City Council

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING JULY 10, 2017 The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Committee of the Whole meeting on July 10, 2017, in the City Council Chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. A. ROLL CALL City Clerk Herrmann called the roll, and the following members of the City Council were present: Alderman David Jacobson, Alderman Bill Finucane, Alderman Mike Marquardt, Alderman Kate Noreiko, Alderman Tony Faivre, and Mayor Smith. Alderman Pat Fagan arrived at 5:24 p.m. Alderman Mike Verbic was absent. Also present were: Assistant City Manager Patty Hoppenstedt, City Attorney Dean Frieders, Interim Finance Director Jeff Wilkins, Police Chief Gene Lowery, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, Community Development Director Jo Ellen Charlton, Public Works Director Tim Holdeman, Information Technology Director Marc Thorson, Management Analyst Lauren Stott, Economic Development Planner Jason Michnick, Management Analyst Patrick DiDiana, Principal Planner Dan Olson, Police Commander Jason Leverton, and City Clerk Susanna Herrmann. B. ITEMS ALSO ON THE REGULAR AGENDA There were none. C. CONSIDERATIONS 1. Crossing Guard Services Update. Police Chief Lowery provided an overview of this item and introduced Police Commander Leverton. Police Commander Leverton provided historical information regarding the development of the Crossing Guard Program between the DeKalb Police Department and the DeKalb School District 428 (D428). Commander Leverton emphasized the strain put on the Police Department by the responsibility of managing the Crossing Guard Program and referenced the Request for Proposal (RFP) that was issued in an effort to utilize a private Crossing Guard Management company. He notified Council that as a result of the RFP, three responses were received by private crossing guard management companies, one of which is Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes July 10, 2017 Page 2 of 3 headquartered in Aurora and has provided services to Northern Illinois University in the past. Police Commander Leverton expressed to Council the desire to reduce the financial and management burden on both the City and the Police Department by reducing the number of locations staffed by crossing guards and outsourcing management of the Crossing Guard Program to a private agency. Alderman Noreiko asked Police Commander Leverton how many hours of work a crossing guard completes in a day, to which he replied that it depends on how the crossing guard chooses to set up their schedule. He also explained some of the variability factors regarding a crossing guard’s schedule. Alderman Noreiko asked if the contract would include keeping the current staff of crossing guards. Police Commander Leverton replied yes, there is a section in the RFP that would require the chosen vendor to extend an offer of employment to current crossing guards. Alderman Finucane inquired about the procedure to be followed if the City were to fill a crossing guard vacancy once the contractual services have begun. Police Commander Leverton replied that if Andy Frain Services is chosen, they will agree to be billed for any crossing guard vacancies the City fills. Alderman Jacobson asked about the status of discussions with D428 regarding this item. Police Chief Lowery responded that with recent administration changes at D428, advancement in the process is behind schedule but still making progress. Police Chief Lowery stated that he recently participated in a meeting with the new D428 Superintendent, Jamie Craven, regarding this item. During the meeting, Police Chief Lowery informed D428 representatives of the City’s intent to outsource for management of the Crossing Guard Program. He also mentioned an upcoming July 17, 2017, meeting between him, Police Commander Leverton, and D428 Administration regarding this item. Mayor Smith asked why D428 would be uncomfortable outsourcing for management of the Crossing Guard Program. Police Chief Lowery stated that in discussions with D428 regarding this item, he expressed his intent to present his analysis to Council. Based on that analysis, the preferred vendor is Andy Frain Services. He assured Council that there will be more information to follow at the next Regular City Council meeting and that D428 is comfortable moving forward under that analysis. Alderman Jacobson asked if the contract is assumable to D428, in the eventuality that they take over the Crossing Guard Program. Police Chief Lowery stated that due to the unexpected change in D428 leadership, the first step will be for the City to enter into the first agreement with the expectation of future negotiations with D428 for assuming responsibility of the program.  Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes July 10, 2017 Page 3 of 3 Alderman Faivre echoed fellow Council members, agreeing there needs to be more discussion between the City and D428. Police Chief Lowery added that many of the crossing guard positions have been added over time to accommodate the community’s needs. He also stressed the importance of steering away from the procedure of placing crossing guards at an intersection without conducting an analysis to determine the level of need. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was none. E. RECESS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL There was nothing scheduled. F. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Alderman Noreiko motioned to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting; seconded by Alderman Finucane. VOTE Motion carried on a 7-0-1 voice vote. Aye: Jacobson, Finucane, Marquardt, Fagan, Noreiko, Faivre, and Smith. Nay: None. Absent: Verbic. Mayor Smith declared the meeting adjourned at 5:29 p.m. _____________________________________ SUSANNA M. HERRMANN, City Clerk Approved by City Council: August 14, 2017.