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Public Safety Committee Minutes 2008 05-30-08 APPROVED WITH CORRECTIONS - 7/24/08 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 800 Game Farm Road Yorkville, IL 60560 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, Conference Room Friday, May 30, 2008 — 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Chairperson Spears, Committeemen Plocher(late arrival), Sutcliff, Werderich ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Chief Harold Martin, Lieutenant Don Schwartzkopf, Sergeant Barry Groesch, Parks Director Dave Mogle, Bob Johnson and Human Resources Commission Members Joe Zerante and Cecelia Sanders Chairperson Spears called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall. PRESENTATION: None MINUTES: Minutes for the April 7, 2008 and April 24, 2008 Public Safety Committee Meetings were not included in the packets. These items will need to be placed on the next agenda for approval. NEW BUSINESS: Chairperson Spears asked to move#6 to be beginning of the agenda. 6. CC 2008-37—Policy Direction for Human Resources Commission Chairperson Spears advised the commission that there is concern regarding the Human Resources Commission, their responsibilities and follow-up from the City regarding their recommendations. Some of the functions that they serve include sponsoring the Senior Polka Party, the Historical Street Name Program, they initiated Character Counts in the schools along with Doug Trumble, Volunteer of the Year nominations, the 50th anniversary in 2006, etc. The following discussion took place: • Former Mayor Bob Johnson stated that in 1997, the function of the commission was to serve as an advisory body to the Police Department (Community Oriented Policing). They were to meet quarterly or more if needed. In his opinion, this commission will have less effect citywide the larger the city grows. However, there should be representatives from the neighborhoods and their input should be solicited. • HR Commissioner Sanders stated that she feels the problem is with follow-through on what the Commission does. For example, there should be a ceremony and better signage for the Historic Street Name Program. Additionally, applicants should be advised of the decision. With regards to the Volunteer of the Year Award, the forms are submitted and not provided to the Commission. The Commission would also like to create a volunteer registry and a resource book. • HR Commissioner Zerante stated that he moved to Yorkville in 2003 and chose to get involved. He began volunteering in 2004. He read a statement that included the following: • The cost to the City is minimal for token supplies. • The Commission members make significant contributions to the City. • The current and former chairpersons have made great sacrifices. • The Commission members have never been informed that they are doing something that the City does not wish them to do. • The former Mayor attending most of their meetings. The current Mayor has attended only one meeting in February, 2008. City Alderman don't attend either. • He would like to know if there are budgetary reasons for the City wanting to eliminate the Commission. • He feels that the Mayor, Alderman and City Administrator have no first hand knowledge of the time and dedication that these volunteers give. • He feels that the Historic Street Name Program, Sponsorship and the brochures at the Visitor Center have specific guidelines to follow. He feels that Administration would be overwhelmed by taking on these responsibilities and wants to know if the City plans to hire another employee to handle these responsibilities. • He feels that the HR Commission has ongoing objectives. • He feels that the elimination of the Commission is politically motivated, and if it were eliminated he would not feel appreciated for the work he has done. Additionally, he would discontinue volunteering for the City in any capacity if this were to happen. • Committeeman Sutcliff stated the she does appreciate all the work that volunteers do and that she feels that these are vital programs. • Discussion took place regarding the Historic Street Name Program. The program includes the following steps: o Requests are submitted, and then carefully review to determine if they meet criteria. • If it is approved, a recommendation is made to City Council. • If City Council approves, Public Works, the Post Office and the County need to sign off on the request. • Unfortunately, there is no follow-through after this point. A letter should be sent to the nominator and nominee and a request for signage should be made. These things are not happening. • Committeeman Werderich feels that the HR Commission needs to determine their vision. Additionally, he feels that the disconnect between the HR Commission and the City needs to be repaired. • HR Commissioner Zerante stated that builders are required to have 10% of their development named from the list of Historic Street Names. City Administrator McLaughlin was not even aware that a list existed. He feels that this is a problem. • Chief Martin stated that the information regarding builders is included in the builder packets; therefore, it is understandable that City Administrator McLaughlin was not aware. Additionally, he stated that Public Works Director Dhuse currently has some signs, however, he may not have the time to get them installed. He also suggested that some type of medallion be placed on the signs. • HR Commission Sanders stated that the HR Commission meeting minutes are supplied to the City, however, the HR Commission feels that they are not reviewed, therefore, items are not followed up on. • Chairperson Spears feels that the HR Commission could take on other projects/programs as well. At the present time, the HR Commission Chairperson is dealing with a family medical issue, so her future with the HR Commission is unknown at this time. • HR Commissioner Sanders stated that their commission only has 4 of its 7 members at the present time. The HR Commission is aware of letters of interest being submitted to the City Administrator McLaughlin, however, no one has been appointed to those vacancies. • Chief Martin stated that he feels he is more attune to the HR Commission's feelings and will try to fix the problems. Additionally, he will start attending as many of their meetings as he can. (It was noted that the Police Department regularly has representation at the meetings). Chief Martin also stated that he appreciates the work that the HR Commission does. • HR Commissioner Sanders stated that with regards to the Volunteer of the Year Award, the commission has received 7 or 8 applications. The others that were not selected should receive some type of certificate and the nominees should be informed that someone nominated them, however, this does not happen either. Chief Martin stated that he would be sure this gets done in the future. • HR Commission Sanders was asked to provide a copy of the meeting minutes to Chief Martin in the future. • The HR Commissioners asked if they could review the applicants for future commissioners, as they would like the group to be an adverse group of residents. • The following recommendations were made: • The HR Commission will create a vision. • Chief Martin will make a recommendation to the Public Safety Committee to have the 3 open volunteer slots on the HR Commission filled. However, the HR Commission members will have an opportunity to review the applications prior to appointment. • A new system of City follow-through will be put into place. • Staff members from various City departments (such as Public Works) will be asked to attend the HR Commission meetings in the future. • The City will take over the Visitor Center. 1. PS 2008-19—Police Reports for April, 2008 Chairperson Spears stated that she thought the DARE graduation program was wonderful and she was honored to be there. She feels as though the children respect Officer Hart and the teachers were very complimentary of him. Chairperson Spears asked when car M3 would be replaced. Chief Martin stated that the department is waiting for a seized vehicle process to be complete, as the seizure will replace M3. With no further discussion, this item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 2. PS 2008-20— Request for Class G: Beer Garden/Patio License—Fanatics Sports Bar The following discussion took place: • The liquor license has been approved. • The location is south of Route 47 in the strip mall past Ground Effects. • Committeeman Werderich was concerned the patio is too close to residents behind the building. Upon closer examination of the submitted drawings, it was determined the patio would be on the east side, which is away from the residential. Lt. Swartzkopf and Sgt. Groesch will meet with the owner to confirm the location of the patio. With no further discussion, this item will be sent to the Consent Agenda (pending the clarification of the location). 3. PS 2008-21 — Speed Studies on Selected Routes The report was reviewed. Chairperson Spears is concerned about changing E. Countryside Drive from 35 mph to 40 mph. Chief Martin stated that the change is feasible and that it would be looked at again when commercial development comes in. Lt. Swartzkopf noted that there was only 1 accident at that location. Committeeman Werderich asked for clarification regarding Greenbriar access being a conflict. Chief Martin stated that a reduction in speed is not justified and does not meet with IDOT regulations. Officers have done speed studies there and have not found violators. Sgt. Groesch suggested putting the Citizens Radio Program in place there. He will publicize this program again. With no further discussion, this item was moved to the Consent Agenda. 4. PS 2008-22—Lightning Detectors He is going to request that the City allow him to transfer funds from the warning siren fund to purchase lightning detectors for parks at schools that have fields. The system will provide a signal that the fields should be cleared due to lightning. The signal is guaranteed up to 2000 feet. The department previously purchased them for City Hall, Circle Center and downtown and feels they are great. It was suggested that developers be asked to provide these devices at parks in the future. Chairperson Spears feels that the developers should be required to install them at the onset of development. Parks Director Mogle stated that he would be willing to help with the cost if possible. He also suggests installing a detector at Bridge Park, as there are hundreds of children using the fields there. Chief Martin stated that the current pricing is for detectors at Bristol Bay, Grand Reserve and the new middle school. Parks Director Mogle will also speak with the schools to see if they could make a financial contribution towards the purchase. Parks Director Mogle and Chief Martin will meet to discuss this matter further. This item will return to this committee for future discussion. 5. PS 2008-23— City Parks—Parking Concerns Parks Director Mogle stated that he has received 2 parking complaints this summer. The first was at Foxhill. The department educated the parents and spectators regarding parking and the issue seems to be resolved. The second was at Riemenschneider Park. There is no parking on McHugh. Presently cars park on both sides of Hayden. He feels that parking on 1 side of the street would be a potential resolution. Director Mogle stated that the park has a water feature (the first in the City), which will be attractive, but he feels parking needs to be resolved before this park officially opens. It was determined that Director Mogle and Chairperson Spears would speak with the residents regarding making one side of the street no parking from McHugh to Prairie Rose. Additionally, it was suggested that there be no parking on that side from 5:00 pm—9:00 pm only. This item will return to this committee for future discussion. OLD BUSINESS: 1. PS 2007-43—Parking Restrictions for East Kendall Drive—Discussion Chairperson Spears stated that Lt. Hart has spoken with the daycare operator in the area who is willing to work with the City towards a resolution. The concern is that fire hydrants are located on her side of the street, but it makes the most sense to designate the other side of the street as no parking. Chief Martin stated that it is a narrow street. He feels that buses fit on the street and there would be no issues with fire trucks and ambulances. He feels that if parking were restricted to 1 side, a number of problems would be alleviated. Committeeman Werderich feels that the City needs to establish a policy regarding parking restrictions. It was determined that Sgt. Groesch would develop a policy and bring it back to this committee's next meeting. Then this committee will make a recommendation regarding no parking on East Kendall Drive. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: Chairperson Spears — Patty from McHugh Builders is upset about the parking ban on Cannonball Trail. She did not attend the meeting. Assistant City Administrator Olson was asked to put this item in the next Administration Packet with her comments and the meeting notes in case she contacts any of the Alderman. Asked if a-turns were legal on McHugh. Chief Martin stated that they are legal, however dangerous. She would like this issue to be reviewed again. Chief Martin stated that the item should be submitted to the Public Works Committee Agenda. Committeeman Werderich — He feels that the speeding issue on Walsh Circle may be that it is the residents perception that speeding is a problem. However, he suggests additional signage or stripping to draw more attention to the park and children. Sgt. Groesch will speak with Parks Director Mogle regarding park signage (Children at Play, etc) and Chief Martin will speak with Public Works Director Dhuse regarding additional stripping and colors of the stripes. Chief Martin will also speak with the Parks Commission regarding this matter. This item will be brought back to this committee next month for further discussion. While putting his canoe in the water on the river, he was stopped twice by the Police Department. The problem is that due to the construction at the dam, there is no parking in the area closer than 300 yards from the portage. He tried to pull over, unload his canoe, then park in a legal parking area, however, he was advised by the Police Department he could not do that either. Chief Martin stated that clarification regarding parking restrictions would need to come from Parks Director Mogle and he will work with him. Committeeman Sutcliff— She received second-hand information that a resident near the path at the portage saw an older man and younger woman walking back there. She wants to be sure that the Police Department is patrolling that area. Lt. Swartzkopf stated that the area is very muddy, but the Department does patrol there. Committeeman Plocher - none Chief Martin - none ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING: With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan.