City of Prospect Heights Mayor and City Council met Oct. 10

By Philip Gonzales

Nov 25, 2022

City of Prospect Heights Mayor and City Council met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL - At 6:30 PM, Acting Mayor Dolick called to order the Regular City Council Hybrid Workshop at 8 N Elmhurst Road, Prospect Heights, IL 60070. Deputy Clerk Schultheis read the preamble to the Meeting City Clerk Prisiajniouk called roll. A quorum was present.

ELECTED OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE- Acting Mayor/ Alderman Ward 5 Dolick, Treasurer Tibbits, City Clerk Prisiajniouk Alderman Ward 4 Dash, Alderman Ward 3 Morgan-Adams

ABSENT - Alderman Ward 2 Ludvigsen with prior notification; Alderman Ward 1 Cameron with prior notification

OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT - City Administrator Wade, Assistant City Administrator Falcone, Deputy Clerk Schultheis, Assistant Finance Director Tannehill, Director of Building and Development Peterson, Public Works Director Roscoe, City Attorney Hess, Digital Communications Technician Colvin.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Acting Mayor Dolick

APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 28, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Alderman Morgan-Adams moved to Approve the September 28, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes as presented; seconded by Alderman Dash.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES - Dolick, Dash, Morgan-Adams

NAYS- None

ABSENT - Ludvigsen, Cameron

Motion passed 3-0, two absent

PRESENTATION

A. Presentation by Police Chief Caponigro Regarding Illinois SAFE-T (Safety Accountability Fairness and Equity - Today) Act Mandates and Implementation - Chief Caponigro noted that some of the new potential mandates of the Act are already being practiced by the Prospect Heights Police Department; such as rapid deployment and high risk traffic stops. He noted that PHPD has been training and prepared for this type of action for nine years. Chief Caponigro noted that some of the mandates are going to cause great stress and have a high cost, and are not easy to comply with - such as the mandates that there be a 21-day maximum to go before a judge. Currently, every officer has a "key date” once per month to go to court; the 21-day ruling would cause double the overtime per month. He noted that even some judges felt that the mandate was too aggressive.

- He noted that the mandate for more training for officers and yearly mental health evaluations were positive changes. The cost for provider is $75-$100 per visit; so this mandate would cost a great deal of money based upon what the State will require.

- Chief Caponigro noted that abolishing cash bail is set to begin on January, 2023. He said that electronic monitoring does not work in Cook County. He believed that this mandate was going to cause a mess,

Chief Caponigro said that the Northwest Municipal Conference, some judges, and the Council want this Act changed. He added that there needs to be more common sense injected into the Act. Mayor Dolick noted that it is difficult to encourage changes be made in such a short amount of time. He suggested getting state and federal officials involved. Alderman Morgan-Adams said that the NWMC and the City's lobbyists were pursuing changes to the Act. This is a way to get the legislators involved more quickly. City Clerk Prisiajniouk asked that the Chief expand on what is not working with electronic bracelets. Chief Caponigro said that in the past, someone with an electronic bracelet that left their house was immediately contacted by the authorities to confirm their whereabouts. Now, they have 72 hours to identify their whereabouts. He added that no cash bail means that more and more criminals will be on electronic monitoring; which will overburden a system that already does not work. Chief Caponigro said that next year a lot of criminals that would have had to have had a bond hearing will now only receive a ticket and a court date. Although the judges will have some discretion. The police will not be able to remove trespassers – they will just give them tickets. This will create a very serious situation where the crime victims will be taking their own actions in self defense. Alderman Morgan-Adams - stated that the new mandates would severely restrict the ability of judges to take past conduct into account. Chief Caponigro added that there will not be any warrants issued if a someone misses a court date. No action was taken.

APPOINTMENTS, CONFIRMATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA MATTERS (Five Minute Time Limit) - None

CONSENT AGENDA - None

OLD BUSINESS -None

NEW BUSINESS A.R-22-33 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Cook County Regarding Willow Road Flood Control Project – Alderman Dash moved to approve R-22-33 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Cook County Regarding Willow Road Flood Control Project; seconded by Alderman Morgan-Adams. City Administrator Wade noted that $1.8 million was coming from IDOT, $800,000 from CCDOT, and $600,000 from the City of Prospect Heights. He added that MWRD has already paid for the preliminary engineering. Alderman Morgan-Adams said that she wanted to know why the termination language on page 11 of the IGA was so vague. City Administrator Wade said that the language in the contract was at the City's request in case there was an issue with supplies that made the project cost prohibitive. If the: economic climate changes, the City can address the changes. He emphasized that all three agencies in the project are committed to the project. Alderman Morgan-Adams asked if the nature of the project did change because of price, who would be the decision maker regarding the changes. City Administrator Wade said that the project would be brought back to the Council if the scope of the project were to change.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES - Dash, Morgan-Adams, Dolick

NAYS - None

ABSENT - Ludvigsen, Cameron

Motion passed 3-0, two absent

B.R-22-34 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing Agreement with Gewalt Hamilton and Associates regarding Design and Construction Engineering Services for Willow Road Flood Control Project - City Administrator Wade said that GHA was most familiar with this project and that the cost is $205,000. Alderman Morgan-Adams moved to approve R-22-34 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing Agreement with Gewalt Hamilton and Associates regarding Design and Construction Engineering Services for Willow Road Flood Control Project; seconded by Alderman Dash.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES - Morgan-Adams, Dolick, Dash

NAYS - None

ABSENT - Ludvigsen, Cameron

Motion passed 3-0, two absent

C.R-22-35 Staff Memo and Resolution Requesting City Council Direction and Authorization for Inter Fund Transfers - City Administrator Wade said that because of delays with receipt of tax revenues, the City might need to borrow from itself to pay for two bond installments. The distributions may not come until February, 2023. The advance will come from the General Fund. Mayor Dolick asked if this would be a concern if an unexpected payment were needed before the distribution was made. City Administrator Wade said that the City's reserves were considered in good shape. Alderman Dash moved to approve R-22-35 Staff Memo and Resolution Requesting City Council Direction and Authorization for Inter Fund Transfers; seconded by Alderman Morgan Adams.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES - Dolick, Dash, Morgan-Adams

NAYS- None

ABSENT - Ludvigsen, Cameron

Motion passed 3-0, two absent

D.R-22-36 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing Approval of Police Squad Vehicle, 2023 Dodge Durango, Purchase Through McHenry County Purchasing Cooperative, From Sunnyside Chrysler Dodge Ram Mopar - Chief Caponigro said that this vehicle will replace the older Detective car, and will be coming closer to 2024 because it takes 8 months to have the car customized to Police standards. Alderman Morgan-Adams moved to approve R-22-36 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing Approval of Police Squad Vehicle, 2023 Dodge Durango, Purchase Through McHenry County Purchasing Cooperative, From Sunnyside Chrysler Dodge Ram Mopar; seconded by Alderman Dash.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES - Dash, Morgan-Adams, Dolick

NAYS - None

ABSENT - Ludvigsen, Cameron

Motion passed 3-0, two absent

STAFF, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

Acting Mayor Alderman Ward 5 Dolick - noted that he and Alderman Cameron would be attending the NBAA conference in Florida, along with the Chicago Executive Airport officials.

City Administrator Wade - said that 200 Venezuelan asylum seekers, mostly families, have been set up at the Ramada Inn. District 21 and District 214 have already enrolled the children in the school system. He said that City workers, the Rotary, the Park District, Police Department, and school districts have all assisted.

Director of Building and Development Peterson - said that Willow Road infrastructure work will add another phase, and the gas service main will be replaced.

DISCUSSION TOPIC IDEAS FOR THIS WORKSHOP MEETING: A.Review of City Liquor Code - Alderman Ludvigsen will present on his findings at the November 14th Workshop Meeting.

APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

A.Approval of Expenditures

City Clerk Prisiajniouk read the warrants. Alderman Dash moved to approve the warrants as presented; seconded by Alderman Morgan Adams to include TOTAL of $228,439.07; 9/23/2022 Payroll of $183,939.03; and a TOTAL Warrant of $$12,378.10.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

AYES - Morgan-Adams, Dolick, Dash

NAYS- None

ABSENT - Ludvigsen, Cameron

Motion passed 3-0, two absent

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS (Five Minute Time Limit) - None

EXECUTIVE SESSION - None

ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, IF REQUIRED

ADJOURNMENT - At 7:14 PM, Alderman Morgan-Adams moved to Adjourn; seconded by Alderman Dash.

VOICE VOTE:

All Ayes, No Nays

Motion carried 3-0; Alderman Ludvigsen and Alderman Cameron absent