CC Agenda-12/11/2012

Ted · December 08, 2012, 03:37:27 PM

Biggest items are the tax levy, a 15% increase in the water rates, a referendum on allowing alternate electricity providers and a company called China Cat that wants to use the Berwyn water tower as a cell phone transmitter.

BERWYN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2012

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. REGULAR MEETING 11/27/12 – COW– 11/27/12

(D) BID OPENING–TABULATIONS

(E) BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORP.-BERWYN TOWNSHIP/HEALTH DISTRICT

(F) REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
1. MAYOR-ZONING STEERING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

(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. CHAPMAN-"LIGHT THE LAMP FOR BURN CAMP" SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30TH, 2012

(J) STAFF REPORTS
1. CITY ADMINISTRATOR-MUNICIPAL AGGREGATION REFERENDUM QUESTION
2. CITY ADMINISTRATOR-AWARD OF OUR TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND STREET LIGHT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
3. PROJECT OPERATIONS MANAGER-PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT-CHINA CAT PRODUCTIONS LLC
4. POLICE COMMANDER O'HALLORAN-PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, PORTACOUNT PRO+ RESPIRATOR FIT TESTER
5. FIRE CHIEF-PURCHASE OF TWO NEW 2012 AMBULANCES
6. FINANCE DIRECTOR-NEW WORLD ADDITIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
7. POLICE & FIRE COMMISSION-PROMOTION OF POLICE OFFICER DONALD WILHITE
8. POLICE & FIRE COMMISSION-PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER APPOINTMENT JOSEPH MANFREDINI
9. DEPUTY CHIEF POLICE-PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE TO GEORGE KAROUNTZOS
10. CITY ATTORNEY-SETTLEMENT OF CASE # 11 WC 108
11. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE
12. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2002A BONDS
13. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2002B BONDS
14. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2004 BONDS
15. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2007A BONDS
16. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2007B BONDS
17. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2008 BONDS
18. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2009 (OCTOBER) BONDS
19. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2009 (DECEMBER) BONDS
20. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2010 BONDS
21. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2011 BONDS
22. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 TAX LEVY ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE 2012 BONDS
23. FINANCE DIRECTOR-2012 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCES
24. FINANCE DIRECTOR-WATER RATE INCREASE ORDINANCE

(K) CONSENT AGENDA:
1. BUDGET CHAIR-PAYROLL- 12/5/12 - $1,060,081.82
2. BUDGET CHAIR-PAYABLES-12/11/12 - $1,716,812.43
3. COLLECTIONS AND BUSINESS LICENSES FOR NOVEMBER, 2012
4. CLERK-HANDICAP SIGN-J. BAWERT-6818 W. WINDSOR-DENY
5. CLERK-HANDICAP SIGN-L.ROMAN-2719 OAK PARK-APPROVE
6. CLERK-HANDICAP SIGN-C. MOREIRA-3122 GROVE-APPROVE
7. CLERK-HANDICAP SIGN-J. ESTRADA-1842 S. HOME-APPROVE
8. CLERK-HANDICAP SIGN-S. ORTIZ-1903 EAST AVE—APPROVE
9. CHAPMAN-HANDICAP SIGN-J. DUSATKO-3718 KENILWORTH-APPROVE
ITEMS SUBMITTED ON TIME 36
______________________________
THOMAS J. PAVLIK - CITY CLERK

justme · December 08, 2012, 04:04:25 PM

China Cat? Never even heard of it!

buzz · December 08, 2012, 11:43:52 PM

Quote from: justme on December 08, 2012, 04:04:25 PM
China Cat? Never even heard of it!

Grateful Dead song

Homebody · December 19, 2012, 06:06:06 AM

No one caught the fact that the tax levy was 3% more than last year? I questioned the fnance director about the tax increase when the public notice said it would be 0%. Additionally, there was language in the ordinance that also allowed an additional 3% for uncollectable taxes and and additional 5% to be collected for debt service. That's 11%.

The mayor said that the 3% for uncollected taxes owed was included in the 1st 3% raise (1 MILLION MORE $s than we asked to be collected in 2011). My simple question was: "If that was the case, then why does paragraph two of the ordinance state that the 3% is in ADDITION TO the money to be assessed??

The City Administrator had no answers, the Alderman who is chair of the finance committee had no answers and just sat there, the finance director looked puzzled, and none of the Aldermen had any questions about the 11% increase.

Turns out there was a BIG mistake. The additional 3% and 5% were not supposed to be put into the levy ordinance at all. A motion was made to strike paragraph 2 of the levy. Look, this was going to sail through and go to the County Clerk and the State Treasurer. When would they have caught this mistake? Why no other Aldermen upset about a public notice stating 0% tax increase and almost voting to increase taxes by 11%?

buzz · December 19, 2012, 09:53:44 AM

Quote from: Homebody on December 19, 2012, 06:06:06 AM
Why was no other Aldermen upset about a public notice stating 0% tax increase and almost voting to increase taxes by 11%?

Because they rubber stamp everything and don't care about the financial impact on residents ?

EC · December 19, 2012, 10:03:00 AM

Don't the aldermen review the public notice before it goes out?

Shelley · December 19, 2012, 08:35:58 PM

Quote from: Homebody on December 19, 2012, 06:06:06 AM
No one caught the fact that the tax levy was 3% more than last year? I questioned the fnance director about the tax increase when the public notice said it would be 0%. Additionally, there was language in the ordinance that also allowed an additional 3% for uncollectable taxes and and additional 5% to be collected for debt service. That's 11%.

The mayor said that the 3% for uncollected taxes owed was included in the 1st 3% raise (1 MILLION MORE $s than we asked to be collected in 2011). My simple question was: "If that was the case, then why does paragraph two of the ordinance state that the 3% is in ADDITION TO the money to be assessed??

The City Administrator had no answers, the Alderman who is chair of the finance committee had no answers and just sat there, the finance director looked puzzled, and none of the Aldermen had any questions about the 11% increase.

Turns out there was a BIG mistake. The additional 3% and 5% were not supposed to be put into the levy ordinance at all. A motion was made to strike paragraph 2 of the levy. Look, this was going to sail through and go to the County Clerk and the State Treasurer. When would they have caught this mistake? Why no other Aldermen upset about a public notice stating 0% tax increase and almost voting to increase taxes by 11%?

Thanks, Marge.

Ted · December 20, 2012, 08:57:56 AM

Quote from: EC on December 19, 2012, 10:03:00 AM
Don't the aldermen review the public notice before it goes out?

Was it the public notice that was wrong? or was it the wording of the tax levy that was wrong?

Ted · December 22, 2012, 08:36:04 AM

The saddest thing is that there was nothing in the Life newspaper about this.

Since the new owners took over the Life and since they laid off Brett, there have been no news worthy items or coverage of local council or other meetings.

Just re-gurgitation of smiley face press releases by local school districts and other government bodies and puff pieces for the thugocrats and their allies. The Life has become pathetic.

By the way, if the person running against Marge is going to snip at her on BTF, at least have the guts to come out from out the cloak of anonymity and post in your real name so that people know who you are and that you're running against Marge for office.

buzz · December 22, 2012, 10:57:03 AM

Quote from: Ted on December 22, 2012, 08:36:04 AM
By the way, if the person running against Marge is going to snip at her on BTF, at least have the guts to come out from out the cloak of anonymity and post in your real name so that people know who you are and that you're running against Marge for office.

yep

Bonster · December 22, 2012, 12:08:38 PM

Quote from: Ted on December 22, 2012, 08:36:04 AM
By the way, if the person running against Marge is going to snip at her on BTF, at least have the guts to come out from out the cloak of anonymity and post in your real name so that people know who you are and that you're running against Marge for office.

I didn't know Marge's real name is Homebody.

Ted · December 22, 2012, 02:23:27 PM

Quote from: B o n s t e r on December 22, 2012, 12:08:38 PM
I didn't know Marge's real name is Homebody.

At least Marge has signed some of her posts with her real name. Her opponent should do likewise, if he is going to continue to snip at her.

Bonster · December 22, 2012, 06:26:16 PM

Quote from: Ted on December 22, 2012, 02:23:27 PM
Quote from: B o n s t e r on December 22, 2012, 12:08:38 PM
I didn't know Marge's real name is Homebody.

At least Marge has signed some of her posts with her real name. Her opponent should do likewise, if he is going to continue to snip at her.

? where?

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Ted · December 22, 2012, 11:07:47 PM

Quote from: B o n s t e r on December 22, 2012, 06:26:16 PM
Quote from: Ted on December 22, 2012, 02:23:27 PM
Quote from: B o n s t e r on December 22, 2012, 12:08:38 PM
I didn't know Marge's real name is Homebody.

At least Marge has signed some of her posts with her real name. Her opponent should do likewise, if he is going to continue to snip at her.

? where?

Here are posts in the last 30 months where Marge has signed her name. I can go back further if it interests you, Mark:

http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?topic=11223.msg190152#msg190152

I just posted this under Basement Flooding:

We woke up to some sewage and water residue in the basement. This is the one year anniversary of last year's July flood. Once again, residents living in the area just east of Proksa Park are reporting flooded basements.

I am collecting the names of 3rd Ward residents who had flooded basements last night/this morning. Larry, Frank, Matt and Bob, I have you on the list already.

For 3rd Ward residents only: Please call me at (708) 788-3361 or e-mail me at marge3rdward@sbcglobal.net to report flooded basements, streets and alleys. I will be cleaning my basement and then heading out to the neighborhood. Please provide your name, address, telephone number and the approximate amount of water you think you had. (My basement had already drained by the time I woke up this morning.) I'll be taking messages only today and will try to kep the voice mailbox empty to accept your calls.

Sorry to hear that so many friends are once again bailing out.
Marge Paul, 3rd Ward Alderman

http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?topic=10956.msg190151#msg190151

Quote from: Homebody on July 23, 2011, 10:03:02 AM
We woke up to some sewage and water residue in the basement. This is the one year anniversary of last year's July flood. Once again, residents living in the area just east of Proksa Park are reporting flooded basements.

I am collecting the names of 3rd Ward residents who had flooded basements last night/this morning. Larry, Frank, Matt and Bob, I have you on the list already.

For 3rd Ward residents only: Please call me at (708) 788-3361 or e-mail me at marge3rdward@sbcglobal.net to report flooded basements, streets and alleys. I will be cleaning my basement and then heading out to the neighborhood. Please provide your name, address, telephone number and the approximate amount of water you think you had. (My basement had already drained by the time I woke up this morning.) I'll be taking messages only today and will try to kep the voice mailbox empty to accept your calls.

Sorry to hear that so many friends are once again bailing out.
Marge Paul, 3rd Ward Alderman

http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?topic=10849.msg184816#msg184816

Quote from: Homebody on May 12, 2011, 05:47:27 PM
[Done. Here is the message I sent.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I join in the call for Mr. Pesek's resignation from the District 201 School Board. I support the vote of board member Margaret Kelly against re-electing Mr. Pesek as school board President. However, it would not be enough for Mr. Pesek to relinquish his office while remaining on the board at this point in time. Only his resignation from his seat on the school board will begin the process of rehabilitation of the community's trust. While the board may not be able to un-seat Mr. Pesek, a vote of No Confidence in Mr. Pesek would show that the Morton High School District is listening to the parents, students, teachers, and members of the larger community it serves. Alderman Margaret Paul, Berwyn IL

dukesdad · December 23, 2012, 08:46:53 AM

I guess I'm clueless, who's been sniping at Marge?

Bonster · December 23, 2012, 11:37:19 AM

Quote from: dukesdad on December 23, 2012, 08:46:53 AM
I guess I'm clueless, who's been sniping at Marge?

exactly!
That's what I was asking; not where she signed her posts.

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Ted · December 24, 2012, 07:35:29 AM

Quote from: B o n s t e r on December 23, 2012, 11:37:19 AM
exactly!
That's what I was asking; not where she signed her posts.

OK. But, you said you didn't know that Homebody was Marge and then when I said Marge signed her name on some posts, you said "Where?". That's why I thought you were asking "where" Marge signed her posts.

Ted · December 24, 2012, 07:37:20 AM

Quote from: dukesdad on December 23, 2012, 08:46:53 AM
I guess I'm clueless, who's been sniping at Marge?

Interesting dilemma. If I point out the post, I would essentially be outing someone who is currently anonymous.

btw, I said snipping, not sniping.

Bonster · December 24, 2012, 11:14:50 AM

Quote from: Ted on December 24, 2012, 07:35:29 AM
Quote from: B o n s t e r on December 23, 2012, 11:37:19 AM
exactly!
That's what I was asking; not where she signed her posts.

OK. But, you said you didn't know that Homebody was Marge and...

No, I sarcastically said I did not know Marge's real name was Homebody, since you requested others to post in their real names. (Marge doesn't post in her real name; she's signed posts.)

So, my question was rerring to your assertion that her opponent was "snipping" at her. I don't see it. In this particular thread all I see are buzz and EC ripping on the aldermen for not doing their homework.

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News:

CC Agenda-12/11/2012

Ted

justme

buzz

Homebody

buzz

EC

Shelley

Ted

Ted

buzz

Bonster

Ted

Bonster

Ted

dukesdad

Bonster

Ted

Ted

Bonster