HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2025-05-13RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado May 13, 2025
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 13th day of May, 2025.
Board: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown,
Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster, and Younglund
Attending: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Hazelton,
Lancaster and Younglund
Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Attorney Kramer, Police Chief Stewart and
Deputy Town Clerk Beers
Absent: Trustees Brown and Igel
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS. Chief Stewart stated the use of License Plate
Recognition (LPR) technology has been used by a number of communities and
agencies within Boulder and Larimer Counties to assist with investigations. The Town
does not currently have these resources deployed within the community as an
investigation tool to assist with the path of criminals and suspected criminals throughout
the community. The Estes Park Police Department (EPPD) would propose the
purchase and deployment of LPR technology at predetermined strategic placements
focused on the primary points of ingress and egress to assist with the identification of
vehicles of interest and increase overall public safety in Estes Park. Kristen
MacLeod/Public Affairs Manager with Flock Safety provided product highlights and
stated the technology had been beneficial in locating missing persons and expediting
the recovery of persons associated with "Amber Alerts" and "Silver Alerts". LPRs assist
in preventing or reducing auto thefts and uncovering investigative leads for all other
types of crimes where video images have high evidentiary value. Hardware would be
provided by Flock Safety, while software would be subscription based, to monitor and
maintain system health and deployment of updates for optimal functionality. She stated
data can be shared with other agencies, no personal data would be collected, and
vehicle identification would be end to end encrypted with a complete audit trail built into
the system. The Police Department would propose the use of Flock Safety System
which has 5,000 cameras deployed nationally, including over 75 Colorado communities.
The use of this system would allow the Police Department to access the network of
LPRs amongst the other existing jurisdictions. The total contract for a two-year
recurring subscription was estimated at $52,700 and would use 2025 department
funding or be presented as a budget decision package for fiscal year 2026. Board
comments and questions have been summarized: Importance of public engagement
and feedback; whether the EPPD would control which agencies to share information
with; the number of cameras staff would recommend; how the department would
coordinate with CDOT for highway installation; timing and funding options including
grants; staffing and training impacts; whether the federal government would have
access to the data and privacy concerns. Staff would review opportunities for public
feedback and bring more information to the Board at a future meeting.
NOISE ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT. Chief Stewart stated the EPPD held a noise
ordinance enforcement training lead by Prosecuting Attorney Avi Rocklin and Town
Attorney Kramer. Training was recorded for any staff unable to attend, future staff, and
was comprised of the elements of the ordinance, evidence needed for successful
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - May 13, 2025 - Page 2
prosecution, applicable enforcement and department expectations. The Board
commended the approach, training and the thanked staff for the update.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE/GOLF CARTS ON ROADS. Chief Stewart stated the Town
does not currently permit the public use of golf carts, low speed vehicles (LSV), and off-
highway vehicles (OHVs) on town streets. He reviewed a number of advantages,
including smaller vehicles have the potential to reduce congestion during high traffic
times; additional road capacity versus larger conventional vehicles; and the potential
reduction in noise complaints from LSVs. Staff stated allowing the LSVs/OHVs and golf
carts on Town streets may be difficult, due to the amount of state highways in the area,
making it difficult for the public to comply with an ordinance. He stated the
disadvantages may consist of misconceptions on the difference between a golf cart,
LSV or OHV; occupant safety concerns during a motor vehicle accident; the need for
the vehicles to be street legal; educational efforts needed for locals and visitors; the
statutory requirements for the driver to have a license, insurance, eye protection,
helmet, etc.; traffic management with guest unfamiliar with the vehicles in traffic; and
paid parking and parking enforcement issues. He stated the primary concern would be
occupant safety and recommended the ordinance clearly identify permitted use,
locations and he encouraged public education. Board comments and questions have
been summarized: Whether the use would be beneficial for the area; safety concerns
for vehicles entering/crossing state highways; addressing needs for accommodations
businesses using OHVs/LSVs for maintenance/housekeeping transportation;
enforcement challenges and whether there has been a demand in the community. The
Board directed staff to identify opportunities for business use of golf carts on trails for
consideration and encouraged the public provide comments and any interest in
regulatory changes.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
It was requested and determined the Big Horn Parking Structure Design update would
occur on July 8, 2025 and the Business Use for Golf Carts on Trails and the Visit Estes
Park intergovernmental agreement edits would be included in approved/unscheduled.
COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
None.
There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
^^^^-^^—_'ictoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk