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Special meeting Nov. 13th 8:30 AM !!!

(16 posts)
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  1. spatny
    Member

    Note this says "Closed Meeting." Here we go again. This is how we communicate with the public.
    PUBLIC NOTICE
    SPECIAL VILLAGE BOARD MEETING

    The Riverside Village Board of Trustees have scheduled a special meeting to discuss the following on
    Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. in Township Room 4.

    __________________________
    Kathleen F. Rush
    Village Manager

    AGENDA
    November 13, 2007
    1. Call to Order

    2. Roll Call
    President
    Harold J. Wiaduck
    Village Trustees
    Jean Sussman Ben Sells
    Candice Grace John Scully
    Thomas Shields Kevin Smith

    3. Closed Meeting For The Purpose Of Discussion Acquisition Of Real Property.

    4. Ordinance Authorizing The Purchase Of Property At 61 East Burlington Street

    5. Resolution Expressing Official Intent Regarding Certain Capital Expenditures To Be Reimbursed
    From Proceeds Of An Obligation To Be Issued By The Village Of Riverside, Cook County,
    Illinois.

    6. Adjournment

    POSTED: November 9, 2007 —“ Website and Newspapers

    FAXED: Suburban Life The Landmark Mike Aieta
    708-447-9871 708-524-0447 Riverside Cable Commission

    Posted Saturday Nov 10, 2007 10:21 #

  2. spatny
    Member

    I would like to point out that the item passed for the acquisition of the house on Burlington that will be turned into a parking lot for 15 cars, repeat 15, was for $520,000. That appears to be $34,666. per space! We only got $5,000. per space from the VC developers, and that figure was only raised to $15,000 at the last meeting, after much palaver. The point, dear readers, is that after interest costs these spots will cost us well over $50K apiece. So when you ask where the money goes, now you know.

    Posted Saturday Nov 10, 2007 10:32 #

  3. Catherine
    Member

    FIVE twenty? I thought it was supposed to be 300K: 231 for the building, the rest to raze and pave it?!?! Are they planning a multi-story garage perhaps?

    Posted Saturday Nov 10, 2007 11:05 #

  4. spatny
    Member

    Well I went to this, was the only one there, and had to leave during executive session. Sussman and Smith absent, but everything was unanimous. Only interesting part was last item, which was amended to raise the amout to $850,000! Just like that - they started at $700K, then Shields thought they should have more, KRush suggested $750K, Shields raised to $800K and then said make it $850K like they were playing with monopoly money. The price of the property is $325K, so they have some other project in mind here besides a parking lot. Maybe a new realty office for those that don't have one yet! Tht would be exciting!

    Posted Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 10:17 #

  5. Catherine
    Member

    I imagine they are trying to buy the property next door that is up for sale.

    Posted Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 10:47 #

  6. spatny
    Member

    Perhaps. But since I got the e-flash yesterday telling me how the podcasts would help bring us all into the picture I think the lack of openness exhibited today is stunning. I mean, houses with signs on them are not exactly top secret, and anyway, I had a codeword/crypto clearance and I wouldn't tell. I vote for skullduggery.

    Posted Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 11:57 #

  7. MDS
    Member

    Boy, for a village board that loves to cry poor and predict imminent fiscal doom when it comes to wanting a TIF or home rule, they sure seem to be spending money like it's going out of style for a parking lot that we don't seem to need...

    - Mark D. Shevitz

    Posted Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 12:30 #

  8. MikeT
    Member

    One thing that impresses me here in this situation is that the property acquisition does not seem linked to a greater plan or vision that us Villagers are privy to and that would allow us to see what we are getting for the use of our money.

    What is the rationale for the surface parking lot? Is it tied to other items? Was/Is there a cost benefit analysis done for this $800,000 expenditure to see if it is worthwhile, and what the payback might be?

    Have they actually stated that the property's - and, is it the two properties on burlington? - use will be for a surface parking lot?

    Is/Was there a discussion among the board members about the different ways that $800,000 can be spent?

    Could it be put into more trees and improving the landscape, for example?

    Posted Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 14:52 #

  9. Catherine
    Member

    The administration has already stated the first property is intended for business parking. And that since it is in a residential neighborhood, it would have to be rezoned. The house that is still up for sale stands between it and the end of the CBD. So I am guessing they will try to buy it and expand the CBD with this parking space. Alternatively, they could sell the property to developers if the parking turned out to be not required. I don't see them passing up a chance to buy land abutting the CBD. But no, it does not say "we are broke" to me either.

    If the village government is buying property, I am glad they are not forcing sales in a depressed market, paying below market rates or, worst of all, eminent domaining it.

    Posted Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 16:03 #

  10. spatny
    Member

    Well it appears to me that they will have these two properties and either turn them into parking lots - at a very high cost per space far more than they got (or will get) from developers, or they have some other plan for a PUD. Perhaps the meeting today was called so they can have sometyhing on the ballot in February, or perhaps there is something else afoot. Same with the B1 zoning - Harlem Avenue, which I think will allow four story on 48' lots. The point is just what Mike said - doing it in this way does not let anyone but them - and it is really the Village Manager and President who are putting this together or else they are in violation of the Open Meetings Act. So it looks to me like just two people are putting this together, the Board -rather those that show up - rubber stamps it - and we will get notice somewhere down the line of what they are doing. This the day after they touted the podcasts as a way to keep people informed.

    Posted Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 16:49 #

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