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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2025-09-09RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado September 9, 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 9th day of September, 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 Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator Damweber, Attorney Kramer, Recording Secretary Stoddard Cameron Absent: Trustees Lancaster and Younglund Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. BUSINESS FEEDBACK ON USE OF GOLF CARTS ON TRAILS. Director Greear provided the board with a presentation on the current regulatory standing of golf carts and other mechanized micromobility devices. The Estes Park Municipal Code (EPMC) does not address the use of golf carts on Town maintained trails and roadways. Chapter 9.18 of the Municipal Code references 'micromobility device (MD)', defined as small human or electric-powered device such as a bike or scooter and requires MD users yield to pedestrians and not exceed a speed limit of six (6) mph on sidewalks and fifteen (15) mph on multi-use paths. In Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) 42-1-102(39.5), the State provides a definition for golf carts, classifying them as self-propelled vehicles not primarily designed for operation on roadways. This distinction allows municipalities to self-regulate golf carts similarly to MDs, as they are not defined as motor vehicles under the statute. While very little regulation on golf carts exists at the state level, CRS 42-4- 111. Powers of Local Authorities prohibits the use of golf carts on state highways except to cross predefined paths and provides further regulations for operators. Staff reached out to surrounding municipalities and gathered information on their policies regarding golf carts and MDs, identifying many do not allow golf carts or MDs on any municipal owned trails and shared-use paths. Enforcement of these policies was uncertain, although some municipalities, including Lyons, authorize use on specific roadways and trails. Several local businesses have expressed interest in utilizing golf carts and requested the Town Board review the matter. Staff stated any amendment or addition to the code would be for commercial use only, and the Town would require a permit for each cart in use. Hannah Hochstetler Breining/Hochstetler Resorts stated Hochstetler Resorts had used golf carts in the past to transfer laundry between two of their properties, the Appenzell Inn and Estes Mountain Inn, to a central facility. She stated law enforcement had requested the business desist from operating golf carts for this purpose. As such, the business deferred to gas powered Ford F150's or electric tricycles to complete the estimated 100-yard journey creating traffic delays, greater fiscal burden, and was not as environmentally friendly as the disused golf carts. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: The environmental impacts of using gas versus electric powered vehicles; concern was heard to the safety of operating golf carts and MDs on paths and roadways, noting speed limit and path width; usage would be prohibited on certain multi-use paths, including the Lake Estes Trail; desire for travel distance limitation was expressed; it was noted the current signage on public trails states no motorized vehicle use, with an exception to e-bikes; and RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town Board Study Session - September 9, 2025 - Page 2 questioned whether there were any known golf cart injuries or deaths caused by similar commercial use. It was determined staff would draft a policy for commercial golf cart permits which regulate speed limits, distance traveled per trip, require driver education and certification(s), outline use on roadways, trails, multi-use paths and sidewalks to be considered on a case-by case basis and prohibit use on certain multi-use paths, including the Lake Estes Trail. WILDLIFE PROTECTION ORDINANCE PROVISIONS FOR COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES. Deputy Town Administrator Damweber stated Town Board direction was requested on whether staff should bring forward revisions to the Wildlife Protection Ordinance, Sections 7.20.020 - Standards for wildlife resistant containers, hard-sided containers, and grease bins and 7.20.030 - Maintenance and operation of wildlife resistant containers, wildlife resistant enclosures, and hard-sided containers of the Municipal Code, to provide exceptions to certain commercial establishments. This request was received from a local business owner, who claimed it was impossible to teach guests to properly dispose of waste in regulation-compliant refuse containers, and regulations should be softened to allow open containers during operational hours. Daytime regulations and enforcement for commercial waste are standard in mountain communities, and many surrounding municipalities have similar if not stronger regulations than the Town. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: The small size of the police department was noted with recognition that code enforcement remains a one-person operation, making constituent reporting the main tool in addressing non-compliance; this reliance can lead to major disparities in enforcement, education and penalization; staff noted that enforcement begins with education rather than a citation, and PD makes a concerted effort to not penalize businesses on their first few offences; the dramatic increase in calls related to bears and trash; concern was heard related to administration and enforcement should exceptions be allowed; permitting exceptions to the ordinance could create pushback on other regulations; the spirit of the law was bear protection, and those attracting bears to their property due to poor security or non-compliance should be subject to penalties; staff were encouraged to increase fines for non- compliant businesses with "rummaged" trash; there are no other instances in which the code allows exceptions to better fit individuals and/or specific businesses. Board consensus was to maintain the current code and Code Enforcement would continue to use discretion with business owners when bear incidents occur. TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS. None. FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS, It was requested and determined to schedule Guiding Philosophy for Events for November 25, 2025, and Trustee Igel requested a discussion on parking charges during weekdays in advance of the 2026 parking season. There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m. ,7 <- i /^z Sarah Stg^d^rd Cameron, Recording SecretaryZ"T"