Have Some! And a Welcome Note!

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!

COW 11-22-2010 Video!

Another fine performance for your viewing displeasure!

They'll Be Discussing Our Mooney Again!

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.

COW 11-8-2010 Video!

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!

#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!

COW 10-11-2010 Video!

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.

Another Happy COWlumbus Day!

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.

Listening Politely!

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More COW Bell!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Committee of the Whole 6-14-2010 Video!

-- 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

Another Methane Mamba!

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.

Another Committee of the HOLE!

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!

COW 5-10-2010 - Video

Enjoy the show!

COW Pow Wow!

Should our faithful PRU readers have nothing better to do this evening, you may want to attend tonight's Council COW!

Tonight's COW agenda (.pdf) covers Public Safety and Public Works. The two most interesting items on tonight's agenda appear to be the discussions under Public Works -- Land Grades on single family residential properties (.pdf) and Commuter parking in residential and commercial areas (.pdf).

In the second memo about parking, the PRU Crew found the following quote very interesting --

"The basis for this recommendation is to avoid setting a precedent that cannot be fulfilled for other businesses."

Things that make us go hhhmmm...

C.O.W. PS/PW/PR 4-12-2010 -- Video!

Begins with the usual opening ceremonies.

@ :39 mark -- Citizens who wish to address the Council on non-agenda items -- Resident Andrew Schwartz comments on the city budget.

@ 2:18 mark -- Mayor Schmidt comments on Polish plane crash and the lowering of the City flag to half mast.

@ 3:54 mark -- Public Works begins with discussion and action on forestry appeal for a tree removal.

@20:07 mark -- Discussion and action on custodial cleaning contract for City Hall begins.

@21:19 mark -- Discussion and action on IDOT resolution begins.

@21:52 mark -- Public Works discussion items begin with discussion of parking issues on Busse Hwy.

@45:04 mark -- Discussion of referendum question regarding funding of sewer relief work begins.

@59:36 mark -- Director of Public Works Spring Season Update begins.

@ 1 hour mark -- Public Safety begins with various reports from Chiefski.

@ 1:17:33 mark -- Fire Chief has no report and Public Safety discussions end.

@ 1:17:50 mark -- Procedures and Regulations begins with discussion and action on modification to the liquor ordinance -- several residents address the Council and the Crew hears a lot of the same statements being made in favor of the Irish Pub as were made in favor of Uncle Dan's, may that business R.I.P. But the Crew admits to looking forward to throwing back a few black and tans when the Irish Pub opens.

@ 1:51:24 mark -- And we quote the 6th ward's Unfriendly Ghost, "There needs to be a synergy and if this is the fulcrum of the genesis of the type of establishments we will be supportive of in the future, I believe that there needs to be a synergistic center in which these establishments can feed off of one another." And the PRU Crew is very pleased to hear the 6th ward's Unfriendly Ghost offer this type of quotational specificity. We got a big kick out of it! We thought about offering an equally syllabically laiden push back, but we're still too busy laughing!

@ 2:15:35 mark -- Discussion and action begins on TIF/Intergovernmental agreement, as Mayor Schmidt exits the Chamber, we assume in part, to congratulate the Irish Pub owners and perhaps plan another social rendezvous with the Irish Pub owners before the next Council meeting on this issue?

@ 2:23:37 mark -- Discussion and action begins on Zoning Text Amendment to supermajority voting.

@ 2:27:31 mark -- Residents begin addressing the Council.

@ 2:31:10 mark -- We sincerely offer PRUdos to Alderman Don Bach. Thank you Alderman Bach for your clarity, honesty, and candor on this issue. This moment may rank as your finest in your public service effort to date.

@ 2:38:53 mark -- Procedures and Regulations ends.

@ 2:39:15 mark -- Mayor Schmidt resumes the COW chair.

@ 2:39:22 mark and 2:39:53 mark -- City Manager Hock requests closed sessions.

@ 2:40:31 mark -- New Business begins and includes discussion of Thursday night's budget hearing, supporting budget documents available on the City's website, and other budget related matters.

@ 2:46:50 mark -- Move to adjourn to closed session.

A Monday Two-fer!

#1 --


Once again this evening, our lack-lustrious City Council will hold a COW meeting. The Finance & Budget, Public Works and Public Safety fun is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber.

On the agenda (.pdf) are interesting little gems such as discussion of the water fund and sewer rehabilitation program, and an update on the red light camera from Chiefski.

The PRU Crew can hardly wait to watch the verbal contortions and distortions from some of the Aldermopes as to why water usage should continue to be subsidized.


#2 --


Below is the video from last Wednesday's City Council meeting. Can you spot the opening salvo for another bite at the rotten billboard apple?

video #00000.MTS PRCC 2/3/10


We knew that you could.

Videos from PRCOW 11-23-09

video 00000.MTS PRCOW 11-23-09

@01:12 mark -- Finance and Budget begins with discussion to Approve Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009

-- it's a dry and tedious discussion, but worth your time.

@45:03 mark -- COW unanimously votes to approve the annual financial report.

@45:14 mark -- COW begins discussion to Approve December 2009 Property Tax Levy – For the Budget Beginning May 1, 2009 and Ending April 30, 2010

-- it's somewhat painful to listen to the Alderdopes meander their way through the topic but since these are our representatives -- we use the term loosely -- this discussion is also worth your time.

video 0001.MTS PRCOW 11-23-09

Begins with continuing discussion of the December 2009 Property Tax Levy – For the Budget Beginning May 1, 2009 and Ending April 30, 2010

@02:40 mark -- COW votes to unanimously approve the property tax levy

@02:50 mark -- COW begins discussion of the FY 2010/11 Contributions to Community Groups

-- bottom line = business as usual

@08:30 mark -- COW begins discussion of the Director's Report -- Review Employee Medical Insurance Experience for the Six Months Beginning May 2009 and Ending October 2009

@09:20 mark -- Allegretti yawns and the Crew fully understands the sentiment.

@17:10 mark -- COW begins discussion of the Director's Report -- Six-Months Financial Report – May 2009 through October 2009 and Director of Finance Diane Lembesis requests a stay of execution.

@23:37 mark -- Director Lembesis reveals she's a liquor hound.

@44:20 mark -- We learn about the new math -- a $400K deficit can turn into a $900K deficit in the blink of an eye.

-- again, while not as politically titilating as some subjects, this discussion is worth your time.

video 00002.MTS PRCOW 11-23-09

Begins with continuing discussion of the Six-Months Financial Report

@01:33 mark -- Resident George Kirkland addresses the COW

@02:46 mark -- COW begins discussion of the Budget Calendar

@06:04 mark -- Procedures and Regulations begins with discussion of Approval of Temporary Art Policy

@17:30 mark -- We learn once again that nothing is free, in case anyone needed reminding

@24:43 mark -- Ald. Bach moves to amend the motion regarding liability insurance

@29:56 mark -- Ms. Pat Ahern, CEO for Rainbow Hospice addresses the COW and we learn that public art is tangible, which may explain the need for liability insurance

@34:54 mark -- Ald. Bach withdraws his motion to amend the Temporary Art Policy and then motions to refer the matter back to committee

@36:04 mark -- COW votes unanimously to refer the matter back to committee

@36:11 mark -- COW begins discussion of Modification to the 3P Manual - Special Events Policy

@43:00 mark -- Ald. Bach motions to refer the matter back to committee

@44:34 mark -- Mayor Schmidt notes there is nothing in the policy which addresses reimbursement to the City for special event costs

@45:34 mark -- City Manager Jim Hock informs the COW that he is the "committee" to which the matter is being referred and suggests the COW is the place to discuss the issue

@46:26 mark -- Ald. Wsol offers that City staff has always handled special events well and he doesn't believe the City Council should review special events, despite any costs incurred by the City, and the PRU Crew believes Mayor Schmidt smiled all the way home.

video 00003.MTS PRCOW 11-23-09

Begins with continuing discussion of Special Events policy

@02:09 mark -- Resident Mel P. Thillens addresses the COW

@05:18 mark -- Resident and current Taste of Park Ridge NFP chairman Albert Galus addresses the COW

@06:39 mark -- The PRU Crew noted the effervescent spewing of bullshit so full of warm fuzzies we almost bought into it

@11:03 mark -- Resident and current Taste of Park Ridge NFP committee member Dave Iglow addresses the COW and picks up where Mr. Galus left off, noting the "non-political, no-compensated" nature of the Taste of Park Ridge NFP

-- We say to the Taste of Park Ridge NFP, "Prove it and prove our suspicions wrong." -- disclose the financial statements for the Taste of Park Ridge NFP, along with your vendor list. Until you do, we are going to continue to strongly suspect the Taste of Park Ridge NFP is "inurring benefits" to "insiders", which is illegal. And give our best to former Taste committee chairman Bob Dudycz.

@16:30 mark -- Ald. Allegretti asks for a continuation of the discussion and a consensus that any action taken not be in effect until January 1, 2011

@18:36 mark -- After a comment by Ald. DiPietro on rainbow art and Rainbow Hospice, we learn from City Manager Hock that the Library Board poopooed displaying rainbow art on the library commons area

@28:22 mark -- COW actually returns to the motion to defer and votes unanimously in favor of deferring the matter to a later date

@28:35 mark -- COW begins discussion of the proposed ordinance to ban Video Poker – New State Law

@32:17 mark -- COW votes unanimously to ban video poker

@32:26 mark -- COW begins discussion of the Health and Property Maintenance Enforcement Process

@42:46 mark -- COW begins discussion of Modifications to the Ethics Ordinance

-- and the hits just keep on coming.

video 00004.MTS PRCOW 11-23-09

Begins with continuing discussion of Modifications to the Ethics Ordinance

@03:55 mark -- Alderman and DUI attorney Allegretti confesses his worry about an attorney and current or former elected official representing clients in traffic court

@06:56 mark -- Resident and CURRB spokesperson Judy Barclay addresses the COW

@09:26 mark -- Resident Joan Sandrik addresses the COW

@10:21 mark -- Resident Missy Langan addresses the COW

@12:30 mark -- Resident George Kirkland addresses the COW

@14:00 mark -- Procedures and Regulations ends with a whimper

@14:16 mark -- Public Works begins with discussion to Approve Changes to Article 9, Chapters 2 and 4 of the Municipal Code – Public Ways

@18:14 mark -- COW votes to unanimously Approve Changes to Article 9, Chapters 2 and 4 of the Municipal Code – Public Ways

@18:24 mark -- COW begins discussion for Approval of Water Supply Agreement with City of Chicago

@25:00 mark -- COW votes 3 (DiPietro, Allegretti and Wsol) to 1 (Carey) for Approval of Water Supply Agreement with City of Chicago -- Ald. Ryan appears to have been absent from the vote

@25:22 mark -- Mayor Schmidt resumes the chair and reminds everyone of the upcoming blood drive at Mary Seat of Wisdom

@26:12 mark -- Motion to adjourn

Video from 11-9-09 COW

video #00000.MTS PRCOW 11-9-09


@01:25 mark -- Marine Week proclamation

@04:04 mark -- Veterans Awareness proclamation

@06:20 mark -- Public Works Committee begins

@06:42 mark -- City Attorney reports on Deerfield litigation against ComEd

@30:42 mark -- Flood Control Task Force update

@31:48 mark -- Reminder of informational meeting for proposed SWANCC garbage franchise agreement for commercial businesses

@32:13 mark -- Ald. Allegretti reveals he's been asleep for the last 5 years.

@32:54 mark -- Public Safety Committee begins

@33:00 mark -- Red Light Camera update begins

@46:08 mark -- Resident George Kirkland addresses the COW

@47:35 mark -- Ald. Bach reveals he's inclined toward the 'RoboCop' model of policing


video #00001.MTS PRCOW 11.9-09


Begins with continuing discussion of Red Light Cameras

@02:15 mark -- Hands-free Ordinance discussion begins

@14:40 mark -- Resident Robert Cozzini addresses the COW

@18:54 mark -- Resident Nicholas Loise addresses the COW

@23:50 mark -- Dangerous Animal Ordinance discussion begins

@26:05 mark -- Resident Maryann Gobbo addresses the COW

@30:45 mark -- Resident George Kirkland addresses the COW

@35:26 mark -- Police Chief's Advisory Task Force discussion begins

@36:13 mark -- Police Dept. organizational assessment discussion begins

@36:37 mark -- Citizen Police Academy graduation discussion begins

@36:51 mark -- Maine South Principal's Advisory Board report begins

@38:23 mark -- Police Dept. Mission and Value Statement review discussion begins

@39:00 mark -- Complimentary letters to the Police Dept. discussion begins

@41:35 mark -- Police Dept. grants discussion begins

@42:16 mark -- H1N1 vaccination discussion begins

@46:16 mark -- Fire Chief Craig Gjelsten goes all out to be "pc" and gender-bias-free as he remarks upon "pregnant people"

@47:00 mark -- Police Dept. Wellness program discussion begins


video #00002.MTS PRCOW 11-9-09


Begins with continuing discussion of Police Dept. Wellness program

@01:02 mark -- Police Chiefski mentions monthly update reports to the City Council

@01:15 mark -- Fire Dept. has no report

@01:34 mark -- Mayor Schmidt resumes the chair

@01:48 mark -- Mayor Schmidt comments on Park Ridge Community Church Chancel Choir

@03:44 mark -- New Business -- Ald. DiPietro invites resident Nicholas Loise to address the COW on the denial of permit for tree removal

@05:16 mark -- Motion to adjourn

Two-fer Monday!

1. -- Wannabe to Gonnabe!

Our PRU sources report the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District has selected Mr. David Herman to fill the vacancy on the Park District Board. Mr. Herman will bring his financial background to the position. We're told Mr. Herman holds a CPA and MBA in finance, and is employed in the health care arena at a Chicago hospital.

Congratulations, Mr. Herman. Welcome to the machine!


2. -- Public Works and Public Safety COW Tonight!

The brain trust -- we use the phrase loosely -- comprising the representative body for the City of Park Ridge will be meeting tonight at the usual time, in the usual place. Tonight's COW agenda(.pdf) appears to offer a lot of talk and virtually no action -- you know, the usual.

Videos tomorrow!

Video Special PRCC & PRCOW 10-26-09

video #00000.MTS Special PRCC 10-26-09


Special City Council meeting begins on discussion of restoration of parking area for 31-33 S. Prospect Ave.

@11:30 mark -- Aldermen present unanimously vote to approve (Bach and Carey absent)


video #00001.MTS PRCOW 10-26-09


Committee of the Whole meeting begins.

@01:10 mark -- Resident George Johnson addresses the COW regarding local blood drives

@05:30 mark -- Mayor Schmidt offers an announcement from Police Chiefski about Teen Halloween movie night at the Pickwick theater

@06:36 mark -- Finance and Budget committee meeting begins with discussion and vote on modification to the water ordinance

@12:08 mark -- Aldermen unanimously vote to approve

@12:15 mark -- Discussion of renewal of lease with All On The Road catering for Metra station

@19:00 mark -- Aldermen unanimously vote to approve

@19:12 mark -- Discussion of increase for Metra station coin box parking fee

@20:30 mark -- Aldermen unanimously vote to approve

@20:39 mark -- Discussion begins on Finance Director Diane Lembesis' report on issuing bonds to increase cash for the Uptown TIF

@22:10 mark -- Procedures and Regulations committee begins with discussion of Historic Preservation ordinance

@24:00 mark -- Alderman Ryan offers an amendment regarding awards

@30:31 mark -- Historic Preservation task force member Anita Bloom addresses the COW

@33:35 mark -- Historic Preservation task force member Judy Barclay addresses the COW

@40:54 mark -- Historic Preservation task force member Randy Derifield addresses the COW

@43:55 mark -- Mayor Schmidt suggests the possibility of creating another task force.

@48:10 mark -- Alderman DiPietro motions a substitute for the whole to remove section R from the Historic Preservation ordinance


video #00002.MTS PRCOW 10-26-09


Begins with continuation of discussion on Aldermen DiPietro's and Ryan's amendments

@00:43 mark -- Resident Frank Partipillo addresses the COW

@03:15 mark -- Resident Lloyd Godfrey addresses the COW

@04:46 mark -- Historic Preservation task force member Judy Barclay again addresses the COW

@05:27 mark -- Aldermen vote 3 (Sweeney, DiPietro and Wsol) to 2 (Allegretti and Ryan) to approve substitute for the whole and remove section R from the Historic Preservation ordinance

@05:50 mark -- Discussion begins again on the main motion for approval of the Historic Preservation ordinance

@06:10 mark -- Historic Preservation task force member Judy Barclay again addresses the COW

@07:57 mark -- Resident Joan Sandrik addresses the COW

@15:20 mark -- Alderman DiPietro motions to defer approval of the Historic Preservation ordinance

@18:00 mark -- The PRU Crew is given reason to strongly suspect some Aldermen do not read all the items provided to them in their Saturday packets, or they do not visit the City website to review minutes in preparation for discussion and debate on recommended ordinances

@19:45 mark -- Aldermen unanimously vote to defer approval

@20:27 mark -- Discussion begins on approval of 2nd amendment to the easement and operating agreement for the Uptown redevelopment Phase II

@22:07 mark -- Aldermen unanimously vote to approve

@22:17 mark -- Discussion on temporary public art policy begins

@26:06 mark -- Alderman Wsol motions to defer approval

@33:03 mark -- Aldermen vote unanimously to defer approval

@33:51 mark -- Discussion begins on modification to 3P Policy Manual for Special Events

@34;14 mar -- Alderman DiPietro motions to defer approval due to absences and pending notification to effected parties

@36:05 mark -- Aldermen unanimously vote to defer approval

@36:16 mark -- Discussion of Health and Property Maintenance enforcement begins

@45:50 mark -- City Attorney Buzz Hill comments on the Park Ridge "fine scale" and suggests "fines ought to reflect the cost of...having to enforce our codes."

~~THUD!!!~~ Jeez, Attorney Hill, you think?!?!


video #00003.MTS PRCOW 10-26-09


Begins with continuing discussion of Health and Property Maintenance enforcement

@09:05 mark -- Alderman Allegretti requests the City Attorney research State "nuisance" laws for possible adoption by the City Council

@10:23 mark -- Discussion of Video Poker begins

@13:49 mark -- Mayor Schmidt comments on "morality" of video poker and suggests taking action on the issue

@16:25 mark -- Alderman DiPietro motions to refer the issue to the next Procedures and Regulations committee meeting for action

@17:04 mark -- Des Plaines resident John Boryk addresses the COW

@20:35 mark -- Alderman Allegretti seconds Ald. DiPietro's motion

@20:40 mark -- Aldermen unanimously vote to approve DiPietro's motion to take action on the Video Poker issue at the next Procedures and Regulations committee meeting

@21:20 mark -- Public Works committee begins with discussion on Land Grades

@40:21 mark -- Mayor Schmidt comments on City enforcement of City building codes


video #00004.MTS PRCOW 10-26-09


Begins with continuing Public Works discussion of Land Grades

@12:24 mark -- Resident Jeff Getz addresses the COW

@33:26 mark -- Resident Joan Sandrik again addresses the COW

@35:27 mark -- Resident Cliff Kowalski addresses the COW

@36:47 mark -- CURRB spokesperson Judy Barclay addresses the COW

@38:10 mark -- Mayor Schmidt asks if there is any new business and Ald. DiPietro confirms the Saturday meeting of the Flood Control Task Force

@38:36 mark -- Mayor Schmidt requests City Attorney Hill to provide his answers in a report to the Council regarding the ethics violation process

@39:10 mark -- COW adjourns


Thanks for your patience today, people -- busy morning.