HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2020-05-12Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,May 12,2020
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes
Park,Larirner County,Colorado.Meeting held in the Town Hall and Virtually in
said Town of Estes Park on the 12th day of May,2020.
Present:Wendy Koenig,Mayor
Patrick Martchink,Mayor Pro Tern
Trustees Carlie Bangs
Marie Cenac
Barbara MacAlpine
Cindy Younglund
Ken Zornes
Also Present:Travis Machalek,Town Administrator
Jason Damweber,Assistant Town Administrator
Dan Kramer,Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson,Town Clerk
Absent:None.
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.and all desiring to do so,recited
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Koenig recognized the passing of Alan Fraundorf/lT Manager for the Town and
Dick Cohn a former Town Police Officer in 1987.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Cenac/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.
Mayor Pro Tem Martchink announced 82,340 American souls have perished from
COVID-1 9 and recognized the seriousness of the pandemic.He urged individuals to take
into consideration the souls lost when making comments regarding COVID and its impact
on Estes Park.
Trustee Cenac stated agreement with Mayor Pro Tem Martchink’s remarks.She stated
she also mourns with those that are in a home of abuse,those suffering economically
and financially and the mental health concerns related to the pandemic.She informed
the Board Visit Estes Park (VEP)has limited its advertising and would adjust its budget
due to the projected decrease in local marketing district revenues.VEP would restart an
advertising campaign once the restrictions are lifted.
Trustee Younglund commented she wants businesses to be open and prosperous in a
safe manner.She stated concern Estes Park may have to shut down again in July
through the fall if the community does not open in a safe manner.
Trustee Zornes stated Larimer County Behavioral Health Services understands the
impacts on mental health and domestic abuse due to the pandemic.The Board of County
Commissioners approved $1 15,000 in grants to address the issues.
Trustee Bangs commented Rocky Mountain National Park announced the Park’s
reopening on May 27,2020.She stated she met with the Restorative Justice staff to
begin discussion on her role as liaison.The Transportation Advisory Board met to discuss
shuttles for the upcoming season and the coordination of RMNP shuttle system;
announced an online survey launched to gain input on the shuttle service;and a
Board of Trustees —May 12,2020 —Page 2
brainstorming session held to work on utilization of transportation to move traffic through
downtown effectively.
Mayor Koenig stated she attended the VEP meeting with Trustee Cenac and stated the
organization would move to a new location in the North Lake mall to save considerable
funds on rent.She stated we must do what we have to remain safe while still allowing the
economy to move forward.
Trustee MacAlpine stated she read the public comments provided related to the opening
of the RMNP and found those comments by the locals the most poignant.She stated she
continues to have concern with the general health of the community.She thanked the
staff from all the Town departments for their orientations.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Administrator Machalek stated the Town’s former colleague Alan Fraundorf would
be missed and he was a mentor to many of the staff.
1.CONSENT AGENDA:
1.Bills.
2.Town Board Minutes dated April 28,2020 and Special Town Board Minutes dated
May 1,2020.
3.Approve the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)Grant Agreement for the Big
Thompson River Recreational and Picnic Area.Staff requests continuation to May
26,2020.
4.Letter of Support for the 2020 BUILD Grant for Big Thompson River Channel Work
and Bridge Replacement.
5.Construction Agreement for 2020 Chip and Crack Seal Program with Vance
Brothers,Inc.for $233,200,Budgeted.
6.Resolution 26-20 Colorado the Beautiful Grant Agreement for Fall River Trail
Construction with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
7.Purchase of Two Bucket Trucks for Power and Communication for $431,065,
Budgeted.
Town Administrator Machalek requested Consent Item 4 be removed and added as
an Action Item.It was moved and seconded (MartchinklYounglund)to approve the
Consent Agenda Items 1-3 and 5-7,and it passed unanimously.Mayor Koenig
stated the Consent Agenda Item 4 would be added as Action Item 3.
2.REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:(Outside Entities).
1.LARIMER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
UPDATE.Public Health Director Gonzales provided a presentation on the
current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Larimer County.He reviewed the
response objectives,including identifying and containing the spread of COVID
19 and protecting those most susceptible.He stated in March the hospitals were
filling up,however,due to the measures taken the curve has flattened.He
cautioned the curve does not go away and the citizens of Larimer County would
need to continue to take measures such as wearing face covering to maintain
the current flattening of the curve.Testing accessibility has improved with a
current 7%positive rate.Improved testing has provided for more effective
contract tracing efforts to address flare ups within a short period of time which
helps to stop the spread.On April 4,2020,the CDC encouraged the wearing of
face covering due to the high asymptomatic spread of the virus,which required
the procurement of required PPE.The Education and Compliance Taskforce
has been providing education on the “Safer at Home”order and a reopening
checklist for businesses to complete prior to opening.The Ranch has been set
Board of Trustees —May 12,2020 —Page 3
up as an alternate care site to provide additional support for hospitals in the event
of a surge,with a capacity for 200 patients.He stated the response continues to
work and face coverings and social distancing are having an impact on the
asymptomatic spread of the virus.The phased approach to opening businesses
would continue with the next phase to include the opening of restaurants at a
limited capacity.Larimer County would submit a variance to the State
Emergency Order to allow the County to decide on the opening of businesses
such as restaurants,gyms,graduations ceremonies,swimming pools,etc.He
commented staff has worked closely with the school district to provide
justification on the suppression plan to allow graduation on the open football field.
Board questions and concerns have been summarized:questioned why
graduations are a concern in an open field when people are allowed to
congregate at grocery stores and other box stores;questioned the limitation on
the operation of vacation homes but accommodations can be open with 50%
capacity;questioned impact of COVID on wastewater treatment;asked how the
virus may be similar to the flu and should the community press on to develop
herd immunity;questioned if the Larimer County guidelines should be the same
for Estes Park;stated the worst thing that could happen would be to open too
quickly and Estes Park becomes a hotspot causing the town to close down;the
County website states face covering are required in busy public areas;
questioned if the County could get more antibody testing;questioned if face
covering are making the issue worse because individuals are constantly touching
their mask;and questioned if the County would find the face coverings prudent
in the Town’s downtown area.
Mr.Gonzales commented the County would continue to work with the local
school district on the variance to hold graduation.He stated wastewater
treatment testing can provide a community with information on how widespread
the virus may be throughout the community.The COVID virus impacts 30%of
the population in a severe manner,and has been unusual in the manner in which
it spreads through respiratory droplets by asymptomatic individuals,spreading it
to vulnerable populations.Herd immunity would be addressed through the
development of a vaccine.He stated face covering are prudent and education
on their use should continue to gain compliance and aid in lower the number of
cases.The community may use an increase in respiratory calls as an early
indicator to make decisions on the need to rollback opening of businesses.He
stated support for creating additional pedestrian walkways with a partial closure
of Elkhorn Avenue to increase the capacity for social distancing.
2.ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK REOPENING VISITOR ACCESS
STRATEGY.Superintendent Sidles stated the Park would begin a phased
reopening on May 27,2020 to provide reasonable opportunities for access while
complying with health guidelines.The date for reopening aligns with the federal,
state,local and public health safety guidelines.The “Safer at Home”order for
Colorado ends on May 26,2020 and has limited travel to no more than 10 miles
from home and discourage travel to mountain areas.The Park would require
seasonal staff to be onboarded prior to opening,address housing challenges
which limit the number of staff per unit,install safety mitigations,and address the
PPE needs of staff.Volunteers are needed to manage the phased opening and
it continues to be unknown how many of the local volunteers would return this
year.The Park had another record visitation year in 2019 with 4.6 million.A vast
number of visitors come during the next few months and would be a challenge to
manage without a time entry system.The Park has submitted a time entry permit
system to the Department of Interior for approval.The system,if approved,
would enable park visitation levels,pacing and flow to occur commensurate with
the Park’s safe operational capacity,improve the visitor experience,collection of
entrance fee in advance,anticipate visitation levels for both the community and
business partners for planning purposes,and prevent crowding.The permit
system would open the Park in phases with a maximum of 4,800 cars and 13,500
visitors per day.Public Affairs Officer Patterson reviewed the communication
strategy,highlighting the phased reopening,shuttle operations,limited
Board of Trustees —May 72,2020 —Page 4
campground facilities,and back county wilderness permits.The Park would
encourage overnight and multi-day visitors to come to the Park and help address
concerns with the level of congestion and crowds.Communication would focus
on the need to plan ahead and prepare for the timed entry.She further stated
the timed entry permit system has been a service wide initiative for the National
Park system.The Park continues to address the outlining areas of the Park,
including Lumpy Ridge Trailhead,Lily Lake,etc.on how to manage them this
season.
Board comments and questions have been summarized:Thanked the Park for
the thoughtful method used to open the Park and for considering its impact on
the Town;questioned if individuals would have access to the Park to drive over
to Grand Lake;questioned if a permit would be needed by locals accessing the
Park;questioned when the Park may receive an answer on the proposed permit
system;questioned when the permit system,if approved,would be implemented;
would portions of the Park be closed;would camping reservations be an
individual’s permit to access the Park;and questioned how the shuttle system
would be implemented.
Park staff stated there are individuals who hold permits to access the Park for
travel and staff has not anticipated growing the access at this time.Locals would
need to obtain a permit to access the Park,unless they do so prior to six in the
morning.Each permit would be accessed a $2 fee,including the Senior pass.
Staff has developed the permit system to begin accepting requests as of May 19,
2020 with the first reservation for May 27,2020.The Park would remain fully
open to all areas with limited parking to aid in social distancing.Campgrounds
would be limited to partial opening of Glacier Basin and Moraine due to social
distancing requirements,staffing level issues and the need for additional
cleaning.As the Bear Lake corridor has been designed for a shuttle system,the
Park would continue to run the system at approximately 25%capacity and limit
the number of passengers per bus.
After further discussion,the Board consensus was to write a letter of support to
the Secretary of the Department Interior for the Park’s time entry permit system.
3.LIQUOR ITEMS:
7.NEW HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE FILED BY SUNNY
ACRE CORPORATION DBA THE EGG OF ESTES,393 E ELKHORN
AVENUE,ESTES PARK,CO 80577.It was moved and seconded
(Younglund/MacAlpine)to approve the continuance of the hearing to the May
26,2020 meeting,and it passed unanimously.
4.ACTION ITEMS:
1.RESOLUTION 27-20 SUSPENDING 2020 PARKING FEES.Town Attorney
Kramer read the Resolution into the record per the Board’s request.Manager
Solesbee provided the Board with a brief history on parking fees,and stated in
March staff recommended the parking program in 2020 be suspended due to the
current conditions surrounding COVID and to ensure proper implementation of
the program.She stated the fees would be suspended for the downtown area
and parking would be actively monitored in 2020.It was moved and seconded
(MartchinklCenac)to approve Resolution 27-20,and it passed unanimously.
2.RESOLUTION 28-20 CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL
FUNDS FOR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.Town Attorney
Kramer read the Resolution into the record per the Board’s request.Trustee
Younglund recused herself from the discussion.Assistant Town Administrator
Damweber stated the request from the Estes Chamber of Commerce and the
Estes Park Economic Development Corporation (EDO)would provide an
additional $150,000 in financial assistance to local small businesses during the
COVID-19 pandemic.The original applications totaled $630,000 for the first
Board of Trustees —May 12,2020 —Page 5
around of $150,000 in relief funds provided by the Town.The additional funds
would be awarded to the original 100 businesses which received only a portion
of their initial request during the first distribution of relief funds.
Town Administrator Machalek stated the request has been made outside of the
community relief process.He cautioned the Board in spending additional reserve
funds at this time due to the uncertainty of the Town’s financial position.The
funds may be needed for future recovery efforts.
The Board discussed the request and comments have been summarized:Mayor
Pro Tern Martchink stated the Town is intimately tied to the business community;
the request would only provide approximately 50%of the need for the businesses
and the financial situation continues to worsen;and the Town has to address the
financial impact on the operations and where the funds can be best spent.
Trustee Cenac stated she would vote against the request because there are
other businesses that would not be considered and may need the funds as well.
She further stated concern there may be discrimination to provide additional
funds to the current applicants and not recognizing there are other businesses
with needs.Trustee Bangs stated she would favor the Resolution to aid the
businesses in reopening.Trustee Zornes comments he favored the Resolution.
Trustee MacAlpine stated concern for the businesses that did not have a chance
to apply originally or the opportunity to apply during the next funding round.
It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Bangs)to continue the meeting past
10:00 p.m.to complete the agenda,and it passed unanimously.
Adam Shake/EDC President/CEO stated the Estes Valley has been more
impacted by the pandemic in Northern Colorado because of our tourist-based
economy.He stated the funds would help the businesses but it there would be
no way of knowing if the funds would keep them from closing.He further stated
the initial application was open to all businesses with 112 received.The process
was well advertised and those that needed the funds were able to apply.
Keith Pearson/Estes Chamber of Commerce stated increasing the funds for the
current pool of applicants would provide more meaningful impact to those small
businesses.The pool of applicants impacted 367 employees and $500,000 in
payroll.
After further discussion,it was moved and seconded (Cenac/Bangs)to
approve Resolution 28-20,and it passed with Trustee Cenac voting “No”and
Trustee Younglund abstaining.
3.LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE 2020 BUILD GRANT FOR BIG THOMPSON
RIVER CHANNEL WORK AND BRIDGE REPLACEMENT.Grant Specialist
Crosser presented a letter of support for a federal DOT Better Utilizing
Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD)grant application.The
application would fund Phase II of the Downtown Estes Loop project.The
proposed 2023/2024 project would include the widening of the Big Thompson
river channel between US 36 bridge to the Riverside bridge,a multi-use path
along the south river bank,and the replacement of the Riverside and Rockwell
bridges.The letter would propose the Town offer $1.5 million in cost match for
the award of $23.5 million BUILD grant to complete the project.The contribution
would equate to 6%of the estimated project cost.Staff recommended the local
match be appropriated with $500,000 set aside each year from 2022 —2024.It
was moved and seconded (Cenac/Bangs)to approve the teller of support
for the 2020 BUILD grant for the Big Thompson River channel work and
bridge replacement,and it passed unanimously.
Board of Trustees —May 12,2020 —Page 6
5.REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.DISCUSS POTENTIAL REVISIONS TO ORDINANCE 07-20 TO ADDRESS
EATING AND DRINKING.Mayor Koenig opened the discussion to the Board.
Trustee Cenac stated concern with the increase risk the masks present to our
guests downtown because of the constant touching of the mask related to eating
and drinking.She requested the Board reconsider the Ordinance as it relates to
food.She further stated the mask could be required when social distancing cannot
be maintained.She continues to have concern with the lack of sanitation provided
for downtown.Trustee Younglund stated concern the virus can be transmitted
more readily without requiring the mask downtown with the lack of social distancing
due to the narrow sidewalks.The addition of a portion of Elkhorn to provide
additional social distancing may aid in addressing the issue.
The Board discussed an amendment to the Ordinance to allow eating and drinking
in the downtown corridor.Comments have been summarized:Mayor Koenig
suggested the Board may considered options to allow eating and drinking in
designated areas downtown to allow the face coverings to be removed.Trustee
Younglund would support designated areas for eating and drinking.Trustee
Cenac stated concern with gathering people in one area.The Board agreed an
amendment to the Ordinance to allow eating and drinking if social distancing can
be maintained may be appropriate.The Board further agreed it would need to
address handwashing downtown.
Chief Kufeld stated enforcing a mask only when social distancing is maintained
would be difficult and cumbersome to enforce.Captain Rose stated the education
has been working but the monitoring of downtown would be difficult and require an
Officer to monitor the situation more closely.
Trustee Cenac requested the Board consider an extensive educational program
rather than mandating face coverings by all visitors in the downtown corridor.
After further discussion,the Board requested staff bring an amended Ordinance
forward for consideration at the May 26,2020 meeting to address eating and
drinking in the downtown.
Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 10:50 p.m.
Wendy ‘enig,Myor