HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2023-11-28Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 28, 2023
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes
Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Town Hall in said Town of
Estes Park on the 28th day of November, 2023.
Present:
Also Present:
Wendy Koenig, Mayor
Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Frank Lancaster
Barbara MacAlpine and
Patrick Martchink
Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Bunny Victoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk
Absent: Trustees Kirby Hazelton and Cindy Younglund
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited
the Pledge of Allegiance.
UNITED STATES PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECOGNITION.
The Mayor recognized Antonio Franco for obtaining permanent resident status in the
United States and congratulated him on the hard work and dedication necessary to attain
this achievement.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Martchink/Cenac) to approve the Agenda, and it passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
John Guffey/Town citizen voiced his interest to participate in the community and stated
the opportunity for RMNP to present their work was a critical function of the Town. He
stated the Park School District Strategic Plan should include an aim to raise children to
understand and fully experience humanity with nature. He read a section of the Book of
Awakening related to giving thanks and the relationship between humans and mother
nature.
Kristine Poppitz/County resident stated petitions for a citizen initiated ordinance related
to development applications were approved as to form and were being circulated at the
Post Office.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Trustee comments were heard and have been summarized: The Housing Authority Board
meet to discuss acquisition opportunities. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from
Larimer County have been secured for the Fish Hatchery Project. Visit Estes Park (VEP)
scheduled Frozen Dead Guy Days for March 15-17, 2024, and as part of the Catch the
Glow season Frosty Beer Fest would be held December 9, 2023. International
City/County Managers Association held the Colorado Counties Conference, where
housing was a primary topic of discussion, including property tax concerns. The League
of Women Voters held a sustainability meeting to receive an overview from VEP and
Mobility Manager Solesbee on sustainability efforts. A Trustee Talk session was held and
topics included construction progress updates and timetables, the 2024 budget and open
discussion on local issues. The Town would hold a public meeting to review layout
concepts for each street in the Reclamation Neighborhood. Mayor Koenig stated the
Larimer County Behavior Health meeting would take place at the new facility in Fort
Collins. The Mayor wished the public happy holidays and reminded the public the
December 26, 2023 meeting would be cancelled.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Board of Trustees — November 28, 2023 — Page 3
ACTION ITEMS:
1. ORDINANCE 12-23 TEMPORARY 6-MONTH MORATORIUM ON NEW BED
AND BREAKFAST INN BUSINESS LICENSES. Mayor Koenig opened the public
hearing. At the November 14, 2023 meeting staff presented updated regulations
and an ordinance for bed and breakfast licenses. The Board tabled the item to
allow more time to review options to update the definition and regulations in the
Estes Park Municipal Code. In addition, the Board requested an extension of a
previous 6-month moratorium approved on May 23, 2023 expiring on November
23, 2023. The Mayor closed the public hearing and it was moved and seconded
(Martchink/Lancaster) to approve Ordinance 12-23, and it passed unanimously.
2. POLICY 603 — UTILITY FEE AMORTIZATION. Director Creamean presented
Policy 603 — Utility Fee Amortization to support the essential community needs
with an option to amortize water system development and water rights fees over
time. The policy would support attainable and workforce housing, assisted living,
public -sector projects and health care services. The proposed policy would limit
eligible entities, developments and projects, and limit minimum project/fee amount
to be amortized. Staff recommended approval of Policy 603 and requested Board
consideration. Trustee MacAlpine requested clarification on the reasons the policy
was brought forward for consideration. Town Administrator Machalek stated the
policy would help keep costs down for important community projects and would be
low -risk. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/MacAlpine) to approve Policy 603
— Utility Fee Amortization with the inclusion of a reference to Policy
Governance, update the effective date and minor formatting corrections, and
it passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. PROPERTY TAX UPDATE. Director Creamean presented property tax data to the
Board related to Senate Bill 23B-1 and the timeline for mill levy approval. Senate
Bill 23B-1 was approved during special session, exempts $55,000 from taxation
and lowers the residential assessment rate from 6.765% to 6.7%, and changes the
property tax calendars. He stated SB 23B-1 was similar to Proposition HH which
voters did not pass and would provide no changes to commercial assessments.
He reviewed the estimated impact of SB 23B-1 on the Town's tax revenue and
scenarios for additional tax relief. Town Administrator Machalek stated any Town
changes to property tax would be applied to both residential and commercial
properties. Director Creamean stated House Bill 23B-1003 was also approved
during the special session to form a taskforce at the state level to identify
permanent and sustainable changes to property taxation statewide. Board
questions and comments have been summarized: Clarification on the estimated
amount for property revenues in 2024; clarification on the new property tax timeline
and Town requirements to set the mill levy; and other special districts in Estes Park
were encouraged to consider review of their mill levy. Board consensus was heard
to utilize 2022 assessment numbers plus new construction with enough margin for
modifications if necessary.
2. BOARD COMPENSATION FOR 2024. At the October 24, 2023 study session,
staff presented an option to codify Town Board compensation adjustments utilizing
the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous two years using October figures.
The Board directed staff to research compensation figures for market communities.
Using the Colorado Municipal League compensation report staff identified the
Town appears in alignment with other market communities of similar size and
among other larger communities along the front range including Erie, Lafayette,
Loveland, and Superior. Staff recommended bringing forward a proposed
ordinance at the December 12, 2023 meeting to consider codifying the adjustment
to Board compensation using CPI. The salary adjustment would take effect for the
Board members elected at the April 2, 2024 regular municipal election. Trustee
Martchink recommended CPI for the Trustees, and increasing the compensation
for Mayor to $25,000 due to the level of commitment required by the position.
Mayor Koenig highlighted the value of benefits provided to elected officials and
Board ofTrustees — November 28.2023—Page 2
Town Administrator Maoha|ek stated gratitude for the Water Division's efforts during a
Thanksgiving day holiday leak incident onPanorama Circle.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1 . Bills.
2. Town Board Minutes dated November 14.2023.and Town Board Study Session
Minutes dated Nomymber14. 2023.
3. Estes Park Planning Commission Minutes dated October 17. 2023
(acknowledgment only).
4. Consider the Acceptance of Art in Public Places Sculpture Donation — Book Loving
Betty.
Discussion ensued regarding the ConoentAgendaItem #4 Trustee N1anA|pinerequested
clarification on the application process and why the application identified the art as not an
original piece. Supervisor Berg stated this application included the first manufactured
donation since the adoption of Policy 880 Public Art which defines public art as an original
creation. It was recommended staff review the policy for updates to remove the stipulation
for original pieces.
It was moved and seconded (Lancaster/MacAlpine) to approve the Consent Agenda,
and hpassed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: (Outside Entities).
1. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR R0NP'SDAY USE VISITOR ACCESS
PLAN. Mayor Koenig welcomed Superintendent Gary Ingram who requested
Board and community feedback on the Day Use Visitor Aooeaa Plan and
Environmental Assessment. Management Specialist and Public Affairs Officer
Kyle Patterson reviewed the National Park Service Mission, Organic Act and
RMNP history. The purpose and need for the Plan highlights included: To protect
and enhance the Pad/o fundamental naaoumea and values and achieve and
maintain desired conditions, and to address rapid growth. The primary issues the
Plan would address included: Natural and oukuno| naeouxma, visitor experience,
staff and visitor safety, andfaoi|dieoandoponstiono.[NanagementSpecia|istJohn
Hannon provided an overview of alternatives to meet the purpose and need of the
plan including existing utnstegieo, options for no action and reverting back to pra'
2O2Opi|otmanagementvvhichwmu|dn/tmeetthepurposoandnoodsofthep|un.
He reviewed common strategies and highlights to Alternatives B. C. and O. He
stated Bear Lake timed entry was identified in all alternatives being considered for
2024. Specialist Hannon reviewed the desired conditions zones which was
primarily comprised ofA596 designated as Wilderness. He reviewed alternatives
and actions which were considered but dismissed, including stand-alone intelligent
transportation system, expanded inhastruotum, mu|h'daynaaemations. and daily
reservations tothe Bear Lake Road Corridor. National Visitor Use Management
Team (NVU[NT) and National Parks Service Advisor to the Interagency Council
Rachel Collins provided an overview of the environmental ana|yois, how
alternatives vary and affect user use, mooeao and experience and the affected
environmental consequences. She reviewed the current phase of the program
stating the comment period would be open through December 14. 2023 and
encouraged the public to provide comments for consideration. Board questions
have been summarized: The pn00000 for final adoption of the plan and by which
government agencies; how concessionaires fit into the permit system and future
permit considerations; changes tothe commuter permit; whether other National
Parks provide considerations tosurrounding residents; and anexplanation ofthe
NVUK8T was requested and how they participate in the plan development.
Discussion ensued regarding preferential treatment tuhonor locals which was not
being implemented in other National Padk's. The Park stated defining o local can
bedifficult and added we all benefit from RyNNP and would continue tnfind the
best solution for all. Gratitude was heard for the continued partnership between
the Town and RK8NP.
Board of Trustees — November 28, 2023 — Page 4
stated potential impacts for social security recipients if the compensation was
increased as suggested. Board discussion ensued regarding compensation
adjustments for employee pay families and setting compensation at a level which
encourages individuals to run for office. Board consensus was to bring forward an
ordinance to modify current Board salaries by CPI for 2024, to adjustment future
compensation using CPI, and to . review compensation data prior to the
implementation of CPI adjustments prior to each election.
Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
Wendy, oe g, May 6r
ctoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk