HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2008-11-11Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 11, 2008
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 11`h day of November, 2008. Meeting
called to order by Mayor William C. Pinkham.
Present:
Also Present:
William C. Pinkham, Mayor
Chuck Levine, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Eric Blackhurst
Dorla Eisenlauer
John Ericson
Jerry Miller
Greg White, Town Attorney
Jacquie Halburnt, Town Administrator
Lowell Richardson, Deputy Town Administrator
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Absent: Trustee Richard Homeier
In recognition of Veteran's Day, Mayor Pinkham requested a moment of silence for
those that have served our country.
Following a moment of silence, Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
and invited any person desiring to participate to stand and recite the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RETIRING ESTES PARK URBAN RENEWAL
AUTHORITY COMMISSIONERS.
Mayor Pinkham presented Gerry Swank a Resolution of Respect recognizing his
seventeen years of service to the community as an Estes Park Urban Renewal
Authority.
Mayor Pinkham presented Steve Lange on behalf of Paula Steige a Resolution of
Respect recognizing her twelve years of service to the community as an Estes Park
Urban Renewal Authority.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jean Weaver/Town citizen stated Estes Park has the second oldest recycling center in
the state. The center has been in operation since 1976. The center is dangerous and
dirty. She would like to see a new facility that would accept cardboard and a facility
Estes Park can be proud of. Mayor Pinkham stated the Town recognizes the need to
continue discussions with the County and the private industry to address the issue.
David Habecker/Town citizen stated this forum can not be used to promote religion. He
noted one of the basic freedoms Americans have is the freedom from coercion;
therefore, he requested the Board stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jim Martinsen/Town citizen and League of Woman Voters representative expressed his
disappointment that funds were not allocated in the proposed 2009 budget for a new
recycling center. He requested a joint task force, including the Town, County and
citizens, be formed to develop a comprehensive recycling program and a new facility.
He stated the Town should pass an ordinance requiring curb -side recycling and
implement a cardboard recycling program for the downtown businesses.
Board of Trustees — November 11, 2008 — Page 2
Irene Little/Co-Chair for the League of Woman Voters Recycling Committee stated a
letter of support was delivered to each of the Trustees expressing overwhelming
support for a new recycling center. She commented the Town of Estes Park should
have a recycling center comparable to the surrounding communities. Styrofoam
continues to be a concern in our community and should be banned from commercial
businesses in the community. She stated an new recycling guide has been prepared
by the League and is available at the Library.
Al Renner/Town citizen and downtown business owner read a statement signed by
approximately 25 downtown business owners requesting the rejuvenation of the
downtown benches and leaving the lights on the downtown trees during the evening
from Mid May through Mid September. He stated spending a little money to enhance
the experience would go along way.
Annie Kidwell/Town citizen requested recycling bins next to each trash can downtown
to make recycling easier for the visitors.
BOARD COMMENTS
Trustee Ericson stated 91% of the 180,000 registered voters in Larimer County cast a
ballot in the recent General Election on November 4, 2008. He stated the Utility
Committee meeting this month will tour the newly updated Mary's Lake Substation. He
commented it was a pleasure to serve with both Gerry Swank and Paula Steige on the
EPURA Board.
Mayor Pinkham squelched the recent rumor that a proposed one-way of Elkhorn
Avenue was the Mayor's idea and had already been approved. He stated staff has had
discussions on the possibility of improving the downtown traffic flow; however, a plan
has not been drafted and approved by the Town Board. Public input would be
gathered prior to an consideration by the Board.
1. CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of):
1. Town Board Minutes dated October 28, 2008, Town Board Budget Study
Session dated October 17, 2008 and October 24, 2008.
A. Bills.
B. Committee Minutes — None.
It was moved and seconded (Levine/Ericson) the Consent Agenda be
approved, and it passed unanimously.
2. ACTION ITEMS:
1. REAPPOINTMENT OF SARAH WALSH AND APPOINTMENT OF KAY
KIRKMAN TO THE ESTES VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD,
4-YR. TERM, DECEMBER 2012.
Mayor Pinkham reviewed the backgrounds for the Library Board appointees. It
was moved and seconded (Blackhurst/Eisenlauer) to approve the
appointments of Sarah Walsh and Kay Kirkman to the Estes Valley Public
Library District Board for 4-year terms expiring December 2012, and it
passed unanimously.
2. RESOLUTION #19-08 APPOINTMENT OF THE LOCAL MARKETING
BOARD.
On November 4, 2008 the electorate approved Issue 5D for the formation of
the Local Marketing District; and therefore, pursuant to the IGA between the
Board of Trustees — November 11, 2008 — Page 3
Town and Larimer County, five of the seven Board members are to be
appointed by the Town. The attached Resolution would appoint the following
members:
Kathy Palmeri — 1 year
Elizabeth Blanchard — 2 years
Ken Larson — 2 years
Cory Blackman — 3 years
Scott Webermeier — 4 years
Terms for each member were selected by the LMD Advisory Committee and
are being recommended to the Town Board for consideration. Larimer County
will appoint the remaining two members of the Board at an upcoming meeting
of the Board of County Commissioners. It was moved and seconded
(Miller/Blackhurst) to approve the Local Marketing District Board
appointments as outlined above, and it passed unanimously.
3. PUBLIC HEARING — 2009 BUDGET.
Finance Officer McFarland presented the proposed 2009 budget and reviewed
changes and/or corrections made after the four budget study sessions held in
October. The barn complex has been removed from the Community
Reinvestment Fund (CRF), and therefore, decreased the transfer from the
General Fund to the CRF by $385,000. The $1 million transfer proposed for
the barn complex from Catastrophic Loss Fund (CLF) to the CRF would
remain. The SOPA commitment of $217,125 reported as an expense during
the budget study sessions has been properly accounted for as a footnote
labeled a restricted/reserved fund balance. The purchase of the 2008 fire
truck has been removed from the Vehicle Replacement Fund (VRF) and
purchased from the Fire Services Fund as originally approved. The Mayor's
contingency fund has been moved from the 101-9000 account to the
Legislative 101-1100. He stated information from several investment sources
has resulted in a decrease estimate on interest income across all accounts,
totaling approximately $330,000 in 2009. Personnel costs have been adjusted
as a result of the annual Compensation Study and final premium costs have
been received for health and dental insurance. The estimated fund balance for
2009 has decreased from $3.5 million to $3.4 million; however, the fund
balance remains at 30% and expenses at $31.7 million. Water Department
charts have been revised to reflect a fund balance decrease because of an
unexpected sewer tap cost of $330,000 for the improvements at the Mary's
Lake Water Treatment Plant for 2008; however, fund balance ratios continue
to meet the water loan requirements. Transfers from the General Fund have
decreased as special revenue funds are estimated to generate 51% of their
operating budget, up from 35% in 2008. The new health insurance plan
removes the need to internalize the revenues and costs, and therefore, the
costs would not appear in the Medical Fund.
Mayor Pinkham questioned whether staff has developed a plan to address a
potential decline in sales tax in 2009. He stated staff should develop a range
for sales tax categories (lodging, retail, restaurant, etc.) with red, yellow and
green levels.
Town Administrator Halburnt stated staff has budgeted flat for 2009 based on
the revised 2008 budget of $7.2 million. Department heads have identified
items that can be delayed and purchased in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The Board thanked staff for the improved process and for taking the time to
answer questions. Mayor Pinkham suggested the Board engage the public
earlier in the process during next year's budget study sessions.
Board of Trustees — November 11, 2008 — Page 4
Patrick Cipolla/Town citizen stated the Town should forego merit and bonus
pay during these economic times.
David Habecker/Town citizen questioned if the new Public Information Officer
was approved. He stated concern with the increased operational costs of the
Building Department and the associated decrease in revenue. He questioned
if other departments and districts pay the Town for dispatch services. He
stated concern with wage creep with the increase cost of medical insurance.
All the fund balances across all departments should be kept to a minimum. He
commented the state of the economy is an unknown; however, with the
infusion of Federal money the resulting inflation would reduce the worth of the
Town's cash reserves. He stated the Town should take advantage of the
situation and spend as much as the Town can borrow and repay the loan with
cheaper dollars in the future. This would show our Town citizens and visitor
signs of optimism not pessimism.
Gretchen Middledorf/Town citizen requested the Town continue to allocate
funds for the Bond Park campfire sing-alongs.
Mayor Pinkham stated the Board intends to review the capital improvement
plan during the first quarter of 2009 and determine how to move forward with
projects. The Board is trying to be frugal and meet the needs of our
customers, infrastructure and safety for the citizens.
4. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
• The Estes Park Local Marketing District would hold their first meeting on
November 18`h in room 130 at 3:00 p.m. to address an operating plan, a
resolution to collect the 2% tax, elect officers, budget discussions and a
transition plan.
Whereupon Mayor Pinkham adjourned the m
kie Williamson, Town Clerk
rP.
William C. Pinkham, Mayor