Public Safety Minutes 2018 04-05-18 Page 1 of 2
APPROVED 10/4/18
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:00pm
City Hall Conference Room
In Attendance:
Chairman Carlo Colosimo Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Alderman Joe Plocher Alderman Seaver Tarulis
Other City Officials in Attendance:
City Administrator Bart Olson Deputy Chief Larry Hilt
Chief Rich Hart
Others in Attendance:
Kathleen & Gabriel Chavez: Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O'Neil
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Colosimo and a quorum was
established. He asked to move item #5 forward on the agenda.
Citizen Comments: None
Minutes for Correction/Approval: January 4, 2018
The minutes were approved as presented on a unanimous voice vote.
New Business:
5. PS 2018-09 Opioid Lawsuit Discussion (out of sequence)
Ms. Chavez said she has communicated with Chief Hart about the proposal regarding the
opioid lawsuit. She said there has been national litigation and most of the cases filed
have been moved into federal court. Her firm has focused their litigation on the
pharmaceutical companies that have made and distributed the opioids. Two decades ago
there was a push to market drugs aggressively and increase prescription rate. In the
Appalachian area, there was an increase in burglaries where drugs were stolen and
overdoses became the leading cause of death. Now health professionals are seeing
repeat overdose calls for the same persons and they do not respond as well to the Narcan.
The purpose of this presentation is to have Yorkville join a lawsuit along with other
Illinois towns that are too small to pay for lawyers on their own. Ms. Chavez sent a
written proposal to the city attorney. If the case is resolved favorably, Yorkville could
receive some money for training and other programs. It is possible that fire districts
could also be included.
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Ms. Chavez would take this case on a 20% contingency basis and she must get court
approval of her fees. If the suit is not won, there is no charge to Yorkville. Alderman
Tarulis asked for clarification on the end result. Ms. Chavez said part of the goal is to
have the pharmaceutical companies help pay. She said the pharmacy companies and
distributors misled Doctors because they knew the pills were highly addictive. She said
more information is available on the Department of Justice website.
Ms. Chavez said a decision is needed in the next 2-3 weeks. All committee members said
they want to review the proposal and memo prior to a decision.
1. PS 2018-05 Police Reports for November 2017 – March 2018
Chief Hart said some car burglaries have occurred from unlocked cars. One of the
patrolmen will receive an award for apprehending the culprit. There was also an armed
robbery in a restaurant parking lot. He added that some Yorkville residents were arrested
in Aurora on gun violations and Chief Hart said his department is being vigilant
regarding this type of activity. Chairman Colosimo commented that he likes the
complimentary letters received by the Police Department.
2. PS 2018-06 Adjudication Reports for January – March 2018
No discussion of reports.
3. PS 2018-07 Liquor Code Amendment - Catering
Mr. Olson said the new restaurant Pizza Riot wishes to serve liquor at the restaurant at a
music event and at a movie event. The amendment also eliminates references to
Meadowhawk Lodge at Hoover Forest Preserve which was de-annexed from the city.
This item moves to the Mayor's report for the next Council meeting. Mr. Olson will ask
Attorney Orr to clarify the ordinance.
4. PS 2018-08 Liquor Code Amendment – License Fee Deposit
The fees have been codified and staff is recommending elimination of the deposit since
there is a $350 application fee. The committee was ok with the revision.
Old Business None
Additional Business None
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 6:46pm.
Minutes transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker