HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Budget Study Session 2022-10-06RECORD {)FPROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 6, 2022
Minutes ofaRegular meeting of the TOWN BOARD BUDGET STUDY
SESSION ofthe Town of Estes Park. LahrnerCountv. Colorado. Meeting
held at TnVvO HG|| in said Town Of Estes Park on the 8m day of {}[tObe['
2022.
Board:
Mayor Koenig, Mayor Pro Tom VVebermoier, Trustees
Attending: All
Also Attending:
Town Administrator MachalekAssistant Town Administrator
Damwebar, Finance Director Huduon, Directors Bergstan.
Hinkle, and yNuhonon. yNanagem&1oEuchem. andGo|eobee.
Supervisor Berg and Deputy Town Clerk Beers
Absent None
Mayor Koenig called the meeting 10order at1:UUp.m.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Events: The proposed budget includes replacement of a water hmok valued at
approximately $150.000. Event Center acoustical panels at$75.0UU and travel stipends
valued at $7.500. The Town would orgonioa, p|an, and execute the Rooftop Roden
which was reflected in the revenues and expenses. Items rusouumd within the base
budget included implementing a plan to hold Bond Park events in different locations tu
help spread the audience throughout Town and explore broader economic impact
analysis for all events the Town produces and hosts. Board questions have been
summarized: Whether staff knew what the budget was prior to assuming the Rooftop
Rodeo and ifthe Town would outaourcethe acoustical panel installation.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Planning: The Planning division revenues are estimated at$4O.00Oand expenditures
of$0O1.1O4. The division would complete the new Comprehensive P|en, evaluate and
improve the development review pmcoss, implement the Downtown P|an, phohdoy
code amendmento, and complete the Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire
pm000a and begin implementation of recommendations. The budget included the
development code rewrite at $15U.O0Oand the Community Development office remodel
atS22O.000. Updates to the remodel included digitizing voluminous paper records and
improve ouetomer/etaffintenecdone and service. Town Administrator [Nmuha|ek stated
an additional $50.000vvou|d be allocated in 2023for document management and the
digitization of paper records organization wide. Board discussion ensued regarding
opportunities to utilize the staff vacancy to address digitization needs. Director Garner
stated filling the vacant position was not budgeted in 2023. and highlighted the
importance of the position meeting the greatest needs in the department while
secondarily addressing other administrative needs.
Building: The division has budgeted $564.000 in :avenues with expenditures at
$672.840. Staff would continue the contract with Smfe8uilt to provide building
inspection services in 2023. Staff would modify the building codes and regulations to
support alternatives and distributed energy, and adopt the 2O21 International Codes.
PUBLIC WORKS
Director Muhonen reviewed the Public VVodm department which completed a
reorganization in2O22 and consists ofEngineering (Streets and Stonmwatar). Facilities
and Parks, and Mobility Services (Parking/Transit/Fleet). Public Works estimated 2023
revenues of$11.222.3O8and expenditures of$2O.807.S24 The budget consists uf28
full time amp|uyooa, seven of which are vacant and 17 seasonal employees. He
reviewed grant funded projects and ammndu including: Community Drive/US36
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Budget Study Session — October 6, 2022— Page 2
Roundabout (CMAQ) $710,000 and (CDOT) $550,000: Fall River Trail $1.4 million and
Big Thompson/Fall River Planning $410,000.
Facilities & Parks: Facilities budgeted $52,528 in revenues with expenditures at
$1,786,957. Decision packages included employee housing reserve, Museum roof/wall
modifications to fix a leaking roof, land purchase options, and the design for a Town Hall
central reception area. Facilities continues to work on completing the ADA transition
plan and developing and implementing an annual budget for facility expansion needs as
identified in the Facilities Master Plan. Discussion ensued regarding updating the
elevator to meet ADA compliance. Staff stated the cost could be higher than anticipated
at over a million dollars and the future of services remaining downtown would need to
be considered. The Parks budget estimates revenues at $25,000 and expenses of
$1,544,801. Decision packages included trail maintenance equipment, compost and soil
screen, a second green house, Walker riding mower, and replacing a vehicle through
the vehicle replacement fund. The Parks Master Plan would not be resourced in 2023.
Discussion ensued regarding the greenhouse roof, compost, and grant opportunities for
converting equipment to electric when replaced.
Streets & Stormwater: The divisions estimate revenues at $367,106 and expenses of
$2,043,140. The divisions are comprised of seven employees reflecting three from both
Streets and Stormwater, a single employee shared between both departments and a
single seasonal employee. The budget included reclassifying and increasing paving
striping contract, street sweeper lease purchase, and replacing a 2012 GMC 3500 4x4
vehicle. Discussion ensued regarding street maintenance responsibilities, equipment
costs, delays in manufacturing and limited availability of equipment.
Mobility Services: Revenues are estimated at $60,000 for sponsorships on buses and
expenses are proposed at $700,291. The division would begin work on a 2043
Multimodal Transportation Plan and Fleet Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Plan. Staff
has pursued grant funding for the Fleet Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Plan which
has not been awarded. The proposal would not include the Transit Development Plan
although staff anticipate grant funding opportunities in 2023.
Parking: Revenues exceed the expenses in 2023 with an estimated $838,875 in
revenues and $811,215 in expenses. Staff would prepare recommendations to guide
implementing the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure & Readiness Plan and utilize Senate Bill
267 grant funds to design transit & parking improvements in the Visitor Center Parking
Lot. Discussion ensued regarding the use of the barnacle for parking enforcement in
2022 and what would trigger an hourly increase in parking fees. Staff stated at the end
of each season staff would evaluate and determine which changes may be best for
users taking into consideration factors such as downtown changes or construction.
Fleet: Revenues are estimated at $850,300 and expenses are proposed at $855,131.
Mayor Koenig called a 10-minute break at 2:30 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at
2:45 p.m.
CONSERVATION TRUST FUND
The lottery funds are used to address noxious weed maintenance on Town owned
properties. A one-time expenditure of $40,000 would be completed for landscaping
improvements in 2023. A pathway at the Women's Monument would be made to
incorporate ADA compliance for inclusive viewing improvements.
OPEN SPACE
The county tax revenues are proposed at $476,000 and estimates expenditures of
$302,674. These funds are expended for program management and administration for
trail expansion and grants, noxious weed management and capital projects through
2043. The budget includes funds for a one-time parks landscaping replacement $68,900
along with budgeted conservation trust funds.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Budget Study Session — October 6, 2022— Page 3
Engineering (Street & Stormwater): The division has no revenues identified for 2023
and $623,413 in expenses. Projects to be addressed in the upcoming year include
Downtown Wayfinding Phase 3 $200,000 and Wonderview Village Townhome sidewalk
$120,000. Staff would establish a task force consisting of representatives from Public
Works, TAB, RMNP, CDOT and FHWA to identify opportunities, challenges, and timing
for inclusion in a FLAP grant application in 2024. The grant would be utilized to fund the
design, environmental clearance, public outreach, and construction of the Moraine Ave
Multimodal Improvements and a roundabout at the intersection of Moraine Ave and
Mary's Lake Road.
Street Improvement - 1A Fund: The fund has $2,845,123 in revenues and $5,075,409
in expenses budgeted for 2023. Staff would complete major street rehabilitation in 2023
for Cleave Street.
Trails Expansion - 1A Fund: The fund has $2,592,651 in revenues and $3,133,717 in
expenses. Staff would continue to complete the design and construction of the Fall
River Trail extension in 2023 and 2024. Items not resourced include design and
construction of the multiuse path on the west side of Community Drive between Manford
Ave and US36.
UTILITIES FUND
The Utilities fund contains Power and Communications and Water funds.
Power and Communications (P&C): The division estimated revenues of $21,658,400
million and $21,414,212 million in expenditures. The division would complete the 2023
Strategic Plan objectives with partial funding of the ERP Accounting system
replacement, reduce P&C transfers to the general fund, expand the P&C shop, wildfire
mitigation efforts, Beaver Point circuit rebuild and automated meter reading
improvements.
Water: The division has estimated revenues of $6,483,360 million and $3,187,230
million in expenditures. The division would complete 2022 Strategic Plan objectives with
the partial funding of the new ERP Accounting system replacement, Reclamation
Neighborhood, Carriage Hills design, Glacier Storage Tank Modifications and Mary's
Water Treatment Plan pre-treatment design. The budget does not reflect the recently
approved United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant funding to support the
reconstruction of the Prospect Mountain Water Distribution System which was approved
at the September 29, 2022 meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS
Finance Director Hudson provided a review of the 2023 proposed budget stating a
26.5% fund balance has been forecasted for 2023, well above the 25% required by
policy. The sales tax revenues are projected at 1.1% increase over 2022 estimates.
Several projects are expected to roll over from 2022 to 2023, including: Fall River Trail
Project, Community Drive intersection, second Electric Trolley acquisition, numerous
utility projects, including broadband construction. The General fund would have a
capital reserve of $2.2 million which could be used for one-time costs. The budget
consists of two new full-time positions and three full-time fixed term positions.
The budget would be presented at the October 25, 2022 and November 8, 2022 Town
Board meetings.
Comments were heard from the Board related to the resources used to produce packets
and reducing the use of black ink and printed copies of the budget documents to lessen
consumption of resources.
There being no further business, Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 3:41 p.m.
Bunhy Victoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk