HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2020-10-27 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 27, 2020
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes
Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall and Virtually in
said Town of Estes Park on the 27th day of October, 2020.
Present: Wendy Koenig, Mayor
Patrick Martchink, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Carlie Bangs
Marie Cenac
Barbara MacAlpine
Cindy Younglund
Scott Webermeier
Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Assistant Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Absent: None
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited
the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Cenac) to approve the Agenda as
presented, and it passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
None.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Trustee MacAlpine stated she attended the October Planning Commission meeting. She
questioned when the ballot boxes would be reopened; what other locations were available
to drop of ballots; status of the radio station; and when the Post Office may reopen the
local office and begin to deliver residential mail.
Mayor Pro Tem Martchink thanked the fire personnel, Town staff, Police, Larimer County
Sheriff, and the Incident Management teams. He expressed heartfelt concern for all in
the community and neighbors who were evacuated and have not been able to return
home. He commented the fires are not out and all need to continue to be diligent and
ready to evacuate if necessary. Trustees Bangs, Webermeier, and Younglund echoed
the sentiments regarding the impacts of the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires
on the community.
Trustee Webermeier thanked Mayor Koenig, Town Administrator Machalek and the entire
staff for their leadership and communication during the recent evacuation of the entire
Estes valley.
Trustee Bangs attended the Transportation Advisory Board meeting before the
evacuation.
Mayor Koenig stated Senators Bennet and Gardner, Congressmen Neguse, and the
mayors from Lyons, Loveland and Berthoud have all reached out to provide support to
the Estes Park community during the fires. She thanked the citizens for their efforts and
efficiencies in evacuating the valley.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Administrator Machalek expressed deep appreciation for all involved in supporting the
community during the current fires, including firefighters, Rocky Mountain National Park
personnel, fire management personnel, personnel from the valley, both electric and water
Board of Trustees— October 27, 2020— Page 2
staff, plow drivers, gas utility workers, the leadership team, Emergency Manager/Police
Captain Rose, and Fire Chief Wolf. He further thanked Director Bergsten, Power and
Communication Superintendent Lockhart and Josh Cramer/Contractor for leading the
effort to develop a redundant communication line to the western slope.
Larimer County Clerk and Recorder Myers stated the vote center closed the day of the
evacuation and all ballots were secured from the drop boxes, boxes secured and locked.
The drop boxes would reopen and the vote center to reopen once operational challenges
have been addressed at the Community Center. She recommended voters call the main
Election Office to receive a replacement ballot or with other election questions.
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Use Tax Collection Agreement with Larimer County for Continued Authorization of
the Town to Collect Larimer County's Building Materials Use Tax.
2. Resolution 59-20 Wind River Apartments, Development Plan and Special Review
for Associated Daycare, Two Year Extension of the Three-Year Approval Period,
1041 S. St. Vrain Avenue, Rural Coz Estes Park St Vrain, LLC, Stephanie
Copeland, Owner/ Applicant. Town Board approval to continue item to the
November 10, 2020 Town Board meeting.
3. Resolution 58-20, Second Amended Plat of Estes Park Resort Townhome
Subdivision, 1700 Big Thompson Avenue, Mountain Village Development LLC,
Applicant. Town Board approval to continue item to the November 10, 2020
Town Board meeting.
4. Ordinance 13-20 Right-Of-Way Vacation Portion of Big Horn Drive, 113 E Elkhorn
Avenue, B. Wade Investments, LLC, Applicant. Town Board approval to
continue item to the November 10, 2020 Town Board meeting.
It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Bangs) to approve the Consent
Agenda, and it passed unanimously.
2. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: (Outside Entities).
1. EAST TROUBLESOME FIRE UPDATE. Fire Chief Wolf and Emergency
Manager/Captain Rose provided a review of the operations of the Emergency
Operation Center (EOC) during the fire. The East Troublesome/Thompson
Complex spotted a mile and half over the tundra from the west side on October 22,
2020 and triggered the evacuations of the Estes valley. The fire has slowed due
to the recent snow, but contiues to burn. The Cameron Peak fire also increased
and has threatened Glen Haven during this same period of time. The weather has
allowed for additional planning to address the fire activity for the next seven to ten
days. Utilities have been restored to all properties within the valley. Decisions to
cut utilities during the recent fires and future decisions would be based on the
projected path of the fire and rate of growth. Further discussion was heard on the
difference between mandatory and voluntary evacuation status.
2. COVID-19 UPDATE FROM LARIMER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND ENVIRONMENT. Public Health Director Gonzales provided an overview of
the current COVID-19 situation, increasing case rate in Larimer County, and the
need to reduce the case rate and prevent illness by wearing masks, washing
hands, maintaining six feet off distance, and limit small gatherings. Larimer County
has seen an increase in the hospitalization rate from four to 25, a risk score of
medium, and a current status Level 1 and creeping to Level 3. The recent concern
with 18 to 24-year-old individuals in September has declined, with one in four
asymptomatic, however, they are spreaders and infecting all other age groups.
Smaller gathering of 10 or fewer are now the issue as cooler weather moves
individuals indoors. Estes Park numbers have been good through the summer
season and have increased.
Board of Trustees—October 27, 2020— Page 3
Discussion occurred on the variance the Estes Chamber of Commerce received
for Halloween, and the need for additional testing in the community due to the
evacuation. Staff confirmed the Chamber's Halloween event has been cancelled
to provide the needed access by fire personnel through downtown.
Kent Smith/Town citizen thanked everyone for the efforts. He stated the
restaurants are going to be struggling, and he requested the County send
information directly to the businesses.
3. ACTION ITEMS:
1. RESOLUTION 62-20 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY DUE TO WILDFIRE.
Town Administrator Machalek presented the Board with a declaration of
emergency due to wildfire that he signed the previous week. The declaration
requires the Board's ratification. It was moved and seconded
(Webermeier/Bangs) to approve Resolution 62-20, and it passed unanimously.
Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
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Wendy ig, May r
ie Williamson, Town Clerk
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