HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2013-04-09Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 9, 2013
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 9th day of April, 2013. Meeting called to
order by Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst.
Present:
Also Present:
Eric Blackhurst, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Mark Elrod
John Ericson
Wendy Koenig
Ron Norris
John Phipps
Frank Lancaster, Town Administrator
Greg White, Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Absent: William C. Pinkham, Mayor
Lowell Richardson, Assistant Town Administrator
Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to
do so, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS.
Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst presented the following Proclamations — Month of the
Young Child, Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month and Estes Cares About Bears
Month.
The Bear Education Task Force unveiled a banner "Estes Cares About Bears! Stash
Your Trash — Keep Bears Wild", which would be displayed at the 34/36 intersection.
The group's mission is ultimately to create a better environment for bears and other
wildlife, to preserve watchable wildlife in the Estes Valley, and to promote public safety.
The group has developed programs for organizations such as restaurants, HOAs,
clubs, etc., developed a website, utility bill stuffers and dumpster stickers. The group
along with Bears Are Us has developed a positive recognition and reinforcement
program for businesses that have taken the bear -responsible business pledge and
display a window decal in their business. The Board thanked all involved in the effort
and stated this process has been a model example of how the community can come
together to address an issue.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Robert Burger/Glen Haven citizen stated traffic through downtown could be curtailed
significantly with proper signage directing visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park
through the Fall River entrance rather than the Beaver Meadow entrance, which
requires visitors to maneuver through downtown.
Peter & Ellen Reinertsen/Owners of Misty Mountain Lodge at 232 E. Riverside Drive,
requested the Town Board reconsider the one-way couplet downtown for the Federal
Lands Access Program grant. Either project, one-way or two way reroute of the
highway, would have significant impact to their business, however, the two way is
preferred by CDOT and would garner more support by those reviewing the grant. The
one-way would have significant negative effects on the remaining property values.
TOWN BOARD COMMENTS / LIAISON REPORTS.
Trustee Norris stated Visit Estes Park discussed its role in economic development and
reached the conclusion it should have a seat at the table; however, it should not lead
the effort. During a recent Economic Development Council of Colorado meeting the
Board of Trustees — April 9, 2013 — Page 2
conference leaders confirmed the approach of the Economic Development Task Force,
stressed the importance of diversifying the community's economic base, and good jobs
bring a higher quality of life to the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst stated the Housing Authority would hold its monthly meeting
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 in Room 203 at 8:30 a.m. because a quorum was not
available on April 10, 2013. The Public Safety, Utilities and Public Works Committee
would meet on Thursday, April 11, 2013 in the Board Room at 8:00 a.m.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
None.
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Town Board Study Session Minutes dated March 26, 2013, and Town Board
Minutes dated March 26, 2013.
2. Bills.
3. Committee Minutes:
a. Community Development! Community Services, March 21, 2013.
1. Portable Bleacher, Kay Park Recreation - $41,385.65 — budgeted.
4. Resolution #04-13, Surprise Sidewalk Sale — May 4 — 5, 2013.
5. Resolution #05-13, Schedule public hearing of April 23, 2013, for a New
Tavern Liquor License Application filed by Carl Scott dba Coffee On the
Rocks, 510 Moraine Avenue.
It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Norris) to approve the Consent Agenda, and it
passed unanimously with Mayor absent.
2. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK UPDATE.
Superintendent Baker provided an update on Park activities: Steering
committee formed to help develop the Centennial celebration events for the
Park in 2015; visitation up in 2012 in spite of the fires; sequestration has
required the Park to reduce its operating budget by 5%, thereby decreasing
the number of seasonal personnel hired, not opening the Moraine Visitor
Center in 2013 and closing the Glacier campground for the entire season; a
brochure on the Fern Lake fire was mailed to all 80517 addresses; the fire has
not been officially claimed out, however the last smoke was seen in January;
elk culling has not occurred for the last two winters as the numbers have been
within acceptable levels; the Lily Lake dam was repaired during the fall of 2012
with revegetation underway and the trail reopened; Bear Lake road
reconstruction would be finished this year with paving to be completed by the
end of July at the latest; and a multi -use trail study has been underway to
study alternatives and align/connect to the systems completed or underway by
the Town and the Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District.
3. ACTION ITEMS:
1. GOVERNING POLICIES — STAFF LIMITATIONS.
The Town Board has been working on adopting the Policy Governance model
of governance for the Town. The section presented would address staff
limitations, which articulates the limitations and requirements of staff,
particularly the Town Administrator, as it relates to the governance of the
Board of Trustees — April 9, 2013 — Page 3
Town. It was moved and seconded (Norris/Phipps) to approve Police
Governance — Staff Limitations, and the motion passed unanimously with
Mayor Pinkham absent.
2. CLASSIFICATION & COMPENSATION STUDY CONTRACT.
Director Williamson commented the Board approved funding for a
Classification and Compensation study for 2013. The last study was
completed in 1999/2000. The study would updated the current Compensation
plan utilizing accepted practices in the management and design of
classification, and compensation systems, and address changes in the Town's
operations and staffing over the last 13 years. An RFP was completed in
February with six proposals received ranging from $18,750 to $50,000. The
range in cost was associated on the low end with Town staff being required to
complete a majority of the work and on the high end due to staffing costs. A
review team consisting of a representative from each department provided a
review and evaluation of the proposals. The team unanimously recommends
ESM Consulting due to their local presence and understanding of Colorado
and municipalities. Reference checks also indicated a strong knowledge of
local government, mindful of budgetary limitations of municipalities and strong
communication skills. It was moved and seconded (Norris/Phipps) to
approve a contract with ESM Consulting Services for a Classification and
Compensation study, and it passed unanimously with Mayor Pinkham absent.
3. 2013 SHUTTLE CONTRACT WITH MCDONALD TRANSIT.
Director Winslow stated the Shuttle Committee and staff are proposing a five
year contract with McDonald Transit Associates Inc. to provide shuttle services
to ensure seamless operation of services and provide cost control from year-
to-year. The contract would be subject to annual appropriations and the
negotiation of costs by March 31St of each calendar year. For 2013, McDonald
Transit would lease three vehicles at a cost not to exceed $3,400 per vehicle
per month from Davey Coach and maintain and insure a Town owned trolley.
The Town would pay for the installation and removal of the GPS tracking
equipment and exterior lettering/logos as appropriate. The hourly service rate
for 2013 would be $50.45 which would include routine maintenance, shuttle
drivers, insurance, and fuel costs up to $2.50 a gallon for five full -service
schedules and charters for a total cost of $321,935.40. Staff has reviewed the
option of adding bike racks and has concerns related to the possible safety
and damage it may cause to the rentals. Staff has had difficulties procuring a
gas trolley as there is a limited supply. If a trolley has not been identified prior
to the shuttle season an additional bus would be rented. After further
discussion, it was moved and seconded (Koenig/Ericson) to approve the
agreement with McDonald Transit Associates Inc., to provide shuttle
services for the Town of Estes Park, as specified in the agreement, and it
passed unanimously with Mayor Pinkham absent.
4. PARK THEATER SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.
On December 19, 2012, a Town front-end loader removing snow from Moraine
Avenue slide into the southwest corner of the Park Theater building causing
damage to the building. As the front-end loader is not considered a "motor
vehicle" under the provisions of the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, the
Town's insurance provider denied the claim. The Town retained Thorp
Associates PC and Westover Construction to investigate and determine the
extent of the damage and a cost to repair the building. The Full and Final
Release and Settlement Agreement negotiated with the owner of the Park
Theater building, Park Theater Mall LLC, provides the Town agrees to repair
the building as stated in the report, retain a certified structural engineer to
determine whether there are any structural damages to the building due to the
accident, and the building owner agrees to a full and final release of any and
all liabilities of the Town for the damage with the completion of the repairs.
Board ufTrustees — April 9.2O13—Page 4
The Board requested staff provide areport onhow the repairs would befunded
and what items may bodeferred tocover the costs. Mayor Pro Tern B|aokhurst
also requested the Board further discuss the need to reestablish the
Catastrophic Loss fund to cover items such as this in the future.
/Ntor further disoussion, it was moved and seconded (Koenig/Phipps) to
approve the Full and Final Release and Settlement Agreement between
the Town ofEstes Park and the Park Theater Mail LLCaspresented, and it
passed unanimously with Mayor Pinkhomabsent.
Whereupon Mayor Pro Tern B|eukhura adjourned the meeting atQ:OOp.m.
Eric Blackhurst, Mayor Pro Tern
J�v�/eWilliamson, Town (]or