Public Safety Minutes 2019 01-03-19 Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 7/3/19
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Thursday, January 3, 2019 6:00pm
City Hall Conference Room
In Attendance:
Vice-Chairman Seaver Tarulis Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Alderman Joe Plocher
Absent: Alderman Carlo Colosimo
Other City Officials in Attendance:
Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett
Police Chief Rich Hart
Others in Attendance:
Rita Vargas-Ohana Healing Hands Dan Wunderlich-Ohana Healing Hands
Bryan Furr-4 You Massage Kelly Furr-4 Your Massage
Shelley Carlson-SNC Wholistic Wellness
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Vice-Chairman Seaver Tarulis and a
quorum was established.
Citizen Comments:
Mr. Bryan Furr, licensed massage therapist, said he received a letter from the city
regarding massage establishment sole proprietorships and said that sole proprietorships
should be carved out. He said he brings business into the city and does not wish to be
grouped with other businesses or questionable activities. He participates in many civic
activities in the community, donates money and volunteers.
Ms. Rita Vargas, licensed massage therapist at Ohana Healing Hands, said she is aware
that officials are sent into massage business to spot check. She has been a therapist in
Yorkville for 4 years with no issues, belongs to civic organizations and volunteers. She
also has to pay fees that other businesses do not. She said licenses and renewals are
necessary, fees have to be paid, and background checks had to be done through the State
and then through the city.
Mr. Wunderlich said they just re-signed their lease last week and they have to pay those
costs no matter what the city decides.
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Ms. Shelley Carlson, licensed massage therapist and nutritionist, said renewal costs are
very expensive in comparison to their profit margin. They also having continuing
education costs.
New Business:
(item moved forward on agenda)
3. PS 2019-03 Massage Establishments - Review of Licensing Requirements
Ms. Willrett said staff looked at what was previously approved in January 2018 compared
to what the business complied with and the current language. It was found that sole
proprietorships do not meet all the requirements of today and Ms. Willrett listed those.
Staff made several recommendations for the committee to consider. She also listed the
fees charged to the business owner, but she said fee changes can be discussed. The fees
cover background checks, fingerprinting, administration fees and licensing. An
ordinance will be drafted and taken to the January 22nd meeting.
Afer the committee finished their discussion, Ms. Carlson expressed her concern about
not being allowed to asked questions or make statements. The committee said the Public
Comment portion is set aside for citizens to express their concerns. Ms. Carlson said the
massage business is their income and they are invested in the community. She said the
$500 annual fee is not affordable, other businesses are not charged this same fee and the
city is taking away their livelihood. She added that she was grandfathered and no one
explained how the fee money was spent.
1. PS 2019-01 Police Reports for September-November 2018
Chief Hart said these are routine reports with nothing out of the ordinary.
2. PS 2019-02 Adjudication Reports for October-December 2018
Police Chief Hart said the reports were very normal for these months. He said Newark
has been part of the city's adjudication system for about a year with only a couple
citations and it was not a burden. Committee members said they appreciated the report
updates. Some of the reports may not have been sent due to changes in the group email
lists and Chief Hart said the reports should start arriving on a regular basis.
4. PS 2019-04 Liquor Code Amendments – Brewery and Microbrewery/Brewpub
In anticipation of city growth and new business, staff is recommending a change to the
liquor ordinance language defining microbrewery and brewpubs which will match the
state liquor code. Currently the ordinance language states “barrels per year” and staff
recommends changing that to “gallons per year”. Like the State, the city will allow
155,000 gallons per year for sale. Staff is also recommending to add a class “brewery” to
be allowed to sell 930,000 gallons of beer per year to match the State. A suggested fee is
$1,750 per year. This goes to Public Hearing on January 9th. It will then move to the
City Council consent agenda and there will be two separate ordinances.
5. PS 2019-05 Purchasing Decisions
The Purchasing Manager was unable to attend the meeting and provide the information
requested. This item will be brought back to the next Public Safety meeting. The matter
will also go to the Administration committee.
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6. PS 2019-06 Police Department Staffing
Chief Hart prepared a staffing memo in response to an inquiry from Alderman Colosimo.
Four additional officers have recently been sworn in and will start soon, bringing the staff
to 34. He added that the police facility is designed for 20 officers. After the 3-month
police academy training they will be assigned to a rotation of FTO's for hands on
training. The Chief said it's common to expect a 50% 'washout' rate. Alderman
Funkhouser asked how the department will get back to full service and have an officer in
the schools, along with policing. This will be considered during the budget process This
information goes to the Administration Committee also.
Old Business
1. PS 2018-16 Liquor Code Amendment – Employment of Minors
This was discussed in the October Public Safety meeting and addressed delivery service
for alcohol. The delivery person must be 21 years of age, sales logs must be kept,
signatures must be obtained, payments cannot be accepted by the driver and orders
cannot be placed at the delivery location. The committee recommended approval and
this moves to the Council consent agenda.
2. PS 2018-18 Code Amendment – Licensing Requirements for Resale Dealers
This item was also discussed in October and staff has revised language. Ms. Willrett said
the 35% figure was left in and “which generates more than $1 million of merchandise”
was added. Currency and coins are not included in the ordinance. This moves to the
regular agenda for the next Council meeting.
Additional Business
Some vandalism occurred to Christmas decorations. Chief Hart asked that the email
information sources should contact the police even if no report is made and that some
households may have taken images with doorbell cameras. He said the cost for the home
systems is about $200-$300 and some crimes have been solved with them.
(Out of sequence)
Minutes for Correction/Approval: October 4, 2018
The minutes were approved unanimously. At the last meeting, Alderman Funkhouser
asked for police stats on a monthly basis, rather than quarterly, and Chief Hart will
provide.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 6:36pm.
Minutes transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker