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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2015-06-09 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 9, 2015 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 202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 9th day of June, 2015. Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Ericson, Holcomb, Nelson, Norris and Phipps Attending: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Ericson, Holcomb, Nelson, Norris and Phipps Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator Machalek, Town Attorney White and Deputy Town Clerk Deats Absent: None Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. TRUSTEE COMMENTS & QUESTIONS. Trustee Norris recently spoke with several local business owners who stated they cannot find employees because of the lack of workforce housing. Trustee Phipps asked for clarification about the Trustee Comments & Questions portion of the Town Board Study Session agenda. Town Administrator Lancaster stated that because of time management issues during the Study Session, updates from the Trustees should be given during the regular Town Board meeting in order to reach a broader audience and to save Study Session time for the discussion of agenda items. FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. The following topics will be added to the list of Future Study Session Agenda Items:  June 25, 2015 – Strategic Planning Session.  July 14, 2015 – Review RFP for downtown neighborhood plan.  Discussion of the Fish Hatchery property will be added to the list of unscheduled agenda items.  Town Administrator Lancaster said he had received communication from the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVRPD) regarding the Community Recreation Center. The EVRPD Board has decided to hold an election in November and put their capital campaign on hold. The Trustees requested that an EVRPD project update be added to a study session agenda once additional information is available on this topic. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLANNING PROGRESS UPDATE. Staff from Avalanche Consulting presented the Trustees with a report entitled “Report 1 – Market Assessment”. The firm was hired to develop an economic development strategy for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Town of Estes Park. The strategic planning project is one of three projects funded by a United States Economic Development Administration grant in the amount of $300,000. The update to the Board was compiled following several months of work which included public input provided through meetings, focus groups, interviews, and surveys with local residents and stakeholders. By researching the community, speaking with residents, observing economic trends in the Estes Valley and making comparisons with other regions, a market assessment was created. Topics of discussion included:  Estes Park’s population is aging at five times the rate of the State of Colorado as a whole  Need a strategy to get more families to live and work in Estes Park  Affordability and availability of housing  Lack of childcare is big issue for families in the Estes Valley Town Board Study Session – June 9, 2015 – Page 2  Need to develop a more year ‘round and diverse economy  Vision for the Town is important for making decisions about the future  Desire to retain the Estes Valley’s overall quality of life  Per capita sales tax generated in Estes Valley is below that of other communities  Sales tax leakage to Front Range communities  Identify aspirations of community, vision and goals  Keep critical needs in mind as develop strategies Opportunities and tools for growth identified include:  Direct development of real estate  Incentive programs  Capitalize on catalyst projects such as the broadband initiative or an incubator project to provide work space for businesses  Success of the Estes Park Events Complex  EVRPD development of a Community Recreation Center  Visit Estes Park’s (VEP) focus on visitor industries that are critical to the Estes Valley  The Wellness Center will bring year ‘round employment and a new clientele to the area  Industries that could be “good fits” in the community include, education as it relates to the environment, craft goods, artisan foods, breweries, fine art and craft production, outdoor recreation and associated products, altitude training development and retreats, and professional services  Create an environment for economic growth  Create a space for successful businesses  EDC communicates the assets of the Estes Valley to area companies The staff from Avalanche Consulting will return to Estes Park in September. At that time target industry profiles will be presented for review and discussion. Mayor Pinkham recessed the meeting for a dinner break at 5:55 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 6:15 p.m. APRIL FINANCIAL REPORT. Finance Officer McFarland presented an overview of the Town’s financial condition through April 2015. He noted that the budget is created on an annual basis and accounting data used for reporting throughout the year is presented in a straight-line fashion, which does not account for the seasonality of revenue and expenses. This makes comparative analysis difficult, as do the flood-related items, such as grants, reimbursements and expenditures which can distort the budget. In 2015, the Community Services Fund was combined into the General Fund. Overall, as of April 30, 2015, the General Fund expenses are running 30% of budget and revenues are at 19% of budget, as only two months of actual sales tax data has been received. Operations at the Event Center are now included in the General Fund and, in its first year of operation and with no historical data, the Town is expecting the facility to generate $1.1 million in revenue and $1.7 million in expenses. Prior to the 2013 flood, fund balance in the General Fund was 38%, in 2014 fund balance was 19%. The General Fund will continue to be monitored closely as there is less margin for error with the lower fund balance. Additionally, discretionary spending will be put on hold until further sales tax data is received. The Community Reinvestment Fund is showing expenses at 3% of budget as this time, as most of the large projects, such as the parking structure, conference center roof, and Elm Road have not yet started. Town Board Study Session – June 9, 2015 – Page 3 The Trustees described the bullet points and comments that Finance Office McFarland added to the report as helpful, and requested additional detail be added to the reporting for some of the minor funds, such as the Streets Fund and the Open Space Fund. Finance Officer McFarland stated that Sharla Beesley has been employed as a grant accountant. Determination of eligible expenses and reimbursement requests related to the 2013 flood continues. There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m. Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk