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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 1995-08-17BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee August 17, 1995 Committee: Chairman Gillette, Trustees Dekker and Marshall Attending: All Also Attending: Town Administrator Klaphake, Acting Police Chief Repola, Clerk O'Connor Absent: None Chairman Gillette called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. POLICE DEPARTMENT. Personnel/Patrol. Acting Chief Repola introduced new officer Scott Roth who began his employment on August 15. Mr. Roth is from the Kit Carson County area. The Committee welcomed Officer Roth. Officers Rose and Rowe are completing their training, and they are now on the work schedule; Darren Brand is approximately one-third of the way through his training; and the Police Department now has a full compliment of officers. Staff confirmed that Estes Park's tourist area is taken into consideration in interview sessions; customer - oriented skills are important and very helpful. The Department will review this component to verify its effectiveness. All four officers recently hired were rated within a fraction of each other. Personnel/Secretary Position. Acting Chief Repola is reviewing a plan to shift the workload. There is currently one employee in Records, and backlog is an on -going problem. Staff is proposing to increase the workload for the secretary by acting as an alternate for Records. Copies of reports at times come to a standstill. There is an opening in the Communications Center, and it appears it would be more efficient and urgent to fill the need in Records. The Contract with Rocky Mountain Business Services will be reduced; however, typing services will still be provided. This plan will not result in an increase in the total number of Department employees. The job title will be amended to Police Secretary/Records Technician, which is not uncommon within Police Departments. Administrator Klaphake requested and received confirmation that this plan will not negatively impact double staffing for peak loading in the Communications Center. Department personnel are continuing their staffing discussions, particularly relative to E-911 and the forthcoming Emergency Medical Dispatch which may require additional staffing. Acting Chief Repola will return to the Committee with a report. Communications training is currently 6-8 weeks in length; with the technology involved today, the training period, which will include patrol officers, will be increased in the near future. The E-911 emergency line is also receiving calls for fire, the highway "call boxes", and RMNP. Citizen Concerns/Kip Baker. Mr. Baker reported on an incident at Riverside Plaza involving two Estes Park Officers (acting on separate time -frames), a Larimer County Sheriffs Officer and young adult. In Mr. Baker's opinion, the young adult was mis-treated by the Sheriff, and possibly by the second Police Officer. Mr. Baker stated his primary concern is how young adults are being dealt with. He does not agree with Officers warning juveniles that they will face a $100 fine if they BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee - August 17, 1995 - Page 2 congregate in Riverside Plaza for their varied activities, as the Plaza is a public park. Mr. Baker agreed that the Plaza, prior to high visibility by the Department, was becoming an area for young adults to congregate, causing obstruction of public passageways. The Department has had a positive influence in this area, and they are encouraging the youth to use Bond Park for groups to play music. Some juveniles participated in a drum circle at 6:00 P.M. in Bond Park, when most businesses were closed. The juveniles, as well as tourists, enjoyed the music. In discussions with the youth, Mr. Baker is attempting to acquire the juveniles assistance in cleaning up debris for "their park", and thus far, response has been very positive. Acting Chief Repola noted that as he was unaware of statements presumably made by certain personnel, this item is difficult to address at this time. In addition, the Plaza contains varied uses and the Department attempts to accommodate all those uses. In general, the Department's approach is that Riverside Plaza is available for use by all persons; however, if the use infringes upon others, the Department will take enforcement action. Acting Chief Repola will review this incident and review his findings with the Committee. Chairman Gillette expressed his appreciation to Mr. Baker for his concern/comments. Youth Crime Prevention and Intervention. As reported in June, a grant application requesting $4,500 for this Program was submitted. The Department was notified that initial response was positive and that Estes Park is a finalist. Funding will assist in providing training for instructors. Support for this Program has been received from the EVRPD and Larimer County Human Resource Department. Grant award confirmation should be received in the near future. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Fire Lanes/school. Fire Chief Rumley reported that the Park School District has approached the Department on marking fire lanes at the middle and high schools, with subsequent tow -away enforcement. Following discussion, the Committee recommends the Clerk advise the School District to submit a letter requesting said enforcement on their private property. With proper signage, as confirmed by Traffic Engineer Linnane, the Police Department would enforce the fire lane tow -away zone. Staff noted that an education/training period will precede enforcement activities. Training Facility. Chief Rumley reported that the tower is nearing completion at the training facility site, located near the former Light & Power Shop. To facilitate after -hour training, the Department is requesting underground electric service. The Department has discussed this request with Light and Power and the plan involves underground service from the former shop to the training facility, tapping into the existing electric meter. Licensed electricians on the Fire Department would obtain a permit and perform the work. Estes Park hosted the Brigsdale Fire Dept. at the training site and, in return, Brigsdale will be providing needed materials at no cost. The Committee recommends Administrator Klaphake meet with the Light and Power Department to provide electric service to the training facility, contingent upon the line being installed outside existing asphalt. Fire Station Site. Staff reported discussions are in progress BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee - August 17, 1995 - Page 3 relative to the Fire Station Site. Natural Gas Response Calls/Reimbursement. Pursuant to the downsizing of personnel in PSCO, the Fire Dept. is receiving a number of natural gas leak calls due to PSCo's response time of 2-4 hours. The Fire Department responds as natural gas is considered a hazardous material. The Department desires to recover their costs and invoice PSCo. Invoices would only be initiated for any facilities owned by PSCo. Where a potential natural gas leak is within a private structure, the Department disconnects gas service and directs the occupants to vacate the premises for a set period of time. The Committee recommends the Clerk notify PSCo. of the Fire Department's intent to invoice as described above. Hazmat Budget. Chief Rumley requested a budget line item for hazmat materials. Administrator Klaphake will address this item by adding a contingency in the Budget. The citizenry is advised that the Fire Dept. will continue to seek contributions for general operation of the Dept. Hazmat Recertification Training. Ass't. Chief Ford will be conducting hazmat recertification classes on Tuesday, August 22 at 7:00 P.M. for all affected employees. REPORTS. Staff reviewed the Quarterly Report for the second quarter. Animal offenses, which are primarily dogs, have increased. Brief discussion followed on the enforcement in the Post Office Parking Lot. Responding to a citizen, Acting Chief Repola advised that a fine of $10.00 is issued for illegal parking in handicapped parking spaces. With adoption of the revised Traffic Code, this fine is anticipated to increase to approximately $25.00. Staff reported that the plantings (bulbs) in the Highway 34/36 Intersection island will be relocated which should improve traffic visibility. Discussions are continuing with the EVRPD, Larimer County Sheriffs Dept. and the Police Dept. on jurisdiction, relative to the Lake Estes Hike/Bike Trail. Staff reviewed correspondence received from James Smid advising that he was well satisfied with the quickness of response relative to Riverside Plaza; and summarized additional correspondence from the Courage Classic; Scandinavian Fest; and Womans Club. Chairman Gillette also read a letter from Mr. Smid commending Repola, Filsinger, and others. Staff noted that negative correspondence, when received, is generally received with parking tickets fines. Chairman Gillette referred a letter from John Adams concerning a suggestion for traffic congestion on Rockwell St./E. Riverside Dr., dated August 15, 1995 to Traffic Engineer Linnane. Following completion of all agenda items, and acting upon staff request, the Public Safety Committee consented to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. There being no further business, Chairman Gillette adjourned the meeting at 9:05 A.M. to Executive Session. Chairman Gillette reconvened the Public Safety Committee at 9:45 A.M. Personnel. Based upon his efforts, particularly during the last four months as Acting Police Chief, the Committee BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee - August 17, 1995 - Page 4 unanimously recommends Randy Repola be appointed Police Chief at the September 12, 1995 Town Board meeting. There being no further business, Chairman Gillette adjourned the meeting at 9:47 A.M. Vickie O'Connor, CMC/AAE, Town Clerk AUG 2 2 1995 Tt:VIA OF ESTES PARR yJ BCARD G> TrRUSSZCS