City of Warrenville Public Safety and Finance Committee of the Whole met July 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Aschauer called to meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Stuart Aschauer, Mayor David Brummel and Aldermen: John Paul Augustynowicz, Clare Barry, Kathy Davolos, Craig Kruckenberg, John Lockett, Bill Weidner and Judy Wilkie
Absent: None
Also Present: City Treasurer Maury Goodman, City Administrator Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator Alma Morgan, Finance Director Kevin Dahlstrand, Police Chief Sam Bonilla, and Executive Assistant and Deputy City Clerk Dawn Grivetti
Also Absent: City Clerk Julie Clark
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Aschauer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no comments from the public at this time.
E. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS
Mayor Brummel reported on the Cerny Park public input meeting regarding the future of the park. The meeting was hosted by the City and Warrenville Park District and held on Thursday, July 20. He stated that the City is interested in applying for a matching grant for park improvements, and is looking for public input for future development. Possible improvements discussed include outdoor pickleball courts and a recreational water feature.
Mayor Brummel reminded the public to attend the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Illinois Prairie Path Trailhead on Thursday, July 27. He reminded members of the Council that there is no scheduled public meeting next Monday, and that National Night Out will be held Tuesday, August 1 at Cerny Park. He also stated Summer Daze will be held next weekend on August 4-5. More information about these events can be found on the City website.
F. BUSINESS OF MEETING
1. Informational Update on Use of Non-Highway Vehicles Within the City of Warrenville Chairman Aschauer introduced the topic by stating his interest in the City Council creating a workgroup to discuss the possibility of allowing golf carts to be used on local City roadways.
Police Chief (PC) Bonilla gave an informational presentation defining non-highway vehicles (NHV) and low-speed vehicles (LSV), and their use on public streets. He stated that, according to State statutes, it is unlawful to drive NHV’s on any street, highway, or roadway in the State of Illinois without a municipal ordinance or resolution permitting it on local streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour (mph) or less. He provided a list of features a NHV must have in order to be permitted to drive on such roadways and in such areas.
Alternatively, PC Bonilla stated that it is lawful under State statute to drive an LSV on any street in the State where the posted speed limit is 30 mph or less. He noted, however, that LSV’s may not cross a street with a speed limit in excess of 45 mph unless the crossing is at an intersection controlled by a traffic light or four-way stop.
PC Bonilla concluded the presentation by highlighting the public safety concerns with allowing NHV’s use of public roadways.
Tom Guglielmi, 3S441 Curtis Ave, spoke about how fun golf carts are to ride in.
Matt Banaszek, 3S331 Manning Ave, spoke in favor of the City Council discussing the opportunity to allow the use of NHV’s on City streets.
Jeff Krischel, 28W667 Ray St, stated that NHV’s can be retrofit with the required safety equipment that LSV’s have, and implied the only difference between the two vehicle types is the inability to acquire a title and license plate for an NHV.
Jamie Clark, 3S675 Curtis Ave, stated that he owns an NHV and would like the City Council to develop an ordinance that allows the use of NHV’s on City roadways without a license plate.
Tim Gornik, 29W450 Adam Albright Ct, encouraged the City Council to allow the use of NHV’s on City roadways and suggested their use makes the City unique.
Ald. Weidner asked that a comment received from resident Jessica Banaszek, 3S331 Manning Ave, regarding golf carts on City streets, be read into the record. A consensus was reached, and Mayor Brummel read the message aloud. In her message, Ms. Banaszek proposed banning the use of NHV’s from City streets.
Ald. Barry spoke about the options presented for Council consideration, voiced her concern for all drivers and pedestrians when NHV and LSV type vehicles share the roadway, and expressed her interest in the Council establishing a workgroup to discuss the matter. There was consensus to create a workgroup for further discussion.
There was discussion regarding the challenge of registering and licensing NHV’s, the alternatives to licensing NHV’s for use on City streets, and the additional public safety features required to allow such vehicles to drive on City streets.
Chairman Aschauer spoke in favor of establishing an ordinance allowing NHV’s use of City streets with enforcement regulations that prohibit bad behavior through local licensing.
Public Safety & Finance Committee Meeting Minutes for July 24, 2023 Page 3 of 5
Mayor Brummel stated his appreciation for the public input and his concern for the safety and use of NHV’s and LSV’s on City streets. He indicated that the Police Department is currently short staffed; and it will take time for the City Council and staff to consider the matter. Mayor Brummel noted that a potential workgroup should consider if this is a matter the City wants to address and if it is fair and not a compromise to public safety.
Mike Divelbiss, 28W445 Townline Rd, spoke about increased speeds of vehicles in the City and requested a stop sign be installed at the intersection of Warren Ave and Forestview Dr S. He also spoke in favor of regulation allowing NHV’s on City streets. Chairman Aschauer replied that the City has approved a stop sign at the intersection of Warren Ave and Forestview Dr S.
Alison Guglielmi, 3S441 Curtis Ave, restated Tom Guglielmi’s comments, and added that some older non-highway and low speed vehicles may not have been manufactured with a vehicle identification number, but still possess the necessary features that could otherwise make them legal.
JoAnne Vite, 29W450 Adam Albright Ct, expressed her hope that the workgroup discussing the regulation of NHV’s would include a member of the City Council who owns a golf cart and would be fair and nonbiased in their discussions regarding the drafting of a potential ordinance regulating such vehicles in the City.
Ald. Davolos spoke about the regulations required to allow NHV’s without licenses to use City streets. She thanked PC Bonilla and the public for their comments, and reminded the public that staff work using work plans. She added that, if instructed by the City Council, staff will have to add the item onto a work plan for further development.
ALDERMAN BARRY MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Lockett, to recommend the City Council establish a working group to draft a local ordinance permitting non highway vehicles on City of Warrenville streets and develop a program that would require those vehicles to be registered locally.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
Chairman Aschauer thanked the public for participating in the government process.
2. Consideration of a request to dispose of surplus City property (radars) PC Bonilla reported that the Police Department has surplus property for disposal that no longer serves a City need. He added that a representative of Radar Man, Inc., has proposed to purchase the out-of-service radar units in the amount of $1,200, which would be applied as a non-expiring credit to the City’s account for future radar certification costs, maintenance, and/or new radar purchases, until funds are exhausted.
Tim Gornik was permitted to ask if the property had been considered for donation. PC Bonilla replied that the property is inoperable and of no use to anyone.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Barry, to recommend the City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the disposal of City owned surplus property through a sale to Radar Man, Inc., in the amount of $1,200, to be applied as an account credit with said vendor in the equal amount.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
3. Consideration of an ordinance amending Massage License Fee
PC Bonilla stated a recent audit was conducted to evaluate whether or not the current Massage License application fee accurately reflected the cost to the City. At the conclusion of the audit, Deputy Chief Dawson recommended the application fee be reduced from its current amount of $1,000 to $500.
It was determined that the audit was in response to a previous request from a license applicant to reduce the fee.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to recommend the City Council approve an ordinance amending Title 3, Chapter 26, Section 2(c) of the City Code, Massage Establishment Business License Required; Number of Licenses; Fees, as illustrated through language strikeouts and inserts.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
4. Consider Request to Dispose of IT-Related Items Using E-Scrap Technologies, Inc. Assistant City Administrator (ACA) Morgan reported that staff has identified computer and similar equipment that is no longer in service, because it was either replaced with upgraded equipment or has exceeded its useful life and is no longer functional.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Barry, to recommend the City Council approve an ordinance approving the disposal of surplus personal property owned by the City of Warrenville.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
5. Informational Update on FY 2022 GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting Finance Director (FD) Dahlstrand stated the City has received its 30th consecutive Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement Award of Excellence in Financial Reporting. He commended the City Council and staff for their support of this significant achievement.
Mayor Brummel praised FD Dahlstrand and reiterated the impetus of the award is to recognize the City’s achievement in obtaining the highest level of excellence in financial reporting.
Ald. Barry thanked FD Dahlstrand and the Finance Department staff for reaching this accomplishment.
NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED
https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07242023-1273
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