HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2024-10-22RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado October 22, 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 22nd day of October, 2024.
Board: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown,
Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster, and Younglund
Attending: Mayor Hall, Trustees Brown, Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster, and
Younglund
Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Town Attorney Kramer, and
Recording Secretary Richards
Absent: None
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
RODEO UPDATE.
Rodeo Coordinator Schonholtz provided an overview of the 2024 Rooftop Rodeo which
had been held in July. She highlighted a new ticketing system, expansion of the
sponsorship program, new parade route centered around fairgrounds, and increased
income from previous years. The 2025 Rooftop Rodeo would be held July 5-10, 2025
with a continued focus on community involvement and increased prize amounts to
attract contestants. Mayor Pro Tem Cenac questioned whether the Rodeo had identified
needs to bring before the Board at a future meeting. Rodeo Coordinator Schonholtz
stated that support for barn facility updates and a bracket for a new, larger display
screen could be brought forward prior to the 2025 Rooftop Rodeo.
WATER 102 - SYSTEM CONDITION.
Project Manager Wesley provided a Water 101 overview at a previous study session
highlighting a treelike system made up of 125 miles of piping, a full water quality lab,
and four water sources originating from two water treatment plants: Marys Lake which
operates in Spring and Summer, and Glacier Creek which operates in Winter and Fall.
To begin Water 102, she provided an overview of the criteria used to evaluate the
condition of water system assets which produce a score to indicate risk assessment.
Staff spoke on the tracking of peak demand dates, noting that a higher flow duration of
over two million gallons per day is typically seen May through September and the
challenges of projecting future demand for Town water system infrastructure with such a
seasonal demand. Superintendent Fredricks continued that consulting firm AE2S rated
the treatment conditions of the Marys Lake plant at moderate risk, and the Glacier
Creek plant at high risk due to the aging infrastructure and spring runoff capacity. The
distribution system conditions returned ratings of low, moderate, and high risk with staff
citing challenges of aging cast iron and galvanized assets prone to leaks and breaks,
highlighting the importance of long-term planning to retain a high standard and quality.
Staff stated the outdated technology at the Glacier Creek plant compliments updated
processes at Marys Lake and would be phased out over time; several specific funds
were in use for continuous improvements; Glacier Creek plant had reached its end of
useful life with unpredictable operation time; and that consultants would help to advise
on future process updates and location options. Staff would return with more specific
needs as the updated water master plan progressed.
ARBORIST LICENSING.
Supen/isor Berg provided an update to the Arborist licensing discussion held at the July
23 study session. The change would amend 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
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - October 22, 2024 - Page 2
perform work within town limits. He spoke with three of five tree service providers that
held a Town business license and were located within town limits to discuss whether
any ISA certified arborists were on staff, thoughts on the certification becoming a
requirement, difficulties and benefits of the certification, and estimated time to complete
the certification should it become a requirement. He reported that provider responses
were mixed on the value of the ISA certification and consistent on the need for at least
one winter season to prepare for and complete the testing portion. Board conversation
has been summarized: concern for additional licensing requirements excluding new
businesses from the industry; whether any state requirements exist for tree service
providers; responsibility of the consumer to ensure a provider is properly licensed to
their comfort level and choose accordingly; support for the disease prevention element
of the certification and whether other business license categories require a comparable
certification. Board consensus was to not pursue an ISA certification requirement at this
time and future reconsideration was not requested.
MASSAGE THiRAPIST LICENSING.
Town Attorney Kramer introduced Colorado Revised Statute 30-15-401.4 to prevent the
operation of illicit massage facilities by authorizing local regulation through fingerprint-
based background checks of employees not already licensed as massage therapists by
the state. He noted the Town could mirror Larimer County's ordinance language which
was in early stages of being drafted and proposed reviewing their implementation and
discussing changes when available. Board discussion has been summarized:
repercussions if no action is taken; support for waiting to review Larimer County's
approach; responsibility to uphold state requirements and how many local facilities
would be affected. Town Clerk Williamson estimated less than ten facilities are currently
present within town limits. Board consensus was to assess Larimer County's procedure
which staff would bring before the Board at a future study session.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Trustee Hazelton requested an update from Rocky Mountain National Park
Superintendent Ingram on 2024 timed entry and capital improvement projects.
Town Administrator Machalek requested Board interest in revisiting discussions on the
allowance of off-highway vehicles on Town streets with Chief Stewart and the Police
Department as other communities have begun to reconsider the issue from a
sustainability standpoint. Additional Board interest was requested on the use of a Board
contact form in place of the current method of listing the email addresses of each
Trustee on the Town website.
All three items would be added to Approved/Unscheduled and be heard at a future
study session.
COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
None.
There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m.
•-f>/^
Rachel Richards, Recording Secretary