Park Ridge Underground

Have A Very Merry Christmas!

2009-12-17T12:00:00.001-06:00

By: 1389AD at deviantart.com

From the PRU Crew to all of you, enjoy your holidays!

We encourage PRU readers to keep paying attention to the goings on in local government during the all-too-distracting holiday season. There will be some interesting discussions taking place at City Hall next Monday night -- we're wondering just how gifty Ald. Allegretti will attempt to be on the issue of billboards, for starters.

Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Videos from PRCOW 12-14-09

2009-12-16T12:00:00.001-06:00

No indexing today, people -- we haven't had a chance to review each video, but feel free to add your own comments.

video#00000.MTS PRCOW 12-14-09

video#00001.MTS PRCOW 12-14-09

video#00002.MTS PRCOW 12-14-09

video#00003.MTS PRCOW 12-14-09

video#00004.MTS PRCOW 12-14-09

Would This Work?

2009-12-14T12:45:00.002-06:00

The City Council has another COW meeting (.pdf) scheduled for this evening -- beginning at 7:00 pm at City Hall.

Feel free to attend and do your own kind of COW tipping -- hold their hands, give the Council tips on representation, and tell them what to do -- since there seem to be people of the opinion elected officials shouldn't be expected to figure out basic representative tasks on their own.

Also scheduled for this evening, prior to the Council COW, is a Council Workshop set to begin at 6:30 pm at City Hall. The agenda includes a single line item --

"PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY REPORT BY THE FLOOD CONTROL TASK FORCE."

So we've got that going for us too!

Some time tomorrow we anticipate more Motionbox magic!

For The Searchers!

2009-12-11T11:03:00.002-06:00

Our PRU-Tech opines -- whether it's God, information, or Christmas presents -- sometimes the search feels endless.

Whatever you're looking for, we hope you find it.

Relax, stay warm, and have a great weekend!

The Weather Isn't All That's Frightful! Updated!

2009-12-10T10:45:00.003-06:00

The Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Board isn't frightful either -- still not a bad looking bunch with the addition of the new guy, top row, third from the left, Mr. David Herman. We first told you about Mr. Herman here.

The Park Ridge Park Board likes to brag about being the first local government body to post their board packets and videos online. And we thank them for that. Take a bow Park Board. Make it quick.

However, being first doesn't mean being best. Being first doesn't mean being very good either.

What the PRU Crew is finding quite frightful is the fact that there have been five meetings of the Park Board since October 1st -- Oct. 15th, Nov. 5th, Nov. 19th and Dec. 3rd. -- but the most recent Park Board minutes available online are from Oct. 1st, and the most recent videos available online are from Oct. 15th.

This is now the month of December, right? Did the Park Board fail to approve the minutes from their November meetings? Is there some sort of law which requires the posting of approved minutes within a certain amount of time? We aren't sure about that, but we think it's quite frightful when certain employees at the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District aren't making use of available technology in a timely manner.

O.k. Park Board, the City pols -- and certain community volunteers -- are kicking your ass in terms of performance in getting information out into the public arena. But take heart. You guys don't suck quite as much as the School districts do.

Update 12-11-09 -- Somebody did their job! Two additional sets of minutes have been added to the Park District website, Oct. 15th and Nov. 5th. To whomever goes the thanks, thanks! We look forward to the video additions too.

The Pub-dogs Add It Up!

2009-12-09T12:00:00.001-06:00

Today the Pub-dogs honored the PRU Crew with a link to our post from yesterday, though we take some issue with their use of "commentary" versus "comments" in their opening paragraph.

The weather's got us in a slacker mood -- PRU.ADMIN feels we should return the favor and people, who haven't done so, should watch the Melidosian Motionbox videos we posted yesterday, then go read the Pub-dogs' post today.

Their Monday post may be worth your time as well; give the Pub-dogs moderators something to do -- we mean that in the nicest way.

PRCC Videos 12-7-09!

2009-12-08T12:12:00.005-06:00

video #00000.MTS PRCC 12-07-09

Abruptly begins with approval of consent agenda items -- without discussion, a roll call vote is taken to unanimously approve the Council consent agenda

@02:33 mark -- Proclamation (and performance) - Emerson Middle School Jazz IMEA Trumpets begins and we learn either the Council chamber audio system or the video camera microphone were not designed to deliver concert-quality sound.

@12:28 mark -- Resolution 2009-84 – for Thomas Higgins of Lutheran General Hospital begins

@17:40 mark -- Recognition of District 207 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists begins

@21:15 mark -- Mayor Schmidt begins his Statement regarding Amendment to Zoning Ordinance and the PRU Crew is forced to conclude not only is the Mayor's head half full of hair but also the Mayor's thinking is half full of bullshit. But we do commend the Mayor for speaking with "more than half" of the Planning and Zoning commissioners about this issue.

@23:54 mark -- Report on Executive Plaza begins

@33:50 mark -- Zero-based budgeting discussion begins

@34:32 mark -- City Manager Hock suggests budgeting by objectives, results, and performance is the most successful budgeting method. Translation = we don't want to have to justify every dollar we are spending.

@38:04 mark -- Alderman Bach says he wants to see "a business case" made for every expenditure. And we laaaaauuuuughed as we recall previous votes cast by Ald. Bach to increase funding amounts -- over budgeted amounts -- for community groups.

@40:19 mark -- Mayor Schmidt says he "won't accept an unbalanced budget" and promises to veto any unbalanced budget. The PRU Crew hopes Mayor Schmidt will manage to keep his word this time.

@41:05 mark -- Alderman Wsol not-so-fondly recalls Governor Jimmy Carter's efforts with zero-based budgeting and suggests a "modified" method

@42:16 mark -- Mayor Schmidt agrees with using a "modified approach" to budgeting
@43:12 mark -- Alderman Ryan says he doesn't understand zero-based budgeting and the PRU Crew is wondering if Ald. Ryan was an English major instead of an Engineering major

@45:13 mark -- Alderman Bach reveals he's a classist

@47:46 mark -- Alderman Bach continues to make frenemies with AFSCME

video #00001.MTS PRCC 12-07-09

Begins with continuing discussion of zero-based budgeting

@06:18 mark -- Alderman Sweeney inquires about the livability of the Heinze property and Director of Community Development Ms. Davis responds

@08:39 mark -- Mayor Schmidt says he "would like to see us enforce our ordinances." And we laaaaauuuuughed...really really really hard.

@15:08 mark -- Alderman Wsol suggests discussion of the Heinze property should be a listed agenda item before discussion continues

@16:06 mark -- City Attorney Buzz Hill makes a disclosure on behalf of Ald. Bach

@17:23 mark -- Alderman DiPietro inquires about billboards and the new zoning ordinance

@18:53 mark -- Mayor Schmidt thanks the Public Works Department for their efforts in regard to the Maine South Hawks parade

@19:38 mark -- City Clerk Henneman suggests cancellation of the January 4, 2010 meeting

@21:06 mark -- City Manager Hock tells the Council Wideopen West is interested in providing telephone and internet service in Park Ridge

@22:09 mark -- Mayor Schmidt reports the Liquor License Review Board voted to renew all but 1 liquor license, because one of the applicants packets was woefully inadequate

@23:15 mark -- New Business begins with Ald. Wsol requesting accommodation for election judges' access to the South Park polling place

@24:29 mark -- Alderman Ryan discusses his concerns about the development review process and homes being built "higher" than they should be. Ald. Ryan also inquires about the City's policy on signs and maintenance, as well as the inability of certain property owners to rent out ground floor space in the B4 zoning district

@28:28 mark -- City Clerk Henneman reminds people about voter registration

@28:54 mark -- Motion to adjourn

PRU Holiday Season Briefs!

2009-12-07T08:15:00.002-06:00

#1 -- Brown Paper Packages?

If whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens aren't your bag for the holidays, then maybe brown paper packages are among your favorite things?

At tonight's Liquor License Review Board meeting the board agenda (.pdf) includes discussion of a "proposal from Affresco to allow the sale of package goods." We aren't sure if Affresco restaurant is looking to become part liquor store or not.

We confess to not feeling bad while sitting at Affresco's bar, though we aren't sure we needed to take anything home with us besides a doggie bag.

#2 -- A few of our favorite things!

Public meetings and proclamations! We love 'em! And tonight's City Council meeting agenda (.pdf) is chock full of material guaranteed to put a smile on your face -- for various reasons, of course.

And we're really looking forward to hearing the Mayor's "Statement regarding Amendment to Zoning Ordinance." In fact, Mayor Schmidtzkrieg will be the star of the Council show tonight, because all other regular council business is listed under the consent agenda -- "All items listed with an asterisk are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of those items unless an Alderman so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda."

#3 -- Silver white winters that melt into Spring!

Park Ridge City Finance Director Diane Lembesis has reportedly resigned her position and, after her January 5, 2010 departure date, will be greeting the Spring as the new Finance Director for the City of Gurnee.

The PRU Crew wishes Ms. Lembesis well. We will miss her extremely dry wit at future Council meetings.

Tis The Season!

2009-12-04T13:45:00.000-06:00

By: Gary Markstein, editorial cartoonist

Plan your work week exit strategy and have a good weekend!

Half Full or Half Empty?

2009-12-03T12:00:00.002-06:00

Take a good look at the above picture of Mayor Schmidtzkrieg. Do you think the Mayor would tell you his head is half full of hair, or half empty?

The PRU Crew is guessing the Mayor would tell you his head is half full of hair. Because he's such a positive, optimistic and compromising guy.

The PRU Crew would tell Mayor Schmidtzkrieg he may want to wear a hat anyway. Because the part of his head that isn't half full of hair is going to freeze in the winter or get burned in the summer. The Crew's negative, pessimistic and uncompromising like that.

And because the Mayor is such a positive, optimistic and compromising guy, we suspect he will allow the sun to set today without issuing a veto of the changes to the process in the new Planning and Zoning ordinance. Like we said -- we're negative and pessimistic. We're also disappointed but we saw it coming when we read articles in both the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate ('Mayor mulls veto of zoning process change') and the Journal & Topics ('Council Has Final Word On Billboards') -- Nothing beats a positive, optimistic compromise like having everybodys' thought process disrupted!

Here's the PRU Crew's thought process --

Aldermen should not be promoting changes to the zoning ordinance on behalf of any individual seeker or special interest. Period. Council recommended zoning text and map amendments should be considered with a "global view" -- meaning, as to how any recommended changes would or could affect the entire community. Anything less is spot zoning on behalf of special interests. And that's bad government.

Aldermen who allow themselves to be used as tools -- and we don't mean that in any nice way, how you doin' Allspaghetti? -- by individual special interests are also allowing those special interests to circumvent the disclosure process. And that's really bad government.

Mayor Schmidtzkrieg has reportedly said the requirement for a super-majority vote to override denials by the Planning and Zoning Commission removes the incentive for individual special interests to seek a Council sponsor. And like we said earlier, Mayor Schmidtzkrieg would probably tell you his head is half full of hair too.

The PRU Crew is now wondering if the actual contents of the Mayor's head is half full...or half empty.

Another PRU Two-fer!

2009-12-02T12:30:00.003-06:00

For all the Park Ridge - Niles School District 64 kiddies getting vaccinated today, and depending upon which type of H1N1 vaccine the County decides to deliver, we hope all goes well and we promise, if the vaccine is delivered in shot form, it will only hurt for a little while.

We commend District 64 for their efforts on this health concern issue. The PRU Crew feels caution can be its own reward. We also feel soap and water and using kleenex is pretty rewarding to.

The PRU Crew believes the Pub-dogs may have broken a comment record for one of their postings!

Any PRU readers who may have missed out on the fun, it's too late now -- the Pub-dogs have said they are not accepting any more comments to their post Something To Be Thankful For.

We found the post very good, and the freewheeling conversation about the Taste of Park Ridge event highly entertaining. Thanks, Pub-dogs!

Are You Bored?

2009-12-01T12:00:00.002-06:00

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!

State Champs!

2009-11-29T00:25:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to our Maine South Hawks!
Great game!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Give thanks and enjoy the holiday!

Videos from PRCOW 11-23-09

2009-11-25T09:30:00.000-06:00

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

Ooh, Ooh That Smell!

2009-11-23T12:00:00.001-06:00

The City Council will meet tonight at Park Ridge City Hall, beginning at 7:00 pm, for another exciting COW -- and the PRU Crew can already smell the odor of bullshit wafting throughout the City of Park Ridge!

The agenda (.pdf) for tonight's meeting offers some very special COW pies for public consumption. We have no doubt the taxpayers of Park Ridge will be enormously please with the Property Tax Levy (.pdf) and Six-Months Financial Report (.pdf). And the discussion of Contributions to Community Groups (.pdf) along with discussion of the Modifications to the 3P Manual for Special Events (.pdf) should be very entertaining.

The PRU Crew is really looking forward to hearing the Alderidiots talk about the proposed Video Poker Ordinance (.pdf) and Modifications to the Ethics Ordinance (.pdf).

We anticipate some Alderidiots will say the revenue, which may be produced from licensing video poker machines in Park Ridge, is not an amount for which it is worth altering the character of Park Ridge, despite the budget black hole deficit. We also anticipate some Alderidiots will completely ignore such an argument when they discuss billboards at a future meeting.

But without a doubt, the PRU Crew's favorite topic on tonight's agenda is the discussion of the proposed modifications to the Ethics Ordinance, courtesy of Procedures and Regulations chairman Alderman James Allspaghetti. Ooh, ooh that smell! Can you smell that smell?

We look forward to posting the videos tomorrow!

Big Bucks and Billboards, Baby!

2009-11-20T12:30:00.003-06:00

By now, anyone paying attention to the issue of a proposed zoning change to allow billboards to be put up in Park Ridge has also heard 4th Ward Aldermope James Allspaghetti chant, "I did want the City Council to have the final say on it because it's a substantial amount of revenue."

"...it's a substantial amount of revenue...it's a substantial amount of revenue..." echo echo echo

According to an online article in the Herald-Advocate -- 'Zoning panel's message: Don't place your ad here' -- "Allegretti said the city stands to receive $400,000 if the billboards are installed, with another $200,000 to be paid over 20 years" despite the fact the article also reports, "There is no proposed, written agreement stating how much revenue the city would actually receive, said City Manager Jim Hock."

Ignoring for the moment Ald. Allspaghetti's dangling of dollars before the dolts on the City Council -- with very few exceptions, those amounts aren't chump change, until you take a closer look at those amounts in the context of the City budget and the proposed 20 year permit term.

Last Spring, the City Council reviewed and passed a City budget of nearly $50 million with a planned-for deficit of roughly $2 million. After the City Council planned to spend more money than it took in, the Aldermopes promptly got down to the task of further subsidizing water usage by refusing to pass along the full amount of water rate increases from the City of Chicago to Park Ridge water users. Then the Aldermopes really got serious about the budget, after voting for more water usage subsidies, by immediately voting to exceed the budgeted amounts of taxpayer dollars annually gifted to various community groups -- an amount that totals almost $250,000.00.

One thing we can say, nobody is ever going to accuse the members of the City Council of being "conservative to a fault," at least not where fiscal management comes in.

So now Ald. Allspaghetti is very very very concerned about opportunities to bring in revenue for the City of Park Ridge, and he believes a one-time payment of $400,000.00 is so important that the entire Planning and Zoning process for independent review of land use matters should be altered.

Here we suggest the English majors skip ahead --

Let's do the math: ($2,000,000.00) + $400,000.00 = ($1,600,000.00)

Looky there. After receiving a one-time payment of $400,000.00 to allow billboards in Park Ridge, the City budget -- assuming nothing else changes -- would still have a budget hole of $1.6 million. And we get these billboards for 20 years.

And brush pick-up will still have been eliminated. And Public Works employees will still have been laid off. And Park Ridge will still experience flooding. And the Park Ridge sewer system will still need major upgrades. And Park Ridge streets, curbs, and gutters will still be in disrepair. And the Aldermopes will still spend our tax dollars like drunken sailors on shore leave.

Okay, we know what some of our faithful PRU readers may be thinking, "But PRU, what about the $200,000.00 over the next 20 years?" Okay, what about it? For an annual fee of $10,000.00 for billboards, fees that are supposed to cover annual inspection costs to the City, we're supposed to believe this billboard deal is some kind of good deal for Park Ridge, for the next 20 years?

We don't.

We don't feel Park Ridge's zoning ordinance should be for sale. We don't feel Park Ridge should be for sale. We used to feel it was bad enough when we thought City Hall was for sale. We would never have guessed we would be saying, "We miss those bad old days."

Try to enjoy the weekend.

The First Amendment and Billboards, Baby!

2009-11-19T12:00:00.004-06:00

The PRU Crew has decided to cover the issue of billboards in Park Ridge with a slow and easy beginning. We will be attempting to address the many related issues over our next few posts.

Today we will be narrowly addressing the issues of billboard content and the First Amendment -- somebody may want to notify Park Ridge's Constitutional UNscholar, Ald. Don Bachtard.

For this week's edition of the Herald-Advocate, we're going to give PRUdos to our favorite local reporterette for coverage of the topics of billboards and the first amendment.

In Ms. Jennifer Johnson's article -- 'Officials mull how to keep control of billboards' content' -- we read, "If the Park Ridge City Council overturns the city's law prohibiting billboards it may have very little say about the type of advertisements that appear on them should the signs be erected along Interstate 294 as proposed.

City Attorney Everette "Buzz" Hill said that if the city changes its Zoning Ordinance to allow billboards, it cannot prohibit certain types of advertisements on the signs."

And there in lies the rub with the first amendment and free speech -- in short, if the speech is legal, then government must abide by "content neutral" standards in any attempt to regulate speech.

Ms. Johnson's article includes, "You're opening it up for a big gentlemen's-club sign at the entrance to Park Ridge," Planning and Zoning Commissioner Joe Baldi said last week."

Oh, Joe! Say it ain't so!

Oh, wait. Local zoning czar, Jack Owens, says it ain't so -- "Attorney Jack Owens, representing Joseph Loss and his company, Generation Group Inc., said his client's proposed billboards for Park Ridge would not contain any "salacious ads" or ads for adult entertainment.

"Generation Group includes in its legal arrangements with property owners that it will not advertise adult entertainment or any visual advertising of a salacious nature," Owens wrote in a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition the company "refuses to allow advertising for gentlemen's clubs, massage services, adult book store, sexual toys or DVDS," Owens wrote."

Phew! What a relief! No "gentlemen's clubs, massage services, adult book store, sexual toys or DVDS"

And in case anybody isn't familiar with "gentlemen's club" billboard advertising, here's what some of those billboards look like --

This photo accompanied another recent article in the Herald-Advocate

Hey! That's not nearly as steamy as we expected "gentlemen's club" billboards to be. We're not sure, but we just can't muster any real sense of offense at this billboard. "Gentlemen's clubs" are legal and this billboard is advertising a legal...uh...service?

Well, let's see what else is out there in the way of "gentlemen's club" billboard advertising.

Okay! That's more like it! Er, sorry -- what we meant to say is, yes, those are just terrible. Who wants to look at that while they're stuck in traffic.

Seriously, people -- while zoning czar Jack Owens and Commissioner Joe Baldi prattle on about billboard advertising for "gentlemen's clubs" and other advertising of an "adult nature," the PRU Crew is wondering if any of the following would be acceptable?

Better than an auto parts and tools calendar!

Your social conscience will be "lovin' it!"

It looks like liquor is quicker!

It's the real estate market that's gone cold!

Doctors, doing the work God forgot!

The ultimate in good hygiene!

Everybody hates lawyers, until they need one!

Don't forget what your mother said about underwear and accidents!

And borrowing a cue from Hustler Magazine, some for the ladies!

But rest assured people, zoning czar Jack Owens, attorney for Mr. Joseph Loss and Generation Group, Inc. promises "Generation Group includes in its legal arrangements with property owners that it will not advertise adult entertainment or any visual advertising of a salacious nature," Owens wrote in a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition the company "refuses to allow advertising for gentlemen's clubs, massage services, adult book store, sexual toys or DVDS."

Has anyone reviewed any of those "legal arrangements with property owners?"

What happens if and when Generation Group Inc. is sold to another company?

Addendum, for the searchers -- site map for proposed billboard locations (.pdf), last page of the Jack Owen's letter; note, Haeger Engineering's banner is conveniently placed over the homes along Manor Ln., and the site map does not include the residences to the north.

For those interested, you can view the Renaissance NW Highway LLC‎ property and the surrounding area through Google Maps.

PRCC Videos 11-16-09!

2009-11-18T11:30:00.003-06:00

As always, we thank our faithful PRU readers for your patience. The Motionbox magic was extra sluggish yesterday, but all 4 videos from Monday night's Council meeting finally uploaded.

So! Without further ado --

video #00002.MTS PRCC 11-16-09

Begins with the usual Council festivities

@01:29 mark -- Consent agenda

@03:15 mark -- Mayor's report

@22:35 mark -- Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission update

video #00003.MTS PRCC 11-16-09

Begins with Ald. Rich DiPietro explaining how the City budget and expenditure process works to his fellow Aldermen. Don't be alarmed, good citizens of Park Ridge, these are well-intended volunteers -- you should not expect well-intended volunteers to understand what they've been doing for more than two years.

@03:09 mark -- Director of Finance Diane Lembesis also attempts to explain the City budget and expenditure process to the Aldermen.

@10:15 mark -- PROAC Chairman Jennifer Perry informs the Council that a budget for PROAC activities will be submitted to the Council for next year -- B.O.H.I.C.A!

@11:15 mark -- City Council report begins with Ald. Don Bach making nice with Mayor Schmidt. Ald. Bach then reports on the 3rd Ward meeting he conducted with Rosie Mulligan to help residents with property tax complaints. We learn 15 people were in attendance -- the majority of whom were not 3rd Ward residents.

@13:15 mark -- City Clerk's report -- the Dec. 28th Council meeting is cancelled

@14:17 -- Residents address the Council on Non-agenda items -- begins with the owner of 32 Main St., Mr. Michael Athens, asking for relief from the Special Use permit process for properties already in existence as office uses.

@19:45 mark -- Ald. DiPietro suggests an application be made directly to the Planning & Zoning Commission

@23:29 mark -- Resident Ms. Missy Langan asks the Council about the progress of the Executive Office Plaza/Norwood Builders development. Here the PRU Crew shed tears over all the people who were said to desperately be in need of Senior Housing but for whom the development has not yet been built.

@24:35 mark -- Director of Community Preservation and Development Carrie Davis informs the Council that the City Attorney and the EOP developer have been communicating.

@25:30 mark -- Resident Jorge Zavala inquires about preventive measures for sewers and leaf pick-up

@26:00 mark -- Director of Public Works Wayne Zingsheim almost loses his religion, but manages to smile about it; Assistant City Manager Julianna Maller (seated behind Zingsheim) does not. Jeez!

@28:15 mark -- Mayor Schmidt manages to regain control of the meeting

@29:08 mark -- We learn Ald. Bach was looking out the window during the 3rd Ward meeting

@30:18 mark -- Mayor Schmidt reads his response to a letter from the Planning and Zoning Commission

@31:27 mark -- Ald. Joe Sweeney begins his Planning and Zoning Commission report on the text amendment, TA-09-02 and reads the aforementioned letter from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

@36:51 mark -- The Ald. James Allegretti show begins and includes Ald. Allegretti's blatant cherry picking of the City Attorney's opinion and advice.

@47:10 mark -- Ald. Allegretti calls the Planning and Zoning Commission a "black hole"

@47:55 mark -- Ald. Robert Ryan remarks that he continues to "get an education from Ald. Allegretti." Aha! That explains everything! Ald. Ryan motions to amend the text amendment to require a super majority vote by the Council to overturn denials from Planning and Zoning.

video #00004.MTS PRCC 11-16-09

Begins with continuing discussion of Ald. Ryan's amendment, which is withdrawn. Then, Ald. Bach moves to amend the main motion to make super majority votes of the Council required across the board to over turn denials from Planning and Zoning.

@03:25 mark -- The Ald. Allegretti show begins again and includes Allegretti lamenting the "emasculation" of the City Council

@07:50 mark -- Ald. Bach responds to Allegretti's lamentations that the Council votes should be consistent and his amendments "sends a message" to Planning and Zoning of their value

@08:59 mark -- Ald. Sweeney remarks that he supports the amendment

@10:08 mark -- Resident, and PRC Uptown redevelopment architect, Mr. Andy Koglin addresses the Council and opposes the changes being made to the Planning and Zoning Commission process

@11:53 mark -- Mr. Koglin repeats the big lie about the lawsuit holding-up construction of the Uptown redevelopment and the City Clerk amen corner can be heard in the background

@15:00 mark -- Resident Ms. Pat Livensparger addresses the Council

@16:10 mark -- Resident, and CURRB spokesperson, Judy Barclay addresses the Council

@17:18 mark -- Planning and Zoning Commissioner Joe Baldi addresses the Council and explains the "character" of the Planning and Zoning Commission and explains the difference between policy considerations and political considerations

@24:31 mark -- Ald. Thomas Carey asks Commissioner Baldi his opinion on whether the requirement for a super majority vote by the Council would mitigate the potential for political influence.

@30:07 mark -- The Ald. Allegretti show resumes with Allegretti again lamenting that what the Planning and Zoning Commission recently considered as a text amendment for billboards was not what the City Council sent down to the commission for review -- translation; "you people didn't carry our water and give us something to hide behind!"

@32:07 mark -- Ald. Allegretti says, "Developers say no to Park Ridge" because their plans "will die" in the Planning and Zoning process. The PRU Crew feels Allegretti is assuming facts not in evidence...or...does Allegretti know something we don't?

@32:30 mark -- Ald. Allegretti accuses the Planning and Zoning Commission of being "conservative to a fault"

@34:33 mark -- Lady Allegretti doth protest too much, we thinks

@34:57 mark -- Ald. DiPietro recalls his Roberts Rules of Order and requests a "point of order"

~~ the Allegretti show continues for what seems another eternity ~~

@36:52 mark -- Mayor Schmidt remembers he's the chairman of City Council meetings and interjects remarks into the discussion

@37:24 mark -- Ald. Ryan asks Commissioner Baldi whether denials from Planning and Zoning could previously be over turned by a simple majority vote when a text or map amendment is sent to Planning and Zoning by the Council -- Baldi answers "yes"

@38:15 mark -- Local attorney and Zoning Czar Jack Owens addresses the Council -- nuff said.

@41:45 mark -- Resident Ms. Carla Owen (no relation to Jackie boy) points out the obvious

@43:14 mark -- Resident Mr. George Kirkland talks about traffic because old dogs like old tricks -- we mean that in the nicest way

@44:29 mark -- Ald. Sweeney points out more of the obvious

@45:35 mark -- Zoning Czar Owens gets special dispensation to speak before the Council again...and runs off at the mouth

@47:09 mark -- Resident and PRC architect Koglin again addresses the Council

Video ends just as the Council readies to vote on the super majority amendment, remember that? The amendment was supposed to be what all the yak yak yakking was about.

video #00005.MTS PRCC 11-16-09

Begins with the Council vote on the amendment to require a super majority vote to over turn denials by Planning and Zoning. The Council votes 4 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Bach and Wsol) to 3 (Allegretti, Ryan and Carey) to adopt the amendment.

@00:43 mark -- Ald. Frank Wsol questions City Attorney Buzz Hill on language in the text amendment

@06:00 mark -- Ald. Wsol motions to amend the text amendment to clarify language, and the Council unanimously votes to adopt the clarifying language

@06:15 mark -- Ald. Wsol asks Allegretti about the billboard developer and opines that the developer is getting "2 swings at the plate"

@07:50 mark -- Allegretti -- yak yak yakkety yak yak yak -- and when Allegretti offers that he does not expect applicants to come to the City Council first, instead of going directly to Planning and Zoning, the PRU Crew had to pause the video and wipe away our tears of laughter.

@11:37 mark -- Ald. Wsol attempts to reword and explain his previous question to Allegretti

@12:49 mark -- Allegretti -- yak yak yakkety yak yak yak -- which includes more crabbing and complaining about Planning and Zoning and City staff

@14:30 mark -- Ald. Bach actually begins making some sense, but it doesn't "take"

@16:40 mark -- Ald. DiPietro reads a prepared statement to the City Council, and in the PRU Crews' opinion, he does a fine job of addressing the fundamental problems with the proposed change to the Planning and Zoning process

@24:41 mark -- Ald. Bach claims the current Planning and Zoning process is broken

@26:40 mark -- Ald. Bach reveas that he does not quite understand what takes place at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings

@28:39 mark -- Ald. Bach provides still more proof that he is Park Ridge's own Constitutional UNscholar -- and Mrs. Bach is a real shopper!

@30:15 mark -- Ald. Bach poo poos speculation about ethics violations and wrong doing and the PRU Crew discovers Bach can be as belligerent when sober as he can be with a few under his belt

@31:56 mark -- Council votes on the main motion to adopt TA-09-02. The vote is 4 (Bach, Allegretti,Ryan and Sweeney) to 3 (DiPietro, Carey and Wsol).

Yes. Sweeney. Sweeney voted for the amendment which will essentially change Planning and Zoning, from an independent review commission for land use issues, to a recommending body for the City Council. And now the PRU Crew will be calling Ald. Sweeney, Ald. Sweiner.

@32:55 mark -- New Business begins with Ald. Wsol asking about the upcoming budget process and requesting staff to provide information to the Council on the current zoning ordinances for billboards

@33:53 mark -- City Attorney Buzz Hill attempts to cover his ass and explain his remarks at the last Planning and Zoning Commission

@34:52 mark -- Motion to adjourn.

Thank God that's over!

The Bi-weekly Goat Rodeo!

2009-11-16T11:30:00.000-06:00

1. -- 6:30 pm Special City Council Meeting

Tonight the City Council will be meeting to discuss and review the performance of the City Manager, Mr. Jim Hock. The extensive agenda (.pdf) includes a single motion to go into closed session for the discussion of the City Manager's performance. So anyone hoping to hear the Mayor and Council discussions on the subjects contained in the City Manager's memo (.pdf) -- especially the Mayor's and Council's discussion and opinions on the "prioritized goals" -- will probably be s.o.l.

The PRU Crew is pretty sure discussion of nearly all the subjects contained within the City Manager's memo don't fall under the exceptions to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, but what do we know.

2. -- 7:30 pm Regular City Council Meeting

After reviewing the performance of the City Manager, the Mayor and Council are set to begin their regular meeting festivities. The agenda (.pdf) for the meeting is light but, once again, we encourage PRU readers to pay particular attention to the Planning and Zoning topics on the agenda.

Our sources tell us some of the Aldermopes are wavering on their previous votes concerning whether or not to neuter the independent review authority of the Planning and Zoning Commission. We feel interested parties -- and by that we mean, people interested in a healthy system of governmental checks and balances -- should make the time to show up to tonight's meeting and help the Aldermopes understand that altering the current process is not in the community's best interests.

3. -- School District 64 H1N1 Update

For those who may not have received either the District's robocall or email announcement, District 64 has been informed that schools in the Park Ridge 60068 zip code only are tentatively scheduled for the CCDPH vaccination visit on Wednesday, December 2.

An informational packet and permission form (.pdf) are available in English, Polish and Spanish on the District 64 website.

We Call It 'The Novelty Theory!'

2009-11-13T12:30:00.000-06:00

From thefuntheory.com -- "dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better."

Have fun this weekend!

Now, A Word From Planning and Zoning

2009-11-12T12:00:00.002-06:00

This past Tuesday night, the Park Ridge Planning and Zoning Commission held one of their bi-weekly meetings.

If you haven't reviewed the videos from the meeting, we very strongly encourage you to do so. You'll find the videos from the meeting here.

On the agenda (.pdf) were two public hearings for two proposed text amendments to the zoning ordinance. The first covered proposed changes to the zoning ordinance governing planned developments and construction schedules. The second covered proposed changes to the zoning ordinance regarding billboards.

Currently the Park Ridge zoning ordinance does not allow billboards, which is just a cryin' shame, isn't it?

Apparently 4th Ward Alderman Jim Allspaghetti thinks so, because he's taken full credit for submitting the matter for consideration to the Planning and Zoning Commission after having been approached by Mr. James Loss, the attorney and controlling interest in a company known as Generation Group, Inc.

What Ald. Allspaghetti seems not to have expected is the Planning and Zoning Commission thought it odd, unusual, and even manipulative for Ald. Allspaghetti to take the lead on the matter instead of having Mr. Loss and his Generation Group, Inc. make a direct application to Planning and Zoning.

What Ald. Allspaghetti should also get credit for is seeking to eviscerate the independent review and decision making process that has long governed land use matters in the City of Park Ridge. It has been Ald. Allspaghetti leading the charge to make sure that any and all denials from Planning and Zoning are to be reviewed by the City Council, which can then over-turn those denials with a simple majority vote -- that's a whole 4 people deciding land use matters for the entire City of Park Ridge.

The reaction on the part of the Planning and Zoning Commission members, to the maneuvering being done by Ald. Allspaghetti and his Council cohorts, can only be described as negative, which the PRU Crew believes is the only appropriate response. And that negative response was placed into a very well-written letter to the Mayor and City Council, which you can view, below --

Planning and Zoning Commission Letter to the Mayor -- 11/10/09

Veteran's Day 2009 - Observance

2009-11-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

In observance of Veterans Day - Again today we will set aside any discussion of politics, government, elected leaders, and policy concerns in order to offer our deepest gratitude to those soldiers who have served our country to protect our freedoms, so that tomorrow, and every tomorrow to come, we may again freely discuss politics, government, elected leaders, and policy concerns.

To all our veterans near and far, thank you.
May God bless you all.

Video from 11-9-09 COW

2009-11-10T12:44:00.004-06:00

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!

2009-11-09T12:00:00.003-06:00

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!