Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2012-03-27 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 27, 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 the Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 27th day of March, 2012. Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig and Miller Attending: Mayor Pinkham, Trustees Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig and Miller Also Attending: Interim Town Administrator Richardson, Town Attorney White, Directors Kilsdonk and Zurn, Managers Fortini and Winslow and Town Clerk Williamson Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Levine Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. SOPA/FOSH FUND UPDATE. Interim Town Administrator Richardson stated Bob Gunn/SOPA President terminated the MOU between the Town and SOPA on March 12, 2012 in writing as outlined in Section J of the MOU. This notification terminates all financial obligations between the two entities effective April 12, 2012. Two outstanding financial components of the MOU 1) distribution of FOSH funds and 2) reallocation of $858,000 reserved for the construction of infrastructure improvements held in the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), would require further consideration by the Board. Staff recommends bringing forward recommendations to the Board at a Study Session in May or June. Trustee Blackhurst stated the funds could be used for other capital projects. He also stated the MPEC could be relocated to its previous location on the fairground property, which the Town owns, opening up the possibility of additional financing options for the project such as Certificates of Participation (COPs). FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN (CAMP). Finance Officer McFarland stated the CAMP contains specific Town infrastructure and the costs associated with maintaining, repairing and replacing assets, and a Capital Improvement Planning portion addressing a five year view of capital projects. An overview of fund expenditures/projects and fund balance through 2017 were reviewed for the General Fund, Community Reinvestment Fund, Open Space, Light and Power, and Water. A number of non-budgeted capital improvement projects have been identified after the approval of the 2012 budget including Highway 34 Transit Hub, Elm Road Mitigation, Rock Side/Hix Cabin, Museum Master Plan, Stanley Manor, Kiowa Ridge Open Space and Kiowa Water Tank with a total cost of $505,000 in 2012. A discussion followed on the Museum/Senior Center Master Plan, the potential of purchasing the Stanley Manor to preserve Estes Park history and build a museum storage facility onsite and relocate the Rock Side/Hix cabin onto the property. Trustee Koenig stated there are multiple issues to address including a senior center at capacity, a logical use of the museum space, build a new museum and remodel the current museum space for storage, or use the senior center as a museum building and relocate/build a new senior center. Trustee Blackhurst stated concern with moving a commercial operation onto a property zoned residential. Staff would hire a firm to conduct a master plan for the Museum and Senior Center to address the issues raised during the discussion. Town Board Study Session – March 27, 2012 – Page 2 ELM ROAD MITIGATION An RFP would be developed to identify an environmental firm to develop scoping of the state mandated cleanup project. A preliminary timeline for the project would be developed within the next thirty days. Trustee Miller requested alternatives to the drainage master plan be identified to address the leakage issue at the transfer station. HIGHWAY 34 TRANSIT HUB Director Zurn stated the project would be designed through the winter of 2012 and constructed in the fall of 2013 with construction to be completed within 9 to 10 months if precast is used. In order to move the project forward, the Board would need to formally approve the project and the matching funds. Additional grant funding may be available for the project, thereby reducing the Town’s financial obligation. Further discussion followed with the Board requesting additional information on funding for the project, location of the structure, and timing of the Town’s matching funds. The item would be added to the April 10, 2012 Town Board meeting as an action item. KIOWA RIDGE OPEN SPACE AND WATER TANK LAND PURCHASE The acquisition of the water tank property would come forward for the Board’s consideration at an upcoming meeting; however, further negotiations are required for the purchase of the open space land. ROCK SIDE/HIX CABIN Trustee Miller recommended the Board consider the generous offer by the Hix family of the F.O. Stanley cabin; however, the Museum Master Plan would need to be completed prior to accepting the cabin. Museum Manager Fortini stated staff has not discussed the project with the Friends of the Museum as a potential fundraising project. A professional mover provided staff with an estimate of $125,000, which would include foundation, permits, electrical, water, relocation, building pathway for accessibility of the building. STANLEY MANOR Director Kilsdonk commented the property qualifies for the National Register. She stated the property would require ongoing subsidy for maintenance if purchased by the Town. Museum Manager Fortini would suggest the building be treated as a historic site such as the Hydroplant and not turned into a museum. Mayor Pinkham would not support the purchase of the property because it would create additional cost on a speculative basis of turning the property into a historical site. Trustee Blackhurst and Miller agreed the financial obligation and encumbering future Boards would not be appropriate and the project should not be pursued. MUSEUM/SENIOR CENTER MASTER PLAN Director Zurn stated a master plan for the Museum/Senior Center would require a minimum of 6 months to complete. The final plan would not be available until after the October budget process because the non-budgeted item would need to come forward for Town Board approval. Mayor Pinkham called a 15 minute break at 5:45 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:08 p.m. Finance Officer McFarland stated staff has received approval to move forward with the Wiest retaining wall, Elm Road, Hwy 34 parking garage and the Museum Master Plan. MPEC A discussion followed on relocating the building to the previous location identified in the 2005 Fairground Master Plan, a new proforma for the building in 2012 to determine the feasibility of building the structure, funding options, and size and design requirements. Staff would prepare an RFP for the proforma to address a number of issues including Town Board Study Session – March 27, 2012 – Page 3 cost benefit ratios, visitor spending, and review the building from an economic stand point. STALL BARN Staff stated 500 stall barns with 250 on the east and 250 on the west side of the property would be staff’s goal and require an additional $600,000 for 2013 and 2014. The Board would need to make a final decision on the location of the MPEC building because it dictates the location of the stall barns. After further discussion it was agreed to use the 2005 Fairground Master Plan as a guide for building additional structures on the fairground property. ELKHORN LODGE Trustee Ericson requested the proposed infrastructure improvements for the Elkhorn Project be included as a potential project for 2013. ANNUAL CONTINGENCY Trustee Ericson requested the item be added to address unforeseen projects each year not identified through the budget process. STIP The Board requested staff provide justification for the projected $1 million in street improvements outlining the streets to be improved by year and conditions of the roadways. Staff would bring forward an updated report for the Board’s consideration including cost projections. TOWN ADMINSTRATOR PROCESS Attorney White requested a special board meeting on April 4, 2012 to consider a Town Administrator contract with Frank Lancaster. The Board reached consensus to hold the special meeting at 1:00 p.m. on April 4th in the Board room to consider the contract and take public comment. There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk