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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBSS 05-23-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado May 23, 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 23rd day of May, 2017. Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb, Martchink, Nelson, Norris and Walker Attending: All Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator Machalek, Town Attorney White, Directors Hudson, Hinkle and Muhonen and Recording Secretary Beers Absent: None Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF FISH HATCHERY RFP. Manager Landkamer presented the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of workforce housing at the Fish Hatchery property. He stated the property is approximately 75 acres located at the end of Fish Hatchery Road and zoned A1 low intensity accommodations. A housing study was conducted in January 2016 which demonstrated a workforce housing shortage. He added the project would not be seasonal or low income housing and reviewed the following highlights/discussion points of the RFP: • Importance of a Collaborative Community Effort (CCE). • Rezoning of the property to RM residential multi-family or mixed use development to maximize density. • RFP would go out this week. • Exclusive right to negotiate contract with the developer. • The addition of a Project Manager would be beneficial at the early stages of the Fish Hatchery project. Manager Landkamer stated the proposed Estes Valley Development Code revisions would benefit the project. He added staff would pursue GOCO funding for the Fall River Trail which would connect to housing for accessibility to downtown. The Nature Conservancy and Estes Valley Land Trust would be interested in purchasing property. Town Administrator Lancaster stated the Hydroplant Museum land would be kept and integrated into the development of the parcel as an amenity of the project. This diverse project would require a collaborative environment to be successful. Board discussion followed and has been summarized: the importance of establishing roles for who is providing input and who is taking action; what has and has not worked in other cities; deed restrictions for workforce housing; maintaining communication with the public in an effort to keep the community informed; is it possible to provide water tap fees to collect funding or seed money to apply towards future projects. REVIEW SERVICE PROPOSAL LIST FOR 2017 BUGET. Town Administrator Lancaster stated two items were added to the amendments of the budget, including settlement costs to free up the Senior Planner position and ongoing monitoring for landfill. Contributions for the childcare needs assessment was added as an option for the Board to recommend. The additional Facilities position can be added as a contracted position and the funding for the Development Engineer who would start in August 2017 were discussed. The Police Department awards banquet was removed in 2017 and has been added for reconsideration. Staff has identified a grant opportunity Town Board Study Session – May 23, 2017 – Page 2 for an electric trolley with zero emissions. Discussion continued regarding the possibility of utilizing remaining parking garage funds for the Town match in purchasing the trolley. PERA liability remains unknown and can potentially be less than budgeted, staff would have more information at the end of June 2017. KEY OUTCOME DISCUSSION – PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek stated the Board requested a deeper dive into the key outcome areas to include police services and environmental quality. Chief Kufeld stated the department has prioritized additional budget items based on needs. The Board discussed removing the Gun Club community service grant in the amount of $500. He added the Board would participate as a partner in the County’s regional wasteshed planning. KEY OUTCOME DISCUSSION – OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek presented a spreadsheet with input from the Housing Authority on Implantation Strategies and requested Board input. The Strategic Plan has allowed the Town Board to state what items and areas the Town is pursuing. Staff can work with other organizations to initiate conversation and input to broaden categories. He stated the EDC childcare needs assessment would finalize dates for the RFP in May and would be submitted by the end of the month. There would be information provided by the Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County at the Study Session in July. Board discussion followed regarding implementation strategies and has been summarized: there is a need for an entity who is specialized to take the lead on specific projects; change the spreadsheet column name from “Town Lead” to a term that does not imply Town commitment; involve other organizations in discussions for input; it is essential to clarify roles; include employers to allow a cooperative solution; and provide a statement to establish the role on certain projects and the commitment of the Town. TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS. Mayor Pro-Tem Koenig welcomed Chief Kufeld to discuss City of Peace recognition. Chief Kufeld stated although there are positive reasons to become a City of Peace, the Town does not fit in that category of a city that has gone through a violent war or disaster. The Board agreed the Town would not pursue becoming a City of Peace. Mayor Jirsa received a suggestion from a citizen to allow businesses in Town to have a table to promote their business during the duration of the Farmers Market. FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. Administrator Lancaster requested the draft Stormwater Master Plan, be presented at a future Study Session meeting. Board discussion for guidelines on public comment are summarized: currently there is no way to manage public comment and topics discussed; it is a policy that is difficult to enforce; the Board would be interested in hearing the level of success that Larimer County has had with their policy; public comment is a sounding board for community issues; put a policy in place that would address time; Board members can call a point of order at their discretion; enforcing the 3 minute rule; and having a policy in place can be a benefit to rely on. There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m. Bunny Victoria Beers, Recording Secretary