Public Safety Commission

SKOKIE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023 PRESENT: Police Chief Brian Baker, Connell Collins, Scott Ford, Fire Chief Jeff Hoeflich, Mitchell Kushner, Senior Engineer Samantha Maximilian, Fred Moore, Chairman Paul Pitalis, Leslie Post-Weissinger, Trustee Alison Pure-Slovin, Dennis Rizo, Bryant Smith and Vice Chairman Melissa Villegas EXCUSED: Marcie Claus, Fire DC Op Nicholas Eschner, Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Jagman, Paul Kruszynski, Ibriham Mansuri, Mark Penning, Linda Perlin, Director of Engineering Rietveld, Russ (Staff Liaison), Doug Rocklin, Howard Rosenberg, Jeffrey Schvimer, Director of Public Works Max Slankard, Max (Staff Liaison) and Trustee Edie Sue Sutker ABSENT: Kimani Levy and Nicholas Vickers CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairperson Pitalis called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The minutes of the November 15th meeting were approved. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Hoeflich gave the Fire Department Report. Call volumes have continued to rise, with a spike in cardiac arrest calls. There was a structure fire in multi-family dwelling on the 4900 block of Hull. QA discussion followed. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Baker gave the Police Department Report. Auto thefts continue to be the most prominent concern. Kia’s and Hyundai’s seem to be the targeted focus for thefts. Chief Baker discussed how the Department is working through staffing issues and a shortage on patrol vehicles. There are 111 officer positions budgeted and currently there are 4 patrol officers’ positions vacant, 4 positions frozen, and 11 or so out on leave. QA discussion followed. Chief Baker also announced is retirement and followed with a speech. The new Chief was named to be Jesse Barnes. He will be appointed at the January 2nd board meeting. ENGINEERING REPORT Samantha Maximilian presented on Cook County’s 2025 East Oakton Street resurfacing project. The proposed cross section on Oakton Street will include on street bike lanes, additional on street parking, center shared turn lanes, ADA sidewalk ramp improvements, and other pedestrian facility improvements. The county is preparing preliminary plans that will be presented in a tentative public information meeting. The public information meeting will likely occur in February 2024 with an anticipated construction year of 2025. QA discussion followed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS June 2024 meeting was on the agenda under new business – Chairperson Pitalis said the commission would discuss the subject at the next coming months. ADJOURNMENT At 7:58 p.m. a motion was made to adjourn which was seconded and then passed unanimously. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SKOKIE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M. IN PERSON AT THE SKOKIE POLICE STATION TRAINING ROOM AT 7300 NILES CENTER ROAD PLEASE CALL ENGINEERING DIVISION AT 847-933-8232 IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING Document Number: 508651 Version: 67 Document Name: Public Safety Commission Minutes, 2017