HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2006-09-12Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 12, 2006
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes
Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall in said Town
of Estes Park on the 12th day of September, 2006. Meeting called to order by
Mayor Baudek.
Present:
John Baudek, Mayor
Bill Pinkham, Mayor ProTem
Trustees Eric Blackhurst
Darla Eisenlauer
Richard Homeier
Chuck Levine
Wayne Newsom
Also Present: Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Gregory A. White, Town Attorney
Absent: Randy Repola, Town Administrator
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited
the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cliff Armitage and Shawn Doherty announced the first annual Estes Park Film Festival
would take place this weekend. Money raised at the event would be used to renovate
and restore the Park Theatre, the oldest movie theatre west of the Mississippi. They
invited the community to attend.
TOWN BOARD COMMENTS
Trustee Levine questioned how the Town might address the use of trails by horses.
Recently the trail along Fish Creek was impassable due to a rather large amount of
horse manure.
Trustee Blackhurst reminded the public that the Public Works Committee would meet
Thursday at 8:00 a.m. in the Town Board Room.
Mayor Baudek stated the passage of Amendment 38 would be bad for the State of
Colorado and its citizens. He reviewed the main issues of concern: an election could
only be held in November, the local government would be responsible for printing costs
of petitions and campaign mailings; opponents would be limited to the number of words
printed by the petitioner; questions could not be answered by government; if questions
were answered or information was provided, the individual could be sued without
representation by the government. Amendment 38 would also affect special districts.
He requested the Board review the amendment and if the Board agrees, a resolution
against the amendment would be presented at the next Board meeting.
1. CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of):
1. Town Board Minutes dated August 22, 2006.
2. Bills.
3. Committee Minutes:
A. Community Development, September 7, 2006:
Convention and Visitor Bureau
1. 2007 CVB Service Fees.
2. 2006-2007 Rooftop Rodeo Committee Appointments.
Board of Trustees — September 12, 2006 — Page 2
3. Resolution #20-06 - Surprise Sale, October 7 & 8, 2006.
Administration
1. Stanley Park Theatre Advisory Committee Appointments — Julie
Phares, Nancy Stevens, Bennett Penn, Chris Wood, Jim Cope and
Greg Steiner — expiring 3/31/08.
4. Resolution #17-06 — Schedule public hearing date of October 10, 2006 for
New Retail Liquor License Application filed by WINE, LLC dba Wine, 332 E.
Elkhorn Ave.
5. Resolution #18-06 — Schedule public hearing date of October 10, 2006 for
New Beer & Wine Liquor License Application filed by CHEESE, LLC dba
Cheese, 330 E. Elkhorn Ave.
6. Resolution #19-06 — Schedule public hearing date of October 10, 2006 for
New Hotel & Restaurant Liquor License Application filed by PHILLIPS
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INC. dba Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Taphouse, 820
Moraine Ave.
It was moved and seconded (Pinkham/Levine) the Consent Agenda be approved,
and it passed unanimously. Mayor ProTem Pinkham stated the 2017 Advisory
Committee, CIA graduates and the Chamber of Commerce would be notified of the
upcoming Budget Study Sessions and encouraged interested citizens to attend.
2. ACTION ITEMS:
1. LIQUOR LICENSING: TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP — FROM INN AT ESTES
PARK INC dba RODEWAY INN TO C-ZAK, INC dba RODEWAY INN OF
ESTES PARK, HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LICENSE, 1701 N. Lake Avenue.
Town Clerk Williamson presented the application, confirming that required
T.I.P.S. training would be scheduled. It was moved and seconded
(Levine/Eisenlauer) the Transfer of Ownership Application filed by CZAK,
INC. dba Rodeway Inn of Estes Park, be approved, and it passed
unanimously.
2. STANLEY PARK THEATRE ADVISORY COMMITTEE LIAISON
APPOINTMENT.
Mayor Baudek stated with the formation and appointment of an advisory
committee for the Stanley Park Theatre, a Town Board liaison appointment is
necessary. Following the September 7, 2006 Community Development
Committee meeting, Trustee Eisenlauer agreed to serve as liaison to the theatre
advisory committee. The appointment will expire March 31, 2008. It was moved
and seconded (Newsom/Blackhurst) that Trustee Eisenlauer serve as the
Town Board liaison to the Stanley Park Theatre Advisory Committee, and it
passed unanimously.
3. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH LARIMER EMERGENCY
TELEPHONE AUTHORITY (LETA) REGARDING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
Attorney White stated Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority (LETA) is in the
process of hiring a full time executive director. As LETA has no other
employees, they have requested the Town provide payroll services including
employee benefits to the executive director. The Intergovernmental Agreement
states the Town would provide payroll services and benefits, require LETA to
reimburse the Town for all expenses incurred in this matter including
reimbursement of any administrative costs, indemnifies the Town against any
claims arising from the employment of the LETA executive director, and provides
that the executive director be under the control and supervision of LETA with
regard to job duties. Both LETA and the Town are insured through CIRSA. The
Board of Trustees — September 12, 2006 — Page 3
Intergovernmental Agreement has been reviewed by CIRSA and no concems
with regard to any prospective liability of the Town or LETA were raised. The
agreement allows either party to terminate the agreement anytime upon 120
days notice and the agreement automatically terminates upon termination of the
executive director's employment with LETA. Chief Richardson stated Estes
Park's Human Resource Department is currently providing this service to other
entities. It was moved and seconded (Pinkham/Newsom) the
Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town and Larimer Emergency
Telephone Authority (LETA) be approved, and it passed unanimously.
4. HERMIT PARK ACQUISTION - PUBLIC HEARING.
Mayor Baudek opened the Public Hearing. Mayor ProTem Pinkham stated
Larimer County Parks and Open Lands has requested the Town's participation in
the acquisition of the Hermit Park property on U.S. Hwy 36 south of Pole Hill.
The Town would be part of an effort that would include the Estes Valley Land
Trust, Larimer County, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and the Colorado
Division of Wildlife in securing the approximately 1,369 acres for recreation and
open space. A letter of support for the GOCO grants applied for by the county
was approved at the August 22, 2006 Town Board meeting. No other
commitment has been approved. Any financial participation by the Town would
be funded from the Town's Open Space fund, income from the county -wide
0.25% sales tax for open space and parks. The use of this fund is restricted to
the purchase of open space or the acquisition of land for, and construction of,
trails and parks. Previous projects funded include the Fall River Picnic ground
improvements, Willows open space acquisition, Knoll -Willows open space
enhancements and various trail/sidewalk projects. K-Lynn Cameron/Open
Lands Manager for Larimer County reviewed the potential purchase of Hermit
Park from Agilent Technologies, the current owners of the property, who wish to
divest themselves of the property.
Trustee Blackhurst questioned if additional campground sites or facilities would
be developed or improvement such as RV hookups, electricity, running water,
etc. Ms. Cameron stated there would be no immediate additions or
improvements; however, any future additions would remain in the already
developed area. Once the property is acquired, a management plan would be
developed. This property would remain open year round.
Louise Lindsey/3119 Rockwood Lane North expressed this would be an
extraordinary opportunity for Estes Park. She would love to have public access
to the property , especially Kroger Rock.
Wendell Amos/EVLT stated the Land Trust tried to acquire a conservation
easement on the property in the past and is in full support of the acquisition by
the Open Lands of Larimer County. He also stated the Parks and Open Lands
Advisory Committee is in full support of the purchase. Trustee Blackhurst
questioned whether a trail accessing Hermit Park could be developed across the
current conservation easement. Mr. Amos stated the possibility would be
unlikely as the property owners requested the removal of the Homestead Trail
during negotiations of the Meadowdale conservation easement.
George Hockman/1620 Prospect Drive approves of the property acquisition;
however, he questioned the entrance fee the county would charge to access the
property. He stated it appears Estes Park is shouldering the financial burden of
the partnership; therefore, the residence of Estes Park should receive a benefit
in return, e.g. free entrance. He also questioned access to the property and
whether or not access could be gained through connecting trails. Ms. Cameron
stated the fee structure would be consistent with Larimer County's current fees
for other parks. Access would be limited to the main entrance; however, as with
other park, access to the property may be obtained via connecting trailheads.
Board of Trustees — September 12, 2006 — Page 4
As there were no additional comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
Trustee comments were summarized: Town funding would be contingent on the
other partner's potential to fund the purchase; with Weld County as the fastest
growing county and Greeley as the fastest growing city, the Estes Park area will
see an increase pressure to provide recreational opportunities; local businesses
offering similar accommodations do not have an issue with the purchase as long
as the property is not further developed to provide RV hookups, running water,
electricity, etc.; the property is the gateway to Estes Park and should be
preserved. Trustee Blackhurst questioned whether or not the Town should
spend tax dollars outside the Town limits. Trustee Levine stated the funds to
purchase the land would come from the Open Lands fund not the General Fund.
This is a unique opportunity and an appropriate use of the funds.
Jim White/3050 Rockwood Circle reminded the Board that many of the questions
would be addressed through the conservation easement required by GOCO prior
to closing.
The Board agreed to send the item to Committee for further discussion.
5. SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND & MILL LEVY UPDATE.
Prior to the presentation, Linda Chapman/Superintendent informed the Board
that Susan Rider, Teach of the Year in 2005, is one of the top three candidates
for Colorado Teacher of the Year. She stated that Officer Reeve/School
Resource Officer was been a great addition to the school and he has been well
received by the student body. She also thanked the Board for their financial
assistance with the aquatic center utilities.
Supt. Chapman asked the Board for their support in the school's upcoming
election. She provided an overview of the bond and mill levy override. The
$22.4 million bond will renovate and upgrade the 32-year old High School and
the 44-year old Middle School buildings, close the Elementary (PreK-2) to save
$400,000/yr. in duplicate administrative and support costs, and enlarge the
Intermediate School (3-5) to house all grades PreK-5 in one facility. Renovations
will improve safety, expand and improve teaching and student learning, meet
ADA standards, eliminate duplicate costs, make the buildings more energy
efficient and create a healthier student leaming environment. Areas in need of
upgrading include science labs, technology labs, addition of an elevator, new
High School band room and art room, upgrades to auditorium, addition of
classrooms to the Intermediate School and replacing/upgrading the heating and
ventilation systems. The bond repayment would be a static fixed amount
whereas the cost of running inefficient buildings and keeping the Elementary
School open will continue to increase. Also the community would gain a 60,000
sq. ft. building to be used as a multi -purpose community center, indoor
recreational facility, a childcare center, etc. The mill levy override would increase
the annual budget by $740,000 for expanded educational programs, which
includes $487,000/yr. the State of Colorado, is currently short-changing the
district. The increase funds would sustain competitive teacher salaries in the
district, provide tuition -free all -day kindergarten, provide foreign language
instruction in grades K-5, increase vocational education offerings, increase
online and advanced placement course offerings, provide dual credit course
options, increase academic electives, increase staffing for after-hours library and
tech lab use, provide math and reading interventions for students who need extra
help, expanded summer school and expanded tutoring programs.
Doug Frisbie stated since 1996, home values have doubled and property taxes
collect for the School District have declined. The taxpayer cost on a $300,000
home (median value) for both the bond and mill levy override will increase
Board of Trustees — September 12, 2006 — Page 5
property taxes by $12.50 per month. If both issues pass, the Estes Park School
District would still have the lowest taxes when compared to neighboring school
districts.
Trustee comments were summarized: vocational programs are critical in keeping
students interested in school; daycare before and after school is important to
help the working families in Estes Park; in order to attract young families to Estes
Park we need good schools; the retired community needs to invest in the future
of the community; the community should invest in itself.
Whereupon Mayor Baudek adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
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hn Baudek, Mayor
kie Williamson, Town Clerk