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Public Safety Minutes 2002 07-25-02 • 1 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY,JULY 25,2002 mum 6:30 PAL In Attendance: Alderman Larry Kot Alderwoman Rose Spears Chief Harold Martin Mayor Art Prochaska Alderman Mike Anderson Guests: None APPROVAIJCORRECTION OF MINUTE MARCH 28 2002 AND APRIL 25,2002 Alderman Kot pointed out that in the March 28*minutes that his name was left out for attending that meeting. Alderwoman Spears said that on the P and last page of the minutes that Alderman Graff should be changed to City Administrator Graff.Lastly,Senator Petka's last name needed to be spelled correctly. Alderwoman Spears mention there were some minor corrections to be made in the April 25a'minutes. She pointed out that in the 5h line down,that the word raise should be changed to rails. Then on page 2 under Weather Warning Sirens,Mike Hietzmans last name needed to be correctly spelled. Also on page 4, the second line from the top,it should say batteries were approved instead of permitted.Alderman Kot also mentioned the word TRAK needed to be spelled correctly. With the exception of the corrections needing to be made these minutes were approved. MONTHLY POLICE REPORTS FOR JUNE 2002 Alderman Anderson asked for an update on the over-weights for June.He asked how the revenues were matching up with the budget thus far. Chief Martin said that it is still being worked on.Chief Martin stated that revenues were down because they had an officer working the streets because they are down three people,and have been since March. Alderman Anderson asked where were we at with the revenues from what they had anticipated. Chief Martin said that they are probably looking at$30,000 for the year,and right now we're at funds received for$10,000.With bonds taken in they are at$27,000.Mayor Prochaska stated that as of the June Budget Report that budgeted was$80,000 and we are at 10%of fiscal year. The year to date collected is$12,289,so we are at 15%.He said that it is close. Chief Martin mentioned that his car came in on Tuesday. He reported that Alderman Munns brought up at the last COW that there were 20 car burglaries that took place.He said that with the majority of criminal damage that was bonding,were that some of the vehicles were broken into,and others were left unopened. Alderman Kot asked if there was a certain area of the town that is getting hit. Chief Martin said that it seems that there seems to be more activity on the south side than the north side,but it is spread evenly around town.Most often the crimes occur by opportunity. The majority of the stuff stolen is either car stereos or eds. Sometimes if the doors are left unlocked,it is whatever that is available that is taken. Chief Martin said that happens quite a bit. Alderman Kot said that he would like to compare our totals from this year to last year.His concern being with the town pool being closed if it is allowing opportunity for kids to get into trouble.He would like to see if there is a correlation.Alderman Kot asked if the majority of the thefts were at night. Chief Martin said yes,almost all of them. Alderman Anderson asked if the other squads were up and running.Chief Martin said yes,and that they are waiting on one squad to come back and it should be back by some time next week. Chief Martin reported that the Speed Trailer has been out quite a bit lately,and has covered most of the town.He said that he has had Sergeant Ron Diederich put out the counting cables for the number of vehicles and also for the speed.Right now it is at Spring St.He said he figuring to get a day during the week and a day on the weekend to what the average speed time or that part of town.There have been some concerns in that area especially at Heartland C'c e He that said he would also like to do the same at McHugh Rd.Alderman Kot voiced concern of whether or not the device was working. Chief Martin said that the device goes off if the vehicle is 10 or more over.He said that there has been a lot of positive feed back on it. Alderwoman Spears asked if the committee was aware of problems with the Ford Crown Victoria's exploding when hit from the back. She said she heard about it from CNN. She said that there is a device that can be installed that might help prevent that. It is a gas tank 2 barrier that would need to be installed. She felt since the squad has 3 cars that would fit into the 1994— 2000 models,she should let them be aware of the problem and asked if they should investigate this and see what it would cost.Alderman Anderson thought that they should have Sergeant Diederich take a look into that.Mayor Prochaska asked why there hasn't been a recall on them. Alderwoman Spears stated that Ford is fighting it right now but there are 3 states that say they will no longer order them,and are trying to get them out of their fleets all together. She said it is mainly the police departments that are using them and they were showing some of the explosions and what has happened with some of the officers. Alderman Anderson asked if we had any of that year's models that would be on the auction block soon.Chief Martin said not soon but within the next year.He said that M3 and M5 might not until March,but that they won't be in as many situations as the new cars that were just purchased. He said that the M9 is a supervisor's vehicle and that it is on the street all of the time.He said they have also installed plastic amber covers on the back of the squad cars.The reason for this is because there was a study that showed that because the red and blue lights drew more attention to people and they had a tendency to aim for the cars rather than away from them. Apparently it is suppose to make a difference.He said that they were only$5 a piece and felt it was worth it to be safe.He said he felt that looking into having the gas tank barriers put on would be worth it.He hoped that Ford would come forth with the recalls to save any problems from that. This item will be sent to COW and then to the City Council. FIRE AND POLICE COMMMSION:PROMOTION OF FOURTH SERGEANT Chief Martin stated that he is making a request to have a fourth sergeant promoted.He said that it is in the budget for Jan. 31,2003 to have a road sergeant on each shift and have a cop sergeant.He said that with the two officers that are in school now,plus Sergeant Terry Klingel there will be another officer in the cops unit. Sergeant Diederich is dealing with the cars and stuff with the building so there is more than enough work for him to do alone to do the cops part of it. It would really help us especially with the new people coming on in November.He said that right now Sergeant Diederich is trying with Lieutenant Don Swartzkopf to keep an eye on the day shift. The after noon shift and mid shift are covered by Officer Greg Coomes and Officer Rich Hart.He said with the future coming and new people coming on we'll have people with no experience at all. Those are the ones that we'll have to do a good job of supervising.Even with officers coming from other departments,it can be a world of difference.He said that one officer requested another 2 weeks of FTO because they weren't comfortable with yet because our department does things differently than what they are used to.He also said that they are very busy out on the streets and it is something that the department and other officers really need. The promotion has been put onto this year's budget with the thought that this situation would come up,especially after Officer Jerry Ikemire left.He said that he would like to approach the Ward and Fire and Police Commissioners with the request and wanted to share this with committee to see what they're opinion was. Alderman Mike Anderson stated that when they would promote that the department would lose an officer somewhere.He asked what the department had anticipated doing with that.Chief Martin said the floater officer would be the one who would fill that position of the officer that would be made a sergeant.Officer would come out of CPAT and that would all take place in January. January is when the transition would occur.Alderman Kot asked if Officer was next on the list. Chief Martin reported was told by the Fire and Police Commission that if they made Rich the first sergeant that they felt more than comfortable to go by the list.Every body that was on the list had done a really good job.He said he had no problems with doing it that way. Alderman Anderson asked if they would promote with the natural scheme of things,to promote someone as opposed to hiring someone new. Chief Martin said that would be right.He said that he has put in a request for someone in January,but right now it is not in the budget.He said if the budget could support it,he would like to hire somebody in January and have him or her working the streets by June.If we can't afford to do it in January then he would be looking to hire some officers in the new fiscal year of next year.He said it's good that we've hired so many new people in such a little time but that they need supervising. In Oswego they have one supervisor on every shift all the time.To make sure they have one they will even pay them over time. They make sure they have a supervisor constantly on the street and that is because of all the new people they have.He felt that it was something they needed to think about for the future and what is to come.He commented that some officers have been approached with other job opportunities but since Council has always taken such good care of the officers,that is why the officers tend to stay on with the Yorkville Police Department.He said we aren't quite used to this situation of hiring new people and it had been eleven years since they had and that was Jerry Ikemire.He was the last person they had put through PTI. 3 With the new people,there is a great amount of time that needs to be spent with them to make sure things are being done accordingly.He said that though he feels we cannot afford to make sure that there are supervisors constantly on every shift,at least by doing this there would be a majority of it covered. He said that with all that is going on with our community,it is great to see our officers do such a good job.He said that he could honestly say that they get very few complaints about the officers and the one's they do get and if it is a mistake on our part,then they apologize for it and people seem to be satisfied with that.It is far and few in between for those situations to happen. Alderman Anderson asked if they would replace the CPAT officer and will they continue with that program. Chief Martin said they would and that he feels they should continue to do it.He said they have been doing it since 1992 and it's a viable unit to have.Unless something comes up down the road and it gets disbanded then he would like to see it continue.It has really helped out in the past.He mentioned that Oswego is putting on their 5a'detective,and commented that who would of thought were to happen. Alderwoman Spears asked how many people are on the Oswego Force now. Chief Martin said that he thinks there might be 39 with a calculation of about 17,000.On the subject of the promotion Alderwoman Spears asked when would the appropriate time frame be for that.Chief Martin said that December would be fine to do that and right now and as far as training the person would need he would be sure that is taken care of That way he is not getting the training on my time but on CPAT's time.Alderman Anderson suggested bringing this item back in November,all agreed. This item will be brought back to the Public Safety Committee in November. WEATHER WARNING SIREN UPDATE:CHECKING INTO ORDINANCE Chief Martin stated that he had spoken with people on how they would set up the siren that will be placed near the east-end of downtown.He said it would need to be set up on a pole to get the actual coverage where they would need it,in the east-side of the downtown area and east down VanEmmon Rd.He said that the costs for that would be$6,900. Chief Martin has talked with Administrator Tony Graff and Public Works Director Eric Dhuse about it.He said that$800 of it would not need to be paid because it might have already been reconditioned.Administrator Graff thought that it had been reconditioned a couple of year ago.Alderman Kot said that if it has been reconditioned then it would have been at the time when they put an adapter on it to switch it to both a fire department siren and weather warning siren. Chief Martin said it was suggested that any time they do work on the sirens,they should also recondition it. Alderman Kot asked if they had received the poles for the sirens from ComEd. Chief Martin said that ComEd no longer does that and this time they got the poles from Fulton Engineering.Mayor Prochaska asked where they would put the new pole. Chief Martin said that it would be placed down by the river front.He said the furthest east would be best to be near the electrical units. It will have to have electrical service and a meter put on which will cost around$1,000.He said that there is no charge from ComEd if they hook it up from pole to pole,which is why he would like to see it go up near the electrical units. Chief Martin said that it might be tough to find the money for the project but that Administrator Tony Graff thought that between the Administration budget and the department that they could find the sources there. Alderman Kot asked if there was a target date at which this would be done. Chief Martin said that he has a push on the project right now but will need an okay from Fulton Engineering after they have examined the unit. This item will be sent to the next COW meeting on August 6,2002. Chief Martin stated that Attorney Dan Kramer is writing something up for the Weather Warning Sirens Ordinance. Alderman Mike Anderson commented that it is something they are looking at for the future as new development comes in.It would be a means of trying to recoup some of the costs for the sirens from the developers. Chief Martin said that he had given Attorney Kramer a Draft Ordinance by acres with projected sirens located in five areas.He said that he projected the costs to be around$18,200 for installation and a rough maintenance charge per siren and acreage which comes out to about$30 per acre. Alderwoman Spears suggested asking Plainfield if they had any ordinances on sirens. Chief Martin said he could call and ask them.Mayor Prochaska suggested to try and have the ordinance in by August 22,to be sure it would be included in the agenda for the next Public Safety Meeting. This item will brought back to the next Public Safety Meeting on August 25,2002. 4 PALMER DAM SIGNS UPDATE Mayor Prochaska reported that he had a discussion with Rep. Tom Cross and that he would be making calls to DNR about the dam signs.Mr. Cross will have the person from DNR send him what they have so far on the project.Mayor Prochaska had explained to Mr. Cross that the process has been delayed on DNR's part for 2 years.He said that he had spoken with Senator Ed Petka about the situation but has not yet heard back from him.Mayor Prochaska does plan to touch base with them again. This item will be brought to the next meeting on August 22,2002. FOX ROAD&KENNEDY ROAD STUDY UPDATE Alderman Kot stated that this subject was discussed at the Public Works Meeting on July 22,2002.He said they as a committee decided to bring it to the August 6v'COW meeting. The Public Works Committee is also beginning some other recommendations for signs,visibility issues,and center markers. Chief Martin said that Public Works Director Eric Dhuse suggested not putting in guardrails because of driveway distances. Alderman Anderson pointed out that the study doesn't include guardrails. The idea against the using of guardrails would be that vehicles would bounce off of them and end up some where else. Alderman Kot said that Mr.Dhuse mentioned solar powered signs.He said they were more expensive,but when you consider what it would cost to run electricity out to the sign, it's just about a wash.He also mentioned that they look neat and modern.Mr.Dhuse would be looking into getting one of those at the entrance of town.Chief Martin reported that there was no response from Jim Heintz on the Fox Rd.& Kennedy Rd. Study.Mayor Prochaska added that along with that Menards has made a proposal for a concept they made for annexing their property.It's possible by the end of the year they could be within the city. Chief Martin said it would also be in line to come up with McHugh Road.Alderman Anderson commented that they need to keep the move going with Fox Rd.and Kennedy would probably be taken care of with the annexation. This item will go to the COW meeting on August 6,2002. LIQUOR ORDINANCE Chief Martin reported that they have all of the copies of the Liquor Ordinance but they haven't been able to get them condensed.Alderman Kot explained that his idea would be to come up with some language to restrict the alcohol to a certain part of the store to where there wouldn't be people who don't belong there walking in and out.Mayor Prochaska said that he would like to see some language to limit the access to the area of where the liquor is sold.He mentioned one person who said they would never shop at Jewel again simply because the liquor is displayed right as you come in.He felt a letter should be written to let them be aware of it.Alderman Anderson thought the best way to approach it is to check into other town's ordinances.Alderman Kot suggested looking into what Oswego might have. Chief Martin said he would look into it,and check some other towns and what their ordinances have to say about the subject. This item will be brought back to the next Public Safety Meeting on August 22,2002. DOG ORDINANCE Chief Martin stated that they have not yet been able to condense this ordinance. This was regarding the invisible fence subject.Chief Martin said that he had received a memo from Bill and had spoken with he and Attorney Kramer.He said attorney Kramer suggested that they could probably put something together that would have the residents put a small sign in the corner of their yards to indicate that there is invisible fencing on their property.The big concern would be to make passers-by aware of it so as not to be surprised by dogs that appear to be charging at them. Alderwoman Spears mentioned that Aurora would be putting in a$10,000 fine for dog owners that have vicious dogs.Mayor Prochaska questioned whether there should be a distance from the sidewalk at which the dogs should be restrained.Alderman Kot mentioned that some where down the years,the requirement for city tags for dogs got lost.Chief Martin said another issue that was brought up was if there was anything in the ordinance about dog owners being responsible for cleaning up after their dogs when they defecate on other properties other than their own.He said there might be a Park Ordinance to cover that problem for the city parks but that he was unable to find it.He felt that it was something they should add especially with all the duplexes and townhouses coming in the area. 5 He also said he would ask Attorney Kramer if there was a way to add another amendment to the ordinance to incorporate everything and that would super cede the old one. Chief Martin will speak with Attorney Kramer to see if they could come up with language for this subject. This item will come back to the next Public Safety Meeting on August 22,2002. PARKING ORDINANCE Chief Martin brought up the parking count study that was passed out at the last COW on June 16,2002. Mayor Prochaska commented that a decision should be based on consideration for when winter comes.He felt that some responsibility might fall back on the city if by chance a Public Works truck should happen to bump into a vehicle that is parked in the street,or if salt and/or rocks were to be swept up and into the cars. Alderman Anderson commented that he would not want to have his car parked out into the streets when it could be buried by snow after a truck shovels around his car.He said that he would like to see something done at least for the winter months.Mayor Prochaska suggested maybe going with a snow measurement requirement and if it cars are still parked in the streets,then get authorization to have the cars towed if needed. Aldermen Kot commented in a lot of towns have a 2-inch restriction.Anything over 2 inches and above residents have to get their cars off the roads for at least 24hours,or until all the snow is removed.He felt that most people would be satisfied with that arrangement. He thought it would be a good place to start and see how it goes. Alderman Anderson asked how Eric Dhuse felt about it.Alderman Kot said that Mr. Dhuse would like to see the cars off the roads year round.Mayor Prochaska asked what would happen in the case where someone would have a party,then the enforcement of that could become difficult. Alderman Kot said that it could be a family situation where there several members that have cars and not enough room in their driveways or garage. It could become a hardship for them. Alderman Kot asked Chief Martin if any of car thefts include cars that are parked in the streets and/or driveways.Chief Martin stated that there are thefts to cars that are in driveways,and few that are in the streets.It really doesn't matter where the car is parked;burglars usual go by opportunity. Chief Martin brought up the parking issues that exist on Somonauk Street with cars parking on both sides of the street.Alderman Anderson suggested to require having them park on only one side of the street.Alderwoman Spears said that on Center Street and Parkway are like that too,and you see situations where people turning onto the roads have hit parked cars. Alderman Kot said that on Eric Dhuse's memo he has two recommendations:(1.)Adopt an ordinance prohibiting over-night street parking from ip.m. -6 a.m.year round.(2.)Ban street parking after 2 inches of snow fall until such time that all snow has been completely removed. Alderman Kot felt that for now these two recommendations would be a good start. Mayor Prochaska felt that the idea of getting the cars off the road during snow-fall is the main thing,but also looking into the situations where cars are parking on both sides of the road which is dangerous. Alderwoman Spears thought that it might be a good idea to ask the aldermen to check out streets in their wards for particular problem areas where there might be cars parked on both sides of the street. Alderman Kot thought that would be a good idea but rather than adding that with the snow-fall issue moving this idea ahead so as not to put it off.Alderman Anderson said he agreed and would like to see some ordinance language for the snow-fall issue next month.He suggested getting the ordinances from Plano and Sugar Grove with the mention of using the 2-inch snow—fall parking restriction and also reinforcement.Alderman Kot also mentioned getting language for situations of an exception to park.Chief Martin said he would take this to Attorney Kramer and see if they can get language written on these subjects. This item will be brought to the next COW meeting on August 15,2002. BIKE TRAIL STOP SIGNS Chief Martin said that he had spoken with City Engineer Joe Wywrot about the Fox Hill bike trail.Mr. Wywrot warned that there is a liability concern.He suggested that Attorney Kramer should look it over and give his opinion on that.He said that whenever the responsibility is taken to put up those signs then you could be taking on the responsibility for the liability as well. That could be the only issue. Other than that, there should be no problem to actually have the signs put up.He said that it has been mentioned to Eric Dhuse and he should be able to put them up. Alderman Anderson asked if there were any stop signs up for any of the streets over there. Chief Martin said that he didn't think there were any on the bike trails.Mayor Prochaska voiced a concern as to whether the motorists in Fox Hill would develop a false sense of security and expect the cyclists to stop at the bike trails.He also felt there might need to be warning markings for 6 the motorists. Alderman Anderson suggested that they could possibly put markings on the roadways to warn the motorists of the bike trail.Mayor Prochaska felt there needed to precautions in case if a child were to fail to stop at the end of the trail and zoom into the road.Chief Martin said that he would take this item to Attorney Kramer. This item will be brought back to the next Public Safety meeting on August 22,2002. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS Crosswalk on Somonauk Rd. Alderman Kot addressed the issue of the crosswalk on Somonauk Road.He said that he had also discussed this at the Public Works meeting on July 2Vd. This issue was initially brought up last spring,and the issue was that motorists were not stopping at the crosswalks to allow students to cross. Some motorists claimed that the kids were not in the crosswalk.He had spoken with Eric Dhuse and there are plans to expand the asphalt on both sides and re-stripe it.He said he would like to get with Mr.Dhuse at the next Staff meeting to check on the progress of that.Alderman Kot said he would like to see the project done before school starts.Chief Martin added that there would also be a crossing guard at that location. Clarification of Possible Abduction Alderman Kot stated that the possible abduction case that was to have taken place at Burger King had turned out to be false.He said that he had spoken with Officer Dan Pleckham who had some concerns about how quickly he was notified.He said that the situation was reported at 10:30 p.m. and he didn't receive ISPRN until 11:00 p.m. Alderman Kot said that he was glad the situation turned out to be nothing but also glad that it came up so that they could critique what happened and what they could do differently. Chief Martin said that the local agencies were notified at the same time,but that it was the ISPRN Dispatch that was further out.Chief Martin said that he wasn't aware that it was a concern because Officer Pleckham hadn't mentioned it to him,but he will talk to him about it. Alderman Anderson said that when he had talked with Officer Pleckham,that he had asked him why it wouldn't qualify. Alderman Kot said that he would look into it as well.He also mentioned that now that they have the TRAK system,to make sure that it becomes part of the whole procedure.Alderman Anderson added that they should also remember to use the Amber Alert system. Update on Voice Mail Alderman Kot asked the committee if the voice mail is used any more.Most everyone said that they do not haven't had any messages on theirs. Mayor Prochaska said that he gets calls from the outside.Alderwoman Spears said that she has had 3 within a year. Alderman Kot felt that the voice mail had been used more in passed years and wondered if they had been getting any calls.He wondered if it isn't being used then what would be the point of keeping it.Mayor Prochaska suggested that they could issue in the next News Letter, how people of what time and how they can reach the alderman. Update on Health Memberships Alderwoman Rose Spears informed that Alderman Sticka wanted to bring attention again the Health Club Memberships for the Police Department.He felt it was a very important issue.Alderman Anderson said that they had brought it up and had discussed it and it is a Labor issue that should be negotiated on the next contract. Rivers Edge Subdivision Crossing Lights Chief Martin said that he had received a call from City Engineer Joe Wywrot stating that there aren't any crossing lights up yet at Rivers Edge. There will not be any occupancy permits until after the lights go up. Mr. Wywrot did express a concern with all the construction traffic there,whether the lights should put in now as far as the crossing gate goes.Mayor Prochaska said that the question needing to be answered is whether the lights have been ordered and if the work is being pushed ahead to be done.He also asked if it was put in the agreement to whether there could not be occupancy until the lights are put up. Chief Martin said that from the message that was left on his voice mail there seemed to be an agreement like that. Senior Survey of Sidewalk Issue Chief Martin reported that the police officers had taken a survey to see whether the seniors that live in near the area of Rt.34 and Rt.47.would benefit by having a sidewalk put in there.He said that the seniors said that they seldom walk there now but if the city built a sidewalk there,they would use it and also thought it 7 would be beneficial. The seniors brought up another issue and that was to put sidewalks in near Country Side Plaza. The seniors felt that would be better for them.Mayor Prochaska said that he would talk with Lynn Dubajic,Director of Economic Development in Country Side,about the issue but the City Council would have to decide on the Rt.34 and Rt.47 issue.Mayor Prochaska mentioned that there was also an issue with people failing to stop at the stop signs in that area,but the stop signs are on private property. Alderman Kot said that he would bring the sidewalk issues up at the next Public Works meeting since they are trying to finish up on their sidewalk plan.He said that it probably wouldn't get done right now because they have almost exhausted the funds,but he would have Joe Wywrot take a look into it to see how much would need to be done and if the sidewalks belong to commercial property. This item will be sent to the next Public Works meeting on August 26,2002. Chief Martin stated that he had received a resignation from Officer Tina Baird Resigns had spoken with Officer Baird and she had said she really has enjoyed the her job with Yorkville but she also has a full-time day job and feels she needs to spend time with her family right now.Chief Martin said that he told her that he would leave an open door for her if she should ever leave her full-time job,to come back later as a part-time officer. Update on Handicap Sign at Walgreens Chief Martin was notified that the handicap sign at Walgreens that had been previously posted on entering pillar has been moved more conveniently to the outer wall. There is no more additional business. Meeting adjourned at 8: 30 p.m. Minutes by Theresa Brady