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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2009-11-10' Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 10, 2009 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 10th day of November, 2009. Meeting called to order by Mayor Pinkham. Present: Mayor William C. Pinkham Trustees Eric Blackhurst John Ericson Jerry Miller Also Present: Lowell Richardson, Deputy Town Administrator Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk Absent: Chuck Levine, Mayor Pro Tenn Dorla Eisenlauer, Trustee Richard Homeier, Trustee Jacquie Halburnt, Town Administrator Greg White, Town Attorney 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. Tom Anderson and Don Widrig/Fire District Initiative Committee members thanked the citizens for the passage of the district. They thanked the Town Board for their cooperation and support during the development and passage of the district. Mr. Anderson also thanked Town staff for their assistance throughout the process. Jim Tawney/Town citizen and business owner along Fall River expressed concern with the continued development of the pedestrian trail and the costs associated with building the trail through accommodation properties along Fall River Road toward the park. He stated the current trail sees little to no use. TOWN BOARD COMMENTS. Trustee Blackhurst reminded the public that the Estes Park Housing Authority would meet Wednesday, November 11th at 8:30 a.m. in Room 203. He recognized the Water Department for their efforts during the recent Park Theater Mall fire to ensure water was available for the fire and for the citizens. Mayor Pinkham thanked the Fire District Initiative Committee for their efforts in passing the fire district. He also recognized the efforts of the other Town departments during the recent fire. He thanked the Estes Valley Partners for Commerce for a meeting they held with the businesses located within the Park Theater Mall to provide them support and resources. Trustee Ericson thanked Finance Officer McFarland and his department for efforts during the budget process, as well as the department heads who participated. 1. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Town Board Minutes dated October 27, 2009, Town Board Study Session Minutes dated October 21, 2009 and October 27, 2009, and Town Board Budget Study Session Minutes dated October 16, 2009 and October 23, 2009 Board of Trustees — November 10, 2009— Page 2 2. Bills. 3. Committee Minutes: 1. October meetings cancelled for Public Safety and Public Works. 4. Prospect Avenue Easements: • Temporary easement to underground utility service, Lot 8, Cumorrah Subdivision, located at 520 Ouray Drive. • Temporary easement to underground utility service and a permanent drainage, access and utilities easement, a Portion of Lot 1, Block 3, Country Club Manor Addition, 402 Driftwood, Avenue. It was moved and seconded (Miller/Ericson) to approve the Consent Agenda, and it passed unanimously. 2. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. DEER RIDGE SUBDIVISION UPDATE. Director Joseph stated the Deer Ridge subdivision was approved by the Town Board in April 2009. The Estes Valley Development Code provides the developer with the option to either establish a Letter of Credit within 60 days of subdivision approval for the required improvements to be completed within 2 years, or complete infrastructure improvements prior to the recordation of the subdivision plat. Time extensions were approved by staff for the subdivision plat because the developer continued to make progress throughout the summer, and completed a majority of the improvements within 6 months. The improvements were also consistent with the construction drawings approved with the subdivision plat and no waivers or variances were requested. By working with the developer, improvements were completed and the neighboring landowners have upgraded water service, properly engineered roadway and enhanced fire protection. The development has a pending list of items to be completed including erosion control and the accompanying re - vegetation. Director Joseph stated a majority of the erosion that may occur this season would be contained in the new detention pond and re -vegetation would not occur until the next growing season. 2. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. • The American Legion would hold a pancake breakfast on Veteran's day and encouraged the community to attend. • The League of Women Voters would host a voter forum on the upcoming election on January 12, 2010 on the Initiated Ordinance to abolish the of current Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority at the Library on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:00 a.m. • After the 10 day contestation period for the Fire District vote, a transitional IGA would need to be approved between the Town and the District. • A draft of the Community Development department assessment has been received and reviewed by Administration. The next steps include review with the consultant and an action plan developed and presented to the Town Board. • A monthly update on the Grandstand project would be presented to the EPURA Board and reviewed with the Town Board during a Board meeting. 3. ACTION ITEMS: 1. 2009 CONCRETE REHABILITATION. Board of Trustees — November 10, 2009— Page 3 Director Zum stated the Public Works department conducts annual concrete rehabilitation and the 2009 budget contains $50,000 for improvements to repair miscellaneous concrete, curb, trails and sidewalk. The repairs would be conducted within the 300-500 blocks of East Elkhorn Avenue and the Riverwalk. Requests for prices were sent to four insured, local concrete construction companies with the low bid from Cornerstone Construction Concepts for $43,478. Staff would request approval for the entire $50,000 to complete additional improvements. It was moved and seconded (Ericson/Blackhurst) to approve Cornerstone Construction Concepts for the annual concrete rehabilitation for the budgeted $50,000 from account 101-3100-431-35-51, and it passed unanimously. 2. PUBLIC HEARING — 2010 BUDGET. Deputy Town Administrator Richardson reviewed a couple of major changes, including the passage of the Fire District and the creation of the Community Services department (combining Visitor Services, Museum, Senior Center, Special Events and Conference Services). The changes have reduced staffing levels for 2010. Finance Officer McFarland reviewed the budget process for the 2010 budget, which included pre -budget meetings in June and July and 4 study sessions in October. He provided an overview of the current economic environment that has lead to a downturn in sales tax for a majority of Colorado communities. An informal poll of communities that derive most of their revenue from sales tax are down on average 8% and are budgeting flat for 2010. In comparison, the Town is forecasting a 5% decrease in 2009 and a zero increase in 2010. 2009 revenues were revised down due to a decrease in sales tax, interest income and Community Development fees collected. Additional savings were also realized in 2009 through space savings or cutting costs in Personnel, O&M/Capital and Transfers with total cuts of $259,809. The Town budget contains 16 funds with expenditures of over $32 million with a majority of the expenses in the Enterprise funds of Water and Light and Power that are funded by rate payers. The General Fund continues to maintain a 30% fund balance and subsidize Special Revenue funds less in 2010. The Community Reinvestment Fund continues to escrow funds for projects such as the grandstands, MPEC or other projects yet identified. The transfer to the CVB funds were reduced with the LMD providing the marketing and advertising for Estes Park starting in 2010. The Enterprise funds are metabolizing capital projects and debt service while maintaining healthy debt ratios. Board discussion followed: future improvements to the Glacier Basin water treatment plant may require future rate increases; the Town has discussed pooling funds with the Park and Recreational District to complete additional trails; transitional IGA for the Fire District would require funding of the District in 2010; and the Town should look at the option of self-insurance to reduce costs. Town Administrator Richardson stated the Fire District Initiative Committee filed the necessary paperwork to allow the District to collect property tax in 2010. The Town would provide half of the projected 7% of sales tax within the first 10 days of 2010 to provide the District with operating funds prior to receiving the first installment of property tax. The Town's insurance broker has been exploring options including self-insurance or a prescription drug program to reduce health insurance costs. Staff would review options and provide a report to the Board. Public Comments: Board of Trustees — November 10, 2009— Page 4 Dave Albee/Town citizen reviewed the Open Space fund that receives revenues from the Larimer County Open Space of one -quarter of one percent sales tax for trails and open space. He stated all revenues from properties such as the Stanley Fairgrounds and Bond Park that are zoned open space should be placed in the Open Space fund. Open Space funds are being used to construct trails along Fall River Road in easements adjacent to roadways and not in open space areas. The County uses 70% of their Open Space funds for acquisition and Estes Park should follow the County's lead. He suggested funds should not be diverted for the improvement of Bond Park. He encouraged the Board to address the need for an Open Space Master Plan for Estes Park. Mark Elrod/Town citizen read from a prepared statement. He attended all budget study sessions held in October and observed the following: the need for page numbers on the draft budget document; suggested each line on the pages be numbered for reference purpose; notations of initials and abbreviations used should be fully identified; expenses for education/training, membership dues/subscriptions and catering/special circumstances need further review by the Board for justification or confirmation of necessity in meeting the Town's Mission, Vision and Goals. Staff would consider further notation in the budget for the previously listed items and spell out acronyms. Some training is required by Town staff to maintain certification and proficiencies. The training budget for other departments and staff has been budgeted per the travel policy and supported by the Board. The public hearing was continued to the November 24, 2009 Town Board meeting. Whereupon Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 9 liam Pinkham, Mayor .0.6. `Pietov. Jkie Williamson, Town Clerk