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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Town Board 2025-09-23Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 23, 2025 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 23rd day of September, 2025. Present: Gary Hall, Mayor Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem Trustees Bill Brown Frank Lancaster Kirby Hazelton Mark Igel Cindy Younglund Also Present: Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator Dan Kramer, Town Attorney Sarah Stoddard Cameron, Recording Secretary Absent: Town Administrator Machalek Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA APPROVAL It was moved and seconded (Younglund/Hazelton) to approve the Agenda, and it passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS. Terry Rustin/Town Resident vocalized support for Citizen Initiative 300, commented on public misrepresentation surrounding the ballot initiative, and urged voters to research matters for themselves. John Guffey/Town Resident questioned Estes Park's response to climate change in regards to energy consumption and stated the importance of preservation, calling on the Board to endorse more conservative practices in anticipation of the Development Code update. Tom Kaszynski/County Resident requested the Board review Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) meetings to better understand how other mountain communities are addressing growth and housing issues. Laura Rustin/Town Resident, Kristine Poppitz/County Resident, and Christy Jacobs/ Town Resident stated objections to comments provided by Trustee Brown at the September 9th meeting including relevance to the initiated ordinance, concern for bias, and repetitiveness. TRUSTEE COMMENTS. Board comments were heard and have been summarized: A letter was written to Attorney General Weiser regarding the DC Health Acquisition securing special tax dollars for the community and maintaining local representation on the Board; congratulated the Bank of Estes Park on their 60th anniversary and majority deposit share in Estes Park; commended Bill and Sue Pinkham for outstanding careers in public service; reminded constituents that the Sister Cities delegation would be arriving on October 3rd, and encouraged them to attend the meeting held at the museum to meet the delegates; toured the Harmony Addiction Treatment Facility; both the Regional Opioid Abatement Council and Visit Estes Park (VEP) held meetings on September 25th; VEP would hold a round table featuring representatives from Boulder and Sundance regarding the Sundance Film Festival, holding interviews with two finalists for the permanent CEO position, and is continuing the process of reviewing and approving the 2026 operating plan; restorative justice would be holding community conversations in collaboration with the library Board of Trustees - September 23, 2025 - Page 2 regarding the Development Code update in October; participated in Constitution Day at Hicks Plaza; and requested an executive study session with the EPHA to discuss proceedings on 179 Stanley Circle Dr. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. Policy Governance Monitoring Report - Policy 3.8. Deputy Town Administrator Damweber reported compliance in all areas. Future study session items include: the parking and transit year-end review and housing and residential housing typeologies for the Development Code Update scheduled for December 9th; commercial design guidelines for the Development Code Update scheduled for November 12th; and addressing Town-employee housing and the Estes Loop Traffic Study Results which are approved but unscheduled. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Expenditure Approval Lists - Bills. 2. Town Board Meeting and Study Session Minutes dated September 9,2025. 3. Town Board and Estes Park School District Board of Education Study Session Minutes dated September 9, 2025 4. Estes Park Planning Commission Minutes dated June 17, 2025 (Acknowledgment Only) 5. Resolution 86-25 Amended MOU with Estes Park Housing Authority Funding for Fish Hatchery Workforce Housing 6. Resolution 87-25 Professional Services Agreement and Construction Contract with High Plains Excavation & Aggregate LLP for the Performance Park Bridge Replacement, $404,964. Budgeted 7. Resolution 88-25 Professional Services Contract with AE2S for Water Master Plan Support and Phase 1 Water Rate Study, $160,000. Budgeted 8. Acceptance of the Town Administrator Policy Governance Monitoring Report It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/lgel) to approve Consent Agenda items 1-4 and 6-8, and it passed unanimously. CONSENT ITEM #5 - RESOLUTION 86-25 AMENDED MOU WITH ESTES PARK HOUSING AUTHORITY FUNDING FOR FISH HATCHERY WORKFORCE HOUSING. Manager Bangs explained that in April of 2024 the Town entered into an memorendum of understanding (MOD) with the Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) identifying the EPHA as recipients of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds that the Town received from Larimer County for the Fish Hatchery Workforce Housing Project. Total funds allocated to the project totaled $160,000. It was later determined by staff that these funds were not ARPA, necessitating edits to the MOD. Staff noted that ARPA procedures are extremely restrictive and administratively burdensome, meaning it was beneficial to not rely on ARPA. The agreement was then amended to remove any language referencing ARPA and extend the project deadline. Staff reported adhering to all deadlines and safeguarding funds in a separate account than other projects. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Concern was heard to the fact the item was placed on the consent agenda,and it was noted that staff should be cognizant of public perception when considering agenda placement; questioned the outcomes of denying the amended MOD; and recognized the importance of simplifying administrative burdens and separating project funds. After further discussion it was moved and seconded (Igel/Brown) to approve Resolution 86-25 as presented, and it passed unanimously. Board of Trustees - September 23,2025 - Page 3 PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: RESOLUTION 89-25 COYOTE RUN SUBDIVISION 2ND FILING PRELIMINARY PLAT, CMS PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, INC., FRANK THEIS, OWNER/APPLICANT, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF THE ST VRAIN VALLEY, APPLICANT. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Hornbeck explained that the Coyote Run Subdivision had previously been approved by the Board, comprised of four (4) lots. Lot four (4) was rezoned by the Board in June 2025 from E1 to Residential. That application included a conceptual subdivision plat and a commitment from the applicant to deed restrict eight (8) of the proposed lots as attainable households earning no more that 80% of the area median income (AMI). The applicant, HabitatforHumanityoftheSt.Vrain Valley, requested approval to divide lot four (4), four and a half (4 1A) acres, into 12 residential parcels. It was determined by staff that all parcels would meet the minimum size requirements. Staff noted that the proposed water detention pond would control the water release rate to the extent that drainage and erosion would lessen downstream, reducing damage for property owners. The final plat would include a landscape plan to demonstrate conformance with Development Code Section 7.4.C.2 regarding the detention pond. Those speaking in opposition included: Christy Jacobs/Town Resident, Jon Thornsbury/Town Resident, Larry Bader/Town Resident, John Guffey/Town Resident, Steve Wende/Town Resident, and Kristine Poppitz/County Resident. Comments in opposition included: Expressed concern regarding drainage and the potential for erosion and property damage, citing current damage and excess drainage from phase one (1); noted the importance of maintaining pristine and untouched natural habitat for wildlife; questioned the effects of development on wildlife migration patterns; and emphasized the importance of preserving the Town's character. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Expressed concerns regarding drainage, effects on wildlife, outdated wildlife mapping, housing density, and development standards; requested additional information on drainage and the proposed detention pond; potential for a public or school bus stop; questioned whether compliance alone warrants project approval; and considered liability concerns regarding potential property damage from runoff. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Brown/Younglund) to approve Resolution 89-25, and it passed with Trustee Igel voting "no". ACTION ITEMS: 1. ORDINANCE 17-25 PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY AMENDED AND RESTATED ORGANIC CONTRACT AND AMENDED ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY CONTRACT. Director Bergsten explained the revisions made to the Platte River Power Authority's Organic Contract and Power Supply Agreements extended terms and modernized the language used. The contract was last amended by all PRPA municipalities in May of 2019 and approved by the town in Ordinance 04-19 on March 12th, 2019. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Younglund) to approve Ordinance 17-25, and it passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 90-25 FINDING SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE AND INITIATING ANNEXATION PROCEEDINGS FOR THE RIVERSIDE DRIVE TOWNHOMES ANNEXATION. Planner Washam explained that annexation process, as governed by the Municipal Annexation Act (C.R.S. 31.12-101), requires referral to the Board, a Substantial Compliance Resolution and an Eligibility Resolution prior to annexation and establishment of zoning for Riverside Drive Townhomes. The Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) requires additional land to build proposed townhomes at 775 Riverside Dr. The subject request is to annex a neighboring 2.6 acre parcel. Staff have completed review of the petition for annexation and have confirmed its eligibility. The Eligibility Resolution would be brought to the Board on October 28, 2025, pending approval of Resolution 90-25. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Cenac) to approve Resolution 90-25, and it passed unanimously. Board of Trustees - September 23,2025 - Page 4 REPORTS & DISCUSSION 1. REVISED POLICY 208 NAMJNGW TOWN PARKS, OPEN SPACES, AND FACILITIES. Management Analyst Simpson explained that Estes Park Sister Cities requested the Town rename a parcel of open space, "Monteverde Park". Section 3.A.H of Town Policy 208 (Naming of Town-Owned Parks, Open Spaces, and Facilities) currently prohibits this renaming. Staff recommended revisions expanding this policy to include other elements to broaden naming criteria and seek feedback from the Board on potential changes. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Acknowledged that it is common practice to name a public space, prominent feature, or otherwise memorialize Sister Cities in some way; questioned if Monteverde had honored Estes Park in a similar way; noted that Monteverde Park fit naming criteria as a geographic location and would be accepted under the current policy; stated that there appears to be significant flexibility with the current standards; requested a supermajority or unanimous decision for approval of name adoption or change; and expressed support for the name "Monteverde Park" as requested. Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. /' Gary RatiiJVlayor /? ,//"•! -"x- SaralyStoc^dardp'ameron, Recording Secretary L { yf