HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2015-05-26
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado May 26, 2015
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 26th day of May, 2015.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Ericson,
Holcomb, Nelson, Norris and Phipps
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Town Attorney White and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
Trustee Norris commented phone scams are on the increase and the community should
be aware; stated concern an incident between a guest and the individual wearing a sign
against the police may be imminent; CDOT estimates repairs to Hwy 34 to take 2 years
to complete and cost an estimated $50 to $100 million if the road is relocated way from
the river; and the Bear Education Task Force would request the Town consider the
changes to the Wildlife ordinance and the Vacation Home ordinance be consistent with
each other in addressing wildlife and trash issues.
Trustee Holcomb requested additional handicap parking be added in front of the
Municipal building and Bond Park.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig stated the timeframes proposed in the new Wildlife ordinance
for trash bins to be brought in are not reasonable given the hours individuals work,
especially in the summer season. She would suggest the Bear Education Task Force
revisit the timeframes and make them reasonable to meet the needs of the citizens.
Trustee Ericson commented the discussion of Dry Gulch at the last study session
required additional time to discuss and the financial information on the project should
have come from the Finance Officer.
Mayor Pinkham complimented CDOT on the recent meeting to discuss the repairs to
Hwy 34. CDOT would refine the reconstruction plans to address sharp curves, raise the
roadway away from the river and consider animal issues. The construction is estimated
to begin December 2015. The repairs are to address current road issues and to prevent
future flooding concerns. He stated Hwy 43 through Glen Haven was hit hard this
weekend with the heavy rain and was washed out.
PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC FORUMS
Director Muhonen requested public forums for the following:
Dry Gulch Road Construction – June 3rd, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Good
Samaritan.
Transit Hub Parking Garage – June 10th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Museum.
Scott Pond Restoration – July 7th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Museum.
The Board agreed to the proposed public forums.
Town Board Study Session – May 26, 2015 – Page 2
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Updates on the following items were provided:
The Truancy ordinance would remain unscheduled until staff receives additional
information from the School District.
The Wildlife ordinance would be drafted for Leadership to review. An update on
the status of the ordinance would be held at the June 9th study session.
The Local Preference Purchasing policy would be presented by Finance Officer
McFarland with the review of the other finance policies.
Item for consideration included an update from CDOT on the major road repair projects
on Hwy 34 and Hwy 7. After discussion the Board consensus was to have CDOT
provide staff with updates and present information to the Board. A meeting can be
scheduled at a later date at the Board’s request.
Trustee Holcomb questioned how funds approved for the Estes Valley Recreation and
Park District fundraising efforts for the Community Center are being used. The District
has announced they would go to the voters in November for a mil levy increase.
Administrator Lancaster would contact the District to understand their intent for the
funds approved by the Town Board for fundraising.
Trustee Ericson requested the draft NEPA report be presented to the Town Board prior
to releasing it to the public. He requested it be added to the unscheduled items.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig stated concern the study sessions are not being utilized to
educate the Board on items and are becoming meetings to discuss items before the
Town Board meetings. She stated these discussions should take place in the Board
meeting.
VACATION RENTAL HOME PROJECT AND OBJECTIVES.
Planner Kleisler provided the Board with an updated on the recent public forum to
discuss vacation rentals within the Estes valley and potential issues, including
occupancy limits, vehicles and parking, fire prevention, number of parties, workforce
housing, highway development, fees, licensing, and property management. The May
14th meeting was well attended with 86 attendees with 41% owning vacation homes. A
webpage has been developed and documents would be added to the site as the
process of developing new regulatory code language progresses. The webpage would
also include a survey to gain additional public input on issues. Staff would continue to
update the Town Board and County Commissioner of the progress and anticipates
bringing proposed code amendments in October.
Board comments have been summarized: need a balance between residential
neighborhoods and vacation rentals; be mindful of how new regulations may affect
workforce housing; questioned if vacation rentals increase long term rental rates; would
new regulations help to maintain Estes Park as a community or just a resort; should
future vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods be subject to a special review; new
regulations need to be fair and enforceable; the Town should not regulate individual
property rights or require renting of units as workforce housing; and vacation rentals are
a business competing with commercial accommodations. The Board consensus was to
hold a joint meeting with the Town Board, County Commissioners and the Estes Valley
Planning Commission when the project reaches 75% complete to review the proposed
recommendations.
FEMA COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM.
Planner Kurtz provided an overview of the Community Rating System (CRS), a
voluntary incentive program that recognizes communities for implementing floodplain
management practices that exceed the Federal minimum requirements of the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide protection from flooding. In exchange for a
community’s proactive efforts to reduce flood risk, policy holders can receive reduced
flood insurance premiums for buildings in the community. The reduced premiums
Town Board Study Session – May 26, 2015 – Page 3
reflect the community efforts to reduce flood damage to insurable property, strengthen
and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and encourage a comprehensive
approach to floodplain management. Participation in the program is voluntary and
classes range from 1-10 with a class 1 receiving a 45% reduction in insurance
premiums. The classes are based on completion of 19 creditable activities organized in
four categories: public information, mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction,
and warning and response. Staff proposed engaging the public to provide education
and information on the program. Current floodplain management efforts would reduce
the Town’s class from a 10 to an 8 or 9 and reduce premiums by 5-10%. Participation
in the program would also provide additional grant opportunities and provide an
incentive for further floodplain mitigation, activities/programs, and floodplain
management within the Town. Significant staff time would be required to monitor
programs, collect data, and complete reporting to meet the extensive monitoring by the
state and federal government of the activities/programs implemented by the Town.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk