Village of Oswego Committee of the Whole met Nov. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
President Troy Parlier called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Board Members Physically Present: President Troy Parlier; Trustees Tom Guist, Kit Kuhrt, Terry Olson, Jennifer Jones Sinnott, and Brian Thomas.
Board Members Attending Electronically: Trustee James Marter II; attended at 6:02 p.m.
Staff Physically Present: Dan Di Santo, Village Administrator; Christina Burns, Asst. Village Administrator; Tina Touchette, Village Clerk; Jeff Burgner, Police Chief; Jennifer Hughes, Public Works Director; Rod Zenner, Development Services Director; Scott McMaster, Economic Development Director; Joe Renzetti, IG/GIS Director; Jason Bastin, Police Commander; Tim Zasada, Asst. Public Works Director Utilities; Susan Quasney, Engineer; Chuck Hervas, Attorney; and Douglas Dorando, Village Attorney.
CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS ON ANY REQUESTS FOR ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION IN MEETING
President Parlier noted that Trustee Marter would like to electronically attend tonight’s meeting. Trustee Marter submitted the necessary documents to the Village Clerk.
A motion was made by Trustee Thomas and seconded by Trustee Olson to approve Trustee James Marter to electronically attend the November 16th, 2021 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Aye: Tom Guist Kit Kuhrt
Terry Olson Jennifer Jones Sinnott
Brian Thomas
Nay: None
Absent: James Marter II
The motion was declared carried by a roll call vote with five (5) aye votes and zero (0) nay votes. Trustee James Marter attended electronically at 6:02 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
Public Forum was opened at 6:02 p.m.
Gerald Sternberg addressed the Board regarding a zoning change and the invasion of certain types of businesses near subdivisions.
There was no one else who requested to speak. The public forum was closed at 6:03 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
F.1 Update on the Alternative Water Source Evaluation- Part 5: Cost Analysis
Director Hughes addressed the Board regarding an update to the water source evaluation. Staff continues to refine the numbers and asked if the Board needed any additional information before making a decision on the water source. The decision will be brought for Board approval at the December 14, 2021 Village Board meeting.
Board and staff discussion focused on Joliet’s numbers did not change the overall numbers; decision from Yorkville and Montgomery; Yorkville leaning towards Lake Michigan; all three communities are meeting on December 14th and 15th to look at final costs; study on costs for all options; best overall option for the region; Administrators and Mayors are all in discussions; $45 million more for Oswego to go on our own; massive change in numbers if all three communities not together; Montgomery’s cheapest option is the Fox River due to their existing system; splitting costs; only $5 million difference for Montgomery to choose the Fox River versus Lake Michigan; costs if there is a change in the percentage shared; cost change is in the single digits. There was no further discussion.
F.2 Police Body Worn Camera Update
Chief Burgner and Commander Bastin addressed the Board regarding body worn cameras (BWC). When this was last discussed, there was no law requiring cameras. Cameras are not being implemented to address a problem; there is no problem; it’s a smart program for safety purposes. The following was presented to the Board:
Why discuss now?
• Staff presented BWC program in Fall of 2020 as an option
• Currently HB3653 introduced legislation that requires law enforcement to wear body cameras
⮚ Implementation date based on Village population
⮚ Our deadline is 1/1/2025
• Passing of HB 3653 stalled initial implementation in 1st quarter of 2021
• Trailer billed passed in summer of 2021 cleaned up many language concerns regarding BWC
• Potential funding source now available
⮚ ILETSB Grant
⮚ ARPA Funds
Transparency & Accountability
• Listed as the primary reason for BWC’s by many advocates
• Research shows that BWC’s don’t create Transparency & Accountability where it did not already exist
• OPD continually strives for Transparency and Accountability through our current practices
• BWC’s are another tool to assist in the maintenance of Transparency and Accountability
What can BWC’s do for the Village?
• Confirm Officer Accounts
⮚ Verifies and protects officers against baseless complaints
⮚ Gathers information potentially vital to the Village in lawsuits
• Evidentiary Tool
⮚ Video evidence of victims and scenes more compelling than written reports alone
⮚ Allows expansion of video recording we already use for domestic violence cases
• Training Benefits
⮚ Field training recruits
⮚ Scenario based training
Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act 50 ILCS 706
• Equipment Requirements
⮚ Pre-event recording of 30 seconds
⮚ Record for 10 hours; officers work 12 hours shifts
• Activation/De-Activation Requirements
⮚ Activation required when responding to calls or when engaged in other law enforcement-related activity
⮚ Deactivation at request of crime victim or person(s) reporting a crime
• Notice of recording given to persons with a reasonable expectation of privacy
• BWC recording retained for 90 days unless being utilized as evidence then 2 years, or can be longer for training purposes
• Recordings shall not be used to discipline officers unless:
⮚ Complaint of misconduct
⮚ Use of force
⮚ Formal investigation under Uniform Peace Officers’ Disciplinary Act
⮚ Corroborating other evidence of misconduct
• Recordings are subject to FOIA disclosure when:
⮚ Subject of encounter is a victim or witness or provides written permission
⮚ Filing of a complaint, discharge of a firearm, use of force, arrest or detention, death or bodily harm
• Recordings responding to FOIA requests will be redacted to remove identification of non-involved persons.
• New language from passing of HB3653
• Officers cannot have access to or review BWC recordings prior to writing their initial report in the following circumstances:
⮚ Officer was involved in or a witness to an officer-involved shooting
⮚ Use of deadly force incident
⮚ Use of force resulting in great bodily harm
⮚ If the Officer is ordered to write a report in response to or during the investigation of a misconduct complaint against the officer
• Subject to supervisor approval, officers may file amendatory reports to their original report after viewing BWC recordings.
Watchguard vs. Other Vendors
• Most cameras similar in form and function
• Watchguard integrates with our current squad camera system
⮚ No longer required to carry mic pack with the integration of the cameras
⮚ The audio from the bodycam syncs with squad car cameras
⮚ Video syncs with squad car video and uploads via the same secure LTE cellular portal to the cloud
⮚ Recordings accessed through the same secure program as squad car videos
• Watchguard has a quick removeable/swappable battery that allows officer to work an entire 12-hour shift with the same camera and not having to sign out a new BWC
Watchguard BWC
• 3.5 in (H) x 2.4 in (W) X 1.1 in (D)
• Total Weight – 6.8 oz
• Field of View
⮚ 130 degrees Horizontal
⮚ 73 degrees Vertical
• Detachable Battery
• Multiple Uniform Mounting Options
• Integrates w/In Car Camera System
• Magnetic mount/clip
Watchguard Program Costs- Purchase vs. Lease
• 51 Cameras
• 51 Extra Batteries
• 2 Transfer Stations
• Redaction Software
• Squad Hardware – Integration
• 3rd year hardware refresh; meaning new cameras every three years
• 5 Years of No-Fault Warranty
Other Considerations
• BWC’s are not intended to change Officer behavior. Training and culture drive behavior.
• Great tool to augment Officers
• Collective Bargaining – we will meet with the union to discuss impact on work and operations.
• Staff will create a Policy & Procedure working group for BWC’s comprised of patrol, sergeants, and records.
• BWC’s are only one part of a thorough investigation and they do not capture every detail of an event.
• It’s another tool, but it is not an answer to everything
Board and staff discussion focused on when the lights on the squad are turned on the BWC activates; whether Officers will get in trouble for not turning the cameras on; there will be an integration period; Officers will be trained, but they could still forget; if not recording on purpose, they could get in trouble; whether there is a notification that the camera is on; can look down and see the camera is on; whether the camera could be bumped by accident; button is recessed; cameras are always recording video, but the audio only comes on if the button is activated; who is excluded from wearing the cameras; all certified-uniformed sworn peace officers are required to wear them while doing police work; no auto exclusion; CSO’s and records clerks will not have cameras; currently only one (1) CSO is on the department; not prevalent yet in other police departments; will be ramping up ahead of the January 1, 2025 deadline. There was no further discussion.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
CLOSED SESSION
A motion was made by Trustee Kuhrt and seconded by Trustee Marter II to enter Closed Session for the purposes of discussing the following:
• Pending and Probable Litigation [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)]
• Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Personnel [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)]
• Collective Bargaining, Collective Negotiating Matters, Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)]
• Sale, Lease, and/or Acquisition of Property [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) & (6)]
Aye: Tom Guist Kit Kuhrt
James Marter II Terry Olson
Jennifer Jones Sinnott Brian Thomas
Nay: None
The motion was declared carried by a roll call vote with six (6) aye votes and zero (0) nay votes.
The Board adjourned to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m.
The Board returned to open session at 6:57 p.m. A roll call vote was taken. All Board members were present for the roll call.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
https://www.oswegoil.org/home/showpublisheddocument/4562/637753380807900000
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