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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREPORT Strategic Plan Progress 20261 2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan Progress Report March KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party Responsible On Track Behind Schedule Hold/ Tabled Done*% Complete Comments 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. Consider an update to Section 11.4 of the Development Code, including reconsideration of appropriate definitions and density bonus amounts.Jason Damweber 50% Consideration and discussions about updating the definitions of workforce and attainable housing, including how they relate to density bonuses, are ongoing. The possibility of updating definitions was most recently discussed publicly at the last joint Town Board/Planning Commission meeting as part of the Development Code rewrite process. Following that meeting, Town and EPHA staff have met a number of times to discuss potential revisions based on interests and feedback received. Staff hopes to engage the Town Board at a Study Session in late spring to glean additional feedback and/or direction related to potential new definitions. Any updates will be included in the Development Code rewrite and/or a Policy 227 update. Consider updating Town policies defining workforce or attainable housing for the purposes of Town funding.Jason Damweber 50%Updates to the Development Code as outlined immediately above will inform updates to Town Policy 227: Workforce and Attainable Housing Guidelines. Discuss with the Housing Authority how 6E funding expenditures should be targeted in the near term, in light of the current Housing Needs Assessment, including a discussion of senior and seasonal housing. Jason Damweber 50% A consultant has been selected to assist the Town and EPHA in the development of a Housing Supply Plan and to ensure that our Housing Needs Assessment complies with new State requirements. This work is expect to wrap up in Q3. Discussions about how to best address seasonal and senior housing between Town staff and EPHA staff have occurred and are ongoing. A survey to learn more about the perspectives of business owners regarding seasonal housing needs has been developed and will be shared through the Estes Chamber of Commerce in March. (It should be noted that 6E funding must be used to address workforce housing, so resources committed to addressing senior housing - assuming the seniors are not part of the workforce - would have to come from an alternate source.) Work with the Housing Authority to evaluate potential for interest rate buy-down programs.Jason Damweber 20%Town staff met with Housing Authority staff to discuss interest rate buy-down programs in March. Complete work on the follow-up recommendations from the Senior Needs Assessment completed in 2025. Kate Miller 75% Base funding recommendation has been completed. The Senior Resources webpage and handout are in progress. The webpage is complete. Trustee Talks have been scheduled for April and November. The Senior Roundtable update will take place at the Feb. 24 Town Board meeting. Management Analyst Simpson gave a presentation about the Senior Needs Analysis at the "Aging Well in the Estes Valley" symposium on March 21. Develop a master plan for Town Parks and Open Space, in cooperation with the Recreation District and Estes Valley Land Trust. Include chapters on water-conscious landscaping and pocket parks. (2025 CARRYOVER) David Greear 50% The Town Board approved a professional services contract with Design Workshop at the April 8 Town Board meeting. The Town Board received an Update on the Parks Master Plan at the February 10 Town Board meeting. Projected completion is scheduled for April/May 2026. Select at least one specific recommendation from the 2045 Parks and Open Space Master Plan for budgeting and implementation in 2027.David Greear 0%Staff plans to select a recommendation in May after Town Board consideration of the final Master Plan. Continue rewriting the Estes Park Development Code with participation from elected/appointed officials, stakeholders, and residents. (Multi-Year Objective)Steve Careccia 40%Initial public outreach phase has been completed. Findings presented to Town Board on January 27. Consultant has started drafting code update and will present rough draft to staff sometime March/April. Review and update the Town's Public Art policy (Policy 880).Steve Careccia 75% The Town Board discussed updates to the Town's Public Art Policy (Policy 880) at the March 10 Town Board Study Session. A final draft of these policy updates will be presented to the Board for consideration at an upcoming Town Board meeting. Complete Museum Annex addition. (2025 CARRYOVER)Paul Fetherston 100%Completed. GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES AND INTERNAL SUPPORT - We provide high-quality support for all municipal services. Develop and implement an emergency and safety training program for all Event and Visitor Services team employees including a tracking system for valid certifications.Rob Hinkle 0%This work will begin March. Ensure that all employees who will use the new Enterprise Resource Planning system receive sufficient training.Tammy Zimmerman 50% All employee training sessions were conducted in December 2025 with step-by-step guides in iTown. An additional "Tips and Tricks" training for all employees was held on March 19. Small group and individual training has continued in January 2026 with various Finance staff. Finance is evaluating the potential for assigning a Tyler training/video during onboarding for future new employees. 2 2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan Progress Report March KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party Responsible On Track Behind Schedule Hold/ Tabled Done*% Complete Comments OUTSTANDING GUEST SERVICES - We are a preferred Colorado mountain destination providing an exceptional guest experience. Complete infrastructure improvements to the O’Connor Pavilion including better emergency communication capabilities.Rob Hinkle 0%This work will begin in April. Improve the horse stalls and the safety of the horses in barns A-L and W by installing stall mats.Rob Hinkle 50%A Request for Proposals was completed and a within-budet bid was received. Mats have been purchased. Improve the guest experience in the Visitor Center by replacing the 18-year-old carpet. Rob Hinkle 100%Completed in February. PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENT - Estes Park is a safe place to live, work, and visit within our extraordinary natural environment. Ensure 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 of construction and occupancy of a new police facility by 2029. (Multi-year Objective) Paul Fetherston 5% On March 10, the Town Board officially designated a Town-owned property location on the northwest corner of Community Drive and Manford Avenue for a new Public Safety facility. This designation enables planing, design, due diligence and public engagement on this site to move forward. It does not authorize final approval of construction, budget, financing or design elements - all of which will be presented to the Town Board for review and action at appropriate future stages. A Request for Proposals/ Qualifications for Design services has been released and is expected to be prepared for award in late Q2 2026. If the Town's application for design grant funding through the State DOLA is approved, contract award must coincide with the timing of grant agreements. Presentation on the funding is plan expected in FY 2026 Q2 or Q3, with construction completed and occupancy by December 2029. 3 2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan Progress Report March KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party Responsible On Track Behind Schedule Hold/ Tabled Done*% Complete Comments ROBUST ECONOMY - We have a diverse, healthy, year-round economy. Identify opportunities to support eclectic mix of business, including smaller "mom and pop" shops.Jason Damweber 50% Town staff is currently represented on the Chamber Board (in an ex-officio capacity) and on the Economic Development Workforce Council (EDWC), both of which provide support and resources for local businesses of all types, including for "mom and pop" shops. Trustee Brown also serves on the EDWC Board. Staff met with the Chamber Executive Director in January to discuss existing and potential new opportunities to provide additional support. Strategies currently employed include facilitation of networking and relationship building, visibility and marketing, education and skill building, and advocacy (a list of these opportunities for businesses in 2026 can be provided upon request). A Town Board Study Session is scheduled for June to determine what additional strategies, if any, may be of interest. Evaluate expansion of Town Hall hours (7-6) through schedule changes aligning with customer and business needs.Travis Machalek 0% This work will begin in April Evaluate actions to ensure that the availability of local businesses is considered when scheduling Town meetings.Kate Miller 0% This work will begin in Q2. Work with the Chamber and Housing Authority to assess how seasonal employees are housed in Estes Park.Jason Damweber 25% Initial discussions with the Chamber and EPHA have occurred. A meeting was held in February with a focus on how to more effectively gather information to understand the current situation. This will include a survey of local businesses put out by the Chamber in early April. Work with the Estes Chamber of Commerce and Downtown businesses to evaluate implementation options for the Downtown Plan. (2024 CARRYOVER)Travis Machalek 25%Staff members met with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce in January. Staff will be developing a spectrum of implementation options for Town Board consideration at an upcoming study session. 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. Work with Town Departments to revise the Town's Purchasing Policies by defining roles, evaluating threshold approvals, aligning with current regulatory requirements, and incorporating procurement best practices. Tammy Zimmerman 5% Preliminary discussions on structuring the collaborative outreach have begun. This work will begin after audit in May. Work with key staff members to revise the Town's Grant Policy that creates a framework for grant applications, evaluation, approval, and reporting.Tammy Zimmerman 10%Initial discussions with Grant Specialist, Grant Coordinator, and Department Project Managers have occurred. Continuing meetings to get input on revisions to Policy 612 TRANSPORTATION - We have safe, efficient, and well-maintained multimodal transportation systems for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Evaluate how the municipal code treats motorized/electrified scooters, golf carts, e-bikes, and other low-speed vehicles.David Greear 10%Staff will bring forward an overview session on the Town's current regulations for Board feedback after the new Town Board is seated. Complete the reconstruction of Old Ranger Drive.David Greear 0%Construction to start and complete sometime between May and October dependent on talks with contractor. Complete the reconstruction of Old Man Mountain Lane.David Greear 0%Construction to start and complete sometime between May and October dependent on talks with contractor. 4 2026 Town of Estes Park Strategic Plan Progress Report March KEY OUTCOME AREAS Party Responsible On Track Behind Schedule Hold/ Tabled Done*% Complete Comments UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE - We have reliable, efficient, and up-to-date utility infrastructure serving our community and customers. Implement the enforcement process for customers who do not comply with water administrative regulations.Reuben Bergsten 20%Staff developed an enforcement process and Attorney Kramer identified a draft/conceptual idea of required Municipal code changes. The Board has scheduled this topic for a Study Session on July 14. Initiate construction of the Mall Road Looping project. (2025 CARRYOVER)Reuben Bergsten 90%The Town paused the initiation of this project in late 2025 to mitigate financial risk of the Current Liability tied to the Prospect Mountain project. Staff expects to be able to go to bid on this project soon. Replace the structurally deficient Performance Park bridge.David Greear 25%Construction started in mid February with completion anticipated by June 2026 Complete at least one neighborhood stormwater CIP project from the list included in the Stormwater Master Plan.David Greear 0%Anticipated construction on Manford stormwater project to begin in late summer of 2026 after school is out (work to be completed by Streets/Stormwater crews in-house). Identify funding options for a low-cost Trailblazer program.Reuben Bergsten 20%Looking for a funding source to cover the cost of new service installs, $600 to 700 each. Complete construction of Trailblazer Broadband system for customers in the electric service area. (Multi-year Objective)Reuben Bergsten 90%Our resubmitted BEAD applications were preliminarily awarded. We've completed 90% of the build based on customer count. The remaining 10% of customers are the highest-cost construction and lowest revenue density. * for multi-year projects, DONE refers to the portion of the project planned for the current year.