HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2014-08-26Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 26, 2014
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 August, 2014.
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
Randy Williams, Attorney
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Absent: Greg White, Town Attorney
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so,
recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
SWEARING -IN:
Town Clerk Williamson performed a swearing -in ceremony for Police Officer Matt
Beers.
PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Pinkham proclaimed September as "Wilderness Appreciation Month".
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
None.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Trustee Norris noted the Public Safety, Utilities, and Public Works Committee meeting
would be held on September 11, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. in the Board room. He stated the
Town Board and the Grand Lake Town Board held their annual gathering in Estes Park
and shared information including a discussion on the regulations and enforcement of
vacation homes.
Trustee Holcomb stated the Community Development and Community Services
Committee would be held on August 28, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. in the Board room. He
recognized the Parks division for their efforts in maintaining the landscaping in town and
for their positive interaction with guests and citizens.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig commented the Sister Cities organization would meet on
September 8, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. and encouraged the public to attend. Jay Williams/
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development announced on
August 25, 2014 the community was awarded a $300,000 grant to boost economic
resiliency in Estes Park through the development of the fiber optic ring.
Trustee Nelson noted he would be attending the next Open Lands Advisory Board
meeting and would report at the next meeting.
Trustee Ericson reported the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed the
evolution of parking meters, interaction of the TAC with the FLAP project, revisited
shared lanes for bike and cars downtown, and how to stripe the municipal parking lot.
Board of Trustees — August 26, 2014 — Page 2
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
• Administrator Lancaster stated Community Development continues to work on the
application for the hazard mitigation grant. The grant requires letters of support
from the agency looking for the fund; therefore, staff requests the Board approve a
Resolution to be prepared and signed by Mayor Pinkham. It was moved and
seconded (Ericson/Koenig) to approve a Resolution of support for the hazard
mitigation grant, and it passed unanimously.
• Will Birchfield/Chief Building Official & Floodplain Manager provided the Board with
an overview of the hazard mitigation grant application in which the Town has
requested $15 million to mitigate future risks to the downtown business corridor. He
stated the Town must manage the floodplains to a 1 % flood event. After the recent
flood, the discharges from the local rivers are estimated to increase by 2.5 times
and change the floodplain maps significantly, which would potentially affect the
economic viability of the downtown. Projects would include Confluence bridge,
West Elkhorn bridge, and Crags bridge and Piccadilly Square channel.
Improvements to the areas may include lifting bridges up, bench work along the
mountain sides, widening bridges, retaining walls, and widening and deepening the
channels. The Town would hire a hydrologist to determine peak flows and then
begin design phase if awarded the grant. Administrator Lancaster stated absent the
grant, the Town would be prepared to manage the water flow and have an
organized plan to attempt to keep the water out of the downtown buildings. The
Town would also leverage the funds for the FLAP grant to coordinate efforts in
replacing bridges and realignment of the road.
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Town Board Minutes dated August 12, 2014 and Town Board Study Session
Minutes dated August 12, 2014.
2. Bills.
3. Committee Minutes:
a. Public Safety, Utilities and Public Works, August 14, 2014 — Cancelled.
4. Transportation Advisory Committee dated July 17, 2014 (acknowledgement
only).
5. Estes Valley Planning Commission dated July 15, 2014 (acknowledgement
only).
6. Appointment of Amy Hamrick to the Transportation Advisory Committee for a
term expiring on March 31, 2016.
7. 2014/2015 School Resource Officer (SRO) Agreement with the Park R-3
School District.
8. Resolution #16-14 — Scheduling a Show Cause Liquor Hearing for Carl E.
Scott dba Coffee on the Rocks, 510 Moraine Avenue, Tavern Liquor License
on September 9, 2014.
9. Resolution #17-14 — Scheduling a Show Cause Liquor Hearing for Gast Haus
Estes Park, Inc. dba Molly B, 200 Moraine Avenue, Tavern Liquor License on
September 9, 2014.
It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Phipps) to approve the Consent Agenda, and it
passed unanimously.
Board of Trustees — August 26, 2014 — Page 3
2. REPORT AND DISCUSSION ITEMS (Outside Entities):
1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL UPDATE. Jon Nicholas/
President/CEO Estes Park Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
provided a brief review on the formation of the entity in 2012 and the funding
mechanism which includes a mix of public, private and other funding sources to
encourage collaboration. The mission of the organization is to build stronger,
more broad -based economy and tax base in the valley, retention and
expansion of businesses, and to attract new business. The 2014 retreat
identified four major goals, including business recovery from the 2013 flood,
developing the broadband/fiber optic ring, Wellness Center, and solidifying the
relationship with the Larimer Small Business Development Council. The EDC
has begun to address the goals by hiring a Business Recovery Coordinator
through a grant from the Community Foundation, and providing assistance to
businesses with CDBG-DR grant applications with over 75 applications
pending. A sub -committee was formed to identify existing and potential
broadband/fiber optic assets, potential partners, regional collaboration,
developing a ballot question to address SB 152 restrictions, and application for
a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant to address a market study,
business model, technical planning and a capital budgeting and financing plan.
The grant has been approved and staff would move forward with hiring a
consultant. The wellness initiative has been supported through a Colorado
State University net fiscal impact analysis for the Wellness Center project, new
strategic framework and public education. The project could attract new
business through the branding of wellness and provide year-round businesses.
The long term goals of the EDC include the development of year-round
tourism, build the capacity for venture capital and entrepreneurship programs,
develop additional attainable/affordable housing, provide additional child care,
and accomplish significant infrastructure development.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS.
1. CONSENT ITEM:
1. AMENDED PLAT, Lot 20, Stanley Hills Subdivision PUD, 650 Steamer
Drive; Harris Family Living Trust/Owner. Planner Shirk.
2. CONDOMINIUM MAP, Supplemental Condominium Map #3, The
Lodges at Black Canyon Inn Condominiums, Units H, I, and Existing
Restaurant, 800 Macgregor Avenue, Sloan Investments, LLC/Owner.
Planner Shirk.
It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Holcomb) to approve the Consent
Agenda with the Planning Commission recommendations, and it
passed unanimously.
2. ACTION ITEMS:
1. AMENDED PLAT, Lots 20 & 29, Fort Morgan Colony Subdivision, 1031
& 1053 Morgan Street; Melinda Dawson/Owner. Trustee Norris recused
himself. Planner Shirk reviewed the request stating the amended plat
would adjust the interior lot line between the two lots of record. The
intent of the request would bring the northern lot into compliance with
the acre minimum lot size and create a more suitable building site on
the lot. No new lots are created with the request. The Estes Valley
Planning Commission recommended conditional approval of the
application at their July 15, 2014 meeting, including an easement for the
proposed sewer location prior to plat recordation. Public concerns for
the request were mainly related to the access from the private road
which was platted with the original plat in 1958.
Board of Trustees — August 26, 2014 — Page 4
Amy Plummer/Van Horn Engineering emphasized the subdivision plat of
1958 platted the access easements to provide access to the vacant lots.
She stated an existing sewer easement exists for the vacant lot to
access, and therefore, there is no need for an additional sewer line
easement. She also pointed out the existing access has already been
used to access other properties in the subdivision.
It was moved and seconded (Koenig/Ericson) to approve the
Amended Plat of Lots 20 and 29, Fort Morgan Colony Subdivision
with the Planning Commission recommendations, and it passed with
Trustee Norris abstaining.
2. LOCATION & EXTENT REVIEW, Stanley Meadows Addition, Lot 1A &
1C of the Replat of Lot 1 & a portion of Lot 4, 610 Big Thompson
Avenue; Estes Park Sanitation District/Owner. Planner Shirk presented
the application for the construction of a new 3,659 square foot
"headworks" building to house improvements to the Estes Park
Sanitation District's treatment process on the current site. This would
enable the district to meet new State discharge permit requirements for
heavy metals. The request is subject to both a Special Use Review and
Location and Extent Review. The Estes Valley Planning Commission
conditionally approved the Location and Extent Review and
recommended approval of the Special Review to the Town Board at
their July 15, 2014 meeting. It was moved and seconded
(Norris/Phipps) to approve Special Review 2014-03, for the Location
and Extent Review for the Estes Park Sanitation District Waste
Water Treatment Plant with the Planning Commission
recommendation, and it passed unanimously.
4. ACTION ITEMS:
1. PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY (PRPA) EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT. Director Bergsten presented an
Intergovernmental Agreement for Demand Side Management Program
Partnership with PRPA and the other owner communities of Fort Collins,
Longmont and Loveland. The program would involve reducing the use of
electricity through activities or programs designed to promote energy
efficiency, reduce energy consumption and costs, and to defer the need for
major capital expenditures. The Efficiency Works program has been
developed over the past year and the program has resulted in significant
energy reductions and quick investment payback for customers. The
consolidated effort has been advantageous to the Town through streamlining
processes, requirements, contractor training, public relations and advertising,
as well as negotiating acceptable pricing for services. After further
discussion, it was moved and seconded (Norris/Koenig) to approve the
Intergovernmental Agreement between Platte River Power Authority and
the member communities for Demand Side Management Program
Partnership, and it passed unanimously.
2. ORDINANCE #14-14 AMENDING THE ESTES PARK MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 17.66 SIGNS ELIMINATING THE CREATIVE SIGN DESIGN
REVIEW BOARD. Planner Shirk stated the Creative Sign Design program
and board were created in 2010 and the program has not been used since its
inception. Staff has found the guidelines difficult to understand; therefore,
staff requests the elimination of the program and the board, and assign the
Estes Valley Board of Adjustment as the decision -making body for Sign Code
variances and appeals of staff decisions related to the code.
Ken Smith/Smith Sign Studio supports the elimination of the Creative Sign
Design code and board. He stated he has run into creative sign issues and
staff has been able to address the issues.
Board of Trustees — August 26, 2014 — Page 5
Attorney Williams read the Ordinance, it was moved and seconded
(Ericson/Koenig) to approve Ordinance #14-14, and it passed unanimously.
4. REPORT AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. EVENT CENTER & PAVILION CONSTRUCTION UPDATE.
Director Winslow stated a local contract Darling Construction has been hired
to complete the second floor of the silo. A plaque dedication would take
place on September 2, 2014 with the Town Board, staff, contractors, and
other local partners.
2. SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT. Finance Officer McFarland
reviewed the 2nd quarter sales tax and financial report stating sales tax is up
6.1 % over 2013 and 15.7% ahead of 2014 budget. General fund
expenditures are ahead of budget due largely in part to flood recovery efforts,
including Town Hall mitigation, Fall River exigent work, and Fish Creek design
and engineering work. Staff anticipates Open Space funds are to be used to
repair flood affected parks and trails. Staff has been working on revisions to
the 2014 budget and drafting the 2015 budget. There are a number of
challenges in preparing the budgets, including balancing flood recovery costs
and reimbursements, creation of four new funds for the 1% sales tax, the
operational budget for the MPEC, increase in benefit costs, and capital
projects such as the parking garage. An overview of the current flood
reimbursement status was provided, including an estimated $5.2 million in
expenses, $131,442 in reimbursements from FEMA/State, CIRSA
reimbursement of $1.46 million, NRCS expenses of $891,939 with $317,535
reimbursed to date, $841,779 reimbursements submitted and not yet
received, and an estimated net project cost to the Town for all projects may
be $156,011 after all reimbursements. The main challenge for the Town
continues to be the management of cash flow because the Town fronts the
project money and then submits for reimbursement.
Whereupon Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meting at 9:16 p
William C. Pinkham, Mayor
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk