HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 1974-08-09RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee
August 9, 1974
Committee: Chairman Burgess; Trustees Petrocine and Sutter
Attending: Chairman Burgess; Trustees Petorcine and Sutter
Also Attending: Town Administrator Hill, Cheif of Police Ault,
Administrative Intern Burch
Absent: None
BIDS ON 1971 CAR:
Chief Ault submitted to the Committee two bids received for a used patrol car,
a 1971 Plymouth with approximately 99,000 miles. The Committee did not accept
either bid and authorized Chief Ault to sell the vehicle to any interested party
within the next thirty days. Minimum acceptable negotiated price was set at
$250.00. The Chief will report any sale at the next Public Safety Committee
meeting.
BUDGET - 1975:
Town Administrator Hill submitted the proposed 1975 Public Safety Budget to the
Committee for its consideration prior to budget hearings. Several items were
discussed in detail:
1) Dispatching - Chief Ault stated he would like to hire a part-
time dispatcher next year to be used as a fill-in whenever a
temporary vacancy in the dispatching staff occurred. The pro-
posed budget has an allocation for one full-time dispatcher
and will provide funds necessary for this purpose.
2) Ambulance Service - Town Administrator Hill reported totthe
Committee that Mayor Tregent is making efforts to place the
present Town Ambulance Service under jurisdiction of the
Park Hospital District. The Mayor will appear at the District's
September meeting. Funds for the ambulance service have been'
budgeted atthis time pending the District's decision.
3) Cleaning - Town Administrator Hill stated the amount allocated
in the proposed budget for cleaning the Police Department in
the Municipal Building will be lowered slightly in accordance
with the new contract for maintenance of the Municipal Building
by Village Maintenance Service.
4) Communications - A new base station radio unit has been proposed
for installation in the Police Department in 1975. Chief Ault
stated that the base station would be funded 90% by Federal
Funds and 10% by Town Funds. The Larimer County Sheriff's
Department has offered to pay up to 50% of the Town's installa-
tion costs, with the Town in turn staffing the unit 24 hours
a day. The Committee expressed a strong interest in County
funding on a more continuous basis, with the Sheriff's Depart-
ment paying at least 1/8 of the Town's cost for dispatch staff-
ing. Chief Ault was directed to explore the matter further with
the County and report back to the Committee.
5) Speed Gun - Chief Ault requested funding of a speed gun to be
used by the Police Department.in dettain areas of the Town where,
in the department's opinion, speeding has been a problem. The
Committee recommended that his request be denied.
6) Photo Processing Equipment--- Chief Ault explained the advantages
of department owned, protable photo -processing equipment and re-
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee
August 9, 1974
Page Two (2)
quested its inclusion in the 1975 budget. Among the advantages
were the shorter time required for processing, security of evidence,
better quality photographs, and ease of reproduction. Currently,
by having film developed elsewhere, there may be a one or two
week delay in processing department pictures. The Committee
recommends the purchase of photo -processing equipment at a cost
of $500;00.
7) Ambulance - Town Administrator Hill stated it would be unwise to
budget for a new ambulance at this time, since negotiations with
the Park Hospital District for ambulance service are pending. If,
for any reason, the District would not provide an ambulance service,
the funds for a new ambulance could be budgeted prior to final
budget adoption.
8) Fire Truck - Town Administrator Hill submitted a request from the
Town Volunteer Fire Department to provide Town Funds for a new
fire truck to be purchased in 1975. Approximately $10,000 in
volunteer contributions has been collected by the Fire Department
towards the purchase of a truck estimated to cost $45,000. The
Town would fund no more than $20,000 with the amount being reduced
by any additional contricutions received.
Discussion by the Committee was centered upon a capital expenditure
for a volunteer organization, such as the Fire Department. The
Committee recommended the allocation of $20,000 to remain in the
proposed budget, pending a determination of policy by the Board of
Trustees during budget hearings.
9) Fire Plugs - Town Administrator Hill reported that the account for
fire plugs has been removed from the Water Fund and placed in the
General Fund, upon recommendation of the auditor. A fire plug
priority placement schedule has been established and the twelve plugs
budgeted for next year, in addition to those in stock, will meet
1975 priorities.
DOG FEES:
Chief Ault proposed increasing the present dog impoundment fee from $3.00 to
$8.00. Five dollars of this fee would be retained by the Town with $3.00
continuing to be returned to the veterinarian to cover impoundment costs. In
addition, Chief Ault suggested increasing animal license fees to $5.00 per
year for spayed dogs and $7.50 per year for non -spayed. Stricter enforcement
of licensing was suggested through door-to-door solicitation. The Committee
recommended tabling the proposal until the next meeting while further considera-
tion is made by individual Committee members.
HOLDING CAGE:
Chief Ault reminded the Committee of a requirement by the State Department of
Health to have a temporary holding facility as part of the Town Jail complex.
There was some discussion about the specific nature of the requirement.
Town Administrator Hill also brought to the attention of the Committee a letter
from the State Division of Criminal Justice which states that a moratorium has
been placed on all jail construction in Colorado. Concern was expressed by the
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee
August 9, 1974
Page Three (3)
Committee about the effect of this ruling on any holding facility construction
under taken by the Town at this time. The Committee asked Chief Ault to clarify
the type of facility required and the effect of the moratorium and to report back
to the Committee at the next meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Dale G. Hill, Town Administrator
AUG 12 1974
TOV/11 OF ESTES PARit
BOARD OF TRUSTEES S