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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2024-12-10RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado December 10, 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 10th day of December, 2024. Board: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown, Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster, and Younglund Attending: All Also Attending: Deputy Town Administrator Damweber, Attorney Kramer, and Deputy Town Clerk Beers Absent: Town Administrator Machalek Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLANS. The development of a Multimodal Transportation Plan (MTP) and Transit Development Plan (TDP) has been a Strategic Plan objective in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the Town contracted with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. to develop the MTP and TDP. Director Muhonen stated both studies were funded through local funds. He introduced Anthony Pratt who provided a status update on development of the plans and the public engagement. Highlights of his presentation included: engagement efforts which were primarily obtained virtually through Transportation Advisory Board meetings, open houses, surveys, and email feedback; pedestrian, focused on intersection and bike safety across transit services; and proposed transportation changes and expansion in the Estes Valley while reviewing existing transportation issues and opportunities for improvement. Feedback on the plans was primarily positive. Eight goals were identified as primary elements for the 2045 Transportation Plan, including multimodal safety, choices and connectivity, user experience, regional partnership, resilient infrastructure and environmental sustainability, economic and social sustainability, accessibility, funding, and implementation. Feedback was encouraged on each plan which would be collected through January 2025. VISIT ESTES PARK (VEP) DARK SKIES INITAITIVE. Dana PaiemenWEP Destination Development Director provided an overview of the Estes Park International DarkSky Community Certification. Communities that actively reducing light pollution, protecting night sky quality, and educating residents on the importance of dark skies are awarded the certification for their efforts in preserving a naturally dark environment for astronomy and wildlife observation. The VEP Operating Plan outlines a goal to further develop existing programs and introduce new programs that contribute to the pillars of sustainable tourism within the community. She stated studies have indicated increases in tourism, local spending and increased jobs for communities with the certification. Over 30 communities in Colorado currently have the certification. Businesses which operate 24 hours would not be applicable to the requirements of the initiative. She reviewed the criteria necessary for the certification and grant funding opportunities. VEP requested Board support to direct Town staff to coordinate pursuing the certification. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Can holiday lighting and dark skies (two) coexists; the impacts, including costs, to business owners and residents to meet these standards; impact of artificial light on wildlife; whether RMNP were pursuing the certification as well; the differences between the Town's existing dark skies requirements and the certification requirements; and marketing Estes Park as a dark skies community considering the large amount of light pollution from the Front Range RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town Board Study Session - December 10, 2024 - Page 2 and the potential of disingenuous marketing. The Board stated support for staff to coordinate with VEP to pursue the International DarkSky Community Certification and bring forward any necessary code revisions for consideration. 2025 FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE. Manager Bangs presented the 2025 funding proposal for childcare tuition assistance utilizing 6E funding. She stated childcare tuition was not equivalent to the cost for care. Providers often subsidize costs by cutting supply and staffing pay. Staff anticipates the continued freeze of the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding. Staff requested Board input on allocating 6E funding to cover the lack of available CCAP funds; to fund the Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success (EVICS) tuition assistance program; and to be allocated to middle-income workforce assistance. She reviewed low-income assistance and the families sen/ed. Families applying for CCAP typically work directly with EVICS on the application process and can often receive gap funding during the application process. In 2024, the emergency and hardship income eligibility funding provided by EVICS was increased. She stated there has been exponential childcare need since 2022. EVICS projects over $180,000 in tuition assistance needed in 2025. Even though families qualify during the application process they can be denied through additional qualification determined on a case-by-case basis. The Larimer County Childcare Fund (LCCF) was created through United Way of Larimer County and administered through the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County to serve households considered middle-income (80-100% AMI). Staff identified the fund as incredibly limited and stated currently no Estes Park families are supported through the program. Staff requested Board direction on how 6E funds are allocated and reporting requirements. Staff provided details on the newly developed Middle-lncome Workforce Assistance program which directly supports local families and recommended allocating 6E funds in 2025. LCCF funds have not adequately served the Estes Valley community needs. Staff recommends allocating $50,000 in 2025 through 6E funds as part of the Estes Valley Childcare Fund. Cost modeling was being conducted by Brodsky Research to provide data to support the annual budgetary needs for the program. Staff anticipated launching the Middle-lncome Workforce Assistance program in late summer of 2025. The Board encouraged EVICS to pursue grant funding; identify why families are denied funding through existing mechanisms; clarify EV1C funding request and the number of families served; to explore Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK); stressed the importance of accurate data reporting; and potential on-site assistance funding for administrative support provided during the application process to be discussed during future Base Funding discussions by the Board. FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. It was requested and determined the Estes Park Non-Profit Network, Cleave Street Redevelopment and Noise Ordinance Enforcement updates be added to the approved/unscheduled and Senior Needs Assessment and Recommendation be presented on February 25, 2025. COMMENTS & QUESTIONS. The Board welcomed Jody Street the new publisher of the Estes Park Trail Gazette. There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m. ^—^ ly^y^- '~^--^- - ^unny Victoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk