HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Strategic Plan Study Session 2024-06-18RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado June 18, 2024
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 18th day of June, 2024.
Board: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown,
Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster and Younglund
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Interim Finance Director Hudson, Town Clerk
Williamson, Directors Bergsten, Hinkle, and Muhonen,
Interim Police Chief Stewart, PIO Miller, Manager Klein, and
Recording Secretary Disney
Absent: Director Careccia
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Review of objectives and goals.
Town Administrator Machalek reviewed changes or additions from the Departments and
the Board to the Strategic Policy Statements, Objectives and Goals for each Key
Outcome Area. Revisions and additions have been listed below:
Exceptional Community Services - Estes Park is an exceptionally vibrant, diverse,
inclusive, and active mountain community in which to live, work, and play with housing
available for all segments in our community.
The Board discussed defining the different types of parks including pocket parks,
regional parks, and open spaces, needs of the senior population, and logic behind the
naming of specific partners opposed to a more general statement.
Goal 1.A: Plan for and utilize 6E funds to achieve Workforce and Attainable Housing
goals in partnership with the Estes Park Housing Authority and other strategic partners.
Goal 1.B: Incentivize private development of workforce and attainable housing.
Goal 5.A: Implement the recommendations of the 2025 Parks & Open Space Master
Plan.
Goal 6.B: Collaborate with community stakeholders to update our adopted
transportation, drainage, and parking design standards and construction policies in the
Development Code by 2026.
Goal 7.A: Implement the 2023 ADA Transition Plan.
Goal 7.B: Continuously implement organizational processes and services to improve the
accessibility of public information in all formats, with a particular focus on the needs of
individuals with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency.
Objective 2.A.1: Increase utilizations of "Access Granted" for senior community that will
allow participants to share home access codes and emergency contact information so
that first responders will not have to damage anything if they need to do an emergency
welfare check.
Objective 4.A.1: Track progress towards metrics of success established for childcare in
2024.
Objective 5.A.1: Develop a master plan for Town Parks and Open Space, in cooperation
with the Recreation District and Estes Valley Land Trust. Include chapters on water-
conscious landscaping and pocket parks.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - June 18, 2024 - Page 2
Objective 6.1: Formalize an annexation policy with Larimer County.
Objective 6.A.1: Continue rewriting the Estes Park Development Code with participation
from elected/appointed officials, stakeholders, and residents, (multi-year objective)
Objective 7.A.1: Replace ADA non-compliant signs in Town buildings that are open to
the general public.
Objective 7.B.1: Develop a digital accessibility transition plan as required by state law.
Objective 7.B.2: Promote utilization of "reachwell" app for non-English speaking
community alters (NoCo Alerts & EP Alerts).
Objective 9.A.1: Complete Museum Annex addition.
Governmental Services and Internal Support - We provide high-quality support for
all municipal services.
The Board discussed the employment needs of the Facilities division and whether it was
prudent to have a goal to implement a plan, in general, which was not yet finalized.
Goal 1.A: Update and actively work on Human Resources Strategic Plan Action items
annually.
Goal 3.B: Ensure adequate resourcing to meet the current and future preventative
facilities maintenance needs for Town building and parcels.
Goal 11.D: Establish a timeline and funding strategy to implement the Facilities Master
Plan recommendations. Start with the relocation of the Police Department out of Town
Hall.
Goal 11.F: Plan to meet the space needs of the Facilities Division.
The Board took a 5-minute break at 9:34 a.m. and reconvened at 9:41 a.m.
Objective 1.A.1: Implement 2024 Organizational Culture Action Plan.
Objective 1 A.2: Revise Employee Success & Development Form and Process for 2025
based on feedback received in 2024.
Objective 2.A.1: Propose and implement approved recommendations from the Town
employee benefit package review conducted in 2024.
Objective 4.A.1 Investigate translation of the volunteer form into other languages to
solicit a diverse applicant pool.
Objective 7.B.1: Implementation of new Human Resources Information System/Payroll.
Objective 7.B.2: Add process improvement goals to the Employee Success and
Development program to reinforce the value.
Objective 7.B.3: All new employee records will be filed electronically starting in 2025.
Objective 7.B.4: Evaluate the development of a searchable public GIS portal to enhance
access to available property records.
Objective 7.C.1: Digitize Community Development Planning and Zoning records.
Objective 7.C.2: Continue evaluation of permanent financial records for digitization.
Objective 9.A.1: Replace Town firewalls and associated software for increased web
protection.
Objective 9.A.2: Implement additional security measures to better protect the Town
against cyber threats.
Objective 11 -A.1: Complete building repair audits for Town Hall and the Visitor Center.
Objective 11.B.1: Remodel the public restrooms in Town Hall.
Objective 11.C.1: Replace florescent lighting with LED lights in the Street Shop.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - June 18, 2024 - Page 3
Objective 11.D.1: Start design efforts and pursue land acquisition necessary to relocate
the Police Department out of Town Hall (2024 canyover).
Outstanding Guest Services - We are a preferred Colorado mountain destination
providing an exceptional guest experience.
The Board discussed the hours of operation for the Visitor Center and the need to
review the strategic plan of the Visitor Center.
Goal 2.C: Continue to support events through creativity, innovation, and technology.
Goal 3.A: Work with public- and private-sector entities to encourage additional town
destination opportunities for guests, including the Museum, particularly in case visitation
limits in the National Park or elsewhere remain a factor.
Goal 5.B: Visitor Services will work with Visit Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain
Conservancy on developing and implementing ways to help educate and entertain
guests at the Visitor Center.
Goal 5.C: Continue to implement a Guest Services (Service Elevated) annual training
for volunteers in the Visitor Center.
Objective 2.A.1: Develop a guiding philosophy for events that includes consideration of
impact on businesses and the community.
Objective 2.B.1: Add Breakaway Roping as a women's competitive event at the Rooftop
Rodeo.
Objective 2.C.1: Offer a better guest experience in the Event Center by upgrading the
audio/visual equipment.
Objective 2.C.2: Utilize Laserfiche to automate event processes such as event orders,
vendor inquiries, and forms, and check request forms.
Objective 4.1: Evaluate and implement better tracking metrics for the Town's outdoor
festivals.
Objective 5.1: Ensure the availability of an Official Visitor Guide mailing program.
Objective 5.B.1: Collaborate with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy to provide on-site
education opportunities at the Estes Park Visitor Center.
Objective 5.B.2: Explore interactive exhibit for the Estes Park Visitor Center.
Public Safety, Health, and Environment - Estes Park is a safe place to live, work,
and visit within our extraordinary natural environment.
The Board discussed the Drive Clean Colorado program and licensing of commercial
arborists.
Goal 2.A: Continue to incorporate the Environmental Sustainability Task Force
recommendations.
Objective 1.1: Implement arborist licensing program based on direction from Town
Board.
Objective 2.C.1: Explore feasibility of solar panels and battery storage on proposed new
PD building.
Objective 2.G.1: Evaluate the feasibility of plug-in hybrid vehicles for use in the Police
Department.
Objective 2.G.2: Replace hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and line trimmers powered with
internal combustion engines with battery operated tools to comply with state standards
for municipal governments.
Objective 2.G.3: Evaluate creation of a Climate Action Plan specific to Estes Park.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - June 18, 2024 - Page 4
Objective 2.H.1: Collaborate with Drive Clean Colorado to accelerate equitable adoption
of clean transportation options.
Objective 5.1: Increase interagency operability by collaborating with public safety
partners on radio channel sharing authorizations.
Objective 7.A.1: Acquire dual-band radios for Police Department supervisors to assure
emergency communications during critical incidents and disasters.
Robust Economy -We have a diverse, healthy, year-round economy.
The Board discussed efforts to address the Downtown Plan and the need to work with
the Chamber to confirm the interest of the community plan and adding a goal for
Statement 6.
Goal 2.A: Improve and streamline the Development Review process.
Goal 5.A: Conduct corridor studies for the corridors called out in the Comprehensive
Plan.
Goal 6.A: Work with the Economic Development and Workforce Council to build
capacity for small business owners to address employee housing needs.
Objective 2.A.1: Implement a new software module form SAFEbuilt to allow electronic
submittal of development applications and automated workflow processing.
Town Financial Health - We will maintain a strong and sustainable financial condition,
balancing expenditures with available revenues, including adequate cash reserves for
future needs and unanticipated emergencies.
The Board discussed holding a review of the Capital Improvement Plan and process at
a future meeting.
Goal 1 .A: Replace the current accounting system with a modem Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system by 2025.
Objective 1.A.1: Complete the implementation of the Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) system by the end of 2025.
Objective 1.B.1: Finalize set of general budget policies to help guide budget
development in the future.
Transportation - We have safe, efficient, and well-maintained multimodal
transportation systems for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders.
Goal 1.A: Upgrade and maintain our public trail network to comply with adopted safety
and disability standards utilizing directed sales tax funding approved through 2034.
Goal 1.C: Implement the Wayfinding Signage Program.
Goal 3.E: Fund, Commission and implement a corridor study to deliver multimodal
transportation improvements on US 34 between Wonderview Avenue and Steamer
Drive.
Goal 8.B: Obtain funding to design and build a functionally connected bike and
pedestrian facility network within one mile of Estes Park public schools
Objective 1.A.1: Complete Phase 1 (design) of the US34 and SH7 trail reconstruction
projects.
Objective 1.C.1: Construct/Install Downtown Wayfinding Signage Phase 2
Objective 2.A.1: Complete the rehabilitation of West Elkhorn Avenue from Moraine
Avenue to Far View Drive (2024 carryover).
Objective 2.A.2: Complete the reconstruction of Matthew Circle.
Objective 2.A.3: Complete the reconstruction of Steamer Parkway.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - June 18, 2024 - Page 5
Objective 2.A.4: Complete the Cleave Street improvements Project (2024).
Objective 2.A.5: Complete the reconstruction of 2nd Street and provide ADA compliant
pedestrian facilities following the water main and service installation project (2024
carryover).
Objective 3.A.1: Begin evaluating traffic flow and business impacts upon completion of
the Downtown Estes Loop.
Objective 3.C.1: Seek funding and create an implementation timeline for the year-one
recommendations from the Transit Development Plan. (2024 Carryover).
Objective 3.D.1: Select specific recommendations from the 2045 Multimodal
Transportation Plan for budgeting and implementation in 2026 (2024 carryover).
Objective 3.E.1: Seek grant funding for a corridor study that identifies needed
multimodal transportation improvements on US 34 (Big Thompson Avenue) between
Wonderview Avenue and Steamer Drive.
Objective 3.C.2: Collaborate with RTD and the newly created GoNoCo34 Transportation
Management Organization to enhance regional transit connectivity options.
Objective 5.A.1: Identify funding and construct a 3-level parking structure at the Big
Horn parking lot (multiyear objective).
Objective 5.A.2: Evaluate expansion of paid parking lots and/or rates to fund the annual
debt service needed to pay for a 3-level parking structure at the Big Horn parking lot.
Objective 5.A.3: Evaluate Downtown Parking Management Plan phasing as it relates to
additional Downtown parking.
Objective 8.B.1: Design the Community Dive Multi-Use Trail (east side of Community
Drive between Manford Avenue and US36). If funded through a Safe Routes to School
(SRTS) or other grant funding source, advertise for construction in Q4 2025.
Objective 8.C.1: Complete design of the Fall River Trail Final Segment and advertise for
construction to commence in Q4 2025.
Utility Infrastructure - We have reliable, efficient, and up-to-date utility infrastructure
serving our community and customers.
Goal 1.A: Ensure at least one water treatment plant can reliably operate year-round.
Goal 1.B: Improve water accountability by decreasing per capita treated water demand
through loss reduction.
Goal 1.C: Increase the resiliency of the water distribution system.
Goal 2.C: Use funding from the 1% Sales Tax to help reduce the risk of high-voltage
power lines igniting a wildfire.
Goal 4.E: Pursue grant funding for private and/or public flood mitigation and stormwater
projects.
Goal 5.A: Accumulate net positive revenues and apply for grants to fund capital
expansion of the fiber-optic infrastructure.
Goal 5.B: Build an affordable internet connection program.
Goal 6.A: Advocate for collaboration and consolidation of common modernization
platforms between the three owner communities and PRPA to support financial
sustainability of PRPA's carbon-to-renewable transition plan.
Objective 1.A.1: Use the Master Plan results to generate options for achieving reliable
year-round operation of at least one water treatment plant.
Objective 1 .B.1: Develop a penalty process for customers who do not comply with water
administrative regulations.
Objective 1.C.1: Initiate construction of the Mail Road Looping Project.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - June 18, 2024 - Page 6
Objective 2.C.1: Develop a schedule and prioritization of projects to maximize our funds
in the areas west of town with the highest wildfire risk.
Objective 4.B.2: Complete at least one stormwater CIP project from the list included in
the Stormwater Drainage System Maintenance Policy.
Objective 5.B.1: Establish a process to verify applicant-provided information that would
determine these applicants as eligible for participation in a low-cost Trailblazer program.
Town Administrator Machalek provided details for the next steps of the process and
there being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 11:33 a.m.
^(imberly Disney, Recording Secretary