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!
November 10, 2010
COW 11-8-2010 Video!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
28 comments:
These meetings are way too long. It seems a little more preperation by the aldermen would allow for quicker conversations.
-- and then, after nearly 3 1/2 hours of public discussion, they went into closed session.
We wonder if the Mayor and Council again violated the IOMA by discussing general policy as it relates to compensation of employees.
".............That is why we have the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the purpose of which is to ensure that public business is done in open forums so that our residents are fully informed about what their government is doing and why. That Act exists for the protection of the citizens, not for the privacy of the politicians. Consequently, that Act permits – but does not require – certain meetings to be closed to the public, while at the same time permitting the participants in those closed sessions to publicly report on those closed session proceedings.
From my 18 months in office I have found that closed sessions have often been abused to keep important information from the public and to enable city officials to take actions without the appropriate level of citizen scrutiny. For the good of the citizens, closed sessions should be kept to an absolute minimum; and, if elected, I will do everything in my power to make sure that closed session meetings are few and far between".
Who said that???
A11:46,
A couple people said that, but only one took credit for it.
I was astounded to read the backup material for the discussion regarding severance payments. It does appear to me that our elected officials might have violated the IOMA provisions by discussing a general policy for severance payments, and generally consenting to making the severance payments for non-bargaining unit employees while in closed session.
It was only after Mr. Hock provided background and backup material, from those closed session meetings, were we able to learn of the closed session discussions and consensus by the elected officials; and it seems clear no specific employee severance payments were discussed (only general severance policy) because it was only after specific severance payments were made did our elected officials have their respective hissy fits about any of it.
It's all very disappointing.
Get over it. You people have nothing better to do than find something to whine about.
From the Mayor, to the Seniors, back to the Mayor again, who's next? Oh, I know -- Seniors.
Anon@4:39 --
Nah. We only whine about greedy, selfish Seniors or politicians with their heads up their ass -- alternatively -- Seniors with their heads up their ass or greedy, selfish politicians.
We like to think we're fair and balanced in our whining.
Fair and balanced? Come on.
Everyone knows this is just a way for those that run this blog to take out their personal frustrations and fight their petty fights.
Half the comments are coming from the same person.
Stop the charade and move on to your next favorite topic, the city's website and taking shots at that and those that run it.
Anon@5:10 --
Thank you for settling an internal bet. We weren't sure if you were either a greedy, selfish Senior or a politician with his head up his ass, or vise versa.
Now we know you're neither. But what you are is far worse than either of those things, in addition to being widly wrong on every assertion you make.
I didn't read anything in todays post that made reference to, the seniors, or the city website, what exactly were you reading?
"Whining" about the politicians or city staff is our right and obligation.
I don't believe anyone is holding a gun to your head forcing you to read here. If you don't like get over it or get lost.
5:10:
Speaking of whining, how's that BBB F rating comeing along?
Getting back on the post:
I agree with the first Anonymous. The aldermen should prepare more before meetings. They go way too long.
PRU, thanks for the little bit of recap!
The next time I get a parking ticket I'm going to tell the police I prefer they not enforce it.
Anon@7:41 --
You're welcome.
Good luck with that.
Mayor Dave and his supporters sound more like Howard Frimark day after day. You have to wonder what is in the water at city hall.
Anon@10:19 --
We were just discussing the exact same thing offline.
Your observation and opinion is shared by the Crew.
And as stated upthread, it's very disappointing.
Animal Farm.
BTW, isn't it inspiring to watch our leaner, more efficient City Council at work?
Father McKenzie,
...a thrill a minute to watch!
...and the thrills seem to have inspired at least one former alderdunce to go forth in an attempt to "multiply" the thrills!
Ah, the good old days...when the single-party, cocktail circuit preselected alderdopes via living room caucuses!
I can hardly wait!
Who is the guy yelling about the intersection?? He sounds like a real nut!!
Anon@7:32 --
That would be Mr. George Kirkland, who is also the Council's volunteer videographer.
George has always had a passion for traffic issues.
Is he the one who runs the Watchdog blog?
Anon@8:03 --
As far as we know, Mr. Kirkland is not invovled in the ownership or management of the Pub-dog's blog.
What would lead you to ask that question?
When he's ranting about the intersection and showing the picture in the video it says Public Watchdog over the picture.
Anon@8:09 --
Eat your fair share of carrots, do ya? You've got some seriously excellent eyesight --
It looks as if the Pub-dog's blog name isn't part of the picture, but rather the first item listed in Mr. Kirkland's personal "Favorites" folder on his personal computer, which he used for his presentation to the Council.
I thought I would ask. If you said he was the one running the Watchdog blog it wouldn't of surprised me.
Anon@8:25 --
We are truly at a loss for words, which may be due to the uncontrollable laughter currently being experienced by the Crew.
I'm not sure why it's so funny but whatever.
Anon@8:35 --
No offense, whatsoever, was remotely intended.
The laughter is most definitely not directed at you in any way, shape, or form.
The Kirkland/Watchdog thing is pretty funny. It reminds me of the game Clue. "Mr. Green did it with a candlestick in the Library." Perhaps "Mr. Baldachino is doing it with a HP Notebook at the Summit."
I look out the window, your Park Ridge is doing fine.
I read the headlines and mine is doing time.
Post a Comment