Public Safety Minutes 2011 10-06-11
APPROVED 11/03/11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Thursday, October 6, 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:
Mayor Gary Golinski
City Administrator Bart Olson
Police Chief Rich Hart
Deputy Chief Larry Hilt
Deputy Chief Don Schwartzkopf
Others in Attendance:
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record
Zohaib Mohammed, Country Tobacco
Cody Kraber
Syed Ali Zaidi, Mr. Tobacco
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Chairman Colosimo and a quorum was
established.
Citizen Comments:
Mr. Zohaib Mohammed of Country Tobacco in Yorkville asked to speak regarding the
proposed ordinance on this agenda to prohibit the sale, possession or use of synthetic
drugs. He asked for committee input regarding herbal incense and said he is against the
ordinance. He quoted a newspaper article stating 2,700 persons had called poison control
about this substance. He said there are 75,000 calls annually regarding alcohol poisoning
and said it should be controlled as well. He said if the ordinance is passed, it would cost
him about 25-30% of his business and would also cause the loss of revenue for Yorkville
and state taxes. Mr. Mohammed said the manufacturer restriction states no one under 18
can buy the product and that he purchases his products domestically. Chairman
Colosimo said that even though the product is not for human consumption, the committee
had many concerns.
Chairman Colosimo asked to move forward New Business #3 concerning this ordinance.
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Other comments were from Mr. Syed Ali Zaidi who operates Mr. Tobacco on Rt. 71. He
said he agreed with Mr. Mohammed and assured the committee that he does not sell to
minors and checks ID’s. He does not allow anyone under 18 in his business.
Minutes for Correction/Approval:
September 1, 2011
The minutes were approved on a motion by Mr. Kot and second by Ms. Spears.
Unanimous voice vote.
New Business:
(next item moved forward on agenda)
3. PS 2011-29 Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale, Possession or Use of Synthetic
Cannabis and Other Synthetic Alternative Drugs
Chief Hart commented that this situation came to light about a year ago when a parent
called him regarding the arrest of their child who had been smoking this substance. Since
it is a legal substance, the parent felt the arrest was unjust. He also noted a similar
instance recently of kids at school smoking the substance.
Aurora and Sugar Grove have already passed ordinances against the sale. Mr. Syed Ali
Zaidi added that he has gotten customers from Aurora since the passage of the ordinance.
Alderman Kot asked if this matter had been addressed with the Kendall County Chiefs
and said he would like to see all Kendall County municipalities prohibit this substance.
He said surrounding communities need to be aware that Yorkville is proposing this
ordinance. Yorkville should be proactive according to Alderman Spears and she cited
problems with over the counter Nyquil that now must be kept behind the counter. The
State is looking at a similar ban according to Chief Hart.
Alderman Colosimo said the manufacturers know this product is not for human
consumption and to call them bath salts, etc. is a clear deception. He said there are many
instances of injury and deaths due to this substance. Alderman Funkhouser added that he
spoke with emergency room personnel who confirmed the product is very dangerous.
Education is important commented Alderman Kot. He said it is important to work with
the schools and asked what is currently in place. He also asked if any other businesses
sell this product and the committee briefly discussed.
Chairman Colosimo said he is in favor of enhancing the ordinance with punishments for
stndrd
1, 2 and 3 offenses. It was noted that liquor or tobacco licenses could be penalized
in the event of an offense. Alderman Spears suggested that the City should inform all
businesses of the ordinance and it was noted that as a courtesy, information could be sent
in water bills. Chief Hart stated that the police had notified all businesses holding liquor
licenses, regarding this agenda item.
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After discussion, the following penalties were suggested as part of an enhanced
ordinance:
st
1.1 offense, $500 fine + warning
nd
2.2 offense, $750 fine +1 day suspension of license
rd
3.3 offense, $750 fine + minimum1 day suspension of license and review by
Mayor
This item will move forward as amended, to the Council consent agenda for a vote.
(resume order of agenda)
1. PS 2011-27 Police Reports for August-September 2011
Larry Kot asked about the citizen letter. Chief Hart said it was in regards to a parking
ticket and he includes all such letters from citizens in the agenda packet. These reports
are for information.
2. PS 2011-28 Emergency Notification Services
Chairman Colosimo said he received an email from a citizen who suggested a voluntary
subscription of text messages for emergency notifications. This would provide
information to people in their homes out of earshot of warning sirens and also to residents
who are out of town.
Such a service is available through KenCom according to Chief Hart. Administrator
Olson said these services are mandated by the State and Yorkville is able to send
messages via these services. Alderman Funkhouser said he has received messages
through this means. Messages can be targeted to certain areas according to Chief Hart.
An additional service would have to be implemented to receive text messages.
Administrator Olson also discussed a GIS-based system to receive messaging and he
shared information about others systems he learned about at a recent conference.
Alderman Kot noted that notification systems for missing children can also be used in a
negative fashion if criminals have the information. There is also another program that
can draft a flier in minutes in regards to missing kids. Committee members also
discussed how to implement notification systems since many residents might only have
mobile phones.
In summary, it was noted that emergency messages can be sent through Code Red and
KenCom.
4. PS 2011-30 Request to Dispose of Vehicles
Chief Hart said all but 3 of these vehicles were seized. The police vehicles have high
mileage and/or are not running. He is looking at 3 sources to dispose of them:
1) trade-ins through dealership, 2) auction, 3) send to junkyard for scrap. The mileages
are 116,000, 113,000 and 100,000. Proceeds from trade-ins would go into the Police
Capital Fund, however, the Chief said the junkyard would be the best solution due to the
conditions. Mr. Olson noted that any mileages above 80,000 lose their trade-in value. It
was noted the seized vehicles resulted from felony arrests. This item will move to the
next Council consent agenda for a vote.
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5. PS 2011-31 Request for Fireworks Display Permit
Authorization must be granted by the City for any fireworks display according to Bart
Olson. A surprise display is being requested for the coming weekend. An insurance
certificate was requested. Chairman Colosimo said City Council approval and a
resolution is needed, but he would like to see this process streamlined for the future. Mr.
Olson recommended authority be given to the Police Chief to grant such displays. The
Chairman recommended moving this request forward to the consent agenda to authorize
this display. This matter will be moved to the next Public Safety meeting under New
Business to discuss an ordinance.
Old Business:
1. PS 2011-25 Computer/Server Replacement Update
Bids are still being gathered and an update will ready by the next meeting. Upgrades are
being done to the City server according to Mr. Olson. He said outsourcing is still cheaper
than a full-time employee. This moves to the next Public Safety Meeting Old Business
for an update.
Additional Business:
Mayor Golinski said he spoke with the EDC committee regarding the “Jail of the Dead”.
There were some reservations initially and several City officials toured the facility.
Many improvements have been done and he thinks this will bring people to the
downtown. Chairman Colosimo expressed concerns about chipping paint (this has been
remediated), electrical standards and fire codes. He asked for reassurance that everything
meets code and that there will be no problems. Alderman Spears asked if the lead paint
was removed by certified personnel and Mr. Olson said it was done properly. It was
noted there was no asbestos. Renovations are being done with donations or proceeds.
Alderman Funkhouser asked about the insurance--it is currently carried under the City.
Visitors are lead through the facility in guided tours and it was also noted that the high
school drama club is partnering with the facility.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:29pm on a motion by
Alderman Spears and second by Alderman Funkhouser.
Minutes transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker
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