HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2022-05-24RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,May 24,2022
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado.Meeting held at Town Hall in said
Town of Estes Park on the 24th day of May,2022.
Board:Mayor Koenig,Trustees Cenac,Hazefton,MacAlpine,
Martchink,Webermeier and Younglund
Attending:All
Also Attending:Town Administrator Machalek,Assistant Town Administrator
Damweber,Attorney Kramer,Town Clerk Williamson
Absent:None
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
REVIEW POLICY 671.
Assistant Town Administrator provided an overview of Policy 671 and the proposed
changes to those entities receiving base funding from the Town.The annual report
from the entities would outline how the base funding was used to advance the their
objectives and provide an opportunity for each entity to present to the Town Board.
There are currently nine entities being funded through base funding.It was proposed
the presentation could be held throughout the year but prior to the budgeting process
each year.
Board discussion followed and has been summarized:questioned if the base funded
entities need to apply annually,the proposed presentations would not only provide the
Board with additional information on the value of the investment but provide the Board
with an opportunity to ask additional questions prior to the budgeting process,
suggested any presentation take place after the Town’s regular Municipal Elections to
ensure newly elected officials can participate,and questioned how a new entity would
be added to the base funding.Staff responded to questions and clarified that each
entity must apply annually,total annual investment averages approximately $200,000,
and adding an entity to the base funding policy would require Board action and
approval.
Trustee Younglund stated support to add the Estes Arts District as a base funding entity
to the policy in order to show additional support for the local arts.She further
commented the University of Denver would send a proposal on completing an arts
master plan study.Mayor Koenig requested staff assemble a list of all art groups within
the community for the Board’s review to ensure others are not excluded from
consideration ot funding.
Trustee Hazelton commented that a number of entities in the community are interested
in more stable funding.The Town may want to consider sustainable funding rather than
project-based funding for entities.Trustee Martchink further noted the current process
may need to be revised to add qualifications and create a stair step process for funding
after an entity has demonstrated their value to the community.Discussion followed
regarding the effectiveness of the current process and whether or not the base funding
and community funding need to be collapsed into one funding source.
Staff would bring forward the revised policy for the Board’s consideration and at that
time the Board can make a motion to add entities to the base funding.
Trustee Cenac arrived at 5:45 p.m.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session —May 24,2022—Page 2
DOWNTOWN ESTES LOOP UPDATE.
Greg Muhonen/Public Works Director provided a general overview of the Loop project
scope and stated the estimated cost of the project has increased due to an increase in
construction costs since 2014 with unprecedented construction cost index,workforce
and supply chain/availability of materials,required FEMA flood and USCOE stream
mitigation,escalating utility relocation costs,and summer season construction
restrictions on downtown roadways.The increases require an increase in the local
match for the project of $501,000 in order to move the project forward to bidding.
A progress update was provided from the partner agencies on the right-of-way (ROW)
acquisition,permitting for the CLOMR and 404 permit,agreements related to the MOU
and IGA,budget update,design,project schedule,and construction phasing.It was
noted 42 of the ROW parcels needed for the project are under contract or closed.A
letter was submitted in April 2021 for FEMA approval to work in the floodplain.Such
approval can take between 18-24 months.A waiver request was submitted in April
2022 seeking approval of the CLOMR.The US Army Corp of Engineers 404 permit
includes new stream bank mitigation requirements as of February 2022.The new
stream bank requirements are expensive and would increase the cost of the project and
impact timing as a new bank must be identified.The increased project costs would
increase the local match because FLAP requires a 17.21 %match.Cost mitigation
efforts have been identified including value engineering to reduce project costs,early
fall advertisement date to receive a competitive construction bid,potential elimination of
repaving West Elkhorn Avenue,and reevaluate construction restrictions to allow
contractors more flexibility in scheduling construction activities,i.e.evening work.The
MOA with the partner entities would need to be revised to increase the Town’s match of
by $501,000.The IGA continues to move forward to outline who will own and maintain
portions of the project.CDOT and the Town would identify specific ownership of items
such as roadway,signage,lighting,landscaping,etc.The IGA would be completed
prior to construction with completion by the end of 2022.
After further discussion the Board consensus was to shorten the construction timeframe
by allowing night construction,and to review a revised MOA increasing the Town’s local
funding match.It was further agreed to bring forward a discussion on the reporting
schedule to the Town Board as the project moves forward.
TRUSTEE &ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS &QUESTIONS.
None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
The following were discussed and approved:CompPAC update on July 12,2022,
continuation of Zoom added to the approved and unscheduled,ESTF Implementation
Plan at the June 14,2022 meeting,and remove the sidewalk ordinance and bring it
directly to the Town Board for consideration.
There being no further business,Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
ckie Williamson,Town Clerk