The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Public Works Committee 2007-11-08RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 8, 2007 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 8th day of November, 2007. Committee: Chairman Levine, Trustees Blackhurst and Homeier Attending: All Also Attending: Town Administrator Repola, Deputy Town Administrator Halburnt, Public Works Director Zum, Asst. to the Utilities Dir. Mangelsen, Project Manager Sievers, Deputy Town Clerk Deats Absent: None Chairman Levine called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. Irene Little and Mary Ellen Garrett, co-chairs of the League of Women Voters (LWV) Committee for Recycling, addressed the Public Works Committee regarding recycling programs in the Estes Valley and enhancements that could be made to increase existing recycling opportunities and, additionally, accommodate the cardboard recycling needs of area businesses. Based on a survey sampling of downtown businesses, 50% of the trash produced by these businesses is cardboard, which leads the LWV to request that the Town participate with them in a program to provide cardboard recycling services. The State of Colorado has grant funds available for recycling projects which the League would pursue to fund the purchase of a compacting machine. The LWV is asking that the Town provide a site for the compactor. Although businesses surveyed were not specifically asked if they would recycle cardboard if a compactor and location was made available, Ms. Little cited the successful cardboard recycling program that was initiated by the high school a few years ago, stating that the business response was so overwhelming the high school lacked the space and manpower to continue the program. Discussion ensued on the following topics: the Town's land lease agreement with Waste Management; the condition of the current transfer station and recycling center reflects poorly on the Town; the unwillingness of companies to enter market in this area based on Waste Management's lease with the Town; Waste Management is private enterprise and responsive to customer -based complaints; the space and manpower requirements of a cardboard recycling program including the removal of recycled materials; small recycling companies that are emerging in Estes Park; LWF fundraiser to raise monies for project; Stephen Gillette, Larimer County Solid Waste Department Director, as a resource for recycling program information; and the Town's planning and budgeting processes. Jill Hartman/Carriage Hills commented on the condition of the current recycling center operated by Waste Management on the landfill site stating concerns about poor signage, and health and safety issues related to cleanliness and the center's proximity to trash and garbage. She stated the recycling center is not user-friendly and does not provide staff assistance, suggesting a location for the recycling center and compactor that would be closer to downtown businesses. Nicole Simons/Estes Park encouraged the use of Waste Management's existing curbside recycling services in an effort to reduce waste in the landfill. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Works Committee — November 8, 2007 — Page 2 Mary Ellen Garrett/Estes Park, Annie Kidwell/Estes Park, Manuela Knoll/Estes Park, and Susan Wolfe/Allenspark spoke to steps the Town can take to become a "green" community and attractive to visitors who are concerned about the environment, including making Town sponsored events "zero waste events" by requiring all vendors to use compostable or recyclable materials, increasing the number of recycling receptacles in Town and placing them next to trash containers, replacing the Town's gas -powered landscaping vehicles with electric vehicles, banning the use of polystyrene containers by restaurants, provide a "green guide" to publicize and promote "green" businesses, build an environment -friendly performing arts center, and take steps to reduce emissions from coal -burning power plants. Chair Levine and Town Administrator Repola thanked those in attendance for their comments and information, stating that discussions will continue with staff returning to Committee during the first quarter of 2008 with ideas about what the Town mightdo related to recycling, and steps that can be taken to promote further environmental consciousness. 2008 LANDSCAPING FLOWERS — REQUEST APPROVAL TO ACCEPT BID. Parks Department staff plants over 40,000 flowers in 53 downtown area flower beds each summer. Due to a short growing season, suppliers must provide mature plants in May or June to ensure a healthy, full -blooming plant by July 4th. Growers have requested orders be placed by December 15, 2007, in order to meet May delivery dates. Bids were requested for the main flower order with the following results: Duran's Hobby Acres Greenhouse, Longmont, Colorado Perennials / Annuals estimate $ 22,986 Flower Pots (17) ...estimate $ 5.000 Estimate Bid Price $ 27,986 Gulley's Greenhouse, Ft. Collins, Colorado Perennials / Annuals estimate $ 24,011 Flower Pots (17) estimate $ 5.000 Estimate Bid Price $ 29,011 Plantorium Greenhouse. Ft. Collins, Colorado Perennials / Annuals estimate $ 28,831 Flower Pots (17) estimate $ 5.000 Estimate Bid Price $ 33,831 The proposed 2008 Parks Department budget includes $40,000 for flowers for the downtown area flower beds. The low bidder, Duran's Hobby Acres Greenhouse of Longmont, stated they can provide the flowers within the timeframe required to meet the July 4th deadlines. Additional smaller, special plant orders will be placed in January or February 2008. Staff recommends approval to place the main flower order by December 15, 2007 with Duran's Hobby Acres Greenhouse, at a cost of $27,986 from account #101- 5200-452-26-36. Approval would provide the greenhouse with a commitment from the Town allowing them to secure the seed for the plant order. The Committee recommends approval to accept the bid from Duran's Hobby Acres Greenhouse as outlined above at a cost of $27,986 from account #101-5200-452-26-36 contingent upon approval of the 2008 budget. REPORTS. 1. Energy Conservation — Mike Mangelsen, Asst. to the Utilities Dir., reported on efforts being taken by the Electric Department to conserve energy, including: the purchase of low -loss distribution transformers, the replacement of mercury vapor RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Works Committee — November 8, 2007 — Page 3 street lights with high pressure sodium street lights, the replacement of downtown decorative street lights with a new downward -light model to reduce light pollution in the night sky, the reduction of energy load by using smaller wattage bulbs in downtown decorative street lights, the installation of LED Christmas lights to reduce energy consumption, the development and introduction of a net metering program to utility customers, and encouraging the use of electric thermal storage heaters and energy -saving compact fluorescent lights. 2. Energy Conservation at Town Hall — Project Manager Sievers reported on upgrades to the building including replacement of windows, the addition of insulation to the roof, and the remodeling of the board room. He reported that setback timers have been installed on heaters and that traditional light bulbs are being replaced with eco-friendly light bulbs as needed. He stated that maintenance budgets are used to accomplish these upgrades to light fixtures and bulbs. There being no further business, Chairman Levine adjourned the meeting at 10:17 a.m. Cynt is Deats, Deputy Town Clerk APPROVED 2 7 2007 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES