Park Ridge aldermen limit use of city symbols, approve new landmarks

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:06AM

Among actions taken by the Park Ridge City Council during a regular meeting Jan. 16, aldermen:

• approved an ordinance prohibiting the use of the city flag on materials “promoting a commercial or political enterprise” without including the disclaimer, “The City of Park Ridge Does Not Endorse This Enterprise.” The ordinance also prohibits the use of images or emblems that have been trademarked by the city.

After the City Council approved the ordinance as part of its consent agenda, 5th Ward Alderman Dan Knight asked that the approval be reconsidered, as he questioned the definition of “political enterprise.” Aldermen, with 6th Ward Alderman Tom Bernick absent, voted 3-3 on Knight’s motion to reconsider the original vote, with Mayor David Schmidt breaking the tie with a “no” vote, leaving the ordinance as approved. Knight was told he had the option of presenting an amendment to the ordinance at a Committee of the Whole meeting, if he chose to do so.

• approved local landmark designation for Iannelli Studios, 255 N. Northwest Highway, and a home at 201 Grand Blvd. that was once owned by the city’s second mayor, William H. Malone.

• approved on a first reading an ordinance granting a special-use permit for a hair salon to operate at 147 Vine Ave. A final vote is expected Feb. 6. The site is the former Brickton Art Center and the proposed salon would occupy roughly half of the space.

• approved $20,555 in annual dues for the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy. The facility is used by the Park Ridge Fire, Police and Public Works Departments for various training.

• approved the purchase of self-read water meters for residences within Park Ridge’s Boardwalk. According to a city memo, the Boardwalk Association will pay the city $30,000 for the purchase and installation of the meters.

• approved an Environmental Indemnity Agreement for 801 Devon Ave. The agreement states that the property’s owner must reimburse the city for any costs it incurs for the cleanup of contaminated soil or groundwater in the general proximity of the property. According to the agreement ground contamination has occurred at 801 Devon Ave. as a result of chemicals from a long-shuttered dry-cleaning business seeping into the soil and groundwater.