HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2008-07-22Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 22, 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 22"d day of July, 2008. Meeting called to
order by Mayor Pinkham.
Present:
Also Present:
William C. Pinkham, Mayor
Chuck Levine, Mayor Pro Tenn
Trustees Eric Blackhurst
Dorla Eisenlauer
John Ericson
Richard Homeier
Jerry Miller
Jacquie Halburnt, Town Administrator
Lowell Richardson, Deputy Town Administrator
Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk
Absent: Town Attorney White
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so,
recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
George Hockman, Town resident, expressed concern about the spread of invasive,
noxious weeds in the Estes Park area, and encouraged the Town and other public
entities to set a good example of compliance with regulations related to controlling
weeds. He urged the Town to inform the public about what is being done to control
weeds, who to contact with concerns about noxious weeds on public property, and
provide information to residents about how to deal with weed problems on private
property.
Staff reported that Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Hart monitors compliance of the
Town's noxious weed regulations, and stated that the annual Weed Roundup is
scheduled for Saturday, July 261h. The educational event is a cooperative effort
between Colorado State University and local concerned citizens and will feature
literature and demonstrations related to identifying noxious weeds. The Town's air
curtain burner will be utilized to dispose of noxious weeds that are brought to the event
at 680 Elm Road.
David Habecker, Town resident, requested that, until Congress removes the words
"under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, the Town Board stops the practice of
reciting the Pledge at Board meetings.
TOWN BOARD COMMENTS.
Trustee Blackhurst announced that the Public Works Committee meeting will be held in
the Town Board room on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 8:00 a.m.
Mayor Pinkham stated that the Town Board and Staff will be participating in a budget
work session on Friday, July 25, 2008, at 8:30 a.m., in Rooms 201/202/203, to begin
the budgeting process for 2009. He also urged citizens to exercise caution when using
any type of fire, including barbecue grills, as fire danger is high due to dry weather
conditions.
Board ofTrustees — July 22'20OD—Page 2
1' CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of):
1. Town Board Minutes dated July 8. 2008 and Town Board Study Session
Minutes dated July 8.2UU8.
2. Bills.
3. Committee Minutes:
A. Community Development, July 3, 2008.
B. Utilities, July 1O.200O.
a. VVu$er Design Policy Standards Update, RG Engineering. $9.770.
b. YMCA Bulk Water Emergency Tap Agreement.
4. Estes Valley Planning Commission, June 17.2008 (acknowledgement only).
It was moved and seconded (bevine/Blackhurst)the Consent Agenda be approved.
and it passed unanimously.
2. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA (Approval of):
Mayor Hnkham opened the public hearing for the following Consent Agenda
1. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDOMINIUM MAP
1. Fall River Village, Amended and Supplemental Condominium
K4np #1. Fall River Village Condominiums, including Building
#3. Lot 8, Fall River Village PUD, Fall River Village
Communities/Applicant.
B. AMENDED PLAT
1. Fall River Estates, Lots 1.2.&4.Rep|atofLot 2O.Block 1.Fall
River Estates, John & Peter SimonaonA\ppicants.
As there were no comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing and it was
moved and seconded (Eioen|auor/MiUar)the Consent Agenda be approved
with Staff conditions nfapproval, and itpassed unanimously.
2. ACTION ITEM:
o. BIG BEAR ESTATES ANNEXATION AND RELATED LAND USE
ITEMS: Four Metes and Bounds parcels (parcel identification
numbers 35201-00-001. 35201-05-040. 35261-06-001. and 35252-
53-018) and Out|ot A. Sallee Reaubdivinion, Rook Castle
Devo|opm*ntCompany/App|ioant.
1. ANNEXATION —RESOLUTION #-OO&ORDINANCE #-08.
2. REZONING — ORDINANCE #'08 Rezoning nfParcel #352O1'0O-
U01 from RE -Rural Estates to CO -Commercial Outlying.
Rezoning of Parcel #35281'05'046 and Out|cd /\. Su||oa
Rosubdivininnfrom E'En\otatoCO-Commercial Outlying.
3. PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION PLAT.
Board ofTrustees — July 22.2VO8—Page 3
4. PRELIMINARY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (P.U.O.)#O8'
01.
Rock Castle Development Co./Applicant has requested all items related to the Big
8amr Estates development be continued to the Sapkembar23. 2008 Town Board
meeting.
It was moved and seconded (Homeier/Erimmn)to approve the continuance as
requested by the applicant, and it passed unanimously.
3. REPORT:
u. Presentation of Estes Valley Development Code Block 11
Amendments — First Reading: Revisions to the appeal process
(Town Board Public Hearing will beheld August 28.2UU8j
Dir. Joseph read proposed amendments tnthe Estes Valley Development Code.
The changes address Umeframeorelated tuthe appeal process and allow aparty-
in-interest thirty days Vo register an appeal upon a decision. The appeal must
then bmheard within 0Odays ofreceipt ofthe written request for appeal. Afonna|
recommendation to adopt the changes to the Estes Valley Development Code will
bupresented tothe Town Board next month.
4. ACTION ITEMS:
1.PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY ORGANIC CONTRACT & POWER
SUPPLY CONTRACT — ORDINANCE #1O-08.
In the mid-1 960s the municipalities of Estes Park, Loveland, Longmont and Fort
Collins created a non-profit corporation for the purpose of purchasing blocks of
energy from the Bureau ufReclamation for resale tothe individual Member
Municipalities. The corporation faced limitations, however, in that it was unable
to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance capital projects. Subsequent to a 1074
amendment to the Colorado Constitution, the Platte River Power Authority
(PRpA)was established through an Organic Contract inJune of10T5aoa
^aopnrata governmental entity" with the power to own energy generation and
transmission facilities with investor -owned and cooperative uU|idao, replacing
the non-profit corporation. A stipulation of the Organic Contract is the
establishment of the "Power Supply Contract" guaranteeing all power required
by the Member Municipalities is purchased from PRPA. Due to the long-term
nature of many PRPA actions, it has been a practice to re -extend the Organic
Contract ovary 10 years so the contract term never falls below 3O years. Staff
recommends extending the Organic Contract through 205O.
Brian Moaok PRPA General Manmgor, explained the relationship between the
Authority and Member Municipalities and stated that having long term contracts
a||nwm PRPA to receive the best ponnih|o credit ratings and lowest interest
rates. He stated that only minor changes were made to the Organic Contmct,
updating the language of the contract and reflecting no changes to the
governance model ofPRPA. The Power Supply Agreement insures that PRPA
will provide power to meet the needs of the Town and that the Town of Estes
Park ugrooa to purchase power from PRPA. In addition, u de minimua o|uuno
was included inthe Power Supply Agreement which will give the Town ofEstes
Park the option kagenerate upto1 megawatt ufpower, nr1%ofpeak demand,
from a new power source in the future. Mr. N1oeuk stated that PRPA monitors
legislation and regulations for their impact on the Authority and to stay ahead of
mandated standards related to renewable energy resources.
BomrdofTruatees—July 22, 2DOn—Page 4
Town Administrator Ha|burnd read Ondinanuo#10'O8 concerning Platte River
Power Authority and the Town's electric facilities; authorizing the execution and
delivery ofan amended and restated organic contract establishing Platte River
Power Authority as a separate governmental entity and an amended contract
for the supply of electric power and energy into the record. It was moved and
seconded (Homeier/Miller) to adopt Ordinance #10-08 as read, and it passed
unanimously.
2. MARY'SLAKE TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION.
AGeneral Contractor/Construction Bid Opening was held onJune 2G.2OO8for
the Niur/oLake Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project. The project design
engineers, HDR EnQineehng, pre -qualified eight construction companies to bid
on the pnojeot, with six companies submitting bids. The total project cost in
$5.985.760.50 which includes the |nwmat bid and an additional $2.518.348for
the Membrane Contract with GE Zenon Corporation. Staff recommends
awarding the contract in the amount of $3'477.418.50 to low bidder Mo|tz
Construction. Funding will onma from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) in the
amount of$5.485.000(Bond)and $870.000from the Water Enterprise Fund for
a total of $6.341.000 to cover project expenses and a 10% contingency fund.
Utilization of monies from the Enterprise fund will not affect bonding
requirements.
Sarah Clark, Project Manager, presented the Trustees with an overview ofthe
project that will increase the UaaUnert volume of the p|ont, improve plant
ne|iabi|ity, and meet future standards of efficiency. N1n. Clark reviewed the
timing of the pnojeot, stating that final completion if scheduled for June 2000.
Trustee B|achhurot pointed out that Staff has been working on this project over
the puai two years to got to this point It was moved and seconded
(Levine/Miller) to approve the contract with K8o|tz Construction in the
amount of $3'477.418.50 for the K8ary's Lake Water Treatment Plant
Expansion Project, and itpassed unanimously.
3.2*»QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT.
Finance Officer McFarland reviewed the 2ndquarter financial reports. He stated
that the Enterprise Funds reflect revenues over 50%and expenses under 5O%
at the end ofthe 2""quarter. Hereported that the Investment Fund contains a
large deposit from the bonding authority related to Light and Power bonds that
will earn interest until depleted by scheduled projects. Expenses in the
General Fund have been kept under 5096 through the first half ofthe year with
aa|su tax revenues coming in approximately 0% lower than last year and 096
under projections through May equating to appvox\mmto|y$1OO.00O. Finance
Officer McFarland stated that this is the first down quarter in the past nine, and
that he advises moving cautiously when considering new or discretionary
spending.
4.FIRE TRUCK PURCHASE.
The 20O8Fire Department budget includes $27U.00Utopurchase uFire Truck
Apparatus from account 101'2200-422'34-42 transferred to special revenue
fund 229-2200-422-34'42. Staff is recommending replacement ofFire Engine
#2. a 1876 Mack Fire truck, which has exceeded its useful life as primary
response vehicle. Chief Dorman stated that the new fire truck apparatus will
have greater pumping oapadh/, comply with occupational safety and health
otandende, hold four firefighters instead of two resulting in the ability to get
more people on the scene faotnr, and will produce o positive effect on
insurance ratings and premiums.
Board of Trustees — July 22, 2008 — Page 5
Specification requirements for the truck were compiled by Staff to meet the
identified needs of the fire department and residents within the Fire Department
response area. Bids were solicited from six manufacturers with five companies
responding. Low bidder Mile -Hi Fire Apparatus' vehicle met or exceeded a
majority of the requirement specifications at a cost of $357,918; $87,918 over
budget. Contributing factors to the cost overrun include a 68% increase in
steel prices, a 3% increase in labor costs, purchasing a four -passenger unit vs.
a two -passenger unit, and the initial costs for the fire truck were researched
and acquired in 2006. It should be noted that, once delivered, there are
additional equipment expenses for this vehicle. Costs for fire hose, nozzles,
adaptors, and clamps are estimated at $70,000 and will be requested in the
2009 budget.
The Public Safety Committee requested specific information related to methods
of addressing the cost overrun, and staff responded with the following options
related to acquiring the vehicle:
1. Use 2008 budgeted dollars ($270,000) and offset overruns ($87,918)
with fire subscription fees collected for 2008.
2. Use 2008 budgeted dollars ($270,000), offset a portion of overruns
($41,041) from the fire subscription fees collected and initiate line item
cuts from the department budget in the amount of $46,877.
3. Lease purchase.
4. Purchase a used fire truck.
5. Do not purchase the truck at this time which would result in a price
increase of approximately 15%-20% according to Mile High Fire
Apparatus staff.
Discussion followed and is summarized: Engine #2 has little value as a trade-
in but can be utilized as a back-up engine; don't cut budget for necessary
equipment and training; personnel savings of $27, 377 realized because Fire
Department Training Officer was not hired until April 2008; lease payments
would be approximately $80,000 per year with approximately $45,000 paid in
interest over a five year period; it is difficult to locate a used vehicle that would
meet Fire Department requirements, and agreement that this is appropriate use
of fire subscription fees.
It was moved and seconded (Miller/Blackhurst) to approve the purchase of
the Fire Truck apparatus at a cost of $357,918, to be funded in the
following manner: $270,000 from 2008 budget, $27,377 from personnel
savings, and the balance from subscription fees paid in 2008, and it
passed unanimously.
5. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER.
Based on discussions held at the April 25, 2008 Town Board retreat, Town
Administrator Halburnt researched the addition of a Public Information Officer
(PIO) position and performed a salary survey, gathering data from Frisco,
Steamboat Springs, Avon, Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont which
indicated a competitive salary range for the position of $52,785-$72,735 that,
with benefits, would increase to $68,600-$94,550. This salary information
along with an outline of job duties was presented at the June 10, 2008 Town
Board meeting. At that time, the Board requested to review a comprehensive
job description and questioned the need for the full-time position.
Town Administrator Halburnt stated that although the optimal decision would be
to add the position, considering the current decline in sales tax revenue, she is
hesitant to do so at this time. Currently PIO duties are included within the
Deputy Town Administrator job description and she recommends Deputy Town
Administrator Richardson retain these duties, working with an assigned Public
Board of Trustees — July 22, 2008 — Page 6
Information representative from each department. The Public Information
Team will meet regularly as a group and pool resources to increase
communication, both internally and externally. The Trustees concurred with
this approach and suggested the position be revisited during 2009 budget
study sessions.
6. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Administrator Halburnt reported that, due to budget cuts, CDOT has
delayed the replacement of two bridges on Highway 34 east of Town for at
least one year. Repairs to the bridge on Mary's Lake Road in the vicinity of
Spruce RV Park will take place this fall and winter.
Whereupon Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting 9:18 p.m.
Cynth
Deats, Deputy Town Clerk
William C. Pinkham, Mayor