Public Safety Minutes 2000 12-27-00 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27'
6:30 P.M.
In Attendance: Art Prochaska Paul James Mike Anderson
Larry Kot Rose Spears Harold Martin
Guests: Joe Harris
COLONIAL PARKWAY PARKING
Chairman Kot stated that Mr. lk� wrot would be compiling a diagram for this. This item
has been tabled.
SNOW PLAN
Chairman Kot explained that the snow plan packets contain a resolution. There have also
been discussions with Chief Graff on this.
Mr. Martin stated that it won't go into effect now, but by next year it will be enforced.
Chairman Kot stated that this is only a resolution, but not sufficient enough for towing
vehicles.
Mr. Markin agreed, and stated that we need an ordinance, stating the penalties for towing
vehicles.
Alderman James asked if this plan applies to all streets.
Mr. Martin stated yes, and that on some streets plowing is difficult because of the street
size.
Mayor Prochaska agreed.
Alderman James stated that some of the streets are flagged, or marked.
Mr. Martin agreed.
Chairman Kot stated that all streets should be restricted, though, for parking.
Mayor Prochaska added that the placement of signs and education of the public on this
matter would help.
1
Alderman Anderson stated that there should definitely be an ordinance on this matter.
Chairman Kot agreed, and stated that this needs to be handled right.
Mr. Martin stated that Mr. Johnson wants it implemented now, but we feel that the
citizens are not aware of this.
Mayor Prochaska stated that for this year, we should ask for the citizens' help in the
removal of vehicles from the roadway.
Mr. Martin added that we could notify people through the neighborhood watch programs.
Mayor Prochaska agreed, stating it would be a `voluntary compliance% in which the city
recognizes a need for this.
Chainnan Kot stated that it should be in effect by next year. This can create problems,
and the citizens need time to adjust for this.
Mayor Prochaska stated that he would make an announcement for everyone's
cooperation to voluntarily do this. He added that Sandy Marker would put something in
the newsletter regarding this.
Chairman Kot stated that there is a second issue here, with regards to the citizens putting
snow in the streets.
Mayor Prochaska stated that snowblowing into the streets creates problems.
Mr. Martin stated that this is a common sense issue.
Alderman Anderson stated that there are a few problems with this.
Alderman James stated that he was not sure of what was acceptable.
Mr. Martin stated that speaking to the citizens on this issue might help.
Mayor Prochaska agreed, and stated that it is very difficult to enforce laws on this.
Chairman Kot agreed.
Mayor Prochaska stated that he would also bring this up with the address to the citizens.
NOISE ORDINANCE UPDATE
Chairman Kot referred to the draft copy, asking about what the timeframe is for passing
this. He then asked where this was with the county.
Mr.Martin stated that Chief Graff is conferring with them on the subject, and that with
regards to the liquor licensing issue, we have not heard anything yet.
Chairman Kot stated that in regard to the night and day hours in the noise ordinance,
there is not a significant drop in decibels, and wondered why.
Mr. Martin stated that he was not sure about this, and didn't think that it had been
measured.
Chairman Kot stated that we need clarification on this.
Mayor Prochaska stated that the levels should be checked from the property line.
Chairman Kot stated that there should also be something to be said about power
equipment.
Mayor Prochaska stated that this is again going back to the `common sense' issue. There
is nothing in the law about these issues right now, and also it is ultimately a zoning issue.
Alderwoman Spears asked if the emergency use oil delivery truck is loud.
Mayor Prochaska stated yes, that it is very loud.
Alderwoman Spears stated that this is another question about provisions.
Alderman James asked what the pricing on a decibel reader was.
Mayor Prochaska stated that it costs around $100.
Alderman James stated that these readers are hand held, and that one should be available
to us.
Mr. Martin agreed.
Mayor Prochaska stated that we do not want to overlegislate this, though.
Chairman Kot agreed, and added that there should not be an exemption on this, either.
Mayor Prochaska stated that we might need to amend this over time.
Alderman James asked if there would be authority over issues like parties.
Mr. Martin explained that only if there is a signed complaint. We can fine residents once
the ordinance is in effect.
3
Chairman.Kot stated that with regards to the music from cars, could the residents file a
complaint for this.
Mr. Martin stated that this issue goes under state law. This would be used for things like
loud parties and such, depending on how it is written. You can sign your own complaint,
but citizens don't like to really become involved.
Chairman Kot asked what do we do with this, then.
Mayor Prochaksa asked what the timeframe was for this.
Alderman Anderson stated that there are still questions on this.
Chairman Kot stated that this would be brought back then.
BUDGET REVIENV—FY99/00
Mr.Martin stated that there were 41 hours over for the last payperiod. We are putting
$1138.00 from the Hometown Days into this overtime. We are in good shape. In regards
to the sirens, Chief Graff is doing the locations on these. Everything is well, and should
be completed in 3/01 or 4 Ol.
Chairman Kot asked when the tornado season starts, and proposed that it be ready by
then.
Mr. Martin stated that it would be ready by then.
Chairman Kot stated that if the placements of the sirens are altered, then it should go to
cow.
Mayor Prochaska and Mr. Martin agreed.
Mayor Prochaska stated that we should look at the annexed properties in the future for
these placements.
Mr. Martin agreed.
Chairman Kot stated that this is part of the planning process, and could result in a
development issue.
Mayor Prochaska stated that we should look into a comprehensive plan or a growth plan
for this, which is not really difficult. In general, as the areas develop, we can speak about
the easements for a tower.
Chairman Kot stated that it would come back to the next meeting.
4
Mayor Prochaska agreed.
MONTHLY POLICE REPORT-11/00
Mr. Martin stated that everything is in line for this, and added that December has been a
quiet month.
Chairman Kot asked if there were any questions on the monthly reports.
Alderman James stated that it was hard to determine the trends.
Mr. Mal-tin stated that we have information on this, and Molly shows this in the yearly
end report. She Nvill possibly do a monthly trend report.
Chairman Kot stated that it would be nice to compare the months with eachother.
Mayor Prochaska asked what a minor traffic violation is.
Mr.Martin stated these are things like moving violations, equipment violations, etc.
Alderman Anderson stated that it was nice to see a decrease in theft, burglary, etc.
Mr.Martin stated that we see problems with jumping the squads, mainly because of the
cold weather and not being used in over 24 hours. We're offsetting this by checking the
batteries, but this is becoming more complicating. There was also the discussion on the
accident at the middle school, in which there was $1500 to $1800 worth of damage.
PERSONNEL REPORT
Mr. Martin stated that Officer Stroup completed the field training. He is very personable,
and working out well.
PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR/2000-2001 BUDGET UPDATE
Mr. Markin stated that Chief Graff is working on this.
Mayor Prochaska stated that it will be reviewed with all of the Department heads, and we
will begin to look at this.
LIQUOR CONTROL ORDINANCE
Joe Harris stated that he has been at a few of the meetings regarding this issue.
Mayor Prochaska asked if Mr. Harris sees a value on this as an owner.
Mr.Harris stated that it is an ongoing problem, not necessarily a large problem, but yet it
continues.
Mayor Prochaska stated that he understood this, and stated that any ideas would be
helpful on this.
Mr.Harris stated that youths should not be hanging out there, but it is really hard to say
what is best.
Alderman James stated that the feedback was that there are certain things that license
holders are responsible for.
Mayor Prochaska stated that this is important on the state and the local levels.
Alderman James agreed.
Mr.Martin stated that no establishment has had any problems in awhile with this.
Mr. Harris agreed.
Mayor Prochaska stated that there are training courses on things like this, which are not
always easy.
Mr.Harris asked if there was any further action, then.
Mayor Prochaska stated not yet, and that it will go through several meetings.
Chairman Kot then stated that since there was no action, this item has been tabled.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman James stated that in regards to Harris Hill, there is snowfence that has been put
up with posts wrapped with foam. Some children are getting hurt, and asked if anything
can be done about this.
Mayor Prochaska stated that this falls under the County.
Alderman James asked who could be contacted in regards to this matter.
Mayor Prochaska stated that the Forest Preserve District could be notified, and Sue
Swithin knows who to contact.
6
Alderman Anderson stated that the sidewalks are being plowed over, and the children are
now walking in the streets.
Chairman Kot stated that it was brought up at the Public Works meeting, along with the
bridge issue.
Mayor Prochaska stated that we need to identify these areas, and speak with the Public
Works Dept. regarding this.
Alderman Anderson stated that there is the same problem with children getting picked up
with the school buses.
Mayor Prochaska stated that we might look at the removal of the snow.
Chairman Kot stated that we should identify these areas, along with the Police Dept.
Mayor Prochaska agreed, and stated that in regards to the school buses, we could contact
the schools with their heavy areas.
Mayor Prochaska stated that there was a child hurt sledding at the J.C. Pond. The father
contacted Ms. Swithin, and we own the hill, not the pond. Ralph Pfister was contacted
today about putting together a formal agreement on this.
Alderman James asked what the depth of the pond was.
Mayor Prochaska stated that Mr. Pfister said approximately 8 feet. We contacted the
Risk Management people on this. We need to alert people of the danger there. A child
could not control the sled, and we haven't had any reports of this kind yet, but we need
something on this for future reference. We have now been informed, and we need to look
into this.
Mr. Martin stated that children have used this hill for a long time.
Chairman Kot stated that the pond is an issue, also.
Meeting Adjourned
7:55 P.M.
Minutes by Lisa Sleezer