HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2012-03-13 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 13, 2012
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 13th day of March,
2012.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig and Miller
Attending: All
Also Attending: Interim Town Administrator Richardson, Town Attorney
White and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
2012 CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN (CAMP).
Interim Town Administrator Richardson stated the CAMP has been broken into two
parts, 2012 CAMP items and a 5 year plan. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss
those items approved for the 2012 budget, recommend changes to approved projects,
and the addition of projects not known (including unfunded mandates) during the
preparation and approval of the 2012 budget. Discussion would include the review of
funds available to complete projects, changes to strategies, and the potential of
additional revenue sources.
Trustee Blackhurst discussed the issue of using a depreciated model when assessing
the need to fund improvement projects, stating the model does not always make
financial sense for government. He questioned how fully depreciated items fit into the
model. Trustee Miller agreed.
STALL BARN
The item was approved during the 2012 budget to replace 100 stall barns in the
northwest corner of the property just north of the new transportation hub. The project
would reduce the Town’s liability with housing horses in 50 year old stall barns. An RFP
for a metal building has been developed with add-alts including items such as heat and
insulation to allow the building to be used for more than agricultural purposes. Staff has
estimated the project would increase by $300,000 to upgrade sewer and water lines for
the addition of restroom facilities if the building were to be used for human activities.
The design-build RFP requires the consultant to work with the Board on programming
and master planning for the specific quadrant of the property.
Board comments are summarized: Trustee Miller questioned when the Board would
review the RFP to addresses issues such as staff space, location and other uses
because the Town may be missing an opportunity to build a public facility; Trustee
Blackhurst and Mayor Pro Tem stated the intent during the budget process was to build
new stall barns for $600,000 and not a building for public use; Trustee Koenig
commented the barns could be insulated now with the intent to build restrooms in the
future during a second phase. After further discussion, it was agreed the building
should include insulation and heat in order to expand the use of the building in the
future.
ELM ROAD
The Town was contacted by Waste Management when it was noticed discolored runoff
from the transfer station site on Elm Road. Walsh Environmental Consultants were hired
Town Board Study Session – March 13, 2012 – Page 2
to test the runoff and determined the discharge exceeds limits in a few areas such as
iron and salts, and is consistent with runoff from a landfill. Water quality ponds and
associated storm drainage improvements are needed to control quality, volume, runoff
and sediment entering the Big Thompson River. The Town has received a mandated
request from the State to submit a drainage plan specific to mitigating current ground
water issues created by the landfill and remove storm drainage from the site. The Fire
District’s training facility on the site would need to be addressed because the liquids
used during training exacerbate the issues. Staff estimates $112,000 in 2012 to
address planning and design engineering for the site with approximately $886,000 for
implementation. The funds needed to address the issue could increase due to the
number of unknown issues with the area. The project would be a 12 to 18 month
process. Trustee Blackhurst questioned if the Town has a Brownfield issue. Attorney
White stated the site does not meet the requirements or definition of a Brownfield.
VISITOR CENTER
The log beams at the visitor center have begun to split causing concern. Staff
recommends the cracks be repaired at an estimated cost of $50,000. It was stated that
splitting timbers are commonly seen in log homes and questioned if it was a real
concern. Director Zurn stated the cracking of the beams should be reviewed.
PARKING GARAGE
The Town was awarded the Paul Sarbanes Federal Lands Management grant of $3
million to build a parking garage at the Visitor Center over the current parking lot for
approximately 300 total spaces. The official grant award has not been submitted to the
Town for final approval by the Town Board including the approximately $700,000 in
matching funds. Staff continues to work with CDOT to identify an additional $900,000 in
grant funds for the project, and to date an additional $228,000 has been awarded to the
Town that could be used to offset design fees. Staff expects to spend $40,000 to
$50,000 in design costs in 2012 with the possibility of additional grant funds as the
project becomes shovel ready. Director Zurn stated the grant funds awarded the Town
are the largest awarded a municipality and turning the grant down would not be
received well by the entities supporting the Town’s transportation improvement efforts.
Town Board comments are summarized: Trustee Koenig stated concern with placing a
parking garage over an existing parking lot thereby not realizing 300 new parking
spaces because of a loss of 100 existing spaces, and stated the Town never agreed to
build a parking garage; Trustee Blackhurst commented the Town Board agreed to
commit $900,000 if the grant funds were awarded for the project; Trustee Ericson
echoed the Board did not agree to build the garage and the 2012 budget did not commit
funds for the potential project; Mayor Pro Tem Levine stated his understanding of the
original vote on the approval to submit a grant application was for approval of the
project, therefore, he voted “no” on the issue; Mayor Pinkham requested the documents
and schedule for the project be sent to the Board when available; Trustee Blackhurst
stated as a vocal proponent against parking structures, he supports the grant as it
provides the Town a mechanism for building a structure at a fourth of the cost and the
location is appropriate; and Trustee Koenig requested further discussion by the Board
and a review of the minutes for the project.
KIOWA RIDGE
The property owner of two parcels, one 7.96 acres of open space used by MacGregor
Ranch for feed and a .17 acre parcel containing a Town water storage tank, has offered
to sell both parcels to the Town for $50,000, $10,000 (Open Space Fund) and $40,000
(Water department) respectively. The Water department has stated it would be
advantageous to own the property in which the tank resides in order to place security
around it. The larger parcel is included in the trails master plan and has been identified
as part of the wildlife corridor and natural wetland area. CDOT would likely work with
the Town to develop the area as a wildlife viewing area. The Kiowa HOA has reviewed
the proposal and does not have concerns with the Town owning the parcels and
dedicating the larger parcel as a conservation easement. The property owner owns an
Town Board Study Session – March 13, 2012 – Page 3
additional vacant lot within town limits with 130 fixture units, which he would like to sell
120 to the Water department at a cost of $50,000 ($170,000 value) and maintain 10
units on the property for future development. Staff stated there are advantages to
owning wetland property with regard to water quality management.
Board discussion is summarized: Trustee Blackhurst agreed the Town should purchase
the smaller parcel containing the water tank, and questions purchasing land already
dedicated as open space; Trustee Elrod stated concern with purchasing additional
Town owned land when the $800 million in property owned by the Town has not been
reviewed and a plan developed for the properties; Trustee Elrod stated the Town should
own the water tank property; however, it would be premature to add additional property
at this time; Mayor Pinkham and Trustee Miller commented the purchase of open space
addresses a community concern voiced in the recent community survey at a very low
cost; and allow MacGregor Ranch to use the property through a conservation
agreement. After further discussion the Board agreed to continue discussions with the
property owner, investigate how the property fits into the trails master plan, and possibly
bring forward the smaller parcel to the Board as an action item.
ROCK SIDE/HIX CABIN
The Town was approached by the Frank and Alma Hix to move the 1899 F.O. Stanley
cabin from 475 W. Wonderview Avenue to the Museum property. The building would be
preserved and outfitted for exhibits. Discussion followed on the need to have funds
raised by the Friends of the Museum; additional detail needed on the cost of moving the
building; this project should be discussed with the master plan for the Museum and
Senior Center sites; the project and master plan should be discussed during the 2013
budget and should not be added to 2012.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk