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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJPZ - 01/14/2004 - VEHICLE STICKER ENFORCEMENT/OUTDOOR FIREPLACES ELK GROVE VILLAGE JUCICAL, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE MEETING January 14,2004 7:00 p.m. Present Chairman, Bart Dill Member,Nancy Czamik Member, Sam Lissner Police Chief Steve Schmidt Fire Chief Doug Goostree Mr. Jeff Schneider, 1901 Albany Court Topic: Vehicle Sticker Enforcement Trustee Dill called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked Chief Schmidt to review his memo about vehicle sticker enforcement. Chief Schmidt stated the issue is that many residents do not purchase the vehicle stickers by the June 1St deadline each year,depriving the village of revenue. There is currently no penalty for purchasing a vehicle sticker after this date. Chief Schmidt stated he has been working with the Village attorney and the recommendation is to keep the vehicle sticker prices the same as they are in the current ordinance. A 30-day grace period for the purchase and display of the vehicle sticker is suggested. After July 151 each year, a 50% surcharge would be added to the price of all vehicle stickers. The Secretary of State can provide the Police Department with a listing of all vehicles registered in Elk Grove Village (the fee for this list is $500). Once the list is obtained, police can compare the number of vehicles registered with the state from Elk Grove Village and the number of vehicle stickers sold. Trustee Czamik asked if the police would have to purchase this list from the Secretary of State each year—or if every three or four years would be sufficient. Chief Schmidt felt the multi-year option would work fine. She also questioned how we would advise residents of the change in policy. She suggested articles in the Village Newsletter and local newspapers. There was some discussion about mailing a letter to residents who did not get their sticker by the deadline— advising them to pay. Trustee Dill asked if senior citizens are exempt from paying for vehicle stickers? Chief Schmidt stated they are charged$.50. Some discussion followed on cost to seniors and perhaps it should be $1.00. Trustee Dill suggested this be addressed at another time. Trustee Dill also asked if residents would be back charged if it were found that vehicle stickers had not been purchased for several years. Chief Schmidt advised that there would be a back charge and perhaps the Finance Department could work out the billing. Some discussion followed on the fairness of back charging. The consensus was that since these individuals had been using the roads is Elk Grove Village they should pay their share—which is what the vehicle sticker helps fund. Trustee Lissner stated that the back charging was a good idea and agreed that a letter should notify the citizens after an initial notification through the local print media of the crackdown on vehicle sticker scofflaws. He asked what the Police Department currently does to catch those who do not purchase vehicle stickers. Chief Schmidt stated his officers patrol the parking lots of apartment buildings, shopping centers and industrial buildings. If there is a vehicle registered to a village address, a citation is issued. Trustee Lissner stated that if we begin this new program, our police officers would have more time to focus on other issues. The committee agreed. The consensus of the Committee was to recommend the enforcement and price changes outlined in the Police Chief's memo. The Police Chief will work with the Village Attorney on any necessary ordinance amendments and obtain an opinion concerning the back charge issue. Jeff Schneider expressed concern over the fact that the cost is $20 for automobile vehicle stickers and $40 for vehicles with`B"plates. Mr. Schneider suggested that all automobiles and light trucks should pay$30 for their vehicle stickers. Topic: Open burnine—outdoor fireplaces Trustee Lissner began the discussion stating that this issue was brought-up by a resident who lives on Edgeware Road who feels our current ordinance (2468) on this subject is too restrictive. Chief Goostree gave a brief history of the ordinance and how it stemmed from a significant fire at the Ridge Square apartment complex in 1995. Discussion followed on the safety of the outdoor fireplace units, the travel of smoke onto neighboring properties, and the fact that several retail stores in Elk Grove Village sell these units. Chief Goostree stated that the average lot size in the Village is such that smoke and hot embers may travel to neighboring property and become a nuisance or even a hazard. Trustee Dill asked if other municipalities in the area have ordinances such as this one. Chief Goostree stated he would look into this. Trustee Czamik suggested that an article about this subject be placed in the Village Newsletter to remind citizens that the use of these units is not allowed in Elk Grove Village. Chief Goostree stated an article would be submitted for the summer edition. After reviewing the issue,the consensus of the Committee was to recommend that the ordinance remain as written. In addition, it is recommended that staff contact all vendors selling outdoor fireplaces and remind them that, while the units can be sold in the Village,they cannot be utilized in the Village. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. C: Mayor& Board of Trustees, Village Manager, Assistant Village Manager, Village Attorney Police Chief, Fire Chief, Village Clerk, Director of Finance, Assistant to the Village Manager, Deputy Police Chiefs (2), Deputy Fire Chiefs(2).