New Water Rules On Hold Until Summer, OPPD Gets Accreditation and More (Live Blog Transcript)

Update: 10:15 p.m. Monday, May 21

Orland Park staff and members of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning will continue to work on new water regulations, probably through the summer.

Water rates and usage rules, including summer watering restrictions, are expected to stay as they are until new water conservation code suggestions are back in front of village trustees for a read in July. 

Among what will likely be recommended are more water-efficient requirements for new buildings, including Low-flow toliets. Another suggestion is to cut down watering days over summer to two days, instead of every other day, but to extend the time allowed for watering during those days.

Also during Monday night's meeting, the  was given full accreditation by the Illinois Assoication of Chiefs of Police after an extensive oversight process.

About 100 seperate department policies are reviewed, and the department must prove that they are being put into action. The Tier 1 accreditation is the highest offered by the chiefs' association, said Moraine Valley Police Chief Patrick O'Connor, who presented the award.

It reduces the liability in terms of potential lawsuits, but "more importantly it gives the citizens proof of a more qualified and better managed police department," O'Connor said.

"We always thought we had an outstanding police force, but this just affirms it further," said Mayor Dan McLaughlin.

Original Post: 5:58 a.m Monday, May 21

trustees will look over the first full draft of new water conservation rules, expected to be added to the village code, during the development services committee meeting Monday night.

Village staff have been working with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to come up with ways for municipalities dependent on Lake Michigan for its . Suggested additions to the code include adding Low-flow toliets, as they were found to be one of the heaviest sources of water use.

During the full village board meeting, area students will be filling in for the Mayor and trustees to act as the village government for a mock meeting.

According to the village:

"Student Government Day invited 6th, 7th and 8th grade residents to write, in 100-150 words, what they like best about the village, choosing from eight areas --- community planning, local government, police department, public services, recreation programs, special events, village facilities and village history. The essays were judged by the chairs of the village’s commissions with each numbered and without identifying information."  

The village's public works and public safety committees will also be meeting Monday.

Attached are media packets for what will be discussed tonight. Join the live blog during the meeting, starting at 6 p.m., by posting comments and questions. Same rules apply as on the site.

Leading up to the meeting, let me know if there's anything you particularly want to know about in the comments.

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