HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2018-03-13
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado March 13, 2018
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town
of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in
the Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 13th day of March,
2018.
Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Martchink, Nelson, Norris and Walker
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town
Administrator Machalek, Town Attorney White, and
Recording Secretary Disney
Absent: None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
QUARTERLY UPDATES ON DOWNTOWN ESTES LOOP PROJECT.
The Project Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) team presented an update on the
progress of the Downtown Estes Loop project over the past three months. They
highlighted the signing of the concurrence letter for the Finding of No Significant Impact,
which was published in the Federal Register. The TAC presented updated design
concepts to the Parks Advisory Board, Transportation Advisory Board, and the
Downtown Plan Steering Committee in July 2017. The final design of the loop is
underway and the Colorado Department of Transportation has commenced the right of
way (ROW) acquisition process for 7 parcels identified for full acquisition. TAC
emphasized the design refinements of diagonal parking on Moraine, pedestrian
crossing locations, post office parking lot layout, Ivy bridge configuration, and Rockwell
bridge sidewalk. The preliminary construction design consisted of 5 phases over a 9-12-
month period. TAC proposed continuing the design and acquisition efforts in preparation
of bidding the construction work in early 2021.
Trustee questions and comments of the project have been summarized: questioned if a
pedestrian bridge would be more beneficial in high traffic areas; what the biggest
concerns in the construction process are; how flood control in the post office parking lot
would be considered; and the extended timeline of ROW acquisitions and the
importance of maintaining a timeline for acquisitions.
CONSTRUCTING ROCKY MOUNTAIN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT STANLEY
PARK (RMPAC). Executive Director Albert Milano presented an update of the RMPAC
and proposed constructing the RMPAC at Stanley Park along Highway 36 with the
potential of creating a cultural center in Estes Park. He highlighted the benefits of the
new location, including the space available on a construction ready site, available
parking at the fairgrounds, the cost, and the ease of transportation to and from
downtown. Milano stated both Rocky Ridge Music Center and Nashville Music Masters
have shown interest in partnering with RMPAC for the creation of a music education
program. He provided a rendering by architect Roger Thorpe of the theater design,
displaying a unique building with visual interest along the highway. A second phase of
construction would create an IMAX theater next to the RMPAC, which would further
community interest at Stanley Park.
Town Board Study Session – March 13, 2018 – Page 2
Trustee questions and comments on the proposal have been summarized: questioned
the cost difference between this newest proposal and the two previous proposals; and
should a master plan of Stanley Park be done before allowing the RMPAC to acquire
land at the park.
The creation of a master plan was further discussed to include the School District’s
vocational training building and museum storage. A Request for Proposals would go out
at the end of the month and a completed master plan could be expected in 6 months.
SUNSET REVIEW OF PUP AND CD/CS.
Town Administrator Lancaster began the discussion to determine the continuation of
CD/CS and PUP Committees. Board Policy 102 Section 4w, sets a sunset review
schedule for all non-statutorily required Town committees. In 2017, the Town Board
revised the procedures and criteria for agenda items to be first reviewed on the
committee level before advancing to the Board. Additionally, reports and updates not
containing a specific request were included for review only. These changes resulted in a
majority of meetings cancelled due to lack of agenda items. The Board discussed the
options to continue both committees for review in 5 years, to sunset one or both
committees, or to schedule a more in-depth discussion of the committees at a later
study session. Trustees commented on the positive and negative attributes of both
committees and it was determined to sunset both committees with the ability of calling a
special committee of the Board if the need arose.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
Administrator Lancaster requested the Board review the Public Posting of Town Board
Email Policy 107, it was determined to review the policy after the new Board was seated
in April.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
Kimberly Disney, Recording Secretary