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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 1995-03-28Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,1IQh.2$••, Minutes of a ReguLar ..meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estee Park,Larimer County,Colorado.Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estee Park on the •2ti• •day of ......,A.D., at regular meeting hour. ProTem Robert L.DekkerMeetingcalledtoorderbyMayor Present:Mayor Trustees: ProTein Dekker Susan L.Doylen, Stephen W.Gillette, William J.Marshall, Gary F.Kiaphake,J.Donald Pauley Town Administrator Also present:Vickie O’Connor, Town Clerk Absent:H.Bernerd Dannels,Mayor Michael E.Miller,Trustee Gregory A.White,Town Attorney 1?(Lti i Mayor ProTem Dekker called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. PUBLIC INPUT. Comments were heard from Louis O’Riordan regarding the potential repeal of federal child protection laws and he read a portion of an article written by Dee Ann McDonald,and he agreed that “merchants should pay their own way.” Kipp Baker requested and received a response to his question concerning the use of downtown parks relative to the youth playing hacky—sac and alleged law enforcement policy. Charlie Barker suggested the “users”(including visitors)of facilities (streets,etc.)pay for their use;in lieu of incurring debt with the Knoll Property purchase,funding should first be collected;and,relative to the Park boundary,the RI’4NP should not be allowed to dictate to the Town. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.Town Board minutes dated March 14,1995. 2.Bills. 3.Committee Minutes: A.Public Works,March 23,1995. B.Planning Commission,March 21,1995 (acknowledgement only). It was moved and seconded (Doylen/Gillette)the consent calendar be approved,and it passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS: l.A.Revised Downtown Parking Plan -Presentation.During the Public Works Committee meeting March 23,1995,EPURA Commissioner Randy Martin presented a revised Downtown Parking Plan that would control employer/employee parking in downtown lots.Town Administrator Klapliake advised that the intent is to create more customer parking by moving employer/employee parking to exterior lots.The following options were presented: •Do Nothing. •Construct more parking lots.(Additional parking Board of Trustees —March 28,1995 -Page 2 spaces have been added on MacGregor Ave.;and new lots have been constructed.)Projected estimates for additional land is $400-500,000;a ramp structure could cost $3 Million. •Park and Ride.Community has reacted with indifference toward this program.In 1995,this program may be “Park and Walk.” •Strict enforcement (chalking tires). •Public/Private Partnership (potential use of private sector lots for peak loading). •Parking meters (traditional v.new technology). •Paid Parking Lots (proposal as discussed in Public Works Committee meeting). •Parking Fee (potential formation of a Parking Special Improvement District. •Combinations of any of the above. •Other ideas. The recommendation from the Public Works Committee was a “phased”two-year approach of paid parking in downtown lots: a space would be stenciled with numbers that coincide with metal slot boxes.Preliminary Phase I includes Parking Lot #5 (Wiest),Lot #3 (north half of Post Office Lot),Lot #2 (Childrens’Park);Lot #11 (Riverside)and Lot #9 (Coffee Bar).Preliminary Phase II includes Parking Lot #1 (Municipal East),Lot #13 (Cleave St.),and Lot #7 (Ice House). Preliminary Phase III includes Parking Lot #8 (Municipal Building),unofficial Lot #14 (Del’s Drive In),unofficial Lot #15 (Chamber of Commerce lots),and possibly the Transit Center. Additional findings: •Chief Racine has advised that:(1)the enforcement/collection position would necessitate two part—time employees;and (2)he recommended parking fees of $1.00/hr.and $5.00/day. •Enforcement hours will be 11:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. o 3—Month Seasonal Operation. •Violations.System to be as Customer—friendly as possible--ticket can be mailed-in,deposited in a Police Dept.drop-box,or paid in person. •Signs/Markings.The Town would purchase the collection boxes and monitor,with collection to occur 1 time/day.An ordinance would be adopted and the Rules and Regulations would be posted in each lot which would include consequences for violations. •On—Street Zones.A decision must be made as to what portion of Elkhorn is to be included in Phase I. •As discussed during the Public Works meeting,staff will discuss downtown mail delivery with Post Office representatives.Cluster box installations are having a positive affect on alleviating congestion in the Post Office lot. Trustee comments included:the number of spaces being consumed by businesses;the previous calculation contained in the Zoning Regulations for parking spaces;suggestion that the Town become consistent with state violation fees for illegally parking in handicapped zones-—the Town assess a $10.00 fine, and the state fine is $70.00;historical background on fines Board of Trustees -March 28,1995 -Page 3 (i.e.disgruntled visitors);if a paid parking plan is approved,would parking meters provide the most efficient manner to collect fees and enforce the law;and is the collection box system the least hostile collection system. The Chamber is investigating the use of tokens which businesses could give to their patrons.The Town could collect the tokens and invoice businesses.Staff is investigating the legalities of this proposal relative to TABOR. Audience comments were heard from:Charlie Barker/could the Knoll be used for parking -staff responded that EPURA is working on a plan for the site that tentatively does include some parking,this plan should be completed by the end of the summer.Kim Haber/the Park and Ride program was not “user friendly”;why not use the school lots and run the shuttle at 10—minute intervals.Tourists should be encouraged to use exterior lots,not the locals.The Town should retain the Park and Ride program.Louis O’Riordan/he proposed a Special Improvement District for parking a number of years ago;is not in favor of paid parking lots;merchants should realize they are driving their customers away by parking in front of their business;and locals will avoid downtown shopping if the Town institutes paid parking.Jim Haber/several merchants own their own parking lots,thus some employers/employees are parking on private property;the Wiest parking lot is ideally suited for a parking structure;and if the Town charges for parking,it will drive away an element of business.Lee Kemper/strongly opposed to chalking tires and towing vehicles as was practiced in the past;suggested public parking be considered at the fairgrounds and use the shuttle to transport people.He is in favor of exterior lot parking for employers/employees;and is concerned with the use of an “arm” in parking lots relative to his suppliers.George Hockman/the Town should pursue public/private partnerships;the parking problem would best be solved by instituting all three phases at once in lieu of two years;the $5.00 fine is preposterous; the Town should not pay for advertising for the merchants,the Town should control parking;Park and Ride is a good idea, however,it is designed for the merchants——the merchants,not the Town,should pay for this system;the long-term solution is a large parking structure.Bill Van Horn/a solution is to acquire close-in parking;structured parking should be considered.Randy Martin/the proposed Downtown Parking Plan may not be perfect,but it is a step in the right direction-- the Plan is a traffic management tool that will help control traffic flow.Mr.Martin urged the Trustees to proceed with the Plan.Dave Habecker/the number one reason for paid parking is to pay for the Park and Ride Program,and it makes no difference who pays for parking in the lots,collections will fund Park and Ride.Louis O’Riordan/the Town does not own the fairgrounds,thus it could not be used for public parking;and Stanley Village merchants,with their public parking areas,are subsidizing downtown merchants.Kipp Baker/tourists believe prices in Estes Park are already high and paid parking will add to this perception;employees should have the first choice for the downtown parking spaces;private parking lot owners should not be penalized. Mayor ProTem Dekker expressed the Board’s appreciation to the audience for their comments,and advised this item will be discussed during the April 11 meeting.Administrator Klaphake advised that the trolleys may take a new direction,the Chamber of Commerce is researching other options,and staff will present additional information April 11. B.Habitat for Humanity -Request Waiver of Tap Fees.Trustee Gillette declared a conflict of interest and stated he would not participate in discussion nor vote.The Public Works Board of Trustees —March 28,1995 -Page 4 Committee recommended approval of the request to waive the water tap fee with the condition that the Town be reimbursed if the house is sold on the open market within ten years,and that $4,020 be transferred from the General Fund to the Water Fund.Director Stamey reported that the lot is sized for a duplex and,as such would be “condominiumized.”If single— family homes are planned,Habitat must seek approval of a lot split.Director Linnane stated that the proposal was unclear during the meeting and the Committee recommend a waiver of $4,020;depending on the actual unit(s),the cost could vary from $4,020 to 5,600 up to $8,040.Habitat Vice President Gillette reported that Habitat investigated a lot split,and due to the cost,they are researching a condominium for two separate families.Based upon Committee approval to waive $4,020,and that a fee of $8,040 doubles the Committee’s recommendation,it was moved and seconded (Doylen/Pauley)(1) a waiver for a condominium/duplex for up to $5,600 be approved,(2)the amount lie transferred from the General Fund to the Water Fund,(3)the Public Works Committee condition be included relative to sale on the open market,and (4)the fee be waived for 1995 and paid for in the 1996 Budget,and it passed unanimously. Trustee Gillette resumed his position on the Board. C.1995 Water Line Pro-ject -Approval of Budget Expenditure. Director Linnane reported that $250,000 was budgeted for the 1995 Water Line Project which includes five locations along Elkhorn Avenue and a location at the corner of Big Horn Drive and Boyd Street.Two bids were received,and it was moved and seconded (Gillette/Doylen)the low bid in the amount of $230,266.00 submitted by BT Construction lie accepted,and it passed unanimously.BT will mobilize April 3 and the project should lie completed by May 20.If not,work will cease until after Labor Day. D.Vehicle Purchase/Parks Dept.-Approval of Budget Expenditure. The Budget contains $20,000 for the purchase of a pickup truck and snowplow.It was moved and seconded (Gillette/Marshall) the low bid in the amount of $14,959.00 submitted by Rains Motor Co.be accepted,and it passed unanimously. 2.A.Residential Annexation Policy Adoption -Resolution #9-95. Following review and approval/endorsement by the Public Works Department and Planning Commission,a Resolution adopting a Residential Annexation Policy was presented to the Town Board. It was moved and seconded (Doylen/Pauley)the Resolution lie adopted,and it passed unanimously. B.(1)Memorandum of Agreement for Public Access Easement for Lot 9,Prospect Village Subdivision,Lynn Kinnie/Applicant. Community Development Director Stamey presented the Agreement, as prepared by Town Attorney White,which was one of the conditions placed on approval of the Amended Plat of Lots 5A and 9A,Prospect Village Subdivision in 1993.The Agreement addresses maintenance,access,parking,snow removal/roadway maintenance and river access to said property.Public access to the Big Thompson River is obtained by Mr.Kinnie deeding Outlot A to the Town.By September 1,1999,the Applicant is to construct a foot bridge across the river.Upon conclusion of bridge construction,Kinnie will grant a pedestrian easement from public property to the north end of the foot bridge.A map indicating that portion deeded to the Town and that portion of the right-of-way to be vacated was reviewed. It was moved and seconded (Gillette/Doylen)the Memorandum of Agreement lie approved,and it passed unanimously. (2)Ordinance #6-95 -Vacation of a Portion of Street Right of—Way.The Trustees reviewed an Ordinance vacating a street Board of Trustees -March 28,1995 -Page 5 right-of-way located on Lot 9,Prospect Village Subdivision. The Ordinance will authorize the Town to permanently abandon and cease to maintain,operate,control,and use a street right-of-way on a portion of Lot 9.The Ordinance included the emergency clause,and was read by Clerk O’Connor.It was moved and seconded (Gillette/Marshall)the Ordinance be approved,and it passed unanimously.Whereupon Mayor ProTem Dekker declared the Ordinance duly passed and adopted,ordered it numbered 6-95 and published according to law. 3.Town Administrator’s Report —None. Following completion of all agenda Items,Mayor ProTem Dekker adjourned the meeting at 9:51 P.M. Mayor ProTein :1 Town Clerk