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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 1984-05-31BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS /Public Safety Committee May 31, 1984 Chairman Laing, Trustees Graves and Aldrich Attending: Chairman Laing, Trustees Graves and Aldrich Also Attending: Mayor Dannels, Town Administrator Hill, Police Chief Ault, Clerk O'Connor CROSSWALK - EAST ELKHORN AVENUE: Chairman Laing stated several inquiries had been received regard- ing the lack of a pedestrian crosswalk located in the middle of the first block of East Elkhorn Avenue. Several downtown merchants were present and offered the following comments: Mark Young - Manager, Ore Cart 2: Several pedestrians cross Elkhorn Avenue in front of his store; suggested the perhaps the crosswalk should be extended from the Nagl Walkway. Diane Seybold: Regarded the removal of the crosswalk last year as an unsafe situation. Older pedestrians had diffi- culty crossing the street; felt we should be more accom- modating to the tourist traffic. Also suggested using High School Boys as a "Safety Patrol" in assisting pedestrians in the crosswalk and extending the crosswalk from the Nagl Walkway. Mike Dickinson: Asked for the re -instatement of the cross- walk. The crosswalk worked very satisfactorily in the past and can see no reason for its elimination. Mr. Dickinson also introduced Jim Watson and informed the Committee that delivery men have been encouraged to "jaywalk." The deliv- ery personnel prefer to use crosswalks also. Steve Nagl: Thought the pedestrian traffic moved much better with the crosswalk. Doris Herzog: Stated the crosswalk had always been located near the middle of the block on East Elkhorn and knew of an accident involving pedestrians only at the traffic light. Without the crosswalk, pedestrian traffic had too far to walk to cross the block. Cheri Houser: Stated the crosswalk was very necessary. Charlie Herzog: The north side of this block is the only block with no parking in the rear. There is a ratio of 1 to 8 people that cross the street without the crosswalk. Even if there was enough parking in the area, they would have reduced pedestrian traffic flow due to the theatre traffic congestion. Pep Petrocine: Stated he was in favor of the crosswalk. Chief Ault stated the crosswalk was removed due to the following reasons: 1. Traffic congestion (pedestrian and vehicular). 2. Safety - The State Highway Department is opposed to crosswalks located in the middle of a block. As a result, pedestrians now walk with the traffic lights and are more visible. Chief Ault is not in favor of reinstating the crosswalks. When asked if the crosswalk could be reinstated, Chief Ault stated yes. However, the State Highway Department does have jurisdiction on Elkhorn Avenue and permission would need to be BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS obtained from them. The Police Department could supply officers for the crosswalk. Chairman Laing read a letter received from Dr. and Mrs. Cottrell informing the Committee of their desire to replace the crosswalk thus encouraging the pedestrian not to "jaywalk." If the crosswalk is replaced, Chief Ault stated the best location would be where the crosswalk was previously - near the Nagl Walkway, Outdoor World and Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Regarding signing, Chief Ault stated the new sign schedule, which includes the east end of Elkhorn Avenue, should be arriving within two weeks. After viewing the signs a better determination can be achieved as to whether adequate signs have been ordered. Mr. Mike Dickinson stated that in his opinion the worst offender of not stopping for crosswalks is local t - fic. The Commit'-. regularly mo -. and carried the Town Board of Trustees approve he m . ock crosswalk located at a point 274' East of Big Horn on East Elkhorn Avenue (north side) and at a point 246' .st of Mo .'ne Avenue on East Elkhorn Avenue (south side) all urged the State '.hway Department concur with this dec on. a te 4z-e. 44 Mr. Steve Crawford presented the basic operations plan for the Coors Bicycle Classic being held Saturday, July 14, 1984. Permission has been obtained from Mr. James B. Thompson, Superin- tendent, Rocky Mountain National Park to allow the women's race to pass through the national park. The women will be travelling in a counter -clockwise direction. The race will begin at 5:30 P.M. heading East on Elkhorn Avenue and turning north onto the U. S. 34 Bypass, continue on U. S. 34 up the Fall River drainage and arrive at the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The caravan will climb up to Deer Ridge Junction and begin their descent to Bear Lake Junction and approach Beaver Meadows entrance. Two 16-mile laps will take place in Rocky Mountain National Park. A one -mile circuit will then follow in Estes Park with racers entering Moraine Avenue from Beaver Point, onto East Elkhorn Avenue, around U. S. 34 Highway Bypass and down MacGregor Avenue to the end of Park Lane. All three laps should end at 7:11 P.M. The Men's Criterium is similar to last year with the start/finish area on the north side of Elkhorn Avenue between MacGregor and the U. S. 34/36 Intersection. The men's race is scheduled to begin at 4:00 P.M. sharp to ensure national news coverage. The later time of day for the proceedings should help avoid a large amount of traffic congestion. The Committee recommends approval of the "routing" plan. COORS CLASSIC - STEVE CRAWFORD: FIRE DEPARTMENT - REQUEST TO CHANGE RADIO FREQUENCY: Fire Chief Jack Rumley stated the Fire Department has received a request to obtain their own radio frequency. The department owns 30 pagers, 9 mobile units, 1 base and 1 antenna. The Town now has a "Mutual Aid" Agreement with Rocky Mountain National Park which includes the Fire Department. Due to the high cost of obtaining a new frequency, the Committee recommends this matter be tabled in order to obtain further information. REPORTS: The Humane Officer position is tentatively filled. In process of filling Patrolman vacancy. t { JUN 151984 Vickie O'Connor, Town Clerk 8uARD th• TRUSTEES ArM F...�irta4k�.v�..