HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2024-02-13Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 13, 2024
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 13th day of February, 2024.
Present:
Also Present:
Wendy Koenig, Mayor
Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem
Kirby Hazelton
Trustees Barbara MacAlpine
Patrick Martchink and
Cindy Younglund
Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Bunny Victoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk
Absent: Frank Lancaster, Trustee
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited
the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION — SHOW FIRST RESPONDERS SOME LOVE MONTH.
Mayor Koenig read the proclamation and encouraged all citizens to recognize February
2024 as Show First Responders Some Love month, and encouraged the efforts of
Restoration Ranch of Colorado who support the health and well-being of Colorado first
responders and their families. Kaylyn Kruger shared her family's personal passion for first
responders and thanked the Board and community for their support.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Cenac/MacAlpine) to approve the Agenda, and it passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Tom Kaszynski/County resident spoke regarding housing in the community, the proposed
development at Olympus Lodge and concerns regarding affordable wages offered by
corporations. He questioned why the Town has not purchased properties in the past to
convert them into workforce housing.
Jed Eide/Town citizen, Rebecca Urquhart/Town citizen and Susan Kaszynski/County
resident spoke regarding the citizen initiated ordinance ballot question and comments
have been summarized: The proposed ordinance would provide neighbors a voice in
development process; homes are an individual's most valuable asset; neighbor's interest
should have priority over developers; and the citizen initiated ordinance was not anti -
development.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Trustee comments were heard and have been summarized: The February 2024 Estes
Park Planning Commission meeting was cancelled; Coffee and Tea with the Police
Department was well attended and tours of the Emergency Operations Center were
offered; the Colorado Association of Ski Towns would hold their annual legislature
meeting in March to discuss upcoming laws; the Regional Opioid Abatement Council
continues to discuss the allocation of funding toward treatment, prevention and
administration; reviewed the services offered by Estes Valley Investment in Childhood;
Restorative Justice held a special meeting to discuss the recruitment, plan, and process
for the Executive Director position, as well as plans for the annual fundraiser; the newly
formed Estes Chamber Economic Development and Workforce Council comprised of past
Economic Development Corporation members, current Estes Chamber members,
business, and community representatives held their first meeting; the Estes Non -Profit
Board of Trustees — February 13, 2024 — Page 2
Network would hold a ribbon cutting for their re -branding; the Transportation Advisory
Board (TAB) continues soliciting feedback from TAB on transitioning from an advisory
board to an ad -hoc committee and more information would be available after the February
meeting; a Trustee Talk session would be held and the public was encouraged to attend
and discuss local issues; the Behavioral Health Policy Committee would be selecting a
new director; and Mayor Koenig commended the Board on their various liaison duties.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Administrator Machalek stated Larimer County Clerk & Recorder Tina Harris would
meet with community members to discuss cutting back the number of days the Estes Park
voting center would be open to the public during the general election. He stated the
importance of the Estes Park voting center being open with similar hours as other voting
centers during the general election.
Town Clerk Williamson stated the sample ballot had been published to the website for the
Estes Park Regular Election on April 2, 2024. The candidates as listed on the ballot would
be in the following order for Mayor, Barbara MacAlpine followed by Gary Hall and for
Trustee, Frank Lancaster, Frank Theis, Bruce Darby, Bill Brown, Cindy Younglund, Mark
!gel and Nathan Harger. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
(UOCAVA) ballots would be sent on February 16, 2024. She stated "For" and "Against"
comments on the TABOR issue would be collected through February 16, 2024. She
stated ballots would be mailed to all registered active voters on March 11, 2024, the last
day a ballot can be mailed would be March 29, 2024 and the League of Women voters
would hold the Trustee Candidate Forum on March 6, 2024 and the Mayor Candidate
Forum would be held on March 11, 2024.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills.
2. Town Board Meeting Minutes and Study Session Minutes dated January 23, 2024.
3. Transportation Advisory Board Minutes dated December 20, 2023
(acknowledgement only).
4. Resolution 06-24 Contract with Mountain View Commercial Cleaning for 2024
Janitorial Services, $453,441, Budgeted.
5. Resolution 07-24 Contract with Kimley Horn for Design and Bidding Phase Services
for the Mall Road Watermain Looping Project, $331,545, Budgeted.
It was moved and seconded (MacAlpine/Hazelton) to approve/deny the Consent
Agenda, and it passed unanimously.
Trustee MacAlpine commented on the increase cost of the 2024 janitorial services as
compared to previous years. Staff confirmed the difference should be a 5% difference
which would be updated in packet material.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: (Outside Entities).
1. STATE ANTI -IDLE ORDINANCE. Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) Program
Coordinator Sammy Herdman presented information on the Engines Off RAQC
program designed to mitigate idling. She stated RAQC was the lead air quality
planning agency in the Front Range dedicated to reducing ozone pollution and
improving air quality. Vehicle idling impacts statistics were provided for public
health, climate change and environmental injustices including: The release of
chemicals increases severity of asthma, respiratory and cardiovascular disease
and other health problems; in the US idling wastes 6 billion gallons of fuel a year;
and because of the inequitable distribution of freight corridors and industrial
facilities in Colorado, the health impact of commercial vehicle pollution
disproportionately impacts low income and minority communities. Highlights of the
anti -idling programs included: engines off at school educational and outreach
campaign, Engines Off for Food Trucks grant program which awards owners with
funding to replace diesel/gas/propane generators with batteries and local
government outreach. The anti -idle ordinance sample language recommended
Board of Trustees — February 13, 2024 — Page 3
one minute idling restriction, exemptions for emergency vehicles, loading,
temperature extremes, low fine structure for passenger vehicles and higher fine
structure for commercial vehicles. She requested Board interest in supporting an
amendment to the state anti -idling law to remove the local government preemption.
Changes to the state anti -idling law would prohibit commercial diesel vehicles with
a gross vehicle weight rating less than 14,000 pounds from idling for more than 5
minutes and would include a preemption to restrict local governments from passing
a more stringent ordinance. She stated Colorado was the only state with the
preemption. The Board was in support and directed staff to draft a resolution
containing the concepts discussed since the initiative had not been formally
introduced and assigned a number.
2. ESTES VALLEY SHORT-TERM RENTAL ALLIANCE (EVSTRA) REPORT ON
SB24-033. The Estes Valley Short Term Rental Alliance was formed in September
of 2022 to advance the interest of the short-term rental (STRs) business. Bill
Brown and Becky Robbins provided a report on SB 24-033 that would reclassify
STRs as commercial property for commercial property tax assessment if rented for
90 days or more per year. The bill would not apply to STRs that are the principal
residency of the owner. The assessed property tax rate would increase for
residential property from 6.8% to 29%. Mr. Brown reviewed a Colorado Lodging
& Resort Association survey to determine the impact if the bill was enacted: 54%
would reduce their rentals to 90 days per year, 13% would sell their property, 11
would convert to a long-term rental, and 8% would stop renting their property.
EVSTRA estimates the taxes collected on STRs would decrease by one-third if the
owners decrease or stop renting all together with the enactment of the bill. The
Estes Chamber of Commerce has produced a statement of opposition to SB 24-
033. Town Attorney Kramer stated the Colorado Municipal League and Colorado
Association of Ski Towns stated due to feedback to the legislature the bill may not
move forward without significant amendments.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS:
1. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. WITHDRAWAL REQUEST FOR AMENDED PLAT, LOTS 8A, 9A, AND A
PORTION OF 10A OF THE FIRST RESUBDIVISION OF BUENNA VISTA,
TODD PHILLIPS, EP REAL ESTATE LLC OWNERJAPPLICANT. Staff
requested and the applicant consented to the removal of this item for Lots 8A,
9A, and a portion of 10A Amended Plat pending receipt of a revised application
which may be subject to staff review depending on the extent of the
application. It was moved and seconded (Younglund/Hazelton) to not take
action on the consent agenda, and it passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. REVISED FINANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL. ERP Manager
Hudson reviewed the proposed revision to increase the purchase order threshold
from $3,000 to $10,000. This change would address the increase in cost of goods
and services from the last time the purchase order limit changed in 2011. Staff
would bring forward a full rewrite of the Finance Policies and Procedures Manual
in the near future. After further discussion, it was moved and seconded
(Hazelton/Cenac) to approve the revised Finance Policies and Procedures
Manual as presented, and it passed unanimously.
2. RESOLUTION 08-24 ADOPTING THE TOWN OF ESTES PARK AMERICANS
WITH DISABILITIES SELF -EVALUATION AND TRANSITION PLAN. Manager
Schumaker provided an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Self -
Evaluation and Transition Plan as presented at the January 26, 2024 study
session. The adoption of the plan would meet federal and state requirements and
protect the Town against ADA litigation and potential lawsuits. The plan would be
reviewed and updated on an annual basis to ensure new regulations are
adequately addressed. No public comments on the plan have been received.
Board of Trustees — February 13, 2024 — Page 4
Trustee MacAlpine requested clarification on the priority of the projects and
spending plans for the upcoming years. Manager Schumaker stated the initial
focus would be on high impact low cost projects with an evaluation of the higher
cost items at a future date. It was moved and seconded (Younglund/MacAlpine)
to approve Resolution 08-24, and it passed unanimously.
3. REVISED POLICY 101 — BOARD OF TRUSTEES DIVISION OF
RESPONSIBILITIES. Town Administrator Machalek presented the changes to the
policy to include a liaison to the new Estes Chamber Economic and Workforce
Development Council to include Trustee Hazelton and the Town Administrator, and
other updates since last summer. New appointments would be established after
the April 2, 2024 election. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Younglund) to
approve revised Policy 101, and it passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE. Interim Police Chief Stewart provided an
update on the Police Department and current priorities for short-term, long-term
and mid-term goals. Three immediate priorities included the delivery of
professional police services, increasing public engagement to live up to the Estes
Park Police motto "Your Police, Our Community", and taking ownership to have an
open-door policy. He stated these immediate goals would be achieved through
increased training opportunities, instilling a culture with training as a priority,
continuing monthly coffee and tea chat session, the development of a Captain's
update, spearheaded by Captain Baranyos, to engage the public and increase the
department's social media footprint for recruiting and engagement, and Chief
videos to provide departmental updates. He stated a comprehensive audit of the
evidence room was conducted with the Larimer County Sherrifs office. The
department would continue to reimagine and modernize procedures. Deputy Chief
Hughes would review and update internal policies. The department would be
focusing on employee empowerment in an effort to build a team who are not afraid
to answer the why not just the what and the how, and focusing on training to ensure
staff resiliency and redundancy. An intermediate goal would be the load plan for
radio communications, invest in the management and public safety side of events,
and crisis and strategic planning, resiliency on an agency wide level. Long term
goals included emergency management, community preparedness report, and
reviewing the recruitment process. The Board commended the department on their
efforts and encouraged the community to take advantage of the open-door policy.
Town Administrator Machalek provided a brief update on the Police Chief
recruitment process and procedure. He stated a limited scope contract with a
recruiter would be finalized, and Deputy Town Administrator Damweber would be
handling pre -interview work for internal and external stakeholders to solidify the
position need. He stated the Police Chief residency requirement would be
amended and in alignment with all other sworn police personnel with a response
time of 60 minutes, which would be important from a recruiting standpoint.
Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
ictoria Beerrs, 6eputy Town Clerk