HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Strategic Planning Study Session #2 2025-04-18RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado April 18, 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 18th day of April, 2025.
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, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Town Attorney Kramer Town Clerk Williamson,
Directors Bergsten, Careccia, Hinkle, Fetherton, Muhonen
and Zimmerman, Police Chief Stewart, and Deputy Town
Clerk Beers
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Cenac
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Review of objectives and goals.
Town Administrator Machalek reviewed changes or additions from the departments and
the Board to the Strategic Policy Statements, Objectives and Goals for each Key
Outcome Area. Revisions and additions have been listed below:
Exceptional Community Services - Estes Park is an exceptionally vibrant, diverse,
inclusive, and active mountain community in which to live, work, and play with housing
available for all segments in our community.
Town Administrator Machalek stated staff made a conservative effort to reduce the
number of objectives to accommodate workloads in anticipation of the large projects,
and development code changes anticipated in 2026. The Board discussed the senior
needs assessment, whether a staff member should be assigned a focus on seniors in
the community, and opportunities to assist with senior and seasonal housing. Staff
would complete a review of the senior needs assessment and determine which goals
can be altered to be action focused to benefit seniors. Discussion ensued on housing
needs, various options to assist in childcare needs, and the inter-relationship with
housing.
Goal 1.A Modify - Incentivize private development of workforce and attainable
affordable housing.
Goal: Add - Support a relocation of the Post Office away from its current location
downtown.
Goal 5.B: Modify - Overhaul outdated and aging landscaping in Children's Park,
Riverwalk, and Wiest Park.
Goal: Add - Encore tracking goal over three year period, with emphasis on wording
since an agreement had not been established.
Goal: Add - Continuously evaluate options for addressing the community's childcare
needs.
6.B Modify - Collaborate with community stakeholders to update our adopted
transportation, drainage, and parking design standards and construction policies in the
Development Code.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - April 18, 2025 - Page 2
Objective 1.3: Modify - Discuss with the Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) how 6E
funding expenditures should be targeted in the near term, in light of the current Housing
Needs Assessment.
Objective: Add - Senior objectives grounded in needs assessment work.
Objective 1.4 Add - Work with EPHA to evaluate potential for interest rate buy-down
programs.
Objective 10.1 Add - Explore wrapping the utility boxes with vintage pictures of Estes
Park in the downtown corridor and Cleave Street.
Governmental Services and Internal Support - We provide high-quality support for
all municipal services.
The Board discussed grant writing, funding, and term limits for Town-appointed Boards.
Goal 5.B: Modify - Evaluate inclusivity and effectiveness of Town community
engagement processes.
Goal 7.A: Modify - Implement a Town Performance Management System.
Goal 11.B Modify - Upgrade and maintain the quality, function, and safety of the Town's
public restrooms.
Objective 1.2 Add - ERP Training.
Objective 4.A.1: Add - Require term limits on all Town-appointed Boards.
Objective: Add - Explore options to improve website experience and navigation.
Objective 11.D.1 Modify - Initiate construction of a new police facility, ensuring the
completion of pre-design work, identification and securing of a suitable site, and
obtaining approval of a comprehensive funding plan by December 2026, with projected
completion and occupancy by 2029. (Multi-year Objective)
Outstanding Guest Services - We are a preferred Colorado mountain destination
providing an exceptional guest experience.
The Board discussed coordination between Town staff, Visit Estes Park and other
businesses and the performing arts center.
Public Safety, Health, and Environment - Estes Park is a safe place to live, work,
and visit within our extraordinary natural environment.
The Board discussed the Environmental Sustainability Task Force, directives, the
climate change report, and coordination with Larimer County and the Estes Valley Fire
Protection District, including emergency management. The Board stated the value and
importance of maintaining the Estes Park Police Department as the law enforcement
agency for the Town. Staff would encourage the Estes Park School District to continue
to participate and pursue opportunities funded by the Regional Opioid Abatement
Council.
Goal 1.C: Add - Evaluate the Town's approach to all-hazard emergency management in
collaboration with our local and regional partners.
Goal 2.B: Modify - Encourage alternative renewable energy options for new and
established homes and businesses, including Town buildings.
Goal 2.D: Modify - The events and Visitor Services Department will minimize the
environmental impacts of Town events.
Goal 3.A: Add - Continue to support Regional Opioid Abatement Council and the
importance of Town representation.
Goal: Add - Support VEP's efforts to communicate sustainable messages to visitors.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - April 18, 2025 - Page 3
Objective: It was determined the police station goals and objectives would be moved to
this section.
Robust Economy -We have a diverse, healthy, year-round economy.
The Board discussed seasonal worker housing including J-1s, the implementation of the
Downtown Plan, and business operating hours which cater to customers and take
seasonality into consideration.
Goal: Add - Enhance engagement with business community through thoughtful
scheduling and timing.
Goal: Add - Work with the Chamber and EPHA to assess how seasonal employees are
housed in Estes Park.
Goal: Add - Scheduling and timing considerations.
Goal: Add - Recognizing importance of "mom and pop" shops, opportunities to support
those businesses and identify opportunities to support an eclectic mix of business.
Goal: Add - Evaluate expansion of Town Hall hours (7-6) through schedule changes
aligning with customer and business needs.
Town Financial Health - We will maintain a strong and sustainable financial condition,
balancing expenditures with available revenues, including adequate cash reserves for
future needs and unanticipated emergencies.
The Board discussed payback options for businesses and feasibility due to seasonal
business operations.
Goal 1.A: Add - Review and update key finance policies.
Transportation - We have safe, efficient, and well-maintained multimodal
transportation systems for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders.
The Board discussed construction phases, routine road and maintenance work, driving
visitor messaging through signage, Highway 34/36 and Steamer Dr. traffic study status,
motorized bicycle impacts to safety, the community and regulatory requirements and
self-sustaining parking services.
Goal 1.C: Modify - Evaluate the next phases of the Wayfinding Signage Program prior
to further implementation.
Goal 3.C: Modify - Consider implementation of the recommendations in the 2030 Transit
Development Plan.
Goal 3.D: Modify - Consider implementation of the recommendations in the 2045
Multimodal Transportation Plan.
Goal 5.A: Modify - Continually evaluate implementation of the Downtown Parking
Management Plan in a manner that delivers parking services as a self-sustaining
program by 2030.
Objective: Add - Evaluate how the Municipal Code treats motorized/electrified scooters,
golf carts, e-bikes etc.
Objective: Add - Continue evaluating traffic flow (multi-year objective).
Utility Infrastructure - We have reliable, efficient, and up-to-date utility infrastructure
serving our community and customers.
The Board discussed water projects and grant funding opportunities for final designs of
the Big Thompson River Project.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - April 18, 2025 - Page 4
Strategic Statement 3: Add - We effectively and efficiently manage stormwater and are
proactive in mitigating flood risks.
Goal 1.B: Modify - Decrease per-capita treated water demand through loss reduction.
Town Administrator Machalek provided details for the next steps of the process and
there being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m.
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'^SSmny-^ictoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk