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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2020-04-28Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,April 28,2020 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado.Meeting held in the Town Hall and Virtually in said Town of Estes Park on the 28th day of April 2020. Present:Todd Jirsa,Mayor Ron Norris,Mayor Pro Tern Trustees Carlie Bangs Eric Blackhurst Marie Cenac Patrick Martchink Ken Zornes Also Present:Travis Machalek,Town Administrator Jason Damweber,Assistant Town Administrator Dan Kramer,Town Attorney Jackie Williamson,Town Clerk Absent:None Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.and all desiring to do so,recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA APPROVAL. It was moved and seconded (Zornes/Martchink)to approve the Agenda,and it passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS. Any public comment for the meeting was provided by email or transcribed voice messages through the Town Clerk’s office and added to the final packet. TRUSTEE COMMENTS. Trustee Bangs stated the American Legion has served over 3,300 meals to the community since the meal program began. Mayor Pro Tem Norris thanked the citizens,board members and staff for the past eight years of working together to make Estes Park a better place. Trustee Zornes thanked the outgoing board members,Mayor Jirsa,Mayor Pro Tem Norris and Trustee Blackhurst for their service to the community.He stated the Larimer County Behavioral Health crisis fund would accept grant applications through April 29, 2020 for the $100,000 allocated for mental health programs addressing COVID-1 9.The grants would be reviewed at their next meeting on May 4th Trustee Blackhurst thanked the board members for their service to the citizens of Estes Park. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. Administrator Machalek thanked the outgoing board members for their service to the community and stated staff appreciation for their service. Administrator Machalek presented the organizational chart as required by Board Policy 3.13 after each biennial election.He stated the chart contains no significant changes from the approved chart in 2019.The presented chart would be updated to add Dispatch under the Police department. 1.CONSENT AGENDA: Board of Trustees —April 28,2020 —Page 2 Bills. 2.Town Board Minutes dated April 14,2020. 3.Resolution 22-20 Regional Broadband Staffing Intergovernmental Agreement for Cost Sharing Broadband Technical and Network Services. 4.Appointments to the Estes Park Housing Authority: •Dan Centurione,5-year term beginning May 13,2020,expiring May 13,2025. •Eric Blackhurst,5-year term beginning May 13,2020,expiring May 13,2025. It was moved and seconded (Bangs/Cenac)to approve the Consent Agenda Items,and it passed with Trustee Blackhurst abstaining. 2.ACTION ITEMS: 1.2020 STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACTS AND UPDATE.Town Administrator Machalek presented a revised 2020 Strategic Plan which addresses the proposed amended budget due to the fiscal impacts of COVID-19.The revisions also include a number of items which were not funded in the original adopted 2020 budget.The changes would bring the Strategic Plan into alignment with the Town’s revised fiscal position. Trustee Blackhurst questioned staff bringing forward the revisions to the Strategic Plan as the plan is the responsibility of the Town Board.Trustee Cenac stated agreement,however,understood these are special circumstances.Trustee Norris commented the concerns raised are valid but the Town must focus on reserving cash,protecting the citizens and focus on programs to protect the citizens. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Bangs)to approve the amended 2020 Strategic Plan,and it passed unanimously. 2.RESOLUTION 23-20 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS. Director Hudson stated in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had globally on the local,regional and national level,the Town has reviewed the direct impact on sales tax returns.He provided an overview of the proposed budget reductions by fund,with a specific focus on the General fund as it accounts for 67%of the Town’s operating revenues.Revenue projections were also amended to address the closure of businesses and the unknown impact on revenues as the State begins to open non-essential businesses.The Enterprise funds,Power and Communication and Water,have projected a 15% decrease for the billing months of April,May,June and July.The overall 2020 revised budget contains a 42.8%reduction from the original budget for a total of $5.7 million reduction in the General fund.The proposed reductions provide the Town with the financial ability to see how the summer may be impacted by the pandemic;however,further reduction may be needed.The Town has enacted a hiring freeze for all positions with the exception of public safety,and has reduced the number of seasonal hires.Additional adjustments to staffing have not been necessary at this time and would negatively impact the Town’s ability during recovery as it prepares the community for visitation.The revised budget would only use approximately 4.1%of the emergency reserves and provide an ending fund balance of 20.9%projected fund balance at the end of 2020. Board discussion followed and has been summarized:Trustee Blackhurst stated concern with the revised budget because of expenses which remain such as $500,000 for a street sweeper.He suggested such items should be removed from the budget to ensure the Town’s personnel are protected.He stated funds set aside for projects,contracts,vehicle purchase,etc.should be removed from the budget and considered by the new Board.Mayor Pro Tem Board of Trustees —April 28,2020 —Page 3 Norris stated the purchases and projects remain in the budget but are on hold at this time.He stated the Board has discretion to cut items moving forward. Administrator Machalek clarified the items remain in the budget to allow the Town departments to move forward on projects such as vehicle purchase, intersection improvements,IT expenses,etc.to allow staff to move forward if the budget allows and not to lose sight of the items.Staff would come back to further revise the budget if staff has under estimated the impacts on revenues. After further discussion,it was moved and seconded (Norris/Cenac)to approve Resolution 23-20,and it passed with Trustee Blackhurst voting No”. 3.RESOLUTION 24-20 GOCO GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE THUMB OPEN SPACE PURCHASE.Supervisor Berg stated the Town Board approved the GOCO grant application on December 10,2019,and the Town was awarded $350,000 on March 12,2020.Approval of the grant agreement would require the Town to purchase the property within two years and contribute $171,700 in funds from the Open Lands fund and $70,000 from the Conservation Trust fund.After further discussion,it was moved and seconded (Bangs/Martchink) to approve Resolution 24-20,and it passed unanimously. 4.RESOLUTION 25-20 COMMUNITY RELIEF FUND AWARD AGREEMENT. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber requested Board ratification of a service agreement which awarded $150,000 in Community Relief funds from the General fund to the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation and the Estes Chamber of Commerce to provide financial assistance to local businesses resulting from COVID-19.These funds are a portion of the $250,000 in community relief funds approved by the Board at their special meeting on March 18,2020.He stated the two entities have submitted a second request for an additional $150,000 due to the need demonstrated during the first-round requests.The Resolution also addressed a change order to the initial agreement to allow all $150,000 to be placed in one fund to be used as the needs are determined in the grant application process,rather than $100,000 for employee retention/payroll assistance and $50,000 for business maintenance. Trustee Blackhurst stated the new Town Board should consider the second request for additional funding. It was moved and seconded (BlackhursVCenac)to approve Resolution 25- 20 ratifying the contract with the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation and the Estes Chamber of Commerce and to approve the change order,and it passed unanimously. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MAYOR JIRSA,MAYOR PRO TEM NORRIS AND TRUSTEE BLACKHURST.Town Administrator Machalek acknowledged each member and thanked them for the services to the community. Mayor Jirsa called a break at 8:40 p.m.and the meeting was reconvened at 8:50 p.m. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR NEWLY-ELECTED MAYOR AND TRUSTEES Judge Thrower conducted a swearing in ceremony virtually for newly elected Mayor Wendy Koenig and Trustees Barbara MacAlpine,Patrick Martchink and Cindy Younglund. REVISED AGENDA APPROVAL. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Bangs)to approve the addition of an Action Item to consider a Special Town Board meeting to discuss an emergency ordinance,and it passed unanimously. Board of Trustees —April 28,2020 —Page 4 3.ACTION ITEMS: 1.MAYOR PRO TEM. It was moved and seconded (Bangs/Cenac)to approve the appointment of Trustee Martchink as Mayor Pro Tern,and the motion passed unanimously. 2.TOWN BOARD POLICY 101 -BOARD ASSIGNMENTS. Policy Governance 101 Board Appointments outline ins und Jason Damweber It was moved and seconded (MartchinklYounglund)to approve the revisions to Policy 101 Board of Trustees Division of Responsibilities,and it passed unanimously. number of Boards,Commissions considered by the Board for formal a Estes Park Planning Commission and Task forces. pproval and appointment: the appointments The following Board,Commission or Liaison Staff Liaison Type of Committee Task Force Trustee MacAlpine to a were Randy Hunt Advisory/Decision Making Estes Park Board of Trustee MacAlpine Randy Hunt Decision making Adjustment Western Heritage Inc.Trustee Cenac n/a Outside Estes Park Museum Derek Fortini Outside Friends &Foundation Inc. Ambassadors Ten Salerno Outside Police Auxiliary Trustee Vounglund Wes Kufeld Working Group Parks Advisory Board Trustee Cenac Brian Berg Advisory Transportation Advisory Trustee Bangs Greg Muhonen Advisory Committee Estes Valley Restorative Trustee Bangs Denise Lord Working Group Justice Estes Park Board of Trustee MacAlpine Randy Hunt Advisory/Decision Making Appeals Sister Cities Trustee MacA n/a Working Group Fa Advisory Board Trustee Y1*a Committee or Board Appointed Staff Liaison Type of Committee ______________________ Member(s) Audit Committee Mayor Koenig Advisory Mayor Pro Tern Travis Machalek Martchink Duane Hudson Trustee MacAlpine Colorado Association of Primary Voting —n/a Outside Ski Towns (CAST)Mayor Koenig Alt Voting - Administrator Machalek Platte River Power Mayor Koenig Reuben Bergsten Outside Authority Board of Directors Larirner County Open Trustee Cenac n/a Outside Lands Board Estes Park Economic Trustee Martchink n/a Outside Development Corporation &Administrator Board of Directors Machalek Local Marketing District Mayor Koenig n/a Outside (Visit Estes Park)Trustee Cenac Larirner County Solid Trustee Zornes n/a Outside Waste Policy Council Regional Transportation Trustee Martehink n/a Outside Infrastructure Funding Task Force Lanimer County Trustee Zornes n/a Outside Behavioral Health Policy Council Board of Trustees —April 28,2020 —Page 5 3.STAFF APPOINTMENTS. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Zornes)to approve the appointments of Jackie Williamson as Town Clerk,Duane Hudson as Town Treasurer/Town Clerk Pro Tem,Dan Kramer as Town Attorney,David Thrower as the Municipal Judge,Teresa Albao as the Assistant Municipal Judge and Travis Machalek as the Town Administrator,and it passed unanimously. 4.CONTRACT WITH DAVID THROWER FOR MUNICIPAL JUDGE SERVICES. Town Clerk Williamson presented a two (2)year contract for Municipal Judge services with David Thrower beginning April 28,2020 and expiring on April 26, 2022.All conditions of the previous contract approved in 2018 have been included in the proposed contract. 5.CONTRACT WITH TERESA ABLAO FOR ASSISTANT MUNICIPAL JUDGE SERVICES.Town Clerk Williamson presented a two (2)year contract for Assistant Municipal Judge services with Teresa Ablao beginning April 28,2020 and expiring on April 26,2022.All conditions of the previous contract approved in 2018 have been included in the proposed contract. It was moved and seconded (Zornes/Martchink)to approve the contracts with David Thrower as Municipal Judge and Teresa Ablao as Assistant Municipal Judge,and it passed unanimously. 6.SETTING A SPECIAL MEETING.Mayor Koenig requested the Board set a special meeting to consider an emergency ordinance to require face coverings/masks.It was moved and seconded (MacAlpine/Bangs)to approve a Special Town Board meeting on May 1,2020,and it passed unanimously. Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m. a Williamson,Town Clerk n