City of Wheaton City Council Planning Commission met Feb. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
1. Call to Order
The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Gresk. The following were:
Physically Present: Mayor Gresk
Councilman Barbier
Councilwoman Fitch
Councilman Prendiville
Councilman Scalzo
Councilman Suess
Absent: Councilman Rutledge
City Staff Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager
John Duguay, Assistant City Manager
William Murphy, Police Chief
Paul Redman, Director of Engineering
Van Dillenkoffer, Police Lieutenant
Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator
2. Public Comment
There were no public comments.
3. Approval of January 14, 2019 Planning Session Minutes
The Council approved the January 14, 2019 City Council Planning Session Minutes.
4. Drive 25 Phase 1 Enforcement Synopsis
City Manager Dzugan stated since the City implemented a change in most residential speed limits from 30 mph to 25 mph, the Police Department has been collecting data on some of the streets and data from their enforcement efforts. The Police Department provided a memo summarizing the results of this first phase of enforcement.
Lt. Dillenkoffer reviewed the implementation of the Drive 25 speed limit change, which also involved the Engineering Department determining appropriate speeds for various streets based on the analysis done by traffic consultants Kenig, Lindgren, O’Hara, Alboona Inc. (KLOA), the Public Works Department replacing speed limit signs, and the Communications Department educating residents of the change.
The Police Department completed the first phase of a 12-month enforcement process. For Phase 1, the Police Department selected a portion of the residential street segments and recorded speeds for 7 days. Then, the traffic enforcement unit’s 4 officers performed a minimum of 6 hours of enforcement in each of these locations. Following the enforcement period, speed recording signs were placed in the same locations for 14 days to measure the effectiveness of enforcement efforts. Lt. Dillenkoffer stated in Phase 1, the department had 2,075 speed-related contacts with drivers. The locations selected for Phase 1 saw a decrease ranging from 0.32 mph to 7.81 mph speed reduction following the enforcement period. The Police Department is now into Phase 2, which monitors different locations.
Lt. Dillenkoffer stated the Police Department has received positive feedback from the community, and residents have expressed appreciation for the lower speed limits in their neighborhoods to increase safety.
In response to Council questions, Lt. Dillenkoffer stated Police are using the electronic speed signs to collect vehicle count and speed data. They are using the data they receive to determine where further enforcement is needed.
In response to a question regarding the speed information collected on Brighton Drive, Lt. Dillenkoffer stated the average speed after enforcement did appear to go up slightly on this street, but this could be attributed to using the average speeds from KLOA’s original study. The KLOA location for collecting data may also have differed, in addition to the time of year that speeds were collected. City Manager Dzugan stated going forward, the Engineering Department will be working to ensure speed readings are taken from the exact same spot within the block being measured.
Lt. Dillenkoffer stated the overall target is to lower the 85th percentile speed – meaning the speed at which 85% of people are driving at or below – to 30 mph.
City Manager Dzugan stated based on the tickets issued, the City finds that most of the people speeding are those who live in that neighborhood. The City can use this information to do some targeted communications to residents in those areas.
In response to a Council question about what the Police Department is doing now with the data they are collecting, Lt. Dillenkoffer stated they are continuing to target residential areas and places they have found through the data collected that need additional attention.
5. Special Event Regulations Proposed Amendments
City Manager Dzugan stated based on the Council’s feedback and requested changes, City staff has prepared proposed amendments to the City’s Special Event Regulations.
City Manager Dzugan reviewed the changes, including clarifying the definition and permitting process for expressive activity; streamlining the review process by creating a special events committee; establishing special event standards to clarify expectations for applicants; and adding an appeal process that would allow the City Council to review applications that are denied. Also, the proposed amendments include different insurance level requirements based on the City Attorney’s review; use of the same criteria as the banner policy to determine which entities are charged service fees (except when Police services are needed); and a graduated fee schedule to encourage early applications.
In response to Council questions, City Manager Dzugan stated the fees charged to bowling alleys and for showing movies are carried over from previous City Code.
Assistant City Manager Duguay responded to a Council question about fees for the Memorial Day Parade by stating the City can’t exclude the American Legion from being charged a fee, as they are not a government entity.
In response to a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated the Police Department will still be the point of contact for people applying, and the process will be done electronically for increased efficiency.
To answer a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated the proposed changes do not address how many times a race or special event can be in the same place, as the Council previously directed City staff not impose limits.
Some Council members questioned whether or not the City should charge nonprofits for races, while others asked whether the City could charge fees based on the amount of profit an organization is making. City Manager Dzugan stated nearly all of the events are fundraisers, and the amount that City would be charging is not a lot. City Manager Dzugan stated the City will also be making this process more efficient for staff by requiring the organizations hosting the event to provide more of the intersection control, and only using police officers for intersections where there are safety concerns.
6. City Council/City Staff Comments
There were no comments.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02112019-1107
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