HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Special Study Session 2022-08-01Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado August 1, 2022
Minutes of g Joint Study Session meeting of the ESTES PARK TOWN
BOARD, LARIK8ER COUNTY COMMISSION, AND VISIT ESTE0 PARK
(VEP) BOARD of the Town of Estes Pork' Lahnner County, [|o/Vnsdu.
Meeting held Virtually in said Town of Estes Park on the 1'` day of August
2022.
Town Board: Mayo/ Koenig, Mayor Pm Tern Webermeier, Trustees
County Commission: Chair Kufa|ua. Commissioners &hadduok-McNally and
Stephens
Visit Estes Park Board: Chairperson Gibaon, Vice Chairperson Jurgono, Members
Chiappe, Murphy, Rice and Walker
Also Attending.- Town Administrator MachalekCounty Manager Volker, VEP
CEO Franker and Deputy Town Clerk Beers
Absent: VEP Board Members Chaippeand Murphy
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE LODGING TAX
EXPLORATION TASK FORCE. Introductions were conducted for both elected bodies,
the Visit Estes Pork (VEP) Board and staff. CEO Franker stated the Task Force was
established in June of2O22following the passage and signing of House Bill 22-1117
into law expanding the use of lodging tax revenue to address gaps in the need for
workforce housing and childcare. She provided a summary of the recommendations and
outcomes ofthe Lodging Tax Exploration Task Force. The Visit Estes Park Board of
Directors recommended pursuing a 3.5% increase over the current lodging tax of 2% by
submitting a ballot initiative to the voters during the November 2022 Coordinated
Election. The increased revenues of approximately $525 million would fund workforce
housing and childcare and be administered by the Town of Estes Park through an
intergovernmental agreement. A letter of support for the increased lodging tax was
provided by the Estee Park Economic Development Corporation (EDC). In advance of
the recommendation and election pnapaotion. VEP staff began the campaign process
by circulating unofficial petitions throughout the oommunhy, receiving approximately 543
signatures. She reviewed additional proactive educational stnpa, including a media
campaign and video concept, website page, discussions with election consultants, ballot
language development, and community outreach.
Discussion ensued and has been aum����clarification was requested regarding the
sense of urgency for a Novembor2822 election or Spring 2023 election; mmddbrne
housing and childcare issues have existed in the community for decades and to reduce
the |000 of workforce action must be taken-, the issues have reached critical levels-,
questions were raised regarding how the funds would be used and for what; the
importance of data and the campaign to adequately inform voters; what the role of the
Estes Park Housing Authority would play related to representing housing needs in the
community; the number ofcomments received by VEP and demographics; including
critical infrastructure workforce in media campaigns who struggle with housing needs
such as teaohem, pn|ioo ufhuero. line wmdmm etc.; importance of targeted messaging
clearly outline the benefits of the tax for the average voter; and questioned who would
run the campaign and how would itbefunded. Concerns were heard related to the
discontinuation of services in the valley such as pediatric and other medical services
impacting families of all ages; the lack of clear plan for how the funds would be spent
which may impact the outcomes of the election; and the increase in the average age of
citizens inEstes Park reflecting young families leaving the community.
Town Administrator Moohalekstated if the ballot measure passes, the Town would work
together with the County to develop an intergovernmental agreement outlining roles and
funding. Town staff are working with the Estes Park Housing Authority and the EDC to
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Joint Town Board County Commission Meeting — August 1, 2022 — Page 2
develop e plan directly connected to needs in the community. CEO Franker anticipated
data results from atouham impact study would provide VEP with additional information
to support the ballot initiative. Consensus was heard by the Board of Trustees and
LahmorCounty Commissioners regarding the need to move forward with developing
bu||ut language and submitting the item to the electors during the November 2022
Coordinated Election.
There being no further business, Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 4:07 p.m.
Bunfiy"Victoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk