Public Safety Minutes 2019 09-11-19Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 11/7/19
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
SPECIAL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 6:00pm
City Hall Conference Room
In Attendance:
Chairman Seaver Tarulis Alderman Joel Frieders
Alderman Daniel Transier Alderman Jackie Milschewski
Other City Officials in Attendance:
Mayor John Purcell City Clerk Lisa Pickering
Police Chief Jim Jensen Purchasing Manager Carri Parker
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Others in Attendance:
Lynn Dubajic, City Consultant Tony Weeks, Flight Tasting Room
Katie Finlon, Kendall County Record
The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm by Chairman Seaver Tarulis.
Citizen Comments: None
Minutes for Correction/Approval: July 3, 2019
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business:
1. PS 2019-25 Monthly Crime Report Review
Alderman Milschewski noted this was Chief Jensen's first meeting as Police Chief.
Starting the discussion, the Chief highlighted some of the monthly calls and said
accidents were prevalent all over town. He also simplified these statistics into a more
condensed monthly report and welcomed any feedback. The Chief gave out an
organizational chart and said he believes the police answer to the public. He also
included personnel info, budgeting items, stats and initiatives. He said more traffic
complaints are received than crime calls. Chairman Tarulis said this was very useful
information.
2. PS 2019-26 Adjudication Reports for July - August 2019
Alderman Transier noted that the general opinion was that judges will not enforce the
judgments from these hearings. Chief Jensen added that some people simply do not
come to the hearings. No further discussion.
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3. PS 2019-27 KenCom Communications Update
The Chief said since early 2019, KenCom has been working with the County Executive
Board and Finance to move the communications channel to digital and encryption. New
radios had been purchased in the early 2019 budget at a cost of $22,888. A patch/license
for each radio must now be purchased to allow entry into the digital side and encryption
portion. He said it is critical that all KenCom participating agencies have the same
equipment capabilities to be able to communicate.
Ms. Parker is working on obtaining pricing county-wide. The cost is about $450 per
license, with 2 licenses per radio needed. This purchase is expected to be phased in over
a 3-year period: in 2021 the digital portion, in 2022 the license for encryption and in
2023 the mobile units in squads will be brought up to date. Ms. Parker said the bid
should be rolled out by the end of September and brought back in November. Part of the
purchase contract agreement is to hold pricing for three years.
Alderman Frieders noted that Public Works and Police radios were just purchased last
year. He said Yorkville and Oswego only have to buy the licensing, however, other
municipalities need to purchase new equipment and licensing. Chief Jensen noted that
when the radios were purchased for Oswego and Yorkville, it was with the knowledge
that the radios were digital and encryption capable. The police department has 33 radios
at this time.
4. PS 2019-28 Fleet Status and Options
Chief Jensen presented a handout with an update of the fleet status, squad details and a
useful life schedule. Each vehicle was scored based on several criteria. Going forward,
the Chief and Finance Director will collaborate on this report.
Ms. Parker and the Chief have discussed a possible leasing program for the fleet with a
turnover each 3 years. She said this program would ultimately lower costs and she has
explored Enterprise for the leases. Enterprise will also work with the city's vendors. She
noted that replacing all vehicles at once with leased vehicles would allow the leasing
company to sell the present fleet for the city. All equipment also comes in the vehicle.
Research is being done on cities who have already instituted this program. Alderman
Frieders noted that if the fleet is routinely replaced and with the realized savings, the city
can invest in officers, rather than vehicles. Ms. Parker will have more info soon.
5. PS 2019-29 Surplus Request for Disposal of Two Police Vehicles
Two police vehicles are no longer operable and have significant mechanical issues. Ms.
Parker is requesting approval for disposal as well as an invitation to bid on one or both.
The committee approved moving this forward to City Council for approval.
6. PS 2019-30 Surplus Request for Disposal of Police Equipment
Ms. Parker had earlier discussions with the former Chief regarding storage for police
equipment. Two shipping containers were purchased and a contract with a storage
facility was canceled. There is an abundance of outdated equipment and she
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recommended selling or disposing of it. The value is unknown at this time. By voice
vote the committee approved moving this forth to the full Council.
7. PS 2019-31 Meeting Schedule for 2020
The committee approved meeting on Thursday every two months.
8. PS 2019-32 Liquor Code Amendment – Bring Your Own (BYO)
Ms. Pickering said a request was received from Mr. Tony Weeks of the Flight Tasting
Room to hold private events for club members to bring their own rare beers to share. She
said it would not be open to the public and could occur no more than once a month. The
amendment was drafted to allow this request and the permit would cost $50 per year.
Ms. Milschewski asked why a special use could not be created rather than adding to the
ordinance. Ms. Pickering said there is nothing in the existing ordinance to address this
situation and that it would be more cumbersome for the business since a special event
permit would be required for each event. She also said the initial proposal met with
negative feedback from other city businesses. Mr. Frieders also offered an explanation of
how this is handled in other communities and how the events are structured.
Alderman Transier asked if the facility would still be open to the public during these
events. Mr. Weeks replied there would be a reserved area for this gathering. Alderman
Frieders suggested the business advise the City Clerk's office when these events will
occur. This moves forward to the Council with a consensus from the committee.
9. PS 2019-33 Staffing - Update
Chief Jensen said this is just for discussion. He thanked the committee for increasing
staffing in the last year. He feels it is important to do a manpower allocation each year to
determine if the department is accomplishing the organizational goals. He had compiled
a report of the types of crimes and crime index and noted here was a 24% increase of Part
1 crimes in the city. The second part of his report is the staffing plan for each shift
allowing for 4 officers plus a Sergeant on a given shift. There are currently approximately
30 sworn personnel. He would also like to give an incentive for those who announce
retirements at least 6 months in advance which would be helpful for long-range planning.
Negotiations for union contracts are also coming, he said.
Old Business None
Additional Business
Chairman Tarulis made the following statement. He thanked the Chief of Police for
being well-prepared with agenda items and development of new reporting formats which
should prove useful to the committee. He also thanked him for frequent informational
emails regarding high profile events.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:03pm.
Minutes transcribed by Marlys Young, Minute Taker