HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2010-12-14Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 14, 2010
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 14th day of December, 2010. Meeting
called to order by Mayor Pinkham.
Present:
Also Present:
William C. Pinkham, Mayor
Chuck Levine, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Eric Blackhurst
Mark Elrod
John Ericson
Wendy Koenig
Jerry Miller
Greg White, Town Attorney
Jacquie Halburnt, Town Administrator
Lowell Richardson, Deputy Town Administrator
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Absent: None
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.
None.
TOWN BOARD COMMENTS.
Trustee Blackhurst congratulated Town Administrator Halburnt on her recent
completion of a Masters in Public Administration.
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Town Board Minutes dated November 23, 2010, and Town Board Study
Session Minutes dated November 23, 2010.
2. Bills
3. Committee Minutes:
A. Public Safety / Utilities / Public Works Committee, December 9, 2010.
1. Safeway Fueling Station Utility Easement.
Estes Valley Board of Adjustment Minutes dated November 2, 2010
(acknowledgement only).
5. Motion to set a public hearing date of January 25, 2011 on proposed rate
changes for Water customers.
6. Motion to set a public hearing date of February 8, 2011 on proposed rate
changes for Light and Power customers.
7. Resolution #19-10 — Schedule public hearing date of January 11, 2011 for
Change of Location of a 3.2% Off -Premise Beer License held by GAEL INC.
Board of Trustees — December 14, 2010 — Page 2
dba Casa Del Sol Y Luna Mini Market, from 920 Dunraven Street to 841
Dunraven Street Units A & B.
It was moved and seconded (Levine/Miller) the Consent Agenda be approved, and
it passed unanimously.
2. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. BOARD LIAISON UPDATES.
Trustee Miller stated the Local Marketing District presented the 2011
marketing plan at a recent meeting.
Trustee Ericson commented on the recent Transportation Visioning Committee
in which the LMD provided information on recent studies and visitor survey. A
subcommittee has been formed for data and information gathering. Kathy
Bowers has been added to the Board of Directors for SOPA. The group has
also hired a part-time executive director to help coordinate fundraising efforts
effective January 1, 2011.
Trustee Elrod stated the county has appointed Rick Grabish to complete the
term of Steve Lane on the Planning Commission.
Trustee Blackhurst stated the Housing Authority approved a budget
amendment to adjust the service charges to John Hancock. The Authority
continues to work on an indemnification agreement with John Hancock for
Talons Pointe.
2. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Hall would be closed on December 23, 24 and 31 during the holidays. A
special Town Board meeting would be held on January 18, 2011 to discuss the
capital improvement plans for both water and electric.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS. Items reviewed by Planning Commission or
staff for Town Board Final Action. Mayor Pinkham opened the Public Hearing
for all Consent Agenda Items.
1. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDOMINIUM MAPS
1. The Lodges at Black Canyon Inn Condominiums, Supplemental
Condominium Map #2, 800 MacGregor Avenue, Building J, Jim
Sloan/Applicant.
2. Bobcat Ridge Condominiums, Supplemental Condominium Map
#2, 1459 S. St. Vrain Avenue, Unit 5, Mark Theiss/Applicant.
As there were no public comments, it was moved and seconded
(Levine/Blackhurst) to approve the Consent agenda with the Estes
Valley Planning Commission findings, and it passed unanimously.
2. ACTION ITEMS:
A. Ordinance #27-10, Amendment to the Estes Valley Development Code
— Outdoor Display of Merchandise. Director Chilcott reviewed the
code amendments that would limit the size of temporary outdoor sales
and storage areas. This item was in the previous sign code. The sign
code task force recommended the item be placed in the Development
Code. Attorney White read the ordinance. As there were no public
Board of Trustees — December 14, 2010 — Page 3
comments, it was moved and seconded (Miller/Elrod) to approve
Ordinance #27-10, and it passed unanimously.
4. ACTION ITEMS:
1. REAPPOINTMENT TO ESTES VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION.
An interview team consisting of Trustee Blackhurst, Trustee Elrod and
Planners Shirk and Chilcott interviewed two applicants. The team
recommended reappointing Commissioner Ron Norris. It was moved and
seconded (Blackhurst/Elrod) to approve the reappointment of Ron Norris
to a four-year term effective January 1, 2011, expiring December 31, 2014,
and it passed unanimously.
2. ROCKY MOUNTAIN PARK INN LLC REQUEST TERMINATION OF
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH HOLIDAY INN.
In February 2010, Chris Cook/Holiday Inn General Manager informed the
Town Board that Forever Resorts, Inc., the parent company, was planning on
terminating their franchise agreement with the Holiday Inn. The service
agreement between the Town and the Holiday Inn states the change in
affiliation shall be subject to prior written approval of the Town. Staff held
several meetings with Forever Resorts management team and hired W.R.
Hopping and Company to assess the potential impacts of eliminating a national
brand name. The report outlined the following points:
• Maintaining standards equal to or exceeding franchise requirements
• Bring property up to current Holiday Inn standards prior to termination of
franchise agreement
• Maintain Triple AAA standard rating
• Marketing efforts should include a sophisticated web presence
• Possible backfill of lost sales tax revenues
• Marketing and booking conference center could be problematic
Forever Resorts provided an outline of the initiatives to address the points
outlined by the consultant:
• Development and implementation of an eight step communications and
marketing plan
• Upgrades to the hotel property (new hallway carpeting, painting walls,
bedding replacements, new flat screen televisions in all rooms) meeting
or exceeding current standards
• Planned addition of one sales person
• Website development for the property (www.rockymountainparkinn.com)
• Support of approximately sixty booking operators
• Coordinated efforts of in-house sales staff with Town sales and
marketing director of our conference center re: branding change
• Approved conversion improvements to the patio area adjacent to the
conference center west entrance
• Approved changes to the recently remodeled restaurant
• Maintain at a minimum Holiday Inn standards regarding maintenance
and upgrades to the property
• Maintain Triple AAA standard rating
• Use franchise fees to maintain and upgrade property
Mr. Cook stated the current franchise agreement places limitation on the
marketing that can be completed. Forever Resorts has hired a marketing firm
to provide more exposure to groups. He stated many of the changes outlined
above have already taken place or are in progress.
Board of Trustees — December 14, 2010 — Page 4
Trustees comments are summarized: encouraged meeting with the LMD; the
new direction is exciting; the changes will move the property toward a resort
status; questioned if the mandated changes by the Holiday Inn were the
reason for dropping the franchise; the conference center has improved the
town, and Forever Resorts has improved the image and economy of the town.
After further discussion, it was moved and seconded (Blackhurst/Miller) to
approve the request of Forever Resorts to discontinue the franchise
agreement with the Holiday Inn as outlined in the service agreement
section 30, and it passed unanimously.
3. LOCAL MARKETING DISTRICT INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.
Trustee Blackhurst recused himself from the discussion. The Town and the
Local Marketing District entered into an IGA in 2009 that expires on December
31, 2010. The following changes have been made to the IGA: LMD employees
would remain Town employees; the LMD would pay for all employee salaries
and benefits, building rent for space at the Visitor Center, payroll processing,
IT services, and other requested services; and the IGA would continue unless
one entity terminates the agreement, or the parties agree to amend the
agreement. The LMD intends to create its own policies and procedures to
govern LMD employees, in which time, the employees would become LMD
employees with the LMD purchasing Town benefits for the employees moving
forward. It was moved and seconded (Ericson/Miller) to approve the
Intergovernmental Agreement with the Local Marketing District, and it
passed with Trustee Blackhurst abstaining.
4. RESOLUTION #18-10 2010 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS.
Finance Officer McFarland reviewed the supplemental appropriation resolution
allowing a municipality to authorize additional money for a specific fund than
was originally adopted. The requested supplemental appropriations address
both revenue and expenditure difference from the approved 2010 budget.
Examples include increase revenue to the General Fund due to the transfer of
funds from the Catastrophic Loss and Medical funds, which have been closed;
projected revenues not realized with the transfer of the Fire Pension fund to
the Fire District; Vehicle Replacement fund revenues down with the creation of
the Fire District; expenditures down in Community Reinvestment; Light and
Power expenditures up $1 million with the early payoff of a bond; and Water
exceed budget because of added payroll cost to address the new Marys Lake
Water Treatment Plant. After discussion, it was moved and seconded
(Levine/Koenig) to approve Resolution #18-10 adopting the supplemental
appropriations for the 2010 budget, and it passed unanimously.
5. CREATIVE SIGN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD BYLAWS.
The Town Board approved the new sign code on November 9, 2010 which
included the creation of a Creative Sign Program and the establishment of a
Creative Design Review Board to review applications, variances, and appeals
to staff decisions. The bylaws address how the board would function.
Discussion followed on the possibility of having board members also serve on
the Board of Appeals because of the requirement for an architect or design
professional on the Creative Sign Design Board. The Board consensus was to
have the two boards remain separate at this time. It was moved and
seconded (Levine/Blackhurst) to approve the Creative Sign Design Board
bylaws as presented, and it passed unanimously. Staff would begin the
process of advertising for the positions.
Board of Trustees — December 14, 2010 — Page 5
6. SIGN CODE FEE SCHEDULE.
Director Chilcott stated the adoption of the new sign code removed the fee
schedule from the code and stated a fee schedule would be adopted by the
Town Board. Staff is recommending the following fees:
Permits
Sign Permit, except banners
$75
Temporary Banner Permit
$30
Staff -Level Reviews
Minor Modification - 10% variance I $25
Creative Sign Design Review Board
Creative Sign Program Application
$100
Appeal of a Staff Sign Code Decision
Refunded, if appeal is granted
$100
Variance Application
$500
Creative Sign Program Application
$500
Board discussion followed: questioned if a policy exists to waive fees for non-
profits, questioned charging a fee for a new program established to encourage
creative signs, and the cost would deter individuals from applying. After further
discussion, it was moved and seconded (Koenig/Levine) to approve the fee
schedule as presented with the exception of the Creative Sign Program
Application fee reduced to $250, and it passed unanimously.
7. ORDINANCE #28-10 - 2009 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE ADOPTION.
The Board requested the item be postponed to allow each member adequate
time to review the amendments. Mayor Pinkham opened the public hearing:
John Spooner/Member of the Contractors Association stated the construction
community has worked closely with the Building Department and with a few
exceptions concurs with the amendments and adoption of the 2009 codes. He
commended staff on the process and the product. Trustee Miller commented
on the professional presentation and clarity of the document. It was moved
and seconded (Miller/Blackhurst) to continue the public hearing to the
January 25, 2011 Board meeting, and it passed unanimously.
8. REQUEST TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION: (To be held in Room 130)
It was moved and seconded (Ericson/Levine) for the Board to go into
Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter; not
involving any specific employees who have requested discussion of the
matter in open session; any member of the Town Board (or body); the
appointment of any person to fill an office of the Town Board (or body);
or personnel policies that do not require discussion of matters personal
to particular employees., under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f), and it passed
unanimously.
Mayor Pinkham recessed the meeting to enter into Executive Session at 8:25 p.m.
Mayor Pinkham reconvened the meeting t 11:0,p.m. from Executive Session
whereupon he adjourned the meeting at 11:9'
William C. Pinkham, Mayor
J ie Williamson, Town Clerk