Alderman Bernard Stone didn’t need to use a gavel to call the Committee on Buildings meeting to order on December 7–Alderman Ray Suarez, the only other member of the 14-person committee who’d shown up, was sitting right next to him. The meeting was scheduled for 10 AM, but at 10:08 no one else had arrived, and Stone announced to the 30 or so people in the audience that the meeting was getting started.
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Now 79, Stone has served as alderman of the far-north-side 50th Ward for 33 years and chair of the building committee for 15. He’s a heavyset man with a growl in his voice that his colleagues and even Stone himself find amusing. He looked at the agenda and announced that the first item, an ordinance requiring permits for donation bins, had been tabled because its sponsor wasn’t there. Next up was the routine matter of approving several permits for businesses that wanted to put up new signs. “Is there anyone who wishes to testify on any of these matters?” he asked.
“Alderman Suarez moves to pass,” Stone said.
Next was a proposed amendment to the city’s building code that would restrict the use of “split-face block”–textured concrete block that’s used like brick as facing. At issue was whether the block is prone to water seepage, which causes mold and structural damage.
“You realize that all brick is porous,” said Stone, noting that only skilled builders can install brick or split-face block well.
A couple more people from the construction industry made remarks, and then Stone moved to adjourn the meeting without a vote on the amendment. Suarez seconded the motion.
“What’s the difference?” said Stone, shrugging. “Fine. I’ll change it.”
