HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2003-08-28RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 28, 2003
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 28th day of
August, 2003.
Committee: Chairman Gillette, Trustees Jeffrey -Clark and Newsom
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Widmer, Police Chief Richardson, Fire
Chief Dorman, Police Operations Commander Filsinger, and
Deputy Clerk van Deutekom
Absent: None
Chairman Gillette called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Town Board Goal #7 — Investigate the Feasibility of Creating a Fire District —
Approval Request. Chief Dorman reported that current fire and emergency services
are provided to the Estes Park area through the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department
(EPVFD). In 2002, the Town paid $395,000 and the EPVFD paid $130,000 for
operation of the Dept. Chief Dorman noted that 1) the Town's share of funding has
increased in recent years and contributions have decreased: 2) new development within
Town limits and the surrounding area has also led to the EPVFD straining to meet the
demand for fire protection; and 3) dependency on voluntary contributions does not
permit long range planning for equipment maintenance and replacement, nor does it
ensure an equitable allocation of the costs of fire protection among the benefited
properties. Therefore, additional funding is required for the Dept. to continually provide
quality fire and emergency services to the greater Estes Park area.
Chief Dorman explained that fire and emergency services outside of major cities in
Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Boulder) are provided by fire districts
funded by ad valorem property tax revenues. After considering the feasibility of
creating a fire district for Estes Park and the surrounding area, the Fire District Action
Team recommends the following: 1) creation of a single fire district to provide services
within the Town of Estes Park and the surrounding area; 2) EPVFD would continue to
provide fire and emergency services; and 3) funding would be derived primarily from ad
valorem property tax revenues. It is recommended that the initial mill levy would be
approximately 3.5 mills, with increases of up to 6 mills over a predetermined period of
time if additional funding is required.
Implementation of this proposal requires the submittal of a service plan to the Larimer
County Commissioners. The service plan must contain the following:
1. The description of the property to be included.
2. Description of the proposed service.
3. Financial plan and how services are to be financed, including revenue
derived from property taxes.
4. Map of the special district, including an estimated population and valuation
for assessment of the District.
5. A general description of the facilities to be constructed.
6. A general description of the estimated cost of acquiring land and
operational services.
7. A description of any arrangement with any other political subdivision for
provision of any services.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — August 28, 2003 — Page 2
Following submittal, the County Commissioners will schedule a public hearing and, if
approved, the service plan would then be submitted to the area District Court by petition
signed by the lesser of 200 or 30% of the taxpaying electors in the proposed district. If
approved by the District Court, the proposed fire district and the ad valorem tax would
then require approval of a majority of taxpaying electors in the proposed district. The
target date for this election is November 2004.
Concluding discussion regarding advantages/disadvantages of the establishment of a
fire district, legal requirements, budget ramifications, and proposed boundaries, the
Committee recommends that the Action Team 1) continue to pursue the
establishment of a fire district; 2) draft a Service Plan; and 3) solicit a request for
proposal from a qualified consultant to evaluate the public information/input
necessary for a positive result in the election. Chairman Gillette requested this item
be placed as an action item on the September 9th Town Board Agenda.
REPORTS.
Insurance Services Office (ISO) Report. Chief Dorman presented ISO's Public
Protection Classification Survey results and analysis of the structure fire suppression
delivery system provided in the Estes Park area. The resulting classification for the
EPVFD is a Class 4. This is an improvement from the former classification of Class 6.
Most insurers use the classifications for underwriting and calculating premiums for
residential, commercial, and industrial properties. This classification improvement could
lower premiums in certain areas. Departments involved in the survey include Fire,
Water, and Communications. The Committee commended the members of the EPVFD
and Water and Communication staff involved with this remarkable achievement.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Crime Mapping — Presentation. CSO Dennis van der Avoort, Crime Analysis Expert,
presented an overview and implementation criteria of a potential information
management, technology, and crime analysis program within the Police Dept.
Discussion followed concerning program objectives, records management, new
technology, and crime mapping/analysis.
Application for Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) — Approval Request.
The Dept. is scheduled to receive new records management and computer aided
dispatching software funded in part by the Larimer County Sheriff's Dept., Ft. Collins
Police Dept., and the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority Board. Staff determined
one of the most effective ways to use this new technology is to implement a crime
mapping system within the Dept. Staff located a $10,000 (10% matching funds) grant to
fund a part-time Crime Analyst position for the Dept. This position would be responsible
for organizing all current data, converting this data to useable crime
mfor pa mapping odata,
create a temporary interactive crime mapping software application
assist records unit with implementing a temporary reporting system, and assist with data
conversion from crime mapping use. The 2004 Budget would include $1,190 to fund
the required ten percent matching funds stipulated for the LLEBGpc the Based
on the
the
minimal costs and the potential returns from a crime mapping
s ysrote jeLocal Law
recommends that the Dept. 1) submit an applicationfru theh Loc in the
Enforcement Block Grant for the 2004 fiscal year; and 2) include
2004 Budget for the Town's portion of the matching funds, as outlined above.
Reports
Integrated Emergency Management Course. Commander Filsinger briefed the
Committee on the Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) held at the
Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland on March 17, 2003.
Commander Filsinger, Fire Chief Dorman, and representatives from other police/fire
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — August 28, 2003 — Page 3
agencies and elected officials attended the course. The goal of the IEMC was to
establish an exercise to rigorously test local emergency plans. Chief Richardson noted
that Estes Park's emergency management plan was one of the most comprehensive
plans the instructors had reviewed and Commanded Filsinger was commended for his
efforts on behalf of the Town.
Estes Valley Victim Advocates Mid -Year Report. Mary Mesropian/Estes Valley
Victim Advocates presented the January 2003 — June 2003 report. Areas discussed
include program description, objectives, incident types, and total contacts for the period
(510).
Police and Businesses in Partnership. Chief Richardson acknowledged and
commended Sgt. Pass for his efforts in the creation of the Police and Business
Partnership. Information regarding crimes in the downtown area is faxed immediately to
local businesses in an effort to alert owners and possibly eliminate future crimes. This
program has already been proven successful.
New Police Vehicle. Chief Richardson invited the Committee to tour the new police
vehicle containing the new colors and logo.
There being no further business, Chairman Gillette adjourned the meeting at 8:28 a.m.
Rebecca van Deutekom, CMC, Deputy Town Clerk
APPROVED
S E P - 9 2003
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES