Public Safety Minutes 2004 05-27-04 Page 1 of 4 APPROVED
WITH REVISIONS
7/22/04
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Conference Room
May 27,2004,6:30pm
In Attendance:
Alderman Larry Kot Police Chief Harold Martin
Alderwoman Rose Spears
Alderwoman Wanda Ohare
Guests:
Delaney, Yorkville Police Department
The meeting was called to order at 6:36pm by Chairperson Larry Kot.
1. APPROVAL/CORRECTION OF MINUTES: APRIL 22.2004
April 22, 2004 minutes were approved. The committee expressed their approval of the
format and asked that it be forwarded to other minute takers.
Moved ahead to item#3 on agenda.......
3. UPDATE ON LIQUOR ORDINANCE
Chief Martin noted that Attorney Kelly Kramer had not been able to finish the update yet,
but will present it at the June meeting. Attorney Kramer was going to consult with
Mokena regarding eliminating liquor sales at gas stations. At this point,only package
sales are being discussed, though the Mayor has some concern over a business being
established as a bar or restaurant. This item will be brought back to the June meeting.
4. UPDATE ON PONDS AND POOLS
Alderman Kot stated that education of citizens regarding safety is of utmost importance.
He received a call from a constituent regarding swimming pool regulations, since pools
can be just as dangerous as ponds. Mr. Kot obtained a copy of the ordinance from Bill
Dettmer and will provide a copy to all committee members. Chief Martin noted that
retention ponds are graded in a graduated fashion for safety,though Alderman Kot noted
that the Fox River presents a greater danger.
Page 2 of 4
Alderwoman Spears brought up the fact that good parenting plays an important role in the
safety of children around ponds, as well. She posed the question: how many restrictions
can be placed on people? It was noted that a small wading pool could be just as
dangerous as a garden pond.
Information regarding water safety topics will be published in the newsletter and paper.
In addition, Mr. Kot wishes to review the swimming pool ordinance more closely. The
ordinance states that anything over 24"deep is considered a swimming pool. This item
will be brought to the next meeting.
5. EMERGENCY GENERATOR QUOTE
It was determined that the current generator is not powerful enough to maintain the City
Hall lights during an emergency. Chief Martin stated that it would cost approximately
$50,252 to purchase one capable to maintain the power. Since that cost is over$10,000,
bids would have to be taken. He also noted the current generator could be used at one of
the pump stations. A cost for setup of this equipment will be obtained.
It was noted that Williams Architects oversaw the design of the building. Alderman Kot
suggested a post-contract review should be done, as not all of the final work has been
completed on City Hall. Mr. Kot suggested that Chief Martin obtain three bids on a new
generator. Alderwoman Spears suggested obtaining a cost of having the generator
installed over a weekend rather than shutting the city offices down during the week.
As a side note to the discussion of the emergency equipment,Alderman Kot noted that
during the recent tornado warning at the time of a city meeting,the police personnel had
to work upstairs making for unsafe conditions. Chief Martin noted that the T-1 line
should be installed next week to alleviate this situation in the future. However,
improved computer system screens are still needed in the basement. Chief Martin noted
that officers also remain on the street during tornado warnings,to monitor the weather.
He is going to purchase a Nextel phone which provides"real-time"weather reports. This
would allow him to provide weather conditions instantly to the Mayor and police officers.
This item will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Page 3 of 4
This agenda item was delayed until this point in the meeting......
Z PRESENTATION BY OFFICER DAVE DELANEY ON TOTAL STATION
Officer Dave Delaney gave a presentation regarding the use of a"total station"by the
Police Department. This total station will be used for crash reconstruction, evidence
technician collection and forensic mapping. The equipment records distances, grades and
elevations by means of a prism and would be used in place of a tape measure. It was also
noted that software must be purchased in conjunction with the total station. The data is
downloaded into the software and then is printed out on AutoCAD. Officer Delaney
stated that this equipment would be very helpful in court. The Sokkia model total station
was preferred.
Officer Delaney has attended classes on the operation of the equipment, is certified in
accident reconstruction and will be taking the State test in the future. During a recent
serious accident investigation,the State Police were called to assist with measurements.
By purchasing a total station package, Yorkville PD would be capable of taking these
electronic measurements. Chief Martin added that two officers who recently completed
E.T. classes at Northwestern could also use this equipment. The technology allows for 2-
D and 3-1)and over 100 points can be gathered with the total station as opposed to 40 an
hour with conventional equipment.
Several quotes for the total station were obtained by Officer Delaney. The Sokkia
package also included training by an instructor who has taught at the FBI. Three to four
police personnel would be trained and Officer Delaney would be qualified to assist in
training as well.
Another feature of the total station is the ability to produce an animated crime scene and a
crime scene inside a building could also be re-created. In addition, software for either
map scenes or different types of vehicles would come with the Sokkia package. The total
cost of the Sokkia package is$9,999 including tax.
This equipment could also be used to assist other police departments,which Chief Martin
noted,would be beneficial in keeping skills sharpened. These assists are not charged to
other agencies,however,they are logged for record-keeping purposes.
Chief Martin thanked Alderman Kot for the information about accident reconstruction
classes in Springfield rather than Northwestern,which saved the department$5-6,000.
The Chief stated there is$15-16,000 in carryover from last year to purchase the total
station equipment. Alderman Kot suggested to Chief Martin that the City Attorney
should review the bid process. Officer Delaney will check on the delivery time.
This item will move forward to C.O.W.
Page 4 of 4
6. POLICE REPORTS
April police reports were discussed. It was noted there were repeat police calls to certain
addresses. Chief Martin noted there were only 23 hours of overtime during each of the
previous two pay periods. He attributed that low number to the 12-hour shifts. There
was a slight increase during the Memorial Day holiday due to extra patrol and seatbelt
checks.
This agenda item will move forward to the C.O.W.consent agenda.
7. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Chief Martin stated he would be including on the agenda, letters he receives or sends, for
informational purposes. He also noted a flier which was delivered to Fox Hill residents
regarding dog regulations.
Alderwoman Ohare asked about the status of the cadet program Officer Jon Helland is
still working on the program and this item will be brought to the June meeting.
The progress of the investigation room was discussed It should be completed by the end
of June.
Alderman Kot noted that a recently arrested individual was not compliant with the sexual
offender register. Concern was voiced regarding the close proximity of the offender's
home with neighborhood schools.
Abandoned cars were also discussed. Chief Martin stated that Building and Zoning
checks on vehicles on private property,while the Police Department investigates vehicles
parked on streets. Property owners are contacted and asked to legally license vehicles
which are on private property.
There was no further additional business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker