HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2023-04-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado April 25, 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 25th day of April, 2023.
Board:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Mayor Koenig, Trustees Cenac, Hazelton, MacAlpine,
Martchink, Younglund and Vacant Position
Mayor Koenig, Trustees Cenac, Hazelton, MacAlpine,
Martchink, and Younglund
Town Administrator Machalek, Town Attorney Kramer,
Deputy Town Administrator Damweber, Deputy Town Clerk
Beers and Estes Park Housing Authority Executive Director
Moulton
Estes Park Housing Authority Board members Blackhurst,
Daley, Frank, Miller, Smith, and Strieb
Absent: Estes Park Housing Authority Board Member Pinkham
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 4:50 p.m. and introductions were made for
the Town Board and Estes Park Housing Authority Board.
ESTES PARK HOUSING AUTHORITY (EPHA) ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND
DECISION -MAKING AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO 6E FUNDS. With the passage
of Ballot Issue 6E approximately $6 million a year would be available to addressing
workforce housing and childcare issues in the Estes Valley. Through adoption of the
Annual Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan, the Town would enter into
agreements with partners, to administer programs. The plan identifies EPHA as a key
partner to addressing items related to workforce and attainable housing and has the
staff expertise and programming to carry out strategies outlined in the plan. New
funding would allow for added EPHA staff, expansion of existing and creation of new
programs. Staff requested direction on the extent to which the Town would delegate
responsibility to the EPHA to implement housing strategies outlines in the 2023 Housing
Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan and the extent to which the Town would retain
decision -making authority related to the expenditure of 6E funds and other funds
reserved for workforce and attainable housing. Staff reviewed proposed EPHA roles
and responsibilities as the lead agency for strategy and action items including: Property
acquisition, asset planning, and renovations to existing supply, new supply, funding and
policy, community engagement and client support and organizational capacity building.
Options for decision -making authority included: Coordinated development of an annual
funding plan outlining expectations and the purpose of funds to be approved by both the
Town and Larimer County; the Town retains all decision -making authority and EPHA
would request funds each year for individual programs or seek approval for specific
expenses; the Town defines thresholds for decision -making authority for the EPHA, or
the Town requires approval of individual programs, both existing and new which utilize
6E funds then permit EPHA to carry out the administration as agreed upon. EPHA
would keep the Town apprised of program changes and development so they can make
informed decisions each year on the annual funding plan. Staff highlighted property and
land acquisition as an interest area related to decision points or thresholds. Director
Moulton stated the EPHA has historically demonstrated success in addressing housing
issues in the Estes Valley. The EPHA decision making framework should be nimble, to
allow them to react quickly, match opportunity to need, be financially feasible and
without barriers. EPHA Member Blackhurst spoke regarding funding mechanisms
utilized by the EPHA, obstacles or missed opportunities due to lack of available funding,
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session — April 25, 2023 — Page 2
seasonal workforce housing constraints, and project priorities including maintenance
updates to existing facilities.
Joint Board comments and questions have been summarized: Stated the importance of
conducting regular studies to capture community needs and change in demand;
questioned what increased capacity concerns the EPHA may have; would increased
funding allow the EPHA the ability to address needs at a more expeditious pace;
whether the Town would be reviewing budgets annually or would the EPHA have the
ability to bond 6E funding without Town Board approval; the importance of transparency
with the public on how funding would be utilized while coordinating efforts; how
landownership would be handled for purchased properties and whether the lands could
be leveraged to acquire other properties or development; the highest number of dollars
which the EPHA has utilized towards acquisitions; whether 6E funds would be restricted
by TABOR; and whether 6E funds could be utilized toward paying off debts acquired by
EPHA. Concerns were stated on reviewing every individual use of the 6E funds and the
importance of entrusting EPHA to act in their capacity to fulfill directives. Clarification
was requested on how childcare needs fit into projects and its connection to the 6E
funding allocations and the percentage of 6E funding anticipated for housing and
respectively for childcare. Town Administrator Machalek stated staff would be
conducting a new childcare needs assessment to identify the demand forecast. A brief
discussion ensued regarding the timeline to develop an agreement for Town Board
consideration. It was determined staff would develop a draft agreement for Town Board
review at a future study session prior to consideration at a regular meeting.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
None.
There being no further business, Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 6:29 p.m.
ictoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk