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Public Safety Minutes 2009 12-21-09 APPROVED W/ CORRECTIONS 2/25/10 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 800 Game Farm Road Yorkville, IL 60560 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, Council Chambers Thursday, December 21, 2009 – 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Chairperson Werderich, Committeemen Munns, Plocher and Spears ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Chief Harold Martin, Lt. Hart, Lt. Schwartzkopf, City Administrator Olson, Mayor Burd, Nathan Ewing and John Purcell. Chairperson Werderich called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. PRESENTATION: None MINUTES: The minutes of October 29, 2009 minutes were approved as amended. NEW BUSINESS: 1.PS 2009-36 Police Reports for October / November, 2009 Chairperson Werderich stated that it’s nice to see the letters that the Police Department receives and to see that they are appreciated for their efforts and for good job they do representing the City. This item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 5.PS 2009-40 KenCom Discussion - Update Chief Martin stated that approval was given for the 911 upgrades and the phone system. Everyone agreed the communications center would be built in the basement and that funding options for new hires above the allotted personnel would be discussed in the future (approximately 2-3 years). Oswego and Plano were also in agreement and thought the same. At the last meeting, Larry Nelson stated that we have to agree to a percentage increase now before the new hires even take effect in 2-3 years. I informed him that the City would probably not agree to a percentage without knowing the costs. They could hire 1-5 people or more. I feel this is something that should be discussed when it's necessary, not years in advance. Larry stated that without that agreement, things would stay the way they are and there would be no upgrade to the 911 system or the phone 1 system. He stated that he doesn't know why things have changed, but he feels they are being bullied. Mayor Burd stated that all 3 Mayors and Chiefs felt the same way. Chief Martin stated that the County should not enforce layoffs and furlough days, but still give out raises. He feels that the public safety sales tax makes them more flush and that the 911 system upgrades should be included. Furthermore, he stated that the City has until February 25, 2010 to agree to pay an 11% increase or everything stays the same and there will be limited upgrades. The citizens are not being served well. We expect the County to take care of us as well. Chief Martin stated that he needs to inform the Council of this matter. We have an agreement for 4 years that the County pays all the costs. He feels we should push the County into reconsidering moving forward with the agreement in place at their November meeting. Mayor Burd stated that she is a voting member and she needs direction. After some discussion, each committeeman stated that they support the Chief and wish for him to attempt to get the County to move forward with the November agreement. It was decided that Ms. Spies would be asked to put information on the website for residents to understand what is happening. Chairperson Werderich stated that he feels that both Mayor Burd and Committeeman Spears wished to discuss the committee liaison, therefore, he feels this is an appropriate time. Mayor Burd feels that the Mayor should be the representative from the City on this committee, not a liaison. She feels that information is not coming back to the City from the KenCom meetings and she intends to change that. Chairperson Werderich stated that city ordinance states that the liaison will report to this committee. Committeeman Spears stated that the former Mayor appointed her as liaison, then she received a letter from Mayor Burd in 2007 appointing her to continue as liaison. Then, she received an updated letter where Mayor Burd states that she is the voting member and Committeeman Spears is the backup. Kendall County has the records as Mayor Burd signed the letter and sent it to John Church. Chairperson Werderich asked if the person would continue to report to this committee, to which Mayor Burd replied yes. Committeeman Plocher stated that he put his trust in the Chief regarding matters like this and asked his opinion. Chief Martin stated that he liked the idea of Committeeman Spears remaining as liaison as she has knowledge of the committee and works closely with the county. He also understands how the 2 Mayor feels and she does have the right to appoint. In conclusion, he stated he didn't want anything to change. Committeeman Spears stated that she would like to remain as liaison. Furthermore, she added that the lack of communication goes both ways. Chairperson Werderich stated that he agreed with Chief Martin and that there is a need for consistency and cohesion. He feels that he communication issue is because the liaison reports to this committee and not directly to the Mayor. He implores both Committeeman Spears and Mayor Burd to make an effort to communicate for the good of the people. Committeeman Spears stated that at all of the meetings they discuss towers, radio bands, technology, high band radio vs. low band radio. Discussion continued regarding the lack of communication. Afterwards, Committeeman Spears stated that if she is removed as liaison, she asks that the person is reliable, will be at all the meetings, has experience and will give liaison reports. The committee was asked their opinion regarding the liaison. Committeeman Plocher and Munns stated they back the Mayor's appointments. Chairperson Werderich backed Chief Martin and asked that the Police Department assist in the communication problem. Mr. Purcell from Kendall County was in attendance and asked to speak. He stated that he has not been to all the same meetings as others, therefore, he would not speak about what KenCom voted on. He stated that the KenCom Board is made up of representatives from Plano, Yorkville, Oswego, the Board and the Fire Districts. There are 12-13 people on the committee. Furthermore, he stated that the Kendall County Board has never taken a position to stop funding, but everyone feels that a cost sharing program, including increases for inflation is in order. It would be split by the member departments. He stated that some of the costs include utilities, etc. but nothing compares to the cost of personnel. The members he has spoken to don't feel it is in the county's best interest to pay 100% of future new hires. There should be a cost sharing, but no one has suggested that they pull back their current amount of funding or to cut staff levels. He stated that the County would continue to fund staff levels as they are now, plus inflation, but future hires would have to be split by member departments. Mayor Burd thanked Mr. Purcell for the information and stated that his explanation was much better and that she would explain it that way to the City Council. 3 Committeeman Spears asked if KenCom had the funds for the federally mandated upgrades, to which he replied yes. 2.PS 2009-37 Ordinance Amending City Code Regarding Number of Patio Liquor Licenses The amendment is to allow a license for Buffalo Wild Wings. The committee was polled and unanimously agreed. This item will move to the January 12, 2010 Consent Agenda. 3.PS 2009-38 Ordinance Amending City Code Regarding Number of Packing Liquor Licenses This amendment is to allow Walgreens to sell packaged beer and wine. The committee was polled and unanimously agreed. This item was moved to the January 12, 2010 Consent Agenda. 4.PS 2009-39 Police Department Staffing - Discussion Chief Martin stated the following:  The department has 30 full-time employees including himself.  An allocation study was completed.  The City is 20.12 miles.  The population is 17,000.  There are 124 miles of roadway.  There are 6200 residential homes.  There are 600 commercial buildings.  There are 27 government buildings.  There are 9 schools.  There is a total of 6730 buildings.  The ratio of officers per 1000 residents is 1.78, the average in our region is 1.81.  He feels they are right in the ballpark and are doing very well.  Crime is down 9% overall.  Patrol miles from the last 12 months (through September) are 323,000 for an average of 450 per day.  Reports continue to increase.  Last year they took 3500 reports.  He feels that manpower is where it should be and any new allocations should only be made if the community continues to grow.  He hopes to get a full time employee for the office in the future as that is the only area they are hurting. Committeeman Munns stated the department was doing a good job. Committeeman Plocher asked where the 9% decrease came from. Chief Martin replied that is from the FBI stats. 6.PS 2009-41 Police Services for the Village of Newark - Discussion Chief Martin stated that he received a request from the Mayor to increase funding to the City. As such, he has spoken to the Village of Newark regarding providing policing services to their town. There have been 2 meetings thus far in order to 4 get an understanding of what could be provided to them. The Village of Newark seems excited about this opportunity. The City of Yorkville is less than 3 miles from the Village of Newark. As a whole, the community has less crime than the Foxhill Subdivision. Their population is approximately 1000. This would be advantageous to both communities. They have a squad car that we could use for our patrols. He is seeking support from the Public Safety Committee to continue to more forward in exploring this opportunity. The committee was polled and unanimously agrees to support Chief Martin in exploring this matter. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: None ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING: With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:07 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan. 5