Public Safety & Transportation Committee

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Wednesday, November 3, 2021 7:00 PM Lorraine G. Gerhardt Community Room Public Safety & Transportation Committee Trustee Brian LaVaque, Chairperson Bob Bachner, Alternate Chairperson Jennifer Perkins, Michael Corso, John Larkin, Robert Corbino, Gary Cation, John Mullins, Rick Miller and Patrick Casey Public Safety & Transportation Minutes November 3, 2021 Committee 1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order by Chairperson LaVaque at 7:05 PM. 2.0 Roll Call Present 7 - Brian LaVaque, Jennifer Perkins, Michael Corso, John Larkin Jr., Gary Cation, John Mullins, and Patrick Casey Absent 2 - Bob Corbino, and Rick Miller 3.0 Public Participation Bob Wagner Mr. Wagner addressed the committee regarding concerns about pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the intersection of Addison and Jackson. He explained that 3/4 of the intersection is maintained by the Village of Lombard and 1/4 is maintained by the Village of Villa Park. He stated he feels that it would be safer if it were a four-way stop instead of the two-way stop it currently is. He informed the committee that School District 45 is in the process of building an early childhood center, which will probably increase traffic. He added that he understands that currently, based on the 2014 traffic study, a four-way stop is not warranted, but urged the committee to take another look at it in 2022 when the early childhood center is opened. John Cuthbertson Mr. Cuthbertson told the committee that he has heard stories from friends and family of near misses. He added that he realizes that everyone wants a stop sign on their street, however, on October 12th he counted the children crossing. There were 96 students in 15 minutes, 17 of which crossed at an unprotected area. The first stop sign on Jackson is after the school. He asked the committee to rethink their position. He also added that Jackson's boundaries have moved further into Lombard. 4.0 Approval of Minutes Corso stated that the vote for Item 210275 is not correct. It should show a unanimous vote to approve. A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by John Larkin, Jr., that the Minutes of the September 1, 2021 meeting be approved as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 5.0 Unfinished Business Village of Lombard Page 1 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes November 3, 2021 Committee 6.0 New Business 210327 Stop Sign Highlighting Policy Staff recommendation to approve Village Board Policy 6.K. which summarizes Village policy on sign highlighting and visibility. Lew reviewed the item. Cation brought up that other towns have flashing yellow lights around schools and that it would seem that on some of our busier streets that would be a good idea. Sgt. Menolascino replied that DC Grage applied for and received received a traffic safety grant for that. They will be installed at Glenn Westlake and Pleasant Lane schools. The installation will include beacons and a speed sign and they will be a permanent installation. The Police Department received $16k for it and DC Grage is ordering them. Corso asked if they will be installed for north and southbound traffic. Sgt Menolascino replied that they will be. Larkin asked where the lighted stop signs would first be installed. Lew answered that staff would follow the list and would look at counter measures first. If those don't provide visibility, then staff would look at how many crashes, etc. That being said, typical locations would be around schools, but we would be looking at using our existing items first. This provides framework to work beyond that. A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Jennifer Perkins, that this Request be recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 210351 Intersection of Church and Morris, Stop Sign Request A request from Trinity Lutheran School to install stop signs. Staff recommends installing a two-way stop for north and southbound Church. (DISTRICT #6) Sgt. Menolascino explained that there was an accident near Trinity Lutheran church at Morris and Church. It is an uncontrolled intersection and half of it is in the DuPage County Sheriff's jurisdiction. A parent dropped off a child and was going northbound on Church. A vehicle traveling westbound on Morris t-boned the northbound vehicle and caused it to roll. There was a child in the car. They are requesting school zone signs and a stop sign. Some of the parents wanted the stop signs on Morris, but we don't install stop signs to reduce speed. Staff is recommending to install the stop signs on Church, as there is a visibility issue for north and southbound traffic. Village of Lombard Page 2 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes November 3, 2021 Committee A motion was made by Gary Cation, seconded by John Larkin, Jr., that this Request be recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 7.0 Other Business Chairperson LaVaque introduced Patrick Casey, a new committee member. Casey said that he feels he will be an asset to the committee. He has lived in Lombard for 21 years and worked in the railroad industry for 31 years. 8.0 Information Only 150468 Fire Department Reports/Information - November 2021 Monthly Report - December 2021 Monthly Report - January 2022 Monthly Report DC Kickert told the committee he was glad they had the opportunity to see the new vehicles. The engine has been in service since Saturday and the ALS ambulance goes in service this Friday. DC Kickert commented that the department is still very busy and calls are up from 2020. A new candidate is in the academy and is graduating 12/3. The department had its open house in October and it was well attended. The department also hosted its first citizens fire academy. The participants received their certificates at the open house. Ten residents attended for four weeks. Cation asked when the department would get the new cpr equipment. DC Kickert answered that they just took delivery and started training this week. It will be about a three week training. 150469 Police Department Reports/Information Sgt. Menolascino said that the department is looking to hire four officers from the lateral list. All four are Chicago officers. When hired off of the lateral list, they don't go to training academy. He went to add that Lombard already has had 240 DUI arrests this year. In 2019 we had 17 vehicle pursuits, in 2020 26 pursuits, 2021 we've had 42 and we're not done with the year. Also, the annual Shop with a Cop with the CPA is in December. DC Grage purchased the two drones and the team will be assembled. The team will include one sargeant in charge and a group of officers. On November 19th there was an onsite review for CALEA and the department is up for an Excellence Award. Village of Lombard Page 3 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes November 3, 2021 Committee Mullins asked if there is any issues with cannabis. Sgt. Menolascino answered that if they're impaired they can be arrested. Mullins asked if the stats are separated. Sgt. Menolascino replied that in the end of year reporting it is reported separately. Mullins asked what happens on a chase. Sgt. Menolascino explained that 54% of pursuits were terminated by officers. If we have the license plate, or photos we put it out to other agencies. A lot of the time the vehicle is stolen. We're not the only ones experiencing these pursuits like this. The department has policies. If it is for a traffic stop only, we're not going to pursue. Mullins brought up the recent nearby carjacking and asked what the departments procedure is for that. Sgt. Menolascino replied that when we get the call, it goes to all of the agencies around there. He added that we'll chase, but sometimes we have to terminate. You have to decide if it's worth somebody's life. Most of the time it's gang members stealing a car to go to commit a crime, etc. Mullins asked if the Police recommend anything for civilians to do in that scenario. Sgt. Menolascino answered that you shouldn't struggle with them. If they're shooting at police officers, they don't care about shooting at a citizen, but every situation is different, so can't give you a particular answer. He also suggested that you lock your doors and don't leave your keys in your car. Chairperson LaVaque added that you have to be vigilant, but it's got to be safer to give it up rather than fight for it. Sgt. Menolascho told the committee about the altercation at Main and St. Charles. The call came in as two suspicious people with masks. When the officers arrived one guy took off running. There was a foot pursuit and he fired a round at officers. The officers gave chase into the 150 N Park building, set-up a perimeter and called for mutual aid and a SWAT team. Two of the suspects were in the hallway. They were taken into custody. There were also witnesses that said he fired a shot. We'll get a search warrant to go through their phone and go through their social media. Those are technologies we use. Perkins asked if the department still has child car seats for when they pull someone over with a child not in one. She also asked if people can purchase them at reduced rate. Sgt. Menolascino told her that they are free, however, it's up to the officer if they write the ticket or not. He added that there is a program where they go to court, but they have to come to the Police Department, watch video and sign off. General discussion ensued regarding the intersection of Jackson and Addison. 9.0 Adjournment Village of Lombard Page 4 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes November 3, 2021 Committee Chairperson LaVaque suggested that he would like to arrange tours of the Fire and Police Departments in December and January if the committee members are open to it. Sgt. Menolascino said that the front desk area of the Police Department is being remodeled, so it's a mess and will be for about 4-6 weeks. Chairperson LaVaque suggested that possibly a Fire Department tour in December and Police Department in January. Cation asked Sgt. Menolascino for an update on the Lombard Post Office issue. Sgt. Menolascino said that Detective Balsitis is in charge of the investigation, so he didn't readily have an update. A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Gary Cation, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 PM. The motion carried unanimously. Village of Lombard Page 5