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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2020-12-08 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 8, 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 8th day of December, 2020. Present: Wendy Koenig, Mayor Patrick Martchink, Mayor Pro Tem Trustees Marie Cenac Barbara MacAlpine Scott Webermeier Cindy Younglund Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator Jason Damweber, Assistant Town Administrator Dan Kramer, Town Attorney Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk Absent: Carlie Bangs, Trustee Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited the Pledge of Allegiance. PROCLAMATION. Mayor Koenig read a proclamation recognizing Brad Fitch for his years of entertainment as Cowboy Brad. AGENDA APPROVAL. It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Cenac) to approve the Agenda as presented, and it passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS. Georgia LeBon/Town citizen requested the Board assist the local businesses impacted by COVID-19 and the recent move back to a shutdown of local businesses such as indoor seating at restaurants. She urged for an action plan to assist businesses, form an alliance with other local entities to develop marketing plans, consider a holiday on fees such as business licensing and utilities, and develop a small business relief fund. Donna Carlson/Estes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director thanked the Board for the previous funding to businesses during the first shutdown earlier this year. The shutdown has been burdensome with the rules set by the State recently on the operating guidelines. The Chamber has developed a petition signed by 92 businesses and presented to the State to try to increase the business operating environment. Jenna MacGregor/Town citizen and owner/operator of the Reel Mountain Theater, Park Theater & Cafe, and The Slab and Arcade. She requested assistance from the Town to help businesses suffering during the pandemic, especially those that are not able to operate such as theaters. She stated businesses need help developing creative solutions and a waiver of business license and liquor license fees. She commented businesses would benefit if resources available to businesses were located in one location/website. TRUSTEE COMMENTS. Trustee Younglund commented the Community Family Advisory Board (CFAB) met last week and requested clarification on what the Board would like included in a report on the current childcare situation. She indicated she directed the CFAB to provided details on what COVID has brought to the childcare situation: have we lost providers, gained providers, decreased need with parents at home and schooling children. The CFAB would continue reviewing the needs assessment. Board of Trustees – December 8, 2020 – Page 2 Trustee Webermeier stated the Local Marketing District/Visit Estes Park Board approved the 2021 Operating Plan which would be submitted to the State. The entities 2021 budget would be approved at their next meeting. A consultant would be engaged to facilitate a national search for a new CEO with Abi Huebner name d the interim CEO. The position would be filled sometime during March 2021. Mayor Pro Tem Martchink thanked those providing public comment and for offering recommendations on how to address the issues and concerns raised by the business community. Trustee Cenac commented the Park Advisory Board has been working on a new waterfall within Mrs. Walsh’s Garden. The Board would bring forward a proposal to form an Arts Committee. Mayor Koenig commented the Northern Colorado Regional Tourism Authority agreement to develop projects needs to be extended to move the projects forward. An updated agreement would be forthcoming. Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) would meet to discuss possible relief to the PRPA communities. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT. The Estes Valley Resiliency Collaborative, a group administered by the Town and headed by Vanessa Solesbee/Parking and Transit Manager , has met weekly with the EDC and the Chamber to address concerns of the business community. The group recognizes some business categories have seen more impacted than others, and have continued to explore methods to supplement the federal and state relief. The Town would discuss central tools and support for businesses. Administrator Machalek recognized staff which have gone above and beyond this past year during the COVID pandemic and the fire incidences, including Vanessa Solesbee, Jason Damweber, Kate Rusch, Suzanna Simpson, Emily Lizotte, Corey Pass, Eric Rose, Jon Landkamer and the COVID wastewater delivery team. 1. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Bills. 2. Town Board Minutes dated November 24, 2020. 3. Parks Advisory Board Minutes dated September 17, 2020 (acknowledgment only). 4. Transportation Advisory Board Minutes dated October 21, 2020 (acknowledgment only). 5. Letter of Support for FEMA Project Scoping Grant Application. 6. Resolution 72-20 Amending the Intergovernmental Agreement with CDOT for Federal Transit Administration CARES Act funding to support 2020 and 2021 Estes Transit Administration and Operating Expenses. 7. Auditor Selection Committee Appointment. 8. Local Marketing District Board Reappointment of Marie Cenac for a term expiring April 26, 2022. It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Martchink) to approve the Consent Agenda, and it passed unanimously. 2. LIQUOR ITEMS: 1. NEW HOTEL & RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE FILED BY MISE EN PLACE CONSULTING LLC DBA STELLA'S PLACE, 207 PARK LANE, ESTES PARK, CO. Mayor Koenig opened the public hearing. Town Clerk Williamson reviewed the application for the new Hotel and Restaurant liquor license, stating all paperwork and fees have been submitted. Robert and Joanne Corey/owners have completed TIPS training in 2017 with the opening of Seasoned – An American Bistro which is located next to the new establishment. The Mayor closed the public Board of Trustees – December 8, 2020 – Page 3 hearing. Mayor Koenig closed the public hearing and it was moved and seconded (Cenac/Webermeier) to approve the Hotel & Restaurant Liquor License Application for Mise En Place Consulting LLC dba Stella’s Place, 207 Park Lane, and it passed unanimously. 3. ACTION ITEMS: 1. RESOLUTION 73-20 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS #10. Director Hudson presented the Resolution to amend the 2020 budget to increase the General fund to incorporate the $50,000 grant funds awarded the Town to purchase heaters, fuel for heaters, lighting, canopies, seat warmers, signage etc. to assist local businesses during the winter months impacted by the COVID restrictions. The Community Center fund would be amended to reflect an increase in revenues and transfer of $15,347 to the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District. It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Younglund) to approve Resolution #73-20 Supplemental Budget Appropriation to the 2020 Budget, and it passed unanimously. 2. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN 2021-2025. Director Hudson presented the 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) outlining projects and funding needs. The approval of the CIP does not provide spending authority or directly allocate any resources to the projects. The document provides guidance to the Board, staff and the citizens on upcoming projects and funding needs. It was moved and seconded (Younglund/Webermeier) to approve the 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan, and it passed unanimously. 3. POLICY 227 - WORKFORCE HOUSING GUIDELINES. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber reviewed the policy and stated the proposed policy would provide Workforce Housing guidelines to define workforce housing for the Town’s purposes; articulate the Town’s workforce housing goals; articulate the Town’s role related to workforce housing; and establish a funding mechanism to advance the Town’s workforce housing goals. Bob Leavitt/County resident stated the definition of workforce should remain in the Development Code and not in a separate policy. He stated concern with a disconnect on the AMI requirements in the Development Code of 150% and the proposed policy of 175%. The mention of ADUs in the policy would put the Town Board on the record of supporting such units in the future. Anne Morris/County resident stated concern with the Town Board considering a policy on workforce housing during the ongoing pandemic and recovery from the recent fires. She recommended the policy discussion be delayed until such time the public could participate in the discussion and the AMI formula has been further vetted. Board discussion was heard on issues related to the inclusion of the ADUs in the policy and its impact on further Board discussions or decisions related to the units or workforce housing, the proposed AMI percentage, and the discrepancy between the policy and Development Code. After further discussion, it was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Martchink) to approve Policy 227 – Workforce Housing Guidelines with alterations to 3.c. fifth bullet to remove everything after the semicolon and to 3.d.ii to add to the end of the first sentence “of budgeted sales tax revenues”, and it passed unanimously. 4. CLOSURE OF TOWN OFFICES ON DECEMBER 31, 2020. Town Administrator Machalek proposed the Board authorize the Town Administrator to close all Town offices on December 31, 2020 to recognize the efforts put forth by the Town employees during the challenging year addressing COVID related impacts. Jenna MacGregor/Town citizen supports an additional day off for staff but would recommend a day other than New Year’s Eve to ensure the public has access to Board of Trustees – December 8, 2020 – Page 4 staff on that day. It was moved and seconded (Cenac/MacAlpine) to approve the closure of Town offices on December 31, 2020, and it passed unanimously. 5. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF JOURNEY LINEWORKERS. Director Williamson stated the Town has experienced difficulties in recruiting and retaining Lineworkers due in large part to the Town’s pay structure. Superintendent Lockhart reviewed a presentation outlining the difficulties the other Platte River Power Authority communities of Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland have also experienced with recruiting and retaining staff. He noted the larger Rural Electric Authorities and Excel Energy tend to have higher wages and an industry standard pay plan in which each Lineworker makes the same wage regardless of years of experience. In the last ten (10) years the Town has trained 17 apprentices and two (2) remain. The Town has advertised for over a year with few qualified applications received for the Lineworker position. The cost to train an apprentice through the four (4) year process is approximately $88,000. Staff would recommend the Town consider moving to an industry standard pay plan which would pay Lineworkers at a competitive wage at the top of the range after 6 months of earning their Journey Lineworker status rather than the current pay range. Staff would bring forward a new pay range for the Board’s consideration at the January 12, 2021 meeting. 6. REQUEST TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION: It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Martchink) to entering into Executive Session for a conference with an attorney for the Board for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions - Section 24-6-402(4}(b}, C.RS. and for the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and/or instructing negotiators - Section 24-6-402(4}(e}, C.RS. – Regarding the Downtown Estes Loop, and it passed unanimously. Mayor Koenig recessed the meeting at 9:32 p.m. The Board entered executive session at 9:45 p.m. and concluded the executive session at 11:05 p.m. Mayor Koenig reconvened the regular meeting at 11:10 p.m. Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 11:11 p.m. /s/Wendy Koenig, Mayor /s/Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk