Fruit of the Crew! -- Park Board update!

1. -- Opportunity!

As we suggested in our post Introductions All Around, certain task force members may want to get to know certain commission members. And as luck would have it, there's an opportunity for certain task force members to get to know certain commission members tonight!

The Mayor's Flood Control Task Force will be meeting tonight at City Hall in the Council chamber beginning at 6:00 pm, and the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission will be meeting tonight at City Hall in the Mayor's conference room on the 2nd floor beginning at 7:00 pm!

Say 'hello' everybody!

2. -- HA HA HA!

In an October 13, 2009 online article in the Herald-Advocate, our favorite local reporter reports the stuffed to the gills! development project proposed for the southeast corner of Touhy and Rose avenues by developer Norman Hassinger of Hoffman Homes is "welcome news for Nan Parson, chairperson of the city's Fair Housing Commission and a proponent of making more lower-cost housing available to senior citizens, young adults, city employees, teachers, hospital workers and others who want to live in Park Ridge but cannot afford homes with starting prices of $500,000 or more."

Truth be told, because that's what reporting is all about, Ms. Nan Parson took her affordable housing marbles and resigned from the Fair Housing Commission back in May. Ms. Parson said as much at the Human Needs Task Force meeting (.pdf) back in June. The minutes of that meeting also let everyone know that despite the City website description of the Human Needs Task Force --

Human Needs Task Force - A group of citizens appointed by the Mayor to concern themselves with the needs of the citizens of Park Ridge and surrounding communities. The Task Force coordinates such activities as food drives, a clothes closet, medical supply closet, job clearinghouse and other related matters. Meets second Friday of the month.

-- Ms. Parson "will continue to help bring affordable housing to this City and will continue to try to educate this community and City Hall about this issue. Nan is hoping to get involved with the Ministerial Association here in town, as well as other communities, and continue to move forward with her goal of having affordable housing in this town. Nan will now be a community volunteer on this Task Force."

Oh joy! Be still our beating, bleeding hearts!

3. -- What the hell has the Park District and Board been up to?

If PRU readers and Park Board wannabes are looking for something to do tomorrow night, there's a Regular Board Meeting, October 15, 7:30 pm in the Board Room at the Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 Sibley.

But if PRU readers and Park Board wannabes were hoping to preview a Board packet for tomorrow's meeting, you're shit out of luck. You'll have to content yourselves with the board packets of meetings past or guessing the details of the items on the meeting agenda (.pdf).

Addendum! -- Looks as if somebody got somebody's rear in gear!

The Park Board packet for tonight's meeting is here (.pdf)

Quickie Council Recap!

Good afternoon, PRU readers!

Last night the City Council met and our sources report a lot of tired faces, especially the face on the man who will soon be vacating the big chair. We're also told there was a small and polite smattering of applause as Mayor-elect Dave Schmidt entered the council chamber.

The council meeting began with the usual niceties and then moved on to passage of the consent agenda, which included the final reading of the approval of an ordinance for a special use to allow stadium lights at Maine South High School.

As our regular PRU readers may recall, anything on the consent agenda is not subject to discussion unless an Alderman pulls it off the consent agenda. We're told there were some unhappy campers in the audience who didn't quite understand how that works.

The council then passed some proclamations. Among the proclamations were honors for the Main South Hawkettes Varsity and Junior Varsity squads. We're told parking around City Hall was at a premium.

The council also passed a resolution proclaiming April to be Fair Housing month. Ms. Nan Parson, of the Fair Housing commission, said a few words and wished Mayor Howard well for the future. Our sources tell us Mayor Howard looked as if he wasn't paying attention. This does not come as a surprise to the PRU Crew.

The council then moved on to the first reading of an ordinance creating an O'Hare Airport Commission. Alderman Frank Wsooooolman (7th ward) amended the ordinance to include the requirement that the commission make recommendations to the City Council regarding action to be taken in the area of health issues related to O'Hare airport.

After the amendment to the ordinance was unanimously passed by the council, the 6th ward's Unfriendly Ghost, Ald. Tom Carey, decided it was time to ask about the amendment. He inquired as to Ald. Wsooooolman's intent, which Ald. Wsooooolman explained as being in recognition of health related issues, as opposed to simply recommendations about how to deal with noise issues. With the explanation having been given, the council unanimously passed the first reading of the ordinance creating the city's O'Hare Airport Commission.

The PRU Crew is wondering how much will be budgeted from the City's dwindling coffers for the operation of this commission.

Under new business, Mayor-elect Dave Schmidt recognized Mrs. Gerry Butler who was also in attendance at the meeting. For those who may not know, Mrs. Butler is the wife of former Park Ridge Mayor Marty Butler. Mrs. Butler was one of those who urged Ald. Dave to run for mayor, and she served as his campaign chairman. Mrs. Butler received a standing ovation from those in attendance, with the exception of Mayor Howard.

Also under new business, Mayor-elect Dave Schmidt said he would be creating a Flood Control Task Force and asked that those interested in serving on such a task force submit their names to the City.

The PRU Crew feels most task forces are window dressing for problems the city doesn't know quite how to manage. However, if this task force should demand that the city's entire sewer system be video taped, and that the video tapes currently being made of the city's sewer system are thoroughly examined and explained, they may just produce something useful in the way of information. The City Council lacks any real depth of understanding of the current state of the City's inner-structure and sewer system.

With that the City Council adjourned to closed session to review and approve other closed session minutes, and to discuss pending litigation.

We are told Mayor Howard couldn't clear the room fast enough -- hollering for everyone to vacate the chamber so they could get started on their closed session, even while some Aldermen had left the room to take a bathroom break.

And there you have it people! A quickie council recap!

On Tap!

As we told you yesterday, the Finance and Budget committee will be meeting tonight to discuss in part what limits, if any, should be placed on city staff's ability to authorize settlement payouts on legal claims.

Tomorrow night promises even more fun and excitement!

Mayor Frimark has scheduled another City Council Workshop at City Hall at 6:30 PM to again discuss the Ekl Williams audit. And if you are one of our loyal PRU readers, you know the last time the City Council dared to ask questions about the police department audit prepared by Mr. Terry Ekl it didn't go very well.

Sources inside the city tell us Mr. Ekl is still refusing to turn over his background documentation for review by City Council members. The PRU Crew strongly urges our City Council members to come prepared for tomorrow night's meeting.

Also on tap tomorrow night is another meeting of the Fair Housing Commission. It appears that, with all the excitement the commission went through over the last year, they forgot to look at the entire Fair Housing ordinance, and just noticed some missing definitions and minor wording changes.pdf they would now like to add to the ordinance.

The PRU Crew isn't going to be cynical and suggest that these "missing definitions" and wording changes are really just an excuse to get the Fair Housing ordinance before the City Council again. We aren't going to suggest that this is one of the oldest tricks in the book to have another bite at the apple, as it were.

photo source credit

Mind the maggots!

Council Show Recap!

Last night's City Council meeting was another excellent installment of "Stupid Rep Tricks!"

The council's first interesting item of business was discussion of the release of the Ekl Williams Police Department Audit .pdf to the press and public, which can now be viewed on the City's web site. During the discussion, Alderman Allspaghetti (4th ward) said that he did not feel that if he had questions about the audit he should have to run those questions past his council peers first. Allspaghetti went on to say that he's "known Terry Ekl for 20 years" and would just pick up the phone and call Ekl to ask any questions he may have, indignantly adding that he nor anyone else is "not trying to hide anything" or "doing anything untoward". All of which gave the PRU Crew a good chuckle this morning, because we remember Ekl's interview before the City Council where Ekl was asked if he had any affiliation with the Mayor or any members of the City Council. As we reported to our readers back then, Ekl's response to that inquiry was that he'd met Allspaghetti once a number of years ago. And we are reminded of why not telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is a bad practice for elected officials -- as we also recall that Allspaghetti didn't say a single word during that question and answer session about knowing Ekl "for 20 years".

The next hot topic the City Council considered was the expansion of the R5 zoning district. Alderman Dave Schmidtzkrieg (1st ward) attempted to offer several amendments that sought to severely limit if not eliminate R5 zoning altogether; his reasoning being that developers could go through the planned unit development process for building taller and denser projects. Schmidtzkrieg's amendment was defeated in a 4 (Bach, Allegretti, Ryan, Carey) to 3 (Wsol, Schmidt, DiPietro) vote. The council then voted to adopt the new R5 zoning language in another 4 (Bach, Allegretti, Ryan, Carey) to 3 (Wsol, Schmidt, DiPietro) vote.

And once again Fair Housing Commission chairman, Nan Parson, along with her trusty sidekick, former Alderman Sue Ding-a-ling Bell, complained that the City Council was wrecking all their do-gooder plans for the people of Park Ridge by voting to adopt a Fair Housing ordinance that eliminates the commission's plans to "conduct studies", "educate", and "advocate" for the people of Park Ridge on the issue of fair housing. The City Council then voted to adopt the Fair Housing ordinance as written by a vote of 4 (Allegretti, Carey, Wsol, Schmidt) to 3 (Bach, Ryan, DiPietro).

In an anti-climactic action, the City Council voted unanimously to "authorize the City Manager to sign the Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims with former Police Chief Caudill and authorize payment to former Chief Caudill pursuant to agreement", now that Ekl Williams has given assurances that Caudill cooperated with the audit. And the PRU Crew still feels that the stink wafting from this one is enough to make a butcher gag.

Finally, the political highlight of the evening came under council agenda item "new business". In what has been described to us as a scathing rebuke of Mayor Howard, Ald. Schmidtzkrieg read a letter in response to the Mayor's attack on Schmidt regarding the disclosure of closed session information to the press and the public. We are looking forward to reading Ald. Schmidtzkrieg's letter in the press this week.

Fair Housing Advocates Unmasked!

As our faithful PRU readers know, we've discussed the issue of the Fair Housing ordinance along with the antics of the Fair Housing commissions chairman, Nan Parson. We've also given former third ward alderman, Sue Bell some attention.

In today's Pub-dog posting they've offered some straight-up commentary on the subject that's worth a read and takes the topic to a new level of openness. PRUdos to the Pub-dogs!

All That Jazz! Abridged Council Recap!

Hello, PRU readers! The reports have come in and we're going to cut right to the chase; last night the Park Ridge City Council voted unanimously to refer the matter of opening a homeless shelter to the Planning & Zoning commission for addition to the zoning ordinance under the requirement and review through a special use permit process.

You read that right folks! Unanimous! Even the perennially confused Alderman Don DreadBach (3rd Ward) and Benedict Alderman Robert Ryan (5th Ward) voted to require a special use permit process for the opening of a homeless shelter at St. Paul of the Cross, or anywhere else in Park Ridge.

There was an overflow crowd in attendance at the meeting last night, which prompted Mayor Howard to issue one of his infamously rambling decrees on council decorum and respect.

We're told that Mayor Howard is another one of those "preachers" who can't seem to manage much in the way of his own personal practice. In addition to the less than equal treatment certain speakers were subjected to by the meeting chairman, Mayor Howard, we are told that at one point during the meeting, while speakers addressed the council, Mayor Howard called a gentleman from a list of names of those wishing to speak. The gentleman declined to speak but did add, "Please protect our children, Mr. Mayor." Mayor Howard then told the gentleman that if he had anything to say he should "be a man" and step up to the podium. Mayor Howard's remark reportedly elicited a very negative response from the audience. So much for decorum and respect.

We're told that there were well over 40 speakers, the significant majority of whom favored the process of a special use permit for a homeless shelter. We are also told the majority who urged the council to vote for the special use permit process also requested that not only St. Paul of the Cross be required to apply for the special use permit, but also that PADS too be required to apply as a co-applicant, since it is that agency that will be performing the services they allegedly provide to the homeless population, as well as the agency that will be responsible for following their own policies for the protection of their volunteers and the rest of the community. The PRU Crew could not agree more with that idea; PADS must be a co-applicant for the special use permit process for opening a homeless shelter.

Also in attendance was the Chicago Archdiocese in-house lawyer, Maureen Murphy, who seemed to be present to figuratively hold the hand of Fr. Carl Morello. Ms. Murphy let everyone know that the parish would "only be hosting" the shelter, "not leasing or licensing" their space, and that the Archdiocese does not believe a special use permit could be required...but if it is required then the parish would go through the process. It's clear to the PRU Crew that Ms. Murphy is unfamiliar with not only the concept of an in-kind contribution, but also recent Federal court law. And now we see why continuing education requirements are as important for attorneys as they are for other professionals.

So now the issue will move to the Planning & Zoning commission for review, where members of the public will again have a chance to ask that their concerns and questions about homeless shelters be answered. Stay tuned!

In other City Council actions, Fair Housing commissioner, former Alderman Sue Bell, after giving another impassioned plea for understanding that we are told was rife with misleading statements, was handed her hat and shown the door, despite the Lord of the Manor's attempt to defer adoption of the ordinance yet again. The council voted, in its first reading, to adopt the fair housing ordinance as currently written. No more whining. No more nagging. No more delays. No more behind the scenes maneuvering. The reason posed for yet another delay, besides Ms. Bell's whining, was to give the new City Manager, Mr. James Hock, time to review the ordinance and his role in it. If history is any teacher, and the PRU Crew believes it is, Mr. Hock will be able to deal with one pseudo-fair housing complaint every decade or so.

We again give out some PRUdos here, and today they go to Alderman Jim Allspaghetti (4th ward). Nice job getting this thing finally done.

Finally, action on the R-5 zoning issue was again deferred until the next meeting.

We know there was more but our sources apparently pooped out and left the meeting before it ended, past midnight.

Overall, we feel the City Council did a reasonable job of listening to the issues and concerns from residents of Park Ridge. We wish somebody among their number would take Mayor Howard aside and clue him in on how this whole "representative of the people" thing is supposed to work.

Whhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyy???

Tonight's City calendar includes a meeting of the Fair Housing Commission. Among the documents listed for the meeting is a draft letter to the City Council.

The PRU Crew is going to ignore the extreme hyperbole and misinformation contained in the draft letter and simply offer our opinion as to whhhyyy whhhyyy whhhyyy the City Council's Procedures and Regulations committee seems to be pulling up the reins on the Fair Housing Commission and the unelected appointees who populate it.

The Fair Housing Commission, chaired by the infamous Nan Parson who is so ably aided and abetted by former 3rd Ward Alderman, Sue Bell, has consistently failed to recognize that they are not, never have been, and are unlikely to become a political action committee for affordable housing and other do-gooder social justice causes.

The Fair Housing Commission has consistently overstepped its mandate of carrying out city policy, as determined by the City Council, and has continually sought to expand its role in determining that policy.

The Fair Housing Commission's chairman, Nan Parson, cannot seem to remember the difference between the issues of "fair housing" and "affordable housing"; hint: they aren't the same things!

The Fair Housing Commission has aggressively sought to determine city policy through almost constant bombardment of the city attorney with requests for legal work to change the city's fair housing ordinance.

The Fair Housing Commission has sought to use the Park Ridge - Niles School District curriculum to advance their social agenda by requesting that the district include in its elementary school curriculum special attention to the narrow issue of fair housing.

In short, the Fair Housing commission, and particularly Nan Parson and Sue Bell, have been real pains in the ass; incessantly whining, grabbing for policy-making power, attempting to influence district 64 curriculum, and consuming city resources of attorney and staff time at a Nascar clip!

The PRU Crew applauds Alderman James Allegretti (4th Ward), Alderman Dave Schmidt (1st Ward), and Alderman Thomas Carey (6th Ward) for kicking your asses back into line.

Carry on, gentlemen!

Flatliners.

Once again, thanks PRU readers for your patience; here's a quickie report on last night's city council slumber party.

Your representative's were treated to eloquent statements from several residents who all stated that they were speaking for the specific purpose of lending their support to Alderman Dave Schmidt (1st ward), and the principles of open government. And each spoke under the portion of the agenda set aside for those wishing to address non-agenda items.

What that tells us is, people are beginning to pay attention and they are talking to each other about their city government and what they have the right to expect from it. The PRU Crew could not be more pleased.

Reports from our sources say the Mayor and Aldermen sat grim faced while speakers expressed their displeasure and strongly suggested that the council discontinue the practice of keeping public policy discussions secret from the public.

Neither the Mayor nor any member of the city council responded to any of the resident's statements.

Another matter on the council's agenda last night included a much needed modification of the tentacled reach of the Fair Housing Commission's complaint procedure. The Fair Housing Commission's chairman, Nan Parson, complained about the limits on the commission's mandate. On a motion from the Lord of the Manor, Ald. DiPietro (2nd ward), the council referred the Fair Housing ordinance back to the Procedures and Regulations committee.

The council was also set to consider approval of a resolution to place a referendum on the November ballot asking voters to approve the staggering of terms for aldermen. The council opted to defer action on the item until an opinion from the State's Attorney General could be received. The council is unsure of what State law requires for when the staggering of terms may begin.

The PRU Crew is amused that the council is seeking the opinion of the Attorney General on the matter of staggering aldermanic terms, while at the same time seeking to ignore the stated and re-stated opinion of the Attorney General on the matter of disclosing closed session information.

But logic and reason are not legal requirements for holding elective office; they are only hoped-for qualities.