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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2015-10-22RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 22, 2015 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 22nd day of October, 2015. Committee: Absent: Also Attending: Chair Ericson, Trustees Holcomb and Phipps None Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator Machalek, Directors Chilcott and Fortini, Planners Kleisler Gonzales and Kurtz, Coordinators Wells and Jacobson, Manager Salerno and Recording Secretary Limmiatis Trustee Ericson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. Marilyn Bradley introduced Sandy Osterman, the new President of the Ambassadors. Osterman would take office immediately. The Committee welcomed Osterman to the position and thanked both individuals for their service to the community. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT- TRANSIT PARKING FACILITY FEE WAIVER REQUEST. Planner Kleisler presented the request to waive $53,911 in development application and building permit fees for the construction of the Estes Park Transit Hub Parking Structure south of the Visitor Center. The fee waiver application remains consistent with the adopted Community Development Fee Waiver Policy by supporting vital community needs such as public funded government construction. Town Administrator Lancaster stated the Environmental Assessment has been completed. The Bureau of Reclamation provided a categorical exclusion and passed this finding on to the Federal Transit Administration for approval to proceed with the design. The Committee expressed concerns regarding the impact to the Community Development budget. Lancaster provided an alternative to the waiver and suggested the building permit fees could be suspended until the project is completed and should any funds remain available, they could be remitted to the Building Department up to the amount of the permit. However, He would not want to compromise the project in order to pay the Building permit fees. He would consult with the funding agencies and the Town Attorney to see if any concerns exist. The Committee recommended the approval of the Transit Park Facility Fee Waiver Request to be included as an Action Item at the November 10, 2015 Town Board meeting. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Verbal Updates and Committee Questions - o Director Chilcott did not provide any follow up on the Budget meetings, o Planner Gonzales informed the Committee of the upcoming pre-application meeting with Safeway for an 11,000 square foot remodel in the spring of 2016. o Director Chilcott stated a press release would be issued within the next few days to invite the public and stakeholders to comment on the proposed Planning and Building fee schedule revisions. After comment has been collected, the item would come to a Town Board Study Session, o Planner Kurtz updated the Committee on the information obtained from FEMA regarding flood insurance rate changes that could affect downtown businesses. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) continues to attempt to achieve self-sufficiency, but is currently insolvent. Flood insurance RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - October 22, 2015 - Page 2 rates are adjusted annually and downtown properties are currently in Zone X. These properties would remain zoned as such until new Floodplain Maps are adopted within the next five to seven years. New maps could identify properties within the 100 year flood plain whose rates would rise dramatically if mitigation does not occur. Kurtz provided an example of a business downtown which recently purchased flood insurance at a cost of $2,000 annually. Variables were described which demonstrated potential increases from $7,000 up to excess of $10,000. Kurtz emphasized mitigation completed by individuals and the Town could make an impact on future insurance rates. The Committee requested staff make every attempt to inform the community of the requirements to be grandfathered within the NFIP, the potential increases in rates and steps that can be taken to reduce future costs, o Planner Kleisler provided the timeline of events to occur to complete the proposed changes regarding vacation home rentals within the Estes Valley. The Town Board would meet with Larimer County Commissioners on November 9, 2015 to review the proposed changes and draft ordinance. Depending on the direction given to staff at that meeting, the changes would either proceed to the November Planning Commission meeting and the December Town Board meeting with adoption in early 2016 or be sent back to staff for further revisions. A substantial amount of public comment has been received regarding the proposed changes through several public meetings and email correspondence which helped shape the revisions. The fee schedule would be reviewed on a different schedule due to the invoicing to be completed prior to the end of 2015. o Director Chilcott provided an update on the status of the Downtown Neighborhood Plan. Staff continues to meet daily with Logan Simpson to review expectations, attempt to get a contract in executed within a month, and to have a clear document upon delivery. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Shuttle Report - Coordinator Wells stated shuttle service has concluded for the year. The shuttles have shown increased usage over 2015, but ridership from the Fairgrounds has been minimal. A change in route was instituted at the West Park Center and people took advantage of this. The Committee continues to express interest in offering shuttles year round and exploring financing options to achieve this goal. • Museum Quarterly Report - Director Fortini presented the highlights from the third quarter. Kurtis Kelly portrayed F.O. Stanley at the Hydroplant which increased attendance at the location and demonstrated the possibilities of use in the future as a unique venue for special programs. The Climb On! and Gripped Exhibits closed in October and were replaced with new artwork by Alfred Wands, which was purchased by the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. Curator of Collections Gerakios-Mucci recently gave a presentation at Colorado State University on being a museum professional. Building rapport with the University increases the possibility of taking on internships to expose students to professional experiences and accomplishing museum projects. • New Museum Vision and Mission Statement - Director Fortini discussed the proposed changes to the Museum’s vision and mission statements. The new statements would improve the ability to creatively achieve the concepts captured in the statements, are much more succinct and place the uniqueness of Este Park’s history on the forefront. The Committee supported the changes to the vision and mission statements. • Event Report - Coordinator Jacobson provided overviews of Elk Fest and Pumpkins and Pilsners. Both events saw successes in participation and expansion of activities. The Rut Run had 219 runners/walkers, which was significant for a first year event. Families for Estes sold out of all pumpkins, mugs and cups during Pumpkins and RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - October 22, 2015 - Page 3 Pilsners and would share the final fundraising amount as soon as it is available. The Committee questioned the sustainability of the events. Coordinator Jacobson stated she encourages the event committees to provide new activities each year to expand on the audience. Elizabeth Fogarty, CEO of Visit Estes Park, stated events continue to be promoted to Turner PR, but have not been picked up due to a lack of new events. Fogarty went on to discuss the role of Visit Estes Park as a destination marketing organization, not an event promoter. Jacobson updated the Committee on the change of location of the CAST meeting and Performance Park attendance. • Visitor Services Quarterly Report - Manager Salerno informed the Committee the Visitor Center experienced the busiest third quarter since 2006 due to high visitation in September. Sales have also increased and surpassed the 2015 budget by $1,736. The Ambassadors have adjusted their schedules to accommodate the Increased traffic extending into the fall. The Committee inquired about the completion of the restroom remodel. Salerno stated the renovations are anticipated to begin in November. • Verbal Updates and Committee Questions - Assistant Town Administrator Machalek followed up on the Budget Meetings and Capital Projects status by stating a meeting would take place with the Este Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc. to discuss the new facility. Machalek stated Facilities Manager Landkamer would continue to ensure the structural timbers of the Visitor Center remain sound. There being no further business. Trustee Ericson adjourned the meeting at 9:33 a.m. Barbara Jo Limmisffis, Recording Secretary APPROVED NOV 1 0 2015 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES