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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2009-01-15RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 15, 2009 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 15th day of January, 2009. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Chair Eisenlauer, Trustees Ericson and Homeier All Deputy Town Administrator Richardson, Chief Kufeld, Chief Dorman and Clerk Williamson Absent: Town Administrator Halburnt Chair Eisenlauer called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None. POLICE DEPARTMENT ESTES VALLEY VICTIM ADVOCATES CONTRACT. The Estes Valley Victim Advocates receive funding annually from the Town of Estes Park for services rendered to crime victims who are residents of Estes Park. The Police Department has reviewed the contract presented for 2009 with Town Attorney White. This year the contract was amended and agreed upon by Victim Advocates that the Police Department would assist financially with pagers ($35/month) and the advocates would maintain the pagers. The Committee recommends approval of the 2009 contract as presented at a cost of $7,920 from account #101-2100-421-22-98 budgeted. Reports 1. Neighborhood Portfolio Exercise: Officer Haslett presented a review of call types and number of calls at multi -apartment units with Estes Park. The review illustrated there were not many issues at these developments; however, the exercise has provided an accurate contact list for each development and assured that an easily identifiable numbering system is in place. The Committee requested the Police Department provided follow-up on recent portfolio exercises. 2. Victim Advocate Annual Report: Exe. Dir. Mary Mesropian presented the 2008 Annual Report. Program Overview. Provide advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, other crimes and trauma. Advocates are available 24/7. Advocates support victim through crisis, medical exams, law enforcement interviews and the court process. They also provide information on victim's rights, cycle of violence, victim's compensation, and the legal process. Counseling is available to provide short-term individual counseling and support groups to assist victims in recovering from the trauma of the incident. A safehouse was purchased this year after two years of fundraising. The house provides a safe place for individuals to break the cycle of violence. 2008 Statistics: 210 first contacts, 575 total contacts and 16 safehouse residents with 162 bed nights. 3. New Officer Introduction: Chief Kufeld introduced Officer Jerry Twigg. He stated Officer Twig began work on January 5, 2009. Officer Twigg stated he has been a resident of Estes Park since 2000. He attended Red Rock Community College and graduated in December 2008. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — January 15, 2009 — Page 2 COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTETION PLAN (CWPP) Chief Dorman stated the CWPP identifies community issues and risks regarding wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community preparedness and structural protection. With the approval of the plan, the community would be able to obtain grant funding for fuel mitigation projects. The plan was developed with the aid of the US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado State Forest Service, Town personnel, and WUI Fire Education Coordinator. Jim Austin/County Resident volunteered to write the plan and provided input. Sue Pinkham/WUI Coordinator presented the plan that identifies at -risk infrastructure to protect, identifies and prioritizes areas for fuel reduction projects, educates community members in wildfire prevention and protection and supports property owners' mitigation projects. The action plan and assessment strategies includes identifying roles and responsibilities for carrying out recommendations; timetables for highest priorities projects, education and outreach component of the CWPP; an assessment/monitoring strategy; determine how the plan would be updated and maintained and determine how to assess the plan's effectiveness in the long term. This plan benefits the community by reducing wildfire risk to residential, commercial and government properties, reduced wildfire risk to local infrastructure, reduced wildfire risk to community assets including incomparable scenery and wildlife and reduced risk to lives of residents and visitors. This plan would be administered by the proposed Fire District if approved in 2009. After further discussion, the Committee recommends approval of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Reports 1. WUI Education Coordinator's Annual Report: Sue Pinkham addressed the Committee to report on activities she was involved in during 2008. The position has been funded by grants and provides the opportunity to work with the US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado State Forest Service, Larimer County, and the Town of Estes Park to provide education regarding wildfires, defensible space, and the pine beetle issue. Ms. Pinkham participated in training events and programs at many events in Town, wildland pine bark beetle identification, car seat technician, CWPP planning, community emergency response team, Fire Information Officer for RMNP prescribed burns and property evaluations/surveys for individual homeowners and homeowners associations. Ms. Pinkham will continue to provide fire mitigation education at upcoming local events, be the CWPP contact to work with the community to develop and carry out the action plans and respond to individual requests for property evaluations. The position has not been funded for 2009; however, staff continues to investigate grant opportunities. MISCELLANEOUS Trustees Ericson and Homeier questioned if cell phones have caused accidents in Estes Park and if the Police Department has developed cell phone usage policy for on - duty patrol officers. Chief Kufeld stated there have not been any reported accidents related to cell phone use. The department does not have in place specific regulations to address cell phone use in patrol cars; however, the department has discussed placing a number on the back of patrol cars to provide public direct contact with the on -duty police officer by cell phone. A hands -free system would be added to patrol cars if adopted by the department. Chief Dorman stated two crews were sent to the Boulder fire the day after the fire started to protect structures. There being no further business, Chair Eisenlauer adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m. APPROVED J kie Williamson, Town Clerk JAN 2 7 2009 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES