Public Safety Minutes 2016 07-07-16Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 10/6/16
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Thursday, July 7, 2016 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:
City Administrator Bart Olson Deputy Chief Larry Hilt
Police Chief Rich Hart Deputy Clerk Lisa Pickering
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Others in Attendance:
Jim Jensen, Blackberry North Chirav Patel, OMG Liquor & Wine
Jim Ruzicka, Universal Gaming/OMG
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Chairman Kot and a quorum was
established.
Citizen Comments: None
Minutes for Correction/Approval: April 7, 2016
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business:
1. PS 2016-12 Police Reports for March 2016-June 2016
Chief Hart said the burglaries were up for unlocked vehicles and garages. The report was
accepted as presented.
2. PS 2016-13 Adjudication Reports for April 2016-June 2016
Commenting on the report, Chief Hart said some of the Building and Zoning violations
were for repeat offenders. Alderman Colosimo suggested a once a year mini-training
session for the Hearing Officers and Mr. Olson noted that one had been held at the end of
last year. Alderman Frieders asked if there was a difference in the process for Yorkville
and Oswego since Oswego is home rule. Oswego has more authority and hearings are
held once a month compared to Yorkville's once a week. Oswego has better
enforcibility and higher fine threshholds. The report was approved as presented.
Page 2 of 3
3. PS 2016-14 Request to Purchase Four Police Vehicles
Chief Hart requested to purchase three squads and one administrative vehicle. In
addition to a savings in last year's budget, Mr. Olson detailed where the funds would
come from and said this purchase would bring the replacement schedule up to date.
While Caprices would be the first choice, Chief Hart said Impalas are the only vehicles
available at this time. He added that one of the current vehicles was not shut off for six
days. There was also a discussion of the repair costs and high mileage.
Alderman Funkhouser asked about the purchasing process. The State bids were used,
however, Chief Hart said local vendors were also contacted. Other vendors are
contacted for equipment prices. Additional money was built into the budget for
unexpected expenses with the equipment.
The committee recommended these purchases and the item moves to the July 26th City
Council meeting for a budget amendment.
4. CC 2016-38 Ordinance Amending Liquor Code Increasing Number of Class A
Liquor Licenses
This was discussed at City Council and was referred to Public Safety. The owner of
OMG Liquors, Mr. Chirav Patel, said he is asking for a license so he can add 5 gaming
terminals which require this license. He said he has invested a lot of money into the
business and the business has been slow.
Concern was expressed for someone buying a 6-pack and drinking it while in the
business, however, Mr. Patel said customers must purchase liquor from the bar with a 2-
drink limit. Mr. Patel said he would lose money if customers bought their own 6-pack to
drink there. Mr. Olson said the legal opinion is that there is flexibility and the business
owner can restrict the drinks. Staff and Chief Hart supported the A-1 license.
Alderman Frieders said he supports the liquor license and 2-drink limit. Alderman
Colosimo said he did not support the license as he feels there are too many gaming
machines in the City already. He feels the law, which ties the gaming machines with the
ability to pour liquor, was to restrict the gaming to bars. He feels the City would be
circumventing the law and would set a bad precedent. He said it is not the intent of the
statute. He said a liquor store is for purchase, not to serve liquor. Mr. Ruzicka said he
had a list of 30 food and liquor marts that have gaming to provide supplemental income.
Alderman Tarulis was also opposed to the sale of package liquor and poured drinks in the
same establishment.
A vote was taken to recommend approval to amend the liquor code increasing the number
of Class A liquor licenses by one. Colosimo-nay, Tarulis-nay, Frieders-nay, Kot-aye.
Defeated 3-1.
Page 3 of 3
Old Business
1. PS 2016-10 Police Facility Planning
Mr. Olson reported staff is still reviewing maintenance proposals, contracts and a study
of the City buildings. This item will be kept on the agenda under Old Business.
Additional Business
Alderman Frieders said he felt this committee should hold meetings more than just
quarterly. This is in light of the recent law enforcement issues and shootings throughout
the country. Alderman Kot said that in the past, several Public Safety meetings were
canceled due to lack of items. With today's technology and daily emails from the police,
he felt quarterly was sufficient. It was decided to continue meeting quarterly.
Alderman Funkhouser complimented the police for doing a good job with traffic control
at the July 4th festivities. He noted that one officer at Rt. 47 and Main did not wear a
safety vest. Chief Hart noted it is policy to wear a vest in this circumstance. The Chief
said that next year the traffic control will begin a half hour earlier due to the number of
people present.
Alderman Kot noted there will soon be a traffic button at Main & Rt. 47 to control a
flashing light for pedestrians.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:17pm.
Minutes transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker