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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 05/23/2016 - Committee of the Whole (2)COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 23, 2016 Mayor Low called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Mayor Low and the following Aldermen: Santi, Glab, Schaefer, Curry, Wimmer, Peterson and Condon. Absent: None. Also in attendance: City Administrator Morefield, Director of Community Development Polerecky, Chief of Police Jones, Code Compliance Officer Headley and City Clerk Jones. CITY OF MCHENRY MISSION STATEMENT Mayor Low read aloud the Mission Statement of the City of McHenry. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION No one spoke at the Public Input Session. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING CODE AND LOCAL ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES Director Polerecky informed Council this evening's meetings was set aside for a general presentation and discussion of the code enforcement activities of the Department of Community Development together with local code enforcement activities undertaken by the Police Department and provided the Council with a list of enforcement totals this year to date by category. Director Polerecky stated that the Community Development Department recognizes the value of setting goals, developing priorities for objectives and measuring the Department's effectiveness. He noted the Code Enforcement Division plays a vital role in maintaining aesthetics throughout the community, encouraging community pride, preserving neighborhood integrity, and protecting the public health and well-being. Director Polerecky reported the installation and implementation of new software purchase over 1-1/2 years ago facilitates the department's ability to track enforcement and presented Council with detailed information regarding the Department's code enforcement processes and objectives. He explained in detail the following: • Local Ordinance Violations • The Police Department utilizes local ordinance citations as a means to enforce many aspects of violations that an officer encounters on the street, such as: • Written Warnings — used for minor violations by first time offenders, which is felt that the notice along will alter the behavior • Adjudication Citations — normally used for first time offenders. Adjudication citations provide offenders with an opportunity to correct behavior and to remain out of the state judicial system, keeping the infraction off of their records. Some examples are curfew, underage drinking/smoking and minor retail theft complaints. Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 2 May 23, 2016 • Local Ordinance Citations — These citations are sent to the 22"d Judicial District and can remain on an offender's record. Some examples are dogs running at large, underage smoking, and small amounts of cannabis and drug paraphernalia possession. • Parking Citations — An officer issues a citation and places it on the vehicle. At that time, if an officer observes an additional violation that is understood to fall under the enforcement responsibility of the Community Development, the officer or their supervisor, will forward a short summary of the location and the suspected violation. If the situation necessitates an immediate response, the office will issue an ordinance violation for any code enforcement issue that cannot be forwarded for action at a later time. Chief of Police Jones explained to Council how non -criminal offences are handled by the Police Department. Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Condon regarding whether EMT's and/or representatives of DCFS can call the City regarding unsafe conditions, Code Enforcement Officer Headley explained that due to HIPAA regulations there are certain procedures that must be followed. Director Polerecky informed Council that Staff in the Community Development Department makes every effort to use proactive enforcement such as: • Good Neighbor brochures; • Seasonal articles in the City Newsletter; • Maintenance handouts; • Offering solutions to common problems; and • Education of the public. Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Condon regarding whether Staff is permitted to access private property, Director Polerecky stated that Staff is allowed to go on the property and knock on the front door. Alderman Schaefer opined it appears that 80% of the offences are complaint generated and the remainder is related to site inspections. Alderman Curry inquired whether a resident making a complaint ever receives a call back regarding the resolution/result of their complaint. Director Polerecky stated that most often the complaints are made anonymously as the complainant prefers not to let their neighbor know they are the party that called the city. Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 3 May 23, 2016 Mayor Low stated that tonight's meeting is not for getting into specific details regarding code enforcement, but more for a general overview. Mayor Low suggested specific questions or comments be directed to either Chief Jones or Director Polerecky via e-mail. Alderman Condon stated that the Community Development Committee makes an effort to observe but not be intrusive or create a burden for Staff. She opined that regarding the adjudication process she noticed that matters are frequently continued. Chief Jones responded stating that he believes the docket for adjudication could be cut by 40% if continuances were ceased and parking tickets went directly to collection if they were not addressed by the Wending party. Code Enforcement Officer Headley stated that often a parking violation is ignored during the entire process, a default judgment is entered and the case can still be appealed. Director Polerecky noted that up to $10,000 can be fined and an individual's driving privileges revoked. Alderman Peterson noted that although the economy appears to be improving there still seem to be a lot of properties owned by banks and falling into disrepair. Director Polerecky Armed that Alderman Peterson's observation was correct. He noted Code Enforcement Officer Headley has accumulated a number of contacts at the various banks and if an observation is made regarding a bank property in disrepair an e-mail will be sent identifying the violation. Mayor Low said that since Director Polerecky was named Director of Community Development, she has noticed a shift in the department towards being more customer service oriented. Mayor Low thanked Director Polerecky for his presentation. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wimmer, second by Santi, to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting at 8:05 pm. Voting Aye: Voting Nay: Absent: Motion carried. The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm. C City Clerk