Public Safety Minutes 2011 07-07-11
APPROVED 8/4/11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Thursday, July 7, 2011 6:30pm
City Hall Conference Room
In Attendance:
Chairman Carlo Colosimo Alderman Rose Spears
Alderman Chris Funkhouser Alderman Larry Kot
Other City Officials in Attendance:
City Administrator Bart Olson
Deputy Chief Larry Hilt
Deputy Chief Donald Schwartzkopf
Superintendent of Parks Scott Sleezer
Others in Attendance:
Bob Johnson, Fire & Police Commission
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Chairman Colosimo and a quorum was
established.
Chairman Colosimo asked to amend the agenda to move item #5 to the beginning of the
agenda.
New Business:
(out of sequence)
5. PS 2011-19 Ordinance Authorizing the Collection of an Application Fee from
Applicants to the Police and Fire Dispatch
Bob Johnson from the Police and Fire Commission presented a proposed ordinance to
collect a $25 fee from applicants to the Yorkville Fire and Police Departments. During
the last testing cycle, there were over 200 applicants. The $25 fee is the cost to the
Commission and comes from their budget. This year the Commission will test for both
future Sergeants and police applicants. State law requires that police applicants be tested
every 2 years and promotional exams are required every 3 years even if not hiring. Most
communities already charge a fee and the County currently has a fee.
Alderman Funkhouser moved and Alderman Spears seconded to move this ordinance to
the Council consent agenda. Unanimous voice vote approval.
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Citizen Comments:
None
Minutes for Correction/Approval:
June 2, 2011
Three corrections were requested and will be made. Alderman Kot made a motion to
approve the minutes as amended and Alderman Spears seconded. Unanimous voice vote
approval.
New Business cont.
1. PS 2011-15 Comprehensive Staffing Study – Police Department
Deputy Chief Hilt said Chief Hart had spoken with a WIU professor to determine if there
is a graduate student who could assist the Police Department with this study, however, no
one is available at this time. Deputy Chief Hilt said current staffing levels do not allow
for department personnel to undertake this study, but some statistics have been gathered
from other departments. Presently there are 24 full time officers, which translates to 1.41
officers per 1,000 population, placing Yorkville on the low end of other department
averages. Research is still being done and more information will be brought back to a
future committee meeting. This is informational only at this time.
2. PS 2011-16 Weather Warning Sirens
This item was also discussed at the last meeting and since that time the sirens were
needed for a weather situation. Several Raintree residents said they did not hear the
sirens and a test was going to be done for this subdivision. Deputy Chief Hilt also said a
complaint was received from Grande Reserve and the siren was found to be faint in that
area. The service firm for these sirens was called and an annual inspection will be
performed. Chairman Colosimo asked that this item be placed on the agenda for a
follow-up after the testing. It was also noted a siren was struck by a vehicle and it is not
known if the repairs have been done yet.
Alderman Spears said that a Bristol Bay citizen twice reported this area is not covered by
a siren, with the closest one being near Mill Road. The resident was informed that 500
units must be in place before a siren will be installed. Ms. Spears recommended that the
City speak with the developer. Mr. Olson said the developer is required to pay the impact
fee when the subdivision is platted and the sirens are then installed. Autumn Creek and
Bristol Bay were slated to receive coverage in 2010 at a cost of $30,000 each. Chairman
Colosimo suggested it might be more cost-effective to have both installed at the same
time. Locations need to be determined by the professionals.
In a related matter, Alderman Kot inquired about the lightning siren located in one of the
parks. Scott Sleezer said there is one in place at Riverfront Park and a portable unit is
used at Bridge Park. He said the Parks Department is trying to work with the schools for
additional units and that Bristol Bay needs one for the soccer program. Mr. Olson asked
if this matter should be brought back to committee or taken directly to Council if there
are available funds and sirens are needed. It was decided the matter should be sent to
Council if money is available.
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3. PS 2011-17 Police Reports for May 2011
Chairman Colosimo asked the first column “Incident Type” to be widened for readability.
The mileage report will be available next month. The reports will move forward to the
Council consent agenda on a motion by Alderman Kot and second by Alderman
Funkhouser. Unanimous voice vote approval.
4. PS 2011-18 Parking Near Riemenschneider Park
Parking issues at this location near McHugh and Hayden were previously discussed. Mr.
Olson said a “no parking” sign is in place on Hayden and specifies hours and dates.
There are no parking restrictions on McHugh, but Administrator Olson suggested
allowing parking only on the park side so that people are not forced to cross the street.
With less parking available, people will park farther into the subdivisions resulting in
possible complaints.
It was suggested to research possible parking at the SEC building and Mr. Sleezer and
Ms. Laura Schraw may try to schedule a fall meeting with the owners to discuss. A
hedgerow or fence was suggested to prevent persons from walking through a nearby
natural area. Saturday parking restrictions when sports events are held and a possible
parking lot were both also discussed. Restrictions were also suggested from Prairie
Point to Hayden (adjacent to the park). If parking is restricted on one side, re-striping
might be needed.
Alderman Spears also questioned if the nearby Fire Department might have difficulty
getting through on these streets when cars are parked here.
The matter will be tabled until the next meeting on a motion by Funkhouser and second
by Kot so more information can be gathered. Unanimous voice vote approval.
Old Business:
None
Additional Business:
1. Alderman Kot noted there are no speed signs on Rosenwinkel (off Galena). This will
be discussed at the next meeting and Mr. Sleezer will talk with the Public Works
Director.
2. Lack of traffic control signs at Northland and Western was brought up by Alderman
Funkhouser. He said he has received complaints from residents in his ward.
3. Alderman Kot questioned why pedestrian crossing signs are no longer being used.
Cars were being damaged and officers were injured due to the heaviness of the signs.
Limited manpower is also an issue. He said mixed messages are being sent since there
was heavy enforcement at one time and now very limited. Alderman Funkhouser said an
LED, solar-powered sign is used in Oswego and it is operated by a push-button system.
Scott Sleezer will talk with Eric Dhuse to obtain exact costs of signs that are thought to
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be $200-250 per sign. The general agreement was that there should be signage
particularly by the park on Rt. 47.
4. Chairman Colosimo discussed Elizabeth St. and said there used to be a sign “traffic
from right does not stop”. He suggested such a sign should be placed under the stop sign
to help prevent near-miss accidents here. Mr. Olson will speak with the traffic engineer.
5. There are currently solicitors in the City and they are approaching houses posted with
“no solicitor” signs. They have been rude to residents and have no license. Residents are
encouraged to call police. Alderman Kot noted that DeKalb County had incidences of
assaults and thefts by solicitors.
6. Deputy Chief Hilt reported the July 4th festivities went smoothly.
7. A sexual predator rumor was discussed by Deputy Chief Schwartzkopf and he
clarified the incident.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Kot and
second by Funkhouser. Unanimous voice vote approval.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.
Minutes transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker
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