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Public Safety Minutes 2009 04-23-09 APPROVED 5/28/09 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 800 Game Farm Road Yorkville, IL 60560 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, Conference Room Thursday, April 23, 2009, 2009 – 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Chairperson Spears, Committeemen Plocher (arrived at 6:25pm), Sutcliff, and Werderich ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Chief Harold Martin and Lieutenant Don Schwartzkopf Chairperson Spears called the meeting to order at 6:13 pm. PRESENTATION: None MINUTES: The minutes of March 26, 2009 were approved. NEW BUSINESS: 1.PS 2009-12 Police Reports for March, 2009 Chief Martin stated that the Police Department has been rather busy. Please note that there are some letters regarding use of the K-9. Committeeman Werderich asked if there has been a spike in any type of offenses. Chief Martin replied that overall crime has been down by 4%, however, due to the spike in the number of people within the City and the hard economic times, there has been in increase in Domestic Violence cases. Discussion took place regarding an increase to DWLS and DWLR cases. Some vehicles from felony cases are being seized. In fact cars M-26 and M-27 are both confiscated vehicles that the department is currently using. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 2.PS 2009-13 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances Providing for the Regulation of Animals Chief Martin explained that this item has returned to the Committee because the ordinance requires persons walking an animal to be 18 years of age or older. The 1 change allows for persons who are familiar with the animal and able to control the animal to walk it. Chairperson Spears noted that she received a call regarding this matter and the resident was upset. The resident was advised that a change was being considered for this ordinance. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. OLD BUSINESS: 1.PS 2009-08 BASSET Training Requirement – Discussion This item was moved to the next meeting agenda as Mayor Burd was unable to attend. Committeeman Werderich advised that he has received calls from people interested in attending the meeting; he will advise them to attend the next meeting. This item is to return to the May Public Safety Committee Agenda. 3.PS 2008-55 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances Providing for the Regulation of Truancy Chief Martin stated that the ordinance now mirrors the State Statute. Chairperson Spears stated that she asked an advisor to check the ordinance for her and was told to inquire about the following: 1. What does the handbook say about calling parents? Chief Martin stated that Office Helland needs to respond to the question. Chairperson Spears will email him regarding this question. 2. How many violations must occur before the student and family appear in court? Recording Secretary Hartigan referred to the March 26, 2009 Public Safety Committee Minutes in which it stated that each case would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Chief Martin thinks it is good to get everyone involved. Committeeman Sutcliff that the School Truancy Officer, Mary Gozner, thinks the ordinance is great, but is worried that some of the work will be sent to her. Also, she noted that the school kids in the apartments near Jewel do not get bus service and therefore, have a high truancy rate. On a personal note, she stated that her daughter was very sick last semester and missed 15 days of school throughout the semester. She stated that she received 2 letters and a call from the school and these were for excused absences. She hopes that the ordinance will get parents attention and let them know that the school, the City and the Police Department are behind them and support this ordinance. It was noted that by the time the kids with truancy problems are sent to Mary Gozner, it is typically too late to try to help them. This ordinance allows something to be done sooner to help the kids stay on the right track. st Chairperson Spears suggests moving this item to 1 Reading at the City Council st Meeting. Committeeman Sutcliff stated that 1 Reading was supposed to happen at the last meeting and is concerned about getting the information into the school handbook. Recording Secretary Hartigan noted that the March 26, 2009 Public st Safety Committee Meeting Minutes noted that the ordinance would go to 1 2 Reading at the April 14, 2009 City Council Meeting, however, since it was changed to mirror the State Statute, it must have returned to this committee for approval. Lt. Schwartzkopf contacted Rob to determine when the deadline was for the school handbook. Rob was unaware but stated that the next meeting is a few weeks away and then it will need to be sent for attorney approval, etc. st Chairperson Spears suggested the item move to 1 Reading at the City Council Meeting and also be posted on the City’s website. Committeeman Sutcliff will advise the school district that the ordinance will be posted on the website, but that it has not yet been approved. This item was moved to First Reading at the City Council Meeting. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: None 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. 3