HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBSS 04-11-17
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado April 11, 2017
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 11th day of April, 2017.
Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Martchink, Nelson, Norris and Walker
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m.
KEY OUTCOME DISCUSSION – ROBUST ECONOMY.
Town Administrator Lancaster stated the Economic Development Council with a grant
received from the Federal Economic Development Agency, contracted with Avalanche
Consulting to develop an economic development strategy plan for the community. The
plan identifies a number of strategies associated with community economic
development. Twelve strategic objectives in the plan were identified as the Town having
a leading role, and fourteen were identified as the Town having a supportive role. The
Board reviewed the current Town strategic outcome area goals and objectives and
reviewed the recommendations from the ECD Avalanche study to identify how the roles
identified fit with the Town Board’s strategic plan.
Items discussed included the second fiber optic line to Estes Park, the formation and
creation of a Creative Arts District, the consideration of adding childcare and family
issues as a goal, Downtown Plan status, Sign Code revision status, and a list of items to
address the development of user friendly codes. The Board reviewed the Avalanche
Town Leading Roles: replace current strategic plan wording with construction and
maintain a high-speed broadband network for businesses and residents; Review and
revise development policies and processes to reflect best practices and encourage
redevelopment; discuss further the Creative Arts District to determine if the organization
would be an economic driver; the Town would serve a role and not as the convener to
clearly define roles and responsibilities of partner organizations; the Town would
address Avalanches item on flood mitigation by adding the need to pursue funding for
mitigation efforts to reduce the risk to lives and properties to the 2018 goals; Parking
has been addressed in the current strategic plan; the 2018 goals would pursue funding
for additional parking; and upgrading the Estes Park Conference Center has been
placed on hold due to the recent sale of the Rocky Mountain Park Inn. The Avalanche
report also addressed areas the Town should support including the recruitment of
events for the Event Center and Conference Center; the Stanley Film Center; the
activities in the Roosevelt National Forest activities; provide more bilingual resources;
supportive of infant and childcare services; supportive role in workforce housing; and
transportation maintenance and improvements. The Town Board consensus was not to
support outside entities through funding, rather the Town would provide support for
major economic drivers. The Town would clarify its role during the 2018 strategic plan
for childcare services. The Town has a goal related to housing and further discussion
would need to occur on issues such as increasing the height variance and the Fish
Hatchery property.
Town Board Study Session – April 11, 2017 – Page 2
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
Trustee Holcomb stated he would meet with Mark Holdt/consultant to discuss the
Carver model of policy governance and the possibility the model is too restrictive. He
would report back to the Board on potential alternatives.
Mayor Jirsa requested a future discussion or an update be provided to the Board on the
outsourcing of utility billing.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
The Fish Hatchery RFP was placed on hold until the floodplain numbers had been
established. The RFP would be distributed to the Board for review prior to issuance.
The unscheduled discussion and review of the Fish Hatchery RFP would be removed
from the list of upcoming Study Session items.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk