December 2008 - City of Rolling Meadows

New Police Department Member Has ‘Nose’ for Drug InvestigationsThe newest member of the RollingMeadows Police Department hails fromthe Netherlands, has a “nose” for druginvestigations, and considers a tennisball to be the ultimate reward for a jobwell done.Meet Harley, the first K-9 officer inthe RMPD’s 53-year history.A Belgian Malinois and BelgianTervuren mix who turns two-years-old inDecember, Harley is a “passive indicatingdog,” according to his handler, CanineOfficer Steve Whetstone. When Harleyfinds what he’s looking for during anarcotic detection investigation, hedoesn’t bark or growl. Instead, he sitsdown.“Dogs are well-suited for locatingillegal narcotics because of their keensense of smell,” Officer Whetstoneexplains. “Humans have roughly fivemillion scent follicles in their noses.Dogs have 200 million.”Harley is trained to identifycocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine,although he doesn’tunderstand that he’s searching for drugs.As a result of his training regimen, hethinks he’s looking for a tennis ball.Before reporting for duty August 7 inRolling Meadows, Harley attended athree-week training academy at VohneLiche Kennels, Denver, IN, with OfficerWhetstone. The intensive training courseincluded odor “imprintation” and obedi-ence training (for Harley) and doghandling techniques (for Officer Whetstone).“I’ll admit, the training was more forme than Harley,” says Officer Whetstone,an eight-year Department veteran whovolunteered to become Harley’s handlerand keeper. “As with any other member ofthe department, Harley and I train almostdaily in order to maximize oureffectiveness,” he adds.The partnership betweenOfficer Whetstone and Harleydiffers from traditional policepartnerships in the sense thatthey’re together 24/7. When not“He’s a friendly,gentle dog who followsme everywhereand is great with thekids.”—Canine Officer Steve Whetstoneon duty, Harley lives with Officer Whetstone,his wife and three children.“I really enjoy having Harley by myside at work and at home,” OfficerWhetstone says. “He’s a friendly, gentledog who follows me everywhere and isgreat with the kids.”On duty, Officer Whetstone issuescommands to his four-legged partner inDutch, due to the fact that Harley wasborn and raised in the Netherlands.Commands used regularly include bliven(“stay”), phooey (“no/stop”), zooken(“search”), and los (“let go”).The Department’s K-9 Unit isfunded entirely by federal drug seizuremoney, raised through the seizure of drugoffender assets. Federal and state druglaws are designedto return a portionof these proceedsto local lawenforcementagencies for drugenforcementprograms, PoliceChief SteveWilliams explains.“Harley doesnot cost Cityresidents a singlepenny. We expectHarley will pay for himself bydoing what he does best: helpingpolice officers locate and seizeillegal narcotics,” Chief Williams says.Harley did just that in August, whenhe and Officer Whetstone were called into support a regional Drug EnforcementAgency (DEA) Task Force operation in thewestern suburb of Melrose Park. Harleyhelped investigators discover and takepossession of 500 pounds of cocaineworth nearly $25 million.Fire Department Offers Free CO DetectorsTo Qualified Rolling Meadows HomeownersThe Fire Department isoffering free carbon monoxidedetectors to qualified homeownersthrough a grant fromthe Rolling Meadows RotaryClub, Deputy Chief BrianDempsey reports.Residents who wish tobe considered for the freecarbon monoxide detectorprogram may contact theRolling Meadows FireDepartment at 847-397-3352.Detectors will be distributedon a first come, first servedbasis. Recipients must beCity residents, meet minimalincome eligibility requirementsand own their home.“We’ve limited theprogram to qualifiedhomeowners because statelaw requires rental propertyowners to install carbonmonoxide detectors in everydwelling unit,” Deputy ChiefDempsey explains. “Residentswho live in rentalapartments or houses shouldalready have a working COdetector in their home.”A combined $2,500Rolling Meadows Rotary Cluband Rotary InternationalDistrict grant helped the FireDepartment purchasedetectors that feature electronicdigital readouts withbattery backup. This guaranteesthe detectors will workeven in situations wherehomeowners experiencepower outages.“Our goal is to assistthose who may not have themeans to purchase these lifesavingtools themselves. Wegreatly appreciate Rotary’ssupport in helping us providecarbon monoxide detectors toresidents who need them,”Deputy Chief Dempsey adds.Illinois’ Carbon MonoxideDetector Act requires thatall homes have a carbonmonoxide detector within 15feet of every sleeping room.Both single and multiplefamily residences that rely onfossil fuel combustion for heatmust have a working carbonmonoxide detector.December 20083 www.cityrm.org

Dominick’s Property Shows Importance OfPutting Broader Public Interest FirstSuccess in achieving a city’s reasonablegoals in economic development often requiresthe parties involved to put the best interest ofthe broader public above narrow interests thatmight have drawn them into the discussion inthe first place.Take the City’s six-year long effort toredevelop the former Dominick’s ShoppingCenter property on Kirchoff Road. Parties to thediscussion included Dominick’s Finer Foods,which once considered refurbishing itssuperstore, the property owner from whomDominick’s and other shopping center tenantslease their properties, the other businessowners and tenants in the center, the developerswho created redevelopment plans for theproperty, other taxing bodies in the area, andneighborhood residents.The very difficult task facing City officialswas to help these parties see how serving thebest interest of the broader public would begood for them, too. Looking back at the failureof three redevelopment plans over six years,one can fault each party at different pointsalong the way.Dominick’s first proposed renovating thestore and adding a service station out front onKirchoff Road. Before proceeding, the supermarketcompany wanted the property owner toagree to repair and upgrade the parking lot.When the property owner first balked at payingfor parking lot repairs, the negotiationsdragged on.By the time they reached agreement onparking lot repairs, Chicago-based Dominick’swas sold to California-based Safeway. Itdecided to close unprofitable or marginalstores, and the Rolling Meadows Dominick’sfell into the latter category. Missed opportunitynumber one: if the landowner had agreed tothe improvements in early 2003, a newlyremodeled Dominick’s might be still operating.Next came developer Bristol-Moran with aproposal to create a luxury apartment complex,with hundreds of units built to condominiumspecifications for later conversion, granitecountertops, 9 foot ceilings, a swimming pooland clubhouse. When neighborhood residentsquickly objected to the intrusion of a four or fivestory apartment building, upscale though it maybe, the developer added 42 row homes toprovide a buffer and mitigate the height of theapartment buildings.The property owner put the price at $10.4million. Bristol-Moran thought it could work atthat price until the property owner insisted thedeveloper handle the relocation of all shoppingcenter tenants. When some tenants sought topdollar to move elsewhere, relocation costsescalated to $2 million, which ultimately brokethe deal. City officials urged Bristol-Moran tobuild the retail section planned along KirchoffRoad first, and move tenants there to dramaticallyreduce relocation costs, but the developerchose not to follow the City’s advice.Discouraged after having signed acontract it now regretted and repeatedlypresenting its proposal to the community inopen meetings, Bristol-Moran told the City thedeal might still work if the tax incrementfinancing (TIF) district set to expire in 2011 (23years after it started) could be extended for justanother five years. City officials tried to persuadeother taxing districts, especially theschools, to agree to a TIF extension, but theymet a solid wall of opposition. Opportunitynumber two was history.Finally, in 2007, Lincoln Propertiesoffered $9.1 million to build mixed-use apartmentsand row homes. The owner would onlycome down to $9.3 million. A year went by, andby the time the owner reduced the price, thedeveloper could not find a homebuilder willingto build row homes in today’s economy.One of the major stumbling blocks toreaching an agreement was that Dominick’slease required it to keep paying rent untilFebruary 2009, or until the property was sold.The owner didn’t have much incentive to sell,until now. Lease payments are about to end, andobservers say the property may fetch only $7million in today’s depressed real estate market.As City officials look back on the failedprocess, they see many “what ifs”:● What if the property owner had loweredthe price, so Bristol-Moran could make the dealwork?● What if the retail tenants had been morereasonable in their relocation requirements?● What ifBristol-Moran hadagreed to build thefront retail sectionfirst to keeptenants?● What ifeveryone involvedhad stayedfocused on thebest interest of thebroader publicinvolved?Think Green!Saving EnergyCuts Utility CostsDuring these tighteconomic times, energyconservation pays off in moreways than one. Saving energyis the best way to cut utilitycosts and reverse the trend ofglobal warming. Considerthese energy-saving tips tokeep fuel bills low and protectthe environment:● Replace incandescentbulbs with compactfluorescents.● Unplug chargers andelectrical equipment when notin use.● Use a programmablethermostat to reduce energyuse when you’re not homeand when sleeping.‘Hungry?’RestaurantCelebrates 1stAnniversaryMayor Ken Nelson (secondfrom right) and 6 th WardAlderman Kathy Kwandrasjoined Hungry? restaurantowner Sam Syreggelas(center), his brother, George,and father, Tom, in cutting aceremonial ribbon commemoratingthe eatery’s one-yearanniversary in November.Located at 1673 AlgonquinRoad, Hungry? offers everythingfrom Shepard’s Pie andshish kabobs to pulledbarbeque pork sandwiches. Itis open seven days a week forbreakfast, lunch and dinner.December 2008, City of Rolling Meadows, www.cityrm.org 4

Mayor Nelson, Chamber FindBright Spots in Local EconomyMayor Ken Nelson had a hard timefinding good news to report for his annualeconomic development update. One of theMayor’s slides showed that Rolling MeadowsPublic Library usage is up sharply, as oftenhappens during economic downturns. At leastpeople are learning to cope.Hardly noticed amid the gloom is thearrival or expansion of eight businesses: Gus’Diner, Absolute Chinese,Northwest Community Bank,J.C. Restoration, Panasonic,ReMax, Subway, and RedApple Pancake House/Café.The Rolling MeadowsChamber of Commerce, cosponsorof the well-attendedeconomic developmentupdate breakfast, announcedthat the City’slargest employer, NorthropGrumman Corp., increasedits employment here in 2008 to more than2,300 and plans to add more jobs in 2009.After Northrop Grumman, the City’s top10 employers, as of November 2008, are:● Harris Bank—Regional Processing Center,365 employees● Riverside Publishing Co., 335As Public Works gearsup for another season of snowremoval, department personnelwant to remind homeownersand businesses they playan important role in helping theCity’s snow plowing efforts,according to Public WorksDirector Fred Vogt.Residents should refrainfrom shoveling or blowingsnow from driveways andsidewalks into the street. Itcreates more work for themselvesand inadvertentlycauses hazardous conditionsfor motorists.“We recommend thatresidents shovel snow to theright side of the driveway whenfacing the street and into yardareas whenever possible,”Vogt explains. “Otherwise,passing plows will push the● A.H. Management Group, 315● Komatsu, 310● Panasonic—Regional Headquarters, 300● Meijer, 295● City of Rolling Meadows, 233● Wal-Mart, 220● RTC, 200.Residents to Play Key Role In Snow Removalsnow right back onto theproperty. Snow that is pushedonto a recently plowed streetcan be dangerous for drivers,”he added.Residents with snowblowers and/or a little extrastamina may want to carve outan extra pocket to the left sideof the driveway, since curbsidesnow will most likely bepushed onto a driveway bypassing plows. Other remindersto help Public Works’snow removal efforts include:● Observe winterparking bans – Parking onCity streets is prohibited foreight hours following asnowfall of at least one inch.This allows plows to accessstreets without having to avoidparked cars.● Keep fire hydrantsMark Koch (right), Division Head andWildStang Robotics Team Leader atRolling Meadows High School, toldMayor Ken Nelson (left) and the economicdevelopment update audienceabout the school’s Illinois InnovationTalent Project. As one of 23 Illinois highschools chosen to promote innovatingthinking, RMHS students will present theIllinois Department of Transportationwith suggestions for using robotics toperform bridge inspections.clear of snow – Shovelingsnow around fire hydrantsmay save lives. In emergencysituations where secondscount, firefighters depend ontheir ability to easily reachnearby hydrants.● Check mailboxes forneeded repairs – Snow andice plowed from streets canbe heavy and cause damageto weakly supported mailboxes.The City will only payfor repairs to mailboxes hit byplows during snow removaloperations.“Our policy of completelyclearing the City’s roads afterwinter storms strike is a teameffort,” Vogt said. “We seeresidents as natural partnersin ensuring that City streetsare the envy of the area afterblustery Chicago storms.”Historical SocietySeeks VintageOrnaments forMuseum TreeResidents withvintage – or simply old –ornaments that they nolonger use are invited todonate them to the RollingMeadows Historical Society,which is seeking help indecorating its holiday treeon display in the HistoricalMuseum’s EducationCenter.“Ornaments from the1950s are certainly welcome,but we will happilyaccept ornaments from anyera,” Society President BevKeagle says.Guests may visit theRolling Meadows HistoricalMuseum, 3100 CentralRoad, to view the historicalhouse’s holiday décorduring regular visiting hours:Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 2p.m. (through December10), and Sundays, 1 – 4 p.m.(year-round).Residents will alsohave a chance to tour theMuseum and enjoy refreshmentswhen HistoricalSociety members host aholiday open house, Sunday,January 4, 1 – 4 p.m.For more informationon Historical Societyactivities and events, call847-577-7086.December 2008, City of Rolling Meadows, www.cityrm.org 5

BY MAYOR KEN NELSONHere we areabout to wrap upanother year. Like a lot of people I talk with, Iwon’t be sorry to see 2008 go.Certainly some good things happenedthis past year, but overall – with the economycrunch the prime culprit – it’s not been a greatyear. So now we look forward to 2009.There are so manyexciting things on the horizonfor our City and I’d like tohope a good many of themwill come to fruition in thecoming months. Particularlyas we approach this holidayseason, I hope this finds youin good health and surroundedby those you love.I look forward to seeingyou at our Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonyon Thursday, December 4 th . That’s always agood way to get into the holiday mood. May youand yours have a joyous holiday season.HELP WANTED:We currently have some openings onvarious boards and commissions. If you’reLooking Forward,and Ahead, to 2009interested inlearning moreabout what’savailable andwhat responsibilitiestheremight be,pleasecontact me.The City’s annualTree Lighting Celebrationwill be heldThursday, December4, 6 p.m., downtown in front of theMcDonald’s on Kirchoff Road.Thank You, Rolling MeadowsThe following letter wassent to the Rolling MeadowsFire Department praising itsparamedics for “quick action”in helping a resident in needof emergency medicalassistance.Dear Fire Chief Stewart:I wish to express mydeep appreciation to yourdepartment for its wonderfuland rapid response to our 9-1-1 call for help. We calledabout 10 p.m., because myIn the past four yearsalone, the generosity ofRolling Meadows businesses,residents, andcommunity organizationshas helped the PNRC distribute nearly3,000 gifts to children through its HolidayGift Program.You can do so by email atMayor@cityrm.org, by leaving a voice mailmessage at 847/394-8500 or by sending aletter to 3600 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows,6008.I look forward to hearing from you. Ourcity motto is Progress through Participation.Here’s a chance for you to participate.husband was not feeling welland wasn’t able to tell mewhat was wrong.When the paramedicsarrived, they quickly determinedthat my husband wassuffering a heart attack. Theyquickly stabilized him andtook him to the emergencyroom. I came with them butwas dazed by the diagnosis!Thanks to paramedics’ quickaction, they saved myhusband’s life.Although our letter is alittle late in going out, we oweyou our heartfelt thanks andgratitude.Sincerely yours,Bea and Hilton LewisCity OfRollingMeadowsMayor: Kenneth NelsonCity Clerk: Lisa HinmanCity Manager:Thomas M. MelenaCity Hall Hours:8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Monday-FridayCurfew: Sun.-Thurs. 11 p.m./Fri. & Sat. MidnightAldermen1st Ward: John Pitzaferro847-655-13902nd Ward: Barb Lusk847-567-24443rd Ward: Lawrence Buske847-255-91264th Ward: Tom Rooney847-392-22545th Ward: Glenn Adams847-259-58756th Ward: Kathy Kwandras847-398-71137th Ward: James Larsen630-244-4228ServicesFire & Police Emergency:911Fire Departmentnon-emergency:847-397-3352Police non-emergency:847-255-2416Public Works847-963-0500Finance/Utility BillingQuestions — 847-394-8500Community DevelopmentDept. — 847-506-6030TDD: 847-506-0490Senior Services847-394-8500ComEd — 1-800-EDISON-1PNRC — 847-506-2059City Council, Committee ofthe Whole, Zoning Board ofAppeals, and Plan CommissionMeetings aretelevised on Cable TVChannel 6December 2008, City of Rolling Meadows, www.cityrm.org 6