HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2017-01-26RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 26, 2017
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
26th day of January, 2017.
Committee;
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chair Walker, Trustees Holcomb and Norris
All
Chief Kufeld, Directors Hinkle, Hunt, and Fortini, Manager
Mitchell and Recording Secretary Beers
Town Administrator Lancaster and Assistant Town
Administrator Machalek
Chair Walker called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
None^
CULTURAL SERVICES.
REPORTS.
Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings.
• Museum Report — Director Fortini stated during the fourth quarter the museum
conducted a collaboration with the Estes Valley Model Railroaders Club and the
Estes Valley Library to host an exhibit on the clubs 40th anniversary. The division
continues to process donations through accessioning forms and continues to
process the large Library collection, with a current focus on hundreds of oral
histories. The museum finished a montage display of the 2013 flood oral histories in
the form of a 9 minute video narrative, and started a book club event, which
garnered a lot of interest with 45 people attending.
• Verbal Updates and Committee Questions - Trustee Holcomb questioned the
decrease in attendance considering the Town’s increase in visitation, and
questioned attendance levels at the Hydroplant. Director Fortini stated the lack of
temporary exhibits and resources contributes to low attendance. He added
rebranding the Hydroplant would help get the right message out to the public on
what that museum offers and would increase attendance.
• Collections and Research Facility - The division continues to work with the
fundraising committee and the Estes Valley Museum Friends and Foundation Inc.
who have raised $430,000 of the $1 million they committed to raising for the facility.
COMMUNITY SERVICES.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD.
REVISED VISITOR SERVICES RETAIL POLICY. Manager Salerno recommended
revising the Visitor Services Retail policy in order to sell Centennial items and contribute
to the Knoll Willows Centennial project. She stated visitors consistently request to
purchase Town logo items and expect items to be available for purchase at the Visitors
Center. The Committee recommended the Visitor Services Retail policy
amendment to include the sale of Town logo items be included as an Action Item
at the February 14, 2017, Town Board meeting.
REPORTS.
• Visitor Center Quarterly Report - Manager Salerno stated fourth quarter visitation
numbers were up by 60,000 guests and telephone calls were up 5.15%. She added
revenue for 2016 was the highest total ever at $47,045, with the second highest year
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Community Development / Community Services - January 26, 2017 - Page 2
being 2015.
• Special Events Update - Coordinator Benes provided an overview of the update.
o Tree lighting ceremony was a great success with 800-1200 attendees who were
predominantly locals.
o Yuletide lighting had approximately 15 families participate. They were able to use
local papers and businesses to advertise the event,
o Catch the Glow parade hosted 32 floats, all being well received. Visits with Santa
were held in the Board room and a free photograph was provided for anyone
visiting Santa.
o Daily walking at the Events Center has seen approximately 10-15 people each
day walking the interior of the Event Center. Numbers have increased in January,
o Winter Festival had an attendance of approximately 15,000 people. The Special
Events division utilized Groupon for ticket sales this year. Groupon charges a
percentage of the revenue from ticket sales but their marketing allows them to
target a specific area and demographic, in turn Groupon provides a detailed
review of the event. Winter Festival received 4.8 out of 5 stars.
• Marketinq/Sales Update - Manager Lynch presented a snapshot forecast for the
2017 and 2018 calendar years. The Events Complex would generate $61,000, while
the Conference Center would generate $15,000 in forecasted revenue, for a
projected total of $80,535 and 48 contracts. Contract negotiations continue for the
signing of a Ram Katha event through the Truth Love and Compassion organization.
Manager Lynch has created a marketing video tied to her email signature that
provides an overview of the Event Center. She continues to attend trade center
shows, and attend the Destination Colorado Annual Front Range Trade Show at the
Expo Event Center in December 2016 with 388 meeting planners. She added
through a lead she booked an educational event at the Conference Center for
October 2017 with 300 public teachers for a unique unstructured educational
meeting.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD.
AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE 12.16.010. Director Hunt requested approval for an
amendment to the Town’s official street sign procedures and policies. The amendment
would standardize requirements for how, when and where official street-name signs are
to be displayed in Town, minimizing occurrences in which unofficial signs are displayed.
It would also prohibit signs being placed up without approval. Public safety is the main
concern for the sign amendment. An emergency type of situation caused a problem
when a sign was placed up in an unauthorized capacity. A call into emergency services
referencing a location which was not in the official database and a delay in emergency
services ensued. The Committee requested a public statement and press release to
inform the public of the changes to the code. The Committee recommended the
amendment to the Estes Park Municipal Codei 12.16.010, to address regulations
regarding display, installation and maintenance of official street-name signs to be
included as an Action Item at the February 14, 2017, meeting.
REPORTS.
Verbal Updates and Committee Questions — Vacation Rental registration process
continues and renewals are in process. The department has made a few
adjustments to registration process as it relates to a property having a certificate of
occupancy. He stated older homes may not have a certificate of occupancy;
however, Larimer County assessor records can confirm if a property has a certificate
of occupancy. Host Compliance has shared the first data on vacation homes stating
700 homes are being advertised in the Estes Valley Development Area, including
both residential and commercially zoned properties. Host Compliance has been
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Community Development / Community Services - January 26, 2017 - Page 3
working to compile data on the properties that are not currently registered with the
Town and noticing them of the requirement to complete the registration process prior
to March 31, 2017. The department would start tracking the 9 and above vacation
home rentals on April 1, 2017, and continue to publicize the changes made in
December 2016.
Director Hunt stated the department continues the process of filling the Planner I
position and anticipates filling the position by the end of February.
Town and County staff are working to produce a work-plan and schedule for the
staging of proposed code amendments to the Estes Valley Development Code.
Planner Kurtz provided an update on the Hydrology study and anticipates staff would
have the report available on the website next week. The department would conduct
a Board study session on February 27, 2017 at 2pm and a public presentation
following at 6pm with approximately 5 speakers available. The State has been
working on updating the floodplain map, and the department would provide a
preliminary map in the report presented at the study session. The FEMA mapping
process contains a public review and an appeal process before and after the final
map. There has been some resistance from the public during the development of the
new map. The department has made sure to meet with engineers to provide a
comprehensive solid plan to the public.
There being no further business. Chair Walker adjourned the meeting at 9:43 a.m.
toria Beers, Recording Secretary
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