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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2025-02-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado February 25, 2025 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 25th day of February, 2025. Board: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown, Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster, and Younglund Attending: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown, Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster and Younglund Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator Damweber, Attorney Kramer, Director Hinkle, Engineer Wittwer, Management Analyst Simpson and Town Clerk Williamson Absent: None Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m. 2025 PUBLIC WORKS 1A SALES TAX UPDATE. Engineer Wittwer provided an update for the 1A street improvement program, trail expansion, and stormwater for 2025. He noted the street improvement program main objective continues to be maintaining the average pavement condition index (PCI) with a new goal value moving forward of 80. The current road conditions are at a value of 72 in 2024. In 2025, Public Works anticipates overlaying and patching 1.6 centerline miles including W. Elkhom Avenue, E. Riverside Parking Lot, Matthew Circle, Steamer Parkway, Grand Estates Drive, and Big Boulder Drive. The funds would also be used to fund a 20% local match for a grant to reconfigure the parking lot, complete reconstruction with new concrete curb and gutter and new asphalt, and Cleave Street improvements. It was noted that approximately 90% of the roadway segments have been crack sealed, chip sealed, patched, or overlaid through the 1A program since 2015. The 1A Trails Fund would focus on funding local matching funds for the Fall River Trail grants through Transportation Alternatives Program and the Multi-Modal Options Fund with design to be completed in March and construction anticipated to begin the fourth quarter of 2025. Additional funding would be used to complete the design of trails along Hwy 34 and CO 7 with an anticipated completion by the end of 2025. Stormwater projects for 2025 would include improvements to Old Ranger Drive and Fall River Lane intersection, storm sewer improvements at Graves Avenue and Community Drive, replacement of the Performance Park bridge, and annual maintenance. Public Works has begun working on a trail maintenance program to assist with the development of annual budget requests and appropriations. SENIOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT. Management Analyst Simpson stated a white paper was completed for a 2024 Strategic Plan objective to review data on the needs of the senior community in Estes Park and evaluate actions the Town could take to address concerns. She noted 40% of the Town's population is 65+ which well exceeds other local communities at 12 - 21% and the Colorado State average of 16%. The Town's median age has increased to 61, compared to 38 in the state. A number of stakeholders were interviewed including local, regional, and state agencies and organizations. These organizations provide services such as programs by Crossroads including Meals on Wheels, Bridge of Estes (nonprofit serving cancer patients), and Helping Hub (volunteers to assist with basic needs for primarily seniors); Estes Park Senior Center providing programming and meals; Estes Valley Dementia Adult Day Planning Project providing a daytime center for individuals with dementia; Estes Valley Recreation and Park District providing memberships, programming, Silver Sneakers, Silver and Fit, etc.; RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town Board Study Session - February 25, 2025 - Page 2 and Larimer County Office on Aging serves adults 60+ living with disability and caregivers. Key themes that emerged with stakeholders included awareness of services/communications, digital/technology barriers, transportation, multi-generational opportunities, housing, and socialization. The primary focus of agencies and organizations revolves around assisting seniors on aging in place, or aging at home, and living as independently as possible while remaining in their community. Town led recommendations included adding Estes Park Senior Citizens Center to base funding, centralizing resources, holding Mayor/Trustee Talks at the Cetner twice per year, and provide updates from organizations serving seniors. Town supported recommendations presented may include the promotion of programs such as the federal chore voucher program, multi-generational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, provide space and resources for a senior roundtable, and support legislation impacting seniors. Staff would not recommend the allocation of staff for a senior services division. Future discussion on housing and transportation for seniors should be considered. Staff would recommend implementation of the recommendations through the strategic planning process or the creation of a senior needs strategy document. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Overall support was voiced for the Town led items outlined by staff; discussed the inclusion of items as a part of the next strategic plan; confirmed the base funding would be allocated to the Senior Center for basic operations; suggested the Estes Nonprofit Network could organize senior roundtables; support for a Town webpage to centralize information and resources for seniors; questioned the current funding the Town allocates for senior services; and would support base funding and additional funding to support the large population in Estes Park. Mayor Hall called a 15-minute break for dinner at 5:30 pm and reconvened the meeting at 5:42 p.m. STANLEY PARK MASTER PLAM AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. Director Hinkle stated The Performing Arts Guild has requested to build a Performing Arts Center "Encore" on the Stanley Park property on the east side adjacent to Hwy 36. He commented on the center's need for four to five acres or approximately 10-12% of the property available at the Events Complex. The events and business on the property have evolved since the completion of the 2019 Stanley Park Master Plan with larger events in need of more parking as well as additional use of outlining areas of the property for event such as Frozen Dead Guy Days, Skijoring and National Specialty Dog Shows. Relocation of infrastructure would cost an estimated $7 million. A survey was completed in the fall of 2024 with 376 respondents that outlined general support of the performing arts. Staff requested direction on the use at Stanley Park for a Performing Arts Center. Tim Phillips/Guild representative provided a presentation stating Estes Park continues to be one of only a few communities that does not have a dedicated space for the performing arts. The group would request the Stanley Park Master plan include a performing art center to include a facility with a main theater, cabaret theater, rotating exhibit art gallery, Inner Sanctum immersive art facility, and additional meeting rooms, rehearsal rooms and creative rooms. The request is for approximately four acres with a 100-year lease. He stated that an amphitheater was originally apart of the proposed plan but has since been eliminated due noise related concerns. Impacts to the Stanley Park could be mitigated with the use of the School District parking lots during mid-June through mid-August to eliminate concerns with RV and trailer parking, and reduce costs by $1 million by eliminating the need for a fourth leg in the roundabout through event scheduling. The facility would be supported by the revenues generated by the immersive art experience and provide an additional activity to visitors to the community. The projected construction cost estimates are approximately $20 - $25 million with five years to raise 75% of the funds. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town Board Study Session - February 25,2025 - Page 3 Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Questioned if the community could support two multi-use facilities with the development of the Stanley Film Center; questioned the practical impacts on the programming at the Stanley Park; questioned the fundraising target and how long the Town would be requested to hold the space on the property; concern was raised on the need to subsidize the facility; and additional concerns have been raised with the current presentation including encumbering the space on the property for an extended period of time. Mr. Phillips noted the Stanley Film Center would be focused on film and music events and not performing arts. He stated the organization has received a number of letters of support from other art community members and the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce. He further noted a Stanley Park Investment Fund fee could be added to ticket sales to be used to improve the Stanley Park over time. The Board requested an additional study session to further discuss the proposal presented by the Performing Arts Guild. SEMI-ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW WITH BOARD GOVERNING POLICIES POUCY 1,9 SELF-MONITORING OF THE BOARD. No discussion was heard from the Board in relation to self-monitoring. Trustee Lancaster requested the Board be provided additional notice in the future in order to bring forward issues a week in advance to the Board as outlined in the policy. FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. It was requested and determined to schedule Estes Park Housing Authority Board Appointment Inten/iew Process for March 11, 2025, the Annual Review of Vacation Home Cap for April 8, 2025, and Bed & BreakfasWacation Home License Transition on the approved but not schedule list, and Flock Safety Cameras discussion in May. An additional discussion on the Stanley Park Master Plan would be held on March 11, 2025 if all parties are available. COMMENTS & QUESTIONS. None. There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. ..-—^A—. ^^ t • ~^1 0 Q. }a6(<ie Williamson, Town Clerk