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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Administrative Committee 1992-04-28ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE April 28, 1992 - 9:00 A.M. AGENDA 1. Larimer County Department of Human Development - Request for funding. 2. Safety Manual - Request to adopt Town's safety manual for CIRSA. 3. Credit Card Application - Request to obtain Town credit card. 4. Use Tax - Recommendation from staff: A. Eliminate use tax on building materials. B. Adopt Table 3A of the Uniform Building Code for building permit fees. 4t_ti (l)t L k-.ae/-7A'u �. April 21, 1992 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Dannels Board of Trustees FROM: Richard D. Widmer, Assistant Town Administrato SUBJECT: Administrative Committee Agenda Discussion LARIMER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FUNDING REQUEST. Included in the packet is a letter from the Larimer County Human Development Department explaining that, due to an oversight, a formal request for funding was not made during the 1992 budget preparation process. The program has been funded by the Town in the past, beginning in 1983. The amount funded in 1991 was $8,400. Loveland and Fort Collins both fund County human development programs. In Estes Park, the department functions as a "clearing house" of information on available programs for help with rent, food, housing, old age pensions, social security, transportation, and unemployment. The local office estimates they deal with between 20-30 telephone calls/day for help, interview between 7-14 people, and speak with another 20-30 people in person. Money to fund this program at the 1992 level was included in the budget contingency. Recommendation: Recommend that the Larimer County Department of Human Development request for $8,400 in funding for 1992 be approved. SAFETY MANUAL - REQUEST TO ADOPT FOR CIRSA. Our insurance carrier, CIRSA, has required the Town to collect, in 0' Ok6 21 MukVV lRAT° 14A.X :v 690 b .' �14 ER Memorandum Mayor Dannels, Board of Trustees April 21, 1992 Page two one document, all applicable safety procedures and policies followed by Town departments. Our insurance premium is based to some extent on the quality of this manual. Enclosed is a memorandum from Monte Vavra explaining the request in more detail. Mr. Vavra will present this item to the Committee. Recommendation: Recommend that the Town adopt the CIRSA Safety Manual, and appoint Monte Vavra as Safety Officer for the Town. CREDIT CARD APPLICATION - REQUEST TO OBTAIN TOWN CREDIT CARD. An employee suggestion was made for the Town to obtain a credit card to be used only to guarantee reservations for Town travel accommodations. A memorandum from Town Clerk O'Connor is included explaining this item in more detail. Ms. O'Connor will present this item to the Committee. Recommendation: Recommend authorization be granted to apply for a Town credit card to be used by the Town Clerk for authorized, budgeted Town travel accommodations. USE TAX - REQUEST TO ELIMINATE TAX ON BUILDING MATERIALS: Included in the packet is a memorandum from Assistant Town Administrator Widmer recommending the use tax on building materials be eliminated, and Table 3A of the Uniform Building Code be adopted for calculation of building permit fees. Staff believes this change will eliminate a significant administrative burden on those responsible to administer the existing tax, as well as those who must pay it. The lost revenue can be recovered with the recommended change adopting Table 3A. Recommendation: Recommend that the use tax on building materials be eliminated, and that Table 3A of the Uniform Building Code be adopted as the calculation basis for building permit fees. A Commitment To Progress LARIMER COUNTY COLORADO February 14, 1992 H. Bernerd Dannels, Mayor Town of Estes Park Box 1200 Estes Park, CO 80517 Dear Mayor Dannels: FE[ x s Department of Human Development rf?l Rena Mackrill, Executive Director 1525 Blue Spruce Drive Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 (303) 498-6800 Just recently it came to my attention that the Larirner County Department of Human Development neglected to make formal application to the Town of Estes Park for the annual allocation of funds to assist with our community based program. After Hary Neely's sudden death last year, our attention was drawn to a number of tasks related to evaluation and re -development of the program. We were concerned about how best to staff the office to meet the true needs of the community, and in general how to re-establish the community's trust in our ability to provide critical services. Our failure to formally request the $8,400 in funds for 1992 was a major oversight. These funds have been a part of our overall program budget since 1985 and are critical to the continuation of Estes Park services. As you are likely aware, Lois Muehlbauer, a longtime County employee in Estes Park, is now in the position of Program Specialist for Human Development. We are in the process of making significant and far-reaching changes to the program, including the development of a trained, para-professional volunteer work force to assist with the overwhelming demand for services. I would be pleased to meet with you and the Town Board to discuss our request and this program at any time. I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for your kind attention to this matter. Sincerely, Carol S. Gillespie, Director Community Programming 498-6825 cc: Gary Klaphake, Estes Park Town Manager CG/akc epfunds Courtlyn W. Hotchkiss BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS M.J. "Moe" Mekelburg Daryle W. Klassen MEMORANDUM TO: Administrative Committee FROM: Monte L. Vavra, Finance Officer DATE: April 23, 1992 SUBJECT: Safety Manual ✓ As a member of the C.I.R.S.A. Insurance Pool, the Town of Estes Park has been requested to adopt a safety manual. This safety manual will become the guide to perform functions, duties, and programs in a safe and effective manner. /The safety manual covers topics such as accident reporting, safety inspections, defensive driving, police procedures, public works procedures, etc. These safety topics will establish guidelines that should help reduce or eliminate situations that could result in an insurance loss. ✓Why should the Town adopt a safety manual? The Town's annual insurance premium is based upon our loss history and related loss expenses. The lower loss history translates to lower premiums. Points are also given for the number of topics that are addressed in the safety manual. These points are translat�ed into dollar credits towards the next years -insurance premier In 1990, the Town received a safety audit score of .77 out of 1.00. In 1991, we improved the score to .87. VAt the Town Board level, a Safety Policy will need to be adopted (see attached), and a Safety Committee/Coordinator needs to be appointed. It is my recommendation that the Finance Officer be appointed as the Safety Officer. TOWN OP ESTES PARK SAFETY PROGRAM STATEMENT OF POLICY The Town of Estes Park believes the safety of our employees is a vital consideration in the operation of our shops, offices, vehicles, and facilities. Maintenance of safe and healthful working conditions and the development of safe operation procedures, including the organization and execution of a continuing accident prevention program, is the responsibility of management at all levels. The Town of Estes Park will implement and administer a safety program. In all of our assignments, the health and safety of all will be the first consideration. Department heads and supervisory personnel at all levels of the Town work force are directed to make safety a matter of continuing concern, equal in importance to all other operational considerations. This program is an integral part of management procedures designed to fully utilize the Town's capital and personnel. The Finance Officer shall be appointed Safety Officer for the town. April 21, 1992 MEMORANDUM TO: Administrative Committee FROM: Vickie O'Connor SUBJECT: Credit Card Application The Town Clerk processes all conference/training travel for Trustees and employees. Managing registration deadlines and the Town's cut-off date for writing vouchers is very difficult. Processing of registrations and reservations could be greatly expedited if I had the use of a credit card. We would obtain one (1) credit card to be held by me used strictly to confirm registrations and guarantee accommodations. I respectfully request approval of my request to obtain a credit card. April 20, 1992 MEMORANDUM TO: Administrative Committee FROM: Richard D. Widmer, Assistant Town Administrator SUBJECT: Proposed Change in Use Tax In late 1986, the Town adopted a 2% Use Tax on building materials and motor vehicles purchased outside the Town limits of Estes Park. The building materials portion is refundable if documentation is provided showing the amount of local sales tax paid on the materials. For example, if a person purchased all the materials for a house in Fort Collins and paid a 3% local sales tax, all of the use tax paid would be refunded, providing receipts were furnished verifying the purchases and tax paid. This has proven to be a significant administrative burden for Town staff, owners, and contractors involved, due to large amounts of paperwork and recordkeeping requirements. Use tax has produced the following revenue since it was adopted: YEAR BUILDING'MATERIALS VEHICLES TOTAL 1986 $ 1,189 0 $ 1,189 1987 43,405 $32,655 76,060 1988 31,631 51,381 83,012 1989 29,150 56,037 85,187 1990 52,718 53,786 106,504 1991 56,833 61,539 118,372 It is obvious from the above data that even though theoretically all use tax on building materials is refundable, in actual (.$DD ➢) 586 5 , 31 V'yoC)6 BOX') 200 lEI, C IF.S PARK, CC) 80 5° 7 FAX ii.28.1 Q II:D• I Nil D4rTOW0C;D6) 4' FAX r•: 6••D°9)"D'NO....) ER Pmk Memorandum Administrative Committee April 20, 1992 Page two -stun° IC" ullwr �; �OQrra practice, this does not occur. Although it is impossible to calculate, it is believed the base amount of building materials tax (the amount that does not qualify for refunds) is somewhere in the $10-20,000 range. It has been suggested that the use tax on building materials be removed. State law allows towns to levy a use tax on motor vehicles alone (see attached memo from Town Attorney White). Several other municipalities, such as Cherry Hills Village, Georgetown, and Alamosa use this approach. One way that the revenue lost from this change could be made up is by changing the way building permit fees are calculated. The Town has adopted the Uniform Building Code for many years. In adopting the Code every three years as it is updated, the Town has always modified the way building permit fees are collected. The Code uses Table 3A to calculate building permit fees based upon valuation. Our modification has always been to collect commercial fees according to Table 3A but to collect residential building permit fees based upon $ 0. 10 /square foot plus $ 0. 05 /square foot for a plan check fee. The example below indicates the fee differences for various -sized residential projects: EXISTING BLDG. EXISTING VALUATION PERMIT FEE USE TAX TABLE 3A 1. $ 29,877 $ 142.20 $ 298.77 $ 469.43 2. 59,694 202.50 596.95 758.18 3. 73,988 243.60 739.88 862.13 4. 103,396 435.00 1,033.00 1,078.28 5. 171,389 646.50 1,713.89 1,470.98 6. 254,558 1,108.20 2,545.51 1,950.30 Staff has calculated that if the Table 3A fee had been used in 1991, the Town would have collected $38,300 more in building permit fees. This would offset what we believe to be the non-refundable portion of the building materials use tax. Using example #3 above, a builder or homeowner under the existing system would have paid $243.60 for a building permit and $739.88 for use tax. Assuming that a majority of the use tax was Town ot Fst es 11':),:.:111.1 Estes Park, CoIt:gado 80,EA7 Memorandum Administrative Committee April 20, 1992 Page three refundable, the proposed fee based upon Table 3A at $862.13 will be viewed by the development community as a very substantial increase. However, since it is calculated by the UBC and used by many other jurisdictions, it is a very defensible fee. RECOMMENDATION Recommend that the use tax on building materials be eliminated, and that Table 3A of the UBC be adopted as the calculation basis for building permit fees. Attachment LYNN A. HAMMOND ROGER E. CLARK GREGORY A. WHITE HAMMOND, CLARK AND WHITE LAW OFFICES FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, SUITE 418 200 EAST SEVENTH STREET LOVELAND, COLORADO 80537 303-667-1023 TELEFAX 303-669-9380 April 2, 1992 Mr. Richard Widmer Assistant Town Administrator Town of Estes Park P.O. Box 1200 Estes Park, CO 80517 Dear Rich: ALFRED P. DAVIS OF COUNSEL This letter is written pursuant to your request that I provide the Town with a written opinion on the issue of whether or not the Town may repeal the use tax currently imposed on the privilege of using or consuming any construction and building materials. This opinion also addresses other related issues. Section 29-2-109(1) C.R.S., provides that a use tax ordinance may be adopted by the Town for the privilege of using or consuming any construction and building materials purchased at retail or for the privilege of storing, using or consuming any motor or other vehicles, or both. It is my opinion that the Town may repeal the portion of the use tax on the privilege of using or consuming any construction and building materials purchased at retail. The procedure for repealing said use tax would be by the adoption by the Town Board of an ordinance repealing that portion of the use tax. If there are any further questigns, please do not hesitate to give me a call. GAW:jc Very truly yours, Gregory A. White / i ,NItACO,„ JAika '01 1NIAI4O ,:,4% COLORADO INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK SHARING AGENCY April 1, 1992 Monte Vavra Town of Estes Park Box 1200 Estes Park, CO 80517 Dear Monte: Pit 0 3199? This letter is a follow-up to my visit on March 11, 1992, to conduct your annual loss analysis and to review the Loss Control Standards. Ii. Annual Loss Analysis During 1991 claims severity decreased 72% and claim frequency fell 27%. No unusual loss trends were identified. Audit of Applicable 1991 Loss Control Standards Per the loss control standards audit criteria, we reviewed all applicable standards and assigned either a (1), (2) or (3) point value. A (1) indicates non-compliance with a particular standard; (2) indicates compliance with the CIRSA or CIRSA W\C standard; and a (3) indicates that additional effort was put forth to achieve an optional or bonus point. Audit rating scores are computed by dividing total points received by total points possible. A separate score is computed for CIRSA and CIRSA W\C to account for some differing standards. Possible audit rating scores range from a low of 0.33 to a maximum of 1.0. Based upon our review of all applicable standards, the 1991 scores for the Town of Estes Park are as follows: CIRSA .87 Your 1990 audit score was .77, so there has been an improvement! Monte I appreciate the work you have put into the Town Safety Manual. Attached is a copy of the Loss Control Standards Audit Evaluation form which summarizes audit points for each applicable standard. Your municipality received a score of either (2) or (3) on most of the standards and we commend and appreciate your efforts. 1 950 South Cherry Street, Suite 800, Denver, Colorado 80222 (303) 757-5475 (800) 228-7136 FAX (303) 757-8950 There were six standards which received a score of (1) and they are as follows: II.E. VI.F. VI.G. VII.C. XI. E. XI.G. Safety Rules and Procedures Trenching and Excavating Confined Space Entry- Public Works Confined Space Entry- Water\Wastewater Electric- Tree Trimming Program Electric- Distribution Lines As we discussed, if you are able to complete any of the above mentioned standards verification, records, procedures, etc. by May 1, 1992, we will adjust your score acc and send me written ordingly. Our audit reports are based upon observations or information available at the time of warrant safety, health or compliance with any rule or regulation. We are only able to your responsibility for controlling accidents. Sincerely, Marc Bonsignore, ARM Senior Loss Control Representative 2 our audit. We cannot assist you in fulfilling A Commitment To Progress LARIMER COUNTY COLORADO LARIMER COUNTY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ESTES PARK PROGRAM PURPOSE Department of Human Development Rena Mackrill, Executive Director 1525 Blue Spruce Drive Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 (303) 498-6800 The purpose of the program is to provide coordinated information, referral and intervention to those in need of short-term assistance in the Estes Valley community. The aim is get people linked -up with the most effective mix and match of services that will move them toward self -sufficiency --to give them a "hand -up" not just a "hand-out". HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS (statistics are for six months, Nov -Apr) *Information and referral assistance: 3000 (1500 new contacts) (phone calls and walk-ins) *Face-to-face intervention assistance: 180 (assistance averaged 20 hours per client) Sampling of clients: 74% families residing Estes Park 1-30 years 26% reside in Estes Park 1 month-1 year 55% currently employed 7% seniors of Old Age Pension 10% disabled 6% teens * Kinds of requests for assistance: food, shelter, medical care, day care, legal assistance, utility bills, counseling, transportation, etc. BUDGET Community Development total budget: $147,565 Estes Park Program: Staff salary and benefits: $30,612 Office, secretary, phones: 13,930 Staff mileage, misc. exp.: 550 TOTAL: $45,092 Funding request from Estes Park: $8400 Courtlyn W. Hotchkiss District I BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS M.J. "Moe" Mekelburg District II Daryle W. Klassen District III