HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2013-02-12* Revised
NOTE: The Town Board reserves the right to consider other appropriate items not available at the time the
agenda was prepared.
STUDY SESSION
TOWN BOARD
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
4:30 p.m.
Rooms 202/203
170 MacGregor Ave.
AGENDA
4:30 p.m. Town Real Property Assets Policy Discussion.
5:15 p.m. Break for Dinner.
Policy Governance III – Staff Limitations (Part I).
Future Study Session Agenda Items.
6:30 p.m. Meeting Adjourn.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR Memo
To: Honorable Mayor Pinkham
Board of Trustees
From: Frank Lancaster, Town Administrator
Date: February 12th, 2013
RE: Town Real Property Assets Policy Discussion.
Background:
The Town owns a number of properties throughout the area. These are assets that, if
not needed for municipal or community uses, may better be used in other ways. The
Town completed an inventory of these properties in 2011, and the Association for
Responsible Development, refined the inventory in 2012. The purpose of this meeting
is to discuss some criteria for both retaining and acquiring real property to be used in
the future with any future acquisitions and to be rate certain properties to be disposed
of, possibly converting the asset to a better use for the community.
Budget:
N/A
Staff Recommendation:
None
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR Memo
To: Honorable Mayor Pinkham
Board of Trustees
From: Frank Lancaster, Town Administrator
Date: February 12th, 2013
RE: Policy Governance III – Staff Limitations
Background:
This is the second section of the Town’s Policy Governance manual to be reviewed by
the board. This section defines the role and limitations of the staff, and specifically of
the Town Administrator, as it relates to the management of town activities and
implementation of Board policies.
Budget:
N/A
Staff Recommendation:
None
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TOWN OF ESTES PARK
GOVERNING POLICIES MANUAL
Table of Contents
Category 3. Staff Limitations
Policy 3.0 General Town Administrator Constraint
Policy 3.1 Customer Service
Policy 3.2 Treatment of Staff
Policy 3.3 Financial Planning
Policy 3.4 Financial Condition and Activities
Policy 3.5 Asset Protection
Policy 3.6 Emergency Town Administrator Backup and Replacement
Policy 3.7 Emergency Preparedness
Policy 3.8 Compensation and Benefits
Policy 3.9 Communication and Support to the Board
Policy 3.10 Capital Equipment and Improvements Programming
Policy 3.11 General Town Administrator Constraint – Quality of Life
Policy 3.12 General Town Administrator – Internal Operating Procedures
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.0 POLICY TITLE: GENERAL TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
CONSTRAINT
Within the scope of authority delegated to him/her by the Board of Town Trustees, the
Town Administrator shall not cause nor allow any practice, activity, decision or
organizational circumstance that is either unlawful, imprudent, or in violation of commonly
accepted business and professional ethics.
3.1 The quality of life in the Town of Estes Park depends upon the partnership
between citizens, elected officials and Town employees. Therefore, within the
scope of his/her authority, the Town Administrator shall not fail to ensure high
standards regarding the treatment of our citizens.
3.2 With respect to the treatment of paid and volunteer staff, the Town
Administrator may not cause or allow conditions that are unsafe, unfair or
undignified.
3.3 With respect for strategic planning for projects, services and activities with a
fiscal impact, the Town Administrator may not jeopardize either the
operational or fiscal integrity of Town government.
3.4 With respect to the actual, ongoing condition of the Town government’s
financial health, the Town Administrator may not cause or allow the
development of fiscal jeopardy or loss of budgeting integrity in accordance
with Board Objectives.
3.5 Within the scope of his/her authority and given available resources, the Town
Administrator shall not allow the Town’s assets to be unprotected,
inadequately maintained or unnecessarily risked.
3.6 In order to protect the Board from sudden loss of Town Administrator
services, the Town Administrator may have no less than two other member(s)
of the Town management team familiar with Board and Town Administrator
issues and processes.
3.7 The Town Administrator, in conjunction with the Chief of Police, shall have an
Emergency Preparedness Process in place for the coordination of all emergency
management partners – Federal, State, and local governments, voluntary disaster
relief organizations, and the private sector to meet basic human needs and restore
essential government services following a disaster.
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3.8 With respect to employment, compensation, and benefits to employees,
consultants, contract workers and volunteers, the Town Administrator shall
not cause or allow jeopardy to fiscal integrity.
3.9 The Town Administrator shall not permit the Board of Town Trustees to be
uninformed or unsupported in its work.
3.10 With respect to planning for and reporting on Capital Equipment and
Improvements Programs, the Town Administrator may not jeopardize either
operational or fiscal integrity of the organization.
3.11 With respect to Town government's quality of life for the community the
Town Administrator shall not fail to plan for implementing policies of the
Board regarding economic health, environmental responsibility and
community interests.
3.12 With respect to internal operating procedures, the Town Administrator will
insure that the Town may not fail to have internal procedures for the well
being of the Town to promote effective and efficient Town
operations.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.1 POLICY TITLE: CUSTOMER SERVICE
3.1 The quality of life in The Town of Estes Park depends upon the partnership
between citizens, elected officials and Town employees. Therefore, within the
scope of his/her authority, the Town Administrator shall not fail to ensure high
standards regarding the treatment of our citizens.
3.1.1 The Town Administrator shall not fail to encourage the following basic attitudes
in employees:
3.1.1.1 The Citizens of The Town of Estes Park deserve the best possible
services and facilities given available resources.
3.1.1.2 Prompt action is provided to resolve problems or issues.
3.1.1.3 Attention is paid to detail and quality service is provided that
demonstrates a high level of professionalism.
3.1.1.4 Each employee represents excellence in public service.
3.1.1.5 Each employee is “the Town” in the eyes of the public.
3.1.2 The success of Estes Park Town Government depends upon the partnership between
citizens, , elected officials and Town employees. Accordingly, regarding the treatment of
citizens and customers, the Town Administrator shall not:
3.1.2.1 Fail to inform citizens of their rights, including their right to due process.
3.1.2.2 Ignore community opinion on relevant issues or make material decisions
affecting the community in the absence of relevant community input.
3.1.2.3 Allow the community to be uninformed (or informed on an untimely basis)
about relevant decision making processes and decisions.
3.1.2.4 Be disorganized or unclear with respect to interactions with the community.
3.1.2.5 Ignore problems or issues raised by the community or address them in an
untimely manner.
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3.1.2.6 Allow incompetent, disrespectful or ineffective treatment from Town
employees.
3.1.2.7 Unduly breach or disclose confidential information.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.2 POLICY TITLE: TREATMENT OF STAFF
AND VOLUNTEERS
With respect to the treatment of paid and volunteer staff, the Town Administrator may not
cause or allow conditions which are unsafe, unfair or undignified.
Accordingly, pertaining to paid staff within the scope of his/her authority, the
administrator shall not:
3.2.1 Operate without written personnel policies that clarify personnel rules
for employees.
3.2.2 Fail to acquaint staff with their rights under this policy upon
employment.
3.2.3 Fail to commit and adhere to the policies of Equal Employment
Opportunity and Fair Labor Standards Act.
3.2.4 Fail to make reasonable efforts to provide a safe working environment
for employees, volunteers and citizens utilizing Town services
3.2.5 Operate without written volunteer policies that clarify the
responsibilities of volunteers and of the Town for all volunteers.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.3 POLICY TITLE: FINANCIAL PLANNING
With respect for strategic planning for projects, services and activities with a fiscal impact,
the Town Administrator may not jeopardize either the operational or fiscal integrity of Town
government. Accordingly, the Town Administrator shall not allow budgeting which:
3.3.1. Deviates from statutory requirements.
3.3.2. Deviates materially from Board-stated priorities in its allocation among
competing budgetary needs.
3.3.3. Contains inadequate information to enable credible projection of
revenues and expenses, separation of capital and operational items,
cash flow and subsequent audit trails, and disclosure of planning
assumptions.
3.3.4. Plans the expenditure in any fiscal year of more funds than are
conservatively projected to be received in that period, or which are
otherwise available.
3.3.5. Reduces fund balances or reserves in any fund to a level below that
established by the Board of Town Trustees.
3.3.6. Fails to maintain a Budget Contingency Plan capable of responding to
significant shortfalls within the Town’s budget.
3.3.7. Fails to provide for an annual audit.
3.3.8. Fails to protect, within his or her ability to do so, the integrity of the
current or future bond ratings of the Town.
3.3.9. Results in new positions or additions to staffing levels without specific
approval of the Board of Town Trustees. The Town Administrator may
approve positions funded by grants, which would not impose additional
costs to the Town in addition to the grant funds and any temporary
positions for which existing budgeted funds are allocated.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.4 POLICY TITLE: FINANCIAL CONDITION AND ACTIVITIES
With respect to the actual, ongoing condition of the Town government’s financial health, the Town
Administrator may not cause or allow the development of fiscal jeopardy or loss of budgeting
integrity in accordance with Board Objectives. Accordingly, the Town Administrator may not:
3.4.1. Expend more funds than are available.
3.4.2. Allow the general fund and other fund balances to decline below twenty-
five percent of annual expenditures as of the end of the fiscal year,
unless otherwise authorized by the Board.
3.4.3. Allow cash to drop below the amount needed to settle payroll and debts
in a timely manner.
3.4.4. Allow payments or filings to be overdue or inaccurately filed.
3.4.5. Engage in any purchases wherein normally prudent protection has not
been given against conflict of interest and may not engage in purchasing
practices in violation of state law or Town purchasing procedures.
3.4.6. Use any fund for a purpose other than for which the fund was
established.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.5 POLICY TITLE: ASSET PROTECTION
Within the scope of his/her authority and given available resources, the Town Administrator
shall not allow the Town’s assets to be unprotected, inadequately maintained or unnecessarily
risked.
Accordingly, he or she may not:
3.5.1. Fail to have in place a Risk Management program which insures against
property losses and against liability losses to Board members, staff and the
Town of Estes Park to the amount legally obligated to pay, or allow the
organization to be uninsured:
3.5.1.1 Against theft and casualty losses,
3.5.1.2 Against liability losses to Board members, staff and the town itself in
an amount equal to or greater than the average for comparable
organizations,.
3.5.1.3 Against employee theft and dishonesty.
3.5.2. Subject plant, facilities and equipment to improper wear and tear or
insufficient maintenance (except normal deterioration and financial
conditions beyond Town Administrator control).
3.5.3. Receive, process or disburse funds under controls insufficient to meet
the Board-appointed auditor’s standards.
3.5.4. Unnecessarily expose Town government, its Board of Town Trustees or
staff to claims of liability.
3.5.5 Fail to protect intellectual property, information and files from loss or
significant damage.
3.5.6 Acquire, encumber, dispose or contract for real property except as
expressly permitted in Town policy.
3.5.7 Allow internal control standards to be less than that necessary to satisfy
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generally accepted accounting/auditing standards recognizing that the
cost of internal control should not exceed the benefits expected to be
derived.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.6 POLICY TITLE: EMERGENCY TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPLACEMENT AND BACK UP
In order to protect the Board from sudden loss of Town Administrator services, the Town
Administrator may have no fewer than two (2) other members of the Town management team
familiar with Board of Town Trustees and Town Administrator issues and processes.
3.6.1. The Assistant Town Administrator shall act in the capacity of Town
Administrator in his/her absence. In the absence of the Town
Administrator and Assistant Town Administrator a Town Department Head
previously designated by the Town Administrator will act in the capacity
of Town Administrator.
3.6.2. The Town Administrator shall provide the necessary training needed to
enable successful emergency replacement.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.7 POLICY TITLE: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The Town Administrator, in conjunction with the Chief of Police, shall have an Emergency
Preparedness Process in place for coordination of all emergency management partners – Federal,
State, and local governments, voluntary disaster relief organizations, and the private sector to
meet basic human needs and restore essential government services following a disaster.
3.7.1 The Town Administrator shall be responsible for the assigned
responsibilities identified in the Town of Estes Park Emergency
Operations Plan
3.7.2 The Town Administrator shall not fail to have a business continuity plan for
the Town.
3.7.3 In the event of an emergency, the Town Administrator shall not fail to take
appropriate action immediately to insure the safety of the public and public
and private assets, including authorizing specific actions by Town staff and
declaring an emergency on behalf of the Board of Town Trustees
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.8 POLICY TITLE: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
With respect to employment, compensation, and benefits to employees, consultants, contract
workers and volunteers, the Town Administrator shall not cause or allow jeopardy to fiscal integrity
of the Town. Accordingly, pertaining to paid workers, he or she may not:
3.8.1. Change his or her own compensation and benefits.
3.8.2. Promise or imply permanent or guaranteed employment.
3.8.3. Establish current compensation and benefits which deviate materially
for the regional or professional market for the skills employed:
3.8.4. Establish deferred or long-term compensation and benefits.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.9 POLICY TITLE: COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT TO THE BOARD
The Town Administrator shall not permit the Board of Town Trustees to be uninformed or unsupported in its
work.
Accordingly, he or she may not:
3.9.1 Let the Board of Town Trustees be unaware of relevant trends, anticipated adverse
media coverage, material external and internal changes, and particularly changes in
the assumptions upon which any Board policy has been previously established.
3.9.2 Fail to submit monitoring data required by the Board (see policy on Monitoring Town
Administrator Performance in Board/Staff Linkage) in a timely, accurate and
understandable fashion, directly addressing provisions of Board policies being
monitored.
3.9.3 Fail to establish a process that brings to the Board of Town Trustees as many staff
and external points of view, issues and options as needed for informed Board choices
on major policy issues.
3.9.4 Present information in unnecessarily complex or lengthy form.
3.9.5 Fail to provide support for official Board of Town Trustees activities or
communications.
3.9.6 Fail to deal with the Board of Town Trustees as a whole except (a) when fulfilling
individual requests for information.
3.9.7 Fail to report in a timely manner any actual or anticipated noncompliance with any
policy of the Board of Town Trustees.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.10 POLICY TITLE: CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMMING
With respect to planning for and reporting on capital equipment and improvements programs, the
Town Administrator may not jeopardize either operational or fiscal integrity of the organization.
Accordingly, he or she may not allow the development of a capital program which:
3.10.1 Deviates materially from the Board of Town Trustees’ stated priorities.
3.10.2 Plans the expenditure in any fiscal period of more funds than are conservatively
projected to be available during that period.
3.10.3 Contains too little detail to enable accurate separation of capital and operational
start-up items, cash flow requirements and subsequent audit trail.
3.10.4 Fails to project on-going operating, maintenance, and replacement/perpetuation
expenses.
3.10.5 Fails to provide regular reporting on the status of the budget and on the progress
of each active project, including data such as changes and the financial status of
each project, including expenditures to date.
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POLICY TYPE: STAFF LIMITATIONS
POLICY 3.11 POLICY TITLE: GENERAL TOWN ADMINISTRATOR CONSTRAINT-QUALITY OF LIFE
With respect to Town government's quality of life for the community, the Town Administrator shall not
fail to plan for implementing policies of the Board regarding economic health, environmental
responsibility, and community interests.
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POLICY 3.12 POLICY TITLE: GENERAL TOWN ADMINISTRATOR CONSTRAINT –INTERNAL PROCEDURES
With respect to internal operating procedures, the Town Administrator will insure that the Town has
internal procedures to promote effective and efficient Town operations.
To: Honorable Mayor Pinkham
Board of Trustees
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Date: February 8, 2013
RE: Future Town Board Study Session Items
February 26, 2013
Downtown Colorado, Inc. Presentation
March 12, 2013
Policy Governance III – Staff Limitations
– Part 2
Economic Development (Town’s Role &
Task Force Update)
March 26, 2013
Policy Governance II – Board/Staff
Linkage – Part 1
Revision to Stanley Historic District
Agreement
April 9, 2013
Policy Governance II – Board/Staff
Linkage – Part 2
Town Administrator Evaluation Process
April 23, 2013
Strategic Initiatives – Review of Citizen
Engagement
Other Items Not Currently Scheduled
for Town Board Study Sessions
• Support for Highland Festival
• Board Training – Quasi-judicial
• Capital Planning and Management
Town Clerk’s Office Memo