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Public Safety Minutes 2010 04-29-10 APPROVED 6/2/11 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 800 Game Farm Road Yorkville, IL 60560 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING Yorkville Public Library, Historic Meeting Room April 29, 2010 – 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Chairperson Werderich, Committeemen, Munns, Plocher and Spears ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Chief Rich Hart, Lt. Schwartzkopf, Sgt. Delaney Chairperson Werderich called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm. MINUTES FOR CORRECTION / APPROVAL The minutes of the February 25, 2010 meeting were approved as submitted. NEW BUSINESS: 1.PS 2010-06 Police Reports for February and March, 2010 Committeeman Spears what will happens with the vehicles that were supposed to be replaced in 2008 and 2009. Chief Hart explained that the Police Department has 3 vehicles for sale and is looking to replace 2 more this year. Additionally, since some of the vehicles are older and should have been replaced, the Police Department will need to add additional funds under maintenance for the next 2 years. He noted that the older the vehicle gets, the more costly the repairs are. The request for 2 vehicles will be on the next agenda, if approved, they will be purchased with capital funds. 2.PS 2010-07 Open Burning Ordinance - Discussion Chairperson Werderich stated that Alderman Sutcliff asked him to put this item on the agenda as a result of a resident letter. In summary, the letter states that the resident's neighbor has an open pit for fires and the problem is that they leave the fire burning unsupervised at the end of the night. The resident is suggesting that the City amend the ordinance such that a person much supervise any fire that is burning. Committeeman Plocher stated that in this particular situation, there is more going on than just a complaint about open burning in that there is a neighbor feud going on and the police have been called in the past. Chief Hart stated that officers have responded there regarding the burning and have felt that there was no issue. He stated that the police responded twice in one evening recently and the first time the fire was already extinguished. The second time embers were 1 burning that the Sergeant extinguished. There was really nothing else that the Police Department could do because embers could pick up again due to wind. Committeemen Munns and Plocher expressed a desire to enforce the ordinance already in place. Chief Hart stated that item #2 of the Open Burning Ordinance could create confusion. He stated this is not normally an issue, but if the committee wants more clarification he suggests clarifying the last sentence of that item that states that "fire are conducted in such a manner so as not to constitute a hazard or nuisance to persons or property". Committeeman Spears stated that when this ordinance was worked on, fire rings and fire pits were part of the language. She feels that the ordinance should be changed because in this circumstance, the fire is held at the back of the property line near the resident's carriage house and is left burning unattended. She feels that language should be added that states that all fires should be extinguished before persons depart. Committeeman Plocher feels that the more wording is added, the more confusing the ordinance becomes. Chief Hart stated that he understands both sides of this and feels that until this recent complaint, this matter has not been an issue. The Police Department has only dealt with illegal fires in the past such as burning leaves. Sgt. Delaney feels that leaving the ordinance as vague as possible in order to allow the Police Department to use their judgment is best, however, he does feel that some level of responsibility should be given to the person having the fire. Chief Hart suggested adding language that the person conducting the fire should use all means necessary to extinguish the fire before leaving it unattended. The ordinance will be re-written and brought back to the next agenda for review. Chief Hart will also be sure that roll call training is conducted regarding public nuisances. 3.PS 2010-08 KenCom Funding Agreement - Discussion Committeeman Munns stated that KenCom had put $1.6395 million into their budget, anything over that would have to be split by the other communities. Additionally, there is a $.75 surcharge on phone bills for 911 services. KenCom is seeking our agreement to a percentage of an unknown dollar amount. Chief Hart stated that if the growth in the community stops, there would be no additional funds needed, but if the growth picks up expenses will be incurred based upon the number of CAD dispatches. Additionally, if another community drops out of KenCom, then the remaining communities would have a bigger portion of the expenses. Chief Hart stated that Larry Nelson informed the group that any agency that does not sign the agreement will not be part of KenCom. He explained that he cost breakdown is 15% for fire agencies and 85% for police agencies. There are 4 police agencies that would split it based on the CAD incidents over a 3 year period. 2 Chief Hart stated that the Communication Center project for 2011 is projected to cost $10,000.00 - $15,000.00 which is inexpensive for a Dispatch Center as they typically cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. His concern is that all tax dollars go to the county and that Yorkville creates $1.25 million dollars of tax revenue from businesses and public safety sales tax. Furthermore, he is concerned that that County Board states that the deal is with KenCom, yet KenCom states that the deal is with the County Board. At this point, our options are signing the agreement under protest before the deadline or partnering with Oswego to create our own Communication Center at a cost of $1.6 million dollars to start and $700,000.00 a year split cost. Chief Hart stated that the Public Safety Sales Tax was passed by the county and was explained as funds to be used for the 911 center. Chairperson Werderich stated that this item needs to go to the City Council as soon as possible under the Public Safety Agenda because of the deadline. Furthermore, he asked Chief Hart and Committeeman Munns to be ready to make a presentation to the City Council regarding what our options are. Committeeman Munns stated that he does not think the City should publicize the fact that we have other options. Committeeman Plocher suggests discussing the matter in Executive Session under Contract Negotiations. Committeeman Spears stated the problem is that the County is aware of the City's budget situation and can use that against us. Chief Hart explained that there seems to be no dialogue between the County Board and the KenCom Board. Some of the board members were scheduled to speak at Oswego Village Board meetings but backed out twice. Chief Hart also explained that the Village of Oswego has been making changes to the way they dispatch for some time now. Certain items are not reported to KenCom so that CAD incidents are not created, they report those items to their 24 hour Records Department. Therefore, if growth in the area continues, he feels that Yorkville will be responsible for the largest portion of the cost to KenCom because all our incidents and actions are reported through KenCom. Chairperson Werderich asked if the $.75 surcharge could be funneled here. Chief Hart stated that it goes into a county general fund and can be used for the jail, courthouse, etc. Chairperson Werderich asked Chief Hart to do more investigation into what Oswego does. This item will be presented to City Council at their next meeting. 3 OLD BUSINESS: 1.PS 2010-04 Committee Liaisons No discussions ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: Committeeman Spears - Would like to discuss problems at Parfection Park. Chairperson Werderich stated that he was planning to discuss this item this evening. A resident's husband is a Police Officer in Aurora and in COP Unit. The unit targets landlords, rentals, etc. She was happy to find out that the City of Yorkville has does this for over 15+ years and that our Lieutenant trained this particular Aurora officer. The Aurora officer does have some projects that they do that he is willing to share with us, perhaps our Police Department could spend some time with him. Chairperson Werderich - A resident on Greenbriar has property that backs up to Parfection Park's driving range. The resident was unable to attend today's meeting so this item will be put on the next agenda. Paul Zabel has been out there to investigate and has prepared a response. Chief Hart asked if an extra watch was in order. Chairperson Werderich stated that it's not really a police issue as the problem is golf balls in people's yard therefore, it's more an issue for Building and Zoning. Committeeman Spears stated that similar issues have come up in the past, but the golf course was there before the houses were developed. Committeeman Plocher agrees. Chief Hart stated that Parfection Park has been good about working with the residents in the past. ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING: With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan. 4