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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Town Board 1999-02-09Town of Estes Parka Larimer County,Colorado,February 9,1999 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 9th day of February 1999. 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 Also Present:Rich Widmer,Town Administrator Vickie O’Connor,Town Clerk Gregory A.White,Town Attorney Absent:William J.Marshall,Trustee Mayor Dekker opened the meeting at 7:00p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. TOWN BOARD COMMENTS: Trustee Baudek noted that during the 2/4/99 Public Safety Committee Meeting,Judge Brown presented the Municipal Court’s Annual Report and advised that Maryella Pearson has served as the Municipal Court Clerk for 29 years,9 months,and,in that time period,she has not missed one court appearance.The Board congratulated Ms.Pearson on this achievement. 1.CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.Town Board Minutes dated January 26,1999. 2.Bills. 3.Committee Minutes: A.Community Development,January 28,1999 -Approval of: 1.Standard Contracts/Agreements a)Colorado Arabian Horse Club,6/30-7/4/99 b)1999 Christmas Parade with Connie Boschen c)EVRPD In-Line Skating in Barn W 2.Stanley Park Multi-Use Field -Survey work,design &bid. Board of Trustees -February 9,1999 -Page 2 B.Public Safety,February 4,1999 -Approval of: 1.Two Patrol Vehicles from Rains Motor Co.for total price of $32,618.00. 2.Wildland Fire Truck Leasing Program w/State Forest Service,$200/yr.(Fire.Dept.). 4.Planning Commission Minutes,January 19,1999 (acknowledgment only). 5.Amended Plat of the Crags Subdivision,Lots 1 and 2 of the Replat of Lots 14 and 15,Thomas and Tern Barry/Applicants -Continue to March 9,1999. 6.Resolution #5-99 -Setting the public hearing date of March 9,1999 for a New Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License Application filed by F &I,Inc.,dba GONZO’S MEXICAN FOOD,401 S.St.Vram Ave. It was moved and seconded (Hix/Doylen)the consent calendar be approved,and it passed unanimously. 2.ACTION ITEMS: 1.EPURA Action Plan -Presentation by Chairman Putney and EPURA Executive Director Anderson.Chairman Putney reviewed EPURA’s history,beginning with the July 15,1982 Flood.When the Estes Park Downtown Redevelopment Program was adopted May 24,1983,the following three purposes were identified: *Through new commercial development-redevelopment,new opportunities will be provided to strengthen Estes Park’s economic base and allow for the full economic development potential of the redevelopment area. *To effectively develop and enhance the natural beauty of the streams and rivers flowing through the downtown Estes Park area, while at the same time,providing for more effective flood protection measures. *To eliminate the existing conditions of both economic and physical blight which occur in various forms throughout the project area...These conditions aggravate existing traffic problems and in many instances,impair the improvement of traffic circulation and facilities.(emphasis added) At this time,the Urban Renewal Authority is presenting,for the Town Board’s endorsement,a Plan of Action for the next nine years;the remaining life of the Authority.This Plan continues the work successfully pursued in the past.The Plan’s components share three over-riding characteristics.Each component addresses the challenge of traffic volume,flow,and parking;the further enhancement of sales tax revenues,and the continued beautification of the area.All of the Plan’s Board of Trustees -February 9,1999 -Page 3 components are complementary,and promise a synergy that will benefit both residents and visitors. This program represents a strong commitment to continuing the work successfully completed in the past.It is not a departure from past endeavors of the Authority,and components share an over-riding characteristic,that is,addressing the challenge of accommodating the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians while enhancing the Town’s economy. Estes Park realizes improved services,attractive and enjoyable physical attributes such as landscaping and parks,and a very favorable property tax structure are attributable to a strong sales tax revenue stream. Failure to maintain and enhance sales tax revenues has obvious implications in the form of either reduced services and a diminished quality of life,or higher property taxes.The Action Plan of the Urban Renewal Authority enhances and improves the sales tax economic base,while working to diminish the impact of traffic on the community. The following programs are the basis of future EPURA work projects: •Mountain Discovery Center.This project will beautify the area adjacent to the Highway 34-36 Intersection.It will have approximately 400 parking spaces pIus 5 bus spaces outside the primary traffic corridor of Elkhorn Ave. The Big Thompson River will have beautification equal to Riverside Plaza.The Theater Project will generate,through a seat fee,a cash flow that will be utilized for funding a people mover;a transit system that will reduce•traffic volumes,yet provide convenient access to the downtown area. The implementation of this project will enhance the Town’s image and accomplish EPURA’s major goals of improving traffic movement and circulation,and creating pedestrian areas linked to downtown and provides essential funding to start a sustainable transit project.It is EPURA’s belief that without this revenue source,a successful transitsystem will not be possible. •Phase 4 West Riverwalk.This project will continue the successful downtown Riverwalk from Moraine Ave.to the Town- owned property north of West Park Center.The project is approximately one-half mile long,and it will involve walkways,fish pools,water drops,and pedestrian amenities as found on the east portion of the Riverwalk. This development will provide opportunities for adjacent property owners to redevelop the south side façades and add new opportunities.This project will invigorate West Elkhorn and meet the Authority goal of linking outlying west parking lots with the downtown. Board of Trustees -February 9,1999 -Page 4 •ParkingllransportationlPedestrian Links.This program in many respects glues together the previously discussed items. This project will develop the:,Master Plan of all parking, transportation and walkways that link,together the destination nodes.For example,this project will examine the Knoll,Willows, and Bickle properties,along with Bond Park and Parcel 8 of the Stanley Historic District,to determine how pedestrian and transportation linkages can be developed among those locations. Questions such as the future decking of the Weist Parking Lot to increase capacity would be explored simultaneously with the West Riverwalk development so that the’Rivrwalk environment would not be impacted.Safe bicycle passage through Town needs to be explored.This project would evolve to actual implementation of projects.- •Opportunities.There exists a continuing open door policy to new ideas concerning downtown public/private partnerships.EPURA intends to continue this policy and will consider new projects on their merit.The Authority remains committed to the concepts of pedestrian scale,mixed use,density transfers and infill,and the development of expanded housing opportunities throughout its Action Plan. These programs were selected because they fulfill the basic need of the community to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.The projects are also economic development projects because they provide the infrastructure that will encourage private development/redevelopment. The implementation of these major programs wil.l require the Authority’s full dedication and effort,and the EPURA Board has made this commitment.Chairman Putney requested the Town Board endorse EPURA’s Action Plan as presented. Trustee Baudek requested clarification that the Board was approving the “concept.”Chairman Putney responded that yes,EPURA is in a fact-finding stage on all four projects to gather facts on feasibility,cost, improved utilization of the center core,etc.Chairman Putney also confirmed that linkage of the trail system is being reviewed with potential networking to the Bickle property—review does not include any development. Trustee Doylen commented on the linkage possibilities for the trail system,adding that EPURA’s role in facilitating opportunities is admirable.Trustee Hix commended the Forward Estes Park Foundation for their assistance in writing the original EPURA Redevelopment Plan.Mayor Dekker noted that it is important to explore the Mountain Discovery Center,and linking the trail system to the west.Town Administrator Widmer stated that the projects on this Board of Trustees -February 9,1999 -Page 5 Plan as well as previous projects,are an indication of what can happen when a group is focused,and EPURA intends to continue this focused attitude to continue with the Plan.If the “economic engine”is not the Mountain Discovery Center,it could be something else;EPURA is charged not only with beautification or bricks and mortar—the economic engine is the core of their existence.Administrator Widmer confirmed he is pleased to serve on the EPURA Board.Trustee Hix added that due to EPURA,economics have improved,and EPURA has one of the best bond ratings of ahy Urban Renewal Authority in the State.Mayor Dekker noted that Palm Springs has become complacent,and are in jeopardy of losing their reputation—Estes Park is fortunate to maintain a pro-active stance in the market place. Trustee Doylen stated that the Action Plan is not only a 9 or 20-year investment,it is a continuing investment.Following conclusion of discussion,it was moved and seconded (Hix/Doylen)the Board of Trustees endorse EPURA’s Plan of Action,as presented,and it passed unanimously. 2.A.New Liquor Store License Application filed by Paul Sauerzoph, dba ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH DISCOUNT LIQUOR,308 E.Elkhorn Ave.(previous conditional approval for 214 E.Elkhorn Ave.is now void).Mayor Dekker opened the public hearing and Clerk O’Connor reported that the Board of Trustees previously granted conditional approval (lease)of a liquor store at 214 E.Elkhorn Ave.(La Casa Building).As both parties could not reach agreement on the lease,the applicant resubmitted his application for 308 E.Elkhorn Ave.(Range Realty Bldg.).Staff confirmed that the application is in order.Mr. Sauerzoph commented on the previous application,and confirmed that a new location was leased and the proper documentation had been filed. Trustee Baudek noted that the Town Board does take liquo.r licensing seriously;Mr.Sauerzoph concurred.Trustee Jeffrey questioned whether Mr.Sauerzo.ph.had any accës.s concerns;the Applicant believes there may only be a minor access problem with one vendor, and he believes his business will have significant walk-in traffic.There being no further testimony,Mayor Dekker declared the public hearing closed.Stating that the Board of Trustees finds that the reasonable requirements of the neighborhood are not met by the present liquor outlets in the neighborhGod and that the desires of the adult inhabitants are for the granting of this liquor license,it was moved and seconded (Hix/Jeifrey)the New Retail Liquor Store License Application filed by Paul Sauerzoph,dba,ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH DISCOUNT LIQUOR be approved,and it passed unanimously. B.Special Event LiquorPermit filed by the Friends of the Estes Park Area Historical Museum Inc.,for public receptions scheduled March 19,May 7,July 2,and November 19,1999.It was moved and seconded (Doylen/Jeifrey)the Special Event Permit for Friends of the Estes Park Area Historical Museum be approved,and it passed unanimously.V 3.TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Board of Trustees -February 9,1999 -Page 6 A.None. 4.EXECUTIVE SESSION: A.It was moved and seconded (Doylen/Hix)the Board of Trustees enter Executive Session to discuss Property Negotiations and Personnel Matters,and it passed unanimously.Trustee Hix stated that discussion,not action, will be taken by the Board during the Executive Session.The motion passed unanimously. Following completion of all agenda items,Mayor Dekker adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Dekker reconvened the meeting at 8:40 p.m.,it was moved and seconded (Doylen/Jeifrey)the meeting be adjourned,and it passed unanimously.Trustee Doylen stated there were no decisions made during the Executive Session. 4 Vickie O’Connor,Town Clerk bert L.Dekker,