City Council Meeting, December 12, 2006
We had received a grant from the RTA for Regional Technical Assistance Program's Transit-Oriented Development, of which bids were opened at the meeting

As previously mentioned, the BDC had recommended 3 proposals for the superblock at Cermak/Oak Park Avenue. We met the 3 development teams on December 19, 2006; 3 top-notch teams.

The tax levy was voted on. There will be no increase.

Pay raises for non-union employees were sent to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.

The City received an award from the National Town Watch and the Target Corporation recognizing the City's National Night Out. We placed second in the State, and 34th in the nation, for communities with a population between 50,000 and 100,000.

Our sign ordinances will be reviewed by the Building and Zoning Committee. Frankly, what we have on the books needs to be enforced.

The contract between Waste Management and the City to continue with trash disposal was approved. I was the only one who voted against the contract. Although Waste Management came in cheapest, the service has not always been the best. Furthermore, Waste Management should have been the cheapest, since it will only have to supply one set of new trash cans. Any other company would have had to supply two sets of trash cans. So, look out for a new trash can that will be bigger. Your current trash can will be for recycling after January 1, 2007.

Where this came from I do not know, but there is a 120 day moratorium on pawn shops.

AT & T was officially awarded the new city-wide telephone system.

Happy holidays everyone!
- posted by Mark @ 3:00 PM