Public Safety Minutes 2001 07-24-01 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
JULY 24, 2001
6:30 PM
Attendees
Chief Martin
Mike Anderson
Rose Spears
Larry Kot
Mayor Prochaska
GLEN PALMER DAM
Ilndate Safetv Zone Area
Chief Martin stated that they had been in discussion and now someone else is taking over this
job. Mr. Burke, the new man is checking and doesn't see any problem with the signs, but the
Chief had also asked about placement for the signs.
Alderman Kot asked if this is for the Safety Zone Signs
Chief Martin stated yes, the distance is 50 feet.
Alderman Kot stated that we were deferring to their professional opinions.
Chief Martin stated that he would re-visit this issue, but the DNR has said they will go with
whatever we deem as reasonable.
Alderman Kot stated that we had expected an expert opinion on the undertow and safety.
Chief Martin stated that they told him that the debris under the bridge including the remains of
the old bridge is not their problem, but the Highway Department's problem. The bridge itself is
IDOT.
Bill Rice was the person we were dealing with and now it is Mr. Burke. They will pay for the
signs, but the City of Yorkville will place them. There may be something in their Standards.
Chairman Anderson asked if they are only giving us permission.
Alderman Kot stated that 50 feet might be to much. Our recommendation would be amateur. If
we narrow it down is 15 to 20 feet good, is 30 feet better. He hates to think of that being up to
us.
Chairman Anderson stated that perhaps we should talk to Greg Freeman, he thought he might
have some numbers on that.
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Chief Martin stated the DNR was pretty candid and asked if we were going to place signs in the
River as well as along it.
Alderman Kot stated he thought we had decided not to, as it is to unstable.
Chief Martin stated it might be best to only put them on the cement and at the entrance going
down the steps.
Alderman Kot stated there could be liability in the placement of the signs.
Chief Martin stated we would be responsible for signs being down too, and there the liability is
with us too.
Alderman Kot asked if we wanted to only put them on the cement wall.
Chairman Anderson stated that we had depended on the DNR to give us advice on the distance
and they simply put it back on us. Where shall we put them?
Chief Martin stated that in other towns, the DNR has not put any up, the towns themselves have
put up their own safety signs, tow ropes, etc. Mr. Burke is looking to us for distance and how to
word the signage.
Alderman Kot stated then we may just have to come up with a safe distance and go with it.
Chairman Anderson stated we can go to Freeman's and ask them for their advice on what is a
safe distance.
Alderman Kot asked about the North side of the River, as almost all of it is private.
Chief Martin stated that some people do get down there and we would probably have to have
signage there as well.
Mayor Prochaska stated that the River falls unde the jurisdiction of the DNR. We need to talk to
our legislators.
Chief Martin stated we have also found that the plan for replacement of the Dam is not in place
either.
Chairman Anderson stated the Chief should continue to pursue this and bring it back in August.
OVERTIME REVIEW
Chief Martin stated the investigation part is Larry, and they are averaging 50%. Other than that
we are in good shape, there is no other major overtime items going on.
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COPS IN SCHOOL
Lieutenant Martin he had just gotten a letter from the state on the 23rd of July and that it is just
the first step, and if we continue we should hear more posturing about it for next Public Safety.
Chairman Anderson stated bring it back to Public Safety in August.
MONTHLY POLICE REPORT
Chairman Anderson asked if the M-2 had been sold.
Chief Martin stated it is being used by Detective Klingel, they had pulled the front seat out and
switched them with another, and they will sell it as is. In traffic we are down. Last month they
had done the roadside checks.
Alderman Kot stated that crimes against persons was up.
Chief Martin stated this includes orders of protection too. The only major crime was West Side
Gyros. A sex offense was reported, but it is too early to say since the child is only 2 or 3 years
old and it was supposed to be an 8 or 9 year old child who was supposed to have done the
offense, but the mother who reported it has psychological problems. DCSF won't do anything.
Alderwoman Spears asked if the report should reflect 2 burglaries.
Alderman Kot stated he believed that is showing the total. One burglary,then total one burglary,
not one plus one, to equal two. Adding there were a lot of public complaints.
Chairman Anderson stated this item should be put on the COW agenda.
RESIDENTIAL STREET SPEED STUDY
Lieutenant Martin stated he had talked to Joe Wywrot and Administrator Graff, and Joe stated we
should be able to do this without any problems, some areas would be reduced to 25 mph. The
only down side is posts and signs. The cost is $80.00 per sign, plus 2 man hours per sign to
install.
Chairman Anderson stated that must mean 2 guys for 1 hour.
Chief Martin stated yes, that was correct. They would also have to contact JULIE first. In cases
where there is a current 30 mph sign they would just have to switch the signs out. Public Works
Director Eric Dhuse suggested we do this a little as we go.
Mayor Prochaska stated we could do a sign on each street as you come off of a major street.
Chief Martin stated that the residential speed limit is 30 mph even when not posted, but when
you drop it to 25 mph and it isn't posted,they are not in violation.
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Mayor Prochaska stated we should look at the warrants. When we looked at this before and
looked at the warrant studies some indicated raising the speed.
Chairman Anderson stated that with the limit at 30 and not having to spend the money to post it
seemed better to him.
Mayor Prochaska stated we might consider specific areas, but he cautioned against going all
over.
Alderman Kot stated that enforcement will do more than signs. State Street goes straight for a
bout 5 blocks and the kids fly down it.
Chief Martin asked how this got brought up in the beginning.
Chairman Anderson stated months ago when they closed Bristol Road he stated there were signs
there that were not needed, and somehow the item was changed to this.
Mayor Prochaska stated a study was done on Somonauk before the traffic light was put in.
Chief Martin asked what the cost of a warrant study would be.
Mayor Prochaska stated it would be about $8000. for a whole section.
Chairman Anderson asked if this was something Joe or Smith could do at a lower cost.
Chief Martin stated officers could handle complaint areas, with Jewel and the Church over there
it will bring more traffic.
Chairman Anderson stated we need to look at that area.
Alderman Kot stated Walnut is construction traffic now. We should look at some areas with
problems with boom boxes too.
Chairman Anderson stated the Chief should talk to Administrator Graff if he has anything on
this.
Mayor Prochaska stated there are some areas that have speeding complaints and these areas
should be looked at, and where residents are asking for speed limit signs.
Chief Martin stated the biggest problem is speed complaint calls.
Mayor Prochaska stated we need to look at enforcement and if it requires a lot of time then we
may do a speed study.
Chairman Anderson stated consideration of accidents too.
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WEBSITE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Chief Martin stated he and Administrator Graff are meeting with Chris Rollins.
Alderwoman Spears stated she tried to go to the web-page and it stated she was not authorized to
do so.
Chairman Anderson stated he got as far as the school page and couldn't go any farther.
Chief Martin stated Molly showed him how it works. Also, each Department head should gather
information for the web-page.
Mayor Prochaska stated there has to be a deadline for getting the material to Molly, probably
quarterly. And to have minutes for the web-page.
Chairman Anderson stated the web-page should be listed in the newsletter too.
Mayor Prochaska stated we would try for the next newsletter.
LIQUOR CONTROL ORDINANCE/SUNDAY HOURS
Mayor Prochaska stated that the ordinance states noon, but Kendall County is 10 AM, and after
Labor Day they will enforce 12 noon.
Chairman Anderson stated that our ordinance states noon,but it hasn't been enforced and he is
concerned about loosing the business to our neighboring communities.
Mayor Prochaska stated that since our practice has been allowing the 10 am opening we need to
make the ordinance AM, or enforce the 12 noon.
Chairman Anderson stated this should have an amendment to change the ordinance to 10 am.
SOLICITATION ORDINANCE
Chief Martin stated he had spoken to Attorney Kramer, and the time limit should be changed in
the ordinance. We can't do a criminal history anymore. Kramer stated we should raise the fee
that $15.00 is too cheap. Administrator Graff suggested $500. We need to cover the work-up
and the Building Department cost now. They should also have to show an Illinois Tax I.D. Card.
Mr. Dettmer should inspect the tent or whatever, but we need to be fair to the Yorkville
businesses.
Mayor Prochask stated that Attorney Kramer needs to give us direction on the differences here.
Chief Martin stated that Dan didn't feel that was a problem to differentiate.
Alderman Kot stated our food vendor pays a$200. fee to be in the park.
Mayor Prochaska stated if we are going to do this , it should be a base cost plus a fee per the
number of sales people. We need to look at all of it and determine what the price should be.
Chief Martin stated they are only looking for something that is fair.
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Mayor Prochaska stated local businesses are unhappy because we allow vendors to come into
town so cheap.
Chief Martin stated that our ordinance was designed for door to door and now it is being used for
itinerant merchants. These vendors detract too.
Alderman Kot stated it should have language to restrict set-up in parks.
Mayor Prochaska stated the food vendors ordinance was specific.
Chief Martin stated that the itinerant merchants license is to operate on private property.
Chairman Anderson stated we need an amendment to the ordinance and bring this back to Public
Safety with a draft.
Mayor Prochaska stated we need to figure this out by next Spring.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Mayor Prochakka stated that he had the Fire and Police Commission update. They have 12
applicants. but two are from outside the City. He plans to have names for the August 2nd agenda
for COW. This will go to City Council and he will make a recommendation. They can questions
applicants. Then he will contact them to set up training for Fire & Police Commissioners.
Chairman Anderson stated that regarding the recent Motorcycle Presentation, Chief Graff was to
look for full-time vs. part-time feedback.
Chief Martin stated there was some negative reactions from the full-time, based on the cost to
train the part-time officers. Most were not supportive of part-timers doing this, and only a couple
of full-time were interested in getting involved. The cost for training and equipment was high
too.
Chairman Anderson asked for Chief Martin's feelings on this issue.
Chief Martin stated he would rather see scales or something. It would be great P.R., but before
we get motorcycles, we need a few other things. We are too small to be able to do this now.
Chairman Anderson stated he was hesitant for part-timers. The $100. for a bide is great, but the
additional equipment for the bikes and gear is a lot. All the mechanical work and the bikes go to
Woodstock and stay there for a week..
Chief Martin stated realistically he hasn't been sold on this even if it had been full-timers. He
would rather have a truck enforcement officer. And, Dale Page has been on medical leave off
and on for a while too. Dale A. rides a Harley all the time and feels the use is mainly for P.R.
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Chairman Anderson stated the Police Department should decide, but it was a great presentation,
and will revisit this in the future.
Chief Martin stated they are working down in basement locker room instead of upstairs to keep
the time frame of completion for 9/15. They deducted one shower room and will have one
women's and one men's now. Women will have 6 lockers and men will have 26 lockers.
UIC PROGRESS REPORT
Chief Martin distributed a Demographics and Crime Profile from U.I.C..
Adjourned 7:25 PM
Minutes By Sandy Marker
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