HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Budget Study Session 2002-11-20 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 20, 2002
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION of
the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the
Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 20th day of November,
2002.
Board: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Habecker,
Jeffrey-Clark, and Newsom
Attending: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Jeffrey-Clark, and
Newsom
Also Attending: Town Administrator Widmer, Assistant Town Administrator Repola,
Town Attorney White, EPURA Executive Director Smith, Deputy
Clerk van Deutekom, Directors Hinze, Joseph, Kilsdonk, Matzke,
and Richardson
Absent: Trustee Habecker
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
TOWN BOARD GOALS – DISCUSSION.
1. Goal #1 - Expedite EPURA’s Walkway Westward Project. Team Members: Wil
Smith, Greg White, Mayor Baudek, Trustee Newsom, and Rich Widmer. Team
discussion summary:
EPURA’s Operational Expenses – total approximately $125,000 to $150,000
per year.
Debt Service Needs – Bond payments for a $3 million issue would be
approximately $241,000 per year and $401,000 per year for a $5 million
issue, not including closing costs or insurance.
Existing Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) – The existing IGA between the
Town and EPURA expires December 31, 2003. Under existing terms, all
EPURA revenue collected in the urban renewal district is transferred to the
Community Reinvestment Fund or General Fund except for $600,000 for
EPURA’s use for administrative, capital, lease/purchase, and the amount of
the Conference Center payments.
2001 IGA Calculations – Total 2001 EPURA district venue was $3,587,382, of
which $1,905,686 went to Community Reinvestment and $814,648 to the
General Fund.
Life Extension/Boundary Modification – A bond attorney should be consulted
before proceeding; however, it appears the process can be accomplished in a
reasonable time frame at a cost of approximately $60,000-$65,000.
Attorney White and Town Administrator Widmer explained the legal requirements
for urban renewal authorities. Discussion was held regarding sales and property
tax collection/disbursement, Bond restrictions, tax allocation, extension benefits,
and the impact on other districts. Consensus was reached to proceed with the
goal action plan. Following EPURA’s goal setting retreat in January 2003, a
priority list to include cost estimates will be presented to the Town Board for
further discussion and project approval.
2. Goal #9 – Determine the feasibility of building a Performing Arts Center. Team
Members: Estes Park Arts Community (EPAC), Pete Brandjord, Betty Kilsdonk,
Richard Matzke, Tom Pickering, Randy Repola, Rich Widmer, Trustees Habecker
and Jeffrey-Clark. No team meetings have been held to date. EPAC presented
Town Board Study Session – November 20, 2002 - Page 2
their vision for a Performing Arts Facility at Tallant Park to the Town Board on
September 24, 2004 and requested Town funding for a feasibility study. During
the 2003/2004 Budget process, the Town Board decided not to fund the feasibility
study for the project as presented. The Team will meet to re-examine the
Conference Center location and determine whether the theatre design could be
modified to meet EPAC concerns and to explore a public/private partnership at a
different location. Consensus was reached to proceed with the Conference
Center location at this time. A Team meeting will be scheduled in the near
future to discuss options.
3. Goal #5 – Evaluate the Stanley Park Master Plan. Team Members: Randy
Repola, Pete Brandjord, Tom Pickering, Linda Hinze, Bob Joseph, Peter Marsh,
Trustees Habecker and Newsom. Team discussion summary:
Publications reviewed: Stanley Park: A Study, Stanley Park Horse Show and
Rodeo Complex Master Plan, and the EVRPD Master Plan.
Horse Show History: Arabians, Hunter-Jumpers, Miniatures, Team Penning,
Morgans, and Quarters. Currently experience approximately 70 user days,
65 of which are revenue producing.
Strengths and weaknesses of the facilities
The Team recommended maintaining a horse/livestock facility; replacement of
outside stalls should include a multi-purpose structure that can house temporary
stalls; construction of the ice rink/events center may affect plans for a multi-use
structure. Discussion followed on utilization and limitations of site, potential
marketing plan, multi-use opportunities, and community needs.
Public testimony in favor of multi-use facility was heard from Meredith Sloan and
John Whitlock.
Consensus was reached to proceed with the development of a marketing
plan for the current fairgrounds operation and increase utilization of the
current facility from 70 days to multi-use/year round activities.
4. Goal #3 – To build support and break ground for an ice rink and community events
center by May 2004 at Stanley Park. Team members: Pete Brandjord, Bill
Linnane, Randy Repola, Rich Widmer, Linda Hinze, Trustees Barker and Jeffrey-
Clark. Team discussion summary:
Design – reviewed existing design and determined that no changes were
necessary.
Design fees – Thorpe and Heath submitted a proposal totaling $10,500 to
update the original event center plans and preliminary GMP, to include
conceptual design work on the current project floor plan and elevations,
investigate civil engineering issues related to grading and drainage, and
further detail of the office/entry construction material.
Sale of Sponsorships and Naming Rights – a meeting with the Larimer
County Events Complex Director and Front Range Marketing Services was
held in September.
Community Advisory Group – a citizens advisory group will be formed
following completion of the conceptual design work.
If necessary, this project could be placed on hold and resumed in the future.
Discussed followed regarding financing options, election results, citizen feedback,
and Goal #3 pros/cons. It was noted that Goal #3 and Goal #5 overlap.
Consensus was reached to eliminate this goal and focus efforts on the
Stanley Park Master Plan evaluation.
Town Board Study Session – November 20, 2002 - Page 3
5. Goal #7 - Investigate the feasibility of creating a Fire District. Team Members:
Rich Widmer, Richard Matzke, Greg White, Lowell Richardson, Larry Pettyjohn,
Mayor Baudek, Trustee Gillette. Attorney White explained that a Fire District is a
separate independent unit of government with its own governing body that is
supported by a mill levy on property valuations within its boundaries. The following
items were discussed:
Advantages: Increased and stable funding; no competition for Town funds;
will allow for full-time staff; lessen response time; Town could provide funds
on an “as needed” basis; no need for Craft Fair or other fund drives.
Disadvantages: Funds are limited by the assessment of property values;
some community members who have already donated may feel that they
have already paid; Town loses influence.
Election process: Town Board votes on where to proceed with a Fire District;
a petition signed by 30% of the tax paying electors must be filed with the
District Court; the ballot can only be brought for a vote in May during even
numbered election years or any November.
Services provided: full time staffing through increased revenue; decreased
response time; more availability for emergency medical services.
Cost to run a Fire District: Mill levies are collected based on property
assessment, personnel and equipment.
Funding requirements; time commitment for volunteers; lack of nationally
recognized standards for departments.
Consensus was reached to proceed with the goal action plan and continue
investigations on the feasibility of creating a Fire District.
There being no further business, Mayor Baudek adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
Rebecca van Deutekom, CMC, Deputy Town Clerk