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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2013-07-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 25, 2013 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT / COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 25th day of July, 2013. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chair Ericson, Trustees Elrod and Norris Chair Ericson, Trustees Elrod and Norris Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator Richardson, Directors Winslow and Chilcott, and Deputy Town Clerk Deats None Chair Ericson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. None. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Museum Quarterly Report - “Meet Me at the Museum” is a new program being held on the first Monday of each month. The staff-lead, casual program allows staff to explore topics of interest to them and then present them to the public. The program could be in any format ranging from an oral presentation to a hike, or bike ride. The first program was presented in July by Bryon Hoerner on the Estes Park Avenger, an airplane that was purchased during World War II with monies raised in Estes Park. Upcoming programs include a bike ride from the Museum to the Stanley Hotel and a program on the old Fall River Lodge. With the budgeting process about to begin, Dir. Fortini stated that the Museum s greatest need is in maintenance of buildings, including getting the off-site storage facility on a routine inspection and maintenance program. He noted that some artifacts in the off-site storage are being moved back on-site to prevent the items from being damaged. Upcoming exhibits include the Sandzen in Estes Park exhibit which will begin on September 27th focusing on his influence in the Estes Park artists’ community; and an exhibit on the history of mountaineering that will open in September 2014. . Visitor Center Quarterly Report - Manager Salerno reported that visitation during June was up over last year and, to date, the numbers for July are on the increase as well. The number of telephone calls, which has been trending downward for years, is on the increase for July. She said that the number of volunteers participating as Ambassadors is down to 62, however, the decrease is due to an organizational change that removed substitute volunteers from the active roster as it is important for the volunteers to be active and stay on top of changing information. Trustee Elrod stated that the number of volunteers is of less importance than the quality of service they are providing. Mgr. Salerno said that quality of service is difficult to measure, and said the Governor’s Conference on Tourism will be held in Telluride later this year with sessions focusing on how to measure customer service. She identified recurring plumbing problems m the Visitor Center restrooms as the largest capital need at the Visitor Center and s^d staff is looking forward to construction of the parking structure and the opportunities it may bring to increase the organization of the parking lot. bhe said a shuttle stop located further from the building and an area for tour groups to RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - July 25, 2013 - Page 2 meet would be beneficial. Mgr. Salerno said communication with the LMD staff is good and upgrades are being implemented to the new Visit Estes Park website. • Shuttle Report - The shuttle system’s 300,000th rider since the program started in 2006, is expected either later this month or in August of this year. Coordinator Wells said he is encouraged by the number of shuttle riders this year which continues to increase over previous years, and also with the number of trolley riders this summer. Over 90 entries have been received to date in the “Name the Trolley” contest with entries being received from all over the country. Routes for the shuttles will be altered on Saturday, August 24th during the Pro Challenge bicycle race. The Committee requested that Coordinator Wells provide the Board with a demonstration on how to utilize the “stop codes” and real-time tracking system as a report at an upcoming Town Board meeting. • Fairgrounds and Events Report - Attendance at the Rooftop Rodeo this year was 12,500, and the Rodeo drew a record number of contestants at 540. Dir. Winslow attributed the high number of contestants to hospitality, stock, and purse size. The Hunter-Jumper organization arrived at the fairgrounds with 400 horses during its first week. Numbers for the subsequent weeks are lower and staff is researching the cause, however, the numbers are expected to pick up during the last week of the event. Staff continues to work on arrangements for the Pro Challenge bicycle race. Information continues to be distributed to businesses and residents affected by the race. The Cowboy Brad sing-a-longs in Bond Park have been drawing large numbers with people enjoying the seatwalls and new design of the Park. This year’s Red, White and Cool celebration on the 3rd of July was lightly attended due to inclement weather and torrential rains. Upcoming events at the fairgrounds include: the Wild West Weekend, Hunter Jumper Show, Paint and Quarter Horse Show, Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, Draft Horse Show, and the Heritage Festival. Dir. Winslow added that the school district has inquired about the possibility of using the MPEC for the 2014 graduation ceremony. He commended Special Events staff and the work they do to provide quality programs and services to the community. Discussion and comments are summarized: live coverage of the bike race will be aired on NBC, however, the time of the broadcast is not finalized; people in 170 countries around the world will be watching the race; large screen TVs will be set up in Bond Park for viewing the race; a final update on the race will be provided to the Board at the August 13th Town Board meeting: and larger purses at the rodeo require increased stock resulting in higher costs. • Verbal Updates - o Staff Participation in Community Center Evaluation bv Estes Valiev Recreation and Park District (EVRPD) - Town Administrator Lancaster actively participated in EVRPD’s selection of a consulting firm for the feasibility study, and Mgr. Mitchell stays up-to-date on the process through email communications with EVRPD staff. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Comprehensive Plan Modernization - Work on Comprehensive Plan modernization is proceeding with regular updates provided to the Planning Commission and the Town Board on a monthly basis. The public may visit www.estes.orq/ComprehensivePlan to follow the process and view the draft plan. An example of the new format for the Action Plan was presented. The new format more clearly illustrates the status of recommended actions within the Plan. • Community Development Monthly Report - Dir. Chilcott reported that building permit fees and permit valuations have increased by 14% and 17% respectively over last year. She said that currently 10 building permits are pending with most requiring additional information from the applicant prior to being issued. Improvements and repairs at the Courtyard Shops property continue with the final inspections at the restaurant completed and residential units being RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - July 25, 2013 - Page 3 converted to short-term rentals. A Community Assistance Visit from representatives of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Colorado Water Conservation Board was requested by Chief Buiiding Official Birchfield. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss any changes to the Town’s floodplain ordinance that may be necessary to remain compiiant and up- to-date reiated to floodpiain management. A meeting was held with the Larimer County Community Deveiopment Director to discuss the possibility of consolidating the County and Town sign codes. A comparison of the two codes wiii be conducted this fall and hiring an outside consultant to focus on the sign code may be considered. Dir. Chilcott said Community Development department staffing levels and software upgrades will be part of the upcoming budget discussions. She said that Larimer County, through a request for proposai (RFP) review process has selected energov as their permitting, development review, and code compliance software and said the Town may have the opportunity to partner on the system which would be a cost savings to the Town. Planner/Code Compliance Officer Kleisler said staff is working with the owners of the Estes Park Resort & Hotel to bring the property into compliance with lighting standards. Trustee Elrod emphasized the importance of equal enforcement of the Estes Valley Development Code (EVDC) and the types a owable lighting. He also spoke to the collaborative nature of the EVDC and the importance of the involvement of, and input from, the Town Board, the RnanrHin9wCrmmifSSl^n’ and th6 County Commissioners. He said that the Town Board and County Commissioners must be clear as to the contents of the EVDC as well as give clear direction to the Estes Valley Planning Commission. There being no further business. Chair Ericson adjourned the meeting at 9:56 a.m. nthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk APPROVED AUG I 3 2013 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES