Robert "Bob" Brandt
Trustee - Village of Woodridge (2003-2007)
Resident Inquiry Tracking System (RITS):
Effective April 30, 2007, I am no longer a Trustee in the Village of Woodridge. This page will be archived as of that date.
Click here for "Issues" I followed prior to being elected a Trustee.
RITS71 - March 28, 2007 - A resident contacted me to ask who was in charge of maintaining the wetlands behind her house.
UPDATE: I referred her to Public Works Director Chris Bethel who would be able to tell which governmental agency was in charge and what could be done.
RITS 70 - March 25, 2007 - A resident contacted me regarding problems with dogs at her children's bus stop. The dogs roam unrestrained on the owner's property and bark at the children at the bus stop.
RITS69 - March 13, 2007 - A resident contacted me regarding the stench eminating from the Rizzi Landscape Waste Dump and Transfer Station.
UPDATE: I responded that the IL EPA has filed a lawsuit against Rizzi and Woodridge is following the case. Click here for more information.
RITS68 - February 26, 2007 - A resident from un-incorporated Downers Grove (surrounded by Woodridge) contacted me about help with cars parked on the street during a snowfall.
RITS67 - February 16, 2007 - A resident emailed me regarding backup problems they were having with their sewer system. They suspected the problems might have been present before their recent purchase.
UPDATE: I referred them to Public Works, which would have records of any past sewer problems with their house.
RITS66 - December 28, 2006 - A residents emailed me about a soundwall for the north side of I-55 between Lemont Rd. and I-355.
UPDATE: I referred the resident to my webpage on the issue - click here.
RITS65 - December 15, 2006 - Woodridge-based Golden Retriever Rescue group "As Good As Gold" contacted me about my plans to revise dog laws in Woodridge. Click here for their letter.
UPDATE: I referred the group to my website here (click here) and sent them a draft of my proposed changes with a request to review and respond with their comments.
RITS64 - December 11, 2006 - A resident contacted me regarding District 99's plan to show programming on Channel 16 in Downers Grove, but not in Woodridge, including informative program, live coverage of sporting events, etc. Click here for information from District 99.
UPDATE: I have requested that Woodridge do whatever we need to do to get the same District 99 "live" like Downers Grove (not just re-air material on our Channel 6). Click here for Board meeting minutes.
RITS 63 - October 24, 2006 - A resident contacted me asking to move the surveillance camera back to Westminster Park to avoid vandalism. Click here for a report on Park District vandalism for 2005 and 2006 (total of $70,000)..
UPDATE: At the upcoming budget discussions, I will propose that the Village and Park District jointly purchase surveillance cameras for all public parks.
RITS 62 - October 24, 2006 - A resident contacted me about the deteriorating property in his neighborhood i.e. maintenance of residences, driveways, etc.
UPDATE: I forwarded his email to the Village Administrator with the request that Building & Zoning make a special inspection of the streets to check for violations (in addition to the yearly inspections done in the 'windshield survey."
RITS 61 - October 5, 2006 - A resident asked me if Woodridge prohibited the sale of "rolling papers" or :"Philly Blunts or Black & Milds" which are often used to smoke illegal drugs.
RITS 60 - October 5, 2006 - A resident contacted me with complaints about the abuse of outdoor firepits and fireplaces. Instead of using them casually for social and recreational purposes, as they were designed, some residents are apparently using them to dispose of trees, branches, leaves, construction scraps, landscape waste, etc. which all produce an inordinate amount of noxious smoke. Click here for an example of several open burning ordinances. Click here for a summary of the Woodridge ordinance and fine schedule.
10-10-06 UPDATE: I proposed a change to our current ordinance (click here). This will not affect any firepits used for social or recreational purposes, but will prevent the 24/7 burning free-for-all allowed by our current ordinance. Click here for meeting minutes.
10-05-06 UPDATE: The Mayor and other Trustees want to wait until they hear more complains before possibly changing the ordinance. They stated that the ordinance was sufficient as-is. Click for photos of burning that is being allowed - Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3. Would you want this next to you 24/7?
RITS 59 - October 5, 2006 - A resident asked if Woodridge could establish a brush pick-up program in Woodridge so residents could get rid of branches, etc. without taking them to the 71st St. chipping station.
UPDATE: I will propose this idea at the November budget meeting.
RITS 58 - September 21, 2006 - A resident contacted me about (1) the anti-Woodridge signs posted along Lemont Rd., and (2) dangerous dogs near a school bus stop.
UPDATE: (1) The anti-Woodridge signs are posted in an unincorporated neighborhood where the Village is planning on putting water and sewer pipes. If a resident hooks up, they will be annexed, if they don't hook up, they won't be annexed. It has nothing to do with school boundaries. Click here for minutes from a recent Board Meeting.
(2) the dangerous dogs are housed in unincorporated Downers Grove, so the resident must rely on the DuPage County Sheriff for assistance. Click here for my efforts to toughen the dog laws in Woodridge.
RITS 57 - September 20, 2006 - A resident contacted me about Building & Zoning staff confiscating political campaign signs on private property because they were posted more than 30 days before the election (Woodridge Ordinance).
UPDATE: The 30-day requirement was declared an unconstitutional restriction of freedom of speech in 2000. Click here for the ordinance and court case. The Woodridge ordinance will be changed.
RITS 56 - September 1, 2006 - A resident sent an email to villageboard@vil.woodridge.il.us regarding an issue with a stormwater retention area being proposed adjacent to his house. The retention area is designed to have a short retaining wall and a fence just five-feet from his property line, which is hazardous to drivers on his oddly situated driveway. Click here for a letter from the resident, click here for a drawing.
UPDATE: Moving the fence line out by 12 feet would give added clearance and a measure of safety without reducing the retention area by that much. However, the plan was approved during the course of the developer lawsuit against the Village and we could not change it substantially. I voted against it anyway. Click here for meeting minutes.
RITS 55 - August 22, 2006 - A resident emailed me about cars blocking the sidewalk and yard not be kept up in her neighborhood.
UPDATE: Woodridge has ordinances requiring that sidewalks are not blocked, that trucks over a "B" plate cannot be kept in driveways, and that yards and houses must be maintained. I forwarded the email to the Village Admnistrator for follow-up.
RITS 54 - August 26, 2006 - A resident in unincorporated Downers Grove asked me for help with the deteriorating condition of three retention ponds off of Woodward Ave.
UPDATE: I referred the inquiry to the Village Administrator to insure that the ponds, which are within Woodridge corporate limits, are maintained. Beavers had caused the ponds to rise, and now they are settling, so that left a lot of growth exposed that will eventually return to normal. Click here for an update.
RITS 53 - August 21, 2006 - A resident contacted me looking for information about (1) job programs in Woodridge, and (2) a profit and loss report for Seven Bridges Golf Course, which is owned by the Village of Woodridge.
UPDATE: I referred both inquiries to the Village Administrator. There are no job programs per se in the Village. Seven Bridges has not made a profit since 2002.
UPDATE: The village vigorously enforces the ordinance prohibiting parking across the sidewalk, especially between the hours of 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. If you notice a car blocking a sidewalk, please call the Police non-emergency number at 630-719-4740.
RITS 51 - April 24, 2006 - A resident contacted me about the Woodridge Park District requiring him to tear down a bridge (which has existed for 30+ years) in his back yard that leads over a stream to a garden, some of the food from which is given to the local church and food pantry. Click here for pictures.
05-12-06 - The Park District is planning to allow the bridge to remain and is looking for a separate insurance policy for liability concerns. Click here for the Park District meeting minutes.
UPDATE: The Woodridge Park District has jurisdiction on this issue. I sent an email to the new Director Mike Adams, who shared it with Park District President Fred Hohnke, urging them to find some way to allow the resident to keep the bridge while still protecting the Park District from liability.
RITS 50 - March 17, 2006 - A resident contacted me with concerns regarding a proposed development on 59th St. Click here for their letter; click here for a petition, click here for an overhead photo of the area, click here for a proposed change to the plan; click here for the Plan Commission minutes.
UPDATE: The Plan Commission approved the original plan 5-1. The Village Board approved the plan 5-1 (I voted "no."). Click here for the meeting minutes. Click here for some newspaper articles. Final plat approval is expected within a couple of months.
RITS 49 - March 3, 2006 - A resident contacted me about missing / burnt out streetlight at Havens & 87th. I forwarded the complaint to the Village Administrator for review.
UPDATE: The street light had been knocked down and it was replaced.
RITS 48 - March 1, 2006 - A resident contacted me after viewing flags, signs, etc. posted on a public utiity pole (which is illegal). I forwarded her concerns to the Village Administrator for review.
UPDATE: The flags have been taken down.
RITS 47 - February 21, 2006 - A resident contacted me with concerns about two evergreen trees in the parkway on a corner that blocked the view of traffic and the bikepath. I forwarded her concerns to the Village Administrator for review.
UPDATE: The Village was already aware of the problem and the trees will be removed and replaced with more appropriate trees shortly.
RITS 46 - January 20, 2006 - A resident sent me a flyer to a benefit to raise money for a Naperville Police Sergeant who was arrested for drunk driving that had Woodridge Police Department phone numbers printed on the flyer as contact numbers. I believe the use of official Village phone numbers is inappropriate. Click here for the flyer and newspaper articles.
UPDATE: The Woodridge employees did not create the notice, nor were they asked to be listed as contacts. The numbers were subsequently removed.
FYI: The charges against the officer were dismissed. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Click here for the official village response. Click here for information on Smoke-Free Woodridge.
RITS 44 - September 20, 2005 - A residents asked for assistance with the Village code that requires the backflow preventer for a lawn sprinkler system (RPZ) to be installed inside the residence, not outside
UPDATE: The Village code states the requirements for the RPZ. Installing it inside and annual inspections by the Village prevents it from freezing and causing tainted water from entering the public water supply.
RITS 43 - July 1, 2005 - A resident sent an email to villageboard@vil.woodridge.il.us regarding (1) a drainage issue in their back yard, and (2) wheelchair access over the rolled crubs in front of their house.
UPDATE: The drainage issue was resolved with their neighbor. The access issue was resolved by allowing the residents to cut their curbs at their own expense.
RITS 42 - May 24, 2005 - A resident asked for assistance with a permit / inspection on their basement remodel
UPDATE: I spoke with the Village Admnistrator who contacted Building & Zoning to work on the issue. B&Z has been talking to their contractor and will be meeting with the homeowners to clear up any remaining issues.
UPDATE: The Police Department has been advised and will monitor the situation.
RITS 40 - April 16, 2005 - A residents asked me about obtaining an asphalt contractor for their driveway
RITS 39 - March 31, 2005 - A resident wrote a note to the Mayor and Board complaining about an adult oriented store coming to Woodridge.
UPDATE: The store is actually in another community just over the border. The Village was going to respond with some information on how other communities deal with such issues.
RITS 38 - March 18, 2005 - A resident mentioned that trash was accumulated along Janes Ave (RITS38).
UPDATE: I forwarded the complaint to the Village Administrator for follow-up; click here for the Village response.
RITS 37 - January 11, 2005 - A resident sent an email to villageboard@vil.woodridge.il.us about a problem they were having with parking tickets, stolen license plates, etc (RITS37)
UPDATE: The problem has been referred to the Police Department for review.
UPDATE: Public Works Director Phil Modaff responded with hints to avoid having snow piled up at the end of the driveway.
RITS 35 - December 11, 2004 - A resident requested that Woodridge build a sound barrier along I-55 from Lemont Rd. to I-355 (RITS35).
UPDATE: I forwarded their request to the Village Administrator for review. Please also see December 7, 2004 on My Action Page.
RITS 34 - September 16, 2004 - I met with a resident who asked about more streetlights for their street (there is one light on the half-mile long street) (RITS34).
UPDATE: The resident's issue was un-resolved from last year's Community Needs Survey. Click here for the 2004 Survey results.
RITS 33 - August 9, 2004 - A resident asked for help regarding a pending development of a vacant parcel of land near their home (RITS33).
UPDATE: I visited the site and urged the Plan Commission to retain the mature trees planted along the lot line in any future development.
RITS 32 - June 20, 2004 - A resident had a problem with the dirt, debris raised by a crew doing street work (RITS32).
2005 UPDATE: Notification letters are sent to affected residents prior to work being done.
UPDATE: I contacted the resident and offered a change in procedure to the Public Works Department that may be considered in the future.
RITS 31 - May 31, 2004 - Two residents objected to a pending development in the Village. (RITS31)
UPDATE: I responded that I would closely review the development.
RITS 30 - May 19, 2004 - A resident asked about an item on the upcoming Village Board agenda. (RITS30)
UPDATE: I emailed the resident the full-length description of the item for their review.
RITS 29 - May 6, 2004 - A resident sent an email to Building and Zoning Director John Black and cc'ed the email to villageboard@vil.woodridge.il.us about violations of the building code and some model homes in his neighborhood. (RITS29)
UPDATE: John Black responded that the model homes would indeed need to be closed. I replied with a personal note thanking the resident for bringing this to our attention.
RITS 28 - May 6, 2004 - A resident sent an email to villageboard@vil.woodridge.il.us concerned about property taxes. (RITS28)
UPDATE: The Finance Director will respond with information about the Village portion of the property tax bill (about 4%). I replied with a personal note as well.
RITS 27 - April 29, 2004 - A residents asked for assistance with a building and zoning issue. (RITS 27)
UPDATE: I suggested the resident ask for a hearing with the Zoning Board of Appeals if the Village determines he is violating zoning with a rear yard garden.
RITS 26 - April 21, 2004 - A neighbor asked for help in determine why the building permit for his patio had not been issued in over 2 weeks. (RITS26)
UPDATE: My neighbor sent an email to B&Z Director John Black and it was determined that the permit was accidently mis-filed. It was issued immediately thereafter without any action taken by me.
RITS 25 - April 7, 2004 - A residents asked me about the location of the outdoor weather sirens in the neighborhood. (RITS25)
UDPATE: I forwarded his email to the Village Administrator and the police department followed up with the resident directly. The outdoor sirens are located properly and the resident was advised to get a weather radio for further warnings.
RITS 24 - March 30, 2004 - A resident asked me about maintenance of the open nature area behind their home. (RITS24)
UPDATE: I forwarded her email to the Village Administrator and Director of the Park District who have followed-up with the resident. The open areas are being maintained properly.
RITS 23 - March 6, 2004 - A resident asked me for help in following-up with the Police Department regarding vandalism in the area. (RITS23)
UPDATE: I referred the resident to the Village Administrator. The Police canvassed the area but could not identify the violaters (two white males, 17 to 19 years old, one was 5'1", the other 5'6", dark hair). They will continue to monitor the area.
RITS 22 - January 29, 2004 - A non-resident asked me about 2 water-shutoffs at 2 apartment buildings which could affect the radiator heat on the coldest day of the year. (RITS22)
UPDATE: The non-resident has been referred to the Director of the Public Works and the Village Administrator for follow-up.
RITS 21 - November 6, 2003 - A resident asked for assistance in making sure they receive Village services (they are incorporated but are surrounded by unincorporated homes). (RITS21)
UPDATE:
RITS 20 - October 24, 2003 - A resident asked me to encourage the preservation of trees in the Smoter development. (RITS20)
UPDATE: Click here for a memorandum from the Planning Department.
RITS 19 - November 18, 2003 - A resident asked me to oppose the developer's plan to develop the forest area at Hobson Rd. & I-355. Click here for the minutes from the Plan Commission. (RITS19)
UPDATE: Despite my ohjections, the Board voted 4-to-1 to approve the plan which will clear-cut most of the 10 acres of heavily wooded forestland. Click here for the meeting minutes.
12-22-03 - I toured the area (did the Mayor or other Trustees bother to go by the site?) and am convinced we need to keep as much of the forest as possible.
Click here for my proposal which is essentially preserving a fifteen foot section of trees around the perimeter of the development. I forwarded a copy of the proposal to my colleagues . Click here for the response from the Plan Department.
Click here for a photo of the proposed development along with pictures of the trees that will be cut down.
UPDATE: Click here for an email I sent to DuPage Forest Preserve President Dewey Pierotti. Click here for the first response from the Forest Preserve; click here for the second response from the Forest Preserve. Click here for a Letter to the Editor. Click here for Land Acquisition Guidelines from the Forest Preserve.
RITS 18 - October 24, 2003 - A resident asked me for assistance with several issues they raised in their response to the Community Needs Survey. (RITS18)
UPDATE: Per the request of the resident, I am asking for feedback from the other Village Board members about banning cell phones in vehicles (I am personally opposed to banning cell phones). There was no interest in the ban.
RITS 17 - October 23, 2003 - A resident asked me for assistance with several issues they raised in their response to the Community Needs Survey. (RITS17)
UPDATE: I met with the residents and will be following up with the Village Administrator.
RITS 16 - October 9, 2003 - A resident asked me for assistance with several issues they raised in their response to the Community Needs Survey. (RITS16)
UPDATE: I met with the residents and will be following up with the Village Administrator.
RITS 15 - October 6, 2003 - A resident asked me about regulating solicitors in the Village. (RITS15)
UPDATE: I referred the resident to the Village Clerk, who tracks all solicitors.
RITS 14 - October 6, 2003 - A resident asked me about the financial information for Seven Bridges golf course, which is owned by the Village. (RITS14)
UPDATE: The golf course lost $200,000 in fiscal year 2002.
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RITS 13 - September 2, 2003 - A resident asked me for information on the sales tax charged by each community in Illinois for her home-based sales business. (RITS13)
RITS 12 - August 14, 2003 - A resident asked the Village Board and Library Board to install a water fountain at Town Centre (similar to the fountain at the Downers Grove train station). Personalized bricks would help finance the project. I think it's a great idea. (RITS12)
UPDATE: I introduced the project as "new business." It will be considered as part of an overall approach to improving Town Centre.
RITS 11 - July 11, 2003 - A resident asked me about adding a drinking fountain to Westminster Park. (RITS11)
UPDATE: A drinking fountain is planned for Phase 2 which will occur after several other projects are completed.
RITS 10 - July 4, 2003 - A resident asked me about bring back free Amnesty Day for refuse and starting an Amnesty Day for curbside brush pickup. (RITS10)
UPDATE: Amnesty Day costs around $50,000. A brush / leaf pickup program would cost around $50,000 per pickup. I will propose these ideas at the next Strategic Management / Budget session.
RITS 9 - June 21, 2003 - A neighbor asked me how he could view home values for the neighborhood. (RITS9)
UPDATE: Assessed values for real estate property tax purposes can be found with your township assessor. For our area, it's the Downers Grove township assessor. (most of Woodridge is actually in Lisle Township - no website available)
RITS 8 - May 26, 2003 - A neighbor asked me to check on the regulations for Westminister Park - there were some skateboarders and rollerbladers using / abusing park benches (which I presume is prohibited). There were also some dog owners who were taking their dogs on the playground equipment (ditto). My neighbor was also wondering if there would be a sign with such regulations posted at the park. Click here to see a copy of my letter. (RITS8)
UPDATE: Click here for the response from the Director of the Woodridge Park District.
RITS 7 - May 5, 2003 - A neighbor asked me to check the status of the Woodridge Tree Preservation Ordinance, which is one of the requirements of being a Tree City, USA. The ordinance would determine how many trees a developer would be required to leave, plant, etc. Click here to see a copy of my letter and the Tree City USA requirements. (RITS7)
UPDATE: The ordinance was drafted in 1999 but has not yet been finalized. Click here for a memorandum from the Planning Department. They expect to have it finalized by the end of the year.
RITS 6 - April 27, 2003 - A neighbor asked me if there was something that could be done about the brush, bushes, weeds, etc. that block a driver's vision at the intersection of Westminster and Heritage Parkway. I faxed a request to Village Administrator John Perry. (RITS6)
UPDATE: On May 2, 2003, the brush has been trimmed by the Village and a comprehensive burn by the owner of the property may be scheduled for later this year.
RITS 5 - April 26, 2003 - Two seperate neighbors asked me if something could be done with traffic control at the intersection of Westminster and Charing Cross. There is a new park at the corner and new development to the south, and already there have been several accidents at the intersection. I faxed a request for a traffic study to Village Administrator John Perry with my intention to override the study if it didn't recommend traffic control. Click here for a copy of my fax. (RITS5)
UPDATE: The Village will be installing YIELD signs on N/S Charing Cross within a week (that was supposed to be done last year). But that doesn't help pedestrians trying to cross Westminster to get to the park so I have asked for more follow-up. Click here for a copy of my letter and a report from the Village.
UPDATE: Crosswalks and Crosswalk Warning Signs will be installed in several locations around the park by August 19, 2003.
RITS 4 - February 2, 2003 - A friend asked me about how the Woodridge is going to pay the $3,500,000 deficit that the village is facing in 2002-2003 (revenues are $28,000,000, expenditures are $31,500,000). I e-mailed the Director of Finance Christine Tromp with the inquiry. (RITS4)
UPDATE: On February 6th, Village Administrator John Perry sent a response. Click here for a copy of his letter. I followed up with him to ask if the Village expected a deficit next year. Click here for his response. Click here for a Revenue / Expenditure summary.
RITS 3 - December 11, 2002 - a neighbor asked me where he could get a look at the plans for the a development in the area, which had been approved but had not made it to the development's sales office. I emailed the Director of the Planning Department Staci Hulseberg with the inquiry. (RITS3)
UPDATE: On December 13th, Staci emailed back inviting the neighbor to come to her office to view the plans. Click here to see a copy of my and her email.
RITS 2 - November 16, 2002 - While circulating my nomination papers, a resident asked for help in getting a two-foot section of the cement curb in front of his house repaired. I wrote a letter to Department of Public Works Director Phil Modaff requesting the repair. (RITS2)
UPDATE: On November 26th, Phil responded and the curb will be fixed by next Spring. Click here to see a copy of his letter.
RITS 1 - November 16, 2002 - While circulating my nomination papers, a resident asked for help in getting his street cleaned from all the construction traffic from the adjoining subdivision. I wrote a letter to Department of Public Works Phil Modaff making the request. (RITS1)
UPDATE: On November 27th, Phil responded and the street will be cleaned more often as necessary. Click here to see a copy of his letter.
