HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2025-11-25Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 25, 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 25th day of November, 2025.
Present: Gary Hall, Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem Marie Cenac
Trustees Bill Brown
Mark Igel
Kirby Hazelton
Frank Lancaster
Cindy Younglund
Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Bunny Beers, Deputy Town Clerk
Absent: Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
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 (Hazelton/lgel) to approve the Agenda, and it passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Residents at 157 Cleave StreeVKaryn Balchunas, Nikki Marshall, and Sean Casey
Campbell spoke regarding the construction impacts for residents off Cleave Street.
Concerns have been summarized: Construction disruptions, noise, machinery, drilling,
construction dust and debris, health issues/medical concerns, disruption to wildlife, sleep
impacts for residents in the area, construction was not noticed, and residents felt their
concerns have been neglected. They demanded immediate cessation of all construction
activities until adequate measures are put in place to minimize disruption and ensure
resident health and safety; and requested restricted construction hours, installing noise
and dust mitigation systems, timely updates and clear communication for tenants.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Board comments were heard and have been summarized: The Restorative Justice Better
to Go dinner fundraiser event would take place on December 11th; the November Trustee
Talk was held and topics included the Post Office parking, development, workforce
housing, and interest in a wildlife plan; a ribbon cutting was held at the Estes Park
Museum to celebrate a successful first year of the new shop and kick off the Museum's
2025 Holiday Sale; the 16th Annual National Philanthropy Day event was held at the
YMCA of the Rockies; comments were heard on the value of public comment, time
limitations at Board meetings and the ability for the public to connect with Board members
by email, online, in-person and through written messages; the public were reminded of
the Tree Lighting Ceremony event in Bond Park; the Police Auxiliary Blue Santa
Fundraiser was in progress and donations were encouraged; Coffee and Tea with the
Police Department would take place the first Thursday in December and the public were
encouraged to participate; Bill Bradford/Police Auxiliary Commander would be stepping
down from his leadership role and would maintain his service with the Auxiliary, and Jim
Bernard and Rodger Koelling were promoted to Auxiliary Sergeant; Catch the Glow
Sneak Peak took place and Michael Young was commended on his efforts; and the Estes
Valley Fire District Board held a meeting, and the Interim Fire Chief was commended on
his efforts to assist the district during their search for a Fire Chief.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
None.
Board of Trustees - November 25,2025 - Page 2
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Expenditure Approval Lists - Bills
2. Town Board Meeting and Study Session Minutes dated November 12,2025
3. Estes Park Planning Commission minutes dated September 16, 2025
(acknowledgement only)
4. Letter of Support for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Non-Motorized Trail Grant for
State Hwy 7 Trail ADA Improvements and Community Drive Connector Trail
It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Brown) to approve the Consent Agenda,and
it passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. RESOLUTION 100-25 OFFICIALLY SCHEDULING THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL
ELECTION - APRIL 7. 2026. Town Clerk Williamson stated Resolution 100-25 would
officially set the regular municipal election, determine the election method (poll vs.
ballot) and identify the Town Clerk as the designated election official (DEO). The
Municipal Election Code provides that all regular elections in statutory towns are to be
held on the first Tuesday of April in each even-numbered year and must set the
election through resolution as outlined in the Colorado Revised Statute (CRS). She
stated the Town has consistently held mail ballot elections in the past resulting in
significantly higher turnout. She added Colorado voters have become accustom to
mail elections since the State of Colorado became an all-mail ballot state in 2013.
She stated voter turnout for Estes Park as a mail ballot election typically results in
higher voter turnout. The cost of the election was budgeted through the adoption of
the 2026 budget at $35,000 in the Town Clerk fund. The ballot would contain Trustee
positions for Mayor Pro Tem Marie Cenac (term limited), Trustee Kirby Hazelton
(completing 1st term), and Trustee Bill Brown (completing a partial term) A Candidate
Forum would be held in the Town Hall Board Room on January 6, 2026. The Board
requested the cost comparison for holding a mail ballot versus poll election and
whether staff have received any input from the public requesting or stating interest in
a poll election. It was moved and seconded (Lancaster/Cenac) to approve
Resolution 100-25, and it passed unanimously.
REPORTS & DISCUSSION
1. ORGANIZATIONAL HOUSING PLAN UPDATE. Manager Bangs stated in response
to the Organizational Housing Plan, the Town had increased available housing to the
workforce through Town-owned units, and units available through the Estes Park
Housing Authority (EPHA). Although a master-lease option for Town staff was
available through the EPHA bringing Town employees at or near the top of the list,
this option had not been used as many employees were accessing EPHA housing
without being on a waitlist due to availability. Joint efforts with the EPHA to develop
Town-owned properties at Fish Hatchery and 179 Stanley Circle Drive continue as
these sites have been identified as priority for employee housing for the Town. The
Board were presented two potential future strategies, including annual funding to
EPHA to reserve units for Town employees or develop a long-term arrangement
where the Town would provide land and capital to secure permanently reserved units.
The proposal reflected similar allocation of Town resources going toward employee
housing, with the same land and money dedicated to the development at 179 Stanley
Circle Drive. Staff requested Board interest in transferring 179 Stanley Circle Drive to
the EPHA and $2 million in one-time direct funding. The Town, in return, would be
provided with 12 Town employee units among EPHA's various workforce restricted
developments. Staff stated the proposal offers more flexibility and efficiency among
the various properties managed by EPHA, reducing vacancies and distributing Town
employees throughout the community, rather than housing them all at one location.
Staff requested Board direction on exploring a formal agreement with EPHA for the
Board of Trustees - November 25,2025 - Page 3
transfer of Town-owned property, 179 Stanley Circle Drive. Management, leases,
collection oversight would be handled exclusively by the EPHA. Loss of direct control
was identified as a potential disadvantage to transferring the property to the EPHA.
Board comments and questions have been summarized: Who would own the property
after the transfer; how the fair housing law may affect financing; concerns were heard
related to the property no longer being a Town asset; whether staff knew of any other
community making a similar move in transferring an asset and securing workforce
housing options; priority given to Town employees over the public may be an issue;
the Board stated private employers may want to do something similar with the EPHA;
any known or potential annual cost to maintain the relationship and the 12 units;
concerns were heard related to the $2 million transfer; what would happen when units
are at capacity if the Town needs housing, the type of units available to the Town and
any variety; questioned the current value of 179 Stanley Circle Drive; interest was
heard in an appraisal on the property; concerns if the property was rezoned; EPHA
Board input on the proposal; and the need to address any rezoning impacts with the
passing of Ballot Question 300. Town Administrator Machalek spoke regarding the
value of 12 available units for Town staff compared to the cost to develop the units
which was estimated at $7.9 million, and he confirmed there would be no additional
annual administrative costs for the units to the Town. Town Attorney Kramer stated
the agreement would run with the land as a right to use the property and if the Board
was interested, staff would draft an agreement which clearly outlined any specific
provisions.
Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
(
,jg—^-"Bifmly Victoria Beers, Depueputy Town Clerk