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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2008-01-23RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 23, 2008 Minutes of a Special 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 23' day of January, 2008. Committee: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer Attending: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer Also Attending: Town Administrator Halbumt, Deputy Town Administrator Richardson, Chief Dorman, Mayor Baudek, Mayor Pro Tem Pinkham, Trustee Levine, Trustee Homeier, and Deputy Clerk Deats Absent: None Chair Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. None REPORTS. 1. Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Educational Coordinator's Year End Report — Sue Pinkham addressed the Committee to report on activities she was involved in during 2007 as the WUI Educational Coordinator. The position is funded by a grant 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 including: Public Information Officer (PIO) refresher training, firefighter recertification, basic first aid refresher, the Duck Race, the Wildfire Fair, the Tree Symposium, the Farmer's Market, the Arts & Crafts Fair, Elk Fest, slash collection, and property evaluations/surveys for individual homeowners and homeowners associations. Ms. Pinkham will continue to provide fire mitigation education at upcoming local events and respond to individual requests for property evaluations under the supervision of Fire Chief Dorman. 2. Larimer County Drug Task Force — Lt. Craig Dodd reported on the multi - jurisdictional drug task force that allows for information sharing and provides opportunities for federal grant funding options for the partnering agencies. The task force uses a three tier approach to operations providing 1. Education through presentations, programs, legislation, and training; 2. Enforcement by utilizing anonymous tip lines, intelligence sharing meetings, GPS tracking, and cameras; and 3. Treatment through intervention by Juvenile and Adult Drug Courts, and School Resource Officers. POLICE DEPARTMENT. ESTES VALLEY VICTIM ADVOCATES CONTRACT RENEWAL — REQUEST APPROVAL. 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 2008 with Town Attomey White and found there to be no concerns or recommended changes for this year's contract. The Committee recommends approval of the 2008 contract as presented at a cost of $7,500 from account #101-2100-421-22-98 budgeted. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — January 23, 2008 — Page 2 PATROL CAR AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT — REQUEST APPROVAL. The 2008 Vehicle Replacement Fund (635-7000-435-34-42) includes $24,500 for the replacement of Patrol Vehicle G102C, a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria. In addition, the Police Department budget (101-2100-421-34-41) includes $8,000 to replace the older police lighting, controls, etc., and safety cage, with upgraded police emergency equipment for the new patrol vehicle. 1. Bids were solicited for the automobile with the following results: Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado 2008 Dodge Charger Police $22,362 Trade -In: G89A, 1995 Ford Taurus 1,000 Bid Price $21,362 Colorado Springs Dodge — Colorado Springs, Colorado (State Bid) 2008 Dodge Charger Police $21,705 Trade -In: G89A, 1995 Ford Taurus 300 Bid Price $21,405 Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge — Windsor, Colorado 2008 Dodge Charger Police $22,570 Trade -In: G89A, 1995 Ford Taurus 500 Bid Price $22,070 Ferrero 1-25 Chrysler Jeep Dodge — Loveland, Colorado No Response 2. Bids were solicited for the Police emergency equipment with the following results: Wireless Advanced Communications, Greeley, Colorado Emergency Equipment — Control Module / Strobe Lights / Partition Wig - Wags / Light Bar / etc. $ 6,567 Signs of Life, Estes Park, Colorado Police Striping (Decals) $ 925 Staff recommends trading -in Police Auxiliary Vehicle G89A, a 1995 Ford Taurus with 117,825 miles, (Replacement Type 8, 100,000-120,000 miles or seven years) moving Patrol Vehicle G71A (1998 Ford Crown Victoria with 76,900 miles) into the Police Auxiliary and purchasing a new 2008 Dodge Charger Police from Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Fort Collins at a cost of $21,362 from vehicle replacement fund. The factory order cut-off date for this vehicle is February 6, 2008, which is before the next Town Board meeting, therefore staff requests approval to order immediately with the right to cancel if not approved by Town Board. Furthermore, staff recommends purchasing updated emergency equipment from Wireless Advanced Communications, Greeley, Colorado, at a cost of $6,567 and vehicle striping from Signs of Life, Estes Park, Colorado, at a cost of $925 for a total cost of $7,492. The Committee recommends approval of the purchase of a 2008 Dodge Charger Police as outlined above at a cost of $21,362 from account #635-7000-435-34-42 budgeted, and emergency equipment and striping for the vehicle at a cost of $7,492 from account #101- 2100-421-34-41 budgeted. REPORTS. 1. Wonder One — The Police Department acquired a 1988 airplane parts vehicle at no cost and, over the past year and a half, had it converted to a mobile communications center. Deputy Town Administrator Richardson thanked the RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — January 23, 2008 - Page 3 Town's fleet crew for their work on the project. The Committee was invited to tour the vehicle at the conclusion of the Public Safety Committee meeting. 2. CML - Police Departments in Compliance — The Estes Park Police Department was recognized by the Colorado Municipal League (CML) as an agency in compliance with the Department of Justice's procedures related to the management of juvenile prisoners, based on quarterly assessments performed by the federal government. MISCELLANEOUS. Town Administrator Halburnt announced that the vacancy in the position of Police Chief subsequent to the promotion of Lowell Richardson to Deputy Town Administrator, was filled. After an intemal posting of the position and interviews, Wes Kufeld was named Chief of Police. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Mayor Baudek, Mayor Pro Tem Pinkham, Trustee Homeier, and Trustee Levine joined the Committee at the dais for a discussion regarding a proposed fire protection fee schedule for properties outside of the town limits. REPORTS. Report and Discussion — Proposed Fee Schedule and Other Funding Options — Town Administrator Halburnt provided the Committee with information related to charging county residents for fire protection services. A public input session was held on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 to gather information on the topic from residents of the county. Town officials have previously stated that the Town cannot continue to provide fire services to county residents without an additional funding source. The creation of a fire district failed twice at election in both 2004 and 2006, leading to a proposed charge for fire protection to county residents. Larimer County has entered into an IGA with the Town to allow for charges to county residents for fire protection services. As fifty per cent of the volunteer Fire Department's calls are outside of the town limits, the established fee would help offset the costs involved with providing these services. To address concerns raised by county residents, staff recommends that the Town Board appoint a panel to research a fire district that would operate independently of the Town, removing operations from the Town's budget, and charge the same mil levy rate to everyone in the district. At the January 15th meeting, county resident Don Widrig suggested forming a committee charged with developing a plan upon which the Estes Valley residents would vote. He suggested the committee be comprised of a senior member of the Town staff, a Town Trustee, the Fire Chief and five Estes Valley residents appointed by the Board, three of whom would be from the county. In the interim, county residents would be charged an optional annual subscription fee of $130 for fire service. If a fire occurs and the subscription fee has not been paid, the homeowner or business owner will be charged based upon the Colorado State Forest Services' Cooperator Rate Agreement for apparatus and for personnel based upon the personnel budget/number of response hours. If the Town Board approves charging county residents for fire services, the current IGA with Larimer County would be amended to include the ability to charge both individual and homeowner association subscriptions to offset expenses, with a long range objective of forming a fire district. Discussion ensued among the Committee and the Trustees on the following topics: how to maintain current level of service with inflation and new equipment purchases; fires would be fought regardless of whether subscription paid or RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — January 23, 2008 — Page 4 unpaid; no charge for volunteer firefighters' time; do fire districts exist in other areas where services are being provided outside of the town limits; how to publicize and solicit interest in participating in the panel/task force; establish an application process for those interested in serving on the panel/task force; provide the panel/task force with specific instructions and timetable; fire service is critical to all residents of the Estes Valley; it is fair and equitable for everyone using a service to help pay for that service; in -town residents pay more tax than out of town residents; volunteer fire department provides rescue services in addition to firefighting; does the Town have the ability to bill for these services at the present time, and receive input from Town residents. Fred Garrabrant/640 Ponderosa Avenue, Carriage Hills, stated that based on the results of the first fire district vote, residents of Carriage Hills are interested in the creation of a fire district and are willing to pay for fire protection services as long as the amounts they are paying are fair. John Sypher/3825 Star Way, Little Valley, stated that the Little Valley Homeowners Association does not want to be excluded from fire protections services and that the HOA board members have unanimously agreed to pay a fee for fire protection services if subscriptions are made available. After evacuations occurred during the Big Elk Fire, Little Valley invested $50,000 in fire mitigation and is widening roads to provide access for emergency vehicles. The Committee recommends approval of forming a panel/task force to research the creation of a fire district and an interim charge for fire protection services to be brought before the Town Board as an action item at their February 12, 2008 meeting. There being no further business, Chairman Newsom adjourned the meeting at 9:53 a.m. CLae CY nt is Deats De P utY Town Clerk APPROVED FEB 1 2 2008 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES