Here is the agenda for the 2/25 city council agenda. Looks like some interesting things, including
+ Ethics charges against Erickson (Item I-8);
+ The recommendation to make the Marik funeral home an historical landmark (Item I-10);
+ The La Qunita overcrowding incidents (Item I-2);
+ The alley behind Salerno (Item I-3);
+ The parking situation on Lombard avenue (Item F-3)
+ Reserving parking on Ridgeland for teachers at Havlicek school (Item J-11)
+ Proposed promotion of Jim Sassetti to seargeant (Item I-9)
+ Mobile units at St. Mary of Celle for Children's School of Oak Park (Item I-1)
BERWYN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 25, 2009
DEAR ATTENDEE.....THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL WELCOME YOU. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS A MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AS OPPOSED TO A PUBLIC HEARING WHERE ATTENDEES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE. UNLESS INVITED BY THE MAYOR TO SPEAK, YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO INTERRUPT. IF YOU ARE RECOGNIZED BY THE MAYOR, PLEASE PREFACE YOUR REMARKS BY STATING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. THANK YOU.
MICHAEL A. O'CONNOR THOMAS J. PAVLIK
MAYOR CITY CLERK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGENDA
ROLL CALL
(A) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - MOMENT OF SILENCE
(B) OPEN FORUM - (TOPIC MUST NOT BE ON THE AGENDA)
(C) PRESENTATION OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
1. REG-2/10/09-COW-2/10/09
(D) BID OPENING - TABULATIONS
(E) BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORP.-BERWYN TOWNSHIP/HEALTH DISTRICT
(F) REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
1. PROC-HONOR ALD. TOM DAY FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
2. PROC-HONORING POLICE OFFICERS & DISBATCHERS
3. LOMBARD AVENUE PARKING
4. POLICE PENSION BOARD
5. BERWYN HOUSING CENTER
(G) REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY CLERK
(H) COMMUNICATIONS FROM ( ZONING) BOARD OF APPEALS
(I) REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM ALDERMEN, COMMITTEES OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
1. DEFER-ERICKSON-TEMPORARY BUILDING –ST MARY OF CELLE
2. CHAPMAN-INCIDENT AT LA QUINTA RESTAURANT AGAIN
3. CHAPMAN-ALLEY TO THE NORTH OF SALERNO'S
4. WEINER-LIBRARY
5. WEINER-FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS
6. PHELAN-1926 EAST AVE
7. LOVERO/DAY-1844 LOMBARD-TREE REMOVAL
8. ADM COMMITTEE REFERAL #17-PROHIBITED POLITICAL ACTIVITY
9. F/P COMM-APPT J. SASSETTI AS SERGEANT
10. BHPC-NOMINATE MARIK & SONS FUNERAL HOME BLDG-6507 W. CERMAK RD AS HISTORIC LANDMARK
(J) STAFF REPORTS
1. DEFER-LAW-RESOL TO CONVEY PROPERTY & ASSIGN LEASE TO SEDGWICK PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
2. LAW-RESOL AUTHORIZING FILING OF APPLICATION WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FOR TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
3. LAW-RESOL AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF TAXES
4. LAW-SIGN ORDINANCE
5. LAW –ORD-AMERICAN ST BANK BLDG-6801 CERMAK RD-HISTORIC LANDMARK
6. LAW-ORD-BERWYN NATIONAL BK. BLDG-6804 WINDSOR-HISTORIC LANDMARK
7. LAW-ORD-AMENDING CHAP 480 & 484 OF THE TRAFFIC CODE
8. LAW RESOL-ADOPT PUB HEARING PROCEDURES FOR BHPC
9. BLDG DIR-DEMOLITION REQ-1320 HIGHLAND AVE.
10. TRAFFIC ENGINEER-WINDSOR AVE CONFLICTING SIGNAGE
11. TRAFFIC ENGINEER-ADDITIONAL PRKNG AT HAVLICEK SCHOOL
(K) CONSENT AGENDA: ALL ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE IN NATURE AND WILL BE ENACTED IN ONE MOTION. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER SO REQUESTS, IN WHICH EVENT THE ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED AS THE FIRST ITEM AFTER APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
1. BUDGET CHAIRMAN-PAYROLL-$897,859.85
2. BUDGET CHAIRMAN-PAYABLES-2/25/09-$2,972,140.46
3. WEINER-HANDICAP SIGN-K. ZOLECKE-7120 W. 28TH PL-APPROVE
4. LOVERO-HANDICAP SIGN-N. LADA-1818 HOME AVE-APPROVE
5. ERICKSON-HANDICAP SIGN-M. SINNOTT-1429 CLINTON-APPROVE
6. ERICKSON-HANDICAP SIGN-S. HENSEL-1246 EAST AVE.-APPROVE
ITEMS SUBMITTED ON TIME 33
______________________________
THOMAS J. PAVLIK - CITY CLERK
In accordance with the provisions of the Americans with disabilities Act, any individual who is in the need of a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in or benefit from attendance at a public meeting of the City of Berwyn should contact Thomas J. Pavlik, City Clerk at 708/788-2660 as soon as possible before the meeting date.
Did you see Joel's memo to Pavlik?
One of the funniest communications I've read in a long time.
Suddenly Skryd is "sighting"[sic] ethics violations. Pot, meet kettle.
The big thieves hang the little ones.
Wow...We got gas thieves...#3 wants to catch them
red handed!...
BP might get the alley back!... Some TG's could perish picking up
up their pies if that happens!
Looks like the rest of the meeting is going to the...
Wouldn't it be easier to count gas keys again? How many people have gas keys?
I thought the gas issue was long taken care of?
The blocked alley has been a sore spot with me, along with other issues concerning
Salerno's as you all know. It's about time accountability and action should take place regarding
the alley being block, it's been a safety issue (among other things) since the first day it was closed off.
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on February 21, 2009, 01:07:00 PM
Wouldn't it be easier to count gas keys again? How many people have gas keys?
I thought the gas issue was long taken care of?
The blocked alley has been a sore spot with me, along with other issues concerning
Salerno's as you all know. It's about time accountability and action should take place regarding
the alley being block, it's been a safety issue (among other things) since the first day it was closed off.
Patsy,
Who are you looking for answers from?
You may want to talk to some of your DEM buddies.
They were the ones who made it disappear in the first place.
Zorba, I thought you had taken a vacation, you have been so quiet!
I know exactly when, why and how that alley came to be. I thought it
was a wrong decision then, and never changed my mind, and as a resident voiced
my concerns many times.
It does not matter that "MY BUDDIES THE DEMS" WERE IN OFFICE AT THE TIME.
Oc has been in office for almost 4 years and "YOUR BUDDIES", have also done diddle
to correct the situation being discussed.
Can someone elaborate on what alley, where and why it's a problem? For the sake of those us little un-important people who are not in the know.
Well then Patsy, do tell us when, why, and how regarding the alley.
Let me get this straight-you want OC to correct a problem YOUR people have created?
Why not ask Nona first?
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on February 21, 2009, 02:27:23 PM
It does not matter that "MY BUDDIES THE DEMS" WERE IN OFFICE AT THE TIME.
Oc has been in office for almost 4 years and "YOUR BUDDIES", have also done diddle
to correct the situation being discussed.
Maybe no one has complained since you left?
I have written all there is to know about Salerno's , the alley, the blight, the homeless, the
safety issue, its all been said. You'll have to look back through this board since the beginning, I
can't.
Zorba likes to twist and turn and manipulate, but the truth of matters always seem to be hard for him.
I don't know if anyone else has complained since I left, I don't care about anyone else. I cared about
me and my family. My neighbors on that block all agreed with my complaints, some worked with me, but many were just not
as verbal as I was, and also knew Arnie or Delores, the owners of the building and didn't want to make waves.
Ya know Politics??
Nona and Jean Marie Hajer were both helpful to me and were instrumental in getting the owners to
repair the back of the building which was blighted.
So if Nona is back on the bandwagon, I applaud her.. she is doing her job.
Ah, you can't get off THAT easy Patsy.
Where has Zorba manipulated anything?
What I find utterly amazing is that a Dem, ANY Dem, would want to touch this issue with a ten foot pole. :D ;D :D
Now theres economic development progress at its finest. Making an empty funeral home a historic landmark? Your kidding right? Oh I forgot it worked so well for the bank on Oak Park and Cermack. If they pass that one the new city motto should be "cluster fucks r us!"
The whole situation in my opinion has nothing to do with what political party you are, were or have been.
It has everything to do with what's right and what's wrong.
Wasn't OC a democrat before he was an IVBer?
It's in your personality Andy, you can't help it, it's called manipulation disorder. Nothing you can do about it,
and the rest of us just have to accept it.
Ah Patsy, how does the above JIBBERISH answer the question?
The alley was closed off AFTER OC formed the IVB.
By YOUR people, who were in power then.
Including the owner of the BUILDING.
You DO know who that is, don't you?
And now you come on here complaining about it?
You expect OC to fix a problem YOUR people are SOLELY responsible for?
You hold OC accountable for what YOUR people are SOLELY responsible for?
And you pat Nona on the back for "adressing" the issue a few months before an election, YEARS after the fact?
Zorba you are a stitch!! The old Zorba is back folks!! lol.
Of course I know who owns that building as well as 100 other people in Berwyn. I
don't think it ever was a secret, was it?
So even though the problem occurred after OC formed the IVB, he wasn't about to upset the apple cart,
just as he won't now even though he is the liquor commissioner.
Nona addressed some of the problems that I complained about from the start, that was right after the last election, before she switched parties. She would go talk to Arnie, so would Jean Marie, things would be O.k. for awhile and
then they would go back to the old ways.
I could understand the reluctance some what on Nona's and OC's part. Salerno's could have been a viable business for
Berwyn and the revenue would be great for the city.
Once things get out of hand, the fight gets bigger and harder, and I think that's where they stand now.
So again, yes I hold accountable the people in charge now to correct what's wrong and make things right. Wouldn't you?
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on February 21, 2009, 04:34:42 PM
I have written all there is to know about Salerno's , the alley, the blight, the homeless, the
safety issue, its all been said. You'll have to look back through this board since the beginning, I
can't.
Zorba likes to twist and turn and manipulate, but the truth of matters always seem to be hard for him.
You have also incorrectly accused Arnie of allowing 500+ people in there, TWICE.
It seems that YOU are the one twisting, turning, and manipulating.
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on February 21, 2009, 06:18:32 PM
Nona addressed some of the problems that I complained about from the start, that was right after the last election, before she switched parties. She would go talk to Arnie, so would Jean Marie, things would be O.k. for awhile and then they would go back to the old ways.
And she's picking it up again now.........because of the upcoming elections. THAT'S IT. The rest of the time Nona was basically telling the entire 1st Ward to fuck off.
"Ya know Politics??"
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on February 21, 2009, 06:18:32 PM
I could understand the reluctance some what on Nona's and OC's part.
NO. That's called "apathy," and you're supporting it. You left, she stopped caring (until there became political opportunity). Sickening.
My oh my...The alley problem came up once again due to
logistical problems with the parking garage.
You would not "get" that would you andy?
Yes, they've been having LOGISTICAL problems with the garage for the last XXX# of years.
LOL!!! :D ;D :D
Go back to sleep bear, or have another hamm's.
Quote from: Berwyn Patsy on February 21, 2009, 06:18:32 PM
Nona addressed some of the problems that I complained about from the start, that was right after the last election, before she switched parties.
Yes, Patsy was concerned about LOGISTICAL problems with the parking garage back in 2005.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Go back to sleep bear, or have another hamm's."
Go trim your back hair and put more Grecian Formula 85
on your receding hair line
Quote from: mustang54 on February 21, 2009, 04:49:30 PM
Now theres economic development progress at its finest. Making an empty funeral home a historic landmark? Your kidding right? Oh I forgot it worked so well for the bank on Oak Park and Cermack. If they pass that one the new city motto should be "cluster fucks r us!"
It will be interesting to see how the city council votes on this - especially with a developer waiting in the wings to plop down $1.5 million dollars to tear down the building and build a new building.
Ted
No Ted, the deal is that the bank stays...There is no tear down
involved.
Quote from: Bear on February 21, 2009, 10:27:20 PM
No Ted, the deal is that the bank stays...There is no tear down
involved.
Bear, I wasn't referring to the bank... I was referring to the Marik funeral home.
Ted
Quote from: Ted on February 21, 2009, 09:00:24 PM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 21, 2009, 04:49:30 PM
Now theres economic development progress at its finest. Making an empty funeral home a historic landmark? Your kidding right? Oh I forgot it worked so well for the bank on Oak Park and Cermack. If they pass that one the new city motto should be "cluster fucks r us!"
It will be interesting to see how the city council votes on this - especially with a developer waiting in the wings to plop down $1.5 million dollars to tear down the building and build a new building.
Ted
Hopefully, they'll think long and hard about the past fiasco regarding a historic landmark on Cermak Road and the current economic climate and use some common sense and go with a sure thing that will bring jobs into Berwyn.
Quote from: MRS. NORTHSIDER on February 22, 2009, 09:19:29 AM
Quote from: Ted on February 21, 2009, 09:00:24 PM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 21, 2009, 04:49:30 PM
Now theres economic development progress at its finest. Making an empty funeral home a historic landmark? Your kidding right? Oh I forgot it worked so well for the bank on Oak Park and Cermack. If they pass that one the new city motto should be "cluster fucks r us!"
It will be interesting to see how the city council votes on this - especially with a developer waiting in the wings to plop down $1.5 million dollars to tear down the building and build a new building.
Ted
Hopefully, they'll think long and hard about the past fiasco regarding a historic landmark on Cermak Road and the current economic climate and use some common sense and go with a sure thing that will bring jobs into Berwyn.
The medical building that was to replace Marik has been included in the Superblock development, allowing that project to move forward. I don't think this will stop any planned development.
Bri it won't stop any planned development cause there is none. It already stopped a plan once didn't it,luckily that plan is moving to the unsuper block. It is future development that asinine idea will stop.
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 11:02:11 AM
Bri it won't stop any planned development cause there is none. It already stopped a plan once didn't it,luckily that plan is moving to the unsuper block. It is future development that asinine idea will stop.
Many communities feel historic preservation is a good thing. Glad you are happy with Cicero.
Well, I guess it depends on what your idea of success is.
If you're happy and content with the Cicero model, have at it.
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 22, 2009, 11:40:01 AM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 11:02:11 AM
Bri it won't stop any planned development cause there is none. It already stopped a plan once didn't it,luckily that plan is moving to the unsuper block. It is future development that asinine idea will stop.
Many communities feel historic preservation is a good thing. Glad you are happy with Cicero.
What is historic about a freakin funeral home! I could see a church,a Frank Loyd Wright house,anything unique or special in its history to the city or a unique design. But a funeral home, please. Especially after seeing what decades of the bank sitting there has done to the city.
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 12:55:39 PM
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 22, 2009, 11:40:01 AM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 11:02:11 AM
Bri it won't stop any planned development cause there is none. It already stopped a plan once didn't it,luckily that plan is moving to the unsuper block. It is future development that asinine idea will stop.
Many communities feel historic preservation is a good thing. Glad you are happy with Cicero.
What is historic about a freakin funeral home! I could see a church,a Frank Loyd Wright house,anything unique or special in its history to the city or a unique design. But a funeral home, please. Especially after seeing what decades of the bank sitting there has done to the city.
I'm all for taking a closer look at these old buildings and then determining their fate. In the case of this 20's building I hear it has some architectural character......it also represents the czech and bohemian migration. Its worth taking a close look at old buildings.........even if it only means salvaging parts of them.
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 12:55:39 PM
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 22, 2009, 11:40:01 AM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 11:02:11 AM
Bri it won't stop any planned development cause there is none. It already stopped a plan once didn't it,luckily that plan is moving to the unsuper block. It is future development that asinine idea will stop.
Many communities feel historic preservation is a good thing. Glad you are happy with Cicero.
What is historic about a freakin funeral home! I could see a church,a Frank Loyd Wright house,anything unique or special in its history to the city or a unique design. But a funeral home, please. Especially after seeing what decades of the bank sitting there has done to the city.
What does the use to which a building is put have to do with its architectural significance? A funeral home is AT LEAST as important to a community as a bank... more so if you consider the results of citizens choosing to not use either....
... I'd rather accidentally dig up the previous owners life savings than their Aunt Myrtle...
-Rob
Quote from: rbain on February 22, 2009, 03:39:37 PM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 12:55:39 PM
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 22, 2009, 11:40:01 AM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 11:02:11 AM
Bri it won't stop any planned development cause there is none. It already stopped a plan once didn't it,luckily that plan is moving to the unsuper block. It is future development that asinine idea will stop.
Many communities feel historic preservation is a good thing. Glad you are happy with Cicero.
What is historic about a freakin funeral home! I could see a church,a Frank Loyd Wright house,anything unique or special in its history to the city or a unique design. But a funeral home, please. Especially after seeing what decades of the bank sitting there has done to the city.
What does the use to which a building is put have to do with its architectural significance? A funeral home is AT LEAST as important to a community as a bank... more so if you consider the results of citizens choosing to not use either....
... I'd rather accidentally dig up the previous owners life savings than their Aunt Myrtle...
-Rob
rbain - while in a perfect world without any type of economic crisis it would be great to designate Marik a historic landmark we are living here in Berwyn where a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so to speak, at this point. $1.5 Million versus a huge questionmark is not a gamble we are in the economic shape to make.
Quote from: MRS. NORTHSIDER on February 25, 2009, 05:07:37 PM
Quote from: rbain on February 22, 2009, 03:39:37 PM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 12:55:39 PM
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 22, 2009, 11:40:01 AM
Quote from: mustang54 on February 22, 2009, 11:02:11 AM
Bri it won't stop any planned development cause there is none. It already stopped a plan once didn't it,luckily that plan is moving to the unsuper block. It is future development that asinine idea will stop.
Many communities feel historic preservation is a good thing. Glad you are happy with Cicero.
What is historic about a freakin funeral home! I could see a church,a Frank Loyd Wright house,anything unique or special in its history to the city or a unique design. But a funeral home, please. Especially after seeing what decades of the bank sitting there has done to the city.
What does the use to which a building is put have to do with its architectural significance? A funeral home is AT LEAST as important to a community as a bank... more so if you consider the results of citizens choosing to not use either....
... I'd rather accidentally dig up the previous owners life savings than their Aunt Myrtle...
-Rob
rbain - while in a perfect world without any type of economic crisis it would be great to designate Marik a historic landmark we are living here in Berwyn where a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so to speak, at this point. $1.5 Million versus a huge questionmark is not a gamble we are in the economic shape to make.
What is this $1.5 million you speak of? The project which was proposed for the Marik site was relocated to superblock to allow that project to proceed. Approved at council a few weeks ago.
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 25, 2009, 07:49:49 PM
What is this $1.5 million you speak of? The project which was proposed for the Marik site was relocated to superblock to allow that project to proceed. Approved at council a few weeks ago.
Brian,
Does that mean that the offer for the Marik funeral home is no longer on the table? I also thought there was an offer of $1.5 million on the table for the Marik funeral home (that they were going to put a medical facility on that site).?
Is that offer no longer out there?
Thanks
Ted
Quote from: Ted on February 25, 2009, 10:24:37 PM
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 25, 2009, 07:49:49 PM
What is this $1.5 million you speak of? The project which was proposed for the Marik site was relocated to superblock to allow that project to proceed. Approved at council a few weeks ago.
Brian,
Does that mean that the offer for the Marik funeral home is no longer on the table? I also thought there was an offer of $1.5 million on the table for the Marik funeral home (that they were going to put a medical facility on that site).?
Is that offer no longer out there?
Thanks
Ted
I don't know if the offer is out there, but the medical facility will be next to the bank.
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 25, 2009, 10:30:04 PM
Quote from: Ted on February 25, 2009, 10:24:37 PM
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on February 25, 2009, 07:49:49 PM
What is this $1.5 million you speak of? The project which was proposed for the Marik site was relocated to superblock to allow that project to proceed. Approved at council a few weeks ago.
Brian,
Does that mean that the offer for the Marik funeral home is no longer on the table? I also thought there was an offer of $1.5 million on the table for the Marik funeral home (that they were going to put a medical facility on that site).?
Is that offer no longer out there?
Thanks
Ted
I don't know if the offer is out there, but the medical facility will be next to the bank.
Brian, I think there are two different offers here.
One is an offer by a medical group to buy the lot next to the bank building for $1.5 million dollars and the bank for $1.
There is another offer out there by some group to buy Marik funeral home. That offer (maybe coincidentally?) is also for $1.5 million dollars and it also is to tear down the funeral home and build a medical building.
Who knows - maybe the way to re-vatialize Cermak Road is to turn it into "Medical Row" with a bunch of medical buildings from different hospitals and medical providers and doctors groups.
34th street used to be "Doctor's Row". Why not have Cermak Road become "Medical Row" ?
Ted
This thread is the funniest one on the forum!!! LOL. I know nothing about the alley, but I do have a serious question......... Does Bear REALLY drink Hamms and use Grecian Formula??????? Always trying to put a face to the name........ahahahahahahahahah LOL
To clarify the development issue, my understanding (based on several meetings and discussions) is that there was only one potential development by a company that wanted to build a medical facility with retail on the first floor and doctor's offices above. Originally the developer looked at the Marik site and determined that to build what it wanted, it would have to demolish the existing Marik building and start from scratch. When it applied for a demolition permit that was not forthcoming from city council, the company looked elsewhere on Cermak and came to an agreement on the Superblock. The new healthcare complex will be built next to the bank, and that developer has dropped its interest in Marik.
Marik is the subject of a nomination for local landmark, and city council has the final say regarding whether to designate it as such or not.
If it does get designated as a local landmark, then it cannot be demolished unless city council grants a waiver to the owner, which has to show economic hardship. If it doesn't get designated as a local landmark, then any demolition permit request is handled per the usual manner - city council votes on it yea or nay.
The Marik building is interesting and is a part of the old Cermak Road business corridor. It does have some interesting features both inside and out. In this economic climate, though, it is easy to see why people would disagree over what should be done with it. But the bottom line is that there is no buyer lined up right now, and Berwyn did not lose this economic boon, because the buyer found another acceptable property and is going forward with its plans.
Anyone have a wrapup of last night's decisions?
VD
I think you summarized the Marik application nicely.
I understand they deferred the budget.
I also understand Nona was on the attack again last night over La Quinta. Apparently her 'facts' didn't match with the mayor's 'facts'.