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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2026-04-28Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 28, 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 28th day of April, 2026. Present: Gary Hall, Mayor Marie Cenac, Mayor Pro Tem Trustees Bill Brown Kirby Hazelton Mark Igel Frank Lancaster Trustee Elect Chris Eshelman Trustee Elect Jamie Mieras Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator Dan Kramer, Town Attorney Stephanie Bramwell, Recording Secretary Absent: None 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 (Cenac/Brown) to approve the Agenda with Liquor Item 3. Resolution 47-26 heard before Liquor Item 2. Resolution 46-26, and it passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS. None. TRUSTEE COMMENTS. Board comments were heard and have been summarized: thanked the Parks Division for distributing 434 chokecherry trees and 2,232 native plants in recognition of Arbor Day; congratulated Administrator Machalek for being named 2025 Colorado Manager of the Year by the Colorado City/County Management Association; denounced political violence; thanked Mayor Pro Tem Cenac for her service to the Town; Visit Estes Park's (VEP) first Filmfest and Large Event Taskforce meeting held on March 25 identified priority topic areas, the next meeting would be held on May 6; Colorado Film Office, Visit Boulder, and Sundance spoke about Sundance 2027 during a panel held on April 28 at the Historic Park Theater; the first meeting ofVEP's Marketing Advisory Committee would be held on April 29; VEP reviewed first quarter marketing at the April Board meeting and noted lodging tax numbers for February were up 11 .6% year-over-year and were up 6% year-to-date; Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) were presented with an offer to purchase and chose not to sell the upper units and the Skyview building at Fall River Village at this time; reminded the Trustees the EPHA would present to the Board at the Study Session on June 9; encouraged participation in the community; encouraged everyone to attend the Cinco de Mayo fiesta and the Rotary Duck Race; Mayor Hall read excerpts from Larimer County's 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation; and Mayor Pro Tem Cenac congratulated the incumbents and new trustees and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the Board. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. Policy Governance Monitoring Report - Policies 3.3 and 3.7. Town Administrator Machalek reported compliance with Policies 3.3 and 3.7. He then thanked Mayor Pro Tem Cenac and Trustee Younglund for their service; recognized the Town Clerk's Office for running the municipal election; Public Sen/ice Recognition Week would be held May 3 to Board of Trustees - April 28,2026 - Page 2 May 9; thanked fellow public servants, including Town of Estes Park employees, for their service; and reminded the Strategic Planning Session #2 would take place on April 30. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Bills 2. Town Board Meeting and Study Session Minutes dated April 14, 2026 3. Resolution 42-26 Events Complex Arena Footing Contract 4. Resolution 43-26 IGA with CDOT for 2026 "Bustang to Estes" Transit Service 5. Endorsing Town Attorney Dan Kramer for Re-election to the Colorado Mlunicipal League Executive Board 6. Resolution 44-26 Amendments to a Grant Agreement with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the Housing Planning Grant 7. Acceptance of Town Administrator Policy Governance It was moved and seconded (Igel/Hazelton) to approve the Consent Agenda,and it passed unanimously. LIQUOR ITEMS: 1. RESOLUTION 45-26 TRANSFER OF A HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE FROM ST. VRAIN PROPERTY LLC DBA TRAILBORN ROCKY MOUNTAINS/CASA COLINA TO SCO TH LL, LLC DBA TRAILHEAD LODGE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, 130 STANLEY AVENUE, ESTES PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing and Town Clerk Williamson presented Resolution 45- 26 for a transfer of a Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License. She reviewed the application stating all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The applicant was available for questions and spoke regarding their knowledge of the Responsible Vendor Training. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Hazelton) to approve Resolution 45-26, and it passed unanimously. 2. RESOLUTION 46-26 TRANSFER OF A HOTEL AND RESTAURANT WITH OPTIONAL PREMISE LIQUOR LICENSE FROM ESTES VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT; LAURA EMMER DBA MOTHER'S CAFE AT THE HANGAR RESTAURANT TO ESTES VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT; CLUB HOUSE ESTES LLC DBA CLUB HOUSE FAIRWAY TAVERN, 1480 GOLF COURSE ROAD, UNITS A-E, ESTES PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing and Town Clerk Williamson presented Resolution 46-26 for a transfer of a 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 another liquor establishment in Town. The applicant was available for questions and spoke regarding their experience and desire to support community organizations. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Trustee Brown requested clarification on the applicants, Town Clerk Williamson confirmed the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVRPD) would hold the license in conjunction with the concessionaire; Trustee Igel noted the signatory from EVRPD no longer represented EVRPD and asked if this change impacted the licensing process, Town Clerk Williamson stated it did not; Trustee Igel asked if the applicant would support community groups hosting fundraisers at the Club House Fairway Tavern, the applicant stated they intend to support community organizations within the limits of the liquor code. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/lgel) to approve Resolution 46-26, and it passed unanimously. 3. RESOLUTION 47-26 TRANSFER OF A LODGING LIQUOR LICENSE FROM BIG THOMPSON PROPERTY LLC DBA TRAILBORN ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTPOST TO SCO OP LL, LLC DBA THE OUTPOST ROCKY MOUNTAINS, 1040 BIG THOMPSON AVENUE, ESTES PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public Board of Trustees - April 28, 2026 - Page 3 hearing and Town Clerk Williamson presented Resolution 47-26 for a transfer of a Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License. She reviewed the application stating all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The applicant was available for questions and indicated their knowledge of the Responsible Vendor Training. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Trustee Brown asked about the Lodging Liquor license and Town Clerk Williamson confirmed the lodging license permits service in common areas, but not in individual accommodation rooms. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Lancaster/Brown) to approve Resolution 47-26, and it passed unanimously. 4. RESOLUTION 48-26 TRANSFER OF A TAVERN LIQUOR LICENSE FROM PARK THEATER MALL DBA THE SLAB TO RED A SLAB LLC DBA THE SLAB OUTDOOR PUB, 116 E ELKHORN AVENUE, ESTES PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing and Town Clerk Williamson presented Resolution 48-26 for a transfer of a Tavern Liquor License. She reviewed the application stating all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The applicant had completed the previous version of the Responsible Vendor Training titled Training for Intervention Procedures. The applicant was available for questions and spoke regarding updates to their management structure. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Brown) to approve Resolution 48-26, and it passed unanimously. 5. RESOLUTION 49-26 TRANSFER OF AN ENTERTAINMENT LIQUOR LICENSE FROM PARK THEATER MALL LLC DBA HISTORIC PARK THEATRE AND CAFE TO BLUE WHALE THEATER LLC DBA PARK THEATRE, 130 MORAINE AVENUE, ESTES PARK, CO 80517. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing and Town Clerk Williamson presented Resolution 49-26 for a transfer of an Entertainment Liquor License. She reviewed the application stating all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The applicant was available for questions and stated Responsible Vendor Training would be completed. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/lgel) to approve Resolution 49-26, and it passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS- NEW BUSINESS: 1. RESOLUTION 50-26 AGREEMENT WITH PRO-PIPE SERVICES, LLC FOR STORMWATER PIPE CCTV INSPECTION AND PROTRUSION REMOVAL SERVICES. Stormwater Engineer Muhonen presented a services contract to perform stormwater pipe closed circuit television (CCTV) inspections on nearly nine (9) miles of stormwater pipes. He referenced the information provided to the Board at the February 24 Study Session. He stated the stormwater lines have not been inspected since installation and developing an understanding of the stormwater system would be a responsible use of the 1 % sales tax approved by voters for roads and stormwater infrastructure. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Asked if the vaccum truck owned by the Town would be used to clean stormwater pipes, Muhonen confirmed it would be used to remove the protrusions identified by the CCW inspection; asked how the project would impact traffic, Muhonen stated the work would not occur in CDOT right-of-ways during the day from Memorial Day to October 18, he estimated the inspection van would spend half-an-hour to an hour at each manhole or inlet and he stated signage and personnel for traffic control were included in the proposal; asked for the anticipated timeline of the project, Muhonen stated it would take sixty (60) working days with a deadline of December 31, 2026. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/lgel) to approve Resolution 50-26, and it passed unanimously. ORDINANCE 07-26 AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF A USDA WATER REVENUE BOND. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing. Director Zimmerman presented the ordinance for finance improvements to the former Prospect Mountain Water Company system where proceeds would repay the existing CoBank construction loan of $4,493,000. She stated the bond issuance would allow the Town to refinance the existing loan to a lower interest rate with the USDA direct loan program and would ensure the cost would be equitably allocated to the Prospect Mountain customers and would not adversely impact existing water enterprise customers. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Asked if further action would be recommended in Board of Trustees - April 28,2026 - Page 4 addition to the proposed ordinance, Attorney Kramer stated another ordinance to amend the code to add the surcharge to the water rates and charges would be recommended by staff once the final surcharge was calculated; asked if the Town acquired water rights in the original agreement with Prospect Mountain Water Company, Inc., Attorney White stated the Town had not; asked if the significant problems with the tank had been resolved, Manager Wesley stated weeping from the tank had reduced and additional improvements conducted by the contractor would occur in the summer of 2026; asked about quality of roads leading to the tank, Manager Wesley confirmed most of the roads had been restored but some remained in use by heavy equipment for ongoing tank improvements and stated those roads would be restored after tank improvements were completed; asked what the expected surcharge would be for the 133 Prospect Mountain customers, Manager Wesley estimated it would be $200 or less per month for forty (40) years; asked what estimate the property owners received at the beginning of the project, Manager Wesley stated the original estimate was $250 to $350 per month; asked if there would be a provision for households who are unable to pay the full water bill, Attorney White stated it would be at the Board's discretion as the head of the water enterprise and Attorney Kramer recommended such an occurrence be considered in the same manner as other incomplete water payments; asked if the cost would transfer to new owners in the event of a sale, staff confirmed it would and stated customers could pay the entire cost at any time with no penalty; asked if the previous water agreement included a clause for annexation of the Prospect Mountain properties, Attorney White stated an annexation clause had not been included in the original agreement; and Trustee Brown expressed his support to secure agreements from property owners who join the water system for future annexation. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Brown/Cenac) to approve Ordinance 07-26, and it passed unanimously. MAYOR PRO TEM CENAC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Mayor Hall read Mayor Pro Tem Cenac's Resolution of Respect and presented the Town's years of service gifts. Mayor Hall called a break at 8:27 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:42 p.m. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR NEWLY-ELECTED TRUSTEES. Municipal Judge Thrower conducted a swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected Trustees Bill Brown, Chris Eshelman, Kirby Hazelton, and Jamie Mieras. The meeting reconvened at 8:50 p.m. ACTION ITEMS: 1. APPOINT MAYOR PRO TEM. It was moved and seconded (Brown/Lancaster) to approve the appointment of Trustee Hazelton as Mayor Pro Tem, and it passed unanimously. 2. TOWN BOARD POLICY 101 - BOARD ASSIGNMENTS. Policy Governance 101 Board Appointments outlines the appointments to a number of Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces. The following were considered by the Board for formal approval and appointment: Board of Trustees - April 28,2026 - Page 5 Board and Commission and Community Representation Board. Commission or Task Force Liaison (Mayor/Trustee) Staff Liaison Type of Committee Estes Park Planning Commission Estes Park Board of Adjustment Police Auxiliary Estes Valley Restorative Justice Estes Park Board of Appeals Sister Cities Estes Park Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Frank Lancaster Bill Brown Jamie Mieras Mark Igel Chris Eshelman Jamie Mieras Frank Lancaster Steve Careccia Steve Careccia lan Stewart Jay Shields Steve Careccia n/a n/a Advisory/ Decision Making Decision Making Working Group Working Group Advisory/ Decision Making Working Group Outside Committee or Board Appointed Member(s) Staff Liaison Type of Committee Audit Committee Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) Platte River Power Authority Board of Directors^ Estes Chamber of Commerce Economic Development and Workforce Council Estes Park Arts District Larimer County Regional Opioid Abatement Council Local Marketing District (Visit Estes Park) Larimer County Behavioral Health Policy Council Gary Hall, Kirby Hazelton and Chris Eshelman Voting Designee - Kirby Hazelton Alt Designee - Frank Lancaster Gary Hall Bill Brown Bill Brown Gary Hall Gary Hall Kirby Hazelton Gary Hall Travis Machalek n/a Travis Machalek Travis Machalek n/a n/a n/a n/a Advisory Outside Outside Outside Outside Outside Outside Outside It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Lancaster) to approve the revisions to Policy 101 Board of Trustee Division of Responsibilities with the modification of Jason Damweber replacing Travis Machalek serving as Staff Liaison to the Estes Chamber of Commerce Economic Development and Workforce Council, and it passed unanimously. 3. APPOINTMENTS. Town Clerk Williamson presented the staff appointments. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Brown) to approve the appointments of Jackie Williamson as Town Clerk, Tammy Zimmerman as Town Treasurer/Town Clerk Pro Tem, Dan Kramer as Town Attorney, David Thrower as Municipal Judge, Howard Bartlett as Assistant Municipal Judge, and Travis Machalek as Town Administrator, and it passed unanimously. 4. RESOLUTION 51-26 CONTRACT WITH DAVID THROWER FOR MUNICIPAL JUDGE SERVICES. Town Clerk Williamson presented a new contract for Municipal Judge Thrower. The contract would run through the next regular municipal election in 2028. No changes to the contract were proposed. Judge Thrower also presides as the Liquor Authority as outlined in the Municipal Code through the proposed contract. The contract would begin on April 28, 2026 and terminate on April 25, 2028 with all other conditions remaining the same. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Hazelton) to approve Resolution 51-26, and it passed unanimously. 5. RESOLUTION 52-26 CONTRACT WITH HOWARD BARTLETT FOR ASSISTANT MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE SERVICES. Town Clerk Williamson presented a new contract for Assistant Municipal Court Judge Bartlett. The contract would run through the next regular municipal election in 2028. No changes to the contract were proposed. The contract would begin on April 28, 2026 and terminate on April 25, 2028 with all other conditions remaining the same. It was moved and seconded (Eshelman/Brown) to approve Resolution 52-26, and it passed unanimously. Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 9:06 pm. Board of Trustees - April 28,2026 - Page 6 ^ X.y;^^y/~ yl^t Gary HalI,1Vfaypr ')/' ./•'} JW^'i/'^ ^^^^^^A Stephanie Bramwell, Recording Secretary