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