City Council Recap, 11-13-07
I did not stay long for the meeting, and in fact, moved certain items up so I could vote on them. My dog was undergoing surgery during the meeting. As it turned out, I was happy not to attend the entire meeting; too many are already posturing for the 2009 election. The meeting was one of high contention, and I suspect, will continue to be.

The BDC put a five year agreement on the floor. Earlier in the day, the BDC Director requested that the item be pulled. It was not. The 1st Ward Alderperson just had to vote on it; a very week contract. The contract was passed and will be in effect until May 1, 2009, coincidentally, right after the next election. I voted for deferral and was joined by the 2nd and 8th Ward Alderperson to simply defer the contract until the next meeting. The contract passed by a vote of 4 to 3.

Next, was the 2008 TIF budget which stems from the BDC. Also, earlier in the day, the BDC Director emailed everyone to not vote on this, but to delay it for two weeks. You know who decided we should vote on it, but the Mayor pulled the ole Rule 28 to simply defer the matter for two weeks.

Roosevelt Road will be getting an underground face lift in the coming year or two, coordinated with Oak Park and Cicero from Harlem to Austin.

I asked that a zoning variation request be brought forward before I left. This passed by a vote of 6 to 1, with the resident Alderman, the 6th, voting against it. A person was putting on a second floor and this variation had passed the Zoning Board of Appeals by a large majority.

Next, I brought forward an ordinance that makes the City Clerk the official Freedom of Information Officer. You may have read in the local newspaper about all the drama at City Hall caused by Freedom of Information Requests.

Finally, the last thing I brought forward before going home is a ridiculous ordinance put forward by the 6th Ward Alderperson. I had a long ramble that I edited out to be somewhat professional. Bottom line, the Mayor has opted to veto the ordinance, but I am not sure if there are enough votes to back the Mayor's veto. Only the 2nd Ward Alderperson voted with me.

That is all. My dog, who was on death's door, is doing pretty well considering. Stay tuned to the same bat channel, same bat time.

Next City Council meeting is Tuesday, November 27, 2007, at City Hall at 8:00 pm.
- posted by Mark @ 1:10 PM