Public Safety Minutes 2004 03-25-04 a
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APPROVED Page 1
04-22-04
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Conference Room
March 25,2004,6:30pm
In Attendance:
Alderman Larry Kot
Alderman Rose Spears
Alderman Paul James
Lt. Don Schwartzkopf(for Police Chief Martin)
Guests:
Attorney Kelly Kramer
David Moyer
Nathalee Moyer
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Alderman Kot.
APPROVAL/CORRECTION OF MINUTES: JANUARY 22,2004
The minutes were reviewed and Lt. Schwartzkopf identified numerous
changes/corrections to the minutes. Alderwoman Spears also noted a number of
corrections. These changes were given to the minute taker for revision prior to the next
meeting. The minutes were tabled until the revised minutes are completed.
LIQUOR ORDINANCE UPDATE
Attorney Kramer said she had met with Chief Martin regarding the sampling ordinance.
On page 3 of the ordinance,the number of wines which may be tasted at any one event,
was increased to 25,beers increased to 25,or 2 liquors may be tasted. The Mayot had
expressed concern about the wording of the original ordinance where it stated beers"
and"wines. Section 3-3-4(B), "g",points 1, 2 and 3 were changed to read "or"rather
than "and". Vat and Vine, who originally brought this to the City's attention, stated
they would be limiting their sampling to one-half of one ounce of hard liquor or liqueur.
The Mayor questioned how a very large event would be handled, it for example, a
business wished to have 50 wines for sampling. Attorney Kramer stated that the event
coordinators would have to petition the Mayor for approval. Alderman Kot asked for
clarification of which class-of license-this applied to. Ms. Kramer said it applied to Class
B and further stated that there is a separate ordinance for Class A.
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Alderman Kot asked which stores were affected by the sampling ordinance. Some of
those businesses are Jewel, Vat and Vine and Comer Liquors and Ms. Kramer believes
Speedway is also included in the Class B licenses.
The discussion turned to possible revisions of classifications of liquor licenses. She also
noted that Alderwoman Ohare wished to revamp the classes of liquor license. Ms. Ohare
had found an article from Mokena which outlawed liquor sales at gas stations. Attorney
Kramer stated there would need to be a 5 year"sunset"clause since such a ban would
take away a right which the gas stations already possess.
Attorney Kramer also noted that she had obtained copies of documents from Geneva and
Batavia which detailed liquor license classifications. She included those in each agenda
packet for the committee to review before the next Public Safety meeting. A list of liquor
licenses was requested by Alderman James. This list and the current ordinance will be
obtained for each committee member prior to the next meeting. It was noted that the
Mayor had some concerns about restaurants and bars which have no physical separation
of facilities where liquor is served. Alderman Kot then suggested that the item be placed
on the next C.O.W. agenda on April 6th. At 6:45 Mayor Prochaska joined the meeting for
a few minutes and was apprised of this discussion.
UPDATE ON DOG ORDINANCE
The committee moved ahead to this agenda item as David and Nathalee Moyer, Yorkville
citizens,joined the meeting at this point. Alderman Kot stated that Alderwoman Burd
had informed the committee of a continual problem with a dog in the Moyer's
neighborhood. Alderman Kot's concern is the role of the various government bodies in
this type of situation. He asked Lt. Schwartzkopf to summarize what occurs when an
animal call is received by the Police Department. The Lieutenant stated the following
guidelines:
1. If an animal is contained, Animal Control will respond
2. If the Police Department catches the animal, they turn it over to Animal Control
3. Animal Control will respond to calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if an animal is
confined
Mr. And Mrs. Moyer summarized the events leading up to their dog complaint. He
reported a stray dog was in some bushes near his home, growling at his 12 year old
daughter after she got off the school bus. The same dog has been in their neighborhood
prior to this occasion. Mr. Moyer followed the dog in an attempt to find the owner
without success and then called the police. The police would not come to the location of
Mr. Moyer who was following the dog, since the dog was not confined. An officer did
later meet Mr. Moyer in his driveway. He feels there is no recourse other than to "take
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care of the dog himself'which is against the law or he takes the chance of his daughter
being harmed. He feels he has exhausted the available options.
Lt. Schwartzkopf reported he had spoken with the Director of KenCom and asked why an
officer had not been dispatched. The Lieutenant felt he had not been given a conclusive
answer. The Police Department is aware of the dog in question and many officers have
pursued the animal in an attempt to catch it. The owner is unknown.
Mr. Moyer further stated the dog is very aggressive and he has not been able to get close
enough to check for tags,but he said the dog appears to be well cared for. After further
discussion, Alderman Kot asked if a formal letter to KenCom would be appropriate to
clarify or review the policy of sending an officer on a call such as this one. Mr. Moyer
asked why there is not a person trained to handle such a situation. This possibility will be
investigated. Dog collars mounted on a pole are another consideration. Alderman Kot
suggested possibly finding out who owns dogs within a certain radius of the location.
Attorney Kramer stated that records at Animal Control should be checked to include dogs
that may have had chips implanted. The Citizens Policy Academy patrol was mentioned
by Alderwoman Spears as another means of monitoring this situation.
Mr. Moyer reiterated that he would like to see one person on each shift be trained to
handle such a situation or subdue the animal. He does not want to see the animal shot in
the presence of his children. However,that option is not out of the question if a person is
being attacked. Lt. Schwartzkopf said the police have also tried the less lethal method of
"beanbagging"the dog with no success and that the PD has had 8 or 9 calls on this dog.
The possibility of a tranquilizer gun was raised by Alderman James. It is unknown if
Animal Control has this available and further,the issue of monitoring the drug to use in
these guns was brought up since it is a controlled substance.
At this time Alderman Kot summarized the situation as follows:
1. The animal in question needs to be identified,possible owner etc.
2. Citizens Academy can assist
3. Continued discussion with KenCom regarding their policy, i.e. have officer meet
with complainant if not jeopardizing officer's safety to meet the citizen
4. Look at City of Yorkville's response, i.e. hire canine officer, collars on poles,
training certain officers,tranquilizer guns, etc.
It was questioned whether or not the police had dog collars on poles. Lt. Schwartzkopf
stated that at one time,the squad cars did carry them, but it is not known what has
happened to the collars. Mr. Moyer was instructed to call 911 anytime he sees the dog and
KenCom will be further informed of this potential danger. The Police Department has
spoken with KenCom and Lt. Schwartzkopf has spoken with the Director of KenCom and
the Undersherif .. Alderman Kot noted that he is on the executive committee which
oversees KenCom and he will also bring it to the attention of the Director.
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In another attempt to identify the dog's owner, Alderwoman Spears suggested fliers be
distributed in the area of this dog problem. Mr. Moyer asked for a phone call from the
Police Department if and when the problem is rectified. Mr. And Mrs. Moyer and
Attorney Kramer left the meeting at 7:1 Opm.
The dog ordinance will be placed on the agenda for next month.
SENIOR DRIVERS SAFETY INITIATIVE INFORMATION
Lt. Schwartzkopf reported that Chief Martin is working with the Illinois Department of
Aging and IDOT to make the signage on Rtes. 34 and 47 more"senior friendly".
Currently the signs are very small and there is an effort to make the street and
informational signs larger and the lighting better. The funds will come from IDOT and
the Department of Aging but,IDOT is the organization which can change the signs.
Alderwoman Spears added that only three communities in Illinois were selected for such
funding. This funding idea originated from the Senior Services provider meetings which
she attends. She quickly forwarded the information to Chief Martin.
Sidewalks are also being studied for safety in conjunction with the senior housing and
accessibility to growing commercial areas. Alderman Kot has spoken with Chief Martin
regarding the sidewalks in the high traffic areas on such as Rte. 34. He felt money should
be put aside for such uses as well. There was some discussion about a footbridge over
busy Rte. 47 but,the extreme cost was prohibitive.
This agenda item will be brought back to the committee next month for an update.
UPDATE ON WEATHER WARNING SIREN AREAS
Alderman Kot noted that the siren was removed from the old fire barn on Fox St. The
idea was to relocate it somewhere near the riverfront by the park. Fulton Contracting,
who oversees the contract maintenance,proposed that the siren be placed near the
Heartland subdivision which is near the pool. The status of relocating it was unknown.
Alderman Kot stressed the need to have the siren installed since tornado season is
approaching. He believes money is available to have this done,though it cannot come
from developers' fees since it is an existing siren and area. Alderman James felt that
placing a siren on the river would carry the sound up and down the river. The contract,
which was in the agenda packets, will be moved forward to C.O.W. after the funding is
ascertained.
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BIDS FOR THE DIGITAL RECORDING OF THE INTERVIEW ROOM
Alderman Kot provided an overview of this agenda item. The State has mandated any
homicide or serious felony investigation must be videotaped. Oswego Police
Department was used for the most recent homicide investigation in Yorkville. The
Sheriff's Department has received funding to build an interview room and each Police
Department will be required to have an interview room as well.
Two bids were received for the necessary videotape equipment. The bids were from
Communications Direct and Thomas Alarm and both were very similar in cost.
Alderman James asked if it could be determined if the PD must have a special room or
just have one available and what would happen if there were 2 homicides.
Lt. Schwartzkopf was asked for his recommendation on the two bids received. He noted
that the Panasonic recording equipment by Thomas Alarm was preferred by S/Sgt. Ron
Diederich in a memo to Chief Martin. Alderwoman Spears asked about a possible
deadline for having this equipment in place. It was decided the following questions
needed to be answered:
1. How soon does the equipment need to be installed?
2. Is the equipment absolutely required or can the County's be used?
3. What funds can be used? Ticket money?
Alderwoman Spears expressed concern about transporting suspects to other locations and
specifically, Yorkville's most recent homicide suspect. It was also mentioned that a
suspect might start talking during this transportation time and then change his mind in
that time span. There was discussion on how this recorder is set up and used. Lt.
Schwartzkopf said the equipment must be set up in an unimposing manner in an
undecorated,non-threatening environment and the suspect is aware of the videotaping
process.
This item will be brought back for discussion next month.
POLICE REPORTS—FEBRUARY 2004
Lt. Schwartzkopf reported on the amount of money actually received by the Police
Department for the following tickets: for a$105 ticket-police receive $28.92 and for a
$75 ticket-police receive $20.03.
There was also discussion about an increase in overtime. Part of this was due to the
recent homicide investigation and also due to court time for fatal investigations having
occurred a few months ago.
f,
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Alderman Kot asked about the status of the new police vehicle. It was reported that the
Expedition was in full service. Lt.-Schwartzkopf said that a statewide notice had been
received regarding the 2003 Crown Victorias. The drive train has premature axle bearing
wear and the back wheels could potentially fall off. The cars will be checked by
RiverView Ford and parts will be replaced at a charge of$950 per vehicle. These parts
are not under warranty, but receipts will be kept in the event that reimbursement is
possible later. It was noted that previously there had been a gas tank problem with these
cars as well.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Larry Kot reported that Chicago Police Department is now allowing local police agencies
access to some records through their LEADS terminal. Presently, all LEADS
information comes from KenCom since Yorkville PD currently has no terminal.
Information such as the following is received through LEADS: Secretary of State
information, outstanding warrants,missing persons etc. It is linked with police
departments nationwide. In order to stay current with technology, he would like to see
Yorkville have direct LEADS accessibility. The other option is the Police Department
having access from a direct line from the County. He brought this information to the
committee to see if the system could be procured at a reasonable cost. He will work with
the Chief and Lieutenant.
Lt. Schwartzkopf also reported it would be helpful to have a"Soundex". The Soundex
allows the Police Department to obtain information on a particular individual. He cited
an example when District 5 State Police needed to be used for obtaining confidential
information in the internal investigation of a former Kendall County deputy. He also
stated that Soundex is on a secure line.
Mobile data terminals are also used by the City officers,however, printed copies of
information must be obtained through the County Sheriff. By having a local LEADS
terminal,the police department can receive the information directly.
Another computerized system for the City at a cost of$120,000 was discussed. Chief
Martin will be consulted about the status. This will be discussed next month.
As there was no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:42pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Marlys Young, Minute Taker