HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2005-08-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 25, 2005
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE of
the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the
Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 25' day of
August, 2005.
Committee: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Doylen and Homeier
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Repola, Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Chairman Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
MacGregor/Elkhorn Avenue Pedestrian Crosswalk — Request Approval to Remove
Mid -Block Crosswalk. Chief Richardson provided background information regarding
the number of accidents that have occurred on Elkhorn Avenue from 1999 to 2004; and
of the 252 accidents 3 have been pedestrian/automobile accidents (2 at
MacGregor/Elkhorn Avenue and 1 at Riverside/Elkhorn Avenue). Over the past 4 years
the crosswalk at MacGregor has utilized different warning mechanisms; mobile caution
sign in the middle of the street, flag system with mobile caution sign, and flashing
pedestrian caution signs on either side of Elkhorn. Staff assessed the MacGregor
crosswalk after a recent accident on August 1st and discovered a blind spot exists for
traveling motorists in both the eastbound and westbound far right lanes of traffic;
therefore, crossing pedestrians are not seen by motorists. Staff recommends the
removal of the crosswalk as a safety measure for pedestrians and installing guardrail
barriers to reduce illegal pedestrian crossings. Trustee Doylen stated the flashing
crosswalk signs give pedestrians a false sense of security. Trustee Levine pointed out
that pedestrians would continue to use the crosswalk area even after it has been
removed. Commander Kufeld has been in contact with CDOT to discuss other options;
however CDOT would like to see the mid -block crosswalk removed. It is CDOT's
opinion that the mid -block crosswalk at Barlow Plaza and the crosswalk at
Riverside/Elkhorn Avenue are sufficient. Concluding all discussion, the Committee
recommended the item be tabled in order to obtain further research on all
crosswalks in town including Hwy 7.
Reports:
Municipal Noise Ordinance Revisions. In April of 2004, The Town of Estes Park
revised the noise ordinances governing acceptable noise levels and established time
limits from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. A review of the Colorado
Revised Statutes revealed times for allowable maximum noise levels are from 7:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Due to the recent complaints at Performance
Park a noise study was conducted by the Police Department to determine if the noise
ordinance should be revised. This study determined the ambient noise in the park was
consistently above the maximum noise level of 55 dB. The median sound level during
events was 11 dB above the established limits. Administrator Repola stated since the
Police Department has been monitoring the sound levels at the park, there have not
been any additional complaints. Performance Park is the only location in town that
citizens have complained about noise levels. Staff will continue to monitor the site.
Chief Richardson commended Sergeant Rose and the CSOs for their work on the
study.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — August 25, 2005 — Page 2
Victim Advocates 6 Month Review Report. Exe. Dir. Mary Mesropian presented the
6 Month Report for 2005:
• Program Overview. Provide advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual
assault, stalking, other crimes and trauma. Advocates are available 24/7.
Advocates support victim through crisis, medical exams, law enforcement
interviews and the court process. They also provide information on victim's
rights, cycle of violence, victim's compensation, and the legal process.
• Russian Christian Radio donated space to the program in their facility
off of Acacia, which is easily accessible and confidential. Victim
Advocates are responsible for the operation cost, i.e. utilities, insurance
etc.
Objective. Advocates provide services at the time of the incident assessing
safety, options, and stability. Victims are offered individual counseling and
support groups. EWA collaborates with Crossroads Safehouse, Alternatives
to Violence, Larimer Center for Mental Health and Sexual Assault Victim
Advocates.
Innovative Actions.
• "Nice Girls Inc." is a 5«' grade girls group that focuses on bulling. Estes
Park Middle School has requested a similar class for its 7th grade girls
group.
• "Second Stage" writing group will begin in August for victims who have
progressed to a certain point in their healing process. This process of
writing has been a powerful tool for the participants.
• Collaborated with Restorative Justice to provide empathy classes.
Issues. Offering services to the Spanish community has been difficult because
they tend to reach out to each other as a support group. Services to this
community will continue without maintaining a staff member fluent in the
Spanish language. A MOU with Estes Valley Multicultural Connections has
been created to assist with translation when needed. Victims Advocates is
also seeking Spanish-speaking advocates.
Future Objective.
• Advocates will continue to be available 24/7.
• Individual counseling and support groups.
• Educate community and school students.
International Association of Chiefs of Police 2005 Award: Estes Park Police
Department is the 2005 recipient of the Community Policing Excellence Award for
issues dealing with the Riverwalk Plaza in 2001 — 2002.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Reports:
Fire Danger Report. Larimer County lifted the fire ban a week ago due to the moisture
received recently.
Dive Rescue Truck. The truck is in route to Denver to install radio equipment and will
be delivered to Estes Park next week.
Fire Safety Trailer. Fire Department applied for a fire safety grant to purchase the
trailer. The trailer was ordered a year ago June and the department hopes to have it
available for "Fire Prevention" Week in October.
National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD. Chief Dorman will attend the academy in
September. The academy will focus on the command and control of target hazards that
have a large loss of life and property, i.e. bulk plants, hotels/motels, and hospitals.
Rocky Mountain National Park Fire Station: The Park is evaluating 4 locations:
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — August 25, 2005 — Page 3
Mary's Lake Road/Moraine, Hwy 36 just west of the All Budget Hotel, and 2 locations on
Mills Drive within the utility area. The Park has money to build a 3 bay fire station to
house its wildfire equipment and one structural fire engine. A public meeting will be
held on Sept. 8th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with location to be announced.
There being no further business, Chairman Newsom adjourned the meeting at 8:52 a.m.
%[1.0...IN _a'u'1.��a+ 1,,aY�kie Williamson, Town Clerk
APPROVED
S E P 1 3 2005
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES