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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Town Board 2026-02-24Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 24, 2026 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 24th day of February, 2026. Present: Gary Hall, Mayor Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem Trustees Bill Brown Kirby Hazelton Frank Lancaster Mark Igel Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator Dan Kramer, Town Attorney Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk Absent: Trustee Cindy Younglund Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited the Pledge of Allegiance. PROCLAMATION Mayor Hall read a proclamation for the 250/150 Colardo Commission to honor the United States' 250-year anniversary and the State of Colorado's 150-year anniversary and the celebrations to commemorate both. AGENDA APPROVAL. It was moved and seconded (Lancaster/Hazelton) to approve the Agenda with Action Item 1 being heard after the Consent Agenda, and it passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS. Tom Kaszynski/County resident reviewed the Estes Park Housing Authority's recent agenda and actions taken by the Authority. Don and Denise Borda/440 Valley Road stated signatures from 81% of the neighboring properties within 500 feet have been collected for the requested rezoning of the property. They were informed a new application to rezone the property would need to be filed, and stated the process was unfair and redundant. They stated the Town Board was not given an option for conditional approval of the rezoning at the January 27, 2026 meeting, and questioned if the Board was aware the motion to deny would not provide an opportunity to reconsider the application if the requirements of Ballot Question 300 (Ordinance 18- 25) were met. They requested the Board revisit the decision to deny the rezoning request and consider approval of the request to rezone the property. John Guffey/Town citizen commented on Visit Estes Park's dark sky initiative, noting they would host an event to determine the impact of lights on the initiative in early March. He further noted a recent comment by a Fire Marshal on the need to eradicate juniper from the ecosystem due to its fire danger. He stated concern as the native plant has been and should continue to be a part of the ecosystem. TRUSTEE COMMENTS. Board comments were heard and have been summarized: a discussion followed on the mechanism to reopen or reconsider the rezoning of 440 Valley Road by the Town Board, to which Attorney Kramer noted the Board came to a final decision at the January 27, 2026 meeting, that he would not recommend the Board rescind the action, and recommended an Executive Session to review the legal ramifications of doing so; the inaugural "Kent Smith Civic Engagement Award" would be awarded March 16, 2026; Visit Estes Park (VEP) meeting was held and the following was discussed: time entry would Board of Trustees - February 24,2026 - Page 2 return for 2026, CEO update included a reminder that the Marketing Committee applications remain open and encouraged interested individuals to apply, reorganization of VEP with two positions open, VEP would shift to a wider winter holiday lighting to possibly include additional lights downtown along Moraine Avenue to the roundabout, host an ornament centered event in Bond Park, or add displays in Bond Park, noted January visitor counts were up, VEP collected $10.5 million in 2025, VEP bylaws were updated due to the recent changes outlined in the IGA with Larimer County and the Town of Estes Park, would recreate a shared position with the Estes Art District to incorporate destination offerings around the development of art and cultural experiences, and the creation of a filmfest and large festival taskforce related to Sundance and other large events in the valley; noted the League of Women Voters would hold a Town Board Candidate forum on March 12, 2026; the Estes Park Housing Authority began a renter's saving program at the Fall River Village, the first of its kind in the State of Colorado; and noted Protect Estes Park would hold a Candidate forum on March 23, 2026 via Zoom. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. Town Administrator Machalek thanked the Power and Communication crew for their efforts to restore power due to the high winds. He noted the first of two 2027 Strategic Planning meetings would be held on March 9, 2026. He clarified the rezoning request for 440 Valley Road contained a continuance motion as a part of the packet material for the Board to consider. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Bills 2. Town Board Meeting and Study Session Minutes dated February 10,2026 3. Estes Park Planning Commission Meeting Minutes dated December 16, 2025 (Acknowledgement Only) 4. Estes Park Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes dated November 4, 2025 5. Estes Park Board of Adjustment Appointment of Steven Neilson to complete the Term ofGuyWayne Newsom Expiring March 31,2027 6. Expenditure of 6E Lodging Tax for Childcare Stability Initiative Funding Agreements over Authorized Spending Limit, Budgeted 7. Resolution 16-26 Intergovernmental Agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation for Fiscal Year 2026 Federal Transit Administration 5311 Baseline Rural Area Formula Grant Funds to Support Estes Transit (The Peak) It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Cenac) to approve the Consent Agenda,and it passed unanimously. Consent Item 5 - Estes Park Board of Adjustment Appointment of Steven Neilson to complete the Term of Guy Wayne Newsom Expiring March 31, 2027. Truste Igel noted two applicants were interviewed for the position. He recognized Mr. Neilson's willingness to serve the community on the volunteer board. It was moved and seconded (Brown/Hall) to approve the Consent Agenda Item 5,and it passed unanimously. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. 2025 BASE FUNDING REPORT: ESTES NONPROFIT NETWORK. Executive Director Kraft stated the $25,000 in base funding was used to support the education efforts for local non-profits through 26 events serving 321 individuals. She commented when non-profits are governed well it assists them in operating efficiently and more sustainably. The Estes Nonprofit Network Board has made the decision to complete the Network's work by the end of 2026. The 2026 funding would be used to fund the closing education series to transfer institutional knowledge, connect non- profits across all six (6) of the sectors, and strengthen peer-to-peer systems that can endure beyond the organization's closing. The Board thanked Executive Director Board of Trustees - February 24,2026 - Page 3 Kraft for her work at the Estes Nonprofit Network and wished her well on her next endeavors. 2. UPDATE ON NOVEMBER2025 SENIOR ROUNDTABLE: ESTES NONPROFIT NETWORK. Executive Director Kraft stated she facilitated a Senior Services Roundtable to develop key findings and recommendations from Estes Park organizations serving the senior community with 40% of Estes Park residents 65 or older. She noted there has not been a lack of effort but there remain constraints on what can be accomplished. The event questioned where are seniors falling through gaps in service delivery; what support already exist; what do service providers need to sustain and expand their work; and what persistent barriers prevent progress despite best efforts? It was noted that seniors need additional support to address social isolation, care access, workforce shortages, transportation barriers, and housing and respite. Current services provided by organizations include meals and nutrition, medical and wellness, transportation, caregiving and respite, social connection, and financial assistance; however, capacity and sustainability remain critical concerns as demand increases. Organizations need stable, diversified funding, expand volunteers and board members, space for programming through facility support, and community engagement. Recommended next steps for Town action were outlined and included support of base funding to support stable annual funding, centralize resources, strengthen communication, and facilitate coordination through annual roundtables to bring providers together to discuss gaps and share best practices. Town Board comments were heard and summarized: the importance of the roundtable to inform the Board as it begins 2027 strategic planning; and questioned if the Larimer County Office of Aging was reviewed and how it fits into the discussion, and it was noted that they were involved in the discussions and acknowledged that more can be done in Estes Park. LIQUOR ITEMS: 1. RESOLUTION 17-26 NEW HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE FILED BYBYS BROTHERS LLC DBA PROSPECT BISTRO, 205 AND 207 PARK LANE, ESTES PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing and Town Clerk Williamson presented Resolution 17-26 for a new Hotel & Restaurant Liquor License. She reviewed the application stating all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The applicant was aware of the Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) requirement, the applicant is an owner of another liquor establishment in Town and has completed TIPS training previously. The applicant was available for questions and spoke regarding their experience, the renovations, intentions for the new building, and opening date. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Hazelton) to approve Resolution 17-26, and it passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS: 1. FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) TITLE VI PROGRAM PLAN. Manager Klein stated as a condition of acceptance of FTA funds passed through CDOT and the State of Colorado Senate Bill 267, the Town must adopt a Title VI Program Plan (Plan) covering nondiscrimination of race, color, and national origin, and persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) while considering environmental and social justice. The Town's current Plan was filed with CDOT and Region 8 FTA in 2023 forthetriennial period of April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2026. The plan has been reviewed and updated as necessary, and designates the Parking and Transit Manager as the Town's Title VI Coordinator. The updated plan would be in effect April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029 and allow the Town to continue to receive grants and funding from the FTA and CDOT. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Cenac) to approve FTA Title VI Program Plan effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029, and it passed unanimously. 2. RESOLUTION 18-26 AMENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (IGA) FOR RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING AT ESTES PARK^OLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION. Town Administrator Machalek noted the current IGA between the Town and the County for the Residential Recycling Facility was approved on September 26, Board of Trustees - February 24,2026 - Page 4 2023, for a term expiring on January 1,2026. The original intent of the 2023 extension was to bring the IGA expiration date in line with the expiration date for the County's agreement with Waste Management regarding the operation of the transfer station. The County notified the Town in December that it had sent an extension through December 31, 2026, to Waste Management for the Transfer Station Operating Agreement to allow the County to finalize the development of a new long-term agreement for the operation of the transfer station between the County and Waste Management. The County anticipates that this agreement would be fully developed and mutually negotiated with all parties by July 1, 2026. The current amendment provides for a one-year extension to the IGA between the Town and the County for the Residential Recycling Facility at the Estes Park Solid Waste Transfer Station through December 31, 2026. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Hazelton) to approve Resolution 18-26, and it passed unanimously. Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. -^.J^-f ^-— Gary Hall, Mayor ~, ^A-,_> <^ J^ \>^(:-Lf-CJ^r->i^,..^-v- Ja^kie Williamson, Town Clerk u