Title
Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of Orland Park and the Orland Fire Protection District Providing for Responsibility for Building and Fire Prevention Codes Inspection and Enforcement
History
Currently, the Village of Orland Park (“Village”) and the Orland Fire Protection District (“District”) operate under two intergovernmental agreements relative to fire prevention and code enforcement.The first agreement, approved April 20, 2009, sets forth the responsibility of the District with regard to building and fire prevention plan review, code inspection and enforcement.
The second agreement, approved July 19, 2021, sets forth the District’s ability to utilize the Village’s administrative adjudication system for fire code violations outside of the Village’s corporate boundaries.
Over the past few years, a lot of progress has been made enhancing intergovernmental cooperation between the Village and the District especially as it relates to fire prevention and code enforcement. This cooperation involves joint participation in the Village’s Code Enforcement Working Group as well as the formation of a number of taskforces to address targeted issues. These taskforces include two that seek to address issues in specific geographical areas (70th Court, and 163rd Place), and four that seek to address issues in specific types of businesses (massage parlors, nursing care, day care, and short-term rentals).
The Village’s Code Enforcement Working Group is made up of representatives from the Police Department, the Fire District, the Code Enforcement Division, the Village Attorney’s Office, the Village Prosecutor's Office, and the Development Services Department including the Building Division and Health Division. In addition to maintaining health and safety standards such as fire prevention and health inspection, the Working Group’s proactive code enforcement also serves an important role in the Police Department’s overall policing strategy. Proactive code enforcement seeks to identify and address issues that may contribute to disorder and crime.
Proactive code enforcement is important for several reasons. First, it helps to create a sense of safety and security in the community which then leads to increased civic pride and participation. Second, it helps prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems. Finally, proactive code enforcement improves the overall appearance of the community and makes it more attractive to potential residents, businesses, and visitors.
The purpose of the attached proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (“Proposed IGA”) is to:
1. Combine the previously approved intergovernmental agreements into one new document, and
2. Enhance the augmentation of inspections conducted separately by the Village and District for fire prevention and code enforcement, and
3. Ensure an equitable distribution of any fines collected through the Village’s administrative adjudication system as a result of the Village's and District’s enforcement efforts.
Financial Impact
As part of the Proposed IGA, the District will receive 50% of the fines collected through the Village’s administrative adjudication system for fire code violations initiated by the District and will receive 25% of the fines collected as part of its Working Group or task force participation, as well as building or other code violations discovered during fire inspections. The Village will retain the remaining fine amounts.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Orland Park and the Orland Fire Protection District Providing for Responsibility for Building and Fire Prevention Codes Inspection and Enforcement;
AND
Move to authorize the Village President to execute the agreement upon approval of the Board.