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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Town Board 2015-09-08Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 8, 2015 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 8th of September 2015. Present: Also Present: William C. Pinkham, Mayor Wendy Koenig, Mayor Pro Tem Trustees John Ericson Bob Holcomb Ward Nelson Ron Norris John Phipps Frank Lancaster, Town Administrator Travis Machalek, 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. PUBLIC COMMENTS. Howell Wright/Western Heritage thanked the community, the local businesses and Town staff for their support of the first Windows to the West Art Show. The show was a success with 25 artists signed up for the 2016 show. TRUSTEE COMMENTS. Trustee Norris stated Visit Estes Park staff would present the 2016 Operating Plan to their Board on September 22, 2015 and deliver the final plan to the Town Board of Trustees and the County Commissioners by September 30, 2015. Representatives from each Board and staff met to discuss the roles of each entity and how they would work together to support the Visitor Center, the Event Center and other areas in which they overlap in providing service. Mayor Pro Tem Koenig recognized Western Heritage for their efforts in producing the Rooftop Rodeo. The rodeo has been nominated for mid -size rodeo. Trustee Phipps stated the Estes Valley Planning Commission would discuss amendments to vacation rental regulations and zoning regulations at their upcoming meeting. Trustee Ericson commented the Transportation Advisory Committee would meet to continue discussions on the Parking Master Plan. He congratulated Rocky Mountain National Park on their 100th anniversary celebration and rededication of the park. Mayor Pinkham also congratulated the Park on their anniversary. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. Town staff and the citizen committee continue to conduct reference checks on the top two Downtown Plan consultants and would bring forward the final selection for Board consideration at the September 22, 2015 meeting. The Creative Arts District has incorporated at the federal level and begun the process to form a board. To qualify as an official district the Board must have a member of the local government Board as a member. Board discussion followed and Trustee Nelson was selected to serve as the Town Board representative. Board of Trustees — September 8, 2015 — Page 2 The Town's employee offsite parking program has been a success, especially on Thursdays during the Farmer's Market. The Town would continue the program next year and may expand it to include other downtown businesses and their employees. Administrator Lancaster and Public Works Director Muhonen attended the Upper Front Range Regional Transportation meeting. The Town was awarded a $30,000 grant for a dynamic messaging sign to direct traffic to parking areas. The funding requires a match from the Town. Additional funding for a second sign may be available at a later date to provide signs on both Hwy 34 and 36. The Town has not received a formal response from the Central Federal Lands on the Town's proposal to include the third option, parking garage downtown, as an alternative to the Downtown Estes Loop project. Staff anticipates a response within the next week. 1. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Town Board Minutes dated August 25, 2015 and Town Board Study Session Minutes dated August 25, 2015. 2. Bills. 3. Committee Minutes: A. Community Development & Community Services Committee, August 27, 2015. 1. Resolution #14-15 Surprise Sidewalk Sale, October 10 and 11, 2015. 4. Estes Park Board of Appeals Minutes dated August 6, 2015 (acknowledgement only). 5. Estes Valley Board of Adjustment Minutes dated July 28, 2015 (acknowledgement only). It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Phipps) to approve the Consent Agenda Items, and it passed unanimously. 2. REPORT AND DISCUSSION ITEMS (Outside Entities): 1. VISIT ESTES PARK UPDATE. WHERE WE ARE NOW. President & CEO Fogarty provided an overview of Visit Estes Park's (Local Market District) activities over the past years including advertising and marketing efforts, website, social media, destination product development, local tourism partnerships, accountability and key indicators followed as an organization. The District has seen a 30% increase in the lodging tax through July and lodging receipts up 23% over the same period. Why is the Town busier? Visit Estes Park has employed marketing that resonates with guests. Are we at a point of diminishing return with the marketing efforts? The District continues to see substantial growth with the marketing efforts and would suggest there would be potential for further growth. 3. ACTION ITEMS: 1. ORDINANCE #12-15 ADD MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 7.20 WILDLIFE PROTECTION. Chief Kufeld presented Ordinance #12-15 creating Municipal Code Chapter 7.20 Wildlife Protection. He stated the final draft was revised to include changes suggested at the August 11, 2015 Town Board meeting. The proposed Ordinance #12-15 is consistent with other local and mountain community ordinances and enforceable. Board of Trustees — September 8, 2015 — Page 3 Johanna Darden/Town citizen commented the proposed Ordinance was weak and does not protect the wildlife. She stated bear proofing should be a requirement in the valley for residents and visitors. The community needs a stronger Ordinance to protect the bears. Michael Whitley/Larimer County Planner stated as a member of the Bear Task Force he supports the Ordinance. The Larimer County Commissioners continue to support the Ordinance and would begin the public process to adopt a similar ordinance in the county. Attorney White read the ordinance. It was moved and seconded (Norris/Holcomb) to approve Ordinance #12-15 and complete a review of the Ordinance in a year, and it passed unanimously. 4. REQUEST TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION: It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Norris) to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel matter and 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) — Police Patrol Personnel, and it passed unanimously. Whereupon Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. Mayor Pinkham reconvened the meeting to open session at 9:40 p.m. POLICE PATROL PERSONNEL COMPENSATION. It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Ericson) to approve the revised market comparison study for the sworn police patrol staff and the recommended increase to the pay scale. Current sworn police patrol officers will receive up to a 15% increase effective August 30, 2015 and payable on September 18, 2015, and it passed unanimously. Whereupon Mayor Pinkham adjourned the C. Pinkham, Mayor Williamson, Town Clerk