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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2013-03-26Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 26, 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 26th day of March, 201 3. Meeting called to order by Mayor Pinkham. Present: Also Present: William C. Pinkham, Mayor Eric Blackhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Trustees Mark Elrod John Ericson Wendy Koenig Ron Norris John Phipps Frank Lancaster, Town Administrator Lowell Richardson, Assistant Town Administrator Greg White, Town Attorney 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. He requested a moment of silence in honor of former Trustee Jerry Miller, community activist and friend to many. PROCLAMATION: Mayor Pinkham proclaimed April as Financial Literacy Month. Marsha Yelick/Estes Valley Library stated the Library would be hosting 8 adult workshop seminars during the month and 4 money themed movies. In addition there would be educational lessons provided to the school students. GRADUATION CEREMONY: 2013 CITIZENS INFORMATION ACADEMY (CIA) PARTICIPANTS. Mayor Pinkham, Public Information Officer Rusch and Town Administrator Lancaster - Present Participation Certificates to the following class members: Mike Cunningham Linda Hardin Anne Morris Robert Sherrod Jan Dougherty Bob Holcomb Judith Schaffer Richard D. Tekulve PRESENTATION: High School Science Fair Project. — Sheri Fedorchak Jean E. McGuire Dr. Russ Schneider Kellie Thompson Liam Fogarty and Cannon Braggs presented their High School Science Fair Project on "Wind Energy — A Study of Feasibility". PUBLIC COMMENTS. None. TOWN BOARD COMMENTS / LIAISON REPORTS. Trustee Ericson congratulated all CIA graduates and commented the program has created more participation in local government. Trustee Koenig stated the President of the Sister Cities program is currently visiting Costa Rica. Western Heritage continues to prepare for the upcoming Rodeo in July. Trustee Norris commented the Economic Development Task Force continues to meet with the public on their proposal and the DCI report would be forthcoming in April. Visit Estes Park is working on a new campaign and coordinating with the National Park in Board ofTrustees — March 26, 2013—Page 2 celebrating the Park'100" anniversary. The Bear Education Task Force has completed the development of an awareness campaign and would present their efforts at the next Board mooting. Trustee Elrod reminded the public the deadline for Pride Awards is April 1, 2011 TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. None. 1. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Town Board Study Session Minutes dated March 12' 2013and March21. 2013.Town Board Minutes dated March 12.281& 2. Bills. 1 Committee Minutes: a. Public Safety, Utilities and Public Works, March 14, 2013. 4. Estes Valley Planning Commission Minutes dated February 19. 2013 (acknowledgement only.) It was moved and seconded (B|aokhumt/Koenig) to approve the Consent Agenda, and itpassed unanimously. 2. PLANNING C{}K8K8|BS|ON ITEMS. Items reviewed byPlanning Commission or staff for Town Board Final Action. 1. CONSENT ITEMS: A. PRELIMINARY & FINAL CONDOMINIUM MAPS — TIME EXTENG|<]N, River View Pines Condominiuma, Tract 58C. Rop|at of Tract 50, Amended Plat of Lot 2, Door Crest Subdivision; 1150 VY Elkhorn Avenue; Frederick Kropp/Owner. B. SPECIAL REVIEW 2q13-O2. ELKH0RN TUBING HILL, All Elkhorn Addition (Leas Elkhorn Plaza Lodges, |mms a portion of metes & bounds parcel); 000 W. Elkhorn Avenue-, CMS Plan ningA\pp|ioart. Item continued 1mthe April 23'2013meeting. It was moved and seconded (8|aokhurnt/Nonin)hm approve the Consent Agenda Item 1.A. approved with the Planning Commission necommendmbons, and it passed unanimously. It was moved and seconded (B|uokhurot/Nonio)tm approve the Consent Agenda Item 1.B. approved with the Planning Commission naommnnmmndudona, and it passed unanimously. 2. ACTION ITEMS: A. SPECIAL REVIEW 2U13'U1. OPEN AIR ADVENTURE PARK, Lot4. Prospect Village Subdivision-, 470 Prospect VlUoQo Drive; Tim Knautzer/App|ionnt. Mayor Pro Tern 8|ookhunstnaouaedhimself from the discussion. Senior Planner Shirk stated the request would develop an outdoor challenge course consisting of a series of raised platforms connected by various rope challenges. The development would contain a small o#ire, rope oouroo, eighteen space parking |ot, sidewalks, and landscaping. Business hours would vary but range from 0:00 a.m. to 0:30 p.m. There would be no exterior lighting for this development an Board of Trustees — March 26, 2013 — Page 3 the hours of operation would not necessitate lighting. No fencing has been proposed as the course would be raised during non -business hours and would be 30 feet tall. The Estes Valley Planning Commission (EVPC) recommended approval of the development at their March 19t" meeting. The applicant was presented to describe the course in more detail, stating the small course size limits the need for speakers and keeps noise to a minimum. The users of the course would be attached to a continuous belay system in which users car only be detached by staff, elevating the safety. Todd Jirsa/Town citizen requested the item be continued because the Town Board has not had a chance to review the minutes from the recent EVPC meeting. He stated sound may not be an issue for a number of the properties; however, the property directly next to the project would receive 75.5 decibels per the noise report presented by the applicant, exceeding the limits established in the Municipal Code. It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Norris) to approve Special Review 2013-01 "Open Air Adventure Park" subject to the findings and conditions recommended by the Estes Valley Planning Commission, and it passed with Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst recusing himself. ACTION ITEMS: 1. FEDERAL LANDS ACCESS PROGRAM (FLAP) GRANT APPLICATION. Director Zurn stated the FLAP grant provides a new and unique source of funding that can potentially address numerous transportation and transit needs in Estes Park. Staff held two public meetings with over 580 letters sent to affected property owners and businesses and a second meeting for the general public. A study session with the Town Board was held to describe the potential grant projects including a parking garage, one-way couplet, two way reroute of Highway 34/36 through downtown onto Riverside, and a trail system; reviewed the grant criteria; the need for matching funds of 17.21%; and potential CDOT funding for the match if the one-way or two-way were awarded. During the meetings the public was asked to rate the projects, which outlined the desire to move forward with pursuing grant funds. The meetings indicated a preference for the parking structure and one-way couplet; however, CDOT's preference would be the two-way reroute of downtown to completely remove the highway from downtown. Staff recommends the one-way couplet with a phased parking structure in order to provide the grant reviewers a complete vision of the future improvements and give staff time to develop a full design for a future grant application. CDOT has verbally stated they would provide the matching funds for either of the roadway projects, and would not have funding available for the parking garage. The Town, if successful in receiving federal grant funds, would be required to meet many milestones of planning, public input and environmental clearances before construction could begin. The applications are due on May 15th and if the Board chooses to move forward staff would use the time to develop an application. Board discussion has been summarized: questioned if completing the roadway improvement prior to the parking structure would be best; suggested moving forward with the one-way couplet and request funding for the design of the parking structure; would there be a point in time in which the Town would need to consider the two-way in the future; the Park has already reached capacity, therefore increase capacity through town would not benefit the Park; what other funding mechanisms or grants would be available to address the number one concern of the community, parking; could CDOT require the two-way in the Board of Trustees — March 26, 2013 — Page 4 future; the overall objective to reduce the traffic and air pollution would be reduced with the two-way reroute; questioned if including the phasing only clouds the issue and would the application be stronger with just applying for the one-way couplet; adding the parking structure outlines the entire concept and creates a placeholder for a future grant application; and phasing places the private properties that may be displaced in the future in an indeterminate state. Staff comments to Board questions and concerns follow: Director Zurn stated completing the roadway first would address the traffic flow immediately and help with the congestion downtown. Funding would be available for complete projects and not for portions of a project such as design only for the parking structure. FHU has estimated both the one-way couplet and two-way reroute would increase capacity by 40%; however, staff would plan for a two-way in the future if the Board moves forward with the one-way couplet. Park staff has stated there are areas of the Park that are over utilized and others that are underutilized. Staff continues to review grant opportunities for the parking garage and would review the possibility of using Town owned land as all or a portion of the matching funds for the FLAP grant. A NEPA process would be completed in 18 -24 months with final design beginning at the end of the process and allow the Town to dictate check points throughout the process. The grant application would be for one of the two roadway options now with a parking structure in the future to provide a bigger picture of how the transit option fits into a larger vision for the community. Corey Stewart/CDOT Engineer and Long Win/CDOT Traffic Engineer stated traffic in Estes Park has been a long time issue and the proposed rerouting projects would allow CDOT to address the traffic, mobility and safety concerns. CDOT also has a unique opportunity to utilize new funding scenarios through public/public partnerships with applications due on May 1, 2013 to help fund the projects. CDOT would favor the two-way to completely remove the highway from downtown. Public Comment Greg Rosener/Town citizen and Transportation Visioning Committee member stated the one-way and two-way options were discussed by the committee; however, funding was seen as a limitation. He recommended the Town apply for both the roadway and the parking structure because he stated concern that phasing the parking structure would cause it to be delayed or not built. Kent Smith/Town citizen recommended the Town apply for the one-way couplet, and would suggest the Board not apply for items that could not be funded by the Town. Peter Reinertsen/Misty Mountain Lodge owner stated interest in the process and the impact on the section of town including the lodge. He would request the Town apply for the two-way couplet as it would negatively affect their property just as much as the one-way couplet. Stan Black/County citizen commented the visitation to the Park has been consistent for a number of years; however, peak travel days have increase because Estes Park has become the final destination. He advocated partnering with CDOT to improve the roadway system with the two-way reroute and develop a scaled down parking structure somewhere downtown to increase parking. He also suggested making the parking structure a paid lot to encourage use of the remote parking and shuttle system. Judy Anderson/Anderson Realty stated the impacts to the neighboring properties that would be affected negatively need to be considered. These owners would continue to pay property taxes during the next two years; Board ofTrustees — March 2O.2013—Page 5 however, the future of the properties would be in jeopardy and could not be sold during this period. K was moved and seconded (B|ockhurnt/Nonin) to extend the meeting to 10:30 p.m., and the motion passed unanimously. Tom &Teresa Widmwski/Courty citizen commented the parking structure should be paid parking and the Town should bond for the matching funds and sell both the Riverside and E. Riverside parking lots to provide funding for the match. They would support a grant application for the two-way namuto an it solves the issues downtown and allows creative options forthe downtown such anapedestrian mail. John Edhnghon/Town accommodations owner and citizen stated the main complaints heard attheir lodge continues to be parking and pedestrian traffic downtown. He would support a two-way reroute of downtown and a parking structure on the opposite side ofRivornido up against the mountain. Mayor Pinkhamcalled a 10 minute break at 10:00 pm. and reconvened the meeting at bwas moved (Ehoaon)toapprove staff proceed with anapplication for m FLAP funding on behalf of the Town of Estes Pmd« for the two-way couplet and include a second phase for m future transit structure project, and the motion failed for lack ofasecond. Trustee Ericson stated the one-way couplet is a short term fix and the Town should be looking at the long term Trustee Phipps voiced concerns with the condemnation and the effects on the neighboring properties in the area with any of the options presented. He questioned the need for parking structure and if one in needed should it be downtown or elsewhere. A Master Plan for the Riverside area/Post 0ffioe should baconducted and involve the neighborhood and property owners. Mayor Pro Tern 8|aokhurst questioned reversing the onumo the Town has been nnfor the past five years 0okeep vehicles out ofdowntown, and stated o parking structure should be located in the Municipal parking lot with retail and housing incorporated in a multi -level structure. He also stated oonoom with the harm the decision would have to the residential and commercial businesses inthe area. Trustee Koenig suggested the one-way couplet would affect fewer properties than the two-way reroute and provide the same increase in traffic flow. She stated concern with traffic moving through the west end of Elkhorn with the two-way and does not see an advantage atthis time to owning the roadway downtown. Trustee Norris stated support for the one-way couplet, as the two-way would not likely pass the NEPA review. He recommended the town review other possibilities before making a final decision on the |ouobnn of a parking structure. Trustee Elrod commented the parking structure and development potential are attractive; however, in his opinion the option would bethe weakest application per the grant criteria. Gaining control of the downtown roadways with the development of the two-way has appeal; hnwever, the one-way couplet removes fewer parking spaces from downbown, increases the traffic flow atthe same percentage as the two-way, less displacement cost and impacts fewer commercial and residential properties. He would not favor phasing the project. Board ofTrustees — March 2O.2013—Page § It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Norris) to authorize staff to proceed with the application fora Federal Lands Access Program grant for the one-way couplet and include asecond phase for mfuture transit parking atruotune, and the motion passed with Trustee Phipps and Mayor Pm Tern B|aokhucstvoting ^No^ It was moved and seconded (Ericson/Norris) to extend the meeting to 11:00 p.m, and the motion passed unanimously. 2. TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. Trustee Ericson commented the Town received 20 app|ioahono, which were reviewed based on criteria such as the applicant's beokgnound, ensuring age dispersal and across section ofthe community. Once the committee has been fnnnod it will develop bylaws and review the mission statement. Three of the proposed members are from the Transportation Visioning Committee (TVC) establishing continuity. Mayor Pro Tern B|ackhurst stated concern with the appointment of Stan Black as there in a perception of a conflict of interestwithhis involvement in the EPIC project and the performing arts theater downtown. Trustee Koenig stated the same concerns with the appointment ofTom VVidawski After further diaoussion, it was moved and seconded (Ericson/Norris) to approve the expansion of the Transportation Advisory Committee from seven members to nine members, and approve the following members: Ann Finley, Stan Black and Belle Morris for one-year term; Cory LaBiunco. Gregg Rounds and Kimberly Campbell appointed for two-year terms; and Amy Gohvworzbach, Tom Wadam/mki and Byron Holmes appointed for three-year terms. All term would beeffective April 1.2013 The motioned passed with Mayor Pro TemB|aukhuro1and Trustee Koenig voting ''No" 3. CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES FOR MPEC & STALL BARN. Director Zumstated asaresult ufthe scale and schedule ofthe two projects at the fairgrounds, staff has solicited bids for construction administrative service/construction oversight. These services will focus on assisting in the adminiatrshon, coordination and inspection of the projects. These services would assist Public Works in expediting the project and further assuring contractor compliance and nvoru|| project quality. Staff received three responses from local architects: Thorp Associates, T.W. Beck Architects and Space into Place. Stuff recommends contracting with Space into Place which provided the lowest hourly rate at a not -to -exceed amount of S50.000. After further discussion, it was moved and seconded (B|aokhurst/Phippe) to contract with Space into Place Architecture 'for the construction oversight services for the Multi -Purpose Event Center and Stall Barn at the Stanley Fairgrounds for m not -to -exceed amount of $50,000. and it passed 4. GOVERNING POLICIES — STAFF LIMIT ATONS. Item continued tothe April 9, 2013 Board meeting. Mayor Pinkham whereupon he adjourned the meeting t11:00p.m,,,._- ~^ d�ok*VViUiamoon. Town Clerk �� VViUiamC. Pinkbam. Mayor