Public Safety Minutes 2015 06-04-15Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 10/1/15
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Thursday, June 4, 2015 6:30pm
City Hall Conference Room
In Attendance:
Chairman Larry Kot
Alderman Joel Frieders
Alderman Carlo Colosimo
Alderman Seaver Tarulis
Other City Officials in Attendance:
Police Chief Rich Hart
Deputy Chief Larry Hilt
Others in Attendance: None
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Chairman Kot and a quorum was
established.
Citizen Comments: None
Minutes for Correction/Approval: March 5, 2015
The minutes were approved as read.
New Business:
1. PS 2015-15 Police Reports for February – May 2015
Chief Hart said these are the standard reports, but police activity is rising. Alderman
Frieders asked about the overtime hours and the different types. Court time uses
substantial overtime and training also takes many hours. A few hours could be for assists
for other Counties. No further action.
2. PS 2015-16 Adjudication Reports for March – May 2015
The report shows the fines for the adjudication hearings and mowing/water violations
will soon begin. Chief Hart noted that Gregg Ingemunson is the new Hearing Officer.
3. PS 2015-17 Discussion of Traffic Problem in the Area of Town Square Park
Chairman Kot said there are several issues at this location due to the Rt. 47 construction
and rerouting of River Road. There has been reported speeding, increased traffic, etc.
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which will continue especially with Game Farm Road construction. Chief Hart said the
view is obstructed at Church and W. Main. Engineers looked at the issue and this matter
will be brought to Public Works for consideration of a 4-way stop.
It was noted that a post had been placed by the Ingemunson building to keep vehicles
from hitting the building, however, Alderman Funkhouser said it blocks visibility.
This item is for information.
4. PS 2015-18 Request to Dispose of Police Department Vehicles
Chief Hart said his department has five vehicles with mileage over 100,000 miles. When
considering disposal, they look at age, mileage and how much money has been spent on
the cars. At 80,000 miles, they are removed from patrol. The committee then discussed
item #5 before finishing this item. After discussion of item #5, all committee members
were OK with the disposal of vehicles as recommended. Sealed bids will be taken and
Chief Hart said there are already interested parties.
5. PS 2015-19 Request to Purchase and Equip Three New Vehicles
Deputy Chief Hilt did the research on a new police vehicle purchase and looked at
several dealerships. However, the State bid is usually the most competitive. Chief Hart
said that the equipment needed such as cameras, cage, video, lights, etc. is sometimes
more expensive than the car itself. He said the cars are a high priority as many vehicles
run 24/7. Alderman Frieders suggested the actual engine hours should be documented as
it is more valuable than mileage. Some of the newer cars now have that capability.
Alderman Kot said he prefers to buy locally, however, Chief Hart said the recommended
dealership offers free delivery. The committee supported purchasing three squads.
Chief Hart said the department will be getting body cams and officers must advise people
they are being filmed and audioed. During arrests, officers can automatically film,
however, the cams must be turned off during calls for domestic disputes. Alderman
Frieders said he does not want officers having to share cams. The committee approved of
this purchase and this item moves to the consent agenda for a vote.
6. PS 2015-20 Selection of Vice-Chairman
Joel Frieders will be the Vice-Chairman of this committee.
7. PS 2015-21 Selection of Committee Liaisons
Chris Funkhouser will continue as the school liaison. Currently he is also liaison for
KenCom and will continue in that role—that position is a mayoral appointee.
8. PS 2015-22 Police Department Update
Chief Hart informed the committee how many employees the department has and what
positions they hold. He said two officers per 1,000 population is needed ideally. A
more important concern is that sex offenders are brought to the current building that is
next to the library, schools and city hall. Building a new building is a 5-7 year process
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and Chief Hart said a new building should be planned for 20 additional officers. A major
problem is no holding facility, so prisoners are booked at the Sheriff's office. To meet
current standards in a new building, a holding facility would be required. Costs for a new
building were also discussed. Mr. Frieders also said that more room is also needed for
other equipment and a larger parking lot. Chief Hart said no new officers are budgeted at
this time, but he would like to have a K9 unit in the future. Deputy Chief Hilt also had
concern for the safety of kids walking through the PD parking lot. He said that squads
are required to back into their parking spaces for safety and insurance reasons.
Chief Hart commented that the department is also short on civilian employees. In
addition, administrative vehicles are in poor condition and are past their lifespan. He will
request replacements for them next year, but they don't require all the equipment that
squads do. Seizure vehicles were briefly discussed. Chief Hart said 2-3 more patrol cars
are needed next year and 2 administrative cars at the end of this year if there is a budget
surplus. Old computers also need to be replaced. Alderman Colosimo said proceeds
from old squads that are sold, need to come back to the Police Department budget rather
than to the City General Fund. Alderman Kot said the purchase of police administrative
vehicles should be put on the agenda mid-year.
Chief Hart also referred to an organizational chart he provided. The ratio of Sergeant to
officer was discussed by Alderman Funkhouser. Currently it is 3:5 ratio and a fifth
Sergeant position will be requested at some point. In response to Alderman Kot, bike
patrols are still used for certain occasions, however, there is not enough manpower. He
said the bike patrols can be an effective crime tool.
9. PS 2015-23 Weather Warning Sirens Update
The weather warning sirens are a federal requirement and monitored by the Police
Department while the lightning detectors are controlled by the Parks Department. A
maintenance contract with Fulton is signed each year for the weather warning sirens.
Chief Hart said the City is 100% covered by weather sirens. He added that the lightning
detectors are only about 75% accurate and they can activate when the “conditions are
right” including what could be a sunny day. The coverage range for the lightning
detectors is one mile. There is one portable detector and Alderman Kot said extra money
should be found for total park coverage. The Parks Dept. funds the lightning detectors.
Mr. Kot said the lightning detectors resulted from baseball games continuing in bad
weather conditions in the past. He said each year the sports associations need to be
educated or reminded of safety during bad weather conditions.
Old Business None
Additional Business
Alderman Tarulis asked about the cruise night. Chief Hart said Hydraulic St. was shut
down for a period of time and a complaint was received as a result.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:52pm.
Minutes transcribed by Marlys Young, Minute Taker