HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2026-04-14Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 14, 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 14th day of April, 2026.
Present: Gary Hall, Mayor
Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Bill Brown
Kirby Hazelton
Mark Igel
Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Stephanie Bramwell, Recording Secretary
Absent: Trustee Lancaster
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited the
Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Hall read a proclamation to celebrate Arbor Day on April 24, 2026 and encourage
all citizens to participate in Arbor Day celebrations and support efforts to protect trees and
woodlands.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Hazelton) to approve the Agenda, and it passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
None.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Board comments were heard and have been summarized: Visit Estes Park (VEP) would
review the first-quarter marketing at their April 16 meeting; Mayor Hall, Trustee Hazelton,
and VEP CEO Lenoard judged the coffin races at Frozen Dead Guy Days; thanked the
Frozen Dead Guy Days planners for organizing the event; thanked Mayor Pro Tem Cenac
for her service as her tenure ends on April 28; the Estes Park Board of Adjustments
approved a setback variance for the Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) development
at Fish Hatchery; EPHA chose not to sell the upper units and the Skyview building at Fall
River Village at this time; noted a future study session on EPHA topics would be held on
June 9; extended a welcome to Trustees-elect Jamie Mieras and Chris Eshelman; and
Mayor Hall would share Larimer County's proclamation in recognition of May as Mental
Health Awareness Month at the April 28, 2026 Town Board meeting.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators week, Town Administrator
Machalek thanked the dispatchers at the Estes Park Emergency Communications Center;
he discussed four steps taken by staff to improve internal accounting practices in
response to the findings of the 2024 Audit: 1. Staff would double review the grant
worksheet to prevent the reversal of grants receivable, 2. Invoice dates and subscription
periods would be continuously reviewed to prevent the capitalization of prepaid expenses,
3. Finance would closely examine internal invoices forworkorders across departments to
prevent duplicated payments, and 4. Subsciption services would be continuously
reviewed to prevent restatement; Administrator Machalek reiterated that the Town
recgonizes adjustments need to be made but disagreed with the auditor's assessment
Board of Trustees - April 14,2026 - Page 2
that there were significant deficiencies in internal controls, he stated internal controls are
sufficient to prevent material misstatements of the Town's financial statements.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills
2. Town Board Meeting and Study Session Minutes dated March 24,2026
3. Estes Park Board of Adjustment Minutes dated March 3, 2026
4. Resolution 35-26 Setting the Public Hearing dates of May 12, 2026 and May 26,
2026 to Consider Consent of the Inclusion of Certain Properties within the Town of
Estes Park into the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and its Municipal
Subdistrict Pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-45-136(3.6)
5. Resolution 36-26 Professional Services Contract for Geographical Information
Systems with InVision GIS, $400,000 - Budgeted
6. Public Art Proposal from the Estes Park Middle School Environmental Resilience
Team located at Mrs. Walsh's Garden and the Visitor Center
7. Resolution 37-26 Granting the Town Administrator Signature Authority for an IGA
with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for the Fiscal Year
2026 Closed Landfill Remediation Grant Program (Cycle #2) for Remediation of the
Estes Park Landfill
It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/lgel) to approve the Consent Agenda,and it
passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. 2025 BASE FUNDING REPORT: ESTES ARTS DISTRICT. Co-Chairs Paiement and
Sage stated the $21,000 in base funding was used to create the full-time position of a
Shared Arts and Culture Program Director. Talia Siens was hired to fill this position.
She would build partnerships with artists, organizations, and tourism stakeholders.
She would also support events such as Arts and Culture month and First Friday Art
Walks. The base funding also helped the Estes Arts District secure a Colorado
Creative District Certification.
LIQUOR ITEMS:
1. RESOLUTION 38-26 TRANSFER OF A BEER AND WINE LIQUOR LICENSE FROM
SWEET BASILICO CAFE, INC. DBA SWEET BASILICO CAFE TO KARMA FOODS
LLC DBA SWEET BASILICO CAFE, 430 PROSPECT VILLAGE DRIVE, ESTES
PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing and Town Clerk Williamson
presented Resolution 38-26 for a transfer of a Beer and Wine Liquor License. She
reviewed the application stating all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The
applicant was aware of the Responsible Vendor Training and owns another liquor
establishment in Colorado. The applicant was available for questions and spoke
regarding their experience and excitement to contribute to the community. Mayor Hall
closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Cenac) to approve
Resolution 38-26, and it passed unanimously.
2. RESOLUTION 39-26 NEW HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE FILED
BY ESTES ROOFTOP HUB INC. DBA SOLE ROOFTOP CANTINA AND TEQUILA
BAR, 165 VIRGINIA DRIVE, ESTES PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public
hearing and Town Clerk Williamson presented Resolution 39-26 for a new Hotel and
Restaurant Liquor License. She reviewed the application stating all paperwork and
fees had been submitted. The applicant had completed Responsible Vendor Training
and owns several other liquor establishments in Town. The applicant was available
Board of Trustees - April 14,2026 - Page 3
for questions and spoke regarding their experience and dedication to the new location.
Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Brown) to
approve Resolution 39-26, and it passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. RESOLUTION 40-26 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS #1 TO THE
2026 BUDGET. Director Zimmerman presented the supplemental budget
appropriations to re-appropriate remaining balances for uncompleted 2025 purchase
orders to complete the acquisition of goods and services ordered in 2025 but not
received by the end of 2025. It would 1. Roll purchase orders submitted in 2025 for
goods/services not yet completed to 2026, 2. Roll forward projects and grants initiated
in 2025 and ongoing in 2026 and, 3. Make adjustments identified by departments such
as the awarding of grants, identification of a new expense, or adjusting projections.
Director Zimmerman noted roll forwards are a standard process for government
entities and require Board approval to transfer these funds. It was moved and
seconded (Hazelton/Cenac) to approve Resolution 40-26, and it passed
unanimously.
2. REVISED POLICY 842 PARKING PERMITS. Manager Klein presented the revised
Policy 842 Parking Permits, changing the designated overnight parking lot for holders
of the "Business Permit: Commercial Loading" from the Museum Annex Parking Lot
to the Davis Parking Lot. Manager Klein solicited feedback from the four (4)
businesses near the Davis Parking Lot and three (3) previous permit holders of the
Business Permit: Commercial Loading permit as requested by the Town Board. Of the
three (3) permit holders contacted, one did not support the change, one supported the
change, and one was ambivalent. He recommended moving overnight parking from
the Museum Annex Parking Lot to the Davis Parking Lot for 2026 because the Davis
Parking Lot has been underutilized.
Scott Larrimore/Town resident spoke and asked to speak with Manager Klein to learn
more about acquiring a "Business Permit: Commercial Loading" permit.
Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Expressed concern moving
overnight business parking to the Davis Lot would increase traffic in the downtown
corridor; expressed support for the move to assist the Postal Service in accessing
their vehicles; discussed permitting overnight parking in both lots in an effort to
minimize commercial parking downtown while providing businesses with parking in
close proximity to their storefront. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/lgel) to
revise Policy 842 Parking Permits section f.6. to read, "From May 1 to October
31, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. parking shall be permitted in the
Museum Annex Parking Lot (220 4th Street) or Davis Parking Lot (283 Moraine
Ave)", and it passed unanimously.
3. POLICY 109 PUBLIC COMMENT. Town Clerk Williamson presented Policy 109
regarding public comment. Policy 109 outlined the receipt and distribution of public
comment for Town Board meetings including, written public comment must be
submitted to the Town Clerk's office for inclusion in the packet; written public comment
received after 4:00 p.m. the Monday prior to a Regular Meeting of the Town Board
would not be included in the initial or final Town Board packet; and public comment
provided at Town Board meetings would be included in the final packet. It was moved
and seconded (Igel/Hazelton) to approve Policy 109 Public Comment, and it
passed unanimously.
4. RESOLUTION 41-26 SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE KIMLEY-HORN AND
ASSOCIATES, INC., PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR MALL ROAD
WATERLINE BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES. Manager
Wesley presented the second amendment to the existing engineering services
contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to provide additional bidding phase
services, construction phase services, easement coordination, and additional
permitting support for the Mali Road Waterline Extension project. She explained the
design challenges and coordination needs associated with crossing the Olympus
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Siphon, crossing the Big Thompson River, and working parallel to Highway 34.
Additional support from Kimley-Horn and Associates would be beneficial in these
technically and logistically complex locations to assist in evaluating bids and ensuring
permit compliance, in addition to the initial project design. Board discussion ensued
and has been summarized: Questioned if contractors with specific expertise would be
required; questioned timeline for project, Manager Wesley stated construction would
occur July through October; questioned the impact on traffic, Manager Wesley stated
all impacted roads were anticipated to remain open, with US 34 planned to reduce to
one lane at night for a week or more based on the areas geological complexity;
questioned the criteria for selecting a designer and the relative cost of KimIey-Horn
and Associates, Inc. compared to other bidders, Manager Wesley stated the
consulting firms were assessed based on their qualifications and their fees then
negotiated, she further explained the complexity of permitting for this project was not
anticipated at the outset; recognized how new information discovered in long-term and
complex projects necessitates cost adjustments, Manager Wesley stated the first
amendment to the contract was a result of the State asking the Town to absorb the
Joel Estes Drive portion of the project. It was moved and seconded
(Hazelton/Cenac) to approve Resolution 41-26, and it passed unanimously.
REPORT AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. ESTES PARK MUSEUM 2025 ANNUAL REPORT. Director Fortini provided an
update on the Estes Park Museum's work in 2025 to fulfill its mission to preserve,
share, and respect the unique history of Estes Park. The museum welcomed 6,418
visitors, the highest number in the past nine years. An estimated 91% were first
time visitors. Several projects were made possible with the assistance of a
Collections Assistant and a Visitor Coordinator. The Historic Fall River Hydroplant
structures were painted and the caretaker's cottage re-roofed with assistance from
the Internal Services Department. Nearly 900 square feet were added to the
Museum Annex. 164 interviews were digitized, 44 interviews were made available
on the Museum's website, and two (2) interviews were conducted. Newspapers
from 1920 - 2004 were digitized and available on
ColoradoHistoricNewspapers.org. The Museum had thirty volunteers serve 1,283
hours in 2025, equivalent to nearly $45,000 in labor. Board discussion ensued and
has been summarized: Asked if the Museum planned programming for the United
States' 250-year anniversary and the State of Colorado's 150-year anniversary,
Director Fortini stated programs are planned for August in celebration of the State
of Colorado's 150-year anniversary; inquired about attendance trends throughout
the year, Director Fortini stated summer remains the busiest time of the year;
asked if the museum collaborated with any tour groups, Director Fortini stated that
as a free, public institution they do not collaborate with for-profit tour groups,
however everyone is encouraged to visit the museum.
2. ESTES PARK SALUD CLINIC FUNDING DISCUSSION. Administrator Machalek
introduced the discussion as requested by the Board at the February 10, 2026
Study Session. He stated Estes Park Salud Clinic would receive $30,000 in 2026
as a base funded entity. He addressed questions about funding Salud Clinic
through lodging, sales, or property taxes. As a statutory municipality, Estes Park
could not implement a lodging tax. The Town has a sales tax of 5%, with 1%
allocated by the voters per the ballot language in 2024. Reallocating the revenue
generated from the 4% base sales tax would require a reduction in Town services.
The property tax rate of 1.822 mills generated $594,479 for the Town in 2025.
Although not a large portion of the Town budget, reallocating these funds to
support Salud Clinic would necessitate a reduction in Town services. The Board
could ask voters to approve a new sales tax or increase the property tax rate.
Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: discussed interest in
applying for funding from the UC Health Provider Sustainability Fund; expressed
importance of maintaining healthcare providers in Estes Park; discussed the merits
of the Town assisting in convening stakeholders to discuss funding options, some
expressed support for the idea and some questioned the ability of such a task force
to secure additional funding; agreed the Town should not fully fund the Salud
Clinic; asked when the Salud Clinic was scheduled to provide an update to the
Board of Trustees - April 14,2026 - Page 5
Board on the use of base funds, Administrator Machalek confirmed the update has
not been scheduled.
Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
Gary Hall.'M^yor
Stephanie Bramwell, Recording Secretary