02-04-87 Safety Comm MinutesSAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING /
February 4, 1987
The Committee met in the Conference Room at 4:00 P. M. In attendance were
Chairman Schindler, Committee members Saverud and Grainger, Mayor Kennedy,
Chief Stefanie, later Chief Larson, City Attorney Neier, DPW Hammer and
School Bus Representative Pam Berry.
SAFETY SYSTEM MONITOR FEES
The recommendation to adopt fees was tabled at the January 19th Council
meeting. C. Schindler brought the meeting to order and asked for
discussion on liability. C. A. Neier stated that we would be more liable
because of the hardware and the higher standard of care to monitor the
equipment if a fee is charged. He does not feel that the response liability
will be any different.
C. Grainger, who was absent at the last Council meeting, felt that if we
charge for monitoring we will be accepting more responsibility and asked
if it might not be better to take alarms out. Mayor Kennedy asked how our
taking them out would affect our response. Chief Stefanie stated that it
would slow our response because of the middle man, who may in some cases not
be instructed to call us first, some businesses wish to be called first. It
also causes us confusion during response because we are not talking directly
to a business owner. The Mayor said he was reluctant to lower our standard
of service to the community.
Discussion of our exposure because of an error and ESA coverage followed.
Chief Stefanie's recommendation at this point is to leave the alarms in, to
start charging fees -our exposure is probably a little higher, but this has
never been a problem. Mayor Kennedy agreed with his recommendation.
Schindler stated that the original recommendation was presented to the
Council as a resolution -it must be an ordinance. C. Saverud said there was
some concern in Council by not setting rates and does not want this set in
the ordinance but we should be aware of what the starting rates will be.
MDTION
C. Saverud moved that the committee recommend adoption of monitor rates as
recommended by the Police and Fire Chiefs and confirmed by the Safety
Committee. Seconded by C. Grainger.
The $25 false alarm fee will be recommend, as per and at the discretion of
the Fire and Police Chiefs.
There was a brief discussion of accepting any more alarms or maintaining
just what we have; it was decided to accept what the equipment would allow.
Chief Stefanie advised that there was other equipment available such as an
inexpensive central console to handle all alarms -this also prints alarms for
records. C. Saverud commented that we should take a look at this.
SCHOOL BUS HJ0/U'BM SCHQM
C. Schindler told Ms Berry the reason we called her back is that the parking
problem was presented to the Council as a resolution and it has to be an
ordinance. During the discussion there was dissent on limiting parking on
one block of 4th Avenue W. The proposal was given back to committee -now the
40
east side front of the high school will be closed off Monday for
construction and some emergency action must be taken. To do this in
joordinance form will take 2 months; alternatives were discussed.
Possibilities of resorting the buses, such as northbound loading on 5th,east
and south on 6th, posting temporary signs and advising residents of changes
were discussed, as were the inherent transfer problems. There was concern
that some residents on the east side of 4th would have no other place to
park. Chief Stefanic stated that the original request for one way
northbound traffic on 4th, between 2nd and 6th Streets was made in October,
the construction has made it worse. A permanent long-term solution is
needed on the 4th Avenue problem during school hours. It is hoped that this
can be done during the construction period.
DPW Harmner suggested temporary signs, advising residents, traffic counts and
in the meantime come up with a permanent solution; this can be done under
emergency public works guidelines. C. Schindler suggested closing off the
west -rather than the east side of 4th for less disruption of residents. C.
Saverud proposed eliminating parking on east side of 4th, make it one way
going north, with angle parking on the west side, one traffic lane. He
suggested looking at the boulevard for a permanent solution and using the
total right-of-way better.
Ms Berry thought this plan would be acceptable to contractors also. She
will check with the bus drivers on how they will re-route, explain the
present plan and will then contact Chief Stefanic. DPW Hammer will gather
the necessary information, also. The temporary plan will be done under
Public Works authority and an emergency ordinance will be drafted to back it
• up. We should know by the next Council meeting on how to prepare for the
ordinance. Saverud enouraged DPW Hammer to look at a long range program for
this section of 4th Avenue, realizing that we will be doing something north
of there. It should be redesigned, possibly reconstructed, allowing for
more parking and a better bus lane.
MISCELUMOUS
C. Schindler referred to a letter to Chief Stefanic from Kim Potter,
Director of Disaster & Emergency Services, requesting creation of a
handicapped parking space on the south end of the old court house. This
will be recommended at the February 17 Council meeting.
There was a brief discussion on enforcement of the 12 hour parking
ordinance. C. Schindler said he hoped the committee can find a way to
define stored vehicles without ticketing or preventing residents from
parking in front of their house. C. Saverud agreed, saying that he did not
think it fair to make a very large part of our residents lawbreakers -most of
them don't even realize the 12 hour limitation. After much discussion on
the enforcement of and possible changes in the too restrictive ordinance,
the meeting adjourned around 5:30.
Markie Sabol
Recording Secretary