MARCH 11, 2010

The Palmer Lake Town Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Cressman at 7:00 p.m., March 11, 2010.

Attendees:                   

Mayor Cressman

Trustees:                                                                                          

 Bristol

Coleman

 Jack

 McDonald

Stafford - excused

Reynolds

 Attorney:  Gaddis

Audience: 8

Pledge of Alliance:  Mayor Cressman

May Planning Commission Liaison – Trustee McDonald

June Planning Commission Liaison – Trustee Stafford

July Planning Commission Liaison – Mayor Cressman

Item #2:  Approval of Agenda:

Trustee Jack made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of 4b – Palmer Lake Sports Riders, seconded by Trustee McDonald.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #3:  Consent Items:

1. Approval of Minutes –February 11
2. Payment\Ratification of Bills – February 2010

Trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the Consent Items as presented, Seconded by Trustee Jack.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #4:  Committee Reports

Mayor Cressman – Mayor’s Report

Waiting to hear the progress on  Medical Marijuana Ordinance.

Trustee Bristol – Fire

Calls for the month of February:

9 Medicals

2 Traffic Accidents

1 Public Assist

6 Other (fire alarms and water main breaks)

Members provided 1,110.5 hours of volunteer time in February

The fire department received the FEMA grant for 5 new sets of bunker gear

The Thermal Imaging Camera has arrived and it will be installed in 2015 along with the gas detector

Hazmat Operations class has begun for those that were in the Firefighter I class

Officers will be attending ICS 300 and 400 courses

EMTs will be attending the Tactical Response class at Tri Lakes Monument Fire District’s Station 1

24 hour shift assignments have been created and implemented for responding members, the shifts are set up for every Saturday with a different Officer in charge of the shift

Shirts with a new design have been ordered

Several of the members will be taking their Driver Operators exam

Bids on new patches have been sent out

Training hours will be tracked monthly and reported quarterly

EMT education hours will now be tracked through the fire department with National

Registry to make it easier for the EMT’s to re-certify

The creation of new department protocols are underway and expected to be completed as a living document by the end of March

The fire department hosted the annual Steak and Poker night for all retired members of the fire department in which Assistant Chief Greg Lokken did the grilling

REMINDERS:  ***Place house numbers so they are visible from the street.***

A discussion regarding implementation of revised Policy and Procedures with the incorporation of Standard Operating Procedures was held.  A list of the P & P that are ready to be implemented will be given to board members and Attorney Gaddis before the April workshop to allow time to review the document.  The entire P & P and SOPs may take up to a year to implement giving the entire membership of the fire department the opportunity to acquire the necessary certification.

Trustees Coleman and McDonald – Parks and EDC

Winter fest was a pretty good success considering it got very cold in the afternoon.

The Easter egg hunt is fast approaching on the 3^rd of April.

The fireworks committee had a meeting at Sundance Lodge, Jan attended.

Gary and I both attended the Fall Festival of Fine Art meeting, we discussed a lot of things, it should be a fun filled weekend, Will keep everyone updated as we progress.

Trustee Coleman attended the Chautauqua meeting. They have a lot of activities planned.  We will periodically update.

The lease with El Paso County expired September 2009.  The Town and County are both willing to discuss the possibility of not renewing the lease.  If the lease is not renewed, County will be responsible for maintenance of the Santa Fe Trail and the land east of the trail, the parking lots, and major capital expenses pertaining to the restrooms.

The Town would take over the responsibility of all land and fixtures west of the Santa Fe Trail.  This would allow the town to receive revenue from the rental of the gazebo and what activities are allowed on the lake.

Clerk Gray was instructed to submit questions to the County regarding more in depth information of what maintenance has been required in the past.

Trustee Jack – Police

Crime:

A total of 22 Case Report numbers were used by PLPD Officers.  Reports were relatively minor, in nature, with no discernable crime pattern evident.   Arrests included DUI, along with both misdemeanor and felony warrant arrests.  All arrests accomplished without any use-of-force or other aggravated circumstances.   

Traffic:

• Two single-vehicle, property damage-only, hit and run traffic accidents were reported.  They were possibly weather-related.
• Officer T. Lenhard made a DUI arrest on 02/09 at 355 Highway 105.
• One minor injury traffic collision took place on 02/17 on Highway 105 near Rockbrook Lane.  The accident scene, however, blocked traffic on Highway 105 for over an hour.  Officer J. Deyoe handled the investigation, eventually citing both parties.
• Seven summonses were issued by PLPD Officers for a variety of offenses.

Dispatch Statistics:

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) Dispatch reported that PLPD Officers self-initiated, or responded to:

• 37 incidents, considered “high-risk”
• Two Priority 2 or “emergent” calls.
• Ten Priority 3 or “urgent” calls.
• 26 non-emergent calls.
• For a combined total of 75 calls for service/self-initiated activities.

The EPSO does not indicate how many calls for service were for areas outside of TOPL, where PLPD officers provided “cover” for EPSO Deputies/Monument PD or other L/E agencies; or “held the scene” before another agency responded to take over the call/investigation.

(Page four is attached – EPSO Dispatch Report)

Administrative & Training:

• One of our two in-car laptop computers has problems with the air-card receptor.  The item was mailed (w/insurance) back to General Dynamics for repair. 
• All three PLPD vehicles required oil changes, two of the vehicles were over 2000 miles overdue for their recommended oil changes.   Additionally, the Chevy Impala required extensive brake repair/parts replacement worth over $700. 
• Two candidates were selected from the January 30^th testing process and were given conditional offers of employment.  They are currently in backgrounds, undergoing medical, psych, and CVSA testing.  We hope to have them appointed in early March.
• Two members of the PLPD, Sgt. N. Tezak and Officer K. Carroll attended a DUI procedures class in Cañon City.
• Almost 50 applications were received for the civilian position of Police Records Technician.  Seven candidates were moved forward to a telephonic interview.  After those telephonic interviews, three candidates were selected for in-person interviews to take place in the first week of March. 
• Closed-circuit digital camera and recording system put back into service after many months inactive.  Our supplier located a $250 replacement previously-owned recording unit, rather than a new one for the list price of $1000.
• Collated and distributed results of December 2009’s Incoming Chief’s Survey wherein current and former members of the PLPD identified what they saw as the major needs, challenges, and previously unrecognized outstanding acts and contributions of the PLPD.
• Accepted the resignation of part-time Police Officer Kelly Carroll who resigned for personal reasons, effective February 25^th.

Revisions to PLPD building:

• Raked up, then was assisted by TOPL Public Works in the removal of, several months (perhaps years) of fallen pine needles and pine cones.  This layer of debris is known as the duff layer and is flammable.
• New temporary evidence locker (actually Monument PD surplus), placed into service, secured to wall and repainted.  This new evidence locker will allow on-duty officers to restrict their activities to the main floor of the police facility.  If they have any secured suspect(s) in-custody, they need not walk downstairs to temporarily store their evidence.

Chief’s Activities:

02/03 – Interviewed three of the four final candidates for the two sworn police officer positions.

02/04 – Attended TOPL Town Board meeting regarding medical marijuana (MMJ) issues.  Creation of task force to study implementation/adoption of TOPL rules and regulations in regards to MMJ to follow, with chief brought in, as-needed, to advise on public safety and MMJ dispensary/cultivation facility security issues.

02/05 – Met with final of four candidates for the two sworn police officer positions.  Made selections, contacting the third place and fourth place finishers first, and the top- finishers last, making conditional offers of employment. 

02/08 – Provided Court Security and monitored violator testimony and judicial comment testimony for personnel/training issues. 

02/11 – Attended Palmer Divide Public Safety Group Meeting at Monument PD, planning multi-agency critical-incident training exercise scheduled for mid-June.

02/12 – Meeting with Fourth Judicial District, District Attorney Dan May, at his office

02/16 – Toured and inspected the Pike’s Peak Community College Public Safety Training shooting ranges, seeking training and qualification alternatives to the US Air Force Academy which is still closed to police agencies.  Learned, later, that TOPL once maintained and used a shooting range above the TOPL Public Works yard – further investigation to follow.  

02/17 – Assisted with traffic accident investigation at Highway 105 at Rockbrook Lane, took numerous photos on behalf of both Palmer Lake Volunteer and Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Departments.

02/19 – Met with PLVFD Chief Shana Ball to discuss selecting of honor guard unit members with Monument Police and Tri-Lakes Fire Departments and a Palmer Lake mutual police and fire department recognition program.

02/21 through 02/26 – Along with Sgt. Tezak, conducted seven telephonic interviews with semi-finalists for the position of Civilian Police Records Technician.  

Seven days, total, spent on patrol as primary responding patrol officer for PLPD.

Trustee Stafford – Water (by Trustee McDonald)

I attended the 17 February 2010 meeting of the PPRWA at the Monument Town Hall. The next meeting will be in Woodmen Hills 17 March 2010 at 8 AM.

I attended the Fountain Creek Watershed meeting 26 February 2010 at the Fountain Town Hall.  The next meeting will be held 1:00 PM 26 March 2010 at the Pueblo County Courthouse.

Clerk Gray will contact Trustee Stafford regarding a monthly and year-to-date accounting of the Water Reserve Fund and the Loan Repayment Funds.

Clerk Gray asked permission to spend money from the water capital improvement fund to replace the handheld meter reader ($7,841) and a chlorine analyzer ($11,000).  Due to Trustee Stafford’s injury, Water Supervisor Orcutt had not contacted him at this time regarding these purchases.

trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the above expenditures continguent upon Trustee Stafford’s approval, seconded by Trustee Bristol.  Motion carried unanmiously.

Trustee Reynolds – Roads

• Held our Pre-Con meeting with Ideal Concrete for the SR2S grant. They hope to start as soon as it gets warmer.
• Applied for 2^nd round of “Stimulus monies.” More info as it becomes available.
• Numerous repairs this month. The Ford 550, both snowplows needed welding.
• Thanks to Steve Orcutt for the welding.
•  Dan Orcutt & I attended the annual Rocky Mountain Asphalt Conference

Staff:  Clerk Gray

Election process is on track.  Due to the timeframe of the election and the April regular meeting it is recommended that the new board be sworn into office at the May council meeting.

Financials – due to unforeseen difficulties – I am asking for another $1,500 to be funded on behalf of the police officer hiring from the NOC line item in General Fund.  In the event two additional physicals and physics need to be paid for.  The decision on this issue will be made after the executive session

Restroom – EOM February Conservation Trust  =  $44,000.  Larkspur has restrooms for sale ($8,000)  that were taken from the rest stop on I-25.  Staff would like to look into the cost of purchasing, moving and installing one at the northern end of Centennial Park.  The placement of a restroom in this area would be in keeping with the Park Master Plan.  Monument has purchased one and anticipate the total cost to be $30,000.  Staff was instructed to get more information regarding weight, water availability, sewer hook up versus a vault, etc.

Trustee Jack made a motion to approve an amount not to exceed $22,000 to purchase and install a restroom in Centennial Park, seconded by Trustee McDonald.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #4b:  Palmer Lake Sports Riders

The annual renewal of their lease is due.  Council members have questions and are asking for the group to attend next month’s meeting.

Trustee Jack made a motion to table Item #4b to the April meeting, seconded by Trustee Bristol.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #5:  Update – Ordinance 3 – 2010 Medical Marijuana Dispensary\Cultivation

The MM Task Force will meet Monday, March 15 to finalize the ordinance.  Once it has been finalized, it will be sent to Attorney Gaddis to review.  It is anticipated that ordinance will be ready for voting at the April meeting.

Item #6:  Discussion – Amending Chapter 3.04.050 Hotel Occupancy Tax

Two issues were discussed:  1)being able to assess a penalty as the State does with late payment of taxes.  Attorney Gaddis explained that this is an excise tax, not a sales tax.  He has done research into the issue and contacted CML.  There is no provision under State law to access a penalty.  The Town could place a lien, file the lien with the county and collect what is owed in 2011.

Item #7:  Public Input – None

Trustee Jack made a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of lgal advice\negotiations at 8:15  pm, seconded by Trustee McDonald.  Motion carried unanimously.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 8:29 pm, seconded by Trustee Jack.  Motion carried unanimously.

Pertaining to Item #6:

Trustee Jack made a motion to offer a counter proposal of $750 per month, plus current month, and whatever is received as a refund from the State is to be payable to the town within 30 days of receipt, seconded by Trustee McDonald.  Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Gray was directed to draft a letter with the above motion.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the request for an additional $1,500 from the General Fund NOC line item on behalf of the Police Department, seconded by Trustee Jack.  Motion carried unanimously.

Trustee Jack made a motion to adjourn at 8:34 pm, seconded by Trustee McDonald.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approved as written or amended this 8^th day of April, 2010.

John Cressman, Mayor                                                        Della Gray, Town Clerk