HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2024-07-23RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado July 23, 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 23rd day of July, 2024.
Board: Mayor Hall, Trustees Brown, Cenac, Hazelton, Igel, and
Lancaster
Attending: Mayor Hall, Trustees Brown, Cenac, Hazelton, Igel, and
Lancaster
Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Town Attorney Kramer, and Recording
Secretary Richards
Absent: Trustee Younglund
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ARBORIST LICENSING.
Supervisor Berg requested Board direction on amending Chapter 5.20 of the Estes Park
Municipal Code to require tree service providers to document Arborist certification by
the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) prior to receiving a business license to
perform work within town limits. He presented the protocol and requirements of
neighboring municipalities and emphasized the advanced knowledge of tree disease
and proper treatment imparted by the certification which requires three years of work
experience and a comprehensive two-year testing period. Board conversation has been
summarized: importance of engaging local tree service providers; unqualified arborists
leading to liability and safety issues; number of current certified local providers;
complexity of certification process; tree health as a main component of the community;
and concerns on overreach of government into local business. Supervisor Berg stated
that no statewide licensure exists for Arborists as with other contractors. Staff would
draft ordinance language taking a moderate approach to increased licensing
requirements for tree service providers.
USE OF TOWN PROPERTY FOR VENDORS.
Director Hinkle provided an overview of events utilizing Town property that host vendors
throughout the year and their economic impact. Attendee polling had been utilized to
gather supporting data. Board discussion has been summarized: challenges in
quantifying impact of events; community benefits of nonprofit versus privately organized
events; caution toward drawing business away from downtown businesses; how rental
fees and Town costs compare to other communities; events adding to Town
atmosphere instead detracting; and the ability of local businesses to participate in
events. Board requested additional information on private event revenue and suggested
increased polling of attendees. Director Hinkle added the potential to require surveying
from private events; incoming vendors contributing to local economy; relatively low
number of new events; and reiterated new events require Board approval. Staff would
request additional sales tax revenue information from private event organizers.
GOVERNING POLICY UPDATES - BOARD/STAFF LINKAGE.
Town Administrator Machalek presented the second in a series of four Governing Policy
updates that would include cleanup to previous policy verbiage and format to align with
the 2024 Strategic Plan goals and current operations. Edits would include updates to
referenced material, cleanup of Town Administrator job description, and removal of a
nonfunctional header. He requested Board direction on the proposed edits and whether
the Board had additional edits. Hearing none, he would proceed with the current edits.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - July 23, 2024 - Page 2
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Trustee Brown requested an update on noise ordinance amendments; staff would bring
back to review at a future Study Session. Town Administrator Machalek confirmed that
hosted short term rentals would be discussed at the August 27, 2024 Study Session
and requested Board direction on public comment for upcoming topics. Board
discussion ensued on allowing public comment during the hosted short term rental and
noise ordinance with discussion summarized: concern for decreased Board discussion
time on a new topic; opportunity for citizens to provide comment during regular
meetings; exclusion of public input at early stages of the issue; and suggested a special
meeting to hear comments on specific issues with high levels of public interest. Board
consensus was to not hear public comment for hosted short term rental and noise
ordinance items during the Study Session.
COMMENTS & QUESTIONS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS.
None.
There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:09 p.m.
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Rachel Richards, Recording Secretary