HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2010-06-22
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 22, 2010
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
Rooms 202 & 203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 22nd day of June,
2010.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig and Miller
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White, Directors Kilsdonk and
Zurn, Manager Winslow, Finance Officer McFarland and
Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION.
Trustee Elrod questioned whether communications with the Town Attorney by both the
Board and the Town staff should be examined, and a gate-keeper established to ensure
the attorney is only contacted when necessary. Board discussion followed: the attorney
works for the Board and should be contacted when needed; a policy/procedure could be
developed to established guidelines; the legal fees are reasonable; and department
heads should contact the attorney when legal questions arise.
Trustee Miller raised concerns with regard to how communications are handled. He
stated a communication policy would outline how the Town handles issues such as
Trustee correspondence. Trustee Koenig offered assistance in developing a policy.
Mayor Pinkham requested Trustee Miller bring forward a list of concerns for the Board
to discuss further. The general consensus of the Board was that staff has responded
effectively to public inquires/communications.
Trustee Elrod questioned if the Board should review the PIO duties and if the position
was functioning as the Board envisioned. Trustee Blackhurst stated the position is
dynamic and the details of the position change continuously. The position reports to
Administration which determines the job description as the position moves forward.
The Board discussed the development of agendas for Town Board and study sessions.
The Board approves of staff sending the draft agendas for the Town Board’s review and
comment. Trustee Elrod suggested a standing item on each study session could be the
review/report of letters and responses to correspondence received by the Board.
The Board reviewed the options available to provide the Board with Town email
addresses, including a public server, laptops and software, clientless SSL or redirect
estes.org email to the individual trustee email account. Several of the members were
concerned with the possibility of viruses on their personal computers and the difficultly
in receiving and responding to emails. Trustee Elrod stated utilization of the Town’s
servers would protect the Town during an open records request. Attorney White
informed the Board that the state statute does not address the retention of electronic
communications of board members, and therefore, there would be no legal liability.
POTENTIAL PROJECTS & ALTERNATIVE FUNDING OPTIONS.
Town Administrator Halburnt presented the Board with a list of potential projects for the
Board’s consideration at the upcoming pre-budget study session. The outcome of the
review would be to identify projects that should remain and add any items the Board
Town Board Study Session – June 22, 2010 – Page 2
would like to consider for the 2011 budget process. Trustee Miller questioned whether
or not this process was recreating the CIP list that was established previously.
The Board reached consensus on maintaining the following items for consideration in
2011: Multi Purpose Event Center (MPEC), indoor arena, transportation hub/civil site
work, fairgrounds parking lot lighting and landscaping, permanent stall barn, replace
barns T, U and V, renovate and relocate barn W, Bond Park master plan, Moraine
Avenue streetscape and safety, museum storage facility, affordable housing/EPHA
collaboration, street & drainage utility, SOPA performing art theater commitments,
impact fees, Lot 4 usages and Highway 34 transit park and ride.
Board comments are summarized: the MPEC could be an economic driver for the fall
and winter months; a professional proforma should be completed for the MPEC and the
arena; the board discussed the removal of the pedestrian crossing at Moraine and
Wiest; downtown parking should be removed for 2011 and focus on the development of
the transportation hub; parking could be added to the list in the future; Donut Haus
intersection should be removed and readdressed at a later date; remove traffic flow
realignment; questioned if the museum storage facility could be funded by the Friends
of the Museum; land acquisition on Riverside Drive was a goal of a previous Board and
should be removed; Historic Preservation would be discussed at an upcoming study
session and should be removed; a comprehensive review should be completed for all
Town owned property and discuss the best uses for the properties; Elkhorn Lodge
redevelopment should be removed until such time as there is a new proposal to review;
and a community center should be added to the list.
Trustee Elrod suggested a public input process should be considered to allow the public
a chance to comment and/or add items to the list of potential projects. The Board
discussed the option and reached consensus that a public process should be used for
the 2012 budget process.
Trustee Blackhurst commented on the need to discuss the use of the Town’s reserves
during the current economic times, and the need to review financing options to move
the town forward. Trustee Miller stated the conversation would be worthy; however, he
would have concerns with incurring debt without the vote of the electorate. Mayor
Pinkham stated the Town should develop a bottom-line for the use of reserves as it
relates to the current economic climate.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk