Ward R3PORT

Huge 5% Tax Increase Avoided - Working To Fix Yesterday's Problems

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:21:04 +0000

Tonight's meeting was filled with high stakes decisions. The biggest - TIF #6 began as an exciting hotel development and wound up stuck in a legal and financial mess for years. One of the first moves we made three years ago was to refinance the bond debt of ~$10MM to buy us some time. Since then, we went out for an RFP to find a developer who could turn this liability into an asset for the city. Put in simple terms, if we did nothing...we would be forced to increase taxes by 5% next year or cut deep into city services (ballpark: $220k revenue per 1% property tax increase) in order to find the $1,125,000 in debt payments. This pain would ratchet up annually, making future budgets bleak. The time for action was now.

If we did nothing, we'd be $19MM in the hole by 2025. Conservative estimates suggest the approved project and it's 5 revenue sources (property, sales, parking, hotel, & food/bev tax) will produce something between $14-21MM by 2025...that's potentially a +$40MM swing. This is a huge win for taxpayers.

I'm excited to be a part of this positive momentum that's changing the way DP does business. More to come...

Sticky Topics: Digital Billboards & Bees

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:33:42 +0000

Thursday's Legal & Licensing Committee meeting demonstrated the breadth and depth of our council's conversations: billboards & bees were on the menu. That's right.

Up first were two outdoor signage companies who were interested in both building new digital billboards in town and possibly converting existing static billboards into digital boards. Everyone who knows the City's history on billboards knows that a previous administration allowed the construction of a number of billboards along the highway corridor in return for $25,000 for 5 years worth of July 4th fireworks. The builder then flipped the boards to a media company for millions. That's the short version of the story, but I didn't think anyone would be in favor of any more or any different billboards. I made a motion to instruct staff to not consider the request for digital billboard permits and Chairman Robinson agreed with me. We're learning from our history....trying not to repeat the bad parts....

Second was an Apiarist (don't feel bad...I had to look it up too. ha.) who wanted the city to change it's policy on beekeeping. Currently we only allow it if you're keeping bees 1/4 miles from any school, church, or public place. Send be a note if you feel strongly in either direction, but we'll see what staff has to say about it when it comes before the full council.

Video: Have You Seen The Theatre Yet?

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:34:00 +0000

I was impressed by this video on the new Des Plaines Theatre.....made me proud of this local DP icon. Try and see a show there and support a local restaurant while you're at it!

You Like Birthdays? I Like Birthdays.

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:25:58 +0000

The American Cancer Society is creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. The Relay for Life Des Plaines / Park Ridge is kicking off their year. Here are the details:

February 7, 2012 at 6:30pm
Club Casa Cafe @ The Des Plaines Golf Center
353 North River Road, Des Plaines, IL
Questions? Contact Rachel at 847-368-1166 or at rachel.schindler@cancer.org

DP Social Service Agencies: Get Ready

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:52:46 +0000

Each year the City of Des Plaines allocates funds for local social service agencies that address critical needs of residents. In 2011 the City awarded grants to 19 agencies through the Social Service Fund. The 2012 Social Service Funding applications are available at www.desplaines.org/HHS beginning January 18, 2012. Applications are due by February 15, 2012. For further information on the application process, please contact the Health and Human Services Division at 847.391.5480 or HHS@desplaines.org.

Snow Golf is Harder Than It Looks

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:12:00 +0000

The Des Plaines Park District did an excellent job organizing this year's annual Chili Open. The Golf Center proved far more challenging than the snowy track at Lake Park. There's always next year, I guess....

Des Plaines: Open For Business

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:04:10 +0000

Big night at Council. Chase Bank sought approval for signage for their new location at Oakton & Lee Streets. New construction, jobs, and a well manicured lot will be far superior to the vacant Arby's and the perennial Xmas tree lot. Later in the evening came some even better news. Our staff has worked for months negotiating a deal to bring Warehouse Direct into Des Plaines (from a neighboring community). They're getting a tax incentive to move and we're anticipating over $650,000 in new tax revenue, a serious return on our investment of staff time. Bottom line: our aggressive approach towards business recruitment is starting to pay off.

Get Your Tree On The Curb ASAP

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:52 +0000

Public Works crews were out last weekend collecting Christmas Trees and ARC disposal will be grabbing trees along their regular garbage routes through the middle of January. Make sure to get your tree to the curb this week or early next week.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:32:04 +0000

Consider donating to the Des Plaines Self Help Pantry or to the USO and help an American Hero call home this holiday season.

Honor Our Veterans - Friday @ Library

Alderman Matt Bogusz — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:04:04 +0000

Friday, November 11 - 12pm-3pm

Des Plaines Public Library, Friends Room C
1501 Ellinwood Street

Experience living history - All ages welcome - FREE!

12pm-3pm:
Pearl Harbor display, Veterans Day craft projects, write a letter to a to an active duty soldier/sailor, try on reproduction military uniforms from the Revolutionary War, World War II, Military books and movies available for checkout

1-3pm:
VISIT WITH A VETERAN - VFW Post 2992 presents a special opportunity to visit with local veterans. Learn the fascinating stories of men and women who served in World War II through the present day.

For more information call the History Center at 847-391-5399 or visit www.desplaineshistory.org