HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2023-03-14RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado March 14, 2023
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 the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 14th day of March, 2023.
Board:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Mayor Koenig, Mayor Pro Tem Webermeier, Trustees
Cenac, Hazelton, MacAlpine, Martchink, and Younglund
Mayor Koenig; Mayor Pro Tem Webermeier, Trustees
Cenac, Hazelton, MacAlpine, Martchink and Younglund
Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Town Attorney Kramer, and Deputy Town Clerk
Beers
Absent: None
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER POSITION. Deputy Town Administrator Damweber
provided a brief overview of the two items stating the Town Board formed an ad -hoc
Environmental Sustainability Task Force (ESTF) in 2021 to develop recommendations
on the Town's role in initiatives, strategies, and tactics to advance environmental
sustainability; ESTF completed and presented a report in February 2022 with some
items addressed in the 2023 Strategic plan; and the formation of an advisory board and
a staff position was noted for further discussions in 2023. Staff stated a new position
would be necessary to support the new activity including formation of the advisory
board, implementation and management of environmental sustainability programs and
initiatives, serving as liaison to the advisory board and to provide support during
meetings, coordination, collaboration, and outreach with staff concerning sustainable
policies, to identify funding opportunities to support initiatives, and prepare annual
progress reports. Any new position would require benefits and budgetary
considerations. A number of environmentally conscious and sustainable actions have
been taken in 2023 including conversion of street light bulbs to more efficient LED
bulbs, using renewable energy for Town facilities and electric fleet vehicle
considerations, and elements of the development code, building code adoptions, and
the Comprehensive Plan.
Trustee MacAlpine provided a review of environmental sustainability efforts since the
formation of the ESTF and encouraged the Board to support the new manager position
and advisory board. She added high interest exists within the community to protect the
environment and encouraged the Town to take meaningful action toward environmental
sustainability. She stated the manager could increase the Town's opportunity to obtain
funding towards initiatives and programs as well as strategic planning priorities. She
stated it would be important to have the Town consider monitoring carbon emissions
and qualifications for green cities. Board comments and questions have been
summarized: Where a manager would reside within the organizational structure; how
the position would be funded within the budget; whether the Town Board would consider
the position and advisory board within a 2023 budget amendment or fold it into the 2024
budget considerations; the benefits of having a manager to oversee the initiatives and
guide the advisory board; and the importance of identifying the outcomes to suggest
priorities with an expert who can provide sufficient expertise related to sustainability
efforts. It was recommended staff produce an outline of considerations to be discussed
during the April 5, 2023 strategic planning session. The Board consensus was to
consider the position and advisory board within the strategic planning process. The
Board requested data on how other municipalities handle environmental sustainability.
RECORD opPROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session — March 14, 2023 — Page 2
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS &QUESTIONS.
None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Town Administrator NYacha|ekrequested the BuoineoaNaoution Home Rental License
Renewal Annual Report occur on April 11. 2023 and the Planning Fee Schedule
discussion be included in items app/ovod/unooheduled, to which the Board was in
agreement.
There being no further business, Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
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