HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2019-09-10RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado September 10,2019
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
Rooms 202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the l0’day of September
2019.
Board:Mayor Jirsa,Trustees Bangs,Cenac,Martchink,Norris and
Zornes
Attending:Mayor Jirsa,Trustees Bangs,Cenac,Martchink,Norris and
Zornes
Also Attending:Town Administrator Machalek,Town Attorney Kramer and
Recording Secretary Beers
Absent:None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
DOWNTOWN ESTES LOOP QUARTERLY UPDATE.
The Project Technical Advisory Committee provided an overview of the progress and
activities since the June 2019 update.Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
is the lead agency for full right-of-way acquisition and follows the Uniform Relocation
Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Uniform Act).Offers for
all seven of the full acquisitions have been made to property owners to include the
purchase of four parcels.CDDT assists property owners and tenants who require
relocation.If settlements cannot be reached CDOT would proceed with condemnation
for value.CDOT is currently working through the condemnation process with three
properties.Required asbestos and lead-based paint testing continues pending results.
Mitigation time and abatement takes approximately two weeks and determining factors
are age,structure,composition and review.Central Federal Lands Highway Division
(CFLHD)is the lead agency for project design with approximately 70%of plans in
development.Next steps included:95%design submittals by spring of 2020,right-of-
way acquisition and finalizing utility relocation plans and scheduling.CFLHD would
conduct monthly Technical Advisory Committee meetings,quarterly updates to the
Board and Phase II scope if the Town is awarded the BUILD grant in November 2019.
Board questions and comments have been summarized:whether CDOT has
compensated businesses for the additional risk to retrofit a new location;if acquisition
and relocation is constricted by federal regulations,and concern was heard related to
future requests of additional funding requested of the Town.The Board requested the
quarterly updates incorporate project cost updates and budget review.
ESTES PARK HOUSING AUTHORITY (EPHA)PROJECT ON HIGHWAY 7—PART II.
The EPHA requested a Town commitment to contribute up to $800,000 towards the
development of Peak View Apartments workforce housing.Director HaM stated the
Workforce Housing and Childcare Ad-Hoc Task Force final report noted lack of housing
options for year-round and season workforce.The type of housing needed includes
rental,ownership,short-term,long-term,single family home,apartment and duplex.
There are more than 200 new housing options in development in the community over
the next 3-5 years for Stanley Avenue,Grand Estates,Wind River,Peak View,Wildfire
Homes,Alarado and Habitat for Humanity.EPHA intend to continue to offer attainable
and affordable rents for the workforce and continue their mission to serve community
needs.Having more housing for employees would allow individuals and families to live,
shop and play in the community,thereby creating additional sales tax dollars which
remain in Town.The EPHA Peak View housing expansion would include 26 housing
units with one,two and three bedroom units.Costs are approximately $7.5 million for
development.Funding sources are estimated at $5,090,000 bank loan;$1,610,000
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session —September 10,2019—Page 2
equity obtained through development fees and return on previous development and
rents;and a $800,000 partnership with the Town at a 50%match to EPHA’s
contributions.Partnership options were outlined as a $200,000 tap fee with $600,000
loan or grant,tap fee subsidy request,a loan with interest or housing grant through a
master lease where the Town would determine the number of units.The master lease
was presented to include year round workforce with EPHA dedicating funds toward a
Down Payment Assistance program for employees who participate in the Town Home
Ownership Program.A seasonal and contingent workforce option was reviewed which
can be established through a master lease option committing the Town to an annual
lease.Director Hawf stated the Town would not need to manage housing or pay
management costs.Board questions and comments have been summarized:whether
staff have reviewed budget implications;would the project incorporate childcare;the
Board questioned if the housing would fit the needs which exist for employees;concern
was stated regarding the inability of the Town to deliver services without the ability to
obtain and keep qualified employees;how the Town could utilize the options presented;
whether the EPHA have held master lease discussions with other employers in Town;a
request was made for more information on how the 26 units would benefit the Town;
should another housing study be conducted before the Town makes a decision on
contributing to the project;how rents are determined for workforce housing;the Board
was expressed interest in state and county information on AMI levels;and concern
regarding the potential of the project becoming a land issue and what position would
this place the Board in if there is a land use issue.The Board requested staff bring
forward the funding options during the budget process and draft the outline of an
agreement after the budget review.
TRUSTEE &ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS &QUESTIONS.
Trustee Norris requested an annual survey presented to the Family Advisory Board be
distributed to the Board related to children living in poverty in areas of Larimer County.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
The Board moved the Discussion with the County Assessor regarding Assessment of
Vacation Rentals and a Discussion of the Fish Hatchery Property to Items Approved
and Unscheduled.Trustee Remote/Electronic Meeting Participation was moved to the
September 24,2019 due to time constraints and requested the Board submit legal
questions to the Town Attorney prior to the meeting.The Board made a request to
distribute a news release to the public regarding the remote access item being
discussed at the next study session meeting.
There being no further business,Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:44 p.m.
toriaBeers,RecrdingSecretary