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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 1997-07-17BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS /Public Safety Committee July 17, 1997 Committee: Chairman Marshall, Trustees Baudek and Pauley Attending: Chairman Marshall Also Attending: Town Administrator Klaphake, Police Chief Repola, Fire Chief Dorman, Clerk O'Connor Absent: Trustees Baudek & Pauley Chairman Marshall called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Request to Close Portion of Community Dr./Longs Peak Scottish Highland Festival. Special Events Director Hinze submitted a request from President Durward/Longs Peak Scottish Highland Festival, to close Community Drive between Highway 36 and Manford Ave. beginning Frida, September 5, 1997 at 9:00 a.m. until Monday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the request is to allow the Festival to use the street as part of their venue. Capt. Filsinger stated access is available through other routes, and the closure would be safer for pedestrian traffic. Chiefs Repola and Dorman expressed concern with the street closure relative to emergency access to the school and fairgrounds. Trustee Pauley joined the meeting. Following additional discussion, the Committee recommends approval of the request to close a portion of Community Dr., with staff contacting Festival President Durward to refine the closure hours relative to emergency access. July 4th Activities - Report. Capt. Filsinger reported that the Alcohol -free Plan for the Baseball Field area on July 4th was very successful —the Dept. met every objective. As a whole, complaints and/or violations were significantly reduced (1 assault and 4 complaints), as well as clean-up efforts. Positive feedback from the public at large has been received. Capt. Filsinger expressed his appreciation to the Sheriff's Posse, Reserve and Regular Deputies, State Patrol, Paramedics, and EPPD Officers for their assistance. The Public Works Dept. was also commended for their involvement in placing fencing. Areas for improvement include: improved signage/advertising, and additional restrooms (EVRPD responsibility). In summary, the Dept. would be in favor of continuing this plan in the future. Staff also reported that the Sheriff's Possee was well - received, and they offered their assistance for other special events. Clancy Parking Plan - Update. Chief Repola reviewed statistics and/or problem areas of the Parking Plan: parking in front of traffic signs, overtime parking, loading zone accessibility, and small vehicles parking in RV spaces. As currently signed in the Municipal Lot, RV designation is adjacent to automobile parking; however, the center line has not been removed. If the line were removed, it would be obvious that the space is intended for RV parking. The BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee - July 17, 1997 - Page 2 Committee recommends the center line be removed for RV spaces in the Municipal Lot as stated above. Mission Statement. The Committee reviewed a draft copy of the Mission Statement which was initiated by Ass't. Administrator Widmer, and prepared by Police Dept. personnel, other Town employees, and Community members: The Estes Park Police Department exists to provide exemplary law enforcement services. We are committed to be in partnership with our community; its youth, families and visitors. We are ambassadors to all and maintain a positive work environment for our employees. Stated "Values" are: We Value the Law We Value the People We Serve and Each Other We Value Organizational Excellence We Value Communication We Value our Public Image. Trustee Pauley suggested the statement under "We Value the People We Serve and Each Other" be revised from "We are committed to the community of Estes Park and aim to be worthy of its respect.", to "..aim to be worthy of the authority they have vested in us." Officers are in agreement with the above, and staff believes a Mission Statement is important for all employees, particularly new hires. The Committee recommends approval of the Mission Statement, as amended. Quarterly Report. The Committee reviewed the Quarterly Report, and it appears arrests, fire/EMS calls, offenses, and traffic calls are up slightly overall through the second quarter; however, stolen property has decreased from 1996. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Fire Hydrant Access. Fire Chief Dorman reported that he has noticed and been informed that some hydrants are blocked by fence posts, trees, newspaper boxes, etc. The Dept. desires a 10' radius for access, and Chief Dorman questioned how this access could be enforced? Discussion followed, with consensus being the public will first be requested to correct affected areas through the media. Additional notification could be placed on the utility bills. In addition, some hydrants may need to be raised due to grade. The Dept. is working on a plan to color -code hydrants to identify what type of line size is available. Municipal Code Chapter 8.04.075 - Open Burning. Chief Dorman requested clarification on said Ordinance relative to whether commercial fire pits are allowed (they would most likely be used for recreational purposes). Administrator Klaphake reported that the Town Board granted an exception to the Business Advocates to allow bond fires in Bond Park as the group has a paid, full-time attendant, approved fire ring, and they are aware of stringent public safety concerns. Staff is concerned with allowing commercial exemptions. No further action was taken. In related matters, the State Health Dept. or the Fire Chief can grant open burning permits, and the Chief has the BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee - July 17, 1997 - Page 3 authority to be more restrictive, plus he can completely prevent all open burning. The Dept. also desires that the flame height on open burning not exceed 4', be attended, and have a water source at the site of the burn. The Committee directed the Town Clerk to arrange for an ordinance amendment addressing the height limit of 4', etc. for consideration by the Town Board. Chief Dorman stated fire danger is very high at this time, and if the need arises for him to cancel all open flames, he would do so with information from Larimer County and RMNP. State Firefighters Conference. Conference planners have inspected Estes Park to book the State Firefighters Conference in 1999. Planners believe the site is adequate contingent upon having a track area and access to fire hydrants. Approximately 2-4,000 would be in attendance. Staff is working with Conference Services Director Pickering on the desired facilities, and the June conference has been confirmed. Staff commented on the "good neighbor" policy with adjacent business Rains Motor Co. where the business is allowed to park their vehicles on the Stanley Park site as the business's front yard is at times compromised due to special events. There being no further business, Chairman Marshall adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Vickie O'Connor, CMC/AAE, Town Clerk APPOOVED JUL 2 2 1997 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUS EES