HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2007-02-22RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 22, 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 22nd day of February,
2007.
Committee:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer
All
Chief Richardson, Chief Dorman, Town Clerk Williamson,
Deputy Clerk Deats
Absent: Chairman Newsom
Trustee Eisenlauer called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Rapid Entry System — Request Approval.
A Lock Box System, such as a Knox Box, is a rapid entry system specifically developed
for fire departments, that uses a computer cut master key to gain access to certain
commercial and residential properties. The Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department has
encouraged property owners to voluntarily install a Lock Box on their property in an
effort to provide rapid access in the event of an emergency. This is quickly becoming
an industry standard and is required through Fire Codes in many communities
nationwide. All Town owned buildings, with the exception of the Dannels Fire Station,
would be required to purchase a Lock Box at a cost of $200 to $300 each, if they have
not already done so. Since the Town of Estes Park does not have a separate Fire
Code, staff is recommending an ordinance be adopted requiring the installation of a
Lock Box on qualifying properties throughout the community.
A discussion followed regarding the number of buildings in Town that would be required
to install the device, the expense that would be incurred by those property owners
affected by the ordinance, the procedure to be followed when tenants change in leased
properties, and how and where the devices are installed on buildings. Trustee
Blackhurst expressed reluctance to proceed with the ordinance based on the costs
involved with installing the Lock Box and the lack of information available as to the
number of properties affected. The Committee recommends postponing the issue
until the March 13tr' Town Board meeting at which time additional information will
be provided and a public hearing will be held.
Reports:
1. 2006 Year End Report — Chief Dorman provided the Committee with a report
summarizing activities of the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department through
December 31, 2006, which included the election of officers, financial information,
a recap of training programs, and incident totals for the year categorized by type
and location.
2. Engine #1 Repair Update — Repairs to Engine #1 are complete and the truck will
be returned to Estes Park today after being out of service for the past three
weeks. The 23 year old truck's water tank required repair due to damage from
rust. Upon the return of Engine #1, Engine #2 will be sent out for pump repair.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — February 22, 2007 — Page 2
Reports:
1. Estes Valley Victim Advocates Annual Report — Executive Director Mary
Mesropian reported that there are new members on the Board of Directors due
to former members having moved out of town and reported on the basic
services offered by the Estes Valley Victim Advocates including assisting
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, emotional support for survivors
of unattended deaths and suicides, short term counseling, and the addition of a
Safehouse for those in need. There are currently 11 active victim advocates
and they served over 340 individual people during the past year. The
organization will continue to provide services here in the Estes Valley and
focus on continuing to develop safe, protective procedures for the Safehouse,
making it completely accessible, and hiring a manager for the Safehouse.
2. PTO Presentation — To satisfy a requirement of new police officer training,
Officer Shaun Bledsoe researched the Estes Park community and identified
Addressing and Emergency Services as a public safety issue. Officer Bledsoe
presented the committee with photographic evidence of the inconsistencies
that exist in current addresses around Town, from buildings with no address
signage, to signs that are too old, faded, or small to be legible from a distance.
He pointed out that in order for law enforcement and/or emergency personnel
to locate a property, it is extremely important for address signage to be easily
located and read. He suggested informing the community about the
importance of this issue through a newsletter, public service announcement, or
a mailing. Officer Bledsoe will look into presenting this information at the
senior center and at meetings of Estes Park service organizations.
There being no further business, Trustee Eisenlauer adjourned the meeting at 9:09 a.m.
0-1
Cyn4hiaeats, Deputy Town Clerk
APPROVED
F E B 2 7 2007
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES