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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 1991-02-28BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS /PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE February 28, 1991 Committee: Chairman Polly Garrett, Trustees Aldrich and Habecker Attending: Also Attending: All Mayor Dannels, Trustee Hix, Assistant Town Administrator Widmer, Police Chief Racine, Fire Chief Rumley, Special Events Director Scott, Public Works Director Linnane, Clerk O'Connor Absent: None Chairman Garrett called the Committee meeting to order at 2:00 P.M. and commented on the fortunate cease fire in the Gulf War, relating how public safety employees also "put their lives on the line" in their career field. ESTES PARR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: TRAINING VIDEO PROGRAM. Fire Chief Rumley reported that members of his department have expressed a desire to enroll in an officer training course. A course entitled "Making A Difference, the Officer's Roll" is available from Emergency Resources (Ft. Collins) at a cost of $975.00/9 video cassettes. Workbook instruction and testing is also included. Chief Rumley confirmed adequate funds are in the budget for this expenditure. The Committee recommends approval of the training videos as presented for an expenditure of $975.00. ESTES PARR POLICE DEPARTMENT: PARADE/ROAD RACE REOUESTS. American Legion/Parade. Barry Myers, Legion Adjutant, requested authorization to conduct a victory parade on Elkhorn Avenue beginning at West Park Center and concluding in Municipal Parking Lot #1 on Saturday, March 2nd. Staff recommended approval and commented the Town has been named as an "additional insured" on the Legion's Liability insurance. Stating such a parade is very appropriate, the Committee recommends approval of the parade and its route. Estes Park Elementary School/Road Race. Elementary Principal Steve Peterson reported the parent/child road race known as the "Maniac Mile" will be held Thursday, May 9th. As in the past, the school is requesting Brodie Avenue (at the intersection of Brodie and Community Dr.) be closed to traffic for approximately one hour from 9:45-10:45 A.M. The Committee recommends approval of the road race as presented. Courage Classic. Special Events Director Scott stated that the Courage Classic Bicycle Tour will be arriving in Estes Park June 15 and departing June 16. Naming the Town as an "additional insured" does not apply to this event as Highways 34 and 7 are involved; staff has confirmed that the event has received proper clearance from the Highway Patrol. Children's Hospital sponsors this tour as a fund-raiser for their hospital. Under the auspices of Special Events, the Town arranges for certain meals and entertainment in Bond Park. This bicycle tour was very successful in 1990 with approximately 1,900 participants. Director Scott confirmed the event does not include retail sales. The Committee recommends approval of the bicycle tour contingent upon having BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee - February 28, 1991 - Page 2 sufficient personnel to staff the area, including verification from the Police Department. Red Zinger Mini Classic. Director Scott also reported that the above -referenced bicycle race has been scheduled July 16th. The sponsor, Estes Park Medical Center, is promoting the event which will affect East and West Riverside. An additional road race will be held outside Town Limits involving Dry Gulch and Devil's Gulch Roads. Adequate insurance, with the Town named as an "additional insured" has been provided. Chief Racine commented that: one traffic lane on Riverside will remain open during the event, and (2) the Sheriff's Department will assist the Police Department. Following discussion, the Committee recommends event sponsors: 1. May be requested to provide sanitation facilities. 2. Provide written proof that affected businesses have been properly notified of the event. 3. Provide sufficient personnel to staff the event. 4. Received approval of the route from the Sheriff's Department. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Radio Equipment - The 1991 Budget included funding in the amount of $27,200 for a dictaphone logger, associated installation costs, and a hand-held/mobile radio and portable charger, and staff requested authorization to proceed with the capital expenditure. The total bid received from Motorola is $25,493--$1,707 under budget. The Committee recommends approval of the expenditure. VICTIMS ASSISTANCE - REPORT. Lisbie Goelz, Coordinator Assistant/Victims Assistance Program, reported on activities conducted by the eight (8) advocates currently acting in a crisis -intervenor capacity. Advocates are available 24 hours/day and are fully trained. Estes Park will soon become part of a statewide intervention network to provide training and emotional support pertaining to specific emergencies where violence may be involved. During 1990, 78 calls were received, 28 arrests resulted, and 250 advocate hours were logged. Ms. Goelz commented that this program may require an office (preferably in the Police Department) in the future. The Committee expressed their appreciation to Ms. Goelz for the informative report. CROSSWALK, 100 BLOCK OF ELKHORN AVENUE - DISCUSSION. Police Chief Racine offered an overview of events leading to the crosswalk that was formerly located in the 100 Block of Elkhorn Avenue: • April 12, 1983 - Town Board approved an Agreement with TransPlan Associates for a Traffic Engineering/Street Striping Study. • May 26, 1983 - Public Safety Committee recommended approval of the street striping and parking recommended in the TransPlan Study. The referenced mid -block crosswalk was removed by the study. • May 31, 1984 - Public Safety Committee heard testimony from affected merchants in favor of replacing the crosswalk. Police Chief Ault voiced his objection to the replacement. The Committee BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety Committee - February 28, 1991 - Page 3 recommended approval of the crosswalk. • June 15, 1984 - Town Board held additional discussion concerning potential alternatives relating to safety and movement of traffic/Highway Department, jaywalking, placing officers on -site, and cooperation with affected merchants, and denied the crosswalk by a 4-3 vote. In a memorandum dated February 26, Chief Racine and Public Works Director Linnane advised that replacement of the walk would unduly increase Town liability in reference to pedestrians and also have an adverse effect on the flow of traffic during peak hours; therefore, staff recommended the replacement be denied. Responding to staff's request for an opinion on said crosswalk, District Traffic Engineer Harding stated that the proposed location for the crosswalk is too close to the traffic signals on Moraine Ave. and East Riverside Dr. Engineer Harding also expressed concerns with traffic congestion and pedestrian safety (a copy of this letter is attached hereto and made a part of the record thereto). Considering that the Traffic Engineering Study was approved prior to the formation of EPURA, concurrence between the Public Safety Committee, Colorado Department of Highways, and Town Board is evident, the Committee recommends denial of the request to replace the crosswalk in the 100 Block of Elkhorn Avenue. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT/INTER-AGENCY LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES. Chief Racine briefed the Committee on an Agreement between Estes Park, Berthoud, Fort Collins, Loveland, Larimer County, CSU and District Attorney authorizing governments to cooperate with each other to provide any function or service lawfully authorized by its legislative body. Town Attorney White has reviewed and approved the Agreement. Staff confirmed that following execution by Estes Park, any proposed changes to the Agreement would be submitted to the Committee for review. The Committee recommends approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement as presented. There being no further business, Chairman Garrett adjourned the meeting at 2:54 P.M. Vickie O'Connor, CMC, Town Clerk P' S sd, 9 e e i T MAR 12 1991 10J'n OF ESt"S BOARD L TRU TEES Public Sally Committee - February 28, 1991 - Page 4= STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS P.O. Box 850 Greeley, Colorado 80632-0850 (303) 353-1232 February 26, 1991 David J. Racine Chief of Police Town of Estes Park P.O. Box 1200 Estes Park, CO 80517 Dear Dave: Traffic Estes Park File 022691L I am writing in response to your request to place a crosswalk in the 100 block of East Elkhorn Ave across US 34. This crosswalk will be approximately 240 feet from the crosswalk at Moraine Ave. and 320 feet from the one at East Riverside Dr. It is my opinion that your proposed location is too close to the signals on either side. This would increase the congestion in the downtown area. I'm sure you would agree that traffic congestion is already a problem through this area. The other problem with this location deals with the safety of the pedestrians. It is much safer for the pedestrians to cross at a signalized intersection than at an unsignalized midblock crosswalk. Due to the reasoning mentioned above, I do not advise the installation of a crosswalk in the 100 block of East Elkhorn Ave.(US 34). Please call me if you have any further questions at 350-2121. Sincerely, 7k4F. Karla Hardng District Traffic Engineer cc: D. Rames M. Fanning File