Public Safety & Transportation Committee

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Wednesday, May 2, 2018 7:00 PM Lorraine G. Gerhardt Community Room Public Safety & Transportation Committee Trustee Dan Whittington, Chairperson Trustee Mike Fugiel, Alternate Chairperson Jennifer Perkins, Michael Corso, John Larkin, John Schwarz, Robert Corbino, Gary Cation, Jerry Schaefer and John Mullins Public Safety & Transportation Minutes May 2, 2018 Committee 1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Whittington at 7:00 P.M. 2.0 Roll Call Present 7 - Dan Whittington, Jennifer Perkins, Michael Corso, John Larkin Jr., Bob Corbino, Gary Cation, and Jerry Shaefer Absent 2 - John Schwarz, and John Mullins 3.0 Public Participation Patti Marino from Soaring Eagle Academy was in attendance to speak about item 180222. 4.0 Approval of Minutes A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Michael Corso, that the minutes of the March 7, 2018 meeting be approved as amended. Amendment: Item 180069 should reflect that Jerry Shaefer voted Nay and John Schwarz voted Aye. The motion carried unanimously. 5.0 Unfinished Business 170324 Speed Modification Request, 500 Block S. Fairfield Avenue A resident request to reduce the speed limit to 25 mph. (DISTRICT #5) A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Michael Corso, that this Request be tabled until after August 2018. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 170323 Request for 15 Minute Parking, 14 W. St. Charles Road A request from Balkan Bakery for one parking space to be signed "15 Minute Parking". (DISTRICT #1) Sgt. Grage explained that there is no recommendation for any action in the area. Prior to going to the Board, it became evident that other area businesses were not supportive. A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by John Larkin, Jr., that this Request be withdrawn. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 6.0 New Business Village of Lombard Page 1 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes May 2, 2018 Committee 180222 800 Parkview Blvd., School Speed Zone Request A request from Soaring Eagle Academy for the posting of a school speed zone. (DISTRICT #2) Ms. Marino stated that they have 75 students with autism and the kids like to run. The student/staff ratio is 1:1, however it is the first building off of Route 53 and people don't know it's a school, so we are requesting installation of school zone signs. Sgt. Grage added that it is permissible under the Illinois Vehicle Code. He further added that he made sure the other businesses in the area know about the request. They all received a flyer. A couple of the businesses supported it and one just had a concern that the police would write all his guys up with tickets; he was assured that was not the case. The 20 mph speed limit is only applicable between 8 AM-4 PM and only when kids are out. Schaefer asked what the current speed limit is. Sgt. Grage replied that it is 30 mph and the roadway is curved so there is some natural deceleration. There have been no accidents. It's an industrial area and there is a lot of traffic in and out of there during the day. Ms. Marino added that the school also has a runners club where they walk around the parking lot. However, it's when they get off the bus that is the biggest problem. The transition is the hardest for the students. When they get off the bus they try to flee right away. Schaefer commented that his concern is that this is an industrial park that the school decided to locate to and now we're going to change the speed limit. Corso asked where the students come from. Ms. Marion replied that they come from as far as North Chicago to Orland Park. The school provides service to 37 school districts. It's very unique in that it's the opposite of behavior intervention. It's a relation based program. The neighbors have been wonderful. When the school started the runners program all of the neighbors were invited and many came. It was hard to find a location because so much staff is required. Every student has 1 on 1 and some have 2 on 1. The school was in Burr Ridge, but there wasn't enough parking. Sgt. Grage clarified that by statute the sign says when children are present. It doesn't mean between 8 AM-4 PM everybody has to do 20 mph. Corso asked if there was more that can be done to provide warning that there is a school zone. Schaefer asked if staff is looking at road striping. Sgt. Grage responded that he would work with Matthew Lew on that. It may include installation of a school zone ahead sign. Schaefer reiterated that he thinks if traffic is entering right off of Route 53 think there should be some type of ground deliniation. Cation commented that in Glen Ellyn when school is letting kids out they have flashing lights so that you know right away the kids are being let out. That would be a nice Village of Lombard Page 2 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes May 2, 2018 Committee thing for the whole community. Corso asked how the students get to school. Ms. Marino answered that about 10 parents drive kids and the rest are buses. Sgt. Grage stated that the end goal would be to give adequate warning to motorists. Perkins asked what it would take to get a flashing yellow light. Sgt. Grage replied that he would have to defer to Matthew Lew, but there would be a significant cost. Ms. Marino commented that would be more than the school needs. There are no students walking, so just signs would be sufficient. A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by Michael Corso, that this Request be recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 7.0 Other Business 8.0 Information Only 150468 Fire Department Reports/Information DC Kickert mentioned that the new ambulance had been there for viewing, but had to leave for a call. He also stated that to date they have received 270 calls and the ambulance is still 70-80% of calls. 150469 Police Department Reports/Information Sgt. Grage stated that the department just completed a distracted driving campaign. The department had received a two week grant. Resulting violations included 145 cell phone citations, 44 other and one DUI, four no license and two drug arrests. The focus on distracted driving as an issue is due to a lot of rear-end accidents in town. Sgt. Grage informed the committee that the Village is going to all black police cars. It will save the Village about $700 per car upfront and has better resale value. Sgt. Grage commented that the department is going through a lot of hiring right now. A lot of officers are retiring and the department is trying to keep up with people to replace them. He also mentioned that Lombard has a good enough reputation that we're acquiring officers from other towns. Recent hires are from Winfield, Oak Park and Northwest University Police. It says something that people want to come here to work. 9.0 Adjournment A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by Michael Corso, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:31. The motion carried unanimously. Village of Lombard Page 3