HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2021-08-24Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,August 24,2021
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 in said Town
of Estes Park on the 24th day of August,2021.
Present:Wendy Koenig,Mayor
Patrick Martchink,Mayor Pro Tern
Trustees Carlie Bangs
Marie Cenac
Barbara MacAlpine
Scott Webermeier
Cindy Younglund
Also Present:Travis Machalek,Town Administrator
Dan Kramer,Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson,Town Clerk
Duane Hudson,Finance Director
Reuben Bergsten,Utilities Director and
Bunny Victoria Beers,Deputy Town Clerk
Absent:None
Mayor Koenig called the regular 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 (Bangs/Webermeier)to approve the Agenda,and it
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Adam Shake,Estes Park Economic Development Corporation President/CEO read a
letter of commendation for retiring Community Development Director Randy Hunt for his
contributions to the Town.
Greg Rosener,Town Citizen stated all businesses affect workforce housing,therefore,
vacation homes should not be burdened with fixing the problem through additional fees
or taxes.He requested the Board consider input from the vacation home industry before
finalizing decisions.
Richard Mulhern,Town Citizen stated his concern with the lack of diversity in members
appointed to the Environmental Sustainability Task Force as it relates to political
affiliation.He stated support for short-term rentals.
Naomi Hawf,Estes Park Housing Authority Director stated the community has diverse
housing needs requiring diverse and various housing solutions.Opportunities to
increase the housing stock should be thoroughly explored,including but not limited to
taxes and fees,new development and rehab incentives,ADU5,development code and
land use changes,and supporting employer assisted housing.She commented the
answer does not rest on one solution or opportunity,rather our ability to close the gap
on housing and maintain a sustainable community requires funding pulled from a variety
of revenue sources.
Kathy Albert,Town Citizen/Community Recycling Committee Chair stated a need for the
visitors to see the Town caring about nature and as eco-friendly.She provided the
following suggestions,including improving recycling downtown by making bins
attractive,increasing recycling by guests and businesses,and promoting existing
efforts.
Judy Smith,Town Citizen commended the Town’s efforts on electric vehicles and
energy base;however,waste disposal exists as a visible harm to the local ecology.
Board of Trustees —August 24,2027 —Page 2
Estes does not offer public composting and recycling has limitations compared to other
communities.She mentioned the traveling public’s consciousness of global warming
and ecological deficits,and she stated concerns on the perception that Estes Park does
not recycle.
Liz Mulhurn,Town Citizen stated her support for the cap on residentially zoned vacation
homes.Her vacation homes serve approximately 200-250 groups annually which spend
on average approximately $1000 per group locally.She stated Estes Park has become
a year-round community and requested the Board consider the contributions which
short-term renters make to the community.
Donna Carlson,Estes Chamber of Commerce Director spoke on behalf of the Vacation
Rental Council who offered input and data gathering capabilities to the Board to help
contribute to workforce housing solutions and the vacation home philosophy discussion.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Trustee comments were heard and have been summarized:Transportation Advisory
Board reviewed a parking report;Estes Park Police Auxiliary are instituting a pilot
program with members stationed at school crossing zones to assist with student safety;
CompPAC heard presentations on parking/electric vehicle programs and vacation home
rentals;on September 28,2021 the Town Board would consider a recommendation
from the Estes Park Planning Commission to amend the Development Code to
increase the building height in the Downtown Commercial -CD zoning district from 30
feet to 42 feet;the Women’s Monument dedication would take place on September 30,
2021 and a smaller replica owned by the Museum would be displayed at the Estes
Valley Library;concerns were heard regarding COVID-19 case numbers and the
importance of wearing face coverings,and adhering to the advice from Larimer County
Health officials regarding vaccinations was stressed.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Administrator Machalek relayed information from Larimer County Public Health
officials regarding a resurgence in COVID-19 Delta variant cases locally,regionally and
nationally.He stated the area has a higher level of infections than last year,reporting
high in two of the four risk categories.A majority of cases are unvaccinated individuals
with ICU capacity at 95%in Larimer County.He strongly recommended the use of
masks and taking the necessary steps to reduce risks.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1.Bills.
2.Town Board Minutes dated August 10,2021 and Town Board Study Session
Minutes dated August 10,2021.
3.Audit Committee Minutes dated August 11,2021.
4.Estes Park Planning Commission Minutes dated June 15,2021 and Estes Park
Planning Commission Study Session Minutes dated July 20,2021
(acknowledgement only).
5.Estes Park Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Minutes dated July 22,
2021 (acknowledgement only).
6.Policy 208 —Naming of Town-Owned Parks,Open Spaces,and Facilities.
7.Resolution 63-21 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with CDOT for
FTA 5339(b)Grant Funding for the Design of Two Large Vehicle Bays to Store
Two Electric Battery Trolley Buses (CDOT P0 #49100261 0).
It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Bangs)to approve the Consent
Agenda with the removal of Item #6,and it passed unanimously.
Consent Item #6 -Policy 208 —Naming of Town-Owned Parks,Open Spaces,
and Facilities.Mayor Koenig questioned the limitation of naming a facility after an
individual has been deceased for three (3)years.Staff stated the provision allows a
Board of Trustees —August 24,2021 —Page 3
sufficient amount of time after the passing of an individual to avoid renaming a
facility should a person’s character be questioned.Trustee Younglund requested
clarification on review recommendations in section 6 of the policy.Staff would review
the section and bring the policy forward to the next Town Board meeting.It was
moved and seconded (MarthinklWebermeier)to continue the item to the
September 14,2021 meeting,and it passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS:
1.ACCEPT DELIVERY OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,2020.Director Hudson stated the report was
reviewed at the August 11,2021 Audit Committee meeting.The report contained
the audit scope,required communication in accordance with audit standards,
financial highlights and new accounting pronouncements and general
observations.The most notable observation was related to the Town’s antiquated
accounting system.A modern system would provide a number of improvements
and capabilities as well as software support.The sales tax revenue reports
reveal sales tax numbers higher than originally anticipated.The Board
recommended staff consult with Haynie &Company regarding which accounting
systems they would recommend.It was moved and seconded
(Webermeier/Younglund)to accept the audit report and annual financial
report for the year ending December 37,2020,and it passed unanimously.
2.APPOINTMENT OF HAYNIE &COMPANY TO PERFORM THE AUDIT OF THE
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31,2021.Director Hudson stated the audit process in 2020 was
completed without an extension for the first time in several years and
recommended appointment of Haynie &Company to perform the 2021 audit.It
was moved and seconded (Younglund/Koenig)to award the engagement for
the financial statement audit for the year ended December 37,2021 to
Haynie &Company,and it passed unanimously.
3.UTILITIES REORGANIZATION AND STAFFING INCREASE.
Director Bergsten stated the Utilities department workload has increased with the
addition of the implementation/operations of Trailblazer Broadband and the
Water Division’s USDA financed capital projects.Staff proposed reorganization
of Utilities to establish direct management of Trailblazer Broadband operations
increasing workflow efficiency,reduce costs of consultants/contractors,and
transition six (6)positions to Town employees to address workload issues.Staff
requested approval of the reorganization and the Board authority to add
additional staff.Board questions included:whether staff had adequate office
space for additional employees,concerns related to housing,and concerns with
filling the positions.There being no further discussion,it was moved and
seconded (Younglund/Bangs)to approve the reorganization of the Utilities
department and staffing increase,and it passed unanimously.
REPORT AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.VACATION HOME PHILOSOPHY.
Town Clerk Williamson provided a summary of the vacation home philosophy
discussed at the August 10,2021 study session.At the Board’s request staff
reviewed transfer data,number of bedrooms licensed per home,number of
vacation home owners living outside of the Estes Park School District,number of
individuals owning two or more vacation homes,and potential revenues
generated from a fee or tax applied to vacation home rentals to fund workforce
housing.The data outlined an increase in the number of commercially zoned
vacation homes with the adoption of a cap in 2016 for residentially zoned
properties;77%of vacation homes licensed have three or fewer bedrooms,
approximately 75%of licensed vacation homes are owned by individuals living
outside the Estes valley,and 63 property owners own two or more vacation
homes..The 2016 adopted code regulations stated the annual registration was
valid for the year it was issued and did not guarantee future year registration.
Board of Trustees —August 24,2027 —Page 4
Staff requested Board direction regarding a fee study,continue to allow the
transfer of vacation home license to new homeowners,modify residential cap,
and the residential waitlist.Board discussion ensued and has been summarized:
questioned the value of restricting transferability for newer vacation homes
established after the adoption of the 2016 regulations;the number of vacation
homes exempt from changes;whether there are grant opportunities available
which can be applied to the fee study;questioned whether enacting a fee would
require a fee study;the overall purpose or intent and when to establish
parameters of the fee study;whether a correlation exists between people staying
longer and spending more money in town,and whether staff have identified the
total number of unutilized licenses and the total number of residential capabilities
in the town limits.Additional discussion ensued regarding unutilized licenses,
directives for fee or housing studies and timelines to complete the studies,and
potential partnership with the Estes Park Housing Authority.The Board directed
staff to pursue a fee study related to the nexus between residential short-term
rentals and workforce housing with an option to expand the scope.Staff would
bring forward a budget amendment,transferability options and waitlist
procedures to the September 14,2021 meeting.
It was moved and seconded (BangslYounglund)to extend the meeting beyond 10:00
p.m.and it passed unanimously.
REQUEST TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:
It was moved and seconded (Martchink/Bangs)to enter into Executive Session for
a conference with an attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on
specific legal questions —Section 24-6-402(4)(b)C.R.S.,and for the purpose of
determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations,
developing strategy for negotiations,and/or instructing negotiators —Section 24-
6-402(4)(e)C.R.S.—Regarding the Water Service Agreement with the YMCA of the
Rockies,and it passed unanimously.
Mayor Koenig recessed the meeting at 9:48 p.m.The Board entered executive
session at 10:00 p.m.and concluded the executive session at 10:42 p.m.
Mayor Koenig reconvened the regular meeting at 10:44 p.m.
Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 10:44 p.m.
=3 L4€_—1—--
‘BThcy1Tctoria Beers,Depury Town Clerk