Public Safety Minutes 2000 04-25-00 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 25, 2000
Members present: Larry Kot Staff Present: Harold Martin
Rose Spears II Tony Graff
Art-�k-b e-k A-S t A-
For others, see guest list attached to permanent record
VOLUNTEER ORDINANCE VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT
Pat Auberry made a presentation on behalf of the Police Academy Alumni members requesting
more involvement by Alumni. They are requesting to be the eyes and ears of the PD finding
areas that need attention by PD or notice of code violations. This would add the requirement of
recent background check. They would wear an Alumni shirt and vest. Certain hours would be
established based on the number of volunteers. Perhaps they could use the retired DARE car
marked with yellow lights, a low band radio and cell phone. Sergeant on shift would be their
supervisor and they would work in two's checking neighborhoods for violations, neighborhood
problems such as open garage doors, and minor accidents. They would be trained for all of this
and reports would be put in a spread sheet at the PD.
Mayor Prochaska questioned written violations by non-sworn officers.
Chief Graff stated the violations would be a mailed notice with a cover letter from Citizens on
Patrol. Possible follow-up for non-compliance by City official. Downed stop signs would come
in to PD by radio. For handicapped parking, volunteers can write ticket.
Mayor Prochaska asked how long these would be on file.
Chief Graff stated the PD does not erase anything, might be kept three years. Official documents
are kept up to 10 years.
Chairman Kot asked how many would be on a shift, and felt the number should be limited.
Mayor Prochaska stated they would have to sign a contract/agreement along with the rules.
Chief Graff agreed adding that this should be reviewed by PD to look at legalities.
Mayor Prochaska stated there may be other areas where they could be of service.
Chief Graff stated the Chamber has asked about surveys also. Might expand if appropriate to
check lights, etc., making sure gates are closed, etc.
Kot asked how it would work if lights were out, as mailing something isn't timely, and we could
be blamed.
Chief Graff stated that is a concern, if gates are open the PD should be called.
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Mayor Prochaska stated Alumni should not be approaching any buildings, or checking doors.
Kot stated this is a real safety concern putting Alumni in this roll, they are viewed as PD without
the protection of carrying a gun.
Mayor Prochaska stated they would have to sign a disclaimer as there are risks involved in this
program.
Chief Graff agreed stating the COPS Program in Chicago has put them in harms way.
Lieutenant Martin stated there should be no involvement,just notice of incident.
Mayor Prochaska stated reports of barking dogs, etc. could be viewed as BIG BROTHER. This
should be reviewed by Attorney Kramer as well as the City's insurance company. The public
should be made aware of this program with an update from Public Safety while press is present.
Chief Graff stated they could get it in the paper.
Mayor Prochaska stated this should be updated at public meetings and repeated to get word out
to residents.
Chief Graff stated that spare radios can be used for more immediate access to PD for services
situations. Also Ameritech and other agencies sometimes give cell phones to citizens patrols.
Mayor Prochaska asked about staff time to administer the program.
Chief Graff stated this is an area where an alumni person may be interested in helping out. Tap
tops available at the end of school year from our grant money.
Alderwoman Spears stated some people don't care if their garage door is open and could see this
as being harassed.
Chief Graff stated after 3 times ignore.
Mayor Prochaska stated that in regard to open garage doors, the Alumni person should call PD
& they should advise the resident.
Chief Graff stated there needs to still be some work done to fine tune the program.
Mayor Prochaska stated that they could patrol the parks, but should not confront anyone. Call
PD if anyone is drinking, etc.
Chief Graff agreed adding parks, traffic, etc. for Music Under Stars.
Kot suggested they could work the railroad crossing in the morning.
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Chief Graff stated they could direct traffic. We just have to identify them as under our direction.
This could free up the sergeants for other more important areas.
Mayor Prochaska stated this should be cleared with the union too.
Chief Graff stated this is not an issue unless we are replacing an officer with a volunteer. Also
they could respond to accidents in parking lots, since being on private property the PD is not
required to respond.
Kot stated this is all good input for review.
CRIME REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR
Chief Graff stated that the State will be done by the end of April. There will be an overview of
department costs and budget. Once we have the state report we will do the power point for the
public.
OFFICE SUPERVISOR JOB DESCRIPTION
There is a revised job description (attached to permanent record). This job description will be
revised every year to add essential &basic functions. When warranted another position will be
added. These should1b added in an additional category, from a labor situation. Perhaps when 20
additional job functions are added a new position would be created and those functions would be
passed on to another.
Chief Graff stated that the next position added would be a crime analysts. We are working into
that area as demand for that increases.
Alderwoman Spears pointed out that there are a few areas in the job description that need to be
clarified as it seems the position description contradicts the job function description. Some
sentence clean-up is also needed.
Chief Graff agreed, stating it would be cleaned-up.
Mayor Prochaska added some clean-up comments.
Chairman Kot requested corrections under Basic Requirements & Experience&Education.
Chief Graff stated the clean-up would be taken care of and he would bring this to COW.
POLICE CLERK JOB DESCRIPTION
There weredean-up items and a few deletions that needed to be done on this job description and it
will be taken to COW.
NEW POSITION
Chief Graff stated that effective August 1 st, a new position would be created. The part-time
position will be eliminated. This should be brought back to the May PS meeting. Trudy is
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interested in full-time, but could be added part-time with no guarantee since we have to go
through the process. Will post hours and the Clerk Job will go to COW.
Chairman Kot asked about hours.
Chief Graff stated perhaps 8 to 6, they are trying to establish. Molly will go to school for
computers and for training about the web.
Alderwoman Spears asked about the City's web page.
Chief Graff stated the domain name is reserved, but there have been mistakes and we need to
work through the problems. We have hours left on the grant for scholarship funds, so we can
work with high tech kids to accomplish this. We can put newsletter on the web page, but it has
issues and needs some work.
YMCA POOL TRESPASS AGREEMENT
This agreement gives the authority to ask people to leave if there is a violation of rules. There
was a meting with the neighborhood group, and the problem is at night. Dawn to dusk is the park
rule.
Mayor Prochaska stated he wanted a signed agreement and to get it out to the press.
Chief Graff stated there had been one letter to the Beacon that had pretty dramatic comments, and
this information does need to get out to the press on what is being done. The Park Patrol will be
checking at dusk to be sure park is closed. Skate park kids are meeting with the group. This
grant is not specific to the YMCA the skate park can go anywhere. The kids did think this could
only go at YMCA, but we won't receive any fund until we have a specific use for money. In
regard to the YMCA the deed stays the property of the YMCA as long as the pool is there. Any
changes puts that into a gray area, especially since there is special use zoning property.
Mayor Prochaska stated that with the publicity this Y serves Yorkville kids. WE don't want to
loose they Y. City of Yorkville residents get a discount on pool membership.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
The Department has been doing truck enforcement since January. Dave Delaney is doing a
second module to be certified for safety violations.
Lieutenant Martin stated scales will cost approximately $7500.
Mayor Prochaska stated if dollars are available we could possibly get a set this year, as next years
money is budgeted elsewhere.
Chief Graff stated that Dan Pleckham will also go to school for truck training in September. PD
has received a few calls from trucking company owners on these stops, but for clarification only.
One ticket was dismissed for road closing.
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Chief Graff stated they were keeping records and reports and keeping better track of what is
happening on these stops. CPAT said Yorkville has the best dog they have ever worked with.
PD had him up to Kane County for training and he also found a body Kane County was looking
for. He also found the Plano kid at the theater saving hours of searching for him.
Chairman Kot stated the dog has created a lot of good rapport.
Chief Graff stated the kids at the schools love him too.
Alderwoman Spears asked how they select an officer to work with a dog.
Chief Graff stated they ask for volunteers of look for a perfect fit between dog and officer.
OVERTIME REPORT
The last few pay periods were at 55%-60% and last one was at 80% due to lots of
reimbursements coming for time we've paid and auditors will catch this and credit back. It will be
at $61,000 for the next three pay periods. There is a bout $4000 to be re-imbursed $2000. This is
over budget.
Mayor Prochaska stated they need to be careful over next weeks.
Mayor Prochaska stated a letter needs to be sent to Liquor License holders regarding not picking
up license and thinking it should be delivered.
EMERGENCY WEATHER WARNING SIRENS
This will be $100,000. and will be done in July. WE expect to receive money in the Fall.
Chief Graff has advised them that funds will not be available right away. They will send a letter of
confirmation, and then will receive the contract for the Mayor to sign.
Chairman Kot stated they will meet on May 1 st and he will get estimate of cost.
Chief Graff stated there have not been any easement costs as yet, all easement requests have been
granted...everyone has been working with us.
Mayor Prochaska stated the public should be thanked for volunteering.
Chairman Kot stated the estimate is $80,000. and the grant amount is $100,000. so there is a
questions of what to do with the surplus. He would like to see lightning detectors.
Chief Graff stated that if strategically placed lightning detectors could cover all important areas.
Mayor Prochaska stated perhaps place at Town Square Park with a remote at Parkview to
maximize usage of each detector, and then place one at the Riverfront Park with a remote at Van
Emmon. Situated properly they could even reach Fox Hill.
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Chairman Kot stated the professionals could probably design the best set-up for this.
Chairman Kot addressed the problem of the walkway from East Van Emmon to the parking area,
stating that the visibility is bad and the possibility of a handicapped ramp should be explored. If
the City could get a portion of the funds from grants the lot would be used more and more.
Chief Graff felt that Tom Cross and DCCA would be open to our wishes.
Mayor Prochaska stated the number 1 item is the early warning system.
Chief Graff stated with $90,000 for early warning, there would be a $10,000 surplus available for
use on any priority Public Safety item. Perhaps video cameras or dictating.
Mayor Prochaska stated the money should go where the public can see the benefit. When money
goes where public sees it, it becomes easier to get additional funds.
Chairman Kot started that Wywrot would get costs together for walkway.
GLEN PALMER DAM
Committee agreed to approach the DNR regarding the area below the Dam which should be
considered a hazardous area.
Chief Graff stated he would get a standard letter together. There are three warning signs in the
Dam area, but there should be one down under the Route#47 bridge. This is an IDOT issue.
They seen to not want to know about it, but they suggested a walkway under route #47. WE
need to start discussions on what we want to do on the Dam issue.
Chairman Kot stated he thought that the stated said we could put up a sign and they would pay
for it.
Chief Graff stated that in the past in regard to the City's liability, when we swear off that we didn't
own within two weeks we were removed from the lawsuit. Should still be adequate now.
Mayor Prochaska felt that the development of the park and attracting more people could be a
liability.
Chairman Kot stated the barriers above the Dam warn people to stay back, but below the Dam is
also a danger area.
Chief Graff stated that an additional sign could be placed there, but sometimes to many signs
deter park use. Mayor Prochaska pointed out that if visitors enter the river area from he parking
lot and steps they will not see the signs.
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Chief Graff stated we could put up a few new signs due to the new access and liability, but
liability is minimal. Could put signs in parking lot, but would need to get a signature for approval
of our sign. In regard to the railing we should refer to the Building Department. Needing a
second rail is a question for the Building Department&Bill Dettmer.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Alderwoman Spears commented on the "Killer Easel" in the Council Chambers, stating it was a
hazard and liability.
Chief Graff agreed we need a new one that is more stable.
OPEN HOUSE UPDATE
Mayor Prochaska stated that for the open house the Administration side was going to have a
laminated sheet with some of the primary job functions posted at each work area so visitors would
be able to identify with what was done by that particular office. He also asked that staff park in
back to allow for guest parking in the front lot.
Chief Graff stated that Aurora Blacktop was supposed to fix the low areas of the parking lot.
Mayor Prochaska stated that possibly the Boy Scouts could do a ceremony with the congressional
flag.
PART-TPJE POLICE OFFICER
Chief Graff stated they expected the new part-time Police Officer to be a female. She has worked
for the Department of Corrections, and is interested in part-time work. They have done a
preliminary background check, and she is viable for part-time. She has a good work record.
They are only exploring this opportunity at this time. We should always be actively recruiting
minorities, including women.
Lieutenant Martin stated that she had been let go at the IDOC, but information we have at this
time indicates she did not get a fair shake. PD would like to get more part-timers on board. Dale
Page was in Hawaii, and had a stroke. Holman would like to cut back more.
Chairman Kot stated that the cover over the PD sign at Brenart's keeps coming off and needs to
be fixed. This could be a serious situation should someone have a problem and drive in there
expecting the PD is there and have no one there.
Lieutenant Martin stated he would get it taken care of
Adjourned 9:15 PM
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