Public Safety Minutes 2010 01-28-10
APPROVED 2/25/10
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
800 Game Farm Road
Yorkville, IL 60560
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
City Hall, Council Chambers
Thursday, January 28, 2010 – 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Chairperson Werderich, Committeeman Spears
ABSENT:
Committeemen Munns, Plocher
ALSO PRESENT:
Chief Rich Hart, Delene Drew and Tom Kratzer from the Village of Newark, Paul
Zabel - Building Department, Tony Scott from The Record, Ryan Morton from
WSPY and Steve Lord from the Beacon News
Chairperson Werderich called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm.
There was no quorum, however, discussion took place on the following:
Chairperson Werderich welcomed and congratulated Chief Hart on his new appointment as
Chief of Police. He stated the Committee is happy to be working with him.
NEW BUSINESS:
3.PS 2010-03 Newark Poling Recommendations
Chief Hart stated that the Police Department has been working on this for awhile.
Tonight, 2 members of the Village Board from the Village of Newark are in
attendance. This is a new concept for the department, but we would like to
maximize our services. We have met with the Village of Newark and currently
the Sheriff's Office provides patrol of their community. Patrols average
approximately 5 hours per day and its handled similar to an overtime detail. We
recommend providing the same service of 5 hours of patrol per day, but also
offering the same types of services that the residents of Yorkville are accustomed
to. We are recommending a cost of $60,000.00 per year to Newark which will
also include our adjudication process. We still need to investigate how to break
down the fee schedule. The next step is to work with the Village of Newark
attorney to go into an Intergovernmental Agreement. We hope to have a legally
binding agreement soon. The Village of Newark is interested in a long-term
agreement such as 10 years, with a fee re-opener at some point.
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Mr. Kratzer from the Village of Newark stated that building a Police Department
is too cost prohibitive for them. We need a long term agreement so we know that
we can count on this and aren't left in a bad position in a few years.
Chief Hart stated that the department needs to review Newark's ordinances and
determine how to handle reports and parking tickets, for example having specific
ones printed, etc.
Chairperson Werderich asked the representatives from Newark if they would be
amiable to an escalated cost due to inflation, population, etc. Mr. Kratzer stated
that when the Sheriff's Office stated this process, they were getting paid $12.00
per hour, now they are paying $30.00 per hour, so, yes, cost of living increases,
etc. are understandable. Ms. Drew stated that population increases should also be
considered.
Chairperson Werderich asked how this would be absorbed into the adjudication
process. Chief Hart stated they would probably hold a second hearing on the
same evening as the Yorkville hearing. We still need to research the tickets,
letterhead and reports. Mr. Kratzer stated that they have looked into the
adjudication process but are not too familiar with it. Chairperson Werderich
stated that it adds more time and flexibility to the police department, reduces man
hours necessary to enforce tickets and that court time is also reduced.
Committeeman Spears noted the process is also helpful to residents. Mr. Kratzer
stated that he has informed some of their residents that the process has a benefit to
them in that tickets do not go on their records, etc. Furthermore, he stated that
Newark would be eager to join the process with Yorkville and take advantage of
this opportunity.
Chairperson Werderich instructed Chief Hart to move forward with formal
negotiations. Chief Hart thanked the committee and stated he would keep them
informed. He informed Mr. Kratzer that he hoped to begin meeting formally next
month.
Mr. Kratzer stated that it was their goal to listen to any questions the committee
had. He stated that Chief Hart and Mayor Burd has visited them. He hoped the
committee understands the small city and community feel to policing. He now
feels like that is exactly what is in place and provided by Yorkville.
Committeeman Spears feels this agreement would be cost effective to both
communities while keeping everyone out of harms way.
1.PS 2010-01 Police Reports for December, 2009
Chief Werderich congratulated the Police Department.
2.PS 2010-02 Intergovernmental Agreement with BKFD for Fire Prevention
Code Enforcement
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Mr. Zabel stated that an intergovernmental agreement is being pursued with the
Bristol Kendall Fire District and the City to adopt new building codes and fire
codes with amendments. Mr. Zabel reviewed some suggested changes to the
draft, to which the committee was in agreement.
The BKFD will enforce our codes.
Committeeman Spears asked if the fees are the same. Mr. Zabel replied that these
would be in addition to the City's fees. Committeeman Spears stated that the
Illinois Municipal League is stating that this is the worst time for communities to
increase fees. She feels this would possibly burden residents with double fees.
Mr. Zabel stated that the fee schedule is in draft form now, but it will soon go to
the EDC. Committeeman Spears stated that she would prefer that he fees be put
together so there is no increase. Mr. Zabel stated that the City's fee structure is
the same, but the fire district fees would be considered an increase.
Chief Werderich stated that Mr. Zabel should work with Attorney Orr on the
changes and bring this item back to the Committee.
4.PS 2010-04 Review of Committee Liaisons
Committeeman Spears suggested this item be returned to the next agenda for
discussion since all the members were not in attendance and in order for her to
attend another committee's meeting where she may be named liaison to a
committee. Chairperson Werderich was in agreement.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION:
None
ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING:
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan.
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