Chambana Sun

Vermilion County Public Safety Committee met Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Here are the minutes as provided by Vermilion County:

Public Safety Committee Meeting Wednesday, January 18, 2017 5:15 p.m., Courthouse Annex, Room 319

M I N U T E S

Agenda Item 1 - Call to Order and Roll Call County Board Chairman Mike Marron called the Public Safety Committee of the Vermilion County Board to order at 5:15 p.m., January 18, 2017 in Room 319 of the Courthouse Annex.

Upon the call of roll, the following committee members were present: Chuck Nesbitt, Craig Golden, Crisi Walls, Tom Morse, Bruce Stark, Becky Stark, Chad Turner. 7 present, 0 absent.

Also attending the meeting was: Mike Marron, County Board Chairman; Bill Donahue, Assistant State’s Attorney; Ted Fisher, TS/EMA Director; and Amie Harvey, Administrative Assistant.

Agenda Item 2 - Adoption/Amendments of Agenda Turner moved, seconded by Morse, to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion passed by acclamation.

Agenda Item 3 - Approval Minutes – August 17, 2016 Golden moved, second by Nesbitt, to accept the minutes as written. Motion passed by acclamation.

Agenda Item 4 - Audience Comments There were none.

Agenda Item 5 –Election of Committee Chairperson Chairman Marron recommended Chuck Nesbitt, stating he had done a great job as the previous Chairman. Nesbitt was nominated by Golden, seconded by Turner. There were no other nominations. Motion was approved by acclamation. Chuck Nesbitt assumed the Chair.

Agenda Item 6 – Election of Committee Vice-Chairperson Bruce Stark nominated Craig Golden, seconded by Chad Turner. There were no other nominations. Motion was carried by acclamation.

Agenda Item 7 – Letter to Georgetown Fire Protection District Chairman Marron explained that this was an idea brought forward by Ted Fisher and Bruce Stark. Previously, the county had purchased a HAZMAT trailer that was loaned to the Georgetown Fire district. Since their HAZMAT team has disbanded, it was suggested that a letter be sent requesting for the property to be returned to the county. Mr. Stark stated that they did not pay for it so he did not believe the county should buy it from them in return. Mr. Fisher explained that in October, the District offered to sell it back to the county. It was purchased by the county with grant money. Discussion ensued. The committee came to a consensus that Chairman Marron would meet with the new Fire Chief and discuss the possibility of returning the trailer before any legal letters are to be sent.

Agenda Item 8 – Ordinance: Vermilion County Neighborhood Integrity Bill Donahue explained that some municipalities require landlords use a document such as this one to encourage them to not allow criminal individuals renting their apartments. Discussion ensued. Donahue explained that it would be difficult to mandate this ordinance across the county; however, it would be available to those landlords should they desire to use it. Nesbitt motioned, second by Turner, to approve. The following committee members voted yes, to-wit: Chuck Nesbitt, Craig Golden, Crisi Walls, Tom Morse, Bruce Stark, Becky Stark, Chad Turner. 7 yes, 0 absent.

Agenda Item 9 – Department Orientation – EMA, Ted Fisher Ted Fisher gave a power-point presentation to orient the committee to the Emergency Management department. His slide stated that emergency management is “the process of preparing for, mitigating, responding to and recovering from an emergency or disaster.” The four general goals of EMA are “save lives, prevent injuries, protect property, and protect the environment.” EMA works with churches, businesses, people, the Red Cross, and other various organizations. The four phases of Emergency Management are preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Disasters that our EMA typically handle are tornadoes, flooding, and HAZMAT spills (although the county does not have its own, individual HAZMAT team). EMA also prepares for events such as dam failure, sinkholes, and nuclear/power problems.

Agenda Item 10 - Items of Information or Committee Concerns Chuck Nesbitt wanted to note that there have been a few stories on the news about Hoopeston residents complaining about 911 no longer being local or taken care of out of their police station. He wanted to clarify that everything goes through our PSB now. Bill Donahue confirmed this, but said that he believed they were working on other options. Ted Fisher said that currently, when we get a Hoopeston call, it is directed straight back to Hoopeston.

Agenda Item 11 - Executive Session Not necessary at this meeting.

Agenda Item 12 - Adjournment Committee Chairman Nesbitt adjourned the meeting at 6:07 pm.

Minutes by: Amie Harvey, Administrative Assistant