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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Public Safety, Utilities, and Public Works Committee 2014-09-11RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 11, 2014 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the PUBLIC SAFETY/UTILITIES/PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Board Room of Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 11th day of September, 2014. Committee: Chair Norris, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig and Trustee Nelson Attending: All Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Police Chief Kufeld, Director Bergsten, Commander Pass, Superintendent Boles and Lockhart, Manager Fraundorf, Civil Engineer Ash, and Recording Secretary Limmiatis Absent: None Chair Norris called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. None. PUBLIC SAFETY. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. 1. Victim Advocates 6-Month Report — Director Mesropian informed the Committee of the activities and progress of Victim Advocates program over the past six months, the receipt of positive feedback and the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence Purple Ribbon Award. 2. 800 Megahertz Radio Encryption — Chief Kufeld discussed the Police Department's motivation to encrypt the 800 megahertz radios including: the purchase of radios with encryption capability, homeland security issues, national trends in law enforcement, protection of the community and guest's privacy, enhancement of officer safety, prevention of identity theft, prevention of scene response by non -emergency personnel, and prevention of the wrongfully accused from ridicule. Transparency remains a priority as the Police Department communicates information through the Public Information Officer, new releases, mass notifications, Police and Businesses in Partnership (PBIP), Ham Radio Stations, email, Facebook, Twitter, face-to-face contact with the public, and weekly media briefings. All essential local agencies, such as the Fire Department, Larimer County Sherriff's Office, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Estes Park Medical Center, have encryption codes to listen to the Police Department's broadcasts. PUBLIC COMMENT. Mark Elrod, Town resident, expressed concerns of transparency and public safety regarding the encryption of the Police Department's radios, stated his respect for the Estes Park Police Department, criticized the decision to encrypt radios without consulting the public, requested elected officials balance safety, interests of the community and various departments, and inquired if only sensitive information could be encrypted. Douglas Klink, President of Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) Board, expressed the initial concerns of the EVFPD Board and thanked Chief Kufeld for the open dialogue to discuss encryption issues. Changes have been made to accommodate the challenges of encryption and members have full access to information to complete their jobs. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety/Utilities/Public Works Committee — September 11, 2014 — Page 2 3. Quarterly Statistics — Commander Pass presented the statistics from January through June of 2014. A delay was caused in producing the statistics due to a large upgrade in the Police Department's computer systems. The statistics covered Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), investigations, motor vehicle accidents, driving under the influence, the communications center, 911 calls, litter patrol and Restorative Justice. 4. Verbal Updates and Committee Questions - Chief Kufeld informed the Committee there has been an increase in the number of requests for assistance outside of Town limits since June 2014 from Larimer County Sherriff's Office. Kufeld provided statistics on the various nature of requests. Larimer County Sherriff's Office shifted personnel to cover Berthoud and continues to experience staffing shortages. The Estes Park Police Department would continue to help Larimer County Sherriff's Office while maintaining Police coverage for the Town. Sherriff Smith indicated to Chief Kufeld it could take six months to a year to complete the hiring process to return staffing levels to adequate numbers. UTILITIES. BUCKET TRUCK PURCHASE — L&P. Superintendent Lockhart informed the Committee Light and Power's bucket truck has met its useful life and needs to be replaced. Two quotes were received and staff is ready to proceed with the purchase. The bucket truck purchase is planned and budgeted. The Committee recommended the purchase of the Altec Bucket Truck at a cost of $219,650 from account number 635-7000-435.34-42 be included as a Consent Item at the September 23, 2014 Town Board Meeting. WATER ANALYZER PURCHASE — WATER DEPARTMENT. Superintendent Boles discussed the need for a Trihalomethane (THM) Water Analyzer. The purchase would help optimize the treatment process for the reduction of disinfection by-products, allow more frequent distribution system monitoring, ensure compliance with regulations, and save staff time. The water analyzer purchase is planned and budgeted. The Committee recommended the purchase of the THM Analyzer from Parker Hannifin at a cost of $35,537.50 from account number 503- 7000-580.33-40 be included as a Consent Item at the September 23, 2014 Town Board Meeting. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. 1. Water Master Plan Update & Rates — Director Bergsten updated the Committee on the progress of the Water Master Plan. Meetings were held to discuss the distribution system, treatment system and water rights. The process has been slower than hoped and may take until the first quarter of 2015 to be completed. Superintendent Boles finalized the scope of work for water rates and a prequalified vendor would be used for the water rate studies. 2. RFP Results - L&P General Engineering & Financial Services — Superintendent Lockhart stated after reviewing four proposals, HDR was chosen for all financial work and ESC for all design work and distribution. These two firms would be prequalified to provide services for the Town. 3. Information Technology Update — Manager Fraundorf discussed several developing projects. Verizon would send engineers to make a site visit to see if placing a cell tower on Town Hall is feasible. Century Link indicated plans to rebuild access to Glen Haven via Highway 34 and spoke with Superintendent Lockhart about sharing construction costs. They also agreed to sign a two year contract with the Town for use of long -haul fibers, discussed a redundant telephone path out of Estes Park with Kimberly Culp of LETA, and plan to bring regional officials to visit the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). CDOT continues to move forward with plans to install a new fiber circuit between Estes Park and Lyons/Longmont and is interested in developing alternatives for use with the Platte River Power Authority. Crowncastle, who would install cell phone RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Safety/Utilities/Public Works Committee — September 11, 2014 — Page 3 towers along Highway 36 in conjunction with CDOT, provided a quote for leasing dark fiber along this route. Use of the dark fiber by the Town would require a substantial investment upfront along with substantial monthly fees thereafter. The EDC scheduled meetings with Baja Broadband to discuss the Town's needs and approved a resolution to encourage the Town Board to hold an election next year to remove Senate Bill 152 constraints. 4. Verbal Updates and Committee Questions — Director Bergsten stated Superintendent Lockhart would meet with Central Federal Lands next week to discuss the design of Highway 43. Light and Power would rely on temporary power lines until a well-defined design is established. PUBLIC WORKS. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. 1. Verbal Updates and Committee Questions — Civil Engineer Ash informed the Committee of attendance at a meeting regarding repairs for Highway 34. CDOT has started working on concepts for the design and would not be able to begin construction until Fall 2015. Ash expressed concerns about construction delays and detours, as the project would cover sixteen miles of reconstruction. The Public Works Department would continue to attend the meetings to ensure the Town's needs are being voiced. There being no further business, Chair Norris adjourned the meeting at 9:37 a.m. bat Barbara Jo Li iatis, Recording Secretary APPROVED SEP 23 2014 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES