HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2015-10-13
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 13, 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 13th day of
October, 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: Finance Officer McFarland, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Director Muhonen, Attorney White, Deputy Town
Clerk Deats
Absent: Town Administrator Lancaster
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
STAFF UPDATE ON TOWN’S REQUEST TO CENTRAL FEDERAL LANDS.
Director Muhonen provided the Board with an update on the Town’s request to Central
Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD) to include the construction of a downtown
parking garage in its Environmental Assessment (EA) and consider construction of the
parking structure as a Phase One improvement alternate to the downtown loop. The
parking structure had previously been identified as a Phase Two improvement. In
response to this request, CFLHD agreed to include the parking structure in the EA,
however, traffic analysis data collected related to improving access to Rocky Mountain
National Park (RMNP) indicates that the structure would likely not be selected as the
preferred project because it does not provide a significant benefit over the original one-
way couplet proposal. Based on data collected, the one-way couplet is more effective
in improving access to RMNP.
Director Muhonen reported that as design options, and hydraulics and hydrology
components for the one-way couplet are explored, it appears the project budget of
$17.2 million is inadequate to address the raising of three downtown bridges above the
100 year floodplain. He noted that the one-way couplet project would include replacing
the Ivy Street bridge, however, elevating the Rockwell and Riverside bridges and
associated channel improvements may be proposed and considered in the future, as
Part Two to the one-way couplet. He reported that the EA will include hydraulic and
hydrology analysis downstream to the bridge at Highway 36 and noted that this will
provide valuable information if, and when, the Town seeks future funding sources for
improvements downstream. Director Muhonen said that as a result of the added scope
of the hydraulic and hydrology studies, and the addition of the parking garage as an
alternate project, the delivery of the EA will be postponed until late winter or early spring
of 2016. He said that the members of the project’s Technical Advisory Committee are
committed to supporting and moving forward with the one-way couplet as submitted on
the original application.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig said the information that was previously provided by the
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) regarding bridge heights, replacement,
and channel improvements has changed. She expressed concerns about inconsistent
messages that have been told to the Board and relayed to the public. Director
Muhonen acknowledged that previous information addressed channel improvements
and bridge work beginning downstream and working upstream and included the Ivy
Street, Rockwell and Riverside bridges. He said that in addition to CDOT, various state
agencies are weighing in on this project, and stated that none of the bridges are unsafe
and that bridge replacement is directly related to capacity.
Town Board Study Session – October 13, 2015 – Page 2
The Board’s discussion is summarized: tentative approval has been received to replace
the Moraine Avenue bridge which is an upstream bridge and conflicts with previous
information; raising the elevation of bridges also means raising the elevation of roads
which will affect more properties and involve property acquisitions; construction of the
one-way couplet (Part One) is a transportation project and is not designed to solve
floodplain issues; funding is in place for Part One, the one-way couplet; if the Town
completes the one-way couplet, is there an obligation to complete channel
improvements and replace the Rockwell and Riverside bridges in the future as a Part
Two to the one-way couplet?; don’t want to evoke a domino effect; there is no obligation
to move forward with Part Two, and timing and funding are unknown; the Board
requests a new agreement, or an amendment to the existing agreement to document
that the Town is not obligated to act on Part Two; and clarification is needed related to
requirements, priorities and jurisdictional issues involved with this project.
PROCESS FOR INTERVIEWING BOARD & COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS.
Mayor Pinkham reviewed the process currently utilized when interviewing applicants for
Town volunteer boards and commissions. He said that as a public entity, the Town is
accountable to its constituents, and subject to applicable state laws, to ensure that
applicants are treated equitably and consistently throughout the interview process. He
stressed the importance of preparing in advance for the interview; asking questions that
are appropriate and specific to the position; posing the same questions to each
interviewee; staying on topic during the interview; practicing fairness and objectivity;
utilizing a numeric system to rate the candidates; and scheduling time between
interviews for discussion among the interview panel. He suggested that once all
interviews are complete, a document summarizing the ratings for each interviewee be
created to be used to compare the candidates. This document would be maintained by
Human Resources (HR) and used by staff in the event inquiries about the appointment
process were received. He also suggested reviewing the interview questions with HR
staff well in advance of the interview so that if changes are required, they can be made
and distributed to all interviewers in a timely manner.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
The Board discussed rearranging the order of items on the agenda for the Town Board
meeting. The Platte River Power Authority presentation was moved to the first item
under 3. Report and Discussion Items (Outside Entities). The Board discussed the
removal of Action Item #7 – Ordinance #14-15 Moratorium on the Establishment of
New Vacation Homes from the agenda. The ordinance would remain on the agenda
and be discussed at the beginning of the Town Board meeting.
Trustee Nelson asked for an update related to the Broadband Initiative and research
regarding feasible take rates for broadband service. In Town Administrator Lancaster’s
absence, PIO Rusch reported that this topic is on the Town Administrator’s “front
burner” and a topic that will be addressed during the report and presentation to be given
by the Avalanche Consulting at an upcoming study session.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
The Special Study Session with Avalanche Consulting will be held on November
2, 2015.
Discussion of Noise Ordinance will be moved to early 2016.
Follow Up on Broadband Issues will be scheduled for November 10, 2015, in
place of the Noise Ordinance discussion.
The Board will work with staff to schedule the Fish Hatchery Property Discussion and
Update on Construction Schedules for Major Projects through 2020.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk