Public Safety Minutes 2002 01-24-02 1
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE O D O
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING ED
JANUARY 24,2001
6:30 P.M.In Attendance:
Alderman Mike Anderson Alderwoman Rose Spears Chief Harold Martin
Mayor Art Prochaska
Guests: None
MONTHLY POLICE REPORT-DECEMBER 2001
Chief Martin reported that car burglaries were up due to items having been stolen from unlocked
vehicles. He stared that everything else on the report was in line. He went over the overtone
report and stated that the hours were kept down to 42 for the last pay period and 60 for the pay
period before that. He stated that the hours were for relief because the department is short-
handed. They are using detectives and part-time officers more.
The report was sent to Committee of the Whole on February 5,2002.
FIRE&POLICE COMMISSION
Applicant Update
Chief Martin distributed a memo dated January 24,2002 regarding the hiring update. He
reported that the orientation and power test was completed on January 19,2002. He stated that
eleven out of twenty-one applicants attended. All the applicants who participated in the power
test completed it. The written test is scheduled for January 26,2002 at Yorkville High School at
9:00 A.M. The results of the written test should be received in about ten working days.
Alderwoman Spears asked if it was normal for only half the applicants to show up for the tests.
Chief Martin stated that for Yorkville it seemed a little unusual but he spoke with Jim Jensen,a
member of the Fire&Police Commission and an Oswego Police officer who said that 50 to 60%
is a normal figure.
Chief Martin indicated that half of the applicants were police officers from other departments.
LIGHTENING SIRENS
Chief Martin stated that he put a new policy together for the lightening prediction system. He
stated that the parties that sign the policy would receive a copy of the actual manual that goes
with the policy,which is an additional 15 to 20 pages and pertains to the operation of the system.
He distributed this to the Public Safety Committee but not the rest of the Council.
Chairman Anderson asked if attorney Dan Kramer had looked at the policy and Chief Martin
stated that he had not looked at it but he probably should review it because of all the parties
involved.
Alderwoman Spears had a question on page 2, Section VI,item A of the policy regarding the
operational dates. She wanted to know who picked the dates. Chief Martin stated that those
dates are picked because the system needs to be shut down during the winter. Chairman
Anderson stated that item A was worded incorrectly. The wording was corrected to read"The
Lightening Prediction System will be operational from April I"to November 3&." Chairman
Anderson questioned the wording"during daylight hours"because some sporting activities are
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scheduled for evening hours and the time limit would have to be extended past daylight hours. It
was discussed and decided to leave a time frame out of the policy. Alderwoman Spears also
pointed out an error on page 3,item C. It should read"No one will be allowed..."
Chief Martin stated that he would get a clean copy put together. Chairman Anderson asked him
to have Attorney Kramer review it and bring it back to committee next month.
WEATHER WARNING SIRENS
Annual Maintenance Contract
Chief Martin indicated that the original cost of the contract was$1,689.00 and now the cost is
$1,442.00 for the fiscal year of May 1,2002 to April 30,2003. Chief Martin requested that
Fulton Contracting change the dates of the contract to reflect the city's fiscal year. He stated that
this is a yearly expense for the maintenance and checks of the system. He stated that Fulton
comes out once a year to check each siren individually but all the sirens are monitored through
their system. This allows them to tell when there is a problem with the siren and then they
automatically come out and repair it. Fulton will bill the city after each service period.
Alderwoman Spears asked about the charge for defective parts and/or components, which is
charged to the owner. Chief Martin explained that generally there is not much in the way of
defective parts unless the siren is hit by lightening or incurs some type of damage.
Chairman Anderson asked to have Attorney Kramer look over the contract and then bring the
contract to the COW meeting on February 5,2002.
Radio Upgrades
Chief Martin reported that Fulton Contracting would be upgrading the radios used to control the
sirens. No additional cost would be incurred for the upgrade. If the sirens had not just been
installed,this upgrade would have cost the City$3,000.00.
Monitoring of Sirens
Chief Martin reported that the monitoring of the sirens would cost$378.00/year. The City was
aware of this charge when the warning system was installed. Fulton Contracting monitors all the
sirens to make sure they operate correctly. This charge is billed to the City and they have been
doing this with the two old sirens the City has. Chief Martin stated that no further action was
needed on this item;he wanted to make the committee aware of the charge.
Relocating Siren
Chief Martin checked into the cost of moving the siren on Kencom's tower. Fulton Contracting
advised him that this would cost approximately$2,200.00 to$2,600.00. They also stated that it
could cost more if they need to refurbish the siren because it is twenty-five to thirty years old.
Chairman Anderson asked why the siren needed to be moved and City Clerk Milschewski
indicated that in the minutes of the last Public Safety Meeting, Alderman Kot stated that Kencom
might be moving the tower out to Newark. If the tower is moved, the siren needs to be relocated
Chairman Anderson indicated keeping this item on the back burner until Kencom makes a
decision.
Siren#5
Chief Martin reported that siren#5 on Wheaton Drive was still not operational because there is no
electricity available yet. He explained that there was no power to anything on the north side of
the roadway. There are some new places going up in the area and the Director of Public Works,
Eric Dhuse,is checking with ComEd to verify if this is a proper hook up. He has not heard back
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from ComEd as of yet. If the City had to go back to the box on Route 47,it would cost
approximately$5,000.00 to connect.
New Siren Locations
Chief Martin reported that he ordered five more circles to update the siren map. He indicated he
would bring the map to the next meeting to show where he felt new sirens would be needed as
new subdivisions come into town.
C.O.P.S.TESTING SERVICE
Chief Martin reported on the contract for the written test that will be administered to the
applicants on February 18, 2002 for the sergeant and lieutenant positions. He stated that the labor
attorney reviewed the contract and it is in order. He indicated that three sergeants can take the
test for lieutenant and all three have put in for it. All eleven patrol officers have put in to take the
sergeant's test.
Chairman Anderson went over the cost of the test: $80.00/candidate for the sergeant's test and
$85.00/candidate for the lieutenant test. Chief Martin said the minimum charge is$900.00 and
with all the officers taking a test the cost is$1,135.00 and this in the budget.
This was sent to the next COW.
SOLICITATION ORDINANCE
Chief Martin indicated that a Vendor's in the Park Policy from 1998 was found but not an earlier
ordinance. Chief Martin asked Mayor Prochaska if he knew of an ordinance regarding this and
he felt that this might have been all there was.
Chief Martin went on to explained the changes in the draft of the ordinance.
• Fees were established: $200.00 for itinerant merchants and$40.00 for hawkers and solicitors.
The$200.00 fee was based on what the hot dog vender has been paying for the last few years.
The cost difference between the merchants and hawkers/solicitors is because they go door to door
whereas the merchant stays in one location.
• A building inspection fee of$40.00 was also included for the itinerant merchants.
• Merchants need a tax number.
• The amount of time for issuing the permit was increased to 10 days in order for the police
department to run a criminal history check.
• A permit from the Department of Public Health is needed for food merchants.
Chief Martin stated there was some question if the Park Board would be in control. Attorney
Kramer wanted to make sure the ordinance would be controlling anything in town that has
anything to do with any type of vendor licensing. The City will accept money for the Park Board
but this would go into the General Fund. By doing this,the City could follow through to see that
all vendors are following the same procedure.
Mayor Prochaska stated that any revenue coming in because of this would be coded as Park
Board revenue.
Chairman Anderson asked if the committee was still working from the September 4"'version and
Chief Martin said the latest version is from November 28ffi. Chairman Anderson asked if
Attorney Kramer had approved this version. Chief Martin said he did.
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Mayor Prochaska asked if everyone had the most current version and Chief Martin said he had
distributed copies to the Council. Chairman Anderson asked that a new copy be placed in the
COW packets and this be sent to COW on February 5,2002.
Mayor Prochaska asked that the Park Board be informed about the ordinance so they can adjust
their policy to it.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Health Club Memberships
Chairman Anderson stated that Alderman Sticka suggested obtaining health club memberships
for the police officers. Chief Martin distributed a memo dated January 23, 2002 regarding this.
Chairman Anderson indicated that this would be on the Public Safety Committee's agenda next
month.
Speed Monitoring Trailer
Chief Martin distributed a memo dated November 11,2001 regarding a quote for a speed-
monitoring trailer. The cost ranged from$8,295.00 to$13,765.00 depending on options. Mayor
Prochaska stated he would like to see the cost of this worked into next year's budget. He stated
that he felt this could be useful as the community grows and Chief Martin said the trailer has
several different uses so it would be handy to have one.
Chairman Anderson asked that this item be placed on the committee's February agenda.
Fox and Kennedy Road Safety Study
Chief Martin informed the committee that Smith Engineering was requesting an additional
$1,090.00 for surveying work needed to perform this study. The city provided some information
to Smith Engineering however this did not include all the data needed. This item was to be
discussed at the January 28,2002 meeting of the Public Works Committee.
Railroad Crossing Repair
Chief Martin reported that railroad track repairs would begin after the school year ended and be
done before Labor Day weekend.
Speed Trader
Chief Martin reported that the city borrowed a speed trailer from Oswego for four days. It was
placed on Route 34 and John Street. He stated that no study was done regarding average speed
because at the time this was done,the computer was unable to be set up. The next time it is used,
the computer will be set up to calculate traffic volume, speed,etc. Chairman Anderson stated that
he felt it was important to have these studies done especially when residents have requested that
this be monitored.
Hillcrest Traffic
Chief Martin stated that officers have been keeping an eye on this and have not seen anyone
driving across the grass. They did note that many people do a quick or"California"stop and then
turn into the businesses on the corner. The drivers are gone by the time the officers can get up to
them. To do this properly,officers would need to sit in each of the parking lots. If the officers
catch any individuals,Chief Martin suggested giving them a verbal warning. Mayor Prochaska
stated that if an officer sits at the intersection,people see him and stop,they have done the job.
He said that he wants the officers to make people think about stopping. Hopefully,they will stop
the next time they come to this intersection whether an officer is there or not. Mayor Prochaska
stated that the resident concerned about the individual who is driving across the grass might have
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an idea who it. The mayor asked the resident to contact Chief Martin if he had any additional
information.
Bowling Alley Entrance
Chief Martin indicated that Joe Wywrot distributed a memo regarding the bowling alley entrance.
Mr. Wywrot indicated that the white stripe in front of the entrance needed to be painted out. To
do this correctly,the line should be ground out in the early spring and the drive repaved.
Illinois Century Network
Chief Martin reported that the police department has submitted their application to the Illinois
Century Network.
Minutes for Approval
The committee approved the minutes from the December 26,2001 meeting.
Police Awards
Chairman Anderson asked Chief Martin about the awards that Sergeant Schwartzkopf and Officer
Stroup were to receive. Chief Martin stated that the awards were for Officers Pleckham and
Helland and that they were postponed but would be presented at the February 12,2002 City
Council meeting.
Parking on King Street
Chairman Anderson asked about the progress regarding the parking on King Street across from
Yorkville Grade School. Chief Martin stated that the concern was for the children crossing the
street to get to cars parked on King Street. Chief Martin stated the signs on King Street do not
prohibit parking and it is the only place for people to park when dropping off their children at
school as parking is prohibited on Somonauk Street. Mayor Prochaska asked if there was enough
room off the street, on the shoulder, for cars to park without obstructing traffic and Chief Martin
indicated that there was.
Realigning Somonauk Street to Spring Street
Mayor Prochaska brought up the possibility of a discussion with the Peterson family about
realigning Somonauk Street to Spring Street. The Peterson's do not want this to cut through their
lawn but the mayor stated that in conversations with Dan Kramer,Joe Wywrot and Eric Dhuse
there might be a way to do this without going across the lawn. The east side of Somonauk
narrows whereas Spring Street was built to be the collector street. The mayor stated that the city
was going to pursue the discussion.
Meeting with the Fire District
Mayor Prochaska reminded the committee that on January 25, 2002 at 3:30 P.M.he,
Administrator Graff and Alderwoman Spears were meeting with the Fire District representative.
The meeting is to discuss the needs of the Fire Department especially the referendum for future
stations and equipment. Chief Martin stated that the Fire District approached the developer of the
Undesser Farm property for two to three acres for the Fire Department. Mayor Prochaska
explained that is why the City was meeting with the District so that when developers approach the
city,it could ask them for buildings or equipment so that the referendum might not be needed.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 P.M.
Minutes by Jackie Milschewski