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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Town Board 2005-07-26Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 26, 2005 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 26' day of July, 2005. Meeting called to order by Mayor John Baudek. Present: Also Present: John Baudek, Mayor Susan L. Doylen, Mayor ProTem Trustees Richard Homeier Lori Jeffrey -Clark Chuck Levine Wayne Newsom Bill Pinkham Randy Repola, Town Administrator Gregory A. White, Town Attorney Jackie Williamson, Deputy Town Clerk Absent: None Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. TOWN BOARD COMMENTS Trustee Levine commented on the Rooftop rodeo, stating it was a wonderful event that was well attended. Mayor Baudek stated he will be participating in the March of Dimes event on August 16th to raise funds. He also met with Senator Allard's Chief of Staff, Senator Udall, Senator Salazar and Senator Musgrave last week in Washington DC and presented each with a copy of the Wildemess Ordinance. 1. CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of): 1. Town Board Minutes dated July 12, 2005. 2. Bills. 3. Committee Minutes: A. Public Works, July 14, 2005. B. Utilities, July 21, 2005. 4. Estes Valley Board of Adjustment, July 12, 2005 (acknowledgement only). 5. Estes Valley Planning Commission, July 19, 2005 (acknowledgement only). It was moved and seconded (Doylen/Levine) the Consent Agenda be approved, and it passed unanimously. 1A. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA (Approval of): Board mfTrustees July 26, 2005—Page 2 Mayor Baudekopened the Public Hearing for all the following Consent Agenda 1. CONSENT ITEMS: 1. AMENDED PLATS. A. Stneameide on Fall River, Lot 2 of the Amended Plat of Lot 2, Oaar Crest Subdivision. and Tract 59A. Fall River Addition, Bruce Ballard/Applicant. 2. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDOMINIUM MAPS. A. Solitude Condominiums |. Supplemental Condominium Map #3 Lot i. Solitude Gubdivision, Fish Creek Pnopedien, B. Vista Ridge Condominiums, Phase \( Lot 2, Vista Ridge Subdivision, Estes Investors, LLC/Applicant. 3. FINAL CONDOMINIUM MAPS: A. Olympus Views Condominiums, Lot51A\SecundAmende Plat of Lot 3. ConoiySubdivision. and a Portion of Lot51. Grand Estates Subdivision, PT Properties, LLC/Applicant. 4. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. A. Termination of Development Agreement for Stanley Avenue Condominiuma, Amended Plat of Lots 32A and 33A of the Amended Plat ofLots 32.33.34and 35.and Portions ofLots 1, 31and 37.White Meadow View Place Addition, Stanley Avenue Cmndominiumm.LLC/App|ioant. Trustee Doyien and Pinkham declared uconflict of interest with item 2.B.thus it was moved and seconded (Nevwsom/Doyon) the Fbnnmimg Commission Consent items 1�, 2.A, 3.A, and 4.Abmapproved, and itpassed unanimously. It was moved and seconded (Levino/Homeier) the Planning Cmnmmn|moipm Consent item 2'Bhe approved, and itpassed with Trustees Doylenand Pinkhom abstaining. 2. ACTION ITEMS: 1. OWESTUPDATE—EXPANS|ON OFHIGH SPEED \NTERNETACCESS IN ESTES PARK. Abel Chavez, Cbwest Repnanentedva, announced that high-speed Internet service, also know as Qwest DSL, is now available for additional customers in 15 new areas of Estes Park including Glen Haven and A||enapark. DSL service uses special modems that transmit voice onthe lower frequency and data on the higher frequency taking advantage of the current copper phone lines and infrastructure. Customer can verify whether ur not DSL s*njnn is available byentering their phone number atQweet.nom. Trustee Newsom stated that a significant number of Qwest utility boxes have been damaged within the valley posing possible infrastructure damage and neglect. K8c Chavez will contact the local officials to make sure they are aware ofthe issue. 2. ESTES PARK CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU (CVB)SIX-MONTH UPDATE. Director Pickering reviewed the formation ofthe CVBand the findings nfthe Board of Trustees July 26, 2005 — Page 3 The Advertising Committee has taken several steps toward addressing the concerns raised in the report: expand media efforts, consistent format in print ads, segmenting the audience by demographics and lifestyle, investigate ways to leverage the Internet, consider alternative markets, reconsider the Vacation Planner, reconsider State OVG and reconsider Town/Chamber roles. He reviewed sales tax trends from 1987 — 2004, stating that 2002 was the only year showing a down turn during this period. In 2005, all categories are on the rise except retail/gift; however occupancy is down within the accommodation sector. He stated the Northern Colorado economy has yet to rebound and this is having a significant impact on the daytrip traffic from the Front Range with traffic counts and visitor counts at RMNP flat. Media Update — Mgr. Marsh reviewed the Advertising program listing the media type in order of the greatest dollars spent: print, television, radio, Internet, media relations, collateral, and event support. The total advertising budget for 2005 is $662,594. He informed the Board that Vacation Planner distribution via the mail is down due to the large number of Planners being downloaded via the Internet. Group Sales — Mgr. Nikolai stated the group website and group leads, sales and services are the primary responsibilities. The group market consists of conferences/meetings/retreats, weddings, family reunions, and motorcoach tours. The CVB has joined Tour Colorado for the first time to promote motorcoach traffic to Estes Park and has provided Tour Planner Kits to assist tour operators. Familiarization tours have been planned for the student and international markets. Communications — Mgr. Blackhurst reviewed responsibilities which include internal (CVB updates and announcements, calendars, information to local papers) and external (familiarization tours, travel writer request, website, and press releases) public relations. Fam Tours have included Colorado Tourism, AAA writer on assignment and PRACO Fam (15t visit to Estes Park). Visitor Center — Mgr. Weldin stated staff manages the day to day operations of the Visitor Center and the ambassadors that provide an invaluable service to the visitors. The center is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from May through October with CVB staff answering calls and the ambassadors taking care of walk-in traffic. Visitor Center traffic has been on the rise with 38,696 visitors from April 24th through June 30th. Ambassadors - John Skelly, Co -President of the Ambassadors, reported membership currently stands at 62 members and growing with 2 members assigned to a shift. The Ambassadors toured accommodation properties and a walking tour of downtown was conducted to obtain information to add to the CVB database. All members receive ongoing training to keep them abreast of changes. He thanked the CVB staff especially Tom Pickering and Teri Weldin for their support and leadership. Public Comments: Comments where heard from Paul Fishman, Lois Smith, Dee Pritchard, Les Brown, Lisa Peters, Jim Haber, Leslie Williams, Robert Haigh, and Robert Hass: Business owners are concerned with the current direction and questioned whether or not a professional marketing firm should be hired; business owners should be apart of the decision making process; direct marketing should be a main focus; a larger task force comprised of all sectors of the community should be formed to develop an overall marketing plan; advertising should be increased to attract visitors year-round; Estes Park should develop more festivals to attract people year-round; increase the advertising budget; focus advertising on the season between Memorial Day Board of Trustees July 26, 2005 — Page 4 and Labor Day; place more emphasis on target populations i.e. the youth, senior, international travelers. Leslie Williams urged the community to keep in mind that the current negativity and fighting amongst the community is visible to the visitor. Trustees invited all to attend the Business Roundtable meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of the month, the CVB advisory meeting the 1st Tuesday of the month, Community Development Committee the 1st Thursday of the month and the Advertising Committee the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Trustees appreciated the comments and would like to hear any and all ideas. Mayor Baudek commented that the Town must change with the times; however a balance must be made between the amount of money spent on marketing and advertising and the services provided to the residents. Many residents believe it is the businesses owners' responsibility to advertise. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: ADOPTION OF NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, 2005 EDITION, ORDINANCE #11-05. Mayor Baudek opened the public hearing, and Office Mgr. Button briefed the Trustees on adoption of the National Electric Code (published every three years). This code was adopted as an American National Standard effective August 5, 2004. The State of Colorado implemented the 2005 NEC on July 1, 2005. The State of Colorado performs electrical inspections services within the Town limits and unincorporated Larimer County. Adoption of the 2005 NEC will not impact the inspection fee schedule. Town Attorney White read Ordinance #11-05. As there were no persons offering testimony, Mayor Baudek closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Newsom/Levine) Ordinance #11-05 for the adoption of the National Electric Code, 2005 Edition be approved, and it passed unanimously. 4. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. 2004 Network Security Policy — Administrator Repola reviewed his memorandum dated July 22nd specifically regarding funds expended in 2004 to improve the Town's computer network security. A firm was hired to conduct a "Vulnerability Assessment" and "Response Plan" for the Town's water system, a federal requirement for all public water systems. This assessment found deficiencies in the Town's firewall. The total cost of the assessment and security enhancements totaled $61,582.32. Home Rule Charter Commission Budget — Administrator Repola informed the Board that if the formation of the Charter Commission is approved August 2nd all reasonable expenses of the Commission shall be paid from the General Fund. The following budget was presented: Expenses Election $ 5,000 Commission Expenses $25,000 Total $30,000 Funding Contingency: $15,000 (If Charter Commission Approved) Reallocation $15,000 (Reducelo $5,000 if Charter Commission is not Approved) Total $30,000 If the Charter Commission is not approved on August 2nd the reallocation funding will be reduced to $5,000 to pay for the cost of the election. Trustee Levine commented that the budget seemed reasonable. Board of Trustees July 26, 2005 — Page 5 Budget — Administrator Repola stated Department Heads will receive budget sheets this week for review of the 2006 budget. Budget hearings will be held in October with adoption for the first meeting in November. There being no further business, Mayor Baudek adjourned the meeting at 10:13 p.m. ohn Baudek, Mayor accie Williamson, Deputy Town Clerk