Public Safety Minutes 2004 07-22-04 t 1
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APPROVED WITH REVISIONS 8/26/04
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, July 22, 2004
6:30 PM
CITY CONFERENCE ROOM
In Attendance:
Chairman Alderman Kot
Alderman James
Alderwoman Ohare
Alderwoman Spears
Mayor Prochaska
Police Chief Harold Martin
The meeting was brought to order by Alderman Kot at 6:36pm.
Approval/Correction of Minutes: 6/24/04, 5/27/04, 2/26/04, and 10/23/03: The
committee began by asking if anyone saw any corrections necessary to the minutes in
question.
Alderwoman Spears entered the meeting at 6:37pm. Alderwoman Spears joined in the
conversation and stated that she had found some grammar errors and would give to the
minute taker to have corrected at the end of tonight's meeting.
No one else had found any corrections necessary to be made.
The committee agreed to approve all the minutes on hand with the corrections made that
Alderwoman Spears had found.
Police Reports — June 2004: Chief Martin began discussion discussing the overtime
report. Chief Martin stated that the department is staying at approximately 46-30 hours
of overtime for a two week period, which is low comparatively. This is mainly due to the
department being run with the officers on 12 hour shifts.
Mr. Kot stated that having the low overtime now is good for the budget. By saving now,
if needed later there will be extra funds if and when the department is involved in a big
investigation and the extra man hours are needed.
Mayor Art Prochaska entered the meeting at 6:39p.m.
Chief Martin went on to discuss that the City is still running at about 30-35 accidents a
month. This is mostly property damage, with a few that are injuries.
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Mr. Kot questioned if there are any"hot spots"that the committee should be aware of
Chief Martin stated that some areas are:
• Downtown
• Rt34&Rt47
• River&Rt 47
• All areas have the same issue with people following too close or just not paying
attention to their surroundings.
Mayor Prochaska went on to explain that the City did get money for Rt 34 & Rt 47
corrections. It's also been discussed to have developers help out with this intersection as
well.
He went on to explain that the state is looking to change the configuration at River and Rt
47 so that thru traffic will be in the right lane and the left lane will be a left turn only.
The public now is using the right turn only lane as the thru way when a vehicle is waiting
to turn left onto River from Rt 47.
Mr. Kot stated that he had talked to Eric Dhuse in Public Works about trying to get signs
posted at Rt 47 & Wheaton to caution the public that traffic may be stopping quickly
there. The committee agreed that was a necessity there.
Alderwoman Spears questioned Chief Martin about the fact that on the Department's
man-hour report,the personal activity had almost doubled from the previous month.
Chief Martin stated that school activities had dropped and part of it was due to school
ending and personnel taking vacations.
Alderman James stated that M-3 and M-5 were slotted for replacement this year on the
Vehicle report. He pointed out the M-2 has the highest mileage on the report and is
questioning that the department is aware of this.
Chief Martin stated that this decision was made because M-2 has the hook-up for the
trailer already and is in great condition and can be held off until the next fiscal year.
Alderman James also questioned why the department went to Tinley Park.
Chief Martin stated that the department was requested to help in a K-9 search with the
DEA and Cook County (as well as other departments). He explained that this is a
reciprocal process where neighboring Cities and Counties help each other out constantly.
If there is ever any money found with the search, all communities that are involved with
the search are rewarded equally to the City.
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The Committee questioned if the involvement of the K-9 unit should be publicized. They
all agreed that all findings this way are usually publicized, including the incident in
question.
The committee agreed to move to COW with consent agenda.
Police Cadet Program: Alderman Kot moved the meeting to item#3.
Chief Martin went on to explain that Jon L. Helland prepared a summary for the
Committee explaining the benefits of hiring a Cadet or two for the department. The
memo showed that a Cadet could first save the City approximately $21,236.03 in salary,
along with the fact that the other officers could let a Cadet handle the daily activities
(example's: burning trash/leaves, direct traffic, motorist assist-lockout, etc.) that take
time away from more important issues.
A job description will be made when the department gets closer to actually looking to
hire a Cadet. Chief Martin also explained that they are working on the idea's of a
separate uniform and vehicle that the Cadet would have access to differentiate them from
sworn officers.
Chief Martin also stated that the Cadet's would not be handling what the CPA is
presently handling. A Cadet could also be present during daytime hours unlike the CPA,
whom are not usually available.
Chief Martin informed the committee that if they were all still consenting to the idea, he
will have a job description, policy and more information put together for them. The
department is aware that there is not enough money in the budget to go forward this year,
but could make it a priority for the next fiscal year.
The Committee agreed to go forward as long as the specifics are gone over thoroughly.
Chief Martin will get information together for the next Public Safety meeting on August
26,2004.
Business Registration: Chief Martin started discussion stating the idea is to have every
business in the City registered with them. This is to get information so that City Hall and
the Police Department could know where they are located and what they are doing where.
Mayor Prochaska added that this will not be a license,just an FYI for the City. This will
also help in tracking down Sales Tax, so that the money may not be passed on to the
County by the State.
Mr. Kot added that maybe the Committee should take it a step further and ask what kind
of safety concerns their business may be presenting to those around them (hazardous
waste or chemicals).
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Chief Martin stated that the department already tracks hazardous waste businesses
through the department now,they are mainly concerned about being advised if the
business moves, changes locations or new ownership.
Mayor Prochaska also added there is a public safety concern when someone opens a
business in their home and traffic build up is acquired around their home.
The Committee discussed the issue that maybe not charging would be better so that more
people would be prompted to filling out a registration and sending it in. The committee
will look into how much the actual tracking cost would be to the City before considering
charging a fee.
The Committee agreed to get samples from other communities and/or surveys on what
they charge and what questions to ask. Maybe even a survey in the paper to see what
others think.
The Committee consented to check into what is possible to move forward with this topic.
Update on Liquor Ordinance: Mr. Kot moved the meeting on to the letter the City
received from Kelly a. Kramer, Attorney at Law. In the letter it states that the City is
being advised not to follow The Village of Mokena Liquor Control Ordinance as far as
not allowing a petroleum station to carry a liquor license. Kelly Kramer stated it would
open the City to liability.
Alderwoman Ohare stated that she spoke to staff in the department and it was felt that
problems at the City's stations were no longer a huge problem area. The department has
done a great job in keeping any problems under control
Mayor Prochaska briefly spoke about the free training on liquor sales that the City ran the
previous month. He also noted that when he issues new liquor licenses, he strongly urges
the business to do training with the employees in depth so that if a problem arises,he can
take the training into consideration.
The committee discussed the issue of maybe putting a limit on how many facilities can
sell packaged liquor in the City.
Mayor Prochaska stated that right now there is a limit on how close businesses can be
together when both sell liquor when in a shopping center. The City does now also have a
limit on how many bars can be in the downtown area.
The committee agreed to look at other town rules stating how close together packaged
liquor sales businesses can be together. The committee will bring this back to the Public
Safety Meeting in the near future.
Mayor Prochaska brought up the issue that some businesses are requesting to limit the
age of patronage. As far as the ordinance states now, the City can not allow this limit.
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Mayor Prochaska stated that he would like a new classification maybe created to allow
this for the businesses.
The Committee will also bring this back to address if Kelly Kramer can help in creating a
new classification of license for Mayor Prochaska.
Hiring of Budgeted Employees: Chief Martin started discussing the memo regarding
the hiring of a full time Records Clerk. This is in the budget to hire as of August 1, 2004.
He stated the hiring will start the salary at the minimum of$26, 910.
The Committee brought up the fact that if Chief Martin found someone qualified, will he
pay a higher rate.
Chief Martin replied stating that they will start the hiring process in house, which they
believe they already have someone in consideration that is presently working for the
department. The department is looking to actually hire into August a few weeks
anyways.
The Committee agreed to start by posting the position in house, and then if no one is
found they will worry about the salary issue if and when it arises.
Chief Martin was instructed to bring this position back to the Committee as an FYI if
there is a salary change.
Chief Martin discussed with the Committee the approving to hire the two new Police
Officers and replacement Officer for the recent Officer who resigned on the dates that
follow:
• Replacement Officer set for August 1,2004- would like hired 2°a week of
August
• #2 new hire set for January 1, 2005- would like before January (October school
is available)
• #1 new hire would start their income the last week of August
The money should be there due to the replacement Officer not being hired yet and the 1't
hire Officer would be coming in later.
The committee agreed to have Chief Martin speak with Tracey Pleckham regarding the
specific amount of money the Department has access to so that they stay within the
budget.
The committee briefly discussed where the new hire officers would be attending their
schooling before working for the City.
• #1 new hire is going to Champaigne/Urbana
• #2 new hire is going to C O D
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• The replacement Officer needed no schooling
The Committee moved to take this to COW with the#'s Traci Pleckham will get together
for Chief Martin.
Additional Business: Chairman — Alderman Kot moved the meeting on to Additional
Business.
#1- Mr. James started with the Memo from Sgt. L. Hilt #206 regarding a possible cover
being placed over the drainpipe in Fox Hill by the baseball field.
The Committee agreed this is definitely a safety issue. Eric Dhuse from the Public
Works department is aware of the situation and so far has not found a way to cover it
immediately. The Committee discussed that a custom fit cage should be welded to the
front of the drainpipe with an access panel for cleaning purposes as soon as possible
before an animal or person gets hurt or injured in the pipe.
The Committee decided that Chief Martin should get with Eric Dhuse the next day to
have this either taken care of by either Public Works or another company if not possible
for the City's Public Works Department to handle immediately. The Committee will
come up with the money out of the budget at a later date.
The Committee found no need to bring this back to either Public Works or Public Safety
Committee unless Chief Martin found a need to discuss the issue with either committee at
a later date.
#2- Alderwoman Ohare questioned Chief Martin regarding the Evidence Van was to be
discussed at this meeting regarding the funding for it.
Chief Martin stated it will be brought up at a later date since the department is holding off
on it until more funding is available to offset the cost.
#3- Chief Martin started with thanking Alderwoman Spears for looking into the grant of
$1900.00 for the sidewalks for Senior Safety. It was very helpful on her part to show
initiative.
Mayor Prochaska stated that the Committee should continue to look at these types of
grants in the future, especially around Rt 47. He added that curve cuts would be
extremely helpful for all mothers with strollers and the elderly who use walkers and
canes.
#4- Chief Martin also stated that National Night out will be August 3, 2004. He
encouraged that all members of the Committee attend if possible.
#5- Alderwoman Ohare questioned Chief Martin on how the Neighborhood Watch
Captain's Meeting went at the Beecher Center.
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Chief Martin stated that they had 25 people show up for the event. At the meeting the
newsletter was discussed regarding making sure the Captains were delivering them
The Committee agreed this needed to be done more thoroughly.
#6- Mayor Prochaska stated he had received some information from the Salvation Army
regarding informational meetings for seniors about crimes against that age group.
Alderwoman Spears and Chief Martin stated that they just ran a meeting approximately
two weeks ago about fraud and deception. Another meeting is set up for the next week or
two for the same issue.
Mayor Prochaska said he would like to see some of these meetings speak regarding
Elderly Abuse and Neglect as well.
Chief Martin stated that the department has been putting agency phone numbers in their
flier that the public can contact if they need help with any fraud or deception issues.
#7- Mayor Prochaska stated that he read in the paper that where the Grand Reserve
subdivision is being built there were some issues regarding safety and the roads staying
clean. He asked the Committee if they were aware of any problems they were aware of
because he drives past on a regular basis and thought they were doing a good job of
keeping the roadway clean.
The Committee all stated that they had a small issue at the beginning of the project, but
since they brought it to the construction worker's attention they haven't had any more
problems in that area.
#8- Alderwoman Spears stated that she thought that the Police Department had jumped
right in with working with the senior's programs and the grant for the Senior Sidewalks.
She said that it was great the Department worked so quickly and hard for that group.
#9- Alderwoman Spears went on with questions on previous notes from meetings in the
past.
• From February notes she questioned that Officer Groesch was to do a
survey on Dare and the Committee was to get a copy to get to the Public
that so more could be in support. Chief Martin will look that survey up
and get it to the Committee.
• She stated that in May the Committee had discussed that the cost of the
set-up equipment needed to set up the old generator at the pump station.
Chief Martin stated that Eric Dhuse with the Public Works said it would
be very minimal due to the fact that they will put it at the pump and his
men will do the rest of the set-up. She went on to question the cost
estimate of having this done a weekend. Chief Martin stated this is still in
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question and has not come back to him yet. They are trying to do this on a
3 day weekend so that they can do it when less people are on staff. Chief
Martin added that it is going to be 14 weeks until the generator is received
once ordered anyways.
• Alderwoman Spears brought up the issue the Committee discussed last
October regarding a woman who was taken to the Hospital and had no
money to pay. She said since Health & Human Services said they would
not pay; the Committee had discussed setting up a policy to work with
agencies to have help for those who can not pay. Chief Martin stated that
they already work with some agencies to help, but sometimes the agency
does not have money either. The Department will also go to local
churches or the officers on the force will pitch in out of there own pockets
in special events. Chief Martin added that in his experience, only once
could they not find help for someone. Mayor Prochaska stated that maybe
they could reach out to the community that maybe the City could look to
the Community in setting up a relief fund in special incidents where
someone who couldn't pay could use those funds.
#10- Mr. Kot asked how the T-1 line set-up is going. Chief Martin stated they are
working on finishing up the specifics, but the T-1 is running. Mr. Kot added he would
like an update at the next meeting to how close they are having the command post in the
basement running in case of bad weather. Mr. Kot also asked how the interview room
set-up is going. Chief Martin stated they are still waiting for the supplies to arrive
(camera and other equipment). Mr. Kot asked how the Major Crime Task Force is
moving along. Chief Martin stated they have the final draft done and will be meeting in
August to look over papers and finalized. Chief Martin also stated that the department
also has two individuals who are now qualified to be on the team thanks to the City
Council and the Mayor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 pm.
Minutes submitted by Sheila Teausaw
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