure.

In the article, the following is reported -- "Following the settlement of the lawsuit the State's Attorney's Office, assisted by the FBI, began investigating the Police Department" -- things that make us go hhhmmmmm. We aren't experts on such matters, but we're pretty sure the State's Attorney's Office doesn't make a habit of opening investigations into settled lawsuits. We wonder what their source of investigative inspiration may have been?

Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls!

2010-11-15T11:45:00.005-06:00

c1899. Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

The circus we've come to know as our Park Ridge City Council will be meeting tonight at City Hall. For our faithful PRU readers, interested in live entertainment, the show is set to begin at 7:30 PM.

Tonight's program (.pdf) features two acts which hold promise for providing special excitement!

First, Ringmaster Schmidt will attempt to amaze the audience with another veto! This time Ringmaster Schmidt will attempt to make the City's amended and then suspended facade improvement program disappear! The PRU Crew has serious reservations about how this vanishing act will be conducted. And we are again hoping discerning consideration will win out over ham-fisted treatment of this budgetary issue, but we have our doubts.

The second act we are looking forward to is the discussion of the O’Hare Airport Commission's Recommendations regarding the Taber Law Group (.pdf). A friendly correspondent worded concerns surrounding this issue as --

First we will get, and I quote, "a strongly worded letter with this presentation to the FAA," which it is anticipated will not work.

Then we will get Mr. Taber to, and I quote, "select these experts [for "air quality and noise impacts" studies] based on his substantial experience with EIS law and science and Mr. Taber's firm would also outline the scope of work." And presumably, since Mr. Taber will be researching various avenues for funding these studies, Mr. Taber's fee does not include the costs of these experts and these studies. What is the ballpark/range of such experts and studies and why, exactly, do we need Mr. Taber to select these experts, why shouldn't the members of the OAC be doing this research? After all, they were able to dig up Mr. Taber.

Then finally we will again have Mr. Taber, and I quote, "submit another letter to the FAA, again requesting a supplemental EIS based on "significant" new information." I presume this letter too will be "strongly worded."

So, for the nice tidy sum of $8,987.50 the actual work product Mr. Taber, himself, will be producing for the city of Park Ridge is two letters to the FAA requesting a supplemental EIS study; $4,493.75 per "strongly worded" letter, the first of which it is presumed will fail in its' goal.

Though there is cold comfort in knowing that, for $8,987.50, the city will get two "strongly worded" letters to the FAA, which is a better return on investment than we got from "investing" $650K for a Peotone study.

There you have it ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls -- enjoy the circus!

Ponder the Possibilities!

2010-11-12T14:02:00.003-06:00

Give yourself time to think, relax and enjoy the weekend!

Veteran's Day 2010 -- Observance

2010-11-11T00:00:00.002-06:00

In observance of Veterans Day - Again today we will set aside any discussion of politics, government, elected leaders, and policy concerns in order to offer our deepest gratitude to those soldiers who have served our country to protect our freedoms, so that tomorrow, and every tomorrow to come, we may again freely discuss politics, government, elected leaders, and policy concerns.

To all our veterans near and far, thank you.
May God bless you all.

COW 11-8-2010 Video!

2010-11-10T11:05:00.000-06:00

The Committee of the Whole meeting was again very long, and we again encourage people to make the time to watch the making of municipal sausage.

The Aldermen managed to talk the Tree Preservation On Private Property ordinance to death, for over an hour and a half, without actually doing too much damage to it.

The PRU Crew was pleased to hear Alderman Carey ask City staff exactly what we were wondering about -- explain exactly what sections and which "language in various sections of the Municipal Code related to parkway maintenance responsibilities" the Public Works Department is proposing "to consolidate and clarify." The PRU Crew also got a chuckle out of Alderman DiPietro's having asked if the issue of parkway maintenance was related in any way to the infamous "meatgate" incident. We're hoping everyone in the room took special note of the City Manager's remarks on the subject, despite the Director of Public Works' denial of any relationship between parkway trees and the proposed housekeeping of the municipal code as it relates to parkway maintenance.

And for those who manage to make it through to the end of the COW video, you may find it interesting to hear Police Commander Keller talk about how our Police Chiefski has been "meeting with parties" concerned about more and less enforcement of the truck parking ordinance in the City's zoning code. Some of our faithful PRU readers may be aware that the issue of truck parking arose from the frustration of some of the neighbors surrounding the residents on Bonita Drive directly involved in the "meatgate" incident. The PRU Crew is unaware of a precedent by which the Chief of Police consults residents on their preference for enforcement of any of the City's codes, but we understand there's a first time for everything. And we're finding the dynamic taking place between City staff and the Bonita Drive "meatgate" people very very very...interesting.

Enjoy the show!

Monday PRU Grab Bag!

2010-11-08T12:43:00.009-06:00

#1 -- For our faithful PRU readers interested in more City circuses, you're in luck! There's a COW meeting tonight (.pdf - supporting documents), beginning at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The PRU Crew is looking forward to hearing all about the Public Works Department's plans for Amending Article 9 to include Parkway Maintenance Responsibilities (.pdf), as neither the cover memo, nor the draft ordinance (.pdf), explains exactly what sections and which "language in various sections of the Municipal Code related to parkway maintenance responsibilities" the Public Works Department is proposing "to consolidate and clarify."

The tree huggers among our faithful PRU readership may also want to take note of the Tree Preservation Task Force's recommended ordinance for TREE PRESERVATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY(.pdf) -- it turned out better than we expected it to. But we have every reason to believe our Alderdopes will try their very best to screw it up.

#2 -- For our faithful PRU readers interested in looking deeper into the recent press coverage on School District 64's recent ISAT test results, you can do so here (.pdf), starting at page 89 -- from the supporting documents for the D64 School Board meeting held on October 25, 2010. The PRU Crew also found these results better than we expected, and we appreciate what appears to be continual growth in the number of D64 students who exceed State testing standards. However, we would like to hear somebody explain how this growth in the exceeds category of testing does or does not correspond to the issues raised in an October 18, 2010 report by the Chicago Tibune -- New ISAT lets kids pass with more wrong answers. Think of it this way, we're just asking for the chiiiiildren!

We've also heard some people grumbling about the announced changes to the middle school lunch program -- specifically, the memorandum of information from the District's Purchasing Manager, Betty Lattanzio (page 144 of the supporting documents), letting the Board know the middle school lunch program will no longer be accepting cash payments for lunches beginning January 4, 2010. In other words, chaaaaarge it! RevTrak, the company so graciously offering this new school meal accounting software interface to the District, has got to love the idea of having likely modest but multiple deposits on account!

So there you go, faithful PRU readers -- pick your public policy poison!

Froize! Fantastic!

2010-11-05T12:38:00.003-05:00

via GEEKDAD on wired.com

Have a great weekend!

City Council 11-3-10 video!

2010-11-04T16:25:00.005-05:00

Some hair of the dog for your viewing displeasure!

Hump Day Post-election Hangover?

2010-11-03T12:37:00.001-05:00

We hope our faithful PRU readers are recovering from any post-election hangovers. However, for those who believe in the hair of the dog cure, we suggest giving the City Council some of your time and attention this evening.

What passes for our local representative government will be meeting tonight at City Hall, beginning at 7:30 PM.

The revised agenda (.pdf) isn't as jammed with entertaining possibilities as usual, but there are some important topics under consideration. Supporting documents for tonight's meeting are available on the City website, here.

We Feel The Same!

2010-11-02T00:01:00.004-05:00

"Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." George Jean Nathan

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T00:00:00.002-05:00

Have a screamin' good weekend!

COW 10-25-2010 Video!

2010-10-27T00:00:00.003-05:00

For the viewing displeasure of our faithful PRU readers! It was one helluva long meeting, but we strongly encourage people to make the time to view the video.

Mr. Mayor, you come off like a jackass on a handful of issues. The 6th ward's Ald. Tom Carey kicked your backside on the topic of the City Manager's contract -- for a figuratively blind, squirrely guy, on rare occasions Carey's flush with nuts! And the PRU Crew thought Procedures and Regulations' Chairman Allegretti acted fairly in his recall of events surrounding severance payments.

The PRU Crew was pretty pleased with the general discussion and vote on the issue of the Facade Improvement Program and we look forward to the Council's future action -- we hope we aren't speaking too soon.

As far as the Taste of Park Ridge discussion is concerned, we were again almost taken in by the warm and fuzzy effervescent spewing. But we've now gotten a look at TOPR's 990 tax return. We've taken a good long look at their expenses, we've listened to their statements about the need to maintain a "rainy day fund," and we are more than certain it's now time for the Taste of Park Ridge, Inc. to reimburse the City for costs, gentlemen! We'll have more to say on this subject in a future posting.

PRUdos go to City Manager Jim Hock for what 7th ward Ald. Wsol described as "thinking out of the box." Despite Ald. Wsol's negative approach, we hope the Council will seriously entertain City Manager Hock's funding idea for Community Groups.

Mayor Schmidt's attempt to appeal to the ids, egos, and superegos of the Aldermen, on the subject of appointment authority for department heads, was laughable in its' transparency. Suuure, Mr. Mayor --the PRU Crew is suuure your intention is to secure the voice of the City Council by suggesting they should consider whether or not they "have a say" in the appointment process of City staff below the level of City Manager. The PRU Crew is also pretty sure it would be pretty convenient for the Mayor if that "voice" were filtered through his involvement in the process of appointing individual department heads -- an authority goal long dreamed of by his predecessor. Given the performance of the Mayor on the contract issue of the already appointed City Manager, we're going with the 2nd ward's Ald. DiPietro in agreeing, "the City Manager should manage," and any conflict in the language of article 3 should be "cleaned up" and clarified to allow the City manager to manage. Or we may be inclined to begin referring to Mayor Schmidtzkrieg as Mayor Schmidtstain -- we briefly considered using "Mayor Small Fri--," but we liked the sound of "Schmidtstain" better. Elected officials with the ability of bestowing employment on department heads is a recipe for patronage disaster -- and that's not just your average Schmidstain mess, that's 7 square miles full of manure!

Finally, PRUdos to the 5th ward's Alderman Ryan -- your suggesting the City review the process by which residential improvements are approved, especially as they pertain to land grades and drainage, is timely. We've heard about a number of problems with the City's inability to address residential engineering and construction issues, and it's about damn time the problems were addressed.

You Are Cordially Invited!

2010-10-25T14:30:00.003-05:00

Good afternoon, faithful PRU readers! We think tonight's COW meeting may be one of those times it's in your best interest to get dressed, get out of the house, and go keep an eye on what your local City government may be planning to do to for you!

Beginning at 7:00 PM, in the Council Chamber at Park Ridge City Hall, the Finance and Budget, and Procedures and Regulations Committee of the Whole will be meeting.

On the City's website you will find .pdf file links to the supporting documents for tonight's meeting -- the PRU Crew is particularly interested in the following --

•Budget Policy -- worth a look.

•Spending Authority of the City Manager -- be careful what you wish for!

•City Manager's Employment Agreement (draft) -- here we go again!

•Facade Improvement Packet Info. -- more evidence Park Ridge is unfriendly to business! The PRU Crew feels the program should be suspended until somebody in local government gets their ass in gear and provides proof of the programs claims -- notably that "The City of Park Ridge (City) promotes the improvement of existing facades to make properties more attractive and increase long-term property values." The program has been in place long enough for an analysis to be done so a more informed decision can be made. While we appreciate being told what the City has so far spent on subsidies to private property owners for improvements of their private properties, we sure would like to see that hoped-for "increase in long-term property values." And maybe we missed it but, we would add the condition that any property owner receiving City Facade Improvement money is precluded from filing a property tax assessment complaint for at least two property tax assessment cycles.

•Public Information Coord. Agreement -- and here we all thought the Spokesman produced itself!

•Taste of Park Ridge Analysis (rev) -- time to reimburse the City for costs, gentlemen!

•Financial Report -- or as we are calling it, a post-mortem of last year's DOA budget.

•FB Monthly Report -- no, this is not a report on the Mayor's monthly FaceBook activity.

•Severance Payments -- looks like the Mayor and Council were for 'em before they were against 'em!

•Community Group Funding -- why the hell this was posted on the City website we have no idea. It's no more informative than an agenda line item.

•Code Clarifications - Dept. Head Appt. -- clean up on aisle 3! Which code language gets cleaned up will be very telling about the mindset of certain elected officials!

Something for everyone!

Deal!

2010-10-22T00:00:00.002-05:00

Embrace your weekend and enjoy your little ole self!

City Council 10-18-2010 Video!

2010-10-21T10:15:00.002-05:00

Another City Council clusterF --

A refresher on Roberts Rules of Order may be a good idea.

This would be as good a place to start as any -- Decorum in Debate

Sticky Note!

2010-10-20T14:35:00.001-05:00

The PRU Crew was hoping by now the video of Monday night's City Council meeting would be done processing on the City's YouTube channel so we could embed it here for your viewing displeasure. No such luck.

We were also hoping somebody on City staff or from the elected body would have noticed the wrong audio file has been pinned to the City calendar page for last Monday night's meeting and see that the error was corrected. No such luck. Finally corrected -- better late than never! Thank you to whomever!

In the mean time, our faithful PRU readers can continue to discuss the merits or demerits of cell towers. Or, cruise Face Book -- we've been told Face Book cruisers may find an unofficial campaign page for a candidate for one of our local governing bodies.

Tuesday Quick Hits!

2010-10-19T12:09:00.005-05:00

For those interested in a quick hit update on the doings at last night's City Council meeting, this one's for you!

Last night the City Council, in a vote of 4 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Carey and Wsol) to 3 (Bach, Allegretti and Ryan), upheld the Mayor's veto of City Manager Hock's contract. We can't account for the apparent change of heart in Alderman Carey, but the PRU Crew approves. As we previously stated, the original contract offer was more than generous. We also believe it is in the City's best interest to make sure all payments to employees are contracted for properly. What we do not approve of is the foot-dragging irresponsibility of having let this issue languish for so long. Like it or not, that kind of irresponsibility creates instability throughout the internal workings of the City. And if controversy is added to the matter, undertaken in public discussions, multiply that instability by 100.

Also last night, despite the issue being, in our opinion, improperly listed under the Mayor's report -- because it is the City Manager's responsibility -- the issue of the vacant Finance and Budget Director position report and discussion was handled by the City Manager. We understand information about potential candidates to fill the vacancy will be given to the Mayor and City Council in the coming days. The PRU Crew is wondering if the City Manager, in hopes of cajoling our elected officials, is bringing them into the process to obtain their approval prior to his hiring a new Director of Finance -- perhaps particularly in relation to an employment contract. Otherwise, the PRU Crew is at a loss to explain what role the Mayor and Aldermen have in this process -- other than micromanagement of personnel issues by elected officials.

The O'Hare airport Resolution – Request for Supplemental Environmental Impact Study passed the Council with...we can't resist...flying colors. We're pleased this action didn't cost anything.

Also at last night's Council meeting, it was reported that there are a number of 1st ward residents concerned with a proposal by the Park Ridge Park District for the installation of cell towers at Northeast Park -- which we first discussed here. As we told one of our recent correspondents -- We fully understand the concerns expressed and strongly encourage people to make those concerns known to the PRRPD Board of Commissioners. We also understand that, while the Park District's budget is in reasonable financial shape, there are always spending pressures and unavoidable cost increases on units of local government, and we are open to ideas for ways in which those units of local government can generate revenue for the benefit of residents without attempting to increase property taxes. We hope people will keep an open mind on the subject of alternative revenue generation.

After last night's open meeting, the Council adjourned to closed session to to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employee(s), pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 ( c ) ( 1 ) -- but as we understand it, Park Ridge now has a new Chiefski! This time for the Park Ridge Fire Department. Our sources tell us congratulations go to Mr. Michael Zywanski, who will be leaving his current position as Deputy Fire Chief in Naperville, IL.

For our faithful PRU readers who take an interest in local school issues, and for any of you School Board hopefuls, the PRU Crew thinks you may find a recent report by the Chicago Tribune very interesting -- New ISAT lets kids pass with more wrong answers.

The above report comes on the heels of another Chicago Tribune article -- School days shrinking in Illinois.

The PRU Crew would be mighty pleased to hear the current School Board and candidate hopefuls discuss these issues and share their opinions.

Of course, the PRU Crew has opinions on both of these matters but we want to hear what the school district whizzes have to say about them first.

Dream Big!

2010-10-15T11:31:00.001-05:00

Enjoy a colorful weekend!

COW 10-11-2010 Video!

2010-10-14T11:30:00.001-05:00

For the viewing displeasure of our faithful PRU readers. It was a very long meeting, but we strongly urge people to take the time. As we said in our Monday post -- the agenda for this meeting was flush with consequential issues. And we feel strongly that these subjects deserve your attention.

Special City Council 10-11-2010 Video!

2010-10-12T22:12:00.007-05:00

The agenda for the special meeting --

O’HARE COMMISSION REFERENDUM INFORMATION
a. Should the City of Park Ridge disseminate information to the Park Ridge residents?
b. If so, what information should be provided to the residents?
c. How should the information be disseminated?
d. How much should the City spend to disseminate the information?

Previously provided referendum information documents --

OACReferendumInformation

Now, if our faithful PRU readers were to email a link to this post to all their fellow townsfolk, we may be able to save the City more than a mere $750.

Another Happy COWlumbus Day!

2010-10-11T13:27:00.002-05:00

From fun to collect.com

Well faithful PRU readers, it looks as if the City is staying with the posted agendas for tonight's City Council meetings, and not adding more supporting documents for your reading displeasure!

First up is a Special City Council meeting -- aren't they all? -- beginning at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda (.pdf) includes the following --

O’HARE COMMISSION REFERENDUM INFORMATION
a. Should the City of Park Ridge disseminate information to the Park Ridge residents?
b. If so, what information should be provided to the residents?
c. How should the information be disseminated?
d. How much should the City spend to disseminate the information?

The PRU Crew cannot wait to hear more about how the residents of Park Ridge need to be edumacated on the issue of O'Hare Airport and the referendum question which will appear on the November election ballot. Because, according to the current PROAC chairman, people in Park Ridge are confused, very confused, by the referendum question.

"Shall the City of Park Ridge allocate funding in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to seek expanded and accelerated noise abatement solutions intended to address the negative impacts of O'Hare airport's expansion on residential property values, local schools and the overall quality of life in our community"

Clearly, the question is quite a referendum riddle!

Should the City Council vote to approve funds for a direct mail piece, to edumacate residents, we can all just think of it as a tuition payment. And should the City find itself incurring attorney's fees as a result of any legal challenge, we can all just think of it as another tuition payment for earning our collective post secondary education -- the education we seem to collectively continue to need, post Peotone fiasco.

Also scheduled for this evening is another COWlumbus Day City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, set to begin at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. The revised agenda (.pdf) is filled with fodder for all manner of municipal fun!

The PRU Crew is looking forward to a number of expected discussions. But we are gratified to see the Council will finally have an opportunity to address the City's Facade Improvement program (.pdf), which we first mentioned more than a year ago and have continued to mention as being something of which we disapprove -- not only because we find the basis for the program highly questionable, but also because the current expenditure will be coming out of the City's TIF fund, which has relied heavily upon loans from the City's General fund to stay afloat. What this means for residents outside the TIF district is, not only are taxpayers subsidizing the Uptown development directly, but also providing subsidies to other commercial properties in the TIF district, beyond merely the redevelopment project alone, while incurring higher property taxes outside the TIF district and reduced City services, in general. We guess the facade improvement program didn't make Mayor Schmidtzkrieg's radar when he was blipping about non-essential expenditures.

However, the PRU Crew will be tempted the next time somebody says, "Park Ridge isn't friendly to business," to firmly plant a pair of Doc Martens up their ass.

All in, there's a wealth of issues scheduled for consideration this evening and we strongly encourage residents to pay close attention to what their elected representatives will be doing in their name.

What the PRU Crew finds most unfortunate is, under the best of circumstances, this Council can't seem to figure their way out of the proverbial paper bag -- with an agenda flush with consequential issues, the odds are pretty good these guys will screw something up.

Enjoy The Ride!

2010-10-08T15:05:00.006-05:00

-- by request, an added suburban anthem --

Wherever your road takes you, have a classic weekend!

Quick Hits and Questions!

2010-10-07T12:37:00.011-05:00

In an online Journal & Topics article -- "Arts Funding Dries Up; Now What?", readers learn of plans by the "arts community" to hold a ""Collaborative Funding Forum" on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Non-Profit Center, 720 Garden Street, at 7 p.m."

The PRU Crew feels that's an excellent start to efforts long over-due.

The article goes on to report, "Perry Fisher, president of the Cultural Arts Council, said in a flyer circulated to fine arts members recently. “We are all interested in preserving, maintaining and enriching the arts in Park Ridge. Let’s put our nose to the grindstone, dissolve or hide our respective organizational hats, and work together to foster and nurture all the arts for our town."

The PRU Crew feels that middle phrase, "dissolve or hide our respective organizational hats," is more than a little odd. Have there been instances of artistic ego conflicts and infighting?

The article also reports, "The [cultural arts] council has served as an informal umbrella group and grant coordinator for such groups as the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra, the Fine Arts Society, the Brickton Art Center, and the Historical Society."

Huh.

So in addition to the City's previous contributions to each of those individual organizations, the City also made contributions to the Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council, which then also made "grants" to those individual organizations?

Huh. Double dipping for your pleasure and double dipping for your fun. Emphasis on fun.

In an online Herald-Advocate article -- Funding woes: Teen Center's future hangs in the balance, news readers again learn about further troubles on the fun front.

The article begins with, "The Board of Directors of the Park Ridge Teen Center will meet next week to discuss how -- or if -- the facility will continue to operate without financial support from the city of Park Ridge."

Bummer.

The PRU Crew hopes the Board of Directors of the Park Ridge Teen Center will be able to come up with a way to fund the facility so they can keep it open. After all, we would hate to see 7 out of 8 of the kids pictured in the article, who are reported as being residents of Chicago, not have a place to hang out and play video games.

As the article notes, "Charging teens a fee to use the center may also play into the discussion, she said. Use of the center is now free and teens do not need to be Park Ridge residents to drop in."

The Herald-Advocate provided another online article -- "Park district ponders name changes for buildings" -- full of fun!

The PRU Crew has no opinion on whether or not the Park Ridge Park District chooses to change the names of its' buildings in an effort to better brand themselves.

However, we were pleased to read, "As for the Senior Center, [Executive Director Ray] Ochromowicz is hoping to encourage other uses of the building when the seniors are not there.

"If we want to expand the use of the building, perhaps the name of the building should be addressed as well," he said."

Hey there Big O, we may know of some Chicago teenagers looking for a place to hang out and play video games in the near future! Unless the Seniors take their Wii console and go home.

In our final quick hit at the Herald-Advocate, the PRU Crew read the following article -- "City personnel: Unemployment filing violates ex-director's separation pact".

For our faithful PRU readers who have been paying attention, you know the article is about former Director of Community Preservation and Development, Ms. Carrie Davis.

And if you've been paying close attention, you know the article headline is not quite true. Because if you read the whole article, then you know, "As she was laid off the past summer Davis was paid $25,000 and agreed not to collect unemployment benefits, according to the separation agreement she entered into with City Manager Jim Hock.

Last month Mayor David Schmidt pointed out that the City Council should have voted on the $25,000 expenditure because it exceeded the $20,000 discretionary spending authority the city manager has. The council then rejected a motion to approve $5,000 of the total payment, rendering the separation agreement void, according to City Attorney Kathie Henn."

Is it possible to violate a separation agreement that has been voided by Council action?

Good old Action Ridge, where not all the action is all that good.

Dumbasses. We can't wait to see the legal bills for this stupidity.

City Council 10-4-2010 Video!

2010-10-06T10:33:00.001-05:00

Amazing men on their flying trapeze!

The Circus Is In Town!

2010-10-04T12:32:00.009-05:00

AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Eddy Risch at http://animal.discovery.com/

The three-ring circus we fondly refer to as our City Council will be putting on another show tonight! Come one, come all -- watch as our Alderclowns, lead by our duly elected Ringmaster Schmidt, make a freak show of the democratic process! You'll be amazed and astounded by their depth-defying leaps in logic! You'll thrill to the sounds of Alderclown amendments and motions to defer! And you'll grip the edge of your seat as you witness Ringmaster Schmidt welcome ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages to the greatest veto show in town!

Interested and faithful PRU readers can check out the revised agenda (.pdf) for tonight's show! And for a sneak peek at Ringmaster Schmidt's act, you can read the following press release --

from: Dave Schmidt
to: presscontacts@electdaveschmidt.com
date: Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 2:31 PM
subject: Fwd: Mayoral veto of City Manager's contract

Pursuant to the powers vested in me by the City's Ordinance, I am vetoing the City Manager's employment contract which was approved by the City Council on September 20, 2010.

There are several reasons for this action. The first reason involves the payment of approximately $8500 in deferred compensation in return for the City Manager opting out of the City's health and dental insurance plan. I have serious reservations about whether the payment complies with federal law. I have no reservations at all that the payment is inappropriate, even if technically legal.

When Mr. Hock was first hired in 2008, then-Mayor Frimark negotiated a cash payment of $7720 to Mr. Hock in return for his opting out of the insurance plan. In July 2009, one of the City's attorneys, Seyfarth Shaw, wrote a letter stating that such a payment likely violated Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, because it discriminated against lower-paid City employees who were not given the same option. The attorney's concern was that the payment could jeopardize the City's tax exempt status which could have adverse tax consequences for the City and its employees.

In the subsequent contract which I attempted to negotiate with Mr. Hock, Mr. Hock purported to remedy the tax issue by calling the payment "deferred compensation." Since the City Attorney who drafted the new contract apparently believed this would solve the tax problem, I agreed to the payment, but at a lower amount, approximately $3500. This Council subsequently voted to reject my recommendation, and then voted to actually increase the amount of the payment to $8500.

Upon further reflection, I am not convinced that using sleight of hand to call the payment "deferred compensation" would avoid running afoul of the IRS provision. However, I need not make that determination, because I am convinced that the payment is inappropriate since it discriminates against lower-paid City employees who have not been given the same option to receive deferred compensation in lieu of insurance coverage.

I fully understand that some will claim I am reneging on a promise made by Mayor Frimark to Mr. Hock. However, that contract provision was unfair from the outset, and it put the City's tax exempt status in jeopardy. It is my duty to make sure that error is not compounded. I can and must do what I believe is right, and approving this payment is not right.

A second and equally important reason exists for vetoing this contract. The citizens of Park Ridge have the right to a completely open and transparent government. However, the non-disparagement clause in the contract is the antithesis of transparency. The City Manager is the highest paid official in Park Ridge, earning almost nine times the combined salaries of the mayor and all seven aldermen. The taxpayers are paying his salary. He answers to them as much or more as he answers to the aldermen and me. As written, the clause would effectively prevent any elected official from explaining to the taxpayers why certain action regarding the City Manager was taken. I cannot condone such enforced secrecy against the citizens of Park Ridge.

Finally, the constructive discharge clause is also inappropriate. Mr. Hock's original contract contained no such provision, and I see no reason why it should be included now. In effect, the provision would tie the Council's hands if it decided that a salary reduction for the City Manager was necessary and/or appropriate, because it would trigger a potential severance payment which could cost the City up to $100,000 or more. It is simply unwise for such a new provision to be included in the contract.

I ask the Council to support my position and to come up with a contract which is in the taxpayers' best interests and which is fair to other City employees.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the gold of sunshine!

2010-10-01T12:00:00.002-05:00

'Rippled' by Christolakis

Have a great weeked!

Freewheeling -- Looking Down The Road!

2010-09-30T11:36:00.009-05:00

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!

2010-09-29T00:14:00.005-05:00

And a good time was had by all!

There Oughta Be A Law!

2010-09-28T11:58:00.002-05:00

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!

2010-09-27T09:22:00.013-05:00

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

2010-09-24T12:30:00.002-05:00

Have a good weekend!

The Political Folly of Ethics Demands?

2010-09-23T08:44:00.011-05:00

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!

2010-09-22T11:11:00.002-05:00

More theater of the absurd for your viewing pleasure!

Another Two-fer Tuesday!

2010-09-21T12:11:00.002-05:00

#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!

2010-09-20T12:15:00.001-05:00

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!

2010-09-17T12:45:00.003-05:00

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

And for those who may prefer newer music --

Listening Politely!

2010-09-16T14:41:00.003-05:00

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!

2010-09-15T07:48:00.000-05:00

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?

2010-09-14T11:00:00.001-05:00

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!

2010-09-13T09:35:00.011-05:00

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!

2010-09-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

Enjoy a variety of simple pleasures this weekend!

City Council Meeting 9-7-2010 Video!

2010-09-09T08:13:00.003-05:00

More detailed indexing to come --

Press Release from Mayor Schmidtzkrieg!

2010-09-08T13:30:00.005-05:00

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!

2010-09-02T12:30:00.000-05:00

Have a long, relaxing Labor Day weekend!

Hump Day PRU Briefs!

2010-09-01T11:26:00.009-05:00

#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.

When IS It Time To Panic?

2010-08-30T11:34:00.002-05:00

Toward the end of the comments section of our Thursday post, we suggested the first quarter revenue reports for this fiscal year should not be a cause for financial management panic.

Which begs the question -- when do we think we may be inclined to panic?

Short answer -- by the end of the third week in December.

Eight months of the City's fiscal year will have elapsed by that point in time. The shopping season will have been well underway and coming to a close. Some new businesses will be open and operating, possibly providing that hoped-for uptick in local sales taxes. The second installment property tax bills should have been sent out by the shitsqueaks working in Crook County by then. And we will have eight months worth of expenses and revenues to look at, and the ability to gauge the City's financial picture much better.

If expenses have risen sharply and revenues have taken a corresponding dive, then we are going to panic.

We will also be frantically paging through the City budget to see what if any expenses can be eliminated in the fourth and final quarter of the fiscal year so as to avoid another abysmal year of big budget deficits.

You may recognize our panic because we will be the people who've pulled Christmas stockings down over our faces while mainlining some liquid holiday cheer.

Time Is Relative!

2010-08-27T17:00:00.001-05:00

Take some time to enjoy your weekend!

Hardly Worth The Wait! -- COW 8-23-10 Video!

2010-08-26T15:30:00.002-05:00

The video abruptly begins with City Manager Jim Hock's report to the Council on the Financial Condition of the City (.pdf). Beyond the discussion of the City Manager's report, there is also discussion of the Treasurer's report, which does not appear to be part of the documentation available for review on the City's spanky new website. Though now we better understand where the Herald-Advocate reporter got her information for the simpleton report she wrote for this week's edition.

All in, it's another budget discussion cluster. But the PRU Crew has a new drinking game! We call it 'A Hard-on for Hynes' -- every time Mayor Schmidtzkrieg mentions the State's Comptroller, take a drink!

Further indexing of the video, as time allows -- no promises.

Hump Day Quickies!

2010-08-25T13:14:00.001-05:00

For our faithful PRU readers who can't get enough of governmental budget discussions, you can now look forward to School District 64's budget review!

As reported in an online article by the Herald-Advocate, the District 64 deadline for adoption of their budget is Sept. 30th. The School Board's Finance Committee of the Whole will be reviewing a final draft of the District's 2010/11 budget at their September 13th meeting! Time to pay attention, people!

What will also be occurring at the Board's regular meeting on September 13th is administration of the oath of office to whomever is selected to fill the current Board vacancy! How exciting!

At last week's meeting of the Park Ridge Park Board, The Big O -- that's Parks Director Ray Ochromowicz -- let it be known that the City of Park Ridge again intends to pitch a proposal to the District for use of one or more parks as water retention locations in the hopes of alleviating residential flooding in certain areas.

Previous attempts to persuade the Park Board Commissioners of the wisdom and necessity of this plan were met with little, if any, interest by Board members.

And we don't blame them.

Should the discussion of the City's proposal go beyond a polite "thanks, but no thanks," we fully expect the Park District Commissioners to ask lots and lots of questions before agreeing to allow the use of park land for water retention and flood mitigation .

OOH! Park Ridge could get all spruced up! An article in the Chicago Tribune Local -- Park Ridge wants to improve its southern exposure -- discusses all the wonderment of possibilities for what is known 'round these parts as the Higgins Corridor.

The article notes, "Traveling the corridor today, one can see why Park Ridge wants to spruce things up. Looking north, the first a visitor sees of the city is a gas station, a grocery store and a sea of parking spaces. Elsewhere is a mishmash of commercial and residential buildings of different styles, sizes and uses."

Because if you're going to have a spruced up "gateway" then it better not be "a gas station, a grocery store and a sea of parking spaces!" Commercial and sales tax revenues shmevenues! Future visitors, probably on their merry way to lose their paycheck at the new Des Plaines casino, must be given something spruced up to look at! Like a shiny glass, multi-story office building! There's a real head turner!

The biggest laugh the PRU Crew got from the whole article was what was missing! There are quotes from Mr. Jacques Gourguechon, principal consultant with Camiros, the urban planning firm hired by Park Ridge -- quotes from the City of Chicago's 41st ward Alderman Brian Doherty -- quotes from Ms. Gail Haller, of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, in which she notably states, "the organization has not discussed the plan other than to note its preliminary approval." which may explain why the article says, "Business owners along the corridor who could be reached said they didn't know much about the plan." -- and finally, there are quotes from Ms. Carrie Davis. Remember her? She used to be employed by the City of Park Ridge as the Director of Community Preservation & Development.

So what is missing from the article? Not a single word from any City of Park Ridge elected official! Though we can't blame the reporter if he didn't want to talk to any of them. As we all know, that bunch can be very annoying. Or maybe the reporter tried to get their statements but they all deferred his calls.

Finally for the consideration of our faithful and patient PRU readers, another Trib Local article -- With longtime ex-mayor in prison, Niles debates term limits.

The PRU Crew must admit, we aren't big fans of term limits since we believe limiting terms, or not, is the purpose of elections. And those who tend to support term limits usually do so because they want to limit the terms of, what they perceive to be, the opposition.

Instead of term limits, we would really really really like to see a local recall ordinance. Just a suggestion!

Allegretti? Allegretti? Allegretti? ***Addendum

2010-08-24T09:08:00.015-05:00

Once again last night, our very special City Council held another special meeting. And once again last night, an Alderdunce was absent -- specifically, the 4th ward's Ald. Allspaghetti.

In spite of Ald. Allspaghetti's absence, the assembled Alderdunces moooooved the political football, known as contributions to community groups, forward. The 2nd ward's Lord of the Manor, Ald. DiPietro, motioned to divide the question and vote on each contribution separately. The vote totals were mixed, but everything passed, with only the 7th ward's Ald. AssWsol voting "no" across the board -- we're looking forward to the video.

However, if Mayor Schmidtzkrieg was paying attention -- or took off his shoes in order to use his toes for counting -- he may have noted the potential and likely votes available to sustain what will be his coming veto of these budget items. It will be interesting to see what response Mayor Schmidtzkrieg will choose to last night's Council vote.

As the PRU Crew suggested some time back, if Mayor Schmidtzkrieg had used a discerning red pen veto, instead of swinging a total budget veto axe, some of what the Mayor's budget goals are, and veto intentions were, could have and probably would have received sustaining votes. And if the Mayor had taken a decisive position on cuts we suggested and then had taken an equally decisive position on cuts to reach the balanced budget he was seeking, he would have forced the Council to act on his terms and his recommendations and we believe he would have drawn some modest victories as well as populist support.

And the long and unnecessarily drawn out saga of contributions to community groups would not be the pitiful political folly it has become. You would have to have had your head thoroughly up your ass not to hear exactly what each of the Alderdunces were willing to do on this issue.

It will be interesting to see if all of the special Alderdunces can manage to show up for the next meeting where consideration of the Mayor's veto will be voted on.

What are the odds...

Well if this year's history is any teacher, there's a slightly better than 50/50 chance all the Alderdunces will show up for that meeting. As we mentioned in our post yesterday, attendance by all the Alderdunces at regular City Council meetings reaches only 54%.

Only 4 of our 7 Alderdunces appear to have attendance records of 100% for the 13 regular City Council meetings held so far this year -- they are, Ald. Sweeney, DiPietro, Allegretti, and Wsol.

By our count, Ald. Bach has missed only 1 regular City Council meeting for a 92% attendance record -- Ald. Carey has missed 2 regular City Council meeting for an 84% attendance record -- Ald. Ryan has missed 4 regular City Council meetings for an attendance record of 69%. Old hookie habits die hard, eh Bobby?

To date, there have been 11 COW meetings held with only 50% of those meetings having a full complement of Alderdunces in attendance. The individual attendance records are --

Ald. Sweeney -- has missed 0 COW meetings -- 100% COW attendance

Ald. DiPietro -- has missed 1 COW meeting -- 90% COW attendance

Ald. Bach -- has missed 1 COW meeting -- 90% COW attendance

Ald. Allegretti -- has missed 2 COW meetings -- 81% COW attendance

Ald. Ryan -- has missed 1 COW meeting -- 90% COW attendance

Ald. Carey -- has missed 3 COW meetings -- 72% COW attendance

Ald. Wsol -- has missed 0 COW meetings -- 100% COW attendance

Why should people care about attendance at COW meetings? Because COW meetings are presumably where the nitty gritty discussion and debate on issues takes place before an item goes before the City Council for, presumably, final consideration.

In addition to regular City Council meetings and COW meetings, so far this year there have been no less than 18 Special City Council meetings and Workshops. On the City's spanky new website there are 4 sets of minutes and-or videos missing -- the 1/25/10 Flood Control Task Force workshop, and the 3/6/10, 3/13/10, and 3/20/10 Budget Workshop. For our purposes, we've assumed full attendance at all of those meetings, but we're fairly certain there were absences.

The individual Alderdunce records for attendance at Special meetings and Workshops are --

Ald. Sweeney -- has missed 0 meetings -- 100% attendance

Ald. DiPietro -- has missed 0 meetings -- 100% attendance

Ald. Bach -- has missed 0 meetings -- 100% attendance

Ald. Allegretti -- has missed 4 meetings -- 77% attendance

Ald. Ryan -- has missed 1 meeting -- 94% attendance

Ald. Carey -- has missed 5 meetings -- 72% attendance

Ald. Wsol -- has missed 2 meetings -- 88% attendance

So there you have the year-to-date attendance records for each of our 7 Alderdunces. We're sure the people of the 5th and 6th wards are simply thrilled with their smaller, more efficient representation!

*** Addendum

Mayor Schmidtzkrieg sent out the following press release --

from: Dave Schmidt
to: presscontacts@electdaveschmidt.com
date: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 1:15 PM
subject: Text of Mayor's comments to the aldermen given at Aug. 23 Special City Council meeting
re: community group contributions

I have personally contributed to at least seven of the organizations.
I whole-heartedly support their efforts. I encourage the aldermen, the
residents and the business community in Park Ridge to also generously support the organizations of their choosing...but with their own money.

We should not be supporting the organizations with taxpayer money.
Taxpayer money should only be used to fund essential city services
such as police, fire, water services, sewer services, roads and
tree-trimming.

Even if the money was available, which is something I have serious
doubts about, the money should be spent on those essential services.
By way of example, $190,000 would pay for reinstating brush pick-up.
It would pay the salaries of two laid off policemen who could help
patrol the streets. It would pay for almost a full block-long relief
sewer. Or it could be used to help offset the multi-million dollar
deficit we experienced last year and are facing again this year. You
should vote no on these contributions.

COW Piles of Money! Very Special!

2010-08-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. tonight at City Hall there is another Committee of the Whole meeting. The agenda (.pdf) isn't very long, but the subjects listed should provide plenty of entertainment.

Under the Finance portion of the agenda, we're looking forward to the debate surrounding the Financial Condition of the City (.pdf). We hope all the corporate authorities take their time to fully vet the subject, but at this point we suspect City Manager Hock is pretty pleased with himself -- being off by only $17,415 under the projections in only one revenue category in a total City budget of more than $53,000,000.00 is not bad.

Even the highly contentious subject of State shared income tax revenue appears to be beating the predictions of some local alarmists. What remains to be seen is how long the State can put off making the promised disbursements and what municipalities can do about it if the State continues to do so.

We would strongly urge some local alarmists to learn the difference between State and local revenues and collections.

Still, these are the numbers for just the first quarter of the fiscal year and if some of the economic predictions are correct, the actions of nefarious characters in the public sector won't be the only time we suffer the aggravation of double-dipping.

The failure of the State to disburse promised funds to local governments, along with scads of other State funding recipients, is one of the reasons City government should seek to be as healthfully flush with cash on hand as is possible.

And being healthfully flush with cash on hand is one of the reasons Benedict Alderman Ryan's scheme to purchase the Scharringhausen parking lot -- referred to in City documents as the Fairview Lot (.pdf) -- makes ZERO SENSE at this time. Hell, the PRU Crew isn't sure such a scheme would ever make sense. But if you've been paying attention, then you understand the difference between fund accounting and actual cash in the bank, and how actual cash in the bank is necessary to fulfill the financial obligations of the City, despite the way in which the City accounts for its funds.

Finally, under Procedures and Regulations, the PRU Crew is really really really looking forward to seeing how the Council, with straight faces, addresses the issue of attendance levels for boards and commissions. Gentlemen of the City Council, are you aware of your own attendance levels and the fact that, collectively, only 54% of City Council meetings have been fully attended by Aldermen so far this year? And that's the best percentage of attendance! COW meetings have only been fully attended 50% of the time, and special meetings and workshops have only been fully attended 41% of the time -- and that 41% is generous since there are meeting minutes and videos missing from the City website for no less than 4 workshops, and 3 of those sets of missing minutes are for the budget workshops.

Additionally, Alderman Sweeney is the only Aldermen who does not appear to have missed a single meeting, while some of the Aldermen have records of attendance for City Council, Committee of the Whole, and Special meetings and Workshops which fail to hit the 75% attendance level they require for members of boards and commissions.

Also scheduled for tonight at 9:00 p.m. is another Special meeting of the City Council. As our faithful PRU readers may recall, due to the absence of Alderman Carey from the last City Council meeting, the Council deferred voting on contributions to community groups. Let's hope all the Aldermen show up tonight! If not for the purpose of moooooving this political football forward, then at least to improve their attendance records!

Three Cheers for Three Years!

2010-08-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

'Three Cheers' by artist Jenny Muncaster

That's right, faithful PRU readers! Tomorrow marks our third year of blogging!

-- 649 posts and counting, and a steady average of 2000 unique visitors per week. We can't even begin to count the hours of reading, research, and writing behind each of those posts. But we hope you, our readers, have found value in the effort we've made, and the time you've spent here worthwhile. We find your continued interest and participation rewarding. And remember, we're always willing to loan you a pair of Doc Martens!

For all those willing to keep fighting the good fight --

City Council Meeting 8-16-2010 Video!

2010-08-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

For those who hate to miss a moment of the drama!

Indexing when time allows --

We Are All $6,672 Safer!

2010-08-18T10:35:00.002-05:00

Various news outlets and the Chicago Tribune are reporting today that the Mayor of Chicago has issued a one day suspension to a bureaucrat for circulating an email memo "warning police supervisors that the city was on track to fall far short of this year's "targets" for parking ticket revenue." The unfortunate bureaucrat broke the cardinal rule of bureaucracy -- never tell the whole truth.

When it comes to things like parking tickets and red light camera citations, the bureaucratic script must be diligently followed -- parking tickets are written because a parking law has been broken and red light cameras are all about safety at intersections. Everybody got that? Politicians are not, repeat not, interested in revenue generation from things like parking tickets and red light cameras. They are only concerned with public safety and enforcement of the law.

The bureaucratic script, demanding discussions of public safety and enforcement of laws, are particularly important when discussing the use of red light cameras and the potential for installing more.

So any local news story or memorandum (.pdf) that includes and emphasises the amount of revenue generated by the use of red light cameras should not leave readers with the impression that there's any truth beyond your local government's concern for public safety and enforcement of the law.

Everybody got that?

Quick Hits!

2010-08-17T11:00:00.008-05:00

For our faithful PRU readers who are interested -- At last night's City Council meeting, consideration of payments to Community Groups was again deferred -- due to the absence of the Sixth Ward's Unfriendly Ghost, Ald. Tom Carey.
The issue has been rescheduled for consideration by the City Council at a Special City Council meeting on August 23 at 9p.m.

The PRU Crew really enjoys our smaller, more efficient Council. We all owe former Mayor Howard P. Frimark, and his cut-the-council helpmates, Steve Huening, John Kerin and Amy Sullivan, our undying gratitude!

In case any public service-minded individuals in our reading audience missed it -- the Schoold District 64 Board of Education is accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of board member, Mr. Russ Gentile.

According to a District 64 announcement, "Interested candidates should submit an application no later than Monday, August 23 at 4:30 p.m." Applications are available here (.pdf)

The PRU Crew feels those anonymous souls who dedicated such tremendous effort circulating flyers opposing the last District 64 referendum should apply!

We almost forgot! For those who keep up with the doings of the Park Ridge Park District and -- or use their website, you may be pleased with their new look and upgraded navigation!

Nicely done, PRRPD, and long overdue! Drop-down menues would have been nice, but we'll overlook their omission since you've spared us those annoying pop-ups!

The PRU Crew is also looking forward to the time the PRRPD decides on a new method of video hosting and sharing! Just a suggestion!

In case any of our faithful PRU readers should be mislead -- the "Editor's Notes" added to the most recent round of comments on the Public Watchdog have falsely been attributed to the owner of our blog. The false statement of fact does seem to rise to the level of the Public Watchdog Editor's having willfully cast our blog and the PRU owner in a false light, which is defamatory.

PRU.ADMIN did attempt to submit comments pointing out the error and requesting a correction. An email was also sent, last Friday morning, to both the Public Watchdog editor and their blog host, Mr. Dave Kaufman at dkworldwide.com. However, our PRU.ADMIN's comments were deleted, we have not received a response to the email, and neither a correction nor retraction seem to have been undertaken by either the Public Watchdog editor nor their blog hosting company, as of this writing, and despite the apparent completion of the site's upgrade.

So much for information being the currency of democracy -- maybe we were wrong to assume Jefferson's quote implied accuracy!

We're Awake! We're Awake!

2010-08-16T09:30:00.001-05:00

The PRU Crew has been enjoying a long summer snooze. We hope our faithful readers have also made good use of their time!

We're sorry to wake people up from a dreamy slumber but once again the nightmare that passes for our City Council will be meeting at City Hall this evening.

The agenda (.pdf) looks as if it may offer some entertainment. The first item of interest is under --

Planning & Zoning Commission – Ald. Sweeney
a. First reading of an ordinance for an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, known as the Higgins Road Corridor Plan

The PRU Crew hopes people pay close attention to this plan as we believe somebody had their head in the clouds when they cobbled it together.

Other agenda items which we know some people love to hate, but which offer great opportunities for political posturing party games are under --

Finance and Budget Committee –Ald. DiPietro
b. Approval of payments to Community Groups in the amount of $190,080.
c. Approval of City Manager Hock’s Employment Agreement

The PRU Crew expects at least one or some of the Aldermen will approach item "b" in a way much like we previously suggested be taken by Mayor Schmidtzkrieg. We are fairly certain the payments to Community Groups will receive the approval of a majority of the Aldermen, but if Mayor Schmidtzkrieg isn't too busy gazing around the inside of his colon, he may want to use his fingers and toes to keep count of the votes.

As for City Manager Jim Hock -- his mission, should he choose to accept it, will be to continue to function as the City Manager of Park Ridge. The PRU Crew is wondering if a taped recording offering him the job will self-destruct five seconds after he listens to it.

We hope everyone has been having an excellent summer! We've got some catching up to do!

Take Five!

2010-07-30T00:00:00.003-05:00

Art print by Alfred Gockel at buy-art-posters-prints.com

City Council Meeting 7-19-2010 Video!

2010-07-22T14:45:00.002-05:00

For our faithful PRU readers who enjoy watching our smaller, more efficient Council in action!

Is anyone keeping score on how often the Council defers action? Is anyone keeping score on attendance by Aldermen at Council meetings?

Committee of the Whole 7-12-2010 Video!

2010-07-14T10:50:00.002-05:00

Another entertaining cluster for those who find clusters entertaining!

Gone Fishing!

2010-06-25T12:00:00.002-05:00

'Lure' by kev at pixdaus.com

The PRU Crew is taking a break -- we'll be checking in and possibly even posting very lightly over the next month.

Feel free to enjoy some freewheeling!

Have a great weekend!

City Council Meeting 6-21-2010 Video!

2010-06-22T13:55:00.005-05:00

For those who've asked about the doings at last night's City Council meeting --

~~We may or may not get around to indexing the video content so feel free to avail yourselves of the technology without waiting on us!~~

And for those ~~lazy people~~ faithful PRU readers who waited for us to index the video content, you're welcome!

Meeting begins with the usual opening ceremonies

@ 0:01:19 -- Consent agenda approval begins

@ 0:03:08 -- Mayor's report begins with discussion of draft letter, inviting Federal candidates to Park Ridge to discuss O'Hare expansion

@ 0:07:10 -- Mayor comments on storm damage and asks Public Works Director Wayne Zingsheim for an update

@ 0:10:36 -- City Government Class is recognized as being in attendance and their teacher, Mr. Greg Young, addresses the Council

@ 0:12:43 -- City Manager's contract discussion begins

@ 0:23:12 -- Ald. Allegretti admits being unprepared for the discussion and moves to defer consideration of the City Manager's contract

@ 0:25:30 -- Ald. Bach moves to amend Ald. Allegretti's motion to defer to a Special City Council meeting on July 12th but his amendment fails

@ 0:26:40 -- Council votes unanimously to defer consideration of the City Manager's contract to the July 19th City Council meeting

@ 0:28:07 -- Under City Council reports, Ald. Bach reminds everyone to attend the Taste of Park Ridge on July 8th, 9th and 10th

@ 0:29:05 -- City Clerk's report begins with motions to cancel some upcoming meetings and a motion to adjourn to closed session to approve closed session minutes

@ 0:30:26 -- City Manager's report begins

@ 0:31:29 -- City Manager requests a motion to adjourn to closed session to discuss acquisition of the Scharringhausen parking lot property

@ 0:32:14 -- Mr. Declan Stapleton, of Irish Pub fame, addresses the Council ~~ by the way Mr. Stapleton, how's that parking study for your Irish Pub coming along? Don't fret Mr. Stapleton, this Council hands out variances like priests hand out absolution, but you aren't likely to be required to say even one "Hail Mary" to get that variance

@ 0:33:23 -- Ald. DiPietro notes Ald. Ryan's absence ~~ We're shocked, SHOCKED, that Ald. Ryan is missing another meeting ~~ and DiPietro indicates he intends to vote "no" on the issue of going into closed session

@ 0:35:05 -- Council votes 5 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Bach, Carey and Wsol) to 1 (Allegretti) not to go into closed session to discuss acquisition of Scharringhausen parking lot

@ 0:35:21 -- Ald. Bach asks the Council to discuss the acquisition of the Scharringhausen parking lot in open session at the next Council COW

@ 0:38:00 -- Mr. Dan Knight addresses the Council

@ 0:40:15 -- Council votes unanimously to defer discussion of acquisition of Scharringhausen parking lot to open session at the next Council COW on July 12th

@ 0:40:53 -- Citizens wishing to address the Council on Non-agenda items begins with Ms. Jane Nowak addressing the Council

@ 0:41:56 -- Reports of Boards and Commissions begins

~~ And they're off! ~~

@ 0:42:06 -- Ald. Bach begins report for PROAC with discussion about his phone conversation with the CAL law firm

@ 0:43:27 -- Ald. DiPietro indicates the CAL law firm did not return his call

@ 0:44:06 -- Ald. Wsol shares his notes from his phone conversation and offers information contradicting what Ald. Bach reported he was told in his conversation with the CAL law firm

~~ As we said -- It's the telephone game! ~~

@ 0:46:54 -- Mayor Schmidt comments on his email exchanges with the CAL law firm and confesses that sometimes lawyers are 1) "blow hards," 2) "salesmen," who try to 3) "develop clients," and 4) "market themselves." This may be the greatest truth the Mayor has ever offered for public hearing!

@ 0:49:58 -- Ms. Jane Nowak again addresses the Council and says she's happy to see her Alderman [Robert Ryan] is absent ~~ even odds say she meant it!

@ 0:51:50 -- Mr. Richard Hughes addresses the Council

@ 0:57:37 -- Procedures and Regulations begins with Ald. DiPietro moving to approve a resolution to place a referendum question about O'Hare expansion on the November ballot

@ 0:59:08 -- Ald. Wsol moves to amend the referendum language to read --

"Shall the City of Park Ridge allocate funding to seek expanded and accelerated noise abatement solutions intended to address the negative impacts of O'Hare airport's expansion on residential property values, local schools and the overall quality of life in our community"

@ 1:14:25 -- Mr. Richard Hughes again addresses the Council

@ 1:15:40 -- Mr. Milan Tomaska addresses the Council

@ 1:17:42 -- Ms. Judy Barclay addresses the Council

@ 1:20:57 -- Ald. Wsol calls the question, but discussion continues per the preference of the chairman who then recognizes Ald. Bach who proceeds to declare the full build out of O'Hare will be "horrendous" and "horrible" for Park Ridge ~~ and that muffled moaning sound you may hear are the anguished cries of real estate agents throughout Park Ridge

@ 1:22:21 -- Ms. Judy Barclay continues to address the Council

@ 1:24:24 -- Mr. Robert Trizna addresses the Council

@ 1:28:48 -- Ms. Pat Livensparger addresses the Council

@ 1:31:45 -- Mayor Schmidt comments on the referendum language

@ 1:32:35 -- Ald. Carey comments on the referendum issue and then offers a motion to amend Ald. Wsol's amendment. Ald. Carey moves to include language which reads --

"Shall the City of Park Ridge allocate funding in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to seek expanded and accelerated noise abatement solutions intended to address the negative impacts of O'Hare airport's expansion on residential property values, local schools and the overall quality of life in our community"

@ 1:38:35 -- City Manager Hock momentarily stymies the Council

@ 1:41:40 -- Ald. DiPietro moves the question which is the same parliamentary thing as calling the question

@ 1:42:38 -- Council votes unanimously to call the question which means they all agree to stop debate and take a vote on Ald. Carey's amendment to Ald. Wsol's amendment of the referendum language. Got that?

~~ And we pause now to offer a brief bit on parliamentary procedure. Almost every time a motion is made the newest motion must be acted upon, then the governing body must move backward through the pending motions to the main motion which was originally offered for consideration -- think, Merlin the Magician who aged backwards. ~~

@ 1:42:50 -- Council votes 3 (Sweeney, DiPietro and Carey) to 3 (Bach, Allegretti and Wsol) and the Mayor breaks the tie and votes yes to include the $500,000 Carey amendment language

@ 1:43:30 -- Council votes 4 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Carey and Wsol) to 2(Bach and Allegretti) to approve the Wsol amendment to the resolution for the O'Hare referendum question

@ 1:44:32 -- Council votes 5 (DiPietro, Bach, Carey, Wsol and Sweeney) to 1(Allegretti) to approve the resolution to place a referendum question about O'Hare expansion on the November ballot

@ 1:45:02 -- Finance and Budget report begins with discussion of City phone service contract

@ 1:49:00 -- City Manager Hock comments on the contract and the potential savings and costs

@ 1:50:40 -- Ald. Bach goes all "Napleton" again, but with much less gusto and oomph

@ 1:52:09 -- Ald. Wsol reveals his complete lack of understanding of what does and does not carry the potential for public relations fiascos

@ 1:53:14 -- Ald. Allegretti ask the City Manager about costs of a bidding process

@ 1:57:16 -- Mayor Schmidt comments on super majority voting requirements to award no-bid contracts

@ 1:57:43 -- Council votes 6 (Bach, Allegretti, Carey, Sweeney, DiPietro and the Mayor) to 1(Wsol) to approve the City phone service contract with Call One, which the supporting City documents indicate the Better Business Bureau rates an A+ company ~~ the PRU Crew is wondering why City staff included the BBB document in the first place, since we know the City does no-bid business with companies who receive a rating of F from the BBB.

@ 1:58:20 -- Move to adjourn to closed session

The end.

Another Turkey Trot Tonight!

2010-06-21T12:00:00.002-05:00

Our City Council is set to meet again tonight at City Hall -- the agenda (.pdf) contains a number of items we hope our faithful PRU readers will be paying attention to.

Under the City Managers report, the following agenda item appears -- Adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the acquisition of property, pursuant to Chapter 5, Act 120, Section 2(c)(5) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, which allows an exception to the required openness of the open meetings act, explaining public bodies may choose to go into closed session to discuss "(5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired."

The behind-closed-doors discussion, inspired by the request of the 5th ward's Benedict Alderman Ryan, will be about whether or not the City should purchase the property known as the Fairview parking lot. The PRU Crew knows the property as the Scharringhausen parking lot, which the owner recently placed on the market for the tidy sum of $724,000. The lucky listing agent is the infamous Owen J. Hayes, II who was officially reprimanded by the State of Illinois for his conduct in trying to sell 515 Busse Hwy. to the City of Park Ridge for use as a new police station, without disclosing his ownership interest in the property. Mr. Hayes, II was also lucky enough to hold the position of treasurer for Benedict Ald. Ryan's aldermanic campaign, a factual tidbit Benedict Ald. Ryan apparently felt he didn't need to disclose at an open meeting.

Mr. Hayes, II has an uncanny tendency to be found in the middle of many local real estate deals. The PRU Crew is beginning to think of Mr. Hayes, II as being a real lucky Pierre --

Under reports of Boards and Commissions we find two items of interest --

O’Hare Airport Commission – Ald. Bach

a. Discussion of independent telephone conversations of the Council with Steve Tauber
b. Discussion of hiring legal counsel regarding O’Hare

Can you say plausible deniability? We knew you could. And plausible deniability is the only reason we can figure the CAL law firm would be too demure for public discussion of litigation strategy but not object to private discussions with individual Aldermorons who then publicly discuss litigation strategy per the private one-on-one discussions held with the CAL law firm -- any misunderstandings, miscommunications, or misstatements by the Aldermorons can be denied by the CAL law firm.

Or maybe the CAL law firm just really really really likes to play the telephone game, a.k.a. Chinese whispers to the Brits!

Under Standing Committees, which should not be confused with understanding committees, the following appears under Procedures and Regulations --

b. Move the City Council approve a Resolution providing for and requiring the submission of a non-binding advisory public question concerning whether the City of Park Ridge shall support the efforts to stop the expansion of O’Hare Airport to appear on the ballot of the electors of such city at the Consolidated Election to be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010

We hope the City Hall air conditioner is working, since we expect a lot of hot air will be produced during this particular discussion!

Enjoy the show!

And the Living is Easy!

2010-06-18T00:00:00.009-05:00

Relax and have an easy weekend!

Again! -- Pool Of Money!

2010-06-17T15:00:00.003-05:00

Yes, we are aware the comment count is wrong -- to read comments, click on the post title above or the comment link below the post. And thank you for your patience -- the Blogger gods are aware of the problem.

Back on October 18, 2007 we put up a blog post we titled "Pool of Money!" Back then the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District was discussing what to do with Oakton Pool -- whether or not to sink more money into costly repairs for a money-losing, outdoor pool or close it down.

Once again at tonight's meeting (agenda.pdf), a mere two and a half years later, the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District will be discussing and likely voting on what to do with Oakton Pool -- whether or not to sink more money into costly repairs for a money-losing, outdoor pool or close it down.

What may make the difference in the Park Board's discussion, vote and follow-through action this time around is the fact that the new Park District Director -- we refer to him as the "Big O", Mr. Ray Ochromowicz -- has been very clear about what he feels the correct and responsible decision should be, and he has recommended to the Park Board that the Oakton Pool be shut down at the end of this season. Considering both Oakton Pool's records of attendance and revenue losses, we can't argue with the "Big O's" recommendation to the Park Board.

So anyone who may be interested in this subject should get themselves over to the Maine Park Leisure Center at 2701 Sibley Avenue for the regular Park Board meeting set to begin tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Committee of the Whole 6-14-2010 Video!

2010-06-16T15:00:00.004-05:00

-- And it's a long one!

@ 0:02:15 -- Mayor Schmidt reports on email exchange with CAL law firm

@ 0:03:11 -- Procedures and Regulations begins with action item to approve PROAC Resolution

@ 0:04:38 -- Ald. Ryan moves to amend PROAC Resolution

@ 0:08:20 -- Ald. DiPietro moves to substitute for the whole a Resolution to place a referendum question about opposition to O'Hare expansion on the Nov. election ballot

~~ And they're off! ~~

If these Aldermorons weren't our Aldermorons the PRU Crew would find this theater of the absurd very very very entertaining!

~~ And an hour later...

@ 1:05:34 -- Council COW votes 4 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Carey and Wsol) to 3 (Bach, Allegretti and Ryan) to place as an action item on the next City Council agenda a Resolution to approve a referendum question

@ 1:06:12 -- Discussion begins on the inclusion of Boards and Commissions information on the City web site

@ 1:32:00 -- Discussion begins on no-bid contracts policy review

@ 1:35:30 -- Discussion begins on land use alternatives for 1200 Elm St -- And the PRU Crew notes the lack of public access and web site posting of the appraisal analysis provided by MaRous & Co. to the City Council

@ 1:47:01 -- Ald. DiPietro moves to refer the issue to the next Council COW as an action item to be sent to Planning and Zoning for review -- the Council COW votes unanimously to do so

@ 1:48:02 -- Finance and Budget begins with discussion and action on the City's phone service contract along with discussion of the competitive bidding process

@ 2:05:00 -- Vote to approve the phone service contract be place on the next City Council meeting agenda for action is 4 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Allegretti and Ryan) to 3 (Bach, Wsol and Carey)

@ 2:06:43 -- Public Works begins with discussion and action on parking ordinance policy

@ 2:15:42 -- Ald. DiPietro moves to defer action on the policy until the September Public Works Committee meeting

@ 2:16:20 -- Council COW votes unanimously to defer action

@ 2:16:31 -- Discussion and action begins on commercial parking restrictions for Busse Hwy. between Oakton and Potter roads

@ 2:17:01 -- Council COW votes unanimously to approve commercial parking restrictions

@ 2:17:07 -- Discussion and action begins on Stewart Ave. parking restrictions

@ 2:23:17 -- Council COW votes unanimously to approve Stewart Ave. parking restrictions

@ 2:23:32 -- Discussion begins on driveway guideline ordinance

@ 2:25:00 -- Ald. DiPietro moves to refer item to Appearance Commission for review

@ 2:25:12 -- Ald. Bach amends motion to include review by Planning and Zoning

@ 2:27:44 -- Council COW votes unanimously to refer item to Appearance Commission and Planning and Zoning for review

@ 2:28:00 -- Discussion begins on Fairview parking lot

@ 2:40:06 -- Ald. DiPietro moves to refer the issue of the purchase of the Fairview parking lot to the next Council meeting for discussion in closed session

@ 2:46:04 -- Council COW votes 4 (Bach, Allegretti, Ryan and DiPietro) to 3 (Sweeney, Carey and Wsol) to place the item on the next Council meeting for closed session

~~ And the PRU Crew finds Ald. Ryan's lack of disclosure about his relationship to the real estate agent for this potential property acquisition to be obnoxious, arrogant, and far short of anything which comes even close to honest, open, and transparent ~~

@ 2:47:12 -- Public Safety begins with Red Light Camera update and discussion of expansion of the program. And the PRU Crew is gratified to hear some of our elected officials call this what it is -- barely anything more than a revenue generator for the City

@ 3:08:31 -- Discussion begins on consideration to ban hand-held devices while driving

@ 3:22:10 -- Ald. DiPietro moves to send the issue to the next Public Safety meeting as an action item

@ 3:27:20 -- Council COW votes 5 (DiPietro, Ryan, Carey, Wsol and Bach) to 2 (Allegretti and Sweeney) to move the item to the next Public Safety meeting for action

@ 3:28:44 -- Discussion begins on Touhy and Northwest Hwy. traffic safety concerns

@ 3:36:19 -- Discussion begins on safety grant programs conducted by the Park Ridge Police Dept.

@ 3:53:23 -- Chiefski's report begins

@ 4:05:20 -- Fire Chief's report begins

@ 4:13:35 -- Public Safety ends and Mayor Schmidt resumes the chair

@ 4:13:55 -- Other Business begins with Mayor Schmidt inquiring about former Fire Chief Dubowski's return to the City and the City Manager's authority for creating a position for Dubowski

@ 4:15:38 -- New Business begins with Ald. Wsol requesting information about how property tax assessments are tracked for improved properties

@ 4:16:38 -- Ald. Wsol asks for a status report to be given at next Monday's City Council meeting concerning the search for a new Finance Dept. Director

@ 4:17:01 -- Mayor Schmidt asks for City staff to begin providing monthly budget reports and updates

@ 4:18:21 -- Ald. Sweeney announces a Youth Campus cook out being put on by the Kiwanis

@ 4:18:55 -- Motion to adjourn

You Don't Have To Join The Army!

2010-06-15T12:31:00.005-05:00

Part of baby boomer babble was the phrase "Join the army. See the world." But as it turns out, you don't have to join the army to see the world, especially if you're lucky enough to be an administrator in East Maine School District #63!

The Butterly on Education blog has been having a good old time discussing the subject of school administrators seeing the world, courtesy of taxpayers.

On a related travel note --

The PRU Crew would be more than happy to help foot the bill for sending anybody to Colorado for three weeks -- as long as they came back determined to reform teacher tenure rules.

On another unrelated travel note --

For those who've asked, we're told the discussion about many of the issues surrounding the PROAC resolution about O'Hare expansion seemed to fizzle at last night's City Council COW meeting. When the City completes the task of uploading the video, we'll post it here for our faithful readers to review.

On a final tangent travel note --

Last night's City Council COW meeting was jam packed with parking related issues. We're told the 5th ward's Benedict Alderman Ryan has asked the Council to consider purchase of property for future development and parking. Aside from the rank budgetary stupidity, tsk, tsk Ald. Ryan -- did you forget to disclose something?

Another Methane Mamba!

2010-06-14T11:48:00.005-05:00

As many people know, cows produce methane. As we've come to know, our City Council COWs are also a source of a lot of hot air and gas production -- we wish we could find a way to tax it!

Once again tonight, the City Council will be holding another COW meeting and there's plenty of reason to expect the production of another municipal methane mamba!

The agenda (.pdf) covers all four of the Council's standing committees so this meeting promises a bit of entertainment for everyone! Though the PRU Crew is wondering why the Fire Dept. seems to have gotten left out of the supporting documents fun, not that there's anything wrong with that...right? Who would want to read a memo on an overtime budget update?

Remember people, you can pay attention or you can pay the piper -- either way.

Stanley Cup Champions! Celebration Day!

2010-06-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

-
THE MIGHTY BLACKHAWKS!

Great series! And a great finish! Way to get the job done!

And in case any of our faithful PRU readers are interested --

May your cup runeth over this weekend! Enjoy!

City Council Meeting 6-7-2010 Video!

2010-06-10T11:30:00.001-05:00

Begins with the usual opening ceremonies.

@ 0:1:00 -- Consent agenda begins

@ 0:3:49 -- Mayor's report begins

@ 0:22:44 -- "Park Ridge in 1910" presentation begins

@ 0:37:10 -- Appointments to Animal Commission -- the PRU Crew is holding out for the formation of the PARTY Animal Commission.

@ 0:38:43 -- Garden Club Proclamation

@ 0:41:55 -- City Clerk's report begins

@ 0:42:59 -- City Manager's report begins

@ 0:54:00 -- Citizens wishing to address the Council on Non-agenda items -- A resident asks the Council to consider adopting a ban on all hand-held devices while driving

@ 0:58:00 -- Reports of Boards and Commissions begins -- Ald. Bach for the PROAC

*** The next hour+ of Council discussion is a painful reminder of why we find most of our Aldermorons to be Aldermorons most of the time *** And we're beginning to think Ms. Jennifer Perry has mastered the art of playing a diplomatically doe-eyed damsel in distress very well.

@ 2:09:46 -- Public Safety report begins -- Ald. Wsol asks Chiefski about the forthcoming red light camera update

@ 2:10:05 -- New Business begins -- Ald. Wsol asks for a review of guidelines for no-bid contracts -- Ald. Sweeney announces a volunteer effort at sprucing up the Youth Campus

@ 2:13:15 -- Motion to adjourn

Hump Day PRU Briefs!

2010-06-09T10:00:00.003-05:00

To our Monday night post, the following comment was added last evening --

Anonymous said...

The average daily flights, over Park Ridge, on the runways 9L/27R and 4L/22R(these are the paths over P.R), arrival and departure combined, according to the data on the ONCC website are:

Nov 2008--------343 prior to new runway,
Nov 2009-------283,
Feb 2010-------213

Obviously far fewer flights over P.R. regardless of path, with the new runway added.

Now, before someone says this is because there are less flights overall…guess again. There were the same number of total arrivals and 50 fewer total departures when comparing Nov 2008 and Feb 2010; same data source. If you doubt the number just go to the ONCC website and confirm for yourself. I live on the south end right under the new flight path….RIGHT UNDER. It sucks! I got used to it.

What I will not get used to are people talking down my property value by continuing to speak about how bad it is to live here, when it has clearly gotten better for P.R. as a whole.

Lastly, investing anything on an environmental study is just asinine. Park Ridge paid for a study several years ago that shows the air quality in P.R. sucks. I have some news for you; we live next to a major airport, several major expressways, and the 3rd largest city in this country. The air quality will always suck.

June 8, 2010 7:35 PM

The PRU Crew has not taken the time to verify the information in the comment above, but at this time we have no reason to suspect the Anonymous comment as being wrong or intentionally false. And we did find the effort at seeking out and sharing actual facts and data rather refreshing. The Anonymous commenter obviously isn't following the PROAC-scripted version of ineducable ignorance on the part of the citizenry.

Email Release -- from Mayor Schmidtzkrieg
to: presscontacts(at)electdaveschmidt.com
date: Tue, Jun 8, 2010 at 3:47 PM
subject: Fwd: Park Ridge, Illinois

To: staber@calairlaw.com

Good afternoon, Mr. Taber, I am the Mayor of Park Ridge. I want to thank you again for coming to Park Ridge to make your presentation. As you may have gathered, I am skeptical of the efficacy of further litigation regarding the O'Hare expansion ("OMP"). However, I have vowed to keep an open mind.

By way of background, I am an experienced litigation attorney and pride myself on being able to assess the viability of a claim or defense. Without going in to too much detail, I have enjoyed great success over the years by consistently approaching potential litigation through a careful process of review and analysis. I view the potential of litigating the OMP issue as I would any other type of potential litigation: before I do anything, I need to see an assessment of the relevant facts, the applicable law, an analysis of how that law would apply to the given set of facts, and then I need to be comfortable with the conclusion before I advise my client regarding whether to proceed. That would be especially true in this situation because I am dealing with taxpayers' money. I cannot achieve the required analysis through a telephone conversation. Rather, I am accustomed to approaching potential litigation by preparing a legal memorandum addressing the aforementioned matters or reviewing a memorandum prepared by an associate.

To that end, if you want to try to convince me that litigation is a viable option for the City of Park Ridge, I would need to first see a detailed legal memorandum which lays out the relevant facts as you see them, your view of the applicable law, your analysis of how that law would apply to our particular set of facts in Park Ridge, and your conclusion which would include an honest assessment of the City's chances of prevailing.

If you desire to take this course of action, please prepare a legal memorandum and submit it to me for my review. Please be advised that the memorandum will NOT be kept confidential. As our City Attorney has correctly pointed out, any discussion regarding proceeding with litigation, and the reason for doing so, must take place in open session.

I look forward to hearing from you.

-Dave Schmidt
Mayor

Mayor Schmidtzkrieg is obviously not following the PROAC and CAL legal team-scripted version of secrecy concerning public policy, at least not on this issue. And the PRU Crew finds that refreshing too.

In an online Herald-Advocate article -- Community group handouts still face veto at mayor's desk -- we read, "Park Ridge Mayor David Schmidt says he will veto any City Council-approved financial contributions to community and social-service organizations."

The article continues, "Schmidt, who believes the 2010-11 budget contains inflated revenue projections and does not take into account potential losses in income-tax revenue from the state, said he will not support disbursements for not-for-profit city groups.

"My intention is still to veto it if and when it goes to the council," he said of the motion. "My hope is that the council will see the light and there won't be a need for a veto."

The PRU Crew once again reminds the Mayor that he has the power to wield a discerning red pen over making the choice to swing a total veto axe.

We find the Mayor's threat to veto all community group contributions in total, without either demanding an accounting of each group's expenditures and--or making a value judgement between the services provided, to be as mindless a course of action as the Council's choosing to make across-the-board cuts of 12% for each contribution.

And as others have repeatedly pointed out, expenditures on tree trimming and planting, as well as fireworks displays and staff support for other special events, aren't essential city services either -- why the nearly complete silence on those expenditures, Mr Mayor?

Seemed Like Forever!

2010-06-07T16:30:00.002-05:00

From SodaHead.com

Thanks to our faithful PRU readers for their patience today -- it seemed like it took forever for the blogger gods to get everybody back online!

And now, on with the show!

For your municipal entertainment tonight, the City Council will again be meeting at City Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's agenda (.pdf) is awash in spendy consent agenda items and, considering how routinely this Council spends our money, nobody should be surprised.

The PRU Crew is looking forward to two particular items before the Council tonight --

Under the Mayor's report there is going to be a ComEd update and, under reports of Boards and Commissions we cannot wait to see and hear what the Council has to say about item #2 -- Resolution - City Statement regarding O'Hare expansion (.pdf).

The Resolution states the following --

The City of Park Ridge believes strongly that continued expansion at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport will not enhance the overall quality of life for its citizens. Roughly 6,000 Park Ridge households, which is 42% of all Park Ridge homes, are affected by changes in flight paths resulting from the O'Hare Modernization Plan. The City of Park Ridge seeks mitigation solutions for noise and pollution resulting from continued expansion at O'Hare and vehemently opposes and seeks course correction on continuing expansion at the airport.

As one of our friendly correspondents put it, "Can't wait for another unified City statement reflecting the lack of affect on the other 58% of Park Ridge households, some of whom are tickled pink about the shift in air traffic!"

The PRU Crew is wondering how a commission takes action on something not even listed as a discussion item on their last meeting's agenda (.pdf)? However, building administrator and city staff liaison to the PROAC Mr. Steve Cutaia seems to have understood the item on the Council agenda for tonight should be only for discussion, and he marked his staff memo accordingly. We also suspect the commission's failure to grasp and understand Roberts Rules of Order may be why their next meeting agenda (.pdf) includes a discussion item for Rules of Order How Decisions are Made (.pdf), as well as an action item after the fact to cover the Resolution request before the Council tonight. But hey, the PROAC has only been meeting for a little over a year, it's not like anybody should expect these community volunteers to know by now what the hell they are doing.

We're told the 5th ward's Benedict Alderman Ryan is out of town, which may create the possibility of a 3 to 3 tie vote on what to do with this Resolution. And as our faithful PRU readers know, Mayors can vote to break ties. Yes, indeed -- this could be one fun agenda item to watch tonight!

Billboards Stink!

2010-06-04T11:20:00.002-05:00

Not only do we think the billboard deal pushed by 4th ward Ald. Allspaghetti stinks, but now we find out billboards can stink, literally!

According to blog author Jen Aronoff, of What's In Store, the above pictured billboard is a new scent-marketing attempt -- "The Bloom grocery store chain, part of Food Lion, erected the giant sign at 1220 River Highway, between a Shell gas station and a storage facility, to promote its new brand of beef. It'll disperse the scent during rush hour, from 7 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m., every day until June 18, and is visible to drivers heading west, toward Catawba County. It pairs the smell with a big visual, showing a giant piece of steak and a French fry on a giant fork, and is one of the first of its kind in the country."

The PRU Crew expects the people from PETA will pitch a fit and could possibly retaliate with an aromatic billboard of their own -- eau du meat-processing plant? Let the scent-marketing wars commence!

Enjoy your weekend -- we hope it doesn't stink!

A Thursday Two-fer!

2010-06-03T12:00:00.003-05:00

#1 -- Water works!

For those of you disinclined to building or buying your own ark, the Park Ridge Park District will be meeting as a Committee of the Whole tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Maine Park Leisure Center to discuss two issues concerning water. The agenda (.pdf) includes the following --

Buildings and Grounds Committee – Commissioners Vile/Maloney

A. Northwest Park – City Flood Issue/Future Plans (Executive Director Ochromowicz)

B. Future of Oakton Pool (Executive Director Ochromowicz)

On a related soggy note, the Park Ridge Park District website contains the following notice --

Notice from Park Ridge Park District:

In the interest of safety, South Park Pool will be closed from June 1 to mid-June for maintenance. To accommodate South Park's pre-season hours, the Centennial Wading Pool will be open at 10am during this maintenance. Thank you for your patience.

#2 -- Wet your whistle!

For those of you disinclined to attend meetings, you may want to consider attending a benefit party tonight!

1900 - 2300 hours is 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for those of you disinclined to military time.

Contradictions!

2010-06-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

You need educatin'! But you're so ignorant you probably wouldn't understand! So we're going to spend your money educatin' you but when all is said and done, if you tell us something we don't want to hear, then we'll know you're just too stupid to understand!

So goes the cluster fuck otherwise known as the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission.

Last week the City Council was treated to a special power point presentation by Mr. Steve Tauber of Chevalier, Allen and Lichman, LLP -- the storied California law firm brought in by the more litigiously bent members of the PROAC to educate the City Council on possible legal strategies for fighting O'Hare expansion.

Our sources report the entire special meeting and power point presentation was eerily reminiscent of the sad SOC (Suburban O'Hare Commission) days gone by and woefully light on substance. Though nobody is saying with any certainty if the Aldermen heard anything persuasive in the presentation, we're told the City Council sat and listened, politely.

And if certain members of the PROAC are to be believed, the City Council is in for a whole lotta listening on down the road.

As our faithful PRU readers may recall, the PROAC asked for funding from the City Council, and 3rd ward Ald. Don Bachtard obliged their request with a suggestion to increase the price of vehicle stickers, making it possible for the PROAC to receive $165,000 in public funds for their efforts.

The PROAC's funding request breaks-down into three areas -- $105,000 for a lobbyist, $50,000 for an independent environmental study, and $10,000 for community education.

That last $10,000 the PRU Crew finds to be a source of twisted amusement -- especially since we are unaware of anyone who is unaware of O'Hare airport and the noise it produces! But it seems, certain PROAC members have convinced themselves of the ignorance of the Park Ridge population.

For example, at the April 28th meeting of the PROAC (.pdf), during discussion of a possible referendum question on the topic of O'Hare, the following is noted in the meeting minutes --

"Commissioner Kutt mentioned that, if it is a referendum, perhaps the residents would start to really look at the real issue and take a true understanding of what the enormity of these numbers mean to us."

"Commissioner Donovan asked if a referendum was really necessary. The aldermen were elected to make decisions. He is not convinced of the intelligence of the public on this problem. They do not know how bad it is. They do not know how simple the solutions are. It is easier to educate the City Council and have them make an educated decision, as opposed to trying to educate everybody."

"Commissioner Kennedy commented that the current level of knowledge in the community regarding changes to the airport and the effect on the community is not sufficient for a referendum to pass and it would take a huge educational push on the Commission’s and whoever else’s part to let them know what the changes are going to be before it would pass. That is going to be part and parcel of what the OAC wants to do: Educate the people about the changes and get them involved. But it is setting up another hurdle for the Commission."

The PRU Crew's very favorite quote is that of Commissioner Donovan.

You see people, the PROAC members are convinced of your profound ignorance on the issue of O'Hare expansion and they intend to use your money to educate you. But they also seem pretty convinced of either your inability to be educated or their inability to educate you.

The PRU Crew finds the sentiments expressed by the PROAC members to be a twistedly delicious intellectual contradiction. And so we are looking forward to the members of the PROAC resorting to the path of least resistance -- educating the dumbest collection of Aldermen ever assembled at 505 Butler Pl.

Does anybody get the feeling the next funding request from the PROAC will be money for another lobbyist -- for the purpose of educating the Park Ridge City Council?

Uninspi(red)!

2010-06-01T12:00:00.004-05:00

Found at -- schwimmerlegal.com

In last week's online Herald-Advocate, we read the following article -- District 64 board reviews preliminary budget, written by contributor Alex Mcleese.

Contributor Mcleese writes -- "The budget, which is only a first draft, projects a 15.36-percent increase in operating fund expenditures, including a 7.06-percent increase in payments for salaries. But according to District 64 Business Manager Rebecca Allard, much of the calculated increases in capital-improvements expenditures -- representing a 7.94-percent increase -- will be covered by federal government grants.

The Federal Aviation Administration is paying for sound insulation at Roosevelt and Washington schools, and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funding is paying for the improvement of a multipurpose room at Jefferson School."

And the PRU Crew thought, that doesn't sound too bad -- half the increase in expenditures will be covered by money coming from the federales, for the worthy cause of sound insulating two of our local elementary schools and sprucing up another school room.

The article goes on to quote board member Eric Uhlig -- "I'm very pleased with the first draft," said board member Eric Uhlig. "I'm looking forward to comparing next year to this year using this year's actuals."

And the PRU Crew thought, at least one board member is quoted as being pleased with the first draft -- must be a good first draft -- we wonder what else was in that first draft.

So we looked it up on the District 64 website.

On the District 64 website we found the agenda for the May 24th Board of Education Committee of the Whole on Finance, which included a memo from Ms. Rebecca Allard, Business Manager for the school district.

On page 3 (page 5 of the .pdf file) of Ms. Allard's memo to the Board of Education and Superintendent Sally Pryor we read --

"2010-11 Tentative Operating Fund Budget Recap"

"Revenues:
Overall, operating fund revenues are expected to increase by 8.85%, which includes federal funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) summer projects at Roosevelt and Washington schools. Without the FAA federal funding, the revenue budget is expected to increase by 4.86%. Detailed explanations of the budget-to-budget changes are provided throughout this document.

Expenses:
Overall, operating fund expenditures are expected to increase by 15.36%, which includes the FAA projects at Roosevelt and Washington schools. Without these projects, the expenditure budget is expected to increase by 11.14%.

Other than the anomaly of the FAA summer projects, the largest expense category for District 64 is salaries. The salary category is expected to increase by 7.06% from $39,264,833 to $42,035,136. Other expense categories such as employee benefits, purchased services, supplies, capital outlay and other expenses are projected to increase at a total combined rate of 18.5%. Detailed explanations of the budget-to-budget changes are provided throughout this document." (emphasis added)

And the PRU Crew thought, damn, that doesn't sound too good at all! -- without the FAA funds in the mix, expenditures are still expected to increase twice as much as expected revenues? -- and board member Eric Uhlig is pleased about this?

Once again, the PRU Crew feels underwhelmed and uninspired by the fiscal management on display at District 64. Maybe we're missing something, but the continual growth in what looks to us to be red-ink-spending by our local school board and district leaves us feeling rather sucke(red)!

Memorial Day, 2010

2010-05-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

Found at -- fumccoppell.org

Moment Of Remembrance

In 1996, a humanitarian organization based in Washington, D.C., known as 'No Greater Love' conducted a survey on children and asked them why do they think there is a holiday on Memorial Day. It was agonizing to hear their remarks that were all associated with barbecues and extended weekend parties and celebration, while they hadn't the vaguest idea about the sacrifices of the soldiers in whose honor it is celebrated. One of the children was even quoted as saying that this was the day when swimming pools open!

Thus, the organization came up with the idea of 'National Moment of Remembrance' to remind and especially, let the future generations know about the real meaning of the holiday. The idea clicked with the President and Congress and since 1997, it became a standard American tradition.

National Moment of Remembrance requires everybody to keep silent for a minute, exactly at 3.00 pm (local time) when 'Taps' is played and reflect on the glory of those who have shed blood for us. The federal government hopes to raise public awareness about the heroes and their valor by introducing this moment. (source -- Memorial Day Tribute.com)

COW(Finance/P&R/PW) 5-24-2010 -- video!

2010-05-27T15:30:00.005-05:00

Alright already! You can stop asking now!

For our faithful PRU readers and those who have asked --

Our smaller, more efficient City Council has opted to go into a holding pattern on some of the issues before them. The PRU Crew feels such a holding pattern is probably a good idea. For our part, we've been following the legislative updates on the Illinois Municipal League's website.

Another Committee of the HOLE!

2010-05-24T09:00:00.003-05:00

The only thing faster at swallowing your money than a Las Vegas card table is a government body. If any of our faithful PRU readers are interested in watching, live and in person, how fast one of their local government bodies can swallow money, you're in luck!

There's another Council COW meeting tonight at 505 Butler Place! And the agenda (.pdf) is packed full of fun! The general topics covered will be under Finance and Budget, Public Works, and Procedures and Regulations!

Under the Finance and Budget action items to be covered is COW approval of that stickiest of wickets -- approval of contributions to community groups (.pdf). While the Public Works portion of the agenda includes 4 out of 5 action items guaranteed to satisfy some urges for local economic stimulation! The Procedures and Regulations portion of the meeting will include concerns relating to land sharks and candygrams.

So faithful PRU readers, if you haven't got anything better to do tonight, beginning at 7 p.m. at Park Ridge City Hall you can watch your money get swallowed by the money black hole, a.k.a. your local city government!

Smile!

2010-05-21T00:00:00.004-05:00

By -- jchip8 at Pixdaus.com

Let the sunshine out! And have a great weekend!

Comment In The Spotlight!

2010-05-20T14:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks to our faithful PRU readers for your patience today -- what follows is a bit long and dry but we feel it's worth your time.

A commenter asked on our post from yesterday, what the Illinois Statutes and Park Ridge Municiple codes say in relation to the Mayor's job and the City budget. We thought we would highlight the question and offer answers in a post for today.

The Illinois statute which addresses the forms of municipal governments and the roles of the corporate authorities and governing body is 65 ILCS and is titled "Municipalities." By the by, for those who may not know, ILCS stands for Illinois Compiled Statutes.

65 ILCS discusses the structure and form of City government. In the statute, you will find --

"Sec. 3.1‑40‑30. Mayor presides. The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the city council. Except as provided in Articles 4 and 5 of this Code, the mayor shall not vote on any ordinance, resolution, or motion except the following: (i) where the vote of the aldermen has resulted in a tie; (ii) where one‑half of the aldermen elected have voted in favor of an ordinance, resolution, or motion even though there is no tie vote; or (iii) where a vote greater than a majority of the corporate authorities is required by this Code or an ordinance to adopt an ordinance, resolution, or motion. Nothing in this Section shall deprive an acting mayor or mayor pro tem from voting in the capacity as alderman, but he or she shall not be entitled to another vote in the capacity as acting mayor or mayor pro tem."

The above is likely one of the sources the Park Ridge City Attorney was referencing when he said Illinois law defines "corporate authorities" as including the Mayor, when the Park Ridge City Council was discussing the issue of supermajority voting to override denials by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

65 ILCS also says --

"Sec. 3.1‑40‑40. Vote required. The passage of all ordinances for whatever purpose, and of any resolution or motion (i) to create any liability against a city or (ii) for the expenditure or appropriation of its money shall require the concurrence of a majority of all members then holding office on the city council, including the mayor, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Code or any other Act governing the passage of any ordinance, resolution, or motion."

and --

"Sec. 3.1‑40‑45. Ordinances; approval; veto. All resolutions and motions (i) that create any liability against a city, (ii) that provide for the expenditure or appropriation of its money, or (iii) to sell any city or school property, and all ordinances, passed by the city council shall be deposited with the city clerk. Except as provided in Articles 4 and 5 of this Code, if the mayor approves an ordinance or resolution, the mayor shall sign it. Those ordinances, resolutions, and motions which the mayor disapproves shall be returned to the city council, with the mayor's written objections, at the next regular meeting of the city council occurring not less than 5 days after their passage. The mayor may disapprove of any one or more sums appropriated in any ordinance, resolution, or motion making an appropriation, and, if so, the remainder shall be effective. However, the mayor may disapprove entirely of an ordinance, resolution, or motion making an appropriation. If the mayor fails to return any ordinance or any specified resolution or motion with his written objections within the designated time, it shall become effective despite the absence of the mayor's signature."

Succinctly -- in terms of Mayor Schmidtzkrieg's role on the issue of the City budget, the Mayor followed the minimum of what the Illinois statute demands -- opting to veto the budget in total.

Another Illinois Compiled Statute, 50 ILCS which is titled "Illinois Municipal Budget Law," also addresses elected officials as --

"(2) "Governing body" means the corporate authorities, body, or other officer of the municipality authorized by law to raise revenue, appropriate funds, or levy taxes for the operation and maintenance thereof."

Again the governing body is defined in the Illinois Statute as being the corporate authorities, and the rest of the statute discusses the form and timing of passage of municipal budgets.

In the Park Ridge Municipal Code, Article 2, Chapter 9 is titled "Budget Policy." The municipal code also sets out the roles of city staff and elected officials -- sections 2-9-2 and 2-9-3 establish the powers and duties of the city manager regarding the budget. Section 2-9-4 is titled "Passage of Annual Budget, Effect" and says --

"Passage of the annual budget by the corporate authorities shall be in lieu of passage of an appropriation ordinance. The annual budget need not be published except in a manner provided in Section 2-8-8 herein. The annual budget shall be adopted by the corporate authorities before the beginning of the fiscal year to which it applies. Subsequent to the passage of the budget, an ordinance shall establish the property tax assessment provided for in the approved budget."

The Park Ridge City Council Policy Manual -- which does not appear to have been included on the City's new $19,500 website*** -- discusses the Mayor's veto authority and reiterates the Illinois statutes.

What all of the above seems to assume is cooperation and effort on the part of the corporate authorities. Nothing in any of the codes prevents the Mayor from participating in discussion and debate. Nor is the Mayor precluded from enumerating his preference for disapproving of "any one or more sums appropriated in any ordinance."

The PRU Crew still believes Mayor Schmidtzkrieg would have served himself and the community better if he'd chosen to exercise his right to line item vetoes. The Mayor will now have to veto individual spending ordinances as they come before the Council, and those spending ordinances aren't likely to be enough to get the budget to the balanced condition the Mayor insisted he preferred. And we expect the Council will be even less inclined to cooperate with the Mayor, moooving forward.

*** now available on the City website.

A Wednesday Re-wind!

2010-05-19T12:15:00.001-05:00

Remember this? We thought our faithful PRU readers and others may want to review -- New Meat! Posted by ParkRidgeUnderground November 19, 2008

The PRU Crew is very happy to post the following announcement!

Today I am announcing my candidacy for the office of Mayor of Park Ridge.

When I was elected First Ward Alderman less than two years ago, my only desire was to serve the residents of the First Ward to the best of my ability – in the most open, accountable, and fiscally-conservative way possible. And that is what I have tried to do for these past 18 months.

But during my time in office, it has become increasingly clear that the entire city is suffering from a lack of vision, a lack of credibility, and a lack of leadership in City Hall. Most troubling, however, is the widespread lack of confidence and trust in the person currently holding the office of mayor.

Consequently, I am running for mayor, first and foremost, to restore the public’s trust in city government and in the office of mayor.

As "The Great Communicator," President Ronald Reagan, advised: "trust, but verify." As mayor of Park Ridge I pledge that city government will earn our residents’ trust by making everything it does – EVERYTHING – completely transparent and readily "verifiable."

I will work to ensure that all important information about city government is posted on the city’s website in a timely fashion, and that it is posted in an easily accessible and understandable form. The city’s website should be the ultimate public information resource, available 24/7 and fifty-two weeks per year.

Not only do I pledge to make Park Ridge city government as transparent as possible, but I promise to end the secret, behind-the-scenes deal-making that has characterized city government under the current administration. There will be no special sweetheart deals at the taxpayers’ expense for anybody – not my friends, not my business associates, not my campaign contributors.

Not only will I disclose any personal, social or business relationship with anyone seeking anything from the city, but I will not cast a tie-breaking vote on any such matter, because the residents of Park Ridge who pay this city’s bills also keep this city’s heart; and they should never have to wonder for even an instant whose side their mayor is on.

I believe in balanced budgets and sound fiscal policy because we cannot govern ourselves and provide for the future of our community by a policy of irresponsible spending and debt. I oppose mortaging our city's and our children's future for short term benefits or mere convenience. And I support utilizing our limited resources to do what is most important to the residents: upgrade and maintain our city’s infrastructure and delivery of basic services instead of going further into debt to build a new police facility.

As a fiscal conservative and believer in the free market system, I consider myself a friend of business. The residents want and need a vibrant business community. As mayor, I will work for a city government that encourages, accommodates and facilitates the ownership and operation of local businesses, but that does not spend our hard-earned tax dollars on handouts and subsidies.

I am running for mayor because this community stands at a crossroads. It has survived and thrived as a bedroom community made up of primarily single-family residences, conveniently located to both the Loop and O'Hare Airport. But the current mayor and his allies, while claiming to love this community, at the same time have worked relentlessly to drastically and permanently change this community's appearance and fundamental character. I do not believe the residents support such a change.

In addition to its uniquely exceptional location, the quality of life here in Park Ridge is what draws people to move here and remain here. That is why I support the preservation of a diverse assortment of structures and appropriate green space, and why I believe that growth and development must be held to the highest standards of performance and compatibility with this city’s character and feel. I pledge to look carefully at every development application to ensure that it does not adversely affect the existing character and uses of the area in which the development will occur.

Finally, I have chosen to run for mayor because I have found the vast majority of the people of Park Ridge are confident, courageous, generous and persevering. Those are the people whom I would be honored and privileged to represent and serve as mayor of this city, and those are the people whose support I seek in this endeavor.

I welcome the input of the residents from whom I will draw my strength and support. Anyone wishing to contact me or learn more about me, where I stand and what my vision is for Park Ridge should visit my campaign website at electdaveschmidt.com.

Watch your back, Alderman Dave. The purveyors of the status quo -- peddlers of business as usual -- are massing to give you one hell of a fight.

City Council Meeting 5-17-2010 -- Video!

2010-05-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

For our faithful PRU readers interested in the discussion and vote to override Mayor Schmidtzkrieg's budget veto -- the fun begins @ the 48:00 mark.

Enjoy the show!

Blame Game Grab Bag!

2010-05-17T10:30:00.001-05:00

There are two meetings scheduled for this evening at Park Ridge City Hall.

The first is a Special City Council meeting for our very special elected officials, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. The agenda (.pdf) offers a rather cryptically worded promise of --

POWER POINT PRESENTATION BY STEVE TAUBER,
CHEVALIER, ALLEN AND LICHMAN LLP
> LEGAL ISSUES FACED BY PARK RIDGE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

For those of you who may be wondering, Chevalier, Allen and Lichman LLP is the storied California law firm some people believe may possess the legal magic potion which will cure Park Ridge from the affliction of O'Hare expansion . We're guessing the power point presentation will probably look a lot like the Aviation and Airport Development law blog published by this law firm.

The second meeting scheduled tonight for our very special elected officials is the regular City Council meeting -- set to begin at 7:30 p.m. The agend (.pdf) for this meeting teasingly promises "Statutory reconsideration of veto of budget ordinance (this may or may not include a motion to override the veto)," under the Finance and Budget Committee agenda line item. The PRU Crew has heard quite a bit of speculation about what the Aldermopes may choose to do, but from the sound of that agenda line item we get the idea the Aldermopes may not be in any hurry to do anything!

B.O.H.I.C.A!