Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2007-06-28RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 28, 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 28t' day of June, 2007. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer Chairman Newsom, Trustees Eisenlauer and Blackhurst Chief Dorman, Chief Richardson, Deputy Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Clerk Deats Absent: None Chairman Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. None FIRE DEPARTMENT. WILDLAND FIRE MOU WITH LARIMER COUNTY — REQUEST APPROVAL. The Town of Estes Park and Larimer County currently have an Automatic Response and Mutual Aid Agreement in effect that addresses the provision of resources and assistance in the event of fires, or other emergencies that endanger life and property, within each other's jurisdiction. This agreement is being updated and has been sent to Larimer County for review with the addition of a proposed separate mutual aid agreement specifically for operational issues concerning wildland fire response. The Committee recommends approval of the Wildland Fire Mutual Aid Agreement. REPORTS. 1. Wildland Urban Interface — Sue Pinkham reported to the Committee that her goal as Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator is to provide information to property owners regarding the creation of defensible space around their homes and therefore prevent property devastation in the event of a wildland fire. This is accomplished through site assessments, public safety fire education, press releases, interviews, and participation in events such as the Wildfire Fair, the Tree Symposium, arts and crafts fairs, the Farmers Market, and the Heritage Festival. Mrs. Pinkham stated that the fires currently burning in Colorado and California raise public awareness of wildland fires and the need for fire fuel mitigation. The Committee thanked Mrs. Pinkham for the report and for her involvement in the slash collection program that was conducted last fall and stated they hoped the program would be offered again this year to facilitate the removal of slash material. POLICE DEPARTMENT. MUNICIPAL COURT FEE SCHEDULE — REQUEST APPROVAL. The Municipal Court, with the assistance of Police Department staff, conducted a review of the current fine structure of the court, including a comparative analysis of fees from other Colorado communities (Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Colorado State University, Berthoud, Avon, Lamar, Ault, and Larimer County.) Based on their findings, staff recommended fee changes to Municipal Judge Brown who reviewed and approved the proposed fine structure. Town policy requires Town Board approval of fine schedule RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — June 28, 2007 — Page 2 revisions, therefore, on behalf of the Municipal Court, the Police Department recommends approval of the proposed court fine schedule revisions. The Committee concurs and recommends approval as presented. REPORTS. 1. PTO Presentation — Communications Center personnel Amanda Van Zee presented information related to the types of calls received by Town of Estes Park dispatchers, in particular 911 emergency calls. She described the geographical boundaries served by the communications center and outlined resources used by dispatchers to facilitate in the resolution of emergency situations including contact information for law enforcement, fire and governmental agencies, medical organizations, and security companies. She stated that too often people dial 911 when they should be using a non - emergency number to report situations that are not critical in nature. To cut down on the number of 911 calls for non -emergency situations and to help the public differentiate between an emergency and a non -emergency, she recommended public education by means of the Citizen's Policy Academy, newspaper stories, brochures, fliers, and the school system. She stated that by publishing the non -emergency contact number and with better education, the 911 lines will be open and available for true emergency situations. 2. Motorcycle Noise Report — Police Department staff conducted research to investigate how communities deal with noise issues related to motorcycles. Estes Park's current acceptable decibel levels exceed those recommended by the EPA: 80 decibels for vehicles traveling up to 35 miles per hour (EPA standard is 82,) and 84 for vehicles traveling over 35 miles per hour (EPA standard is 86.) Research identified Carefree, Arizona as a community that has taken an aggressive stance in dealing with noise pollution and has posted signs stating the allowable decibel levels and the fines associated with exceeding these levels. Chief Richardson stated that although noise ordinance enforcement would require the addition of up to three more officers at a cost of approximately $175,000, the Police Department would be proactive in dealing with noise complaints. 3. Traffic Light Cycles on Elkhorn Avenue — Cobie Garbiso, Larry Haas, and Jim Thrush, traffic engineers from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), reported that the summer traffic signal cycles were implemented on the first of May and will continue until October 1st when the winter timing plan will be put into effect. Concerns about the small number of eastbound cars moving through the light at the intersection of Moraine and Elkhorn, and traffic at the light at Highway 7 and 36 were heard. Mr. Haas explained that the signals were programmed to provide the best movement of traffic based on a comprehensive traffic study completed in 2003, but based on the addition of Performance Park and the implementation of summer shuttle service, a new study may need to be completed in order to ensure the best traffic flow is being achieved. He stated that adjustments to the light cycles affect the efficiency of traffic flow, so random adjustments cannot be made to the timing plan. He stated that CDOT computers monitor traffic, but that software and hardware problems can occur which require on -site attention. Commander Kufeld will take calls from the community regarding traffic issues and contact CDOT personnel for resolution. 4. Mary's Lake Road Bridge Public Safety Concern — Larimer County is funding the replacement of the bridge on Mary's Lake Road near the intersection of Moraine Avenue. The County's plan recommends closing Mary's Lake Road from November 2007 through June 2008 to complete the project with traffic diverted to Riverside Drive. Public Works Director Scott Zurn voiced concern about emergency response times due to the road closure, the fact that the County's current plan does not accommodate pedestrian traffic across the bridge, and that feeder streets will be at capacity during the project. The Committee recommends that Public Works staff generate written correspondence for Administration to RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee — June 28, 2007 — Page 3 sign to send to Larimer County outlining the Town's concems about the bridge project. 5. Crime Statistics — Chief Richardson provided the Committee with a report of crime statistics for 2006. In past years the statistics have been reported based on parameters set by the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system and the National Incident Based Report System (NIBRS), neither of which exactly match actual reportable crimes in Estes Park. Police Department staff has produced a document that includes reportable crimes that reflect local activity levels and includes Group B crimes, ie. fist fights, noise complaints, etc., which were not previously tracked. MISCELLANEOUS. Trustee Eisenlauer stated that there is a sign noting the existence of a US Forest Service office located on Highway 36. This forest service office has been closed for years and Director Zum will check into who is responsible for the removal of this sign. Trustee Blackhurst asked Chief Dorman for feedback on the Knox Box system. Chief Dorman stated that some inquiries have been made as to where to purchase the system and where they are to be located on affected properties. Trustee Blackhurst also requested that the Police Department provide follow-ups on the PTO presentations that have been given at the Public Safety meetings. Chief Richardson indicated that follow-up reports will be presented to the Committee in the fall. There being no further business, Chairman Newsom adjourned the meeting at 9:49 a.m. CynthiaDeputy Town Clerk