HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2007-09-27RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 27, 2007
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 27th day of September,
2007.
Committee: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer
Attending: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer
Also Attending: Deputy Town Administrator Halburnt, Commander Kufeld,
Deputy Clerk Deats
Absent: Chief Dorman and Chief Richardson
Chair Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
None
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
No action items
REPORTS.
None
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HALLOWEEN STREET CLOSURE — REQUEST APPROVAL.
The Police Department is requesting the closure of Elkhorn Avenue to vehicular traffic
from Spruce Drive to East Riverside Drive during the hours of 5:00 p.m. through 9:00
p.m. on Halloween, Wednesday, October 31, 2007. Police officers will be stationed on
Elkhorn Avenue at the intersections of Spruce Drive and East Riverside Drive
throughout the evening to ensure the downtown area is a safe location for Halloween
festivities. As in past years, staff has been in contact with CDOT regarding the street
closure with no opposition received. The Committee recommends approval of the
closure of Elkhorn Avenue for Halloween activities on October 31, 2007, as
outlined above.
REPORTS.
1. Introduction of Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Hart — Sgt. Pass introduced
Andrew Hart, Code Enforcement Officer, who joined the Police Department staff
in August. Officer Hart is an 11 year resident of Estes Park with over 20 years
experience in emergency services. In addition to code enforcement duties,
Officer Hart will be tasked with educating the public through newspaper articles
and presentations for community organizations and service clubs. Sgt. Pass
stated that code enforcement complaints should be directed to dispatch who will
then contact Officer Hart. Statistics related to these matters and the resolution
thereof will be tracked and compiled through the dispatch department.
2. Zone Initiative Sombrero Ranch Hunting — Officer Monty Allen stated that the
Police Department received complaints from several concerned citizens about
hunting on the Sombrero Ranch property. Permitting hunters on the property is a
source of revenue for Sombrero Ranch during the fall and winter. The
complaints alleged unsafe practices by hunters, hunting out of season,
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — September 27, 2007 — Page 2
consumption of alcohol while hunting, and hunting from the roadway. Officer
Alien reported that the Estes Park Police Department was in contact with the
Larimer County Sheriffs Department and the Division of Wildlife while
investigating these allegations, and stated he was unable to substantiate any
wrong -doing. Sombrero Ranch is outside the Estes Park Police Department's
jurisdiction, but the department agreed to investigate the complaint in the interest
of public safety. The Ranch is implementing new regulations on the property in
an attempt to keep hunters further away from public roadways.
3. Update to PTO Community Assessment — Transients — Responding to a request
by the Committee for updates on PTO presentations, Officer Allen provided an
update to his January 2006 report on Estes Park's transient population. He
stated that, for a period of time, the Salvation Army had been assisting with
transportation for transients by providing vouchers for taxi rides to Boulder
homeless shelters, but that funds for this program have been depleted. He said
altemative resources are being explored for transportation such as a bus
provided by Crossroads or rides provided by police auxiliary members. Cool
weather during the fall and winter in the Estes Valley help to keep the transient
population in the area low.
4. Update to PTO Community Assessment — Town's Appearance — In March 2006
Officer Ray Meyer presented his neighborhood portfolio exercise (NPE) on the
subject of the Town's appearance, at which time he concluded that code
enforcement would be a help in cleaning up the area. He stated that with the
addition of the code enforcement officer position, issues such as trash,
abandoned vehicles, and inoperable vehicles will be addressed; adding that he
and the other Police Officers will be working closely with Code Enforcement
Officer Hart.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Chairman Newsom questioned who should be contacted in regard to complaints about
vacation homes. Code Enforcement Officer Hart stated that calls should be directed to
the Police Department and, if appropriate, the dispatch department will contact him.
Chairman Newsom suggested contacting local property management companies to
address vacation home issues.
There being no further business, Chairman Newsom adjoumed the meeting at 8:40 a.m.
Cy thia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk