HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2012-06-12
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 12, 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
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 12th day of June, 2012.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst, Trustees Elrod,
Ericson, Koenig, Norris and Phipps
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White and Town Clerk
Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
WORKFORCE HOUSING.
Housing Authority Director Rita Kurelja presented an overview of affordable housing in
Estes Park reviewing the Area Median Income (AMI) for a family of 3 in Larimer County
ranging from $70,000/100% to $28,000/40%; 43% of the Estes valley households earn
less than $50,000 annually, placing these families in the 40 – 70% range; the hourly
wage required to afford a typical 3 bedroom rental at $1,194/month is $21.50/hour;
salary required to afford an average priced home of $347,117 is $62,100/year;
discussed the effects of high housing costs on families (credit, less for other essential
items, stress, overcrowding, eviction/foreclosure), community (loss of valuable member,
uproot children, decline in school enrollment, decline in sales tax revenue), children
(decline in educational achievement, less likely to graduate, social development
negatively impacted), business (lack of employee base; difficult to retain employees,
decline in sales tax revenue, decline level of service, increase cost of training new
employee); adequate affordable housing impacts employee recruitment, productivity,
and retention; business community can support affordable housing through employer
assisted housing programs such as down payment assistance, matching funds, loan
guarantees, master lease, upfront deposits, rental subsidy, etc.; wage affordable
housing is the foundation of a community and increases sales tax revenue, additional
job availability, increase school enrollment, retention of young families and decrease
foreclosure and evictions; solutions include density bonus, accessory dwelling units,
linkage fees, community land trust, real estate transfer tax, sales tax increment,
inclusionary zoning, cash in lieu, incentives, removing impediments, land donations, and
partnership with business community. The Housing Authority’s next projects include the
purchase of Lone Tree (owned by Loveland Housing Authority), seasonal housing,
market study and development of Lot 4.
RETAIL SALES POLICY.
Town Administrator Lancaster stated the Town has received a request to allow the sale
of DVDs and viewing of videos produced by a local business owner at the Visitor
Center. The current Retail Sales policy limits the merchandise sold at the center to post
cards, calendars, Rocky Mountain Nature Association merchandise and Museum titles.
The videos in question promote the local area and promote what there is to do and see
in Estes Park. Staff surveyed the downtown businesses to determine support for
changing the policy and allowing the DVDs to be sold at the center. The results
indicated the policy should not be change; however, allowing the broadcasting of the
video may be appropriate. Concerns raised with viewing of the video included the
marketing of one business’ work, thereby creating a competitive edge; how to determine
Town Board Study Session – June 12, 2012 – Page 2
what should be allowed to be sold at the center; and what would be appropriate to
display. This is an Administrative policy decision.
Board discussion was heard and is summarized: Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst stated the
current policy was developed because of local retailer concerns and the policy has
worked; therefore, the policy does not need to be updated; Trustee Phipps stated the
videos would enhance the visitor experience and raised concern with discrimination;
Trustee Elrod stated other goods are sold in Town owned buildings and the Visitor
Center should as well; and Trustee Norris requested criteria for exceptions to the policy
be developed and reviewed by the Board.
Trustee Koenig proposed the Town purchase a television to broadcast pictures of Estes
Park and the surrounding areas and add material at the Town’s discretion over time.
The pilot program was discussed and the Board reached consensus to allow the display
of images with no sound for the next 6 months, with the Board re-evaluating the issue in
6 months. The Board requested staff bring forward a revised policy for consideration at
the next Board meeting to allow the DVDs to be sold at the Visitor Center.
BOARD REIMBURSEMENT POLICY.
Move item to the study session on June 26th.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
The Board requested the Transportation Visioning Committee discussion be postponed
to July 24th. Trustee Ericson requested a status update on the 2012 goals.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk