HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2024-02-27Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 27, 2024
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 27th day of February, 2024.
Present:
Also Present:
Wendy Koenig, Mayor
Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Kirby Hazelton
Frank Lancaster
Barbara MacAlpine
Patrick Martchink
Cindy Younglund
Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Absent: None
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited
the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Younglund) to approve the Agenda, and it
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Dan Scace/Town citizen stated support for the citizen initiated ordinance question on the
April 2, 2024 ballot, and stated a "yes" vote would swing the power related to land use
toward the citizens.
Vicky Henry/Town citizen spoke to the significant decrease in the Larimer County voter
service center hours from the statutorily required 120 hours to 34 hours during the
upcoming general election in November. A group of voter are appealing the County Clerk
and Recorder to restore the center hours, and requested the Board to do the same.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Trustee comments were heard and summarized: the recent CAST meeting discussions
included the move to electrification and phase out of natural gas, heat pumps used in new
construction, reviewed workforce housing report, Snowmass Village's strategic plan to
move towards smaller local events; VEP board meeting discussed earth week events to
be held in April, the results of the 2023 Intercept with 45% of visitors visiting Estes Park
as their primary destination, 12% for RMNP, and 30% stated both were important in their
decision, 93% stated the visitor experience was of high quality, Senate Bill 24-33
proposes commercial property tax rates for short term rentals/vacation homes rented for
90 plus days a year and has been removed from the state legislative agenda to discuss
amendments as communities in Colorado are split on the bill; Sister Cities meeting
discussed a student exchange would not occur in 2024 due to time constraints, a July
visit to Monteverde, Costa Rica continues to be discussed; the Legion of Women Voters
received the RMNP annual report; members of the Board attended the ribbon cutting for
the rebranding of the Estes Nonprofit Network; announced this year's Rooftop Rodeo
would be held July 5-10 with a parade downtown; the Opioid Abatement meeting
discussed funding additional services for housing, received a presentation on fentanyl
and its impacts to the community and first responders from the Colorado Drug Taskforce;
interviews for the open seat on the Estes Park Housing Authority would be held;
continuing to collect feedback from the Transportation Advisory Board on transitioning to
an ad -hoc committee due to a lack of agenda items and to provided additional flexibility
in meeting times and attendance; and the Board consensus was to consider a resolution
Board of Trustees — February 27, 2024 — Page 2
of support to restore the voter service center hours of operation during the upcoming
election in November.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Administrator Machalek stated he had no additional items to report.
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
1 Bills.
2. Town Board and Study Session Minutes dated February 13, 2024.
3. Resolution 09-24 Contract with Kimley-Horn for Transportation Engineering and
Design Services for the Visitor Services Parking Lot - $250,174 Budgeted.
4. Resolution 10-24 First Amendment of the Employment Agreement with Dan
Kramer for Town Attorney.
It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Younglund) to approve the Consent Agenda,
and it passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: (Outside Entities).
1. REQUEST TO DELAY POSTING OF CHIEF OF POLICE POSITION. Larimer County
Sheriff John Feyen provided a presentation requesting the Town Board pause the
current Police Chief recruitment to allow him time to review opportunities, to engage
Town leadership and staff, and to engage the current police personnel to openly seek
information on how the Sheriffs Office may be able to assist Estes Park. He stated
the request was not a plan to take over the Estes Park Police Department (EPPD), a
pre -planned process with the offering of Larimer County Sheriff's Office (LSCO)
Captain Stewart as the Interim EPPD Police Chief, or a plan to exert the County's will
over Estes Park. He offered Captain Stewart because he can lead an agency, he
knows the area, and he could address issues that have arisen within the department.
The County has also derived a benefit in elevating a Lieutenant to an Interim Captain
to develop staff for the future. He discussed the opportunity to partner with the EPPD
to increase community safety through training, repetition of events, consistent
response expectations and seasonal staffing. There could be an increase in employee
opportunities and satisfaction, collateral duties (canine officer, bomb tech, drug
taskforce, drone pilot, etc.), promotions and leadership, and training. He stated the
review could identify savings, efficiencies, and best practices that could be realized
through IA investigations, evidence procedures, professional staff, and budget. He
stated he understood the concerns with the local identity and local control. He
requested a motion from the Board to direct the Town Administrator to pause the
search for a new chief until the Board meeting on April 23 or May 28 where options
ranging from do nothing to a full collaboration with LSCO.
Those speaking in opposition to the delay included Rick Life/EPPD Captain, Ryan
Baranyos/EPPD Captain, Skylar Watson/EPPD Sergeant, Megan Hodde/EPPD
Communication Center Manager, Dennis Hoshiko/EPPD Chaplin and Auxiliary
member, Kelly George/County citizen, John Guffey/Town citizen, Mike
Kennedy/County citizen, and Jason Van TatenhovelTown citizen. Comments
included the need to consider who comes after Sheriff Feyen and how they may want
to operate the Sheriffs Office; the growing community needs a Police Department that
provides a personal touch through community policing, a School Resource Officer,
records, and dispatch services that know the Estes Valley; concern with the cost of
reversing the decision of turning over the agency or services to another agency;
discussion in the past revolved around creating a regional agency in which the EPPD
covered District 6 for the LSCO from Pinewood Springs to Drake with funding from the
County; the new Police Chief could work with the Sheriff to discuss options; concerned
response times would increase with the County Sheriff taking over the local response;
the current department has a wide range of experiences from across the country; the
current staff have chosen Estes Park as a place to work and live; there would be a
Board of Trustees — February 27, 2024 — Page 3
loss of local control; delaying the hiring process for the next Police Chief may lead
personnel to seek other employment options and could create issues with recruitment
and retention; and the local department provides the citizens with a sense of safety.
Town Board comments were heard and have been summarized: The Board thanked
Sheriff Feyen and acknowledged he only has the best interest for the community in
his request; the best interest for the Town and the Police Department would be to
move forward with the hiring process for the Police Chief; concern the next elected
Sheriff may not want to provide service to the Town; during an emergency or natural
disaster it becomes essential to have a local Communication Center and staff; concern
was expressed on the financial barrier for re-entry; there are a number of opportunities
to collaborate and build on our partnerships; the citizens are supportive of the
department; local control remains important; and encourage Sheriff Feyen to continue
developing a relationship with the local citizens. The Board consensus was to direct
Town Administrator Machalek to move forward with the Police Chief hiring process.
Town Administrator Machalek stated the best structure for the Town would be an
independent police department. He thanked Sheriff Feyen and expressed gratitude
for his leadership and support during the transition and for offering the services of
LSCO Captain Stewart as Interim Police Chief.
Mayor Koenig called a break at 8:57 pm and continued the meeting at 9:05 pm.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. RESOLUTION 11-24 CONTRACT WITH MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTORS, INC. FOR
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE CLEAVE STREET IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT. Staff requested the item be removed from the agenda. No action was
taken by the Town Board.
2. RESOLUTION 12-24 TO SUPPORT CO HOUSE BILL 24-1237 PROGRAMS FOR
THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDCARE FACILITIES. Manager Bangs presented a
resolution of support for House Bill 24-1237 to create a favorable environment for
development, creative reuse, and integration of facilities for childcare. The legislation
would assist to reduce the costs and burden of childcare by providing technical
planning, building, construction, and development support needed to increase
childcare capacity in Colorado communities. Passage of the bill would create
incentives and support for local governments through the development of three
programs: Child Care Development Technical Assistance, Child -Friendly
Communities Planning Grant, and Child Care Development Capital Fund with
implementation through the Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing. The bill
would support the Town's strategic goals to provide child care in the Estes Park area.
Kent Smith/Town citizen stated full support of the bill. It was moved and seconded
(Younglund/Cenac) to approve Resolution 12-24, and it passed unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION 13-24 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS #1 TO THE
2024 BUDGET. Director Creamean provided an overview of the first amendment to
the 2024 budget including an increase in General Fund expense to appropriate funds
from the Friends of the Museum for limited term museum staffing, Community
Reinvestment Fund to fund an additional museum project funded by the Friends of the
Museum, and Power and Communication Fund increase in expenditures to be offset
by revenues due to purchase power costs. After further discussion, it was moved
and seconded (Hazelton/Cenac) to approve Resolution 13-24, and it passed
unanimously
4. RESOLUTION 14-24 TO SUPPORT STATE LEGISLATION TO REPEAL STATE
PREEMPTION OF LOCAL ANTI -IDLING REGULATIONS. Town Attorney Kramer
presented a resolution to support the Regional Air Quality Council to repeal section
42-14-103 of the Colorado State Statutes to allow local communities to enact local
anti -idling regulations that are stricter than the statute. Repealing the section would
provide more local control to address issues related to ozone concerns across the
Front Range. Mayor Pro Tem Cenac stated the repeal would not require the Town to
pass stricter regulation, only allow the opportunity for consideration. It was moved
Board ofTrustees — February 27,2O24—Page 4
and seconded (Nortohinkyyoung|und)toapprove Resolution 14-24 and bpassed
unanimously
5. RESOLUTION 15-24RATIFYING THE 2U21 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AS
AMENDED AND ADOPTED BY THE ESTES VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICT. Deputy Town Administrator Damvveber and Division Chief for Support
Services Landkamer stated the intergovernmental agreement between the Town and
the Fire District requires the Town to ratify the International Fire Coda adopted by the
District. At the District's January 10. 2024 meeting. the Board adopted the 2021
International Fire Code with certain appendices and modifications. |twas moved and
seconded (N1artnhinWHazehnn) to approve Resolution 15'24. and it passed
unanimously
G. INTERVIEW COMMITTEE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD.
It was moved and seconded ([Nartnhink/HnzoUon) to appoint Trustee K0artchink
and Trustee Haze|ton to the Transportation Advisory Board in**n/ievv
committee, and itpassed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1FUTURE USE OF TOWN -OWNED PROPERTY AT ELM ROAD AND MORAINE
AVENUE. Deputy Town Administrator Dumweber provided an overview of the
property stating the approximately 2 acre parcel is o portion of larger lot deeded to
the Town by F.O. Stanley in 1936. zoned CO (Commercial Out|ying), contains
overhead puwedines, would require u drainage easement and curb and gutter, and
may require a vote to sell the property. Overthe years, the Town has been approached
by private parties interested in purchasing or leasing the property. Currently a
neighboring business has expressed interest in purchasing 4.8OOsq. ft. to increase
their parking. Alease ofthe land may beunoption and would not require uvote. Staff
proposed potential uses of the property: do nothing now and identify u future public
use; sell the property and use the proceeds to advance a strategic goal; lease all or a
portion of the property-, or issue a request for proposals/interest (RFP) to determine
what interest may exist. Board discussion was heard and has been summarized:
interest in both leasing and an RFP; the property would not be suitable for u public
facility; concern the Town maintains control on the development of the property
through a development agreement; discussion on the need for sidewalk along Moraine
Avenue; discussion on the potential mad improvements and impact to the property;
and oonmam with ensuring the Town has a clear purpose for the proceeds from the
sale ofthe property. Board consensus was todevelop anRFPthat allows maximum
flexibility bythe proposed developer.
Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting otQ:52p.m.
JVr-*ie Williamson, Town Clerk