CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE

Minutes of the Police Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 23, 2012 – 6:30 p.m.

Council Chamber

Call to Order and Roll Call:

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The following were present:

Chairman Pondelicek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Michalczyk.

Also Present: Mayor Krzeminski, Ald. Von Drasek, Ald. McDermott, Ald. Musillami, Clerk Sweeney, Deputy Clerk Bartelt, Treas. Jasinski, Attorney Peck, City Admin. Paul, Police Chief Ruth, Deputy Chief Novak, City. Admin. Paul, Asst. Admin. Peterson, ESDA Director Norman.

Chairman Pondelicek announced that tonight is the third Public Meeting regarding the Southwest Central Dispatch issue. The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to review the proposed agreements and to consider their ramifications.

Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of September 19, 2012 were signed and dated by Chairman Pondelicek. Ald. Jasinski moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Chairman Pondelicek presented the RFPs to be advertised to find qualified vendors to perform narrow banding project to comply with the FCC mandate. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

Chairman Pondelicek presented discussion and approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement with Southwest Central Dispatch (SWCD) to provide police dispatching services. Attorney Peck provided an overview of the proposed By-Laws and agreement.

The By-Laws discuss how SWCD operates its facility; the second agreement discusses how SWCD receives funding from the City.

The By-Laws provide a general overview of their operation — where and how the City fits into their plan of operation. There are two sets of By-Laws – one for SWC – 9-1-1 and SWC Dispatch. They work the same way but they are two separate entities – one for 9-1-1 and one for Dispatch. The SWC Dispatch By-Laws has a Board of Directors consisting of the Mayors of member communities; their job is to formulate the general policy. They are the decision-makers of the Association. It is a one municipality-one vote system; each community has one vote. The Board of Directors meets at a minimum twice a year. The Executive Committee is the next level consisting of Chiefs of Police or Fire Chiefs of the member communities of SWC; it, too, is a one municipality-one vote system. The Executive Committee makes administrative decisions re: budget oversight and recommendations to the Board of Directors — how money is spent and how funds are allocated to each municipality. Each of the Agreements has a Director of Communications – the person in charge of the day-to-day decisions of SWCD and their 9-1-1 telephone system. That person is hired by the Executive Committee.

Atty. Peck stated that there are provisions relating to a community wishing to leave SWCD, on liability and on cost. Cost is proportionate to the number of sworn officers

In the municipality. Countryside has 24 sworn officers. The Executive Committee makes a yearly budget, divided proportionately among the communities per their sworn officers. There are additional funds for the hard line phones and 9-1-1 global phones. At present, every City resident pays $1 per month to the 9-1-1 system; the proposal is for 16 cents of every dollar received by the City go to SWCD for the hard line 9-1-1 phones. With regard to the 9-1-1 mobile phones, 100% of the cost will be sent to SWCD, per State statute. Atty. Peck sought questions. The By-Laws were just received by the Council prior to tonight’s meeting. The Mayor asked if Council is comfortable with the By-Laws – the response was yes. Ald. Pondelicek stated that Staff and the Attorney have reviewed the By-Laws and their recommendation is to go forward.

Pete Balderes, attorney representing the dispatchers, asked what is the difference between the Dispatch and the 9-1-1? Chief Ruth stated it is called SWC 9-1-1 -the wireless funds that come into SWC. Those funds are earmarked specifically for certain types of expenditures – for direct communications equipment. The SWC Dispatch would be for the hard lines.

Les Trilla, 5^thAvenue Cutoff, commends the City and welcomes the new system. Jerrie Sobe, 5605 Kensington, discussed the differences in the agenda; the Aldermen have already made up their minds. Ald. Pondelicek stated this is a public record and must be placed on the agenda. Chief Ruth stated that the recommendation would be to create several full-time positions; the dispatchers are entitled to interview for those positions, and several part-time positions. Chief Ruth attended the SWCD Executive Board meeting where the recommendation was to hire two full-time people in their next budget.

Mr. Balderes discussed the contract – what happens to the four dispatchers; SWCD voted to hire two full-time dispatchers. Will they get unemployment if they can’t find a job. The City will have $200,000 in savings. He sent out a demand for collective bargaining to negotiate a severance package for the employees. The new dispatchers will not be familiar with City landmarks, etc. and they also have to adjust to a different CAD system.

Barbara Gleespen, 5416 – 7^thAve. commented re: staffing during the day. Chief Ruth stated that the proposal is to have CSO – community service officers cover the window 24/7. She stated that some police officers had negative comments about SWCD. She asked why not get input from Countryside police officers; they are intimidated.

Judy Novak, 6700 Brainard, mentioned liability -explain who is responsible if something happens. Mr. Peck stated that the hardware responsibility is with SWCD; they have insurance for that. If it is a Countryside error, it is their responsibility. Bill Nawrot, 5835 S. Kensington, was opposed originally but after hearing all the explanations he now supports it. Mr. Sobe, 5605 Kensington, Council members do not listen to the residents.

He thinks the majority of residents don’t know what they’re getting into; nothing is adequately publicized. He thinks it will cost a lot more in the long run.

Natalie Derewjanko, Lombard – interviewed for the part-time dispatcher position; she is a volunteer firefighter-paramedic. Ms. Paul responded that this is a transition period. She will get a response to her application. There will be full-time and part-time positions available. There is no need to reapply. Brendan Gleespen, 6700 Brainard, stated that the City’s total savings is about $200,000 with 24/7 coverage. The cost for a CSO is $12 per hour. He is concerned with 9-1-1 issues and notifying AT&T re: switching connections to the City and not Cook County. 9-1-1 is considered a service to the community.

Questions by Mayor Krzeminski — how long will it take to enter data into the SWCD database? The longest delay is with the ICC that regulates the telephone lines – 2.5 to 3 months to switch. There were no negotiations; the City could take it or leave it. Ms. Paul stated that a formal request was made to receive all the discounts. The City got discounts for years 1 and 2. There are 19 entities enrolled with SWCD. What happens to the present equipment? Chief Ruth stated the City must make that determination. What does SWCD do in the event of a breakdown, once the City goes with SWCD and if they go down, what happens? Chief Ruth stated that they have backup plans and alternate plans to address that event.

The City is seeking approval to put out RFPs to find qualified vendors to upgrade the Public Works narrow band to keep that operating, so it is possible to leave it as is.

Jeff Morgan – requested a financial sheet showing these figures. Chief Ruth stated that the City will continue to use their laptops, and replace them when they become obsolete or broken. Ms. Paul stated that he could file a Freedom of Information Act request.

Chairman Pondelicek called for the motion to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Southwest Central Dispatch to provide police dispatching services. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the IGA, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

Ald. Pondelicek thanked everyone for attending; the City appreciates their input. He stated that no Council member would ever do anything to jeopardize the safety of officers or residents. The intent is to keep the City safe; SWCD will provide a better level of service for all concerned.

Ald. Michalczyk moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously. Chairman Pondelicek declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

ALD. ROBERT PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN

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