Public Safety Committee Minutes 2008 08-21-08 APPROVED 9/18/08
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
800 Game Farm Road
Yorkville, IL 60560
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
City Hall, Conference Room
Thursday, August 21, 2008 — 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Chairperson Spears, Committeemen Werderich and Plocher
ABSENT:
Committeeman Sutcliff
ALSO PRESENT:
Chief Martin, Lieutenant Schwartzkopf, Lieutenant Hart, Molly Batterson, Mayor
Burd
Chairperson Spears called the meeting to order at 5:55 p.m. in the Conference Room of City
Hall.
PRESENTATION:
None
MINUTES:
With no discussion or corrections, this July 24, 2008 were approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. PS 2008-30—Police Reports for July, 2008
Chief Martin noted that the department has been holding tight on overtime
since July, 2008.
This item is informational only.
2. PS 2008-31 —Update on Administrative Adjudication Hearing Process
This item will be postponed until the September meeting; however, Molly is
in attendance to give an update from the Police Department perspective.
Molly stated the following:
• There are a few ordinances from the Code Book that need to be
cleaned up such as fine schedules, etc.
• Lt. Schwartzkopf has gotten some tentative dates for hearings through
the end of the year. Molly was asked to notify the committee of the
dates. When asked if Saturday dates were available, she replied that
they are not available this calendar year.
• The ticket books are in.
• Attorney Orr will conduct 1 more training session and get Building
and Zoning on board with the process. Molly will email the
committee with the date.
• Finance Director Mika is working on setting up credit card payment
options for this program.
3. PS 2008-32 Ordinance Amending City Code Regarding Penalty
References
Molly stated that the remainder of the penalties have been removed per
Attorney Orr.
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.
4. PS 2008-33 Ordinance Amending Updated Fine Schedule / Repealing
Outdated Fine Schedule
Molly stated that the ordinance was updated to include violations of the
Illinois Vehicle Code in order for the City to retain fees from IVC tickets. All
parking violations are $25.00.
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.
5. PS 2008-34 Request for Package Liquor License — Route 34 and
Cannonball Trail
Chief Martin stated that he and the Liquor Commissioner have already
reviewed this request and ask that the Committee review it and place it on the
Consent Agenda. Committeeman Werderich is concerned about the number
of liquor dealers in the area. Chief Martin stated that perhaps the City should
consider a distance parameter for such establishments. Committeeman
Plocher stated that he supports open commerce but can think of 4 other
locations selling liquor in the immediate area. Mayor Burd stated that liquor
licenses are granted on a case-by-case basis and if this committee feels that
request is too close to others in the area, they are welcome to turn down the
request. Committeeman Werderich stated that he also agreed that this is too
close other others in the area; however, he does not want to turn it down. He
feels it should move forward to the City Council, but not on the Consent
Agenda. Chief Martin added that the City only has 4 gas stations. He
personally would like to see a 5th gas station come into the City, but if the
requestor is denied the liquor license, he may decide against opening. He also
added that there are little if any problems with the gas stations that sell liquor.
The Police Department is much more concerned about bars.
6. PS 2008-35 Request to Hire Part-time Civilian Evidence Custodian
Chief Martin is requesting to hire a part-time civilian Evidence Custodian to
help free up some of the Sergeant's time and to take items to and from the
crime lab. The person he is interested in hiring is a retired CPAT member.
He is very meticulous and will help to organize the Evidence Room. He will
work 3-4 days a week and will not be entitled to benefits, however, the
position will ultimately result in a savings to the City by not having a Police
Officer handle these responsibilities. Lt. Schwartzkopf stated that he and
Chief Martin worked for this individual in the past and he is very good at what
he does and is very `by the book'. Chief Martin added that the Police
Department budget includes 6 part-time Police Officer positions. At the
present time, they only have 3 on staff He would like to change one of those
positions to the part-time Evidence Custodian. Chairperson Spears stated that
a person with his experience would be beneficial to the department.
With no further discussion, this item was moved to the Consent Agenda.
7. PS 2008-36 Disposal of Surplus Property
Chief Martin stated that the department is looking to auction a 1996 Chevy
Caprice with 148,000+ miles on it. The vehicle was loaned to Community
Development for a short time, however, it would no longer start and they no
longer need it. A used battery was put into the vehicle. It does have an LT-1
engine. Chief Martin feels that the City would probably receive more money
for the vehicle through the auction process rather than sealed bids.
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.
8. PS 2008-37 Request to Purchase Vehicle—Replacement Squad for M-19
Chief Martin is seeking approval to purchase a squad car that had been totaled
during a traffic stop. The City received $8500.00 from the insurance
company, plus will receive the cost of stripping and moving the equipment.
The cost deficit between the new vehicle and the insurance payment is
$10,561.31. He is requesting approval to use the General Fund Contingency
Fund to cover this cost. When asked how the department has operated
without the vehicle, Chief Martin replied that officers were moved to other
vehicles which creates a hardship in that the vehicles get more miles on them
than they should and could potentially move up the replacement date for those
vehicles. Chief Martin added that each month the department puts about
32,000 miles on their fleet, which is about 3,000 miles per patrol car.
Chairperson Spears asked if funding was available. Chief Martin replied that
Administrator McLaughlin stated there was a few weeks ago. The committee
agreed that this vehicle should be replaced. Chief Martin was asked to contact
Finance Director Mika on Monday to determine if the funding was available.
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.
9. PS 2008-38 Request to Amend Code Regarding No Parking Areas on
Certain Streets
Chief Martin stated that City Engineer Joe Wywrot has requested no parking
on sections of Bristol Bay Drive, Bertram Drive, Rosenwinkel Street, and
Beecher Road. The committee agrees that while it was not necessary to have
a public meeting for these streets, the public should have an opportunity to
address their concerns with the committee. It was suggested that notices be
sent to the affected residents through their water bill. Molly was asked to
speak with Glory to determine if specific streets could be targeted for an
inclusion of a notice with their bills. This item will be returned to a future
meeting.
10. PS 2008-39 No Fishing Off Route 47 Bridge—Discussion
Assistant City Administrator Olson received 1 resident complaint regarding
fishing off the Route 47 Bridge. Chief Martin stated that this is the first
complaint he recalls since he has been with the City. Additionally, he stated
that the fishermen get out of the way for passersby. He feels if there is truly a
problem, it should be dealt with but he does not feel that this is a problem.
Committeeman Spears stated that people have been fishing there for years, to
which Mayor Burd added that it's part of the small town charm.
Committeeman Werderich stated that he would not support a fishing ban at
this location.
If there are more complaints, this item will be returned to the committee,
however, at this time, no action will be taken.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS:
Committeeman Plocher — Advised the group to be careful on ladders as he recently
fell from a ladder.
Committeeman Werderich — He has looked for the `Kids at Play' signs in
Sunflower Estates and has not seen them. Chief Martin stated that the Police
Department would verify the installation of the signs.
Chief Martin — Speaking of signs, he would like to request that future sign matters
be moved to the Public Works Committee as the Police Department can simply
request signs, then has to forward the request to the Public Works Department. Chief
Martin stated that Public Works has to follow IDOT guidelines for type, size,
location, etc of signs, therefore, the Police Department has very little to do with them
unless it is a public safety issue. It was noted that a sign was stolen in Foxhill; Chief
Martin will let Public Works know. Chairperson Spears recommended sending sign
requests to Public Works Committee, however, the Public Safety Committee should
be copied.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING:
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan.