HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2015-11-02
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado November 2, 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 the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 2nd day of November, 2015.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Ericson,
Holcomb, Nelson, Norris and Phipps
Attending: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Nelson and Phipps
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: Trustees Ericson and Norris
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
FINAL AVALANCHE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REPORT.
Avalanche Consulting provided a presentation on the final draft Economic Development
Strategic Plan. The 2013 flood highlighted economic issues that have been ongoing for
years. A seasonal economy makes it difficult for many businesses to stay open year-
round. High cost and limited availability of housing makes it difficult for individuals and
families to live and work in the Estes Valley. Sales tax revenues are slowly falling
behind other Colorado mountain towns, highlighting a need to invest in new amenities
and attractions. A number of the buildings and infrastructure in the Estes Valley are
aging and require new investment and redevelopment to stay competitive.
The highest recommendations for the community include construct and maintain a high-
speed broadband network, update building codes, zoning, and regulatory processes,
and increasing the supply of workforce and seasonal housing. These projects are
absolutely critical to any community development in the Estes Valley.
The economic strategy coordinates and prioritize activities; the report should be a
resource for implementation; the executive summary provides overview and rationale;
both would be publicly available online; and would be a living document and should start
a community conversation.
Economic development would increase the resiliency and economic diversity by
providing jobs, growing the tax base, diversifying the industry base, draw new talent to
the area, aid employees afford to live near their employment, and support entrepreneurs
and local businesses. There also needs to be a focus on supporting businesses and
residents through retaining, strengthening and expanding existing business; creating an
environment that supports entrepreneurs with new business ideas; and finding creative
solutions to the workforce needs of the community. Avalanche Consulting recommends
the community target industries such as professional services and wellness, outdoor
recreation and products, and craft goods.
The report focused on a set of goals addressing the physical infrastructure, business
climate, workforce and education, entrepreneurship and innovation, and marketing.
Each goal has been outlined.
Physical Infrastructure
The Estes Valley proactively invests in projects that both encourage economic
diversification through target industry growth and enrich its guests’ experiences.
Town Board Study Session – November 2, 2015 – Page 2
- Construction and maintain high-speed broadband
- Completing the Community Center
- Support the Wellness Center
- Encouraging the Stanley Film Center
- Mitigating flood risk and establishing floodplains.
Business Climate
The Estes Valley government and business leaders embrace thoughtful policies and
practices that help businesses succeed.
- Updating building codes, zoning and regulations
- Continuing the downtown master planning process
- Exploring opportunities and incentives for redevelopment
o Eg. Considering Urban Renewal Authority (URA)
Workforce & Education
The Estes Valley attracts, retains, and trains a skilled workforce that is supported by a
mix of housing options and multigenerational community resources
- Increasing the supply of workforce and seasonal housing
o Eg. Creating a workforce housing fund, creating codes that incentive
development of workforce housing, etc.
- Exploring childcare options
- Developing new educational partnerships and programs.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Estes Valley is known nationally, if not globally, as a center for mountain
entrepreneurship and provides world-class support for growing businesses.
- Continuing to develop a business incubator or co-working spaces
- Establishing and utilizing a revolving loan fund
- Building connectivity and support for entrepreneurs
o Mentorship programs.
Marketing
The Estes Valley brand reflects a destination for guest, residents, and high-paying
primary jobs
- Conveying a unified brand in investments and communications
- Utilizing the marketing efforts of regional and state organizations
- Establishing the Estes Art District.
The overall objective of capacity building is to provide the Estes Valley with the skills,
tools, processes and resource necessary to implement the recommendations in the
report moving forward. The organizations have to work together in order for the
strategic plan to move forward.
- How the Estes Park EDC, Town, VEP and Partner Organization can most
efficiently share responsibilities.
- Establishing clear lines of communication
- Rallying community support for important initiatives
- Providing metrics and resources to support continued implementation of the
strategy.
Keys to success would include reviewing the report and the rationales behind the
recommendations, establish an implementation task force to keep the community
focused on completing strategies, educate the community about the strategy and the
need for critical initiatives, and stay positive and work together to solve challenges –
they won’t get better on their own.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 5:28 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk