City Council 11-15-2010 Video!

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

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

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

Two PRUdos are due!

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

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

Enjoy the show, people!

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!

There Oughta Be A Law!

In a Friday, September 24th online article from the Journal & Topics, Falling Trees Could Lead To Lawsuit, we read --

"Neighborhood dissatisfaction with the falling of two trees on Bonita Drive in Park Ridge is manifesting itself in other ways and could lead to a lawsuit against the city.

Police received an anonymous complaint about a B class truck parked in a driveway on Greenwood Avenue.

The truck belongs to the parents of the family on Bonita where the two trees were recently removed, explained Police Chief Frank Kaminski.

“The man parks his truck on his driveway a couple days a week,” Kaminski confirmed. “According to the zoning ordinance, that’s illegal."

Of course, now the City will enforce the zoning code ordinance and put an end to this illegal activity. Right?

Wrong.

If our faithful PRU readers have been paying attention, then you know at last night's City Council COW, staff proposed a housekeeping ordinance change action item for approval -- Parking of Commercial Vehicles in Residential Areas (.pdf). The memo states --

"The City Attorney has recommended moving the attached language from the Zoning Ordinance to the Municipal Code. Paragraph 13-10-11 B has been added to the Municipal Code to address off-street parking. This change will result in a violation being fined a $50 fine, not $250 as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance."

Please note -- "from the Zoning Ordinance to the Municipal Code."

Additional language in the City staff memo suggests the weight and size of commercial vehicles that qualify for a waiver from the parking restrictions, specifically --

c. Exceeds twenty (20) feet in length, eight (8) feet (6) six inches in height or seven (7) feet six (6) inches in width, or has more than four (4) wheels.

We again remind our faithful PRU readers of the memo language -- "from the Zoning Ordinance to the Municipal Code."

Setting aside for a moment the questionable wisdom of essentially removing a land use ordinance from the zoning code, we're wondering why the newly proposed language seems to have expanded the size for which a commercial vehicle may qualify for a waiver. The existing zoning code ordinance (.pdf), section 12, 11-A-3 states --

"A. No truck of eight-thousand (8,000) pounds GVW or less (i.e., Class B license) shall be permitted to park in the front or corner side yard of any residential lot, if the truck:

3. Exceeds twenty (20) feet in length, eight (8) feet in height or seven (7) feet in width, or has more than four (4) wheels."

It appears the more restrictive zoning code language, governing the size of commercial vehicles, is being eased in the proposed language for addition to the municipal code.

The Journal & Topics article goes on to report --

"...resident Tom Bernick says the trucks don’t qualify for a waiver.

He said three vehicles, two cargo vans and a straight truck, are being parked at the address.

He claims one of the vans has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds, the other is 8,900. “The straight truck is 14,500 pounds,” he said.

Bernick said the family has parked the trucks for about three years and said he has also seen the resident allegedly dumping food waste products down the storm drain. “We’re going to sue the city for not enforcing its ordinance,” he said. Referring back to the tree decision, he added, “It’s the same favoritism that’s going on."

It took three years for someone to alert the proper authorities? The PRU Crew is pretty confident the commercial vehicle parking problem wasn't viewed as much of a problem until neighbors in the area got the idea that for some people no doesn't mean no, especially when it comes to buying and removing City property -- which is precisely what we feel occurred in the continuing saga of the Meatgate trees.

The PRU Crew can't say for certain if Mr. Bernick is correct in his assessment of favoritism. But we sure do wonder what the hell is going on over at 505 Butler Place these days.

Anyone know a municipal attorney willing to issue a cease and desist order on bullshit from City staff?

Anyone know a zoning attorney willing to submit a map amendment to the zoning code designating City Hall a No Bullshit zone?

Another Two-fer Tuesday!

#1 -- For our faithful PRU readers interested in a mini recap of last night's City Council meeting, we provided the following in response to a comment request --

Alright -- per our sources --

The various proclamations were well received.

Anne Lunde's history presentation was the answer for those seeking non-pharmaceutical sleep aids.

The City Attorney recommended the Council take action to approve the severance contracts or the City could be open to litigation. The Council seemed pissed off.

The City Manager's contract was approved by a vote of 4 (Bach, Allegretti, Ryan, Carey) to 3 (Wsol, Sweeney, DiPietro).

More than ever, there is no love being lost between Mayor Schmidtzkrieg and Benedict Alderman Ryan.

The Pickwick theater received a unanimous vote for landmark designation, becoming the first historic building to receive the designation under the new historic preservation ordinance.

Discussion of the Taber report about the airport was deferred.

The Mayor's veto of community group contributions received sustaining votes on all but three line items -- Center of Concern, Maine Center for Mental Health, and Meals on Wheels.

We told ya so, Schmidtzkrieg!

We're also told, under new business a certain Unfriendly Ghost attempted to make ethics ordinance amends by finally disclosing a $5million economic relationship his engineering firm has with the O'Hare Modernization Program.

The fun never ends at 505 Butler Place!



#2 -- Speaking of airport noise mitigation efforts, the Tree Preservation Task Force will be meeting again tonight at 6:00 PM to go over a revised version (.pdf) of the private property tree preservation ordinance they intend to forward to the City Council for consideration.

The PRU Crew noticed in the minutes from the last meeting (.pdf) a curious little blurb --

III. NEW BUSINESS

A. Director Zingsheim handed out a memo he received from City Forester Gliot regarding parkway trees, stating that he was distributing it solely as a courtesy for the Committee to have the information. Pat Livensparger, 413 Courtland, said that it shouldn’t be given out, as it was not the agenda. Director Zingsheim replied that although he disagreed with her about it being required on the agenda, he would collect the memo back from the Committee members. (Note: City Attorney Hill has verified that the distribution of the memo was not required to be on the agenda.)

As we understand it, the Task Force chairman invited the Public Works Director to pass out and discuss the memo before the Task Force Committee members.

In any event, we see the City Attorney has assured everyone that the courtesy offered to the Committee members was perfectly legit, despite the memo not having been listed among the supporting documents for the last meeting, nor placed on the agenda for distribution and possible discussion, and the Task Force chairman's apparent knowledge of the intended courtesy.

So the PRU Crew is wondering why the courtesy isn't being offered to the Task Force Committee at tonight's meeting?

Committee of the Whole 9-13-2010 Video!

Enjoy the show!

We're sure our faithful PRU readers will appreciate the very gifty natures of some of our Aldermopes.

And we just loved the policy vs. ordinance discussion about tree preservation!

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!

Are You Bored?

Looking for excitement or some free entertainment? Have we got deals for you!

#1 -- District 64 Super-duper-intendent Search!

Yesterday in an email invitation sent from the district and forwarded to us by a faithful PRU reader --

The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education would greatly appreciate the input and assistance of all community members.

Community Forums

School Superintendent Search

Tuesday, December 1 at 9:30 a.m.

&

Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Washington School, 1500 Stewart Ave., Park Ridge

The Board of Education invites all members of the community to participate in the search for a new school superintendent. Current Superintendent Sally Pryor is retiring on June 30, and the Board is working with consultants to conduct a national search for her replacement.

A key step in the search process is to identify the values and priorities of our community, and create a profile of the characteristics that our community seeks in an outstanding educational leader to guide our schools into the new decade.

The community meetings will be facilitated by representatives of the search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd. The north suburban firm has assisted about 600 school boards since it was established in 1987.

Can’t attend, but would like to contribute your thoughts?

Please complete the Leadership Profile Assessment by Friday, December 4 available at this link: d64ssprofile09(.pdf) Thank you for participating.


#2 -- Wannabe Tree Huggers Unite!

Q: What is a tree's least favorite month?

A: Sep-tiiiiimber!

In last week's edition of the Journal & Topics we learned the 'Tree Preservation Task Force Seeks Volunteers' All you tree huggers out there -- now is your chance!

The article says -- "Those interested may obtain an application on the city's Web site at www.parkridge.us under the heading City Forms, Guides, and Publications: City Boards/Commissions Application Form and Biographical Data. Completed application forms are being accepted in the Administration Office at City Hall, 505 Butler Place. For additional information, or if you do not have access to the Web site, contact Barb Cannon, senior administrative assistant, at 847-318-5208."

Alternatively, you can be one of the volunteers who helps keep Park Ridge safe from Killer Trees!

Introductions All Around!

The PRU Crew would like to take the opportunity to introduce the members of the Community Health Commission to the members of the Park Ridge O'Hare Commission!

Say 'hello' everybody!

Back on July 20th, at the regular City Council meeting (.pdf), Mayor Schmidtzkrieg reported that he approved the appointments of the members of the O'Hare Airport Commission. Also at that meeting, Mayor Schmidtzkrieg said that he "met with a few residents regarding serious health issues related to living near O’Hare -- and requested Ald. Wsol and the Community Health Commission look into the issue."

At the July 23rd meeting of the Community Health Commission (.pdf), "Ald. Wsol reported that the mayor has requested [the Community Health Commission] to provide expertise to the newly formed City Commission on Airport Noise. Discussion ensued and the Commission decided that they would be willing to send a liaison to meet with them once they are seated to help provide them direction."

The first meeting of the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission was held on September 23rd and hey there, Health Commission liaison -- whoever you are, we missed you!

We would now like to introduce the members of the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission to the members of the Tree Preservation Task Force!

Say 'hello' everybody!

The PRU Crew understands there are those on the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission who are very very very concerned about the air pollution being generated by planes flying over their homes.

The PRU Crew also understands there may be benefits to maintaining, if not pushing to increase, the tree canopy in the City of Park Ridge, because things like air pollution, as well as noise pollution, may be mitigated by a fuller tree canopy.

We recommend the following in-exhaustive list for a quickie primer on the subject of trees and environmental health benefits --

1. -- UrbanForestry.org (.pdf) -- based in the United Kingdom which, as you may know, is England's married name.

We found this statement in the paper very interesting -- "Trees help to reduce noise pollution by absorbing and blocking urban noise. Areas of Hounslow are subjected to high levels of noise on a daily basis. This is caused by aeroplanes taking off and landing at Heathrow Airport, and vehicular traffic using the arterial roads in and out of central London. Some of this background noise could be alleviated with strategically placed tree planting."

2. -- SaveGreenEarth.com (.pdf) -- based in Richmond, VA which, as you may know, has a law that makes it illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to see who pays for a coffee.

We found this cite in the paper very interesting and didn't want to leave the Park Ridge Flood Control Task Force feeling left out -- "Research by the USFS shows that in a 1 inch rainstorm over 12 hours, the interception of rain by the canopy of the urban forest in Salt Lake City reduces surface runoff by about 11.3 million gallons, or17%. These values would increase as the canopy increases."

3. -- ColoradoTrees.org hosts an article by David J. Nowak of the Syracuse, NY USDA Forest Service which, as you may know, is one of those sprawling government bureaucracies.

We found the article very interesting in its balance between benefits and potential drawbacks of trees on environmental health.

So now it's time to introduce the members of the Tree Preservation Task Force to the members of the Community Health Commission!

Say 'hello' everybody!

We trust we don't have to explain why the Community Health Commission should take an interest in the potential environmental health benefits offered by trees, right?

As luck would have it, you can all get together this evening to say your hellos in person! The Park Ridge Tree Preservation Task Force meets tonight at City Hall, beginning at 6:00 pm.

Killer Trees!

Back in the 80s, one of the more unfortunate quotes uttered by the 'Great Communicator' was that "trees cause more pollution than automobiles do." Which prompted Jim Brady, while aboard Ronald Reagan's campaign plane as it flew over a Louisiana forest fire, to shout, "Killer trees! Killer trees!" That kind of twisted humor makes Jim Brady our kind of guy.

In Park Ridge government, we haven't been able to find anyone with such a well developed sense of humor. But we haven't heard anyone in Park Ridge government accuse trees of being bad for the environment either. Still, it appears there's at least one alderman who believes trees may not be worth protecting.

The City Council Public Works Committee chairman, Don Bachtard (3rd Ward), has placed a discussion item on tonight's Public Works Committee agenda.pdf -- "Elimination of Tree Preservation Ordinance"

Maybe Alderman Bachtard finds trees annoying? We have heard a few developers complain about trees and the city's preservation ordinance. We have also heard some residents complain about trees and the city's preservation ordinance when they've wanted to construct an addition to their current homes or build new. And then there was what many refer to as 'Meatgate', which was discussed in the comments on one of our blog posts here ("Reggie", comment #14).

Anyone who is interested in reading the background memo for tonight's committee meeting can do so here (.pdf). You can find all the publicly posted documents for tonight's meeting here.