HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2019-12-02RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado December 2,2019
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
Rooms 202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 2nd day of December
2019,rescheduled from the 261h of November,2019.
Board:Mayor Jirsa,Mayor Pro Tern Norris,Trustees Bangs,
Blackhurst,Cenac,Martchink,and Zornes
Attending:Mayor Jirsa,Mayor Pro Tern Norris,Trustees Bangs,
Blackhurst,Cenac,Martchink,and Zornes
Also Attending:Town Adrninistrator Machalek,Town Attorney Kramer and
Recording Secretary Beers
Absent:None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.rn.
DOWNTOWN ESTES LOOP QUARTERLY UPDATE.Director Muhonen stated CDOT
was not available to provide the update due to the meeting date change and
recommended the update be rescheduled in January 2020.A review of the tirneline for
the LOOP project was provided.Board members requested a review of the project
budget be provided at the January 2020 meeting.The Board discussed a resolution to
outline the Town’s stance on any additional funding requests for the project.
THUMB OPEN SPACE PROPOSAL.The Land Trust presented an opportunity to the
Board for trallhead and trail improvements by Access Fund and Rocky Mountain
Conservancy for the Thumb Open Space proposal.Staff presented the proposal to
allocate local match funds in the 2020 budget to supplement a COGO grant application
for the purchase of five land parcels totaling 65 acres situated on the south side of
Prospect Mountain,also known as the Thumb.The privately owned land contains three
conservation easements with limited public access through a deeded trail on private
property.Trespassing on the property commonly occurs by hikers and climbers.The
proposed purchase would include revisions to the conservation easernents to legalize
and expand public access and use.Proposed project partners included the Town,Great
Outdoors Colorado,Estes Valley Land Trust,Access Fund and Rocky Mountain
Conservancy.Town Adrninistrator Machalek stated neighbor concerns due to
increased usage should be a consideration.Staff have received concern related to
overflow parking occurring on Peak View which would become a code enforcement
issue.The neighborhood landowners must conduct a rockfall study for the area where
steep grade exists,which the Town may be responsible for if the project is approved.
He stated conversations with CIRSA,the Town’s property and liability insurance
provider,informed the Town any damage to a neighboring property by a third party
would likely not be covered.Major considerations included:access to the property;
enforcement of parking and rules and regulations:easements to include topographical
changes for trail work:signage and commercial use if determined by the Board;
insurance and liability:promotion and advertising;anticipated costs of acquisition,
improvements and annual maintenance;the formation of a management plan and future
costs.Staff requested feedback from the Board regarding proposed 2020 budget
expenditures of $241,700 for the purchase of parcels for the Thumb Open Space
Proposal and asked the Board to consider a Resolution of support for the GOCO grant
application at the December 10,2019 meeting.Board concerns have been summarized:
road maintenance costs for Curry Road;whether existing homes have sustained
damage due to rock slides;concern was stated regarding the altering of drainage
patterns and the lack of a management plan:and the approximate cost for a rock fail
study if conducted by the Town.Staff would verify with GOCO whether the awarding of
the grant would commit the Town to the project.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session —December 2,2019—Page 2
BROADBAND UPDATE.Manager Swoboda stated the Broadband pilot/startup project
is in its final stage and anticipates full-service launch in January 2020.She reviewed
construction highlights including;Raven Circle/Ranch Meadows was activated in
September with 33 pilot customers and 17 additional customers scheduled for
installation;FullStack LLC has developed automation tools for customer installations,
easy to use network monitoring tools and is in development of a second
intergovernmental agreement to share call center services and technical staff with Fort
Collins and Loveland;FulIStaff would also assist staff in the development of a smart-grid
network;Carriage Hills construction is on schedule with roll out of three cabinet service
areas in phases;and Woodstock Drive would serve as the operations center with
architectural plans completed in January 2020 and staff relocation mid-year 2020.She
stated revenue bond sales took place on October 29,2019 totaling $33,561,812 in bond
proceeds which were wire transferred to the Town in November 2019.The Town
infrastructure requires 55 cabinets each servicing approximately 200 customers.She
added over 200 guests attended the Brand Launch event in September2019.
UPDATE ON FISH HATCHERY PROPERTY WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT.In
2017,the Town issued a request for proposal (RFP)for the evaluation,plan and
implementation of development of the Fish Hatchery property for workforce housing.Of
the three proposals received,AmericaWest Housing Solutions and Prairie Fire
Development Group were selected as the preferred developer.The project did not move
forward and the agreement expired.Staff stated there has been interest from the two
remaining developers and an additional developer in the project.Staff requested
feedback from the Board on their interest in pursuing a workforce housing development
on the Fish Hatchery property and if so,would the Board re-issue an RFP or revisit the
remaining two proposals,and any outstanding questions or concerns the Board would
need answered early in the process.The Board was in consensus to continue
researching development opportunities for the property.Board comments have been
summarized:cost associated with sewer and utility upgrades for 150 units;impacts
related to density in the area;making sure the proposals address the limitations of the
property;determine alternative ideas on scope for the project,and what housing type
the Town would be interested in developing.Staff were directed to reach out to the
remaining two applicants and a third party whom have stated interest for feedback on
the limitations of the project and provide an update to the Board at a future meeting.
TRUSTEE &ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS &QUESTIONS.
Mayor Pro Tem Norris would attend the Fourth Quarter Regional Elected Officials
meeting on December 19,2019.
Trustee Martchink posed a citizen question on whether the School District can increase
taxes on marijuana to offset any increase in teacher wages.Attorney Kramer stated
staff would provide the Board with more details after researching the question.Trustee
Martchink stated the Parks Advisory Board is researching options to fund public art to
include a percentage of capital projects going towards Art in Public Places which would
require Board approval.He added more information would be provided to the Board
when available.
Trustee Blackhurst questioned why the Board was not awarded the BUILD grant.
Feedback on the application would be available in January which staff would forward to
the Board.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
The Board was in agreement to add the Fish Hatchery Project discussion to Items
Approved and Unscheduled.The January 14,2020 Transit Philosophy discussion was
moved to February 11,2020 and was renamed the 2020 Transit Routes Proposal.
There being no further business,Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m.
tthit5iVictoria Beers,Recordir’Secretary