Public Safety Minutes 2014 05-01-14Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 6/10/14
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Thursday, May 1, 6:30pm
City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
IN ATTENDANCE
Committee Members:
Alderman Carlo Colosimo
Alderman Larry Kot
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Absent: Alderman Rose Spears
Other City Officials :
Chief Rich Hart
Other Guests:
Matt Prochaska, Kendall County Board
Chairman Carlo Colosimo called the meeting to order at 6:31pm, quorum established.
Citizen Comments: none
Minutes for Correction/Approval: December 5, 2013
The minutes were approved as read.
New Business:
1. PS 2014-05 Police Reports for November 2013 – April 2014
Alderman Funkhouser asked if the habitual truancy issues are being addressed. Chief Hart replied it is
an ongoing issue and involves the same students. The offenders are routed through the adjudication
system rather than through court. He said there is no simple solution and truancy is part of a bigger
problem. He also said truancy can be a cry for help and his department tries to be proactive with the
students. DCFS has involvement in most cases and counseling could play a part as well.
As a Hearing Officer in other towns, Chairman Colosimo said the adjudication step is a wake-up call.
It involves parents and students and a fine must be paid. Mr. Funkhouser asked about escalation from
adjudication to the court system. It is low on the court list in comparison to other issues before them,
but repeat offenders may be referred to the court system.
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Alderman Kot asked about the Fulton contract being renewed and if inspections are done. Chief Hart
said Fulton services the batteries and he receives a bi-monthly status report. He will email reports to
the committee members regarding this service. There are no gaps in the siren coverage area with
overlaps in the Montgomery and Lakewood areas. The sirens are designed to be heard when a resident
is outside, not necessarily inside. Residents can receive cell phone notification by signing up through
KenCom/Everbridge. This service has been publicized in several forms of media and another notice
will be sent out very soon.
2. PS 2014-06 Adjudication Reports for January – April 2014
These reports are now being provided as a result of committee inquiries. Alderman Kot asked if there
was any juvenile information in the reports and if so, if it is a violation to report it. Alderman Colosimo
said these are civil cases, not criminal. Chief Hart confirmed that by bringing juvenile cases into
adjudication hearings, they become civil in nature. It was noted that Attorney Orr also confirmed this.
Alderman Funkhouser asked about vehicles that are impounded as a result of these related offenses.
The vehicles are handled by 1 of 4 or 5 towing companies and are taken to an impound lot. The $500
fee is paid to the City before any fees are collected by the towing company who also has their own
towing and daily storage fee. All companies are from Yorkville or have an impound lot in Yorkville.
A certain response time is expected and they sign an extensive contract with the City. Alderman
Funkhouser asked if there would be any benefit for the City to have their own impound lot. Chief Hart
replied that it would create many issues. Because many of the vehicle are in such poor condition, many
lots waive the impound fees since the owners abandon the vehicles. Then paperwork must be done to
scrap the vehicle, etc. Most vehicles towed are valued at only $500-$1,000. He said his department
could look at sharing an impound lot with other municipalities. The Sheriff's Department follows the
same procedure as this department.
3. PS 2014-07 Request for Vehicle Disposal
Three vehicles are being requested to be disposed. All were seizure vehicles from DUI's/felonies and it
is hoped to sell them to the highest bidder. Any money collected goes into the General Fund. The
committee approved of the disposal and this item moves to the next Council consent agenda..
4. PS 2014-08 ILEAS Mututal Aid Agreement
This is an extended term contract and it was last signed about 10 years ago. Chief Hart said ILEAS is a
huge organization that provides many types of mutual aid. Some of the items/services received through
this program are grants for computers, gas masks, portable radios, training, etc. It is a federal
clearinghouse, offering training, disaster preparedness pre-determined equipment for disasters and
many other services. All these items come without cost to the city. Other cities responding with aid to
Yorkville would be eligible to recoup their costs through the grants.
Attorney Orr has approved the agreement. Alderman Colosimo said there is no leeway in the contract
and the participating city must be willing to agree to the contract as is and that the benefits outweigh
the negatives. Chief Hart said he personally received extensive free training through ILEAS and that it
is an incredible organization. Liability insurance was questioned by Alderman Kot and the Police
Department already has more coverage than requested.
The committee was in favor of this agreement and it will move to the next Council consent agenda.
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5. PS 2014-09 Logo Design
6. PS 2014-10 Flag Design
These 2 items were discussed together. A contest will be held to update the Police patch logo and City
flag. It is open to students and the community in general. The deadline for designs is June 3rd and the
winners will be chosen soon after. Alderman Kot noted that Alderman Rose Spears was instrumental in
promoting the first City flag design.
Old Business: None
Additional Business:
Alderman Funkhouser said he and guest Matt Prochaska had spoken earlier regarding maintenance of
defibrillators in County and City buildings. Mr. Prochaska had discussed this with a County Plan
Commission member who checks defibrillators. Some of the County equipment was found to be
expired and it was stated there were some lawsuits within the State as a result. The Commission
member offered to check the City equipment for free. Alderman Funkhouser asked if the City has a
contract for this service. Chief Hart said each Police Department vehicle has a defibrillator and they
are all current. Equipment in the City buildings was discussed as to location and if up-to-date. Chief
Hart will coordinate with Administrator Olson to review equipment in other City buildings. He added
that new AED's were purchased last year and it is the duty of the Deputy Chiefs to keep current. New
fire extinguishers were also purchased just recently at the Police Department.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker