Public Safety & Transportation Committee

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Wednesday, August 7, 2019 7:00 PM Lorraine G. Gerhardt Community Room Public Safety & Transportation Committee Trustee Dan Whittington, Chairperson Andrew Honig, Alternate Chairperson Jennifer Perkins, Michael Corso, John Larkin, Robert Corbino, Gary Cation and John Mullins Public Safety & Transportation Minutes August 7, 2019 Committee 1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Whittington at 7:00 PM. 2.0 Roll Call Present 6 - Dan Whittington, Jennifer Perkins, Michael Corso, John Larkin Jr., Bob Corbino, and John Mullins Absent 1 - Gary Cation Staff Present: Chief Newton, Police Department Sgt. Menolascino, Police Department Chief Sander, Fire Department Matthew Lew, Civil Engineer, Public Works Department Jamie Cunningham, Asst. Director, Finance Department Nick Partipilo, Intern, Village Managers Office 3.0 Public Participation Anthony Giovacchini, 220 W. Graham Avenue 4.0 Approval of Minutes A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Bob Corbino, that the Minutes of the May 1, 2019 meeting be approved. The motion carried unanimously. 5.0 Unfinished Business 6.0 New Business 190309 Finley Road/Pinebrook Drive Sidewalk Extension and Signal Removal Staff recommendation to approve extension of public sidewalk on the west side of Finley Road south to Oak Creek Drive and removal of the pedestrian traffic signal at Finley and Pinebrook. (DISTRICT #2) Lew reviewed the item. The pedestrian signal was constructed about 30 years ago and is underutilized. The new signal at Finley and Oak Creek now has full pedestrian access and is located about 700' south. Staff proposes to fill the sidewalk gap between Pinebrook and Oak Creek. The ROI would only be a few of years. Additionally, if the recommendation is positive, staff will also look at adding a left turn lane Village of Lombard Page 1 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes August 7, 2019 Committee at Pinebrook for northbound to westbound traffic. There is not currently a turn not there because the median signal is in that location. A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Bob Corbino, that this Request be recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 190322 200 Block of W. Graham, Speeding Concern A resident request for traffic control to reduce speeding. (DISTRICT #2) Mr. Giovacchni addressed the committee regarding speeding on W. Graham. The complaint initiated in the 200 block because of a couple of severe speeders, speeding to the point that 911 was called. He spoke with residents in several other blocks of Graham and they agree that there is an issue in the area. He added that he understands we live near the high school and he's ok with that, however, it gets somewhat dangerous on Taylor sometimes because parents stop on both sides of street and in middle of street, even though it's signed No Parking. The issue on Graham though, seems to be the cut-through traffic when the light at Wilson turns red. Don't have a problem with people driving through the neighborhood, but traffic from 5 pm-7 pm seems to increase because it's 30 mph with no stop sign. Although the Police Department does a fantastic job controlling speed on Wilson, would like the Safety Committee to at least be aware of this issue and look at it. Think it's sillly that Wilson, Madison and other streets are 25 mph, but smaller residential streets that are cut-through are 30 mph. At 35 not necessarily going to get a ticket, but with cell phones and speeding push on Facebook, all of these things combined are a recipe for dangerous residential streets. Sgt. Menolascino reported that between May 27th and June 9th, a speed study with radar signs was done. The highest speed was 41 mph-45 mph, which was two cars going eastbound. One was at 6 a.m. and one was at noon. During rush hours, the average speed is 33 mph. Mr. Giovacchni commented taht it would be different if the study was done without drivers knowledge. He added that the issue is when the sign comes down, they get to the crest at Lincoln and once they know it's clear the foot goes on the gas pedal. It seems like you can time the traffic on Graham with when the light on Wilson turns red. They know they can cut through. It's allowed, but it shouldn't be the more convenient path. Then compounding the issue is that 50% are on phone going down the block. The speed and inattention seems to be excessive. Corso asked what the code says about speed limit posting. Sgt. Menolascino replied that reducing the speed limit is going to cause more speeding. The solution is education, engineering and enforcement. We've done the signs and did do enforcement. The Department will continue enforcement and will do a covert study. Lowering the speed limit Village of Lombard Page 2 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes August 7, 2019 Committee and putting stop signs where they don't belong doesn't work. Mr. Giovacchni commented that counterpoint to people driving what they're comfortable, then why not get rid of speed limits. It's not necessarily a solution but he would like to have a dialogue about it. Corso asked if it's worse when school is in session. Mr. Giovaccni answered that it is a little bit worse for a brief window. Corso also asked if the neighbors are going to be happy having to go around the block if right turns are restricted. Mr. Giovacchni replied that he has signatures from most people on the street. They were all up to at least considering any options. He added that maybe the street just enforcement. That block has not been so calm in 15 years as it was the two weeks the police were sitting out there. Sgt. Menolascino clarified that it was during morning and evening rush hours. It was decided that a covert study will be done once school begins. 190323 Police Department Parking Staff recommendation to remove one handicap parking spot in the parking lot between the Village Hall and the Police Department. The Village will still be within ADA guidelines with removal of this spot. Chief Newton reviewed the item. There are two spots are severely underutilized. The elimination of one spot creates two regular spots which will be used for maintenance vehicles and squad cars only. A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by John Mullins, that this Request be recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. The motion passed by an unanimous vote. 190341 Recommendation for an Administrative Hearing Officer A recommendation from staff to select Heather Ryan of Heather Ryan Law, Ltd. as Administrative Hearing Officer. Chairperson Whittington asked what the Administrative Hearing Officer does. Chief Newton explained that the Hearing Officer handles parking tickets, etc. Rather than sending them to Circuit Court in Wheaton they are handled at Village Hall. The Village hires an attorney to serve as the Hearing Officer. The current Hearing officer has been in place for 15 years. A Request for Qualifications was sent out and Heather Ryan of Heather ryan Law, Ltd is the recommended attorney. A motion was made by Bob Corbino, seconded by John Larkin, Jr., that this Request be recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. The motion carried unanimously. 7.0 Other Business Village of Lombard Page 3 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes August 7, 2019 Committee 190291 Social Media and Board, Committee and Commission Training Partipilo reviewed the presentation. 190324 2020 Budget Overview - Presentation Review and discussion regarding the Village of Lombard proposed 2020 Budget. Cunningham reviewed the presentation. 190327 Committee Member Reappointments All committee members in attendance were agreeable to being reappointed. 8.0 Information Only 150468 Fire Department Reports/Information Chief Sander reviewed highlights of the monthly reports. There are currently two candidates in the academy and the department has hired its first female firefighter. There was a structure fire on Main Street and a very windy night. It was determined it was caused by discarded smoking materials that caught a deck on fire. The week of May 19th was National EMS Week. On May 18th there was a hazardous materials incident in downtown Lombard. A business owner dumped hazardous materials into the sewer. The material was highly corrosive and he received burns. In June, FF/PM Tim Hogan retired. Also, Maris Hoving graduated as valedictorian from academy. June 8th the Fire Department sponsored Kids Corner at Cruise Nights. June 10th a part-time Inspector was hired. 150469 Police Department Reports/Information Chief Newton explained that the department has gone to a new county-wide 911 system, which has been disappointing and has not lived up to expectations. Sinde it's county-wide it includes both police and fire. The department is still trying to figure out how to get statistics. The last two months the department has not been able to get call load distribution. The system will not download it. Village of Lombard Page 4 Public Safety & Transportation Minutes August 7, 2019 Committee He also advised that the department is considerably short-handed. Currently running with 6-8 officers less than approved for, however, six officers were just sworn in. Five of those officers are in field training and one is in the academy. We still need to hire 2 or 3 more to start fall academy. That will bring us to full staff. Chief Newton went on to point out that he credits the current officers and the hard work they've been doing while so short-staffed. They've held their own and done a great job. Sgt. Menolascino advised that July 25th was Speed Awareness Day. The department made 164 stops; 86 speeding, 1 aggravated speeding and 36 warnings. Overall 110 tickets were written, 54 warnings and 1 DUI arrest. Sgt. Menolascio told the committee taht for 2018 Lombard was 7th in the state for DUI arrests and #1 per number of officers, making 4.5 arrests per officer. However, now the issue is texting. Perkins asked what will happen when marijuana is legalized. How will the Police determine if someone is under the influence, can't do a breathalyzer. Chief Newton replied that is certainly a concern for law enforcement. He added that in states that have legalized it, there is certainly an increase in cannabis dui. Illinois has already had 14% increase just with medical marijuana. The challenge will be in court since there is no street test. Blood and urine will account for having it in their system, but how do you prove they were imparied at that time. Until some medical company comes up with an on-scene test that proves someone has "x" amount of THC in their system at the time of being stoped then you can do that, but how do you do that. Can we poke someones finger on a traffic stop? That's quite an invasion; that would be a search warrant act. Corbino commented that there has been a lot of truck traffic on Grace Street heading toward North Avenue. Sgt. Menolascino pointed out that there is an 80 Ton weight limit between St. Charles and North Ave. Mullins asked about the schedule for road construction that is occurring at 22nd and Fairfield. Lew replied that he will look into it and get back to him. 9.0 Adjournment A motion was made by John Larkin, Jr., seconded by Bob Corbino, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM. The motion carried unanimously. Village of Lombard Page 5