An irate 6th Ward alderman Jamie Pennington refuses to consider the possibility of a study that would include the Denver Boot ordinance as an enforcement tool in DeKalb.

Pennington argued against the ordinance at the first DeKalb City council meeting in September, after 1st Ward alderman Christine Hoagland requested the study and the possibility of an amendment to DeKalb’s present towing ordinance.

The Denver Boot is a device attached to a tire that immobilizes a car and is most often used on cars illegally parked.

Alderman Michael Welsh seconded Hoagland’s motion and said it is necessary to “look at the ways it’s going to be used. It might persuade repeat offenders,” from violating the parking regulations.

Pennington said a boot ordinance does not benefit public safety, and used the example of when a car is illegally parked near a fire hydrant.

Paul Sauser, a local towing company owner, had asked the City Council to consider a Denver Boot ordinance. “Not everyone has to use it, but you can if you want to,” he said.

City Attorney Ron Matekaitis had been chairman of a committee which proposed amendments to the DeKalb municipal code towing policy. The policy includes revised impound lot requirements, rates and vehicle release procedures.

Michael Fitzgerald, owner of Northern Illinois Towing, 2615 Sycamore Road, was part of the towing ordinance committee but resigned because most of the people on the committee “don’t do towing or don’t tow after 12 a.m.,” he said.

“The only people who like you are the landlords and some tenants,” Fitzgerald said.

In other city council news, the City Council approved ambulance service to NIU home football for the 1989 season, at a cost of $525 per game. The total cost to NIU is $3,675 for six home games and one spring scrimmage.

City Manager Mark Stevens reported on proposals for a storm sewer assistance program for DeKalb. The proposals are still under consideration.