CITY OF PARK RIDGE

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: Jim Hock, City Manager

RE: O'Hare Commission Refere

DATE: September 30, 2010

Attached is a recommendation from the O'Hare Commission for an informational mailing

they believe the City should send residents about the upcoming November referendum
question.

The City Attorney has been involved in the review of this document and will be available
for comment at the meeting.

It is estimated to cost $2,400 for printing and $1,200 for mailing.

The commission's goal is to have the brochure arrive in residents' mail before early
voting begins on October 12, 2010.

Our Missioll: THE Crrv OF PARK RIDGE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EXCELlENCF IN Crr, SE.RVICES IN ORDER TO UPHOLD A niGH QUALITY OF UFE,
SO OUR COMMUNITY REMAINS" WONDERFUL PLACE TO L1'vl: ANI) WORK.
REFERENDUM INFORMATION

On November 2, 2010, registered voters in Park Ridge will go to the polls with the opportunity to
consider the following non-binding referendum question:

"Shall the City of Park Ridge allocate funding, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, to seek
expanded and accelerated noise abatement solutions intended to address the negative impacts
of O'Hare Airport expansion on residential property values, local schools and the overall quality
of life in our community?"

In this brochure, paid for by the City of Park Ridge, you will find facts that answer questions
about how public funding applies to this referendum.

Is $500,000, as stated in the referendum, a minimum or maximum amount and how will
this be funded?

As stated by the referendum question, $500,000 is a maximum amount. However, the result of
this referendum is not binding on the City Council. The City Council may ultimately choose to
spend nothing, a portion of the $500,000, all of the $500,000 or more than $500,000. Currently,
there is no special revenue source or fund for O'Hare related expenditures.

What changes are planned for O'Hare that might affect Park Ridge?

The O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) and the Federal Aviation Administration's
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for O'Hare provide the following information regarding
changes in flights, runway usage and noise at O'Hare.

~ Four new runways are planned for O'Hare. One runway aligns with Belle Plaine Avenue, the
other with Granville Avenue.

~ Use of the two northwest runways, currently sending flights over the industrial corridors to the
west of the airport, will be discontinued. The runway aligned with Higgins Road and the two
northeast runways sending flights over residential corridors to the east of the airport will remain
active.

~ Three parallel east/west runways on the north side of the terminal complex will become the
primary landing paths into O'Hare.

~Park Ridge is projected to average 2,000 flights a day, roughly 65% of daily flights, upon
completion of the OMP in 2014. Park Ridge currently averages 500 flights a day.

~14 cargo bays are planned for construction on the northeast corner of the airport property,
adjacent to the newest northern runway - 9L127R, and will be used to accommodate cargo jets.

~ The EIS projects noise will increase, by greater than 3.0 decibels, along the landing paths of
the parallel runways.

For additional information, please go to http://www.parkridge.uslliving in park ridge/airport issues.aspx

How might the funding be used?

Federal legislation enacted by Congress and designed to promote airport growth and
development projects provides limited rights to affected municipalities when challenging the
project or pursuing relief and restitution. Communities can request a supplemental EIS in
advance of the completion of the project under certain conditions.

);>Under the National Environmental Policy Act, (NEPA 1970), the FAA may be required
to conduct a new EIS when new information is presented about a project or when
significant changes are made to a project. At its discretion, the FAA can also order a
new EIS when it believes this will serve the intent of NEPA or when it may ease the
concerns of the affected communities.

);>The community must prove that new information exists which must be considered in
the scope of the ongoing project. Current information on actual noise and air pollution
levels, which are "new" since the original EIS was produced for the O'Hare expansion,
may provide a basis for action.

);>Park Ridge might conduct its own noise and emissions testing and monitoring
throughout city neighborhoods. Noise testing and monitoring may also be conducted
both inside and outside area schools. Information from these tests might be used to
request a supplemental EIS in advance of the completion of OMP. This same
information can be used to work with the FAA and the City of Chicago to expand the
noise contour, allowing more structures to become eligible for soundproofing.

);>Park Ridge might utilize the assistance of experts in aviation planning, noise and
emissions to support development of different monitoring and reporting standards and
recommendations for short-term and long-term relief.

);> Park Ridge might also consider legal options available within the scope of new
findings realized from a supplemental EIS.