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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2011-08-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 25, 2011 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT / COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 25th day of August, 2011. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chair Levine, Trustees Elrod and Miller Chair Levine, Trustees Elrod and Miller Deputy Town Administrator Richardson, Directors Kilsdonk and Chilcott, Manager Pickering, PIO Rusch, and Deputy Town Clerk Deats Town Administrator Halburnt Chair Levine called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. Johanna Darden, Town resident, expressed concern about the way the community is developing saying she has heard comments that Estes Park is looking “trendy” and that the proposed Elkhom Lodge re-development would be a “tourist trap”. She spoke against the Town’s financial involvement with Elkhorn Project, Inc., and questioned the commitment the Town has made to the Supporters of the Performing Arts (SOPA). She also expressed concern about the cost of the repairs to MacGregor Avenue and said she does not have confidence in the contractors or the Public Works Department. Chair Levine suggested that Ms. Darden address the Public Safety, Utilities, and Public Works (PUP) Committee with her concerns about the roadway. He said the Town paid $23,000 for a review of the Elkhorn Project, Inc. application by the State of Colorado’s consultant to determine if the project qualifies for regional tourism dollars, but no other commitments have been made at this time. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Conference Center Quarterly Report - Manager Pickering said that he had anticipated more correction and stabilization related to corporate travel than has been evident so far in 2011, and said there was more confidence at the beginning of the year than is apparent at this time. He said a goal of 45 bookings had been set for 2011, and through the end of the second quarter, 42 groups have currently booked. He said registration for the Snow and Ice Conference is underway and looking good at this time. Mgr. Pickering said that he works closely with the staff of the Rocky Mountain Park Inn, noted that dropping the Holiday Inn franchise has not been detrimental, and reported that the facility is in great shape. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. ESTES VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT BUILDING PERMIT FEE WAIVER. The Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVRPD) is replacing water service line and burying electric line to three restrooms in the Cherokee Draw Day Use area at Lake Estes and has requested a waiver of the building permit fee. The cost of the project is RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - August 25, 2011 - Page 2 estimated at $40,000 with building permit fees of approximately $550. Staff is recommending the fee waiver, as there will be minimal staff involvement in the project, and based on the policy of fee waivers for taxing districts. Trustee Miller expressed surprise that a building permit was required for this type of underground utility work. Dir. Chilcott stated that the requirement is relatively new and subsequent to problems with service lines not being installed at the correct depth. Trustee Miller asked staff to report back on what code would be applicable to this inspection. Trustee Elrod questioned whether EVRPD had a policy related to using local contractors for their work. The Committee recommends including the EVRPD Building Permit Fee Waiver on the September 13, 2011, Town Board agenda as an action item to provide an opportunity for discussion with the full Board. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Monthly Building Division Report - Dir. Chilcott said that through July 31, 2011, 278 building permits had been issued, an increase of more than 100 permits over last year. She noted that the valuation increase can be attributed to a single family home and a triplex permit that were issued in July. • Quarterly Building Division Report - Dir. Chiicott reported that the number of code compiiance cases has been reduced, aithough a back log of cases still exists. She said code compliance has been receiving a number of calls related to weeds and said that staff does not have the expertise to identify noxious weeds. She proposed utilizing staff of the Larimer County Weed Control District to assist with these complaints. Deputy Town Administrator Richardson said administration wouid work with code compliance staff in regard to weed management. ADMINISTRATION. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Preview New Town Website. PIO Rusch provided the Committee with a preview of the Town website which is currently being developed with the Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) and website contractor, Colorado Interactive. Town staff is working on migrating content from the oid website to the new site which is expected to go live in late 2011. PIO Rusch presented features of the new Home Page which include: a changeable banner, Google Search, Google Language Translate, Hot Topics area; photo carousel, and Town calendar. She reviewed the top navigation choices which will include an A-Z index, and said the top navigation choices were established based on how the current website is used, feedback from search reports, and current practices in government websites. The Committee said the website appears to be easier to use than the current site and asked if there is an opportunity to provide trustee e-mails through the new site. Deputy Town Administrator said that is a separate functionality, noted that a server upgrade may provide that opportunity, and said that after discussing the issue with IT staff Town Administrator Halburnt will report back to the Board. There being no further business. Chair Levine adjourned the meeting at 9:30 a.m. APPROVED SEP 1 3 2011 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk