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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 1998-08-11Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,August 11,1 998 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado.Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 11th day of August,1998. Meeting called to order by Mayor Robert L.Dekker. Present:Robert L.Dekker,Mayor Susan L.Doylen,Mayor ProTem Trustees Jeff Barker John Baudek George J.Hix Lori Jeffrey William J.Marshall Also Present:Rich Widmer,Acting Town Administrator Vickie O’Connor,Town Clerk Gregory A.White,Town Attorney Mayor Dekker called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: Patrick Cipolla suggested an Independent Accountability Committee,similar to the Community Breakfast,be reactivated at a more convenient time where citizens could have a dialog with the Town Board.Mayor Dekker responded that the breakfast meetings were not well attended,thus they are not being planned at this tine. David Habecker commented on excessive noise,particularly with Harley Davidson Motorcycles.Discussion followed concerning enforcement,and Home Rule v.Statutory Town parameters.Acting Town Administrator Widmer confirmed that currently,the Town does not have an ordinance specifically controlling decibel levels and/or the modification of exhaust systems to enhance sound. Mayor Dekker stated that staff (Police Dept.)will research this matter,to include budget ramifications relative to testing equipment. TOWN BOARD COMMENTS: Response to the public on:(1)Dog Waste Removal.Police Chief Repola confirmed that Municipal Code Section 7.12.110 addresses the issue of responsibility for removal of the waste on both public and private property—the dog owner is responsible for removal of dog feces.Enforcement is managed on a complaint basis.Dog owners are cited into Municipal Court and penalized by the Municipal Judge.Complainants,however,must be willing to testify in Court.Regarding the Lake Estes Trail,the E.V.R.P.D.manages any signage that may be necessary.Trustee Baudek has provided staff with a sample plastic bag with cardboard scoop being utilized by other municipalities,and the Street Supt.is looking into this item and he will advise. (2)Betterment Fee.Town Attorney White advised that this fee is managed by the Chamber Resort Association (CRA).A contribution of 1%is added to the advertised price of all transactions to which Colorado Sales Taxes are collected.The 1%collection is remitted to the CR7 to be used for marketing and promoting the Board of Trustees -August 11,1998 -Page 2 Estes Park area.The 1%fee is not a tax;it is a fee paid by the customers when they purchase a product or service.The CRA has provided a pamphlet for businesses and customers that further explains the fee and process. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.Town Board Minutes dated July 14,1998,and Special Meeting August 6,1998. 2.Bills. 3.Committee Minutes: A.Public Safety,August 6,1998: 1.Resolution #10-98 Access Charges for Exchange Access Facility Charge ($.45/mo.)and Wireless Communications Access Charge f$.45/mo.).Police Chief Repola clarified the access charges, advising that L.E.T.A.must notify each of their member municipalities what the surcharge fees will be for the next year.These fees are paid by all telephone users and funding is used to invest in equipment necessary for Enhanced 911 capabilities. By law,both charges must be identical,and staff confirmed that customers began paying the fees when the IGA was approved. B.Planning Commission,July 21,1998 (acknowledgment only). C.Board of Adjustment,August 4,1998 It was moved and seconded (Hix/Doylen)the Consent Calendar be approved,and it passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS: 1.Adoption of 1997 Uniform Building Codes:Mayor Dekker opened the public hearing.In a memorandum dated June 29, 1998,Building Official Ailman requested the 1997 Uniform Building Codes be adopted.Community Development Director Stamey noted that the codes reflect current building practices and material uses.In Table 1—A,the 1997 Uniform Building Code establishes building permit fees,and this fee schedule is updated every three years to reflect current costs.Larimer County has officially adopted the 1997 Codes which reflect a 10-12%increase in building permit fees. Trustee Baudek questioned whether the new codes contain significant changes,and how such changes affect builders. Staff noted that is was difficult to respond as changes are individually interpreted. Public testimony was heard from:Jerry Palmer,who stated that the Town should (1)provide a list of all major changes from the existing (1994)codes,and (2)justify the fee increase.Dave Habecker questioned when the ordinances would take effect;staff responded thirty days. There being no further testimony,Mayor Dekker closed the public hearing.Town Board/staff discussion followed,which in summary included:confirmation that indeed,the cost of doing business does have to bear some relationship to the fee being assessed,the ICBO may have the research Board of Trustees -August 11,1998 -Page 3 information discussed above readily available,not all emphasis should be given to the fee increase—if public safety is improved,a fee increase may be justified,one substantive change included in the 1997 ordinance is “grading”,and examples were given. Concluding all discussion,it was moved and seconded (Baudek/Barker)all Uniform Building Code Ordinances be continued to August 25th,directing Attorney White and staff to review same and (1)provide a list of major changes,(2) justify the fee increase,and (3)compare what building permit fees are now and what they will be with adoption of the new fee schedule,and it passed unanimously. Will Birchfield,was introduced as the Town’s new additional Building Official.Mr.Birchfield is relocating from the Denver/Front Range area and officially joined the staff August ;1th Will is excited about joining the Town of Estes Park,and understands the purpose of government is to serve the community—that is his plan of action.The Board welcomed Mr.Birchfield. 2.Acting Town Administrator’s Report: A.Talmey Drake Research Community—wide Survey.A survey was last completed in 1995,and a new survey is being commissioned.Approximately 400 calls will be placed before Labor Day,for both outside and inside Estes Park residents (demographically correct).Participants are encouraged to complete the phone survey.Some questions were modified from previous years,and some questions were written to reflect present—day issues. Report statistics will be presented when available. Following completion of all agenda items,Trustee Hix commented that he is looking forward to working with Rich as “Acting Town Administrator”,and expressed his confidence thereto. There being no further business,Mayor Dekker adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. obert L’.Dekker,Mayor i_J Vickie O’Connor,Town Clerk