Godfrey Public Safety Committee met Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Here are the minutes as provided by Godfrey:
Public Safety Committee September 6, 2016
Chairman Williams called the Public Safety Committee meeting of September 6, 2016, to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Godfrey Town Hall, 6810 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, Illinois.
Roll Call: Present: Johnes, McAtee, Springman, Stewart, Stumpf, Williams Absent: None
Chairman Williams asked for approval of the minutes of the August 1, 2016 meeting. Trustee Stumpf moved for the approval of the August 1, 2016 minutes, seconded by Trustee McAtee. Poll of Committee: Ayes-5, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: No old business at this time.
NEW BUSINESS ESDA COMMITTEE UPDATE – CHRIS SICHRA William Catalano, Director of Economic Development and Brand Marketing, presented the report for the Chris Sichra, ESDA Director:
A. State Accreditation progress of the village ESDA Program:.
We have met all of the requirements to be accredited, and are just waiting on the date that the IEMA Director will come to town to give us the award, this could possibly take place at the mid-September full board meeting on Tuesday Sept 20, IEMA had apologized for the delay but they informed us that July and August was hectic for them since they were hosting a statewide summit. The summit will be over in early Sept. a joint press release has been prepared to go out to the media when we get the confirmed date.
B. The last bi-monthly “volunteer outreach/recruitment” program event was be held on Thursday August 18th 9:30AM-2 PM and the Godfrey Fire Protection District was in house recruiting for its volunteer/paid on call base. The final outreach of this year will be on Thursday Oct 13th and the parrot heads of the riverbender will be hosted, we will break for the winter/ holidays and resume the outreach program in March of 2017.
C. A brief discussion was held regarding village hall security (and accountability) and the implementation of a “sign in” log to be kept at the zoning reception desk so that residents coming in whether it be a citizen complaint or to meet with Laura regarding a permit or zoning issue can be logged for accountability, (the Assessor’s office uses a similar system successfully)
Most of our neighboring communities both large and small use this type of log to keep track of who comes in, for what reason and when. Chris discussed the matter with Mayor McCormick last month and presented a sample of the log for his consideration.
The ESDA committee unanimously supports implementation of a log to be kept at the reception window to better track resident complaints or requests for assistance and to provide a higher quality customer service effort for the village.
D. Boil order system to notify Brighton water serviced residents in in place
E. Madison County EMA currently working towards setting up a new reporting system (and way to request resources) by establishing a “virtual EOC” or “WEB EOC” where each community ESDA coordinators can log in and provide situation reports, status updates and make general requests during disasters or major incidents. Class on the new system at the MadCO EMA should be coming by next quarter.
1. New Business:
A. A discussion was held discussing some of the recent Fire/EMS/Police activity at the Hi-Way house, (at least 3 responses in the last couple weeks) and a 3rd party complaint to MadCo911 regarding the sanitary conditions at the location. GFPD first responders also reporting that during one of the last calls room 113 was in deplorable unsanitary state with feces on the walls and in the bed, Lt Goeken confirmed that there has been increased activity in 2 of the rooms, the Fire Chief also informed he was notified by the alarm company that one of the rooms had already had a smoke detector removed and destroyed, and the alarm Co. had to go out to replace it. The Chief would like to see improved enforcement of the “long term” transient residents who appear to live there as a permanent residence rather than a short term hotel or motel. Laura informed the committee that she has been contacted by a Wells Fargo assessor/appraisor that holds the property title informing that the owners are far behind in payments owned on the property loan and the bank is inquiring about how much of the property is currently open to rentals to decide their next move (such as the possibility of foreclosure) currently 75% of the available rooms are non-code compliant, unsafe to rent, and closed for use at this time. There also appears to be no new work or repairs to the property by the owners evident. Laura will contact the health dept. about the sanitation issue and may conduct another “task force” style of property inspection involving, representatives from Godfrey B&Z, health dept., Fire dept., ESDA and electrical inspectors. So that the potential of new hotel development or existing compliant hotels would not be negatively impacted, an idea was brought out about the village possibly creating a “permit” specifically for hotels that allow longer stays for workers staying as guests of hotels assigned to contract work on local construction projects. The permit would of course exclude any hotels/motel that have a documented history of code noncompliance, criminal activity, or health/safety violations.
B. A discussion was held regarding the concern about a leaking privately owned dam on a pond at 5225 Pin Oak drive, and the complaint from a neighbor regarding all the water & potential to damage other homes adjacent and at lower elevations to the property if the dam collapses. IDNR Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources is the agency with regulatory authority regarding dams and issues or complaints, Laura contacted IDNR representative Paul Mauer about the issue and he informs that he is the sole agent with oversight of about 1800 dams throughout the state and the backlog of work is high, he states in his email that this is the first he’s heard of the problem at that property and is aware of the situation and asked the village or any complainant to be patient, he also advised that any complainant could pursue a civil case for property damage against the owner of the property with the dam that is leaking.
C. A discussion was held regarding the new Illinois General Assembly house bill “HB5611” that was passed and amends the existing state Fire Protection District Act.: This bill provides that a fire chief will have authority to enforce the provisions of any rules adopted and promulgated by the State Fire Marshal under the provisions of the Fire Investigation Act or to carry out the duties imposed on local officers under the Fire Investigation Act. And provides that the fire chief shall have authority to order removal or remedy of dangerous conditions including that the fire chief may order that the property be vacated until an inspection occurs and the dangerous condition is no longer present. It also provides notice requirements and procedures for dangerous conditions. The HB is effective immediately.
PIERCE LANE – MUD PROBLEM: CONSIDER PURCHASING A CONSERVATION EASEMENT Trustee Stewart requested that the Village negotiate with the property owner for a conservation easement for the Pierce Lane Mud problem. After some discussion, Trustee Springman suggested that the Mayor, Village Engineer negotiate with the property owner to plant hay in the five acres instead of a conservation easement. The cost of a conservation easement is $75 to $100 per acre for loss of crops. Trustee Stewart moved to give authorization to the Mayor and Jo Emerick, Village Engineer to negotiate with the property owner for planting hay on the five acres or conservation easement for the drainage problem. Seconded by Trustee Springman. Poll of Board: Ayes-6, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Trustee Springman moved to adjourn meeting at 6:52 p.m., seconded by Trustee McAtee. Poll of Committee: Ayes-5, Nays-0, Absent-0. Motion carried.
Pamela E. Whisler MMC Village Clerk
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