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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2011-07-12 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 12, 2011. Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in Rooms 201/202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 12th day of July, 2011. Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig, and Miller Attending: 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, Director McFarland, and Deputy Town Clerk Deats Absent: None Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. TOWN-OWNED PROPERTIES. The Trustees continued their review and discussion of Town-owned properties including employee housing. Following the last discussion, properties with structures were removed from the properties list, except for the employee housing units, as vacant properties may have a higher potential for usage. Town Administrator Halburnt said the Town collects $3,520 in monthly rents from the tenants in the employee housing units and added that the tenants are responsible for all utilities including electricity, water, gas, telephone, trash, and television services. She said the rental agreements state that the Town, as the property owner, is responsible for the roof and the exterior of the structures, and added that the leases may need to be more comprehensive as to the Town’s responsibilities. She said that Public Works Department staff is currently working on creating an employee housing rental policy. In regard to the monthly rents currently being charged for the units, Trustee Blackhurst stated an analysis of the units including number of bedrooms and baths, and the size and condition of the units would be required to determine if the rents are at, above, or below market, and suggested that the Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) would be a good source of rental market information. Town Administrator Halburnt said currently 73% of Town employees live within the Estes Valley Development Code planning area and that it is important to have employee housing available in a resort community. Trustee Ericson suggested the Board discuss 1. whether the Town should be in the rental business, and 2. a policy statement addressing employee housing rental property. Trustee Blackhurst said the Trustees’ task is to generate a philosophical statement as to whether or not the Board supports Town-owned employee housing, with the administrative tasks being a responsibility of staff. The Mayor summarized by saying that information from EPHA and the policy being drafted by Public Works staff will be helpful for the Board as they discuss a philosophical statement regarding employee housing at a future session. The Trustees proceeded with their review of the properties listed and identified properties that might present opportunities for sale or redevelopment, such as the Fish Hatchery property, Lot 4 Stanley Addition, and property located at Moraine Avenue and Elm Road; and properties that are subject to conservation easement restrictions. They suggested minor changes to the format of the document that will be used for future discussions on best uses for Town-owned properties. Town Board Study Session – July 12, 2011 – Page 2 The Mayor called a recess for dinner at 5:40 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 5:55 p.m. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Town Administrator Halburnt initiated discussion on economic development in the Estes Valley and said that other organizations, such as the Estes Valley Partners for Commerce, the School District, and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Center are also involved in similar discussions. She said in response to a Town Board goal to develop an economic strategy by exploring grant opportunities, Town staff secured $1,132,092 in grant support in 2010. Mayor Pinkham noted that many changes have taken place in the community, the nation and the world, since the 2017 Team met to develop a vision for economic sustainability for the Estes Valley, and said that Colorado State University (CSU) has the resources to draw on to assist in scenario development, bring the community together, and to provide ideas on how to proceed, and to define roles and responsibilities. The Mayor will be meeting with Kathay Rennels of CSU’s Economic Development Office, to further discuss an economic development program. Trustee Miller proposed the creation of a commission with representatives from various organizations and the Town charged with development of an economic development program and the responsibilities of addressing economic development issues. Trustee Blackhurst questioned whether economic development should be the Town’s responsibility or that of the private sector, said government’s role is to provide and maintain infrastructure, and expressed concern that the Town would be asked to fund economic development. Mayor Pinkham invited the Trustees to join him in meeting with Kathay Rennels and said that he will share the results of the meeting with the Board which he expects will include recommendations on next steps to take in working together towards economic viability. RTA APPLICATION UPDATE. Following Board approval, the Town of Estes Park Regional Tourism Act application was submitted to the State. Town Administrator Halburnt said six other applications had been submitted, and informed the Trustees of upcoming dates on the application timeline, including: • July 14, 2011 – Applicants notified by Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) of any missing or incomplete items. • July 21, 2011 – Applicant submit all missing or incomplete items to OEDIT. • August 2, 2011 – Conclusion of final application review by OEDIT and payment required from applicant for Third Party Analyst. • August 9, 2011 – Payment due from Applicant and forwarded to the Third Party Analyst along with the application. Town Administrator Halburnt said the next step is for the Trustees to determine whether to stay in the process and move forward with the application and payment of the required fee. She said the amount of the fee is dependent upon the number of applicants and estimated the charge could be in the neighborhood of $17,000 to $30,000. A goal of the Regional Tourism Act (RTA) is to bring people and money into the state and increase Colorado sales tax. Applicants were encouraged to think big and come up with projects that would produce the most bang for the buck. Through the RTA, the State will distribute $50 million in tax increment financing (TIF) to approved projects over a 30-year period. Attorney White said State statute does not define how the Town Board Study Session – July 12, 2011 – Page 3 monies will be split up. Kimberly Campbell, Elkhorn Project, Inc., (EPI) said that per the application, EPI is limiting their allocation request to $1.5 million of TIF per year. The Trustees discussed the possibility of scheduling a special meeting if additional information pertinent to their decision on how to proceed with the application is received. Staff will provide the Trustees with additional information related to the mechanics of the RTA and an analysis of what the other applicants are requesting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. This item was not discussed due to the lack of time. There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk