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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. 1 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. 2 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. 3 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 4