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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Town Board 2020-05-26Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,May 26,2020 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 26th day of May,2020. Present:Wendy Koenig,Mayor •Patrick Martchink,Mayor Pro Tem 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. AGENDA APPROVAL. It was moved and seconded (Zornes/Younglund)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 MacAlpine stated she attended her first Estes Park Planning Commission meeting and was impressed by the new Commission and its members. Trustee Younglund commented she held a meeting with the Police Auxiliary to discuss her new liaison role with the group. Trustee Martchink requested the Board consider allowing individuals to have open containers of alcohol in the downtown area.Board consensus was to direct staff to look at the options. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. Town Administrator Machalek requested the Board consider scheduling Study Session items as follows:a quarterly update on Broadband on June 23,Stay Healthy Streets Pilot program on June 9,a discussion with the Estes Park Housing Authority regarding their Peak View housing project on June 9,and a review of potential edits to Agenda Policy 105 on June 9.The Board agreed to schedule all items as outlined. 1.CONSENT AGENDA: 1.Bills. 2.Town Board Minutes dated May 12,2020 and Study Session Minutes dated May 12,2020. Board of Trustees —May 26,2020 —Page 2 3.Estes Valley Planning Commission Minutes dated February 18,2020 and February 25,2020 and Study Session Minutes dated February 18,2020 (acknowledgement only. 4.Transportation Advisory Board Minutes dated February 19,2020 (acknowledgement only). 5.Resolution 29-20 Ratifying Amendment to the Community Relief Fund Agreement with Estes Park Economic Development Corporation and Estes Chamber of Commerce. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Zornes)to approve the Consent Agenda, and it passed unanimously. 2.LIQUOR ITEMS: 1.NEW HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE FILED BY SUNNY ACRE CORPORATION DBA THE EGG OF ESTES,393 E ELKHORN AVENUE,ESTES PARK,CO 80517.Town Clerk Williamson reviewed the application for a new Hotel and Restaurant liquor license.The applicant submitted a concurrent application with the State.She stated all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The applicant completed T.I.P.S.training in March.It was moved and seconded (Younglund/MacAlpine)to approve a Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License for Sunny Acre Corporation dba The Egg of Estes,393 E.Elkhorn Avenue,and it passed unanimously. 3.ACTION ITEMS: 1.RESOLUTION 30-20 ESTES PARK WOMEN’S MONUMENT.The year 2020 marks the centennial anniversary of the formation of the League of Women Voters and the first public elections where women were permitted to vote.The Public Work’s staff recommended the placement of a monument honoring the historic women in Bond Park or along the Riverwalk between Children’s playground at 220 East Elkhorn Avenue.A citizen lead initiative would raise the funds,design, fabricate and erect the monument.Public Works would maintain the bronze at an estimated annual cost of $250.Trustee Martchink/Parks Advisory Board liaison commended the Parks Advisory Board,especially Ron Wilcocks,for bringing the idea forward and to fruition.It was moved and seconded (Zornes/Martchink)to approve Resolution 30-20,and it passed unanimously. 2.EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 08-20 AMENDING EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 07- 20 REGARDING EATING AND DRINKING.Tom Gonzales/Larimer County Health and Environment Director provided the Board with an update on the COVID-1 9 pandemic in Larimer County.He stated the number of cases was down to 12;the County received partial approval from the State of its variance request; day camps can reopen as of June 1;restaurants can reopen for dine in service at 30%occupancy;wineries,taprooms,breweries,etc.could reopen with food service required;Air BNB5 could reopen so long as they meet the checklist requirements;and the County continues to work on childcare facilities to increase their capacity from a maximum of ten children,which is needed as individuals return to the workforce. Board comments and questions have been summarized:questioned if areas which have opened up have seen a surge;questioned if a group of employees can be tested weekly to determine a possible surge as the Town opens up;questioned how the Town would be notified if a visitor becomes ill after a visit to Town; questioned who completes contact tracing;questioned the reliability of the tests; how could Estes Park receive additional antibody tests;questioned if face covering provide protection and are they valuable;can COVID-19 be transmitted outdoors; the Board should consider amending its current face covering ordinance to encourage individuals that cannot maintain social distancing rather than require them to provide a friendlier approach to the situation;the Board has received a Board of Trustees —May 26,2020 —Page 3 number of concerns from employees on the need to eat and drink during the day which requires the removal of a mask;questioned how the County and Town ordinances are substantially different;and the Board discussed the need for consistency with the County to eliminate confusion by visitors. Director Gonzales responded to Board questions and stated hotspots have been seen in areas which opened up prior to Larimer County.He reaffirmed the need to be vigilant in distancing,handwashing and wearing of face coverings.Social distancing continues to be the best method of protection;however,face coverings have proven to be very effective when social distancing cannot be maintained. Other state health departments would notify the State of Colorado if contact tracing determines the individual had visited the state and Estes Park prior to becoming ill.COVID-1 9 can be transmiffed outdoors especially in drier environments,as the droplets remain airborne longer.The condition that employees wear a mask only applies to areas where the employees are interacting with the public.The County’s ordinance recommends face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained rather than require them at all times outdoors as stated in the Town’s ordinance for the Commercial Downtown —CD zoning district. Police Chief Kufeld stated there continues to be a lot of confusion on the streets as officers make contact with individuals.He confirmed enforcement would be easier to address if the Town followed the recommendations of the Larimer County Health and Environment,and he would support the continued education of visitors. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Bangs)to direct the Town Administrator to issue an Emergency Order modifying Emergency Ordinance 07-20 to bring the Town in line with the Larimer County Ordinance for the use of face coverings in the interior of businesses,and it passed unanimously. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/Martchink)to direct the Town Administrator and the Town Attorney to modify Emergency Ordinance 07-20 to bring the Town in line with the Larimer County Ordinance for the use of face coverings outdoors,and it passed with Mayor Koenig and Trustees MacAlpine and Younglund voting ‘No”. 4.REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1.2020 ESTES TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE AND OPTIONS.Manager Solesbee provided the Board with an update to the transit program to address the COVID 19 pandemic,including a delayed start with an operation schedule July 1 —October 4 with five routes,reduced capacity seating to allow distance,require face coverings,driver protection barrier,hand sanitizing stations,self-service disinfectant wipes available on the buses,and daily deep cleaning.She reviewed the value of transit in Estes Park which provides service to locals,workers,guests, aids in reduction in congestions and emissions and provides jobs.Staff presented the Board with additional options for the 2020 season to include the elimination of the service in 2020,further reduction of services,or only run the Red route downtown.A survey was conducted to provide the Board with information on the transit system for 2020 with 146 respondents,90%local respondents,and 53% not likelyto ride. 2.LARIMER COUNTY/STATE REGULATION ADVOCACY. Town Administrator Machalek stated the Town lacks a process for advocacy issues,as was highlighted recently during the COVID-1 9 pandemic.Staff brought the issue forward to determine if the Board had a desire to develop a process,and if so,would it be limited to COVID-19 items or a comprehensive policy to address town wide issues.Board discussion followed and has been summarized:the Board questioned if other communities have advocacy policies to address COVID 19;advocacy should be on a case-by-case basis in order to remain nonpartisan; the issue has merit but should wait due to the need for staff to focus on pandemic related issues;and the Board could still direct staff to tight a letter of support, Board of Trustees —May 26,2020 —Page 4 advocate for an issue,etc.without a formal policy.The Board consensus was to table the item and consider it at a later date. Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Wendy$t’ig,Mor