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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/12/2008 COW minutes COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES February 12, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7: 11 p.m. in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, Arlene Juracek and John Korn. Staff present were Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Police Chief John Dahlberg, Public Works Director Glen Andler, Administrative Analyst Michael Dallas, Project Engineer Matt Lawrie and Village Attorney Everette Hill. II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes of September 25, 2007. Minutes were deferred since there were not enough Trustees present at this meeting that were not absent on September 25. Minutes from January 8, 2008 motion made by Trustee Korn and seconded by Trustee Hoefert. Minutes were approved. Motion made by Trustee Corcoran seconded by Trustee Korn to add Personnel to the Closed Session agenda which has been scheduled to discuss Land Acquisition. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION. POLICE AND FIRE ORGANIZATION REGULATIONS The Mayor moved item # 5 BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION, POLICE AND FIRE ORGANIZATION REGULATIONS to item #4 for discussion purposes. Village Attorney Everett Hill provided a summary of the Village powers under Home Rule regarding the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. He stated the packet contains three different documents. One specific for Police Operations, one for Fire Operations and a General Rule section that applies to both. He provided a summary of the changes which include: 1. A Board or Commission made up of three or five members depending on the Mayor's discretion. 2. The Mayor has authority to appoint for less than a full three year term. 3. The Mayor appoints the Chair of the Commission annually. 4. The authority of the Board is solely from Home Rule Powers. 5. All changes to rules and regulations are subject to Village Board approval. 6. Eliminate certain prohibitive qualifications for members of the Police and Fire department. 7. Provides for the removal of Commission members and the Village Board vote necessary for such removal. He stated a number of the operational items have been streamlined to simplify the operations. George K. Busse-111 S. Maple spoke. He is a member of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. He stated he is supportive of the changes and have heard from the Chiefs a need to provide flexibility for recruitment purposes. He stated it is important for the Village to retain civilian control of the people hired by the citizens to perform such public safety jobs. He added the rules and regulations are a living document and the Village Board may want to consider some additional modifications. He recommends the Village stay with five members and may want to consider compensation for members of the commission regarding disciplinary matters due to the time invested in hearing of disputes determining deposition for disciplinary matters. He also suggested the Village Board consider term limits and the ability the change the day of the meetings to Mondays instead of the current practice of Tuesdays. Lastly he would recommend the Village Board consider swearing in the Police and Fire candidates before the Village Board in the future. Chief John Dahlberg stated he would suggest a quarterly ceremonial swear in before the Village Board due to the timing of the academy classes if it were the Boards desire to undertake such an event. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider an optional ceremonial swear in for public safety personnel on an operational basis determined by the Chiefs. Village Manager Michael Janonis suggested to the Board that staff undertake a survey about compensation for Board members within other communities. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: · There was a suggestion to consider term limits in larger context as it relates to other Boards and Commissions. · There was also a comment regarding the need to encourage talent development as part of the larger context of Village operations. · Encouraging involvement of citizens in these Boards and Commissions is an excellent way to develop such talent. · It was also suggested that additional discussion would need to take place regarding compensation for meetings beyond the standard necessary to perform the assigned function. General consensus of the Village Board was to move forward with the draft as proposed for discussion purpose at the next Village Board meeting. V. CLEAN AIR REGULATIONS Administrative Analyst Michael Dallas provided an overview of the State Clean Air Regulations or Smoking Prohibition which has preempted local regulations. He stated there is a need to standardize the smoking shelter regulations for staff, administrative and enforcement purposes. He stated several businesses have undertaken the construction or erection of smoking shelters in various forms throughout the community. He said some of the shelters are not safe and there is a need to standardize materials and appearance criteria of these structures. He stated staff is recommending the shelters be defined as a structure not a building due to the code regulations associated with buildings. He also suggested regulations include limiting shelter functions so shelters do not become an extension of the bar or eating facilities. He stated business owners voiced three main concerns, the ability to provide heat to patrons in the smoking shelter, the size and defining the sides of the structure. He also stated staff is prepared to expedite the permit process once the ordinance is approved. He noted the ordinance retains the regulatory authority of the Village for public property including the train platform, garages and bus shelters. General consensus of the Village Board was to consider an option to allow patrons a place to sit in the shelters. There were also comments regarding restricting shelters onto private property and such restrictions do not create an equal playing field for all restaurants in the community due to specific restaurant's site limitations. It was also discussed that enforcement would be on a complaint only basis. Tom Krauseman of Freddie's Road House spoke. He stated he is appreciative of the discussions which have taken place with staff and the Village Board and would support the 150 square foot limitation and the ability to provide heat in the structure. He also is supportive of allowing places to sit for patrons and would support the ordinance as written. Village Manager Michael Janonis suggested the draft ordinance return for a first reading at the next Village Board meeting since there is no room for this topic on the COW agendas until the end of May and many businesses have voiced concern about moving forward with their shelters as soon as possible. General comments from the Village Board members include the following items. There was a comment that there still needs to be more review and maybe some additional discussion on the ordinance itself. This discussion would likely take place at the first reading of the next Village Board meeting. VI. RED LIGHT CAMERAS Mike Liebert of Red Speed Illinois spoke. He provided an overview of the technology available and the value of the system. He stated according to State regulations the violation charge can not be above $100 per ticket to the registered vehicle owner and once three violations have been documented the Secretary of State could suspend the driver's license of the vehicle owner. He provided an overview of the pricing structure and the contract details relating to revenue and operation of the red light cameras at intersections. He also provided details on the various contract options. Chief John Dahlberg provided a summary of the installation process and its complications. He presented an overview of the intersections with the highest number of accidents and noted the generally low accident rates at the busy intersections he identified. He stated some other towns which are using this technology are collecting the funds for public safety initiatives. He mentioned 90% of the violations are right turn on red without a stop. If such cameras were to be installed he would recommend they would be installed at intersections where right turn on red is strictly prohibited, therefore; this would ease administration. He would also suggest the Village wait on installation until other towns have installed the cameras for a period of time and they have had some experience in dealing with enforcement and collection of violations. General consensus of Village Board members was to support the recommendation of the Police Chief and wait on the installation at this time and continue to monitor the situation within other communities. VII. NOISE REGULATIONS Assistant Village Manager David Strahl provided an overview of the proposed ordinance. Staff is recommending modifications to the ordinance are necessary to address noise complaints from residents adjacent to commercial areas of the noise generated through deliveries in commercial areas. The ordinance recommendations include changes to the ordinance relating to noise in residential areas including construction times. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: · It was suggested to clarify amplified noise and add RX as a residential district for limiting residential noise. · There was also some concern about exceptions for residential deliveries beyond the time frame stipulated in the ordinance. · It was suggested maintenance and snow removal operations be excluded from the time frame suggested. · There was also a suggestion to consider specific exemptions. Consensus of the Village Board was to accept the modifications to the construction start time option. 4 Don Burger 408 Bob-O-Link spoke. He stated he is concerned with noise enforcement of deliveries at all hours and other types of noise besides deliveries. For example, he has experienced noise being generated by roof top units at the Autobarn for several years and has been only left with the option of signing complaints to address that noise. VIII. GREENEST REGION COMPACT Village Manager Michael Janonis stated the Village Board needs to pass the resolution by February 15 to meet the deadline for the opportunity to obtain a portion of the compact florescent light bulbs that are being made available to municipalities in the area who pass the resolution. Administrative Analyst Michael Dallas provided a summary of activities necessary for the Village to meet the regulations and advise residents of opportunities to modify their actions. He also stated the Village is working on a hazardous material and disposal option for compact florescent light bulbs. COW meeting adjourned at 10:38 p.m. and convened into a Special Meeting at 10:38 p.m. to consider the resolution of the Greenest Region Compact. The COW meeting reconvened at 10:39 p.m. IX. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None X. ADJOURNMENT Meeting convened at 10:40 p.m. Motion made by Trustee Korn seconded by Trustee Juracek to move into Closed Session at 10:42 p.m. to discuss Land Acquisition and Personnel. - ~~ s:& DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager 5