Council Roundup!

We hear it was a long city council meeting last night. After the usual opening niceties of declaring April to be Fair Housing Month and some recognition awards, acting City Manager Julianna Maller requested that the acting Director of Community Development, Carrie Davis, brief the Council on a March 31, 2008 meeting between city staff, the Park Ridge Ministerial Association, Benedict Alderman Ryan and Mayor Howard regarding the proposed PADS shelter.

Everyone was reassured that it is "typical" to meet with "potential" applicants to lay the groundwork for future action. Ms. Davis also said such meetings are necessary because such proposals effect many layers of city government. Ms. Davis also referred to PADS as a "franchise" that deals with the provision of shelter to the homeless, and that the Park Ridge Ministerial Association believes there is a "gap in services" for the homeless in Park Ridge.

Acting City Manager Maller then told those assembled that St. Mary's has been asked to provide more information and that if the council chose to they could refer the matter to committee for discussion to talk about the process. Ms. Maller requested direction from the City Council.

Ald. Dave Schmidt (1st ward) then remarked that he hoped the City Attorney would provide his legal opinion in a written memo with supporting citations and cases. Ald. Schmidt said he has looked at case law on the subject and that this is a confused area of the law, but that all signs point to PADS needs to get a special use permit. Ald. Schmidt went on to caution those in attendance, who are opposed to the PADS shelter, that there is a balancing requirement in the law. The city can require standards, but those opposed to the shelter can't simply say they don't want it; there must be a compelling interest for the city to protect. All that leaves the PRU Crew to wonder, what's more compelling than the protection of our kids, ourselves, and our property?

Benedict Ald. Ryan (5th ward) then spoke about his last Saturday morning meeting with area residents and the Ministerial Association. He spoke of the many questions raised and believes that residents had taken time to think through their concerns, and that the Ministerial Association had also taken time to think through the issue, for the two years they have been thinking through the issue. Benedict Ald. Ryan said everyone needs to find a "way forward" and that the special use was not the issue. Ryan wants to see everyone engage in dialogue to have a better understanding. Ryan said he's asked that a public meeting will be held by the end of April, and that the Ministerial Association has said they would do that.

Ald. Rich DiPietro (2nd ward), addressing the actual request of the acting City Manager, said he hoped the Council would choose to discuss the PADS subject as a committee of the whole.

Mayor Howard said he has asked that a City Council workshop be put on by the Ministerial Association, and that he's also asked the City Attorney for his opinion, and he encourages everyone to listen to the City Attorney's opinion.

Ours has got to be the most work-shopped City Council in the history of municipal government!

The next item on the agenda was supposed to be a vote to accept the proposal from Ekl Williams to do an audit of the Park Ridge Police Department. Some of you may recognize the name of Ekl Williams -- their firm represented the female bartender who was beaten by Chicago Police officer, Anthony Abbate. However, Ald. Frank Wsoooool man (7th ward) requested that the matter be deferred for two reasons, 1) A resident of the 7th ward has purportedly asked Ekl Williams for representation, and 2) a source has referred to allegations raised against attorney Terry Ekl by a group calling itself Citizens for Legal Responsibility.

We have no idea whether or not the resident seeking Ekl's representation has a beef with the Park Ridge police or not. The PRU Crew did do so some very quick online searching and found some very disturbing information about Mr. Ekl. None of which we will discuss here today. We aren't even certain it's the same Mr. Ekl. But if it is, we would hope there would be no further consideration of Ekl Williams for the police department audit.

The Council voted unanimously to defer the matter.

Next it was time for Citizens Wishing To Address The Council On A Non-Agenda Item. Mayor Howard warned that he would be "very strict" in enforcing the Council's 5-minute rule for speakers.

The Unfriendly Ghost of the 6th Ward, Ald. Thomas Carey, inquired that this was for address to the City Council on Non-Agenda items, stressing the Non-Agenda aspect, and as you will see he was roundly ignored.

Our sources tell us that the count of for/against ran 7 to 17 with 1 "don't know exactly". Most all of the speakers who rose to support the proposed PADS shelters were the pastors and PADS volunteers, while those who voiced concern and or objection to the proposal were residents.

Father Ted Stone from Mary Seat of Wisdom was the first to speak, saying that they have had 20 "clients" coming to MSW asking for help and that they, MSW, hasn't been able to help. They have wanted to find a way to help and make provisions for temporarily homeless people. Other members of the clergy also spoke in similar terms offering that sheltering the homeless is a mandate to churches and that they too were looking for dialogue on this issue.

Those with PADS volunteer experience spoke of how much more they got from the experience than they have given and that but for the grace of God...etc. etc. etc. One of the PADS volunteers said she has never felt threatened and that she has never observed people congregating outside shelters waiting to get in, vomiting on the street, or urinating in public. The woman reported that late arrivals receive a police escort and that, in her estimation, homeless people are no different from anyone else. The PRU Crew suggests this woman make an immediate visit to an optometrist.

The members of the public who spoke against the proposed PADS shelter offered nearly unanimous feeling that the biggest problem with the homeless shelter is location, location, location. But many reiterated the "stealthy" way the project has been handled. Two residents, Pat Livensparger and Judy Barclay, were also adamant about the zoning code and the necessity for PADS to seek a special use permit through the proper procedures.

The citizens' address to the City Council ended at about 9:15 and everyone took a break.

The Council then resumed business on the topic of the first reading of the special use permit for Christie's Carousel of Learning Child Care Center at the Park Ridge Presbyterian Church. They spent nearly an hour discussing the placement of a dumpster in the church parking lot, and the size of arborvitae bushes to be used to screen residents' view of the unsightly sight of children playing on the Christie's playground. At one point in the discussion, Christie's attorney Jack Owens seemed to be begging the Council to please just tell them, Christie's, what they want and they will do it! But City Councils being what they are, the discussion continued on and on. Two residents in the area of the Park Ridge Presbyterian Church spoke of their concerns about the child care center moving into their neighborhood, but ultimately the City Council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of the Christie's special use permit.

Then the council again voted unanimously to approve a 3 year contract with a new tree care service and to raise the water and sewer taxes.

Next up, Fire Chief Dubowski attempted to entertain the crowd with talk of disaster plans and emergency preparedness. Our sources report that Chief Dubowski was their favorite speaker of the evening because he kept it short.

Finally, under New Business, Ald. Don DreadBach (3rd ward) asked why Maine East can't have a digital bulletin board and learned that the Park Ridge zoning code doesn't allow them. Maryor Howard then offered that Maine East will be submitting a request for a text amendment to change the zoning code to allow for electronic bulletin boards. While Benedict Ald. Ryan passed out a summary of research he's done on the process of building a new police station.

The most interesting item under New Business came when Ald. Wsoooool man mentioned the rumored and confirmed closing of Napleton Cadillac by May 2, 2008, then asked that the City Council review the gift contract that had been given to Napleton to see if this closing renders the contract null and void, because he thought that the City should not be "fooled twice".

Mayor Howard, who took much credit for having negotiated this deal, then said he had been called by Napleton that day and had been told that General Motors had pulled their franchises from the Napleton location at Busse and Greenwood. Mayor Howard then lamented the sad story of the current conditions of the car sales market.

The PRU Crew is wondering why Mayor Howard did not mention this rather important matter under the council agenda item where it says "Reports of City Officials - Mayor", or is that space expressly reserved for political idiocy like pseudo-condemnations?

Alderman Dave Schmidt then asked that Napleton and PRC be made aware of the fact that the City will be reviewing the contract so that they do not proceed with their closing on the old Napleton site under the impression that they City will still be paying money for the clean-up of that property.

Mayor Howard said he thought Ald. Schmidt shouldn't make such "wild statements", to which Ald. Schmidt replied that his was not a "wild statement" but rather a "caution" to all parties involved that they should not proceed without being fully informed of the current circumstances.

Watch for Mayor Howard and others to still push to give Napleton and PRC the $400,000 to clean up the old Napleton site. What you will hear is how terrific that redevelopment will be, and your taxpaying support will be expected. Of course, you will also be expected to forget that the reason for this whole incentive deal in the first place was to get Napleton to keep their Cadillac and Buick dealerships in town.

BOHICA MAXIMUS!

Business As Usual!

There is one thing we can say about the Frimark administration: there's never a dull moment, if you like confusion and stupidity.

Tonight's City Council meeting agenda is chock full, and if the meeting goes as we expect, there will be plenty of confusion and stupidity.

We hear that the City may take the position, along with the local Ministerial Association, that the proposed PADS homeless shelter is a "religious ministry" and may not require a special use permit. The PRU Crew disagrees.

The St. Mary's Episcopal Church Messenger (.pdf), characterizes the Journey's from PADS to Hope organization as a "ministry" and concedes that the PADS program is a new ministry for local churches. Last we checked, the Journeys from PADS to Hope organization is a social services program that does not conduct religious services. We hate to nit-pick, but ministering to those in need is not a function of religious beliefs. It's merely a function. And in the PRU Crew's opinion, the PADS function of the Journeys organization is a lack-luster performer.

We hope the City isn't confused about that and will require that the proper procedure for receiving a special use permit will be demanded of PADS, just as it is being demanded of Christie's Carousel of Learning Child Care Center, which the City Council will be voting on tonight.

The City Council will also be voting tonight to hire Ekl Williams to do an "audit" of the Park Ridge Police Department. The PRU Crew feels Ald. Wsoooool man (7th ward) is correct when he questioned the final bill the taxpayer's will get stuck with after this audit. We also wonder why Mayor Howard Frimark was allowed to be a voting member of a City Council subcommittee? In any event, we believe the outcome of this investigation is somewhat preordained. We got a hint of things to come from a quote by Ald. Allspaghetti (4th ward) in a recent article in one of the local rags, when he said, "I think a lot of our problems retired," Allegretti said. "But that being said, there are still problems that need to be addressed and looked at." Look for former Chief of Police, Jeff Caudill, to take the blame for all things wrong in the police department. And we expect that, despite Allspaghetti's disparaging comment, the non-disparagement clause in Caudill's separation agreement will be cited when the City refuses to release the findings of the audit in full.

At tonight's meeting, we are also hoping to learn more from Mayor Howard Frimark and the City Council about the rumored closing of Napleton Cadillac. And what effect, if any, such a closing would have on the recently inked deal to give Napleton a total incentive package of $2.4million for staying to do business in Park Ridge.

Finally, we hope at least one of our representatives will cast some light on what the PRU Crew believes may be another illegally closed meeting being orchestrated by Mayor Howard in his efforts to woo the new City Manager candidates. There are restrictions in the Illinois Open Meetings Act that require the recording of verbatim minutes (.pdf - pg. 5 & 10) for closed sessions. Does the Country Club have recording equipment? Will the private Country Club allow the public to attend the open portion of the meeting to observe the open session vote to go into closed session?

Goooooooood Morning, Park Ridge!

Did you miss us?

We took a break to unwind and relax. We also took the time off to discuss some future plans for the blog.

We will be adding at least one regular feature: A bi-weekly, freewheeling and reader-driven post that will be open to subjects on the minds of PRU readers. It's an idea that the Crew had been considering for some time since we get a ton of email questions, and the idea was also suggested by a couple of our faithful readers. We are hoping that the questions people in the community have about whatever topics they are interested in will be asked openly and answered by other people in the community who may have knowledge or an opinion on a subject.

As always our PRUle about "no libel -- no bullshit" applies.

We have also been catching up with the goings on about town. We see the subject of the St. Mary's PADS shelter has been heating up over at the Pub-dog's site. We have to laugh. Did you think we were kidding when we told you back in early December about the Christie's Carousel of Learning move to the Presbyterian Church and then said, "We wonder if the newly available space at St. Mary's Episcopal Church is being readied for a PADS Program?" There must not be any "knowledgeable" St. Mary's Episcopalians among our PRU readers! Or, they would have spoken up, right?

We hear Mayor Frimark is telling residents he only knows what he's been reading in the papers.

More on that tomorrow.

There Goes The Neighborhood! A Two-fer.

Item #1



Just look at those happy little bastards, especially that one on the lower left. Who needs that in the neighborhood?

Two stories about a local child care center, Christie's Carousel of Learning operating out of the Park Ridge Presbyterian Church, 1300 W. Crescent Ave., caught the attention of the PRU Crew last week.

We first read about the issue of a special use permit for the center in the Journal & Topics: Residents Raise Day Care Concerns; then in the Herald-Advocate: Neighbors object to preschool's relocation, playground plans.

According to the Herald-Advocate report, Alderman Jim Allspaghetti (4th Ward) said that, "the school generates too much traffic and is an inappropriate use for the residential area." The report went on to say that Allspaghetti, "whose ward includes the Presbyterian Church, said he has received calls from many neighbors who are unhappy that the school moved there." Maybe Allspaghetti's constituents told him they would rather have 4-story condominium projects that exceed the new city zoning code for density? We're just wondering...

Both reports included an interesting piece of information about the fact that until recently the "center was located for more than 20 years in St. Mary's Episcopal Church. That church recently asked them to leave because they wanted to use the center's space for other things."

Things that make you go hhhmmmm...


Item #2

The PRU Crew knows how to throw a party. We get together and read meeting minutes and agendas for city committees and commissions. We are nothing if not one helluva rockin' good time!

We hadn't checked in on the Human Needs Task Force for a while, so we decided to make their most recent set of posted October minutes and November agenda part of our party games.

Then we remembered another recent story we read in the Herald-Advocate: Hope for the homeless: Churches hope to start PADS program here

We wonder if the newly available space at St. Mary's Episcopal Church is being readied for a PADS Program? Any knowledgeable PRU readers out there?

Or maybe Aldermoron Allspaghetti thinks his constituents would rather have a homeless shelter in their local Presbyterian church?

All together now -

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please,Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?