Submitted By
Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager and Paul L. Stephanides, Village Attorney
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 16 (“Nuisances”), Article 8 (“Criminal Nuisance Abatement”) of the Oak Park Village Code
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Overview
Overview
At the August 1, 2022 Village Board meeting, the Board requested that an ordinance be presented to amend Chapter 16 (“Nuisances”), Article 8 (“Criminal Nuisance Abatement”) of the Oak Park Village Code to expand the article’s applicability.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Fiscal Impact
N/A
Background
As a result of the Village Board’s discussion regarding 24-hours gas stations at the August 1, 2022 Village Board meeting, the Board requested that an ordinance be presented at the September 6, 2022 Board meeting to amend the Village Code provisions regarding nuisances to expand their applicability. As a result, the attached ordinance has been drafted by the Village Attorney that specifically amends Chapter 16 (“Nuisances”), Article 8 (“Criminal Nuisance Abatement”) of the Village Code to expand the article’s applicability. The ordinance is based in part on a recent ordinance that was adopted by the Village of Arlington Heights earlier this year that is applicable to hotels and motels in Arlington Heights and that was referenced by a public commenter at the August 1, 2022 Board meeting.
The ordinance amends Article 8 so that it applies to all licensed businesses in the Village, including gas stations. The ordinance requires that a licensed business take steps to alleviate criminal activity occurring at a business that receive a notice from the Village that two (2) or more criminal offenses have occurred at a business during a given twelve (12) month period. In addition, based on the severity of the offenses and the threat to the public safety or welfare, the Chief of Police may order the emergency closure of a business. A business and the Village may agree specific actions that a business must take that would be memorialized in a voluntary abatement agreement. If additional criminal activity occurs at a business within the same one-year period for which a notice was issued, a process can be invoked against that business which could result in requiring additional abatement and security measures, the suspension or revocation of a business license and other remedies.
Alternatives
The Board could seek additional information.
Previous Board Action
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Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A