HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/2019 COW Minutes IMMI4191fIWfIWWVMIXMWIIMIpININNINNIVMWIIYIYIIIWIIIIIIIIIW.YWWWIWWWI
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
— January 22, 2019 —
V Floor, Village Board Room
Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street
1. ROLL CALL— CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall,
50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Arlene Juracek. Trustees present included William
Grossi, Eleni Hatzis, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers, Colleen Saccotelli and Michael Zadel.
Staff present included Village Manager Michael Cassady, Assistant Village Manager Nellie
Beckner, Village Clerk Karen Agoranos, Director of Communications Howard Kleinstein,
Director of Building & Inspection Services William Schroeder, Deputy Director of Building
& Inspection Services Mark Rysavy, Director of Community Development William Cooney,
Fire Deputy Chief John Dolan, Deputy Police Chief Mike Eterno, Director of Public Works
Sean Dorsey, Director of Finance David Erb and Management Analyst Alexander
Bertolucci.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
None
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1 E-cigarettes, Vaping and Age Minimums for Tobacco Products
Management Analyst Alex Bertolucci provided a background of the Village Code which
prohibits the sale and possession of tobacco products to any person under the age of 18.
E-cigarettes use has increased, particularly among our youth, and is often construed as a
safe alternative to tobacco use. E-cigarettes however, have not been approved as a
smoking cessation aid. Mr. Bertolucci stated since 2018, use of alternative nicotine
products has doubled among junior and high school age children.
In 2018, Govenor Rauner vetoed State Senate Bill 2332 that would have raised the
statewide minimum age to purchase tobacco products to age 21.
Mr. Bertolucci stated neighboring communities, including Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove,
Elk Grove Village and Hoffman Estates have increased the minimum age to purchase
tobacco products including e-cigarettes from age 18 to 21. This prompted the Village to
examine our current code.
Mr. Bertolucci's presentation included definitions and types of e-cigarettes, a review of
Clean Air Regulations and next steps/alternatives for Village action.
Board Comments/Questions
• State Law approved sale and possession for age 21 and over; vetoed by governor
• Concerned that underage access to this to too easy
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• How is the Police Department currently enforcing the existing ordinance?—Deputy
Chief of Police Mike Eterno responded, stating violations are issued similar to
parking tickets but the fines are different,parents are contacted and violators pay
a $50 fine or may request a court date.
• Vaping is just as objectionable as smoking
• Enforcement should start at home
• Difficult for police to enforce; would be made easier if laws were the same across
the state
• Health and well-being of our citizens is a concern; we must do our part to halt
rampant use of these products
• Supports ordinance that would enforce sale and possession to those age 21 and
over
• Do officers ask violators where/who they purchased the product? Deputy Chief
Eterno stated they do but without much success
• Vaping products are more discreet than tobacco products making it easier to
conceal
• Real concern is usage amongst pre-teen and teenage children. Deputy Chief
Eterno responded, stating it is easy for those under age 18 to gain access to
these products and added the Police Department, through community outreach,
is educating youth on the dangers of these products. Universally raising the age
throughout the state will help control enforcement.
Public Comment
Louis Goodman
310 N. School St.
Mr. Goodman suggested we wait until we know how the new Governor and the Illinois
State Senate decide to move forward before making any decisions at the municipal level.
The Board provided direction to change the sale to 21 years of age and keep possession
at 18 years of age. Board suggested to draft ordinance both ways for decision.
A comprehensive review of the Clean Air Act should be included in future discussions.
4.2 2018 Communications Year in Review
Director of Communications Howard Kleinstein provided a review of the Village's
communication efforts in 2018 and goals for 2019.
Mr, Kleinstein stated Village Communication consists of four categories: website, social
media, direct email and print. Mr. Kleinstein provided an overview of analytics for these
areas including the number of page visits, bounce rates, returning and unique visitors.
Definitions and explanations of these terms were provided to better understand the data
provided. Mr. Kleinstein presented a website heat map that indicated the Village's most
visited pages. Employment, search box, online bill payment and the Village calendar were
the four most popular pages in 2018.
Mr. Kleinstein provided Social Media analytics for facebook, twitter, YouTube, and
Nextdoor. Direct email analytics including the Village's use of campaign monitor to send
direct email newsletters and email notifications of upcoming meetings were evaluated.
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Print analytics, including press releases, newspaper advertising, Village newsletter, rack
cards and other forms of print promotional tools were presented and discussed.
Mr. Kleinstein discussed goals for 2019 that include training for social media users group,
expansion of social media platforms (introduction of Instagram and enhanced use of
Nextdoor), and social media listening.
Board Comments
• Instagram will be a great addition; good platform to generate interest in our events
• Social media allows for misinformation to be circulated to a large number of people.
Mr. Kleinstein responded, stating staff attempts to identify misinformation and
inaccurate information and requires constant monitoring. Assistant Village
Manager Nellie Beckner added staff does not and cannot respond to every
inaccuracy; it is a delicate balancing act.
• Caution should be followed by Village Board members when responding to social
media post so people do not interpret individual responses as official Village
statements.
• Village is very transparent; more so than other municipalities
Public Comment
Jeff Nejdl
Commented on the usefulness of YouTube.
4.3PulsePoint Presentation
Fire Chief Brian Lambel presented information on PulsePoint App that connects to the 911
dispatch center to CPR trained citizens through a mobile app informing that someone nearby is
experiencing a sudden cardiac event. This early citizen CPR intervention will increase
survivability of those having a cardiac emergency.
Chief Lambel stated the PulsePoint software is supported by the department's new CAD
(computer aided dispatch) system, scheduled to be operational at the end of 2019. Chief Lambel
discussed pricing. The cost of the software is$10,000. The annual subscription is$13,000 which
covers a community of 300,000 — 500,000 people. Northwest Central Dispatch covers a
community of just under 500,000 and dispatches 11 different fire departments.
Chief Lambel provided a detailed presentation on how the PulsePoint app is implemented and its
capabilities.
Board Comments/Questions
• Important to the life-safety of our residents
• Are there other similar apps that would compete with this? Chief Lambel responded,
stating he is unaware of any, but would continue to investigate
• Great program; fully support this program
• Great opportunity to engage community
• Questioned if responders are subject to background checks. Chief Lambel responded
there are no procedures in place to do so. Chief Lambel added he is unaware of any
problems or issues with responders. Chief Lambel stated he will consider this in the future.
5. MANAGER'S REPORT
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None.
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Juracek announced Des Plaines passed an ordinance increasing the age to 21 for
both sale and possession. Trustee Richard Rogers suggested conducting a survey of
adjacent municipalities to determine where each stands on this issue.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
Karen Agoranos
Village Clerk
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