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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Works Committee 1999-10-21BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ✓Public Works Committee October 21, 1999 Committee: Chairman Baudek, Trustees Barker and Jeffrey Attending: All Also Attending: Town Administrator Widmer, Public Works Director Linnane, Water Maint. Supr. Boles, Clerk O'Connor Absent: None Chairman Baudek called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. LOT 41, BLOCK 1, FALL RIVER ESTATES DRAINAGE EASEMENT — PROPERTY OWNER REQUESTS EASEMENT VACATION. Public Works Director Linnane presented a Vicinity Map and reported a deep gully crosses the above -mentioned lot. The original plat dedicated a drainage easement that was intended to follow the centerline of the gully for its entirety. However, the easement across this lot is actually offset from the centerline by 15-20' as verified by Estes Park Surveying. The owner desires to build a deck that would encroach into the existing drainage easement by approximately 5-8', and is requesting the Town vacate the portion of the easement that is in error. The owner will dedicate a new easement that is aligned with the gully, thereby correcting the easement, and the owner has agreed to incur all costs associated with the vacation and rededication. The Committee recommends approval of the vacation request, and, at the property owner's expense, directing Town Attorney White to prepare a Vacation Ordinance. SCADA COMPUTER UPGRADE — REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE. In 1989, a Motorola INTRAC System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System was installed at 14 locations to provide Water Dept. personnel with operational information. These sites include water plants, pressure reducing stations, and pumping systems. Since then, 2 additional sites have been added. The Marys Lake Water Plant was built in 1991, and MOSCAD (Motorola's new system) equipment was used. In 1997, using spare INTRAC parts, a site was added at Confluence Park to monitor river levels during runoff. Motorola has informed staff that the Motorola INTRAC equipment is now outdated and it has been replaced with the Motorola MOSCAD. Service or repair of INTRAC equipment is no longer available. In 1998, the Dept. upgraded the central computer hardware located at the Shop to MOSCAD. Staff is seeking approval to upgrade the equipment at the Glacier Creek Water Plant and add an Open Data Base Connectivity (ODBC) program at Shop Central. The removed INTRAC equipment can be used as spare parts for the remainder of the system. This should allow phasing -out older equipment over a longer period of time. The Water Dept. has $15,000 budgeted in 1999 for a SCADA upgrade. The budget includes all software. There is an additional line item of $27,000 for installation, hardware and a programmer on -site at Glacier and the shop to set-up the system. Thus, a total of $42,000 is budgeted for this project. BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Works Committee — October 21, 1999 — Page 2 Integrated Telecommunications System (ITS) was sole -sourced as they have installed the other SCADA system and they have been an excellent contractor. Their price is $40,788.08. The Committee recommends the price of $40,788.08 submitted by Integrated Telecommunications System be accepted as budgeted, with staff advising the Town Board on the longevity warranty expected on the new system. STANLEY VILLAGE REQUEST TO BUILD PRIVATE PARKING LOT ON TOWN - OWNED LOT 4, STANLEY HISTORIC DISTRICT. Stanley Village has submitted a request to the Town to build a private parking lot on Lot 4, Stanley Historic District, and Public Works Director Linnane presented the following discussion items: 1. The owners of Stanley Village are requesting that the Public Works Committee and Town Board allow construction of 90 parking spaces north of Stanley Village on the Lot 4 Stanley Historic District (the Town owns this lot). At a meeting with staff last month, Mr. Van Horn stated that the proposed parking lot would accommodate the existing development and a future Safeway expansion, as well as the other Stanley Village undeveloped building envelopes. A 1997 memo from Steve Stamey was referenced that clarified the location of the undeveloped building envelopes. Construction of the proposed lot and maintenance costs would be the responsibility of Stanley Village. 2. Both the Town Board and EPURA would need to approve the request prior to actual construction. 3. Lot 4 Allowable Land Uses. The Stanley Historic District Master Plan allows only mixed-use/commercial-residential standards on Lot 4. A parking lot by itself is not considered mixed-use/commercial-residential. Therefore, prior to any approval, the Stanley Historic District Master Plan would need to be amended and approved by the Town Board. 4. Stanley Village Parking and Gross Floor Area. An existing 1997 memo from Community Development Dir. Stamey is outdated as it relates to existing gross floor area and parking spaces. Existing parking spaces may or may not accommodate committed additional floor area and the proposed Safeway expansion. 5. Similarities with Existing Town Parking Lots. Existing Town parking Tots have been constructed with Town funds and are maintained by the Town. They serve all of the downtown shops and businesses. The proposed lot would be constructed and maintained by Stanley Village. The primary use of the lot would be by one private commercial business ownership. 6. Proposed Design Review. Should the Public Works Committee approve the request, Stanley Village Development would need to prepare final parking lot plans prior to Town Board action. Issues such as a possible second driveway connection to Steamer Parkway, landscaping, and other items will need to be addressed. 7. Proposed Lot Agreement. Future Town development of Lot 4 could possibly be for a new Municipal Building or another type of municipal structure. Approval of this parking request would require an agreement that the Town could remove or alter the parking lot at any time. The BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Works Committee — October 21, 1999 — Page 3 agreement would specify that the Town would not be required to provide parking or rebuild a parking lot if the proposed lot is removed. In reality, it would be very difficult for the Town to remove the lot once it is built. Other items would also need to be addressed in the agreement. Staff is not submitting a recommendation concerning this request, however, it is staffs opinion that additional commercial parking space is a benefit. The issue is whether or not the Town should provide public land for use as a private parking lot. Staff confirmed that this is the first request of this nature. Bill Van Horn, representing Stanley Village, commented that his proposal is not for a "private parking lot", he is not requesting special treatment and commented on tax- payer funds used to build parking Tots and how businesses that have frontage near/along these parking Tots benefit these adjacent businesses. Stanley Village maintains 760 parking spaces in their private parking lot which is above the number required; the proposed Safeway expansion has no bearing on this request; Stanley Village is supplying a significant amount of public and employee parking for motorists not in business in Stanley Village; the proposed Mountain Discovery project has 360 parking spaces, it is likely Stanley Village will provide parking for this development also. The request is for the "public good", and In the interest of public/private partnerships. Additionally, Mr. Van Horn stated Stanley Village had no time limits on their spaces and they are seeking assistance from the Town to manage off -site employee parking. Town Administrator Widmer confirmed that the Town Board has not made a decision on the future plans for Lot 4. Greg Barton/Rocky Mountain Pharmacy expressed his dismay with Safeway and the Stanley Village landlord. Safeway is planning a bakery and pharmacy expansion, and in his opinion, this expansion will prevent existing small businesses from thriving. Mr. Van Horn stated that the Safeway expansion has been tabled and that the expansion is in no way connected to the parking lot request. Chairman Baudek confirmed that the purchase price for Lot 4 was $927,000—parking is not free, and that the Board of Trustees has not made a decision on the future of said Lot 4. The Committee confirmed that the Town Board would be willing to consider this request in the future. No further action was taken. OPEN SPACE DEDICATION POLICY — DISCUSSION. Town Administrator Widmer reported that this item is being discussed due to several requests for additional open space dedications relative to the Estes Valley Land Trust (Land Trust). Therefore, Town Attorney White submitted a letter dated October 21, 1999 concerning the acceptance by the Town of fee title to open space properties, with a subsequent granting by the Town of a conservation easement to the Estes Valley Land Trust or other appropriate receiving entity. The letter was read in full and made a part of the record by reference thereto. In summary, in cases where there is a conservation easement, and if there is a public use, it is sensible for the Town to have fee title. However, if there is no public access, should the Town accept liability? Jim Crain/Land Trust, briefed the Committee on the Land Trust's mission, and discussion followed on public access and the need for a policy. Bill Van Horn added that, from a developer's standpoint, current regulations provide an incentive to provide BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Public Works Committee — October 21, 1999 — Page 4 open space. The proposed Estes Valley Development Code may have stringent open space requirements that would eliminate the incentives. The Committee expressed the Town's appreciation to the Land Trust for their efforts, and confirmed a work session to formulate an open space policy between the Board of Trustees and the Land Trust is appropriate. REPORTS. The Committee reviewed the Customer Service Response Report for August. Staff briefed the Committee on CDOT's Hwy. 34 Project: construction bids are due 11/4; construction is expected to commence after Thanksgiving, and completion is anticipated by the end of May. The recent traffic congestion at the Hwy. 34/36 Intersection was initiated by PSCO as their contractor was relocating their natural gas line. Although PSCO did not submit their relocation plans to the Town for review prior to their relocation, staff was made aware of the congestion and plans have been instituted to minimize traffic congestion when the major construction is underway. Minimal traffic impact is expected in December/January, with the primary impact to begin mid -February to mid -May. A section of Stanley Ave. from Stanley Circle to Highway 36 will be closed for approximately two weeks towards the end of April —traffic will be detoured to Dunraven St. Staff confirmed that this CDOT project was planned prior to the proposed Mountain Discovery project. There being no further business, Chairman Baudek adjourned the meeting at 4:34 p.m. Vickie O'Connor, CMC/AAE, Town Clerk APPROVED OCT 2 6 1999 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES