HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBSS 06-27-17
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado June 27, 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 27th day of June, 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, Manager Wells, and Town
Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
UPDATE ON THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.
Planner Gonzales provided a brief updated on the development of the Downtown
Neighborhood Plan, and stated Winters and Company held a public workshop in
February with 50 attendees. Winters completed the Estes Park Downtown Plan
Existing Conditions summary in February. An additional workshop was held in April
with 60 attendees that represented stakeholders. Common themes were developed
and consistency on the vision of the downtown was heard, such as the west end – arts
and cultural district, south end – craft beverage industry, downtown – main retail core,
wayfinding needed, and the downtown is underutilized and multi-use should be
considered. On June 14, 2017 Dr. Bruce Race of RACESTUDIO provided the
Downtown Plan Steering Committee a presentation on resilient planning and discussed
multiple disasters and how they impact communities. The presentation would aid in the
development of a plan to mitigate and plan for future disasters. Winter has begun to
draft the Downtown Plan for review by the Steering Committee and a public review in
August. The final plan would be completed by December for review by the Board.
PROCESS AND PROCEDURE FOR FUNDING OUTSIDE AGENCIES (INCLUDING
COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANTS). Assistant Town Administrator Machalek lead a
discussion on the philosophy of funding support for outside entities (Community Service
grants); if funding continues are the categories/focus areas (Art & Education, Human
Services, Housing, Transportation and Youth) still appropriate; should the entire Board
review the applications, and if so, the application process should be simplified to reduce
the review time; should the funds be distributed through standardizing the existing
process, a three-fund approach (base funding, community project funding, and event
sponsorship funding) or a one/two fund solution; and should the annual budget be
determined by a percentage of the General fund, a flat amount, or a flat amount with a
growth factor. Staff has reviewed other local government practices and found there are
many models, each unique to the community. The average funding is 1.17%. In 2017,
the Town funding was 1.27% of the General fund for Community Services grants, which
did not include the in-kind funding provided.
Town Administrator Lancaster suggested the Board could make a distinction between
the services the Town purchases; e.g. Via, Fire District, Estes Park Housing Authority,
etc. versus the philanthropic funds provided to entities such as the arts. Items that are
services could be placed in the budget as a line item.
Town Board Study Session – June 27, 2017 – Page 2
Board discussion has been summarized: would support grants if they support the
strategic plan; items budgeted annually should be line items, such as Via transportation
services; philosophically the Town should not fund outside entities, however, entities
that provide services to the Town need to show local support in many cases in order to
apply for other grant funds; entities should secure funding from other sources before
requesting funds from the Town; categories may be too general and provide a false
impression to the public that each category would receive the same level of funding; the
Town may provide seed money for an organization and then another funding source
could provide support in the future; block grants could be used rather than the
categories; entities receiving funds should be a non-profit located within the Estes valley
or demonstrate how they are positively impacting the citizens of the Estes valley; the
Town should not fund other taxing districts; the Board should discuss whether to fund
strategic plan items first and then Community Service grants or to place grants in the
budget first; in-kind services should be discussed at the Leadership level to determine if
the department can provide the service; concerned with funding entities through a line
item and the possible lack of accountability; and funding for all entities, including line
items, should complete an application.
Staff would develop a draft policy for Board review that includes the recommendations
of the Board, including base funding and project funding.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
Trustee Holcomb stated the Board had discussed a Housing Coordinator at a previous
study session, and it was noted if the Town took the lead it would be responsible for
paying for the position. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) housing
committee would discuss who should take the lead and fund the position. Administrator
Lancaster noted the Town would hire a Senior Planner that may be responsible for
coordinating housing efforts for the Town as part of their job description.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
None.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk