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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2014-02-27RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 27, 2014 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 27th day of February, 2014. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chair Ericson, Trustees Elrod and Norris Trustees Elrod and Norris Town Administrator Lancaster, Directors Winslow and Fortini, Managers Mitchell and Manager Salerno, Planner Shirk and Recording Secretary Limmiatis Chair Ericson Trustee Elrod called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. None. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. MULTI-PURPOSE EVENT CENTER & STALL BARN FEE SCHEDULE. Director Winslow presented the proposed rental fees and additional rental items for the Estes Park Event Center and Pavilion. Staff researched several comparable facilities throughout the state to arrive at the proposed fee structure which provides flexibility to staff and event planners, promotion through Visit Estes Park, and the ability to cover operating costs. Premiere event season will cost more than the shoulder and winter seasons to entice promoters to bring in year round events. The Estes Park Event Center is a larger space with high end amenities and the Pavilion is slightly smaller, which acts as the support center to the Event Center. There will not be a master liquor license for the facility, but staff is working with Rocky Mountain Park Inn to provide catering and liquor sales for the Event Center. The Committee expressed concerns of being held captive to the vendor and how staff will maintain quality control. Director Winslow would discuss adding an evaluation clause to the contract with Town Attorney White. The committee suggested soliciting feedback from staff and vendors to ensure our first impression is a positive one. The Committee recommends the Rental Fees for the Estes Park Event Center and Pavilion be included as an action item on the March 11, 2014 Town Board meeting agenda. SOLE SOURCE AGREEMENT. Director Winslow presented the contract with Rocky Mountain Data Availability Services (RMDAS), a local supplier who has knowledge of the property, is available to respond within 30 minutes, and is currently providing wireless service to the Town. RMDAS will design, install and perform all maintenance on the wireless system at the Event Center and Pavilion. The contract price is within the construction budget. The Committee recommends the contract with RMDAS for $74,760.00 be included as an action item on the March 11, 2014 Town Board meeting agenda. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Community Services 2013 Annual Report - The Community Services Department had another busy and productive year, despite the floods of September 2013, in which staff overcame many adversities to meet Department goals and objectives, o Fairgrounds and Special Events Division - Director Winslow described multiple goals that the division was able to achieve - bring in more activities during the shoulder seasons, offer multiple events simultaneously, maximize use of facilities, provide support for a wide variety of events, look at new activities that would be a good fit for the community, and work with RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - February 27, 2014 - Page 2 entertainers and event planners to schedule events that will enhance tourism, as well as offer local residents a variety of opportunities. 2013 highlights included some new and some continuing traditions such as: September Elk Fest, Cowboy Sing-a-longs with Brad Fitch, the Fall Back Beer Festival, the November Tree Lighting Ceremony, musical and theatrical performances throughout the summer at Performance Park, the Wool Market, the Westernaires, Rooftop Rodeo, the USA Pro-Cycle Challenge, Ranch Horse Versatility, and multiple events converged for the “Wild West Weekend”. Estes Park Senior Center - Manager Mitchell thanked the Committee for support of increasing the hours for the Program Coordinator from 20 to 32 and adding a seasonal employee. Direct results were an increased number of planned programs from 49 to 70, being able to better answer, inform, and refer seniors to services, and additional time devoted to the rental program. Key highlights were increased social connection as seen through 3,500 visits, high participation in fitness classes and engaging seniors to use their talents as instructors and volunteers in the community. Estes Park Museum - Director Fortini covered a few of the highlights of 2013. The Hydro Plant had the highest recorded attendance due to having more programs at the location and inviting the Stanley Hotel Historic Fire Engine Tours to make a stop to speak with the docents. The Sandzen in Estes Park temporary exhibit was a great offering to the community during the flood as reprieve, as well as an impressive accomplishment for staff. With the addition of a Curator of Collections to staff in 2013, the Curator of Education was able to add 11 additional programs. Significant progress was made on the Collections Refinement process with the help of a Temporary Deaccession Assistant. Staff was able to respond to 47 research questions, which required an increase of nearly 23 hours of staff time from 2012. ~tes Park Visitor Center - Manager Salerno reported several highlights of 2013 including: visitation was up almost 8% prior to the flood of September, the smallest decrease in calls received since 2009/2010, and tracking of various inquiries from callers. In April 2014, Visitor Services will host the first open house to showcase what is done for the community and how local businesses are supported. The Committee suggested the Visitor Center provide a fact sheet to visitors regarding the regulations of recreational marijuana in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Park Free Shuttle System - Director Winslow presented data on the 52.3/0 increase in ridership of the Free Shuttle System. 89,637 passengers took advantage of the system in 2013. The Town will maintain the parking restrictions on Elkhorn Avenue to allow shuttles to load and unload quickly during the 2014 summer season. The addition of the Elkhorn Express has been a huge success. The Committee suggested the Shuttle System provide information to the press to minimize confusion between the Elkhorn Express and the new for-profit trolley that will be operating in Town. MJpdates - Director Winslow went over the various logistic duties the Community Services Department assisted with during the September flood including: lodging and meals for responders, equipment, resources, support transportation, communication needs for the community, maintaining food, fuel, hardware, housing and construction resources, shelters and assisting over 200 guests and residents with leaving Town in three days, and establishing the Disaster Recovery and Disaster Assistance Centers at the Conference Center. PUBLIC COMMENT. Pau! Fishman, Town Resident, requested clarification on the no parking designation of the shuttle pullovers downtown, in regards to deliveries and owner drop offs of inventory. Trustee Elrod stated loading and unloading will continue to be allowed in these locations. Verbal RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - February 27, 2014 - Page 3 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD. None. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. o Verbal Updates and Committee Questions - Planner Shirk briefly discussed four topics: the upcoming joint work session between the Town Board, Planning Commission and County Commissioners, current planning issues, long range planning issues, and stream restoration. Attainable housing, code revisions to allow for brew pubs and distilleries, allowing wedding facilities as a principal use, and an update on the comprehensive plan will be covered at the first joint work session. Current planning issues include the finalization of land use for the Stanley Hotel on Lot 4, the Visitor Center Parking Structure will be presented to the Planning Commission on March 18, 2014, O’Reiliy Autoparts resubmitted a development plan application, a formal pre-application from the Housing Authority to develop Lot 4 in the Good Samaritan Village, a pre-application meeting to discuss partial redevelopment of a hotel site on Big Thompson Avenue, the construction plan approval of the Mountain River Townhomes, and staff recently met with the Larimer County Recreation and Parks District to discuss the review requirements and processes for the Community Center. Long range planning issues include the continuing with the Comprehensive Plan and Modernization, near completion of The Neighborhood plans, a presentation by Jill Fischer on the GIS project completed for the Town, and staff reviewing the LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data post-flood. Stream restoration focus is currently on Fish Creek and Fall River in preparing for spring runoff. Also, the Fall River Coalition has chosen Walsh Consulting to prepare the Master Plan for the Fall River Corridor. Planner Shirk recognized Kim Slininger for the quality work completed on flood plain restoration issues. The Committee suggested providing a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Slininger. There being no further business. Trustee Elrod adjourned the meeting at 9:39 a.m. , Recording SecrtBarbara Jo Limnjyatis, Recording Secretary APPROVED W M 2A4 3WN0f|CTESsPm