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Public Safety Minutes 2001 04-24-01 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES APRIL 24, 2001 Attendees Larry Kot Mike Anderson Mayor Prochaska Chief Graff Rose Spears Dale Page Dale Arteson MOTORCYCLE UNIT - Dale Arteson& Dale Page Dale A. stated he rides a Harley and Dale P rides a BMW. Harley Davidson will provide leases for$100. per year, and if the City provides the lights and siren for each Bike from them, when we turn in the Bike for a new one they will transfer this for us. This makes the overall cost less for the second year. Under General Patrol, in traffic you can move through traffic better. Also the public is more likely to obey the law in the presence of motorcycle police as they can turn around more easily. Motorcycles are also a draw at Bike and Car Shows, Block Parties, DARE events, Playgrounds, and also have access to Bike Paths. In regard to maintenance,there is a 10,000 mile check-up, and they offer training for maintenance. They offer better mileage, and are more approachable. The usage estimate is 9 to 10 months, and the start up cost is $3800. for equipment. Striping is estimated at$500. They should be ordered in June or July for a March delivery. They would use them for only one year and turn them in as Harley needs to keep the mileage down for re-sale. Alderman Anderson stated that in regard to training,they will hold classes too. Dale A. stated this would be at the Kane County Fair for 3 days. The training program they want is for two weeks. They would need a helmet and equipment for radio, riding pants,jackets, etc. They have a video from Harley Davidson. Page stated with the new Jewel coming soon and added traffic on route#47 and Route #34, they would be able to go where squad cars cannot go. The video outlines the history of Harley Davidson and Police Work via motorcycles, along with the features of a Harley. Chairman Kot asked about the seasonality and that they would still need a squad car available for bad weather, and about a warranty, and maintenance. Dale A. stated he was unsure of how extensive the warranty, but that they do have one. 1 Chairman Kot asked about and about liability to the motorcycle officer,perhaps someone with a grudge to get an officer. Alderman Anderson stated that Kane County has had motorcycles for about 1 year. They have three with the same $100. deal and two weeks of school. Mayor Prochaska asked if there is a 10,000 mile limit. Dale A. stated there is no limit,just based on maintenance and training. Alderwoman Spears asked if BMW has a program. Dale P. stated their program is not comparable to this one. Dale A. stated Harley is the only one with this good of a deal. Chairman Kot asked about liabilities. Chief Graff stated it is covered under their fleet insurance, but training must be involved, but this information is one year old. There is extra cost for liability for the dog, but they did not have extra costs. Chairman Kot stated he liked the idea with the new Jewel and Mendards coming for the parking lots and PR side. They have seen what bicycles and the dog have done for PR. Chief Graff stated there is a sense of pride. Leading parades, a sharper image for the department with these types of things. Pride for the department and to reach out to groups we don't usually have an opportunity to interact with,to build relationships. This could impact on other services and not interfere with other needs. In an organizational assessment, its a part-time program Mayor Prochaska stated that when Kendall County got new items we heard "New Toys" remarks, but with gas perhaps going to $2.00 to $3.00 per gallon we need to look at options. Mayor Prochaska asked that they put together a study of when and where you could use them in place of a squad. An average of how long they are ridden in service and what we are saving by not using the squad. We have time to put together a study of costs and savings to the community. Showing more efficiency in getting round town. Break down the perception. Alderman Anderson stated theirs is a big costs savings and rode right through November last year, but you do also have to have a squad too. Less gasoline and miles, but Kane County has take home cars. Chief Graff stated that with the Holidays and part-time we could get double usage, we could do a mileage and cost analysis over the lifetime. We could trade out like we do on the Public Works Bobcat. This could have cross-value, and we can articulate for education al value. 2 Mayor Prochaska asked for our benefit to cost out the second year. Dale P. stated that Harley will transfer the equipment for free. Mayor Prochaska stated the uniform budget is never zero, so we want to be careful about saying it is zero here. Chairman Kot stated they went through this "TOY" thing with the bicycles and with the dog, stating he felt it was a real benefit. Alderman Anderson stated this is sold to the community because it is $100.00. Chief Graff state d that Kane County had a three day training program, and we need to look a t a 5 day training program where you don't use your own bike. WE may need to do this in the Fall.. Alderman Anderson stated there is training all over, we need to see what and where. Chief Graff stated we need to look aggressively at June. Mayor Prochaska asked if we will want to expand this program? Hire new officers, and look for this ability? For now, get the ground work together, and make it easier to carry on. Chief Graff stated he didn't like to look at this with the use of part-time personnel only, but he had asked for volunteers and only got response form part-time. Other officers could be hired part-time with more versatility. Dale P. stated that Westmont is starting with one motorcycle. Dale A. stated that Naperville is also. Chief Graff stated Sandwich is looking too. Chairman Kot stated we would need our motorcycles for the class, but could ask Woodstock to loan bikes to us for the class. We will look at the big picture. Get a history on Westmont and Naperville and put together a package. Conserve at the beginning of the budget year. Try to find out when the Evanston class is. Chief Graff stated they could be on the stand-by list for next year. With more need they may increase and offer more classes. We will bring this to Public Safety in May. Dale A. stated the contract does have an out clause. Chief Graff stated he would have Attorney Kramer look at this. Alderwoman Spears stated they should check the warranty for repairs also. 3 Dale A. stated the warranty was for 12 months or 12,000 miles. Chief Graff stated they should find out for the report. Chairman Kot stated he like the idea, and appreciated the effort. Mayor Prochaska stated that the only concern now is with the FOP and part-time officers. Chief Graff stated they did a survey with new assignments. They were to mark in the survey that the motorcycle unit is available to both part-time and full-time and would not make it specific. They would put it in a memo after April 18th of r any officer to submit a letter of interest with skills. Only the 2 Dales sent letters,there was no interest from full-time, but some interest for next year. Mayor Prochaska asked how we would work this if others expressed an interest and doesn't want it to become a situation for a rift. Chairman Kot stated at this point there are only 2 officers both part-time who are interested. Chief Graff stated this would go to a bid process. Mayor Prochaska asked about buying uniforms and equipment for part-time officers. This could become an issue. Would this mean adding hours. How many hours do they work now? Chief Graff stated Page works about 400 to 500 hours per years and Artensen about 700 to 800 hours per year. Chairman Kot asked if the Chief thought this could become a problem. Chief Graff stated no. Chairman Kot asked if there was any animosity between full and part-timers. Chief Graff stated that in their survey the comment was asked if we were interested in becoming a part-time PD. with no full-time. Mayor Prochaska stated that a project like this for only 3 to 4 hours a week, and only in Summer is questionable. Chief Graff stated that every weekend we would want them out. We could do only one bike even though they like to be in pairs. They would work Saturday and weekend patrols. Mayor Prochaska stated that to say weekends were OK,but for heavy traffic it could be a Thursday. We should look for this with next full-time hires. 4 Chairman Kot asked if there were more in Summer due to vacations. Chief Graff stated no not anymore with other flexibility. GLEN PALMER DAM Chief Graff stated that there is nothing on this at this time. Chairman Kot asked that this be put on City Council when we get an update. RIVER RESCUE Chief Graff stated that officers asked that this be put on the agenda due to what happened over Easter, and also Chief Hitzemann wants a joint effort here. He is looking into throw bags which become floatation devices with extras for squad cars and also a CO2 catapult gun to shoot rescue rope which would be kept at the Parks Maintenance Building or in a lockbox. For training we would work with the Fire Dept.. for joint training, and could possibly get free training through the National Association of Search and Rescue. FEMA also does some of this for about$500. per squad car. Cooperative training where police officers would learn to drive trucks and put down a fire and SWAT would train with them, and this would include accident training. The Fire Dept. will foot the bill for training. Vests will now go to the Fire Dept.. BUDGET REPORT Chief Graff stated this is within the norms. GRANTS Weather Warning System is waiting for ComEd for the Countryside pole which should be in by the end of the week. The ones at Fox Road, F.E. Wheaton, Fox Hill are up and we are waiting for electric. Chairman Kot stated that it could be 6 weeks before we get electric tot all of the devices, but that was 2 weeks ago. The soonest will be at Fox Hill and at the Water Tower due to the short distance to the electric. Chairman Kot asked if as they go up they will be activated. Chief Graff stated that is correct, they will be activated as soon as the electric is connected. Chairman Kot stated they now have two sirens and lightening detectors working. Chief Graff stated when the detector goes on they know to stop playing ball. The warning is a 5 to 7 mile warning which equals about 10 minutes. JUVENILE ACCOUNTABILITY GRANT Chief Graff stated that this is the 2nd grant which has been automatic for the 2nd year of funds. Kim Adds this to the budget Report. 5 TEEN REACH Chief Graff stated that they have leased 2 small buses which hold 18 to 20 passengers, and have offered to use them for City functions. We are covered and anyone with a regular drivers license can drive them. We can make a request to use the buses, especially for kid type programs. COPS IN SCHOOL This is our fourth year for receiving funds. PERSONNEL REPORT Chief Graff stated the Detective Job Description should be tabled, and asked if this needs to come to Public Safety. Chairman Kot stated it should be looked at by Public Safety and then go to Administration. Alderwoman Speers asked if it could go to Administration and the Public Safety Chairman could go to Administration to discuss since two Administration members are also Public Safety members. Chief Graff asked about other items, such as, that the Detectives should be given the authority at the Crime Scenes, and more of command Policing,problem solving, and preparing for Crime prevention. Mayor Prochaska stated those items should come to Public Safety as they are purely Public Safety issues. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Chief Graff stated that regarding performance evaluations, they are looking at 3 months of training to apply a new instrument. To have a new instrument and then start training works with everything in the department. GOVERNOR'S HOME TOWN AWARD Chairman Kot asked if they hadn't heard anything for the Skate Park. Chief Graff stated they will get an award and Barry will call to see about it. GAME FARM ROAD Chairman Kot stated they have talked about doing a road over the creek to connect to route#34 to the west. IDOT has put this back on us. We may need to look for the money for engineering. Chief Graff stated we have had an officer out there for traffic. Its a matter of what's more important, a temporary solution becomes a false sense of security. Oswego has officers for traffic and buses in and out everyday for the High School. The school district should pay for that. With our offices here it causes another problem. 6 Mayor Prochaska stated that with another road which Joe can take a look at,but IDOT wants the road bed raised at Game Farm and Route#34. Chief Graff stated that they spoke to Smith Engineering and they need an engineering study. They are hoping to get free advice to put back in IDOT's lap with documents to get IDOT to re-consider as a safety issue. Mayor Prochaska stated that even if a couple hundred thousand would fix the road, we still only have one access in and out. New developments coming here will add traffic and congestion. The school district should help pay for the studies and traffic issues. The School District is expanding outside of Yorkville with some new developments. Some are inside Yorkville, but some are outside Yorkville. There are a lot bigger questions than an officer. Chairman Kot stated the issue is getting kids in and out of school. Mayor Prochaska stated that if IDOT will allow putting up lights at Route#34 and Game Farm, or even a flashing yellow light. Chief Graff stated they had discussed a re-configuration,but never lights. He will talk to Joe and Smith Engineering to see what other avenues he can explore for this. The School District has preliminary plan for an option for a second access. It is on their property and they would have to participate. Mayor Prochaska asked Chief Graff to sit down with the School District and talk , and to talk to the land owners. Chief Graff stated it is mostly Conover and the PNA Camp. Mayor Prochaska stated talk to who ever we need to have discussions with to get this started. 2001 ANNUAL REPORT Chief Graff stated he wanted Public Safety to see the statistical information and they will then do this in color for the City Council. Chief Graff stated most of the criminal Damage is from kids who have nothing to do. The are vandalism type reports. Street lights and signs. Things directly related to lack of supervision and no where to go to hang out. Mayor Prochaska stated the P.D. has gone to a lot of work to put together programs for kids. Look at the Youth Survey, and the Skate Park. Chief Graff stated this is the 15 to 19 year old age group. They may need something at school. Alderwoman Spears stated the things we did as kids are gone. 7 Mayor Prochaska stated yes, drive-in movies have been phased out. Chief Graff stated we need to create a Youth Service Organization for funding what kids want and want to do. Chairman Kot asked what happened to the Drip In Center. Chief Graff stated the Cafe Drop In. We tried to find funding, but the grant money goes to lower income places where there is more need. Mayor Prochaska stated the Social Economics doesn't play as big a roll as they think. Take the positive. We do need things. A roller rink. drive-in. We don't have anything for them now. Chief Graff stated they go when they have a car. Chairman Kot suggested we bring Lynn Dubicek into this. This should come back to Public Safety in May. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS Alderman Anderson asked about the neighborhood watch in Fox Hill. They are asking for a Kids Playing sign. Chief Graff stated this will be handled by Scott with Parks. Mayor Prochaska asked about a 2-way stop sign. Chief Graff stated the criteria is different. Alderman Anderson stated they still had two signs in his neighborhood that needed to come down. Chief Graff stated that had been given to Joe,he would follow-up on it with him. Alderwoman Spears asked about the bomb threat and if they are caught would they be subject to paying restitution. Chief Graff stated they will address with the Judge and man-hour report. They have spent a lot more on other investigations. Kane County Bomb Squad was out twice. There has been some discussion about a consortium of towns on these issues and other resources. Mayor Prochaska stated we would have something for Tim Fairfield for his valor above and beyond the call of duty on May 10th. Chairman Kot stated that at Public Works he saw other towns regarding stop signs. They are using enhanced signs. Joe gave him the packet. 8 Chief Graff stated this should go to John Sleezer, as lead for the Street Department, he went to school and is certified. If you get the packet to him, he would get with John on this for a recommendation. HUMAN RESOURCES Chairman Kot stated street names should be on the next agenda to research names and policy. Meeting adjourned 9:00 PM Minutes by Sandy Marker+ 9