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Public Safety Minutes 2009 03-26-09 APPROVED 4/23/09 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 800 Game Farm Road Yorkville, IL 60560 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, Conference Room Thursday, March 26, 2009 – 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Chairperson Spears, Committeemen Plocher and Sutcliff ABSENT: Committeeman Werderich ALSO PRESENT: Lieutenant Don Schwartzkopf, Lieutenant Rich Hart, Molly Batterson, Officer Jon Helland, and Tony Scott of The Record Chairperson Spears called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. MINUTES: The minutes of January 22, 2009 were approved as corrected. OLD BUSINESS: 2.PS 2008-55 – Truancy Ordinance – Discussion Officer Helland explained that he drafted this policy as a way to enforce truancy through the Police Department. It is a tool that could be used to keep kids in school and put them on the right track. He stated that by the time Mary Gozner from the Regional Superintendent’s Office learns of truancy issues, the child has had 15-20 absences and beyond the point of help. This is a nice intervention tool to help the child. Furthermore, he wished to stress the purpose is not as a revenue generator, it is to help lead the children in the right direction. Officer Helland will be working with the School District to get the policy included in the school handbook for next year. Officer Helland advised that it cannot be limited to ‘within School District boundaries’ or to ‘Yorkville residents’ as Parkview and Opportunity School would be excluded, also residents outside the city limits who attend school in within Yorkville would be excluded. Molly added that if the ordinance is adopted, the officers can make a procedural decision regarding how to handle each situation on a case-by-case basis. For example, a child who is truant for the first time could receive a 1 written warning for the first offense, then an adjudication ticket for any future offenses. st This item was moved to the City Council meeting of April 14, 2009 for 1 reading. NEW BUSINESS: 1.PS 2009-06 Police Reports for January / February, 2009 Chairperson Spears noted that the list of calls has increased significantly. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 2.PS 2009-07 Disposal of Police Vehicles (Surplus) Chairperson Spears asked if the vehicles were scheduled for replacement. Lt. Hart responded that they are and that one replacement has already been received, the other will be ordered later this month. 3.PS 2009-08 BASSET Training Requirement – Discussion Chairperson Spears noted that this item was to return to the agenda for discussion with the Mayor and Officer Groesch. As they were not in attendance, this item was moved to the April Agenda. 4.PS 2009-09 Draft Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances Regarding Hours of Liquor Sales Discussion took place regarding the reason that this item was returned. Molly explained that packaged liquor sales (from the grocery store, liquor store, etc.) begin at 10:00 am, this ordinance pertains to liquor sales at bars, restaurants, etc. There have been requests to change the time due to early sporting events, etc. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 5.PS 2009-10 Amended Fine Schedule for Pre-Payment of Citations Pending Under Administrative Adjudication Molly stated that Chief Martin asked her to explain that this list gets updated regularly as new offenses get added, it is a reference tool for the officers and when changes are made such as the animal ordinance that resulted in section number changes, the list needs to be updated. She advised that the list would probably be updated on a fairly regular basis. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 6.PS 2009-11 Traffic Enforcement Agreement for Private Property Molly stated that the Police Department is unable to enforce violations on private property such as stop signs in the Target parking lot, etc. She stated that this item would allow property owners to sign an agreement with the Police Department giving them authority to enforce all laws. Lt. Schwartzkopf explained that currently the Police Department can enforce DUI, Reckless Driving and Parking in Handicapped Parking Spots, anything outside of that is not enforceable. He also noted that most of the property owners are in favor of such a policy. 2 Discussion took place regarding the fact that this would allow the Police Department to issue tickets for drivers at fault in a private property accident. Discussion also took place regarding the stop signs on the private on Countryside. It was noted that the developer would be contacted, but they would probably not change the signs until the property is developed. Molly explained that the Police Department would asked the property owners to sign the agreement, executed agreements would be brought forth to City Council on a case-by-case basis. Chairperson Spears noted that page 2, section 3 refers to Section 2A, however, there isn’t a section 2A. Additionally, the signature line states ‘President’. Molly noted that the corrections would be made. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. OLD BUSINESS: 1.PS 2008-46 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances Providing for the Regulation of Fireworks Lt. Hart explained that the ordinance has been simplified and it mimics state law. Additionally, a starter gun used for races is now listed as acceptable. Molly stated that there are very complex federal and state guidelines which make this a difficult ordinance, however, it has been simplified and the officers will probably received addendums to the ordinance with more specific information. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda 3.PS 2009-03 Mobile Food Vendors - Discussion Chairperson Spears noted that this item returned to the Committee for clarification of what the City could and could not regulate. It was noted that if the ice cream vendor is restricted, then the hot dog vendor would have to be restricted as well. Molly explained that the Police Department needs to have complainants who are willing to make written statements as they have a difficult time in court with offenses that were reported anonymously. When asked about the amount of complaints received against mobile food vendors, Lt. Hart responded that he recalls last year being called out because an unlicensed vendor was soliciting in the park and the licensed vendor approached him and began an argument. Molly was asked to submit information regarding the identification badges and the ordinance to Chairperson Spears. Lt. Hart felt it would be a good idea to include this information in an upcoming newsletter. Molly reminded the group that the information is also located on the City’s website. The item was for discussion only. 3 ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: Molly: She will be updating the Police Department website with information regarding the Adjudication Process. She will move the ordinances to a more conspicuous location and include information regarding the procedure. Chairperson Spears: She had forwarded information to the Police Department regarding a complaint for a parking ticket during a snow fall. The resident stated that he attended an Adjudication Hearing on February 22, 2009 and that everyone was rude, including the hearing officer. Molly noted that the hearing officer advised Public Works to post more signs regarding the snow parking restrictions. Lt. Hart added that the City is only required to post the signs at the major entrances throughout the City. Lt. Schwartzkopf stated that officers have been advised to measure the snow and take a photo of the measurement. Molly added that the hearing officer was very nice to the resident and Lt. Schwartzkopf added that the hearing officer went above and beyond what was expected of her. Chairperson Spears thanked the Police Department and Chief Martin for their assistance. ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING: With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan. 4