Public Safety & Transportation Committee

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Wednesday, May 1, 2019 7:00 PM Lorraine G. Gerhardt Community Room Public Safety & Transportation Committee Public Safety & Transportation Minutes May 1, 2019 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 5 - Dan Whittington, Michael Corso, Bob Corbino, Gary Cation, and John Mullins Absent 3 - Jennifer Perkins, John Larkin Jr., and John Schwarz 3.0 Public Participation Staff Present: Chief Newton, Police Department Sgt. Menolascino, Police Department Deputy Chief Kicketert, Fire Department 4.0 Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by John Mullins, that the Minutes of the November 7, 2018 meeting be approved. The motion carried unanimously. 5.0 Unfinished Business 6.0 New Business 190183 4-Way Stop Sign Request, Elizabeth and Ethel A resident request to convert the intersection of Elizabeth and Ethel from a 2-way stop to a 4-way stop. (DISTRICT# 2 & 6) Sgt. Menolascino reviewed the item. There have not been any accidents in 9 years. Traffic counts were completed April 8th and 11th. On the northbound leg there is a hill. Installing a stop sign may actually create accidents. Chief Newton sent a letter to the complainant who did not respond. A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by John Mullins, that this Request be denied. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 7.0 Other Business 190180 Firefighter Orientation Presentation DC Kickert spoke about the recent eligibility test. The Department ran Village of Lombard Page 1 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes May 1, 2019 Committee the test internally in response to poor attendance of the oral interview two years ago. The Department worked with Avis Meade the Village's Communications Coordinator and developed a video presentation. 112 people attended the orientation, 84 passed the written exam and 77 returned for oral interviews. This made for a good-sized list which is good for two years. The Department has hired one person off of the list so far, Lombard's first female firefighter in 29 years. We need to fill one more spot, so we've sent four candidates for a polygraph and background check. Whittington asked how staffing looks in the next four to five years. DC Kickert replied that there have been two retirements this year already and there is one more coming up. There will probably be at least two to three a year for the next couple years. Cation commented that the turn over rate is low. Deputy Kickert agreed. Deputy Kickert reviewed the monthly calls. 190181 Fire Department Eligibility Test Update See discussion under 190180. 190182 Police Department Recap and Grant Update Sgt. Menolascino spoke about Traffic grants, which come from the State. In 2017 the Village received $80k. This year the State awarded the Village $127k. In a meeting with the liaison, he raved about Lombard's productivity and numbers. Sgt. Menolascino mentioned that the Department is conducting a distracted driving blitz and he provided a breakdown of tickets issued. He commented that people are still texting and driving, but back in the day, how many people wore a seat belt? It's just going to take time. Mullins commented that the fines need to be higher. Chief Newton replied that the fines are going up. He added that he credits the traffic unit officers and Lt. Grage is a great grant writer. He also pointed out that these numbers were achieved even with the Department being short officers. Whittington asked how many officers the department is short. Chief newton replied about four more are needed and there will be two more retirements this year. General discussion ensued regarding the recent roadside safety check at St. Charles and Charlotte. Mullins inquired about a limousine that has been parked overnight on S. Village of Lombard Page 2 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes May 1, 2019 Committee Grace by the apartments. Chief Newton explained that the owner asked for extended permission, so he received permission for seven days. At the end of his seven days he did move the vehicles. We don't have ordinance for expired plates on the street. Mullins explained that his concern is that there is no time limit on that street and there may be cars parking on the street. Sgt. Menolascino explained that overnight parking is not allowed on any village street without permission from the Village. Chief Newton added that we also start abandoned vehicle procedures after seven days. 8.0 Information Only 150468 Fire Department Reports/Information 150469 Police Department Reports/Information 9.0 Adjournment A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by John Mullins, to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 PM. The motion carried unanimously. Village of Lombard Page 3