HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2024-08-13Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 13, 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 13th day of August, 2024.
Present: Gary Hall, Mayor
Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Bill Brown
Kirby Hazelton
Mark Igel
Frank Lancaster
Cindy Younglund
Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Kimberly Disney, Recording Secretary
Absent: None
Mayor Hall 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 (Cenac/Younglund) to approve the Agenda, and it passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS,
John Meissner/Town resident spoke regarding Covid-19 and the need to disinfect areas,
the length of study sessions, and allowing public comment during study sessions.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Board comments were heard and have been summarized: The Trustee Talk was held
with discussions on traffic, trails, post office access issues, and power rates; the Colorado
Association of Ski Towns (CAST) would hold its quarterly meeting on micro-transit, mental
health and law enforcement partnerships; Estes Recycles Day was held; EVICS held
meetings with a number Trustees on their recent operations and the Community
Resource Fair on August 20, 2024; the Larimer Regional Opioid Abatement Council met
and discussed 2025 financial planning and disbursement of funds; the Sister Cities trip to
Monteverde, Costa Rica included visits to schools, teacher sessions, meeting with the
Director of Health, discussion on traffic, short-term rentals, and tourism impacts on the
community; due to the resignation of Visit Estes Park (VEP) CEO Franker, the VEP Board
would hold a special meeting to discuss the recruitment process; the Estes Valley Library
would host an informational session regarding the upcoming election with Larimer County
Clerk & Recorder Harris; and several Town Board members stated their support of first
responders and Town staff during the Alexander Mountain Fire emergency response.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Administrator Machalek stated his support for first responders, volunteers, and
Town staff for their efforts during the Alexander Mountain Fire. He requested and it was
determined the Board would no longer provide pre-selected topics for Trustee Talks.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills.
2. Town Board and Study Session Minutes dated July 23, 2024.
3. Estes Park Board of Adjustment Minutes dated July 2, 2024 (acknowledgment
only).
Board of Trustees - August 13,2024 - Page 2
4. Transportation Advisory Board Minutes dated June 26, 2024 (acknowledgment
only).
5. Resolution 62-24 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of
Louisville and the Town of Estes Park Regarding Public Works Computerized
Maintenance Management Services, $9,000 Budgeted.
6. Resolution 64-24 Contract with Classic Contractors, Inc for the Additional
Greenhouse Installation Project - Parks Shop - 600 Big Thompson Avenue.
7. Resolution 65-24 Approving the 2024 Intergovernmental Agreement for the School
Resource Officer Program with the Park R-3 School District for school years 2024-
2025, 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
8. Resolution 66-24 Lease Agreement with Ponderosa Realty for Transitional
Employee Housing.
It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Hazelton) to approve the Consent Agenda with
the removal of Consent Agenda Item 7, and it passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda Item 7 Resolution 65-24 Approving the 2024 Intergovernmental
Agreement (IGA) for School Resource Officer (SRO) Program with the Park R-3
School District for school years 2024-2025, 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. Trustee
Younglund requested clarification on Section 3 Financial Support of the SRO position and
its impacts on potential future pay increases for the position. Chief Stewart stated the flat
fee does not cover the full compensation of the officer and the non-monetary benefits of
maintaining an SRO act as compensation to the Police Department and community. Town
Administrator Machalek added the IGA has not historically acted as a cost recovery
agreement. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Cenac) Resolution 65-24, and it
passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: (Outside Entities).
1. ESTES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONSTRUCTION IMPACT GRANT
UPDATE. Executive Director DePasquale provided an update on the Construction
Impact Grant. The funding for the grant was approved by the Town Board on June
11,2024.The Direct Impact Grant received 58 applications, reporting a $3.8 million
reduction in revenue, and the average grant award was $3,448. The Marketing
Grant had 86 business apply, with the average grant award of $200,000. The
Board discussed the business interest in the two grants, whether the marketing
dollars were used for impacts directly related to construction, and thanked the
Chamber for creating learning opportunities on marketing approaches.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE 12-24 PROPOSED ELECTRIC RATE
INCREASE. Mayor Hall reconvened the public hearing and Director Bergsten,
Interim Finance Director Hudson, and NewGen Strategies Consultant Helper
presented Ordinance 12-24 for an electric rate increase of 5% effective October
2024. Results of a financial rate study were previously presented to the Town
Board during the March 12, 2024 study session, with additional presentations on
the rate increase on July 9, 2024 and July 23, 2024. The electric utility acts as a
cost-based utility which relies solely on user fees to operate. Director Bergsten
highlighted the rate study process, the number of Power & Communication
customers, rates compared to sister communities, financial forecasts, fixed versus
variable utility rates, revenues compared to costs, the General Fund transfer
budgeted at 7% of total 2024 revenues, the proposed rate implementation plan,
historic rate increases, public comment, and continued work on utility needs in the
future. The Board discussed increases to Platte River Power Authority wholesale
costs, the differences between the rate classes and municipal versus co-op rates,
franchise fees to support the General Fund transfer, sales tax charged on utilities,
and the option of holding a special meeting to allow for additional public input.
Board of Trustees - August 13, 2024 - Page 3
Rebecca Urquhart/Town resident, Connie Phipps/Town resident, and John
Meissner/Town resident requested the rate increase be postponed due to alarm
in the community, insufficient data to support a rate increase, charging sales tax,
high rates in Estes Park, lack of community engagement, the General Fund
transfer, and the lack of choice for utility service providers in the valley.
Mayor Hall closed the public hearing and it was moved and seconded
(HazeltonA^ounglund) to approve Ordinance 12-24, and it passed with Mayor
Pro Tem Cenac and Trustee Igel voting "No".
It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Lancaster) to extend the meeting past 10:00
p.m., and it passed with Mayor Pro Tem Cenac and Trustee Igel voting "No."
2. RESOLUTION 67-24 TO COMMIT THE VACATION HOME WORKFORCE
HOUSING REGULATORY LINKAGE FEE REVENUE TO THE ESTES PARK
HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE PURCHASE OF FALL RIVER VILLAGE.
Manager Bangs and EPHA Real Estate Development Director Levine presented
Resolution 67-24 which would commit the Vacation Home Workforce Housing
Regulatory Linkage Fee revenue collected since its inception in 2023 and a future
commitment of fee collections for the next five years (2025-2030) to assist in the
purchase of Fall River Village. As previously presented to the Board on June 25,
2024, the Estes Park Housing Authority has endeavored to purchase Fall River
Village as a workforce housing development. To date the Town has collected
$1.4 million in linkage fees with an estimated $3.5 million over the next five years,
to be used for workforce housing programs and policies including the acquisition
of housing units. They highlighted the anticipated Area Median Income, rental
rates, the timeline, and purchase price. The Board discussed the opportunity of
the purchase, whether the term sheets were for taxable or non-taxable debts, the
possibility of the linkage fee being repealed in the future and impacts of a multi-
year commitment, and the purpose of the linkage fee. It was moved and
seconded (Hazelton/Brown) to approve Resolution 67-24, and it passed
unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION 68-24 INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (IGA) WITH
CDOT FOR MULTIMODAL OPTIONS FUND GRANT FOR FALL RIVER TRAIL
FINAL TRAIL SEGMENT. Engineer Wittwer presented a resolution for an IGA
with CDOT to accept the Multimodal Options Fund Grant for the Fall River Trail
final segment. The grant of $1.4 million with a local cost share amount of
$479,519 would support multimodal trail construction along Fall River Road
starting east of Fall River Court for approximately 0.70 miles, connecting to the
existing trail along Fish Hatchery Road. Final design would be completed in early
2025 with construction anticipated to begin in fall/winter 2025. It was moved and
seconded (Brown/Lancaster) to approve Resolution 68-24, and it passed
unanimously.
4. RESOLUnON 69-24 INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (IGA) WITH
CDOT FOR TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM GRANT FOR
FALL RIVER TRAIL CONSTRUCTION. Engineer Wittwer presented a resolution
for an IGA with CDOT to accept the Transportation Alternatives Program Grant
for construction of the Fall River Trail. The grant of $2.3 million with a local cost
share amount of $575,000 would support multimodal trail construction along Fall
River Road starting east of Fall River Court for approximately 0.70 miles,
connecting to the existing trail along Fish Hatchery Road. Final design would be
completed in early 2025 with construction anticipated to begin in fall/winter2025.
It was moved and seconded (Younglund/Cenac) to approve Resolution 69-
24, and it passed unanimously.
5. RESOUJTION 70-24 CONTRACT WITH WHITESTONE CONSTRUE INC
FOR THE TREGENT PARK RESTROOM REMODEL PROJECT. Manager
Pastor presented a resolution to contract with Whitestone Construction Inc. to
remodel the Tregent Park restrooms. Necessary updates to the restrooms include
Board of Trustees - August 13, 2024 - Page 4
updating fixtures and worn-out surfaces which are difficult to clean, increasing
stall spaces, and lowering sinks and soap dispensers to comply with Americans
with Disabilities Act standards. A Request for Proposals was published and, after
four weeks of advertising, two proposals were received. Staff has confirmed the
production capabilities and experience of the contractor and, though not the
lowest bid, staff recommends Whitestone Construction Inc., as the construction
timeline was shorter and would minimize impact on the community. The Board
discussed the Resolution that outlined a budget of $300,000 which included
contingency funding versus the contractor's proposal of $216,000, previous
building plans of the restrooms, and the average contingency fund of a similar
project. Staff stated the contingency would cover unexpected issues with the
restroom facilities that may be encountered during the remodel which could not
be foreseen. It was moved and seconded (Younglund/Brown) to approve
Resolution 70-24, and it passed unanimously.
6. INTERVIEW COMMITTEE FOR ESTES PARK PLANNINGL COMMISSION. It
was moved and seconded (HazeltonA^ounglund) to appoint Trustee Brown
and Trustee Lancaster to the Estes Park Planning Commission Interview
Committee, and it passed unanimously.
7. RESOLUTION 71-24 CONTRACT TO PURCHASE 1250 WOODSTOCK
DRIVE. Manager Bangs presented a resolution to purchase 1250 Woodstock
Drive which currently leases to Mountaintop Childcare. The recently completed
Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan identified a priority goal to
increase and maintain facility capacity for childcare. Currently, only three center-
based childcare providers serve the Estes Valley. On August 7, 2024 staff learned
the building at 1250 Woodstock Drive had received an offer to purchase from an
investment firm for $675,000. Staff had been aware of the potential sale of the
property and requested notification from the sellers if the property went on the
market. To this end, staff ordered a commercial appraisal of the property which
was completed in June 2024. The Town has issued a Letter of Intent for the
purchase of the property matching the submitted offer. Manager Bangs
highlighted the size of the facility, Mountaintop Childcare's services, barriers to
creating new facilities, impacts on the community, the priority of retaining
childcare facilities, and the financial impact. The Board discussed maintenance
costs, potential expansion options, the estimated closing and study costs, and
the amount of the appraisal. It was moved and seconded (Brown/Cenac) to
approve Resolution 71-24, and it passed unanimously.
Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 10:35
Gary Hall,1^gyor_^
Kimberly Disrtey-ReCording Secretary