HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2000-09-07BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 7, 2000
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 7' day of
September, 2000.
Committee: Chairman Gillette, Trustees Jeffrey and Newsom
Attending: All
Also Attending: Assistant Town Administrator Repola, Deputy Police Chief
Filsinger, Fire Chief Dorman, Clerk O'Connor
Absent: None
Chairman Gillette called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Proposed Ordinance Regulating Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Deputy
Chief Filsinger stated that when the Town adopted ordinances that enabled the
Municipal Court to hear a wider range of cases relating to marihuana use, the
possession of related paraphernalia was not addressed. Thus the Department is
seeking consideration of an ordinance allowing the Municipal Court to hear and
rule on matters of possession of drug paraphernalia. Town Attorney White has
reviewed the ordinance. The Committee questioned whether the Court's docket
has been extended due to such cases, and Judge Brown could include these
particular statistics in his yearly report. The Committee recommends approval
of the Ordinance.
Municipal Parking Lots — Discussion on Vehicles advertising "For Sale"
signs. Pursuant to Trustee concerns regarding the appearance of a "used car
lot" in public parking lots, Assistant Administrator Repola requested staff
research other municipalities to ascertain their restrictions on vehicles placed in
public lots with signs advertising "For Sale." Deputy Chief Filsinger commented
on information gathered from other municipalities regarding private vehicles that
are advertised with said signs: Aspen controls these vehicles with their Sign
Ordinance —vehicles cannot be visible from the road, and complaints are
handled on a complaint basis only. Breckeridge utilizes an addendum to the
Model Traffic Code with a disclaimer that states it is not a violation to have a
vehicle with a For Sale sign if the vehicle is parked in close proximity of the
owner's workplace or residence. Both examples are difficult to enforce.
Current procedure allows the Police Dept. to "red tag" a vehicle if it is parked on
public property or off -road for 24 hours. Once the tag is issued, the Dept. re-
inspects the site within 72 hours. At that time, the license plate number is
processed. If the owner can be contacted an officer does so; if not, the vehicle is
considered abandoned and is towed.
Following discussion on reviewing potential alternatives prior to adopting an
ordinance, the Committee recommends the Police Dept. (1) tally how many
vehicles are listed with a "For Sale" sign on both private and public parking
lots and along streets and roadways, and (2) Town Attorney White prepare
a draft Ordinance regulating said vehicles, returning to the Committee with
the statistics and Ordinance.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — September 7, 2000 - Page 2
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Recently, Larry Pettyjohn was elected as the 2nd Assistant Chief, replacing Ron
Weakland (deceased). 2nd Ass't. Chief Pettyjohn has been an outstanding
volunteer for the past 20 years, previously serving as Lieutenant, and he will hold
this new position until annual elections are held in December. Chief Dorman will
prepare a press release, including Assistant Town Administrator Repola in the
distribution list.
REPORTS.
The Committee reviewed the Crime Summary Report from April through June, 1998 —
2000.
Customer Service Surveys. The 2nd Quarter 2000 Customer Survey Statistics and
process were reviewed. Surveys are randomly mailed, and the Police Department
confirmed they remain in good standing with the public. The Committee requested that
future reports contain information on all surveys, regardless of a positive and negative
opinion.
Chairman Gillette commended both the Police and Fire Departments for their
outstanding efforts, reminding the community that the Fire Ban remains in effect.
Following completion of all agenda items, Chairman Gillette adjourned the meeting at
7:51 a.m.
APPROVED
SEP 1 2 2000
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Vickie O'Connor, CMC, Town Clerk