Public Safety Minutes 2003 06-26-03 APPROVED BY THE
COMM�TTB
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE ON`
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY JUNE 26,2003 Page 1
In Attendance:
Chairman Larry Kot Alderwoman Wanda Ohare Mayor Art Prochaska,Jr
Police Chief Harold Martin
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman Kot. Mayor Prochaska joined the meeting at 6:55 PM.
APPROVAL/CORRECTION OF MAY MINUTES
The minutes are approved pending the changing of the spelling of Ohare.
MONTHLY POLICE REPORTS FOR MAY 2003
Chief Martin said the narrative spans from April 22-June 22. He commented on#030475,when tools were taken from a
parked vehicle,that no leads have been established,thus policing is heavier on the side streets. Generally the developers do
not contact the department when trucks are sitting on sites that may be subject to burglary. The department is experiencing
a higher number of egging and mailbox damage incidents. Overtime was beefed up over Memorial Day,in part because of
additional bike patrol and Dare program hours. The speed trailer was loaned to Oswego and Newark for their festival.
It was noted that the firework retail outlets must have vendors licensed(two in Yorkville). The state fire marshall's and state
attorney's offices have been contacted by the department,and Chief Martin noted that Kane County has had no fireworks for
5 years because there is a lawsuit pending. Zoning official Bill Dettmer checks to make certain all fireworks are Class C and
that all merchandise is marketed in English only. Chief Martin hopes Kendall county can piggy-back with the Kane county
issue,in hopes that fireworks would be prohibited in Yorkville.
The committee expressed concern for illegal buys,and Martin said that C-PAT has,in years past,come through incognito.
He is hoping the lawsuit issue will be a deterrent for years to come. Chairman Kot suggested the City and Police
Department issue a press release that fireworks are illegal,and that those caught will be prosecuted.
Along the river,the new signage is very favorable to the committee. Martin said the signage authorizes police to request
trespassers to leave,which in turn hopefully will lessen casualties by drowning.
Two new cars will be ordered from Terry's Lincoln/Mercury.
Chief Martin will check on opening along Hwy.34 across from McHugh.
WEATHER WARNING SIREN
Chief Martin spoke with Tony Graff concerning the monies that may be available for this project. The siren will be locating
further south than initially thought. Martin hoped shared funds might be an option if it was place further east,in conjunction
with MPI(ex)or placing it toward the western sections of newly developed properties.
Chairman Kot said initially we had grant money to set up additional sirens,leaving one on the old firehouse until the
building was sold. With the city wide system,Kot's understanding was developer's fees would go into accounts that could
be use for sirens. However,Attorney Kramer said the monies must be used for warnings in only newly developed areas.
Grant writing involves money that will be used for capital expenditures. There is no money left from the initial$100,000,
especially with electric being run to the sirens(non budgeted amount). Chairman Kot suggested it may be too early in the
fiscal year to locate additional funds. Martin suggested a mid-year look at the budget,stating there may be money available
with early payoff on squad cars purchased last year.
OPEN ENDED FINE SCHEDULES IN SOME ORDINANCES
This will be put on the next month's agenda.
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COUNTRYSIDE PARKWAY&CENTER PARKWAY INTERSECTION
Chief Martin said this intersection did not warrant a stop sign,but believes"Cross Traffic"signs have been installed. He
will check with Joe Wywrot and report back to the committee next month.
RESIGNATION OF PART-TIME OFFICER
Chief Martin reported that Greg Coomes resigned,effective the 12*' Also Tina Baird,who was part-time,left the
department. Martin will try to fill these spots with experienced officers,to offset the training periods for the new policemen
(up to 6 months).
TRAINING/RANGE EQUIPMENT TRAILER
Chief Martin says the 2 Axle enclosed 6'x 12'trailer will keep the training and range equipment in one designated area,
keeping it clean,less likely to be damaged,and making it more portable when training is off-site. The trailer would cost
about$2000 and striping about$200. It will be more efficient use of space,keeping it in one of the garage bays. Martin
suggested some C-PAT drug fund monies for purchasing the trailer. The committee and Mayor Prochaska are in favor of
this. Chairman Kot will sign off on the invoice.
EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN VAN
The police dept is getting more evidence,and purchasing more expensive equipment,to be kept on location at the police
department. The evidence technicians would take this new van directly to the crime scene. Martin is suggesting it as an item
on next year's budget. Chairman Kot suggested that the van be equipped properly from the onset. Chief Martin stated that
there are divided vans on the market,and that his police officers could put in shelving.
Chief Martin will further research the project,on a vehicle sizes,taking into consideration the growth of the community,
using the van for a 10-year period going forward,and the possibility of the officers working in the van during inclement
weather. Lynch Display Vans in Burlington,Wisconsin was suggested as a resource for Chief Martin.
The additional researched sizes,options and costs will be presented to the committee next month.
REFLECTION POOL/FISH PONDS
Those on the committee are concerned about the safety of children. At this time,there are no violations of any codes per the
interpretation by Bill Dettmer. Reflection pools are treated like a small swimming pool,categorically. There is no
requirement for fencing.Chairman Kot will tell resident who contacted him that he has researched this and brought it to the
committee. Zoning official Bill Dettmer was not aware of any issues in any other community in regards to the fish ponds.
In regards to the ponds, today the committee has no legal concerns,but just assuring that these are as safe in the community.
There are signage questions. A fence would not keep people out,but tthe grasses around the ponds may be more of a
deterrent than fencing. Noted was the pond behind Jewel,and Mayor Prochaska pointed out that this is a detention ponds,
which is wet all the time,and must be kept at an undetermined depth. Regarding the safety shelf(entry level area drop-off),
the park board has developed standards,but some subdivisions determined additional language standards,applicable to those
areas usually to be incorporated with the land developed for park areas.
Mayor Prochaska's concern is that the shelf not be so wide that the children think it is an area for playing-an attractive
nuisance. Chairman Kot recommends that the committee upgrade the standards to make them city wide,to become a part of
the subdivision ordinance,and then take the item before Public Works.
BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION APPLICANTS AND MARKETING
Chief Martin suggests he would like to do more marketing for openings in the department. Sixteen applicants took the
physical agility test,and department has just two new hires. Currently the notices are in the Record and the Beacon,on
occasion,as well as Waubonsee,Western,and Aurora Universities. The Police and Fire Commissioner Board believes the
department should use web sites to connect with a larger pool of applicants.,since requiring an Associates degree makes the
pool smaller. There are sites on the internet that are at no-cost,and some sites are$100-$200 for a 4 week advertisement.
Chairman Kot suggested the Municipal League Publication also.
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Chairman Kot suggested by spending more money,it may save money in the long term because the list would be longer.
The City's website will be another tool that can be used. The Board may need additional funding for advertising and
wanted the committee to be aware of this possibility.
INCREASING PETTY CASH
The department is receiving more requests for background checks and liquor licenses, which often time require registered
letters,leaving the drawer short of cash. Chief Martin fronted the drawer additional monies,and he believes that the
department should not have to wait for the increase. The committee is in agreement.
This will go to the COW meeting on July 1 for a vote on the change in policy.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
1) Cherese Spears has tendered her resignation effective June 20,2003.
2) Mayor Prochaska had an inquiry regarding the road split at Walsh and Greenbriar. Joe Wywrot determined that stop
signs were warranted,and these are in place,with the prior yield sign poles be used for the signage.
3) Chairman Kot asked if the committee might be interested in the Club Drug presentation during the upcoming school year.
Chief Martin will talk to the officers,with the contact name Alderman Kot will give him. This will be coordinated between
the school and the police department and Chief Martin will report on this at the next committee meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM
Respectfully submitted
Annette Williams