HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2023-08-22RECORD OFPROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado August 22, 2023
Minutes of Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes Park, Lehrner County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in the
Board Room insaid Town ofEstes Park onthe 22»«day ofAugust, 2O23.
Board:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Mayor Koenig. Mayor Pro Tem Cenoo. Trustees Hazebon.
Mayor Koonig, Mayor Pro Tem Cenao Trustees Haze0on,
Town Administrator K8aohalek Deputy Town Administrator
Damwebar, Town Attorney Kramer, and Deputy Town Clerk
Beers
Absent: None
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
VISIT ESTESPARK BOND PARK HOLIDAY EVENT.
The Eabsu Park Municipal Code Section 9.12.030.d Special Events requires Board
review before the granting of special event permit for new events in Bond Park. In an
effort to promote visitation to Estes Park during the holiday eeaeon. VEP and The
Stanley Hotel request Board approval to hold an event in Bond Park expanding on the
Catch the Glow paxodo theme. Catch the Glow Holiday Seanon, the family -friendly
event would feature holiday activities including: lighting displays, projection -mapped
Christmas tree, a candyland theme, 360-degree video projection tuned to holiday music,
Santa vioke, and holiday shopping. The event would begin following the annual Catch
the Glow parade and VEP anticipates the event would foster economic growth, achieve
sustainable destination development by sponsoring winter programs to enhance appeal,
attract more visitors, and bolster the local economy. Beginning the 2023 holiday season,
VEP vvuu|d be taking over holiday lighting previously overseen by Power &
Communications. Board comments and questions have been summarized: whether
Povwsr& Communications would continue to be involved in the holiday lighting; ensure
diversity and inclusion and honor existing traditions; interest was heard for incorporating
an ice rink; the target audience; and VEP was encouraged to partner with the Estes
Park School District for youth musical performance opportunities.
PLANNING FEE SCHEDULE.
During the June 13, 2023 Town Board meeting staff presented an overview of the
comparison research findinge, fee philosophy and oppmaoh, initial reoommendadona,
and next steps for Board consideration. Staff were directed to develop a proposed fee
schedule with a base application fee and an equity -based policy. Since the meeting,
staff has been working with Ayres Associates to analyze the average staff time to
complete development reviews and use the findings to determine service oust
calculations, the cost recovery and proposed new fee calculations, and equity fee policy
approach. Additional review was conducted for 'Land Use and Zoning Determination'
identified an outside general public inquiries. These special requests typically come
from national and out ofstate real-estate and zoning firma completing due diligence
work for potential applicants and/or financial institutions and can range from one to
many hours of staff time. It was recommended these requests be categorized an
standard requests at a flat fee of $75 and complex requests at a flat fee of $100 plus an
hourly rate nf$5O per hour exceeding two hours. Staff stated the level of financial
impact would be determined by the amount ofcost recovery approved and requested
Board direction. Board comments have been summarized: The anticipated timeline for
Board consideration and effective date; when the faao would go into effect for existing
or new applicants; whether the 85% cost recovery made sense to implement upfront
versus afuture increase tofees; consider breaking the annexation categories down for
small and large annexations; the current procedure for waiving fees and anticipated
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session — August 22, 2023 — Page 2
changes with the new fee schedule; and utilizing broad language in the equity based fee
which covers a broad range of projects including childcare, senior care or other projects
for the good of the community. Board consensus supported an 80% cost recovery fee
schedule, no changes to the equity -based fee policy with the expansion on projects
based on criteria outlined in Policy 402 for waivers, the proposed resubmittal fee of 50%
of the initial application fee, and amend the fee schedule for smaller annexations.
SEMI-ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW WITH BOARD GOVERNING POLICIES —
POLICY 1.10 SELF -MONITORING OF THE BOARD. Mayor Koenig requested
comments from the Board and hearing none, closed the discussion. Staff would review
Governance Policy section 1.8 and recommend the removal of sunset Board
Committees.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
It was requested and determined the Police Command Staff would provide a report and
discussion item on traffic and patrol; a noise ordinance discussion with staff providing
additional information on whether decibel based ordinances are working in other
communities or alternative approaches and the Board requested statistics on noise
citations, calls, and warning issued; and wildfire mitigation risks and safety efforts
presentation from Power & Communications. Discussion ensued on the Town health
insurance policy related to spousal coverage and interested Board members were
encouraged to meet with Human Resources Director Williamson on the annual
healthcare rate review.
There being no further business, Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
toria Beers, Dep
Town Clerk