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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2007-04-26RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 26, 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 26th day of April, 2007. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer All Chief Dorman, Chief Richardson, Deputy Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Clerk Deats Chairman Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. FIRE DEPARTMENT. RAPID ENTRY SYSTEM — REQUEST APPROVAL. The ordinance was reviewed by the Committee in February, at which time additional information was requested, including the number of businesses affected by the ordinance, costs for replacing commercial doors, and how the public will be notified of the proposed ordinance. 54 businesses have been identified by staff as having automatic alarms or sprinkler systems (although this may not reflect the total number as some may not be monitored) and would, consequently, be required to purchase a lock box at a cost of $239.00. Estimated costs to replace commercial doors that may be damaged by forced entry during an emergency ranged from $1,100.00 to $4,250.00 plus installation costs. A press release was given to the CVB and to the local newspapers explaining the proposed ordinance. Staff recommends the adoption of an ordinance requiring the installation and use of a lock box system for certain businesses and special properties as identified in the ordinance. Chief Dorman reviewed procedures and security measures taken when using the lock box system and noted that having rapid access to a structure would save time when responding to a fire call and curtail the risk to firefighters and the general public. The Committee discussed the accessibility of the system by both the Fire Department and the Police Department, and Jeff Moser of the Knox Box Company, a lock box system, provided the Committee with information related to initial set up of the rapid entry devices, re -keying of existing units, the quality of the materials used in the construction of the devices, standards of construction, and tamper -proof features that can be installed. Leta Nefzger, High Country Gifts, 128 W. Elkhorn Avenue, expressed her opposition to the system, stating too many people would have the ability to access keys to the affected properties. Rex Hedlund, Good Samaritan Village (GSV), questioned whether multiple boxes would be needed at the facility to ensure that the proper response would be received when medical emergencies occur at GSV. After further discussion, the Committee recommends the adoption of the ordinance requiring structures to have a key lock box installed on the exterior of the structure for fire safety purposes with the addition of wording giving property owners the option to allow the Police Department access to their property in emergency situations. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — April 26, 2007 — Page 2 FIRE DEPARTMENT'S 100th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE STATUE — REQUEST APPROVAL. January 20, 2007 was the 100th Anniversary of the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department. In commemoration of this event, and to honor the 100 years of volunteer fire service to the community, the Town has budgeted $20,000.00 towards the purchase of a statue to be located at the Dannels Fire Station. Staff has researched various options and has narrowed down the choice to three bronze statues for consideration: 1. "Human Spirit" by Jack Kreutzer, a bronze statue that is in Spring Creek Park in Fort Collins honoring the rescuers of the Spring Creek flood. This statue modified to a single person would cost an estimated $30,000.00 with a nine month completion time. 2. Large praying firefighter, by an unknown sculptor, is a cast of a kneeling firefighter with head -in -hand, available at a cost of $26,660.00 plus shipping with an 18 week delivery time. 3. "Heart to Help" by Joseph Kinkel, is a bronze piece of a firefighter with a dog responding to a call and putting on his bunker coat. The cost is $35,000.00 complete, and can be purchased without the dog for $30,000.00. There is no charge for delivery, and the sculptor will oversee the installation, which could be completed in three to four months. Estimated costs for the complete project are as follows: "Heart to Help" statue (without dog) $30,000.00 Concrete pad Site work Bronze plaque Total Estimated Cost 500.00 2,000.00 500.00 $33,000.00 The additional $13,000.00 could be generated by utilizing one or more fundraising method such as soliciting donations; hosting a fundraising event such as a dance, silent auction, or golf tournament; selling engraved bricks; or the adoption of the project by a local service club. Staff recommends purchasing the "Heart to Help" statue, without the dog and with a personalized helmet, at a cost of $33,000.00. After a discussion of contingency monies for the project, the Committee recommends approval to order the statue as described above at a cost of $33,000.00, the budgeted $20,000.00 from account #101-2200-422-33-31 and the remaining $13,000.00 secured through funding from one or more of the sources suggested above. POLICE DEPARTMENT. PROPERTYROOM.COM CONTRACT — REQUEST APPROVAL. Each year the Estes Park Police Department receives found property items and seized evidence that remains secured within Town facilities (police evidence room or fish hatchery) until disposition. Colorado State Statute and Town ordinance provide explicit requirements for the legal disposal of these items. Typically, they are sold at auction or by some other means, with proceeds deposited to the Town's General Fund. In many instances, the retention of these items exceeds the one-year holding period required by Town ordinance, due to the staff time necessary to facilitate their proper disposition. Last year, the Police Department utilized PropertyRoom.com to dispose of these items. This company's services include picking up the property, repairing items before the sale to increase their value, selling the property, and splitting the proceeds (75% for Town RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — April 26, 2007 — Page 3 and 25% for PropertyRoom.com). The process allows the department to effectively dispose of the property and reduces the amount of staff time required. Staff recommends renewal of the annual contract with PropertyRoom.com. The Committee recommends approval of the annual contract with PropertyRoom.com. AMENDMENT TO ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE PROHIBITING CATS RUNNING AT LARGE — REQUEST APPROVAL. The Police Department and Community Development Department received complaints of cats running at large and damaging property at residences within the Town of Estes Park. The Police Department researched the current animal ordinance for enforcement remedies and found the current ordinance does not address domestic cats. In order to be consistent with the current Ordinance 7.12.040 Dogs Running at Large Prohibited, staff crafted an amendment to include the domestic cat component and recommends approval. Ken Dahlgren, 575 Chapin Lane, strongly endorsed the adoption of the addition to the animal control ordinance stating there is a problem in his neighborhood with excessive numbers of cats and dogs running at large, and that this will give the police the tools required to take action. The Committee recommends approval of the amendment to the existing animal control ordinance prohibiting Domestic Cats Running at Large. MODEL TRAFFIC CODE REVISIONS — REQUEST APPROVAL. As per recommendations included in the 2005 Republic Parking study, staff initiated a renaming project of all Town owned parking lots. As a result of this project, the Town Board requested that staff review the Model Traffic Code Appendix. Staff initiated a comprehensive review uncovering several inconsistencies with Loading Zone Parking, Timed Parking, On -Street Parking and Speed Limit Signs listed within the Model Traffic Code appendix. Staff completed the comprehensive review and submitted the revisions to Town Attorney White who crafted an ordinance amending the appendix. Staff recommends approval of the submitted revisions and recommends sign placement as it relates to loading zones, timed parking, and missing signage, as identified during the comprehensive review. Signage costs for this project are $1,578.87, funded through the Street Department. The Committee discussed overnight parking in Town lots, which will be allowed by permit only, in a designated area of the CVB parking lot and by residents of downtown apartments/condos. The discussion addressed the addition of a designated loading zone in front of the properties at the east end of Elkhorn Avenue, changes to the timed parking regulations in loading zones, and access to the East Riverside Parking Lot off of Elkhorn Avenue. The Committee recommends approval of the revisions to the Model Traffic Code Appendix and sign placement at a budgeted cost of $1,578.87 from account #101-3100-413-25-25. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER — REQUEST APPROVAL. At a recent 2007 study session, the Town Board discussed adding an additional position to the Police Department in order to provide Code Enforcement services to the community. The Police Department will assume Code Enforcement responsibilities on a full time basis once a qualified person is selected, with June 18, 2007 being the target start date for this position. Both the Community Development Department and Police Department will provide training for the new employee to ensure a smooth transition. The annual salary is consistent with the established/approved grade scales and ranges for 2007. Staff recommends approval of the addition of one full time position, Code Enforcement Officer, to the Police Department and requests re -appropriation of 2007 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — April 26, 2007 — Page 4 budgeted funds to cover the wages of the position at a cost of $23,500.00 for the remainder of 2007 (6 months). The Committee recommends approval to add a Code Enforcement Officer to the Police Department and adding the item to the next Town Board agenda as an action item. COLORADO CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT ORDINANCE — REQUEST APPROVAL. The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act states that smoking is prohibited in "most indoor public places" and "the entryways of all buildings and facilities listed..." which includes public buildings. An entryway is defined as the outside of the front or main doorway leading into a building or facility. Smoking cannot take place within the specified radius of 15 feet from the entryway. The same stipulations are in place in many establishments such as grocery stores, food service establishments, coffee shops, bars, bowling alleys, theatres, libraries, 75% of sleeping quarters within hotels/motels and places of employment open to the public. Currently, violations of the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act are written into county court. In order for the Municipal Court to have jurisdiction over such violations, the Town of Estes Park must enact, adopt, and enforce smoking regulations that cover the same subject matter as the provisions of the act. Violations would be categorized as a Class Two Petty Offense and result in a fine not to exceed $200.00 for a first violation within a calendar year, a fine not to exceed $300.00 for a second violation within a calendar year, and a fine not to exceed $500.00 for each additional violation within a calendar year. Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance amending Title 9 of the Municipal Code for the purpose of incorporating the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act. The Committee recommends approval of the ordinance as outlined. There being no further business, Chairman Newsom adjoumed the meeting at 9:50 a.m. Cynt a Deats, Deputy Town Clerk APPROVED MAY - 8 2007 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES