THIS IS THE MINUTES FROM JULY 21 2011 BOARD MEETING.YOU WILL NOTICE SOME INTERESTING THINGS
YOU WILL SEE THE OPPOSITION FROM THE GANG OF 4 TO THE SURVEY..WHY? BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WOULD NOT BE BALE TO GET THRU THERE AGENDA.THAT THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS IN CORDOVA WANTED THERE OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.BUT WERE AFRAID OF VOICING IT IN BOARD MEETINGS BECAUSE OF THE BULLY MENTALITY BY THE GO4 AND THERE FAMILY.
Village of Cordova
Journal of Proceedings
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The July Board meeting as called to order in the Conference Room at the Village Hall
on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 6:30PM. Village President Bob VanHooreweghe
presiding.
Roll Call: Trustees in attendance were Larry Dhooge, Dean Moyer, John Myers, Patsy
Fidlar, John Haan and Bruce Wood.
Also in attendance- Clerk Sharon Peterson, Treasurer-Michele Chavez and Attorney
Clayton Lee.
Citizens in attendance-Richard Vincent, Roger Smith, Dispatch- Bill Mayeroff and
John Greenwood, Dispatch/Review-Lyle Ernst, Carol DeWilfond, John Henyan, Ed
Vaughn, Linda Meinheit, Mary McCarthy, Rock Island County Sheriff Dept- Boyd,
Bustos and 2 other officers, Jessica Scranton, John Piatt,
(Julie Hager, John Hager)JUST SO YOU SEE AND IT IS CONFIRMED THEY WERE THERE.IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS INCORRECT,JOHN HAGER WAS NOT THERE,
, LisaPrice, Amy Haan, Sue Muirhead, Ken & Sandy McCool, Quad City Times-Brian
Wellner, Candy Moyer, Chuck Fidlar, Laurie Knight, Shelly Owens, MaryAnn Saathoff,,
Jim & Joanne Hines, Bob & Ginny Bennett, Elaine Winter, John Peterson, Bill Somers,
Olga Wolfe, Tammy Johannsen, Sandy McCool, Brian Speer, Richard & Barb Gaylord,
Tom Ray, Del Moyer, Jim Boone, Perry & Kyle Barber, Roy Gibson & Sue, Todd
Tanner, Kristine Peterson, Jon Noland, Colleen Melody, Ron Willhite, Lynn Fidlar,
Andrew Beale, Greg & Deb Deines, Catherine Eversoll, Mike Deines, Cam Warren.
Police- Bruce Wood
Bruce, last month we discussed the Police Survey and I asked for input. I got nothing
from the trustees but did get some feedback from citizens.AGAIN THEY DID NOT WANT IT AS THEY WERE AFRAID HOW DAMAGING IT WOULD BE TO THERE AGENDA.THIS BOARD DID FIGHT AGAINST IT BAD.WHY?THEY VOTED TO SPEND $800.00 FOR THE ATTORNEY TO LOOK INTO MISCONDUCT CHARGES, WHY NOT $500.00 TO SEE WHAT THERE CONSTITUENTS FEEL ABOUT THERE POLICE DEPARTMENT?
AREN'T THEY TO BE VOICES FOR THE PEOPLE?THEY ARE ONLY THERE TO SERVE THEMSELVES
John Haan, I did respond and
told Bruce it was OK all but the last part-disclosure statement. Bruce, I am still in the
discussion phase and the survey can be written by a 3rd party so there are no leading
statements and they can also be in charge of the tabulation and analysis of the completed
and returned surveys. I am looking at St Ambrose or Augustana.
There is also some confusion on the expenses on the Police Department. We
generally spend $125,000 and the estimated annual revenue is $75,000 leaving $50,000
and that has been pretty consistent in the review of the history.
We have approximately 100 hours of weekly coverage.100 HOURS OF COVERAGE,WHAT COVERAGE DOES THE FINE CITIZENS IN CORDOVA HAVE NOW?OR THE TOWNSHIP?
Some shifts we have 2
officers on duty. Rock Island County’s rate could range between $32-$38 per hour. If we
are asking for the same 100 hours of coverage I estimated we would be looking at
$182,000. This will increase the cost to the community even more. We need to ask the
taxpayers how much more they are willing to spend. Timing is important and we need to
get this finalized. It was suggested we sent the survey to our registered voters and I think
that is a great idea. The surveys need to be embossed to prevent duplication and we can
make additional surveys available as needed.
Jim Hines questioned the cost to print, mail, return mail, tabulation, etc? Bruce, I do
not know yet but hopefully the project will be taken on by a grad student. I just got this
idea and didn’t have much time.
Ginny, if the Police survey is taken on by a student could they possibly also give the
presentation so the public is hearing it directly from them?
Bill Somers, where does the Police Department get their revenue? Bruce, the Villagematches the Township at $38,430 each, fine revenues, Ordinance violations and
miscellaneous income. Bill, you then get a lot of revenue from fines and I used $35,000
so you must write 500 tickets and we get $80 from each ticket-is that correct?NO MR SOMERS, WE GET $54.00 FROM A 120 TICKET, AND SO ON
Bruce, I
used 12 years worth of data.
The question was what happened to the revenue from tickets if Rock Island County
was to take over the Police Department. I talked to Scott Sidor of Port Byron and the fine
revenue is not in their contract with Rock Island County.
They are not getting anythingBUT WAIT, MY JOHN MYERS SAID HE TALKED TO SCOTT AND HE SAID CORDOVA WOULD GET A CREDIT ,SEE THE STUPIDITY?
but we can possibly negotiate in a contract.
Sue Muirhead questioned why the Cordova Township residents and businesses would
be getting a survey when the Township contracts with the Village? We are providing a
service to them. We pay the bills. Bruce the population of the Village is 700 plus another
300 for the Township, just rounding off numbers. I do not have any knowledge of the
number of registered voters. We can track the Township responses separately.
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It was questioned why the Police Committee needs 2 representatives from the
Township? Why do they have a say if they contract? We are spending the Village’s
money. Bruce, they would not have any voting privileges.
Ginny, Township is contributing $38,000 but it is costing the Village a lot more. If
the surveys are sent to registered voters the renters would have input when they are not
property owners and taxpayers. Bob, indirectly, as a landlord, they will pay.
Julie Hager questioned the number of citations written by the Police Department that
are thrown out?THROWN OUT OR DISMISSED HAPPENS CONSTANTLY IN ROCK ISLAND COUNTY Bruce, we are making more stops than historically per the Activity logs.
Bill Somers, personally I think the Township is getting a better deal and it is costing
the Village. They are contributing less than 1/3 and they have 20 times more area to be
covered. This increases the gas, use and maintenance of vehicles, etc. Township should
be paying more than ½. Maybe the Village needs to give the Township a 30-day notice.
Bruce, a lot of the revenue is from the jurisdiction of the Township.
Richard Vincent questioned why people were not being cited for illegal parking at the
boat ramp?MAYBE BECAUSE THERE'S A HUGE SIGN THAT DOES SAY, CARS WITH TRAILERS PARKING ONLY? Bruce, we are down on staff and have limited coverage. I will bring this to
the attention of the officers. Richard, we need the vehicle with trailer parking only sign
back up. Bruce, the posting of the sign is a courtesy when we have the Ordinance on the
book.
Jon Noland read the portion of the Police Protection Village/Township contract and
let the people know the division of the time to be spent in the Township. Bruce the
contact says 50 / 50.
John Peterson, with the controversy in the Police Department it will affect the surveys
and you may want to wait 6 months. Bruce, there is a sense of urgency.
John Hager, the number of citations issued is public record. Bruce, Lyle publishes the
monthly Police Report in the Review. Pat, that information is the number written and
includes the citations that are thrown out. John Hager, they can sit in front of my house
all day and catch people. Bruce, I think we are mixing issues- we were talking about lost
revenue and not the citations.
Jim Hines, no matter where you live, if your zip code is 61242, you are Cordova.
Friends, neighbors-we all live here-we are a community and we don’t need to be divided.
We are all Cordova -61242. If you are an American citizen you have the right to vote. If
you choose not to be registered voter-that is also your right but we are all taxpayers.
Bob, in a previous discussion I thought it was your wife who said we have 3 people in
our household with different opinions and we would need 3 surveys. Jim, she just used
that for an example-there are only 2.
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Deb, we have someone in the Village who owns 2 homes and is a taxpayer but they
are not registered voters here and they should also have a voice.
Julie Hager, I stand by my suggestion to send the surveys to registered voters.
Ken McCool, I agree with Jim Hines. I think it is great to have this type of a turn-out
for the meeting. The residents of the Village do pay both Village and Township taxes.
Bob agreed, people like Mike Deines who own 2 homes are entitled to their opinion.
John Myers, I think there is an error in the numbers and the municipal fines will stay
in the Village. Other citation revenue will depend on how the contract is written. We
need to look at vehicles. I said the cars should run 125,000 miles and last week we were
told one is junk. The annual budget does not show depreciation. What is the liability if
we go with Rock Island County-how is this going to affect our insurance? We need to
look at response with Rock Island County and you people need to make your judgment. I
am not convinced to go with Rock Island County but Port Byron says they are saving
money. The decision can not be solely based on dollar signs-what do we want, what are
we willing to pay for. Until a contract is negotiated we can’t make any decision.
Bill Somers, is what we are hearing is that 80% of the revenue is off of Route 84? If
they are setting on Route 84 the Township is not getting coverage. I live on 4th Street and
I hardly ever see them.NOT TRUE I ARRESTED YOUR SON ON 4TH STREET.DID YOU SEE ME THEN?:) I WAS ACCUSED OF HARASSMENT BY PATSY FIDLAR FOR DOING STATIONARY PATROL ON 4TH AND 4TH. WATCHING THE STOP SIGN, YOU SEEN ME THEN BECAUSE I SEEN YOU DRIVE TO HER HOUSE WHEN I WAS STATIONARY. HARDLY?RIGHT BILL Most of the time I see them is at the pump station. Bruce, the
Activity Reports show different.SEE HOW BILL SOMERS JUST MAKES UP LIES AS HE GOES, AND NO THOUGHT OF IT.VOID OF ANY MORALS OR VALUES
Greg Deines, we all pay taxes, road use tax. Since when did the Police Department
become a revenue generator? What % of our taxes go to the Police Department?
Sharon, the Village has passed a tax levy and $15,000 of the collected property taxes
is designated for police protection. The true figure for police protection is $38,430 which
is $3202.50 per month. Both the Village and the Township contribute this same amount
monthly. Only $15,000 of the $38,430 annually is from property tax. Other than the
monthly match from Township the Village supports the Police Department.
Bob noted that nothing from the Motor Fuel tax received by the Village goes into the
Police Fund. Motor Fuel tax is in a special account.
Richard Gaylord, I don’t think the issue is finance but conduct. The Police Department
is doing a good job and I see them in my neighborhood.THANK YOU MR GAYLORD, THE ONES COMPLAINING ARE THE BULLIES OF CORDOVA,THE ONES WE ARRESTED THEM OR THERE KID. They are doing their job and we
have some people saying since they are doing their job that they are being picked on. The
Police Department is doing a good job.BUT IF YOU LISTEN TO THE GANG OF 4, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE JUST AWFUL, AND EVERYONE HATES THEM,,,WELL WELL NOT TRUE
Pat Fidlar, I do not understand where we are going with this. We keep allowing
discussion and this is supposed to be a business meeting. I am making a motion to delay
the survey until we know an exact cost and how the survey will be handled. The motion
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was 2nd by John Myers. Pat, the survey cost is not in the budget.BUT WAS THE $800.00 YOU AGREED TO USE FOR THE LAWYER TO RESEARCH MISCONDUCT WAS?YOU PATSY WERE AFRAID OF THIS SURVEY.AS YOU SHOULD OF BEEN, IT WOULD OF PROVEN YOU A LIAR, AS YOU ARE Bruce, I think it will be
less than $1,000 if we work with the University.
John Myers, we were asked to make a decision when we do not have accurate figures
from the Sheriff’s Department. Bruce, I gave an estimate in my Police Committee report
and Capt Bustos was questioned if that was an accurate estimate? Capt Bustos, when we
met the cost very given were very general and we do not have a contract. We are not here
to sell the Sheriff’s Department and we have no input in your decision. We do not know
at this time what is wanted-shifts/hours/days. Bruce, that is right-you said we would need
to tell you what we want.
John Haan, we need to agree on how to evaluate the survey and we all should have the
right to see the surveys- not just the Police Committee.
Bruce, we just authorized $1500 for a basketball hoop and the cost of the survey is an
issue!BINGO!! John Haan, none of us have been involved in the survey. Bob, Bruce is trying to
get this going and the goal is to get it out quickly and involve a 3rd party (College) if that
works out. John Haan, we all need to be involved in the survey. Bruce, is says “draft”
and I have asked for input. Dean, it still contains the demographic information we told
you to eliminate. Bruce, the part Dean is objecting to is optional and not required. Dean,
the point is this type of information is not needed and there is no excuse that we all can’t
see the returned surveys. Do the survey in house.
Richard Gaylord, we just seen the survey for the first time and it appears to have some
bias content-let the college do it and rephrase the survey- let them help design it. The 3rd
party can remove anything that may be leading.
Bruce, I have provided a place for comments.
Ginny, if it is optional you don’t have to sign it and there is no problem.
The motion was on the floor to table the survey- roll call vote; Larry-yes, John Haanyes,
we need more information, John Myers-yes, Dean-yes, Pat-yes and Bruce –no.
Motion carried 5 ayes. Survey will be moved to the August Committee Agenda.
Police Committee- the committee is John Myers and myself at this time. I did have a
citizen come forward to request being on the Police Committee and John is also aware of
it. We are still trying to get 2 representatives from Cordova Township.
Repairs to Police Squad radio- Tim is our senior officer and it looks like, to him, the
vehicle radio to repair would be the Impala. We have an estimate of $3,000. This is a
dangerous situation to be in with unreliable equipment. Bruce made a motion to spend
up to $3,000 for the repair of the radio in the Impala. The motion failed due to a lack of
a second. Bob, that is a mistake. Bruce, so we all know we are endangering our
employees and the community!
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Jim Hines, there was a statement made that 8-10 people with records and histories
attend the meetings. Are our backgrounds being checked when we attend the meetings?NO BUT NOW WE SEE BY YOUR STATEMENTS AND FACE BOOK POSTS MAYBE THEY SHOULD OF BEEN:) I
have been at the meetings and has my background been ran? Bruce, there is a public
website that anyone can check on anybody- judici.com. I am not aware of the comment
nor have any background checks been performed by the Village for attending our
meetings. Unfortunately some people have records.
Pat questioned why there were no minutes for the Police Committee meeting. Bob,
they are available to anyone who wants them. Jim Hines, I have them. Bob, part of the
problem may be that we are emailing things to the Trustees now. Pat, they are not on the
list for us to approve either. Bob, I was not aware of the need to approve the minutes.
When John and Dean talk part do we need to approve their minutes. I do realize the
Police Department is controversial. I hate to open the door to every time 2 Trustees talk it
has to be a recorded meeting with minutes to be approved, as it is a Committee. Bob, it
appears some of you have the minutes and others do not. I said I had no agenda and had
Michele get me another one and I had it, I found it. Bruce, we are in an email transition.
