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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board 2009-04-14Prepared4/3/09*RevisedTIOWNoFESTESPARIçTheMissionoftheTownofEstesParkistoplanandprovidereliable,high-valueservicesforourcitizens,visitors,andemployees.Wetakegreatprideensuringandenhancingthequalityoflifeinourcommunitybybeinggoodstewardsofpublicresourcesandnaturalsetting.BOARDOFTRUSTEES-TOWNOFESTESPARKTuesday,April14,20097:00p.m.AGENDAPLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE.(Anypersondesiringtoparticipate,pleasejointheBoardinthePledgeofAllegiance).PUBLICCOMMENT.(Pleasestateyournameandaddress).TOWNBOARDCOMMENTS.CONSENTAGENDA:1.TownBoardMeetingMinutesdatedMarch24,2009andTownBoardStudySessiondatedMarch24,2009.2.Bills.3.CommitteeMinutes:A.PublicSafety,March19,2009.B.CommunityDevelopment,April2,2009.4.Resolution#08-09—SchedulepublichearingdateofApril28,2009forNewBeer&WineLiquorLicenseApplicationfiledbyElkMeadowRVEssentialGroup,LLCdbaELKMEADOWLODGE&RVRESORT,1665Hwy.66.2.ACTIONITEMS:1.RE-APPOINTMENT—ESTESPARKHOUSINGAUTHORITY.MayorProTemLevine.a.KarlaPorter,5-yearterm,expiring4/14/14.2.RESOLUTION#09-09—APPROVALOFCDOTTRANSPORTATIONENHANCEMENTCONTRACT.Director.Zurn.3.TOWNADMINISTRATORREPORT.4.ADJOURN.NOTE:TheTownBoardreservestherighttoconsiderotherappropriateitemsnotavailableatthetimetheagendawasprepared. JackieWilliamsonFrom:EPAdministration[ir3045@estes.org]Sent:Wednesday,April08,20095:05PMTo:JackieWilliamsonSubject:JobDoneNotice(Send)***JobDoneNotice(Send)JOBNO.1408ST.TIME04/0816:58PGS.1SENDDOCUMENTNAMETX/RXINCOMPLETETRANSACTIONOK6672527GregWhite5869561KEPL5869532TrailGazette5861691Channel86353677ReporterHerald2247899Coloradoan5771590EPNewsERROR1 TownBoardMeeting,April14,2009(#23)Goodevening,AtourlastmeetingIdescribedthereligiouslymotivatedwaythat‘underGod’wasaddedtothePledgeandhowthegovernmentnowsaysthatthewordGodinthePledgehasnoreligiousmeaning;whichmakesanyreligiouspersonrecitingthePledge,ahypocriteorablasphemer.Whywouldyousitpassivelybyandletyourfederalgovernmentputyouinsuchanuntenablepositionwhenallyouhavetodoissayno?Atthesigningofthe‘underGod’bill,evenPresidentEisenhoweragreedthatitwasaChristianGodwewereacknowledgingandbecauseofthetimes,noonedaredsayotherwise.ThosewhowereexcludedbythenewPledgebegantochallengeitsunconstitutionalroleinpromotingreligion,andbecausetheirargumenthadmerit,ourfederaljudiciaryhasrewrittenhistorytosaythatthewords‘underGod’werereallyaddedasanhistoricalreferenceonlyandhavenoreligiousmeaning.Forthattobetrue,youwouldhavetoconcludethattheword‘God’inthePledgehasauniversalgenericmeaninganddoesnotreferenceanyparticularreligion.Inotherwordsthe‘God’yousayweareundercouldbetheGodoftheBible,Allah,JosephSmith’sGodofthegoldenplates,theJewishGodwhohasnoson,themanygodsofBuddhaandHinduism,Ra,Zeus,andeventhedevilifyouareadevilworshiper.Everytimeyousay‘underGod’,youhavegivencredibilityandrespecttoeveryTom,DickandHarryofagodincludingyourown,andifIreadExoduscorrectly,yoursisajealousgodwhowillmakedeathveryunpleasantforanyoneblaspheminghimbyservinganother.Jehovah’sWitnessesunderstandthisconceptverywell,whichiswhytheyrefusetorecitethePledge.“But,”yousay,“regardlessofhowthegovernmentexplainsit,inmyheartIamonlyacknowledgingtheonetrueChristiangodandeveryoneknowsit,”whichmakesyouahypocrite,justasJesusdescribestheblasphemousPhariseesinthebookofMatthew.Thesewordsaretrue,theresearchissolid,thelogicissound,andtheconclusionshaveexposedthecorneryouhavebeenpaintedintobyyourowngovernment,ifyoucontinuewiththeirflawedritual,youriskyoureternaldamnationandthoseyoucoerceintojoiningyouifyoustoprecitingthePledge,youriskrecall.Whenyoufinallydecidetostoprecitingthe‘underGod’Pledgeatourmeetings,youwillbeagreeingwithwhatyouknowistrue,andthatthithwfflindeedsetusallfree.Thankyon,DavidHabecker TownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado,March24,2009MinutesofaRegularmeetingoftheBoardofTrusteesoftheTownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado.MeetingheldintheTownHallinsaidTownofEstesParkonthe24thdayofMarch,2009.MeetingcalledtoorderbyMayorProTernLevine.Present:MayorProTernChuckLevineTrusteesEricBlackhurstDoriaEisenlauerJohnEricsonRichardHomeierJerryMillerAlsoPresent:GregWhite,TownAttorneyJacquieHalburnt,TownAdministratorLowellRichardson,DeputyTownAdministratorJackieWilliamson,TownClerkAbsent:WilliamC.Pinkham,MayorMayorProTernLevinecalledthemeetingtoorderat7:00p.m.andalldesinngtodoso,recitedthePledgeofAllegiance.FINANCIALREPORTINGAWARD.FinanceOfficerMcFarlandpresentedtheBoardwiththeCertificateofAchievementforExcellenceinFinancialReportingfortheComprehensiveAnnualFinancialReportforthefiscalyearendingonDecember31,2007.GRADUATIONCEREMONY:2009CITIZENSINFORMATIONACADEMY(CIA).MayorProTernLevine,MuseumDirectorKilsdonkandTownAdministratorHalburnt-PresentParticipationCertificatesandTownofEstesParkhatstothefollowingclassmembers:DwayneBallardSallieBaughPatBlumeBarbaraBoyerBuckBruceCairnsMartiDeYoungBeckyElrodMarkElrodRobertErnstWayneGroomeCoryLaBiancaSandyLindquistRonNorrisSandyOstermanLarryPurdyMichaelRichardsonBarbaraSellersDonSellersCarolSmithPeteSmithScottThompsonKarenThompsonDougWarnerMayorProTemLevinedeclareda10-minuterecesswhereapublicreceptionwasheldimmediatelyfollowingthegraduationceremony.MayorProTernLevinereconvenedthemeetingat7:25p.m.AdministratorHalburntthankedDir.KilsdonkforhereffortsinconductingtheCIAthisyear.PUBLICCOMMENT.LouLareklrownCitizenrequestedtheTownaddressthetrafficissuesonStreetwithbarricades,noparkingsignsonbothsidesofthestreetandasecuritylightonthenearbytelephonepole.TownAdministratorHalburntstatedPoliceChiefKufeldandDirectorZurnwillmeetwithMr.Larektodiscusstheissue.DavidHabeckerrrownCitizenrequestedtheTownBoardrefrainfromrecitingthe‘underGod’PledgeofAllegianceatBoardmeetings. BoardofTrustees—March24,2009—Page2PatrickCipolla/TownCitizenexpressedconcernwiththebuildingcoderegulationsthatallowbuildinginspectorstoinspectanentirehomewhenapermitwasonlyissuedforthereplacementofaboiler.TheTown’sChiefBuildingInspectorwroteacorrectionnoticeforthelackofsmokedetectorsinthehouse.Hequestionedwhetherthispracticeislegal.TOWNBOARDCOMMENTS.None.1.CONSENTAGENDA:1.TownBoardMeetingMinutesdatedMarch10,2009andTownBoardStudySessiondatedMarch10,2009.2.Bills.3.CommitteeMinutes:A.CommunityDevelopment,March5,2009:1.Tn-StateFireworks,$30,000—Budgeted.2.PartyTimeRentalInc.,$17,933.50—Budgeted.3.SpecialEventPolicyManualUpdate—StanleyFairgroundParkingFees.4.SpecialEventPolicyManualUpdate—BondParkUsageFees&VendorFees.5.2009RooftopRodeoCommitteeSpringAppointments.6.McDonaldTransitAssociates,2009ShuttleContract-$180,509—Budgeted.B.Utilities,March12,2009:1.HDREngineering,CorrosionControlReport,$6,771.4.EstesValleyPlanningCommissionMinutesFebruary17,2009(acknowledgementonly).5.EstesParkUrbanRenewalAuthority,February18,2009(acknowledgementonly).Itwasmovedandseconded(BlackhursUMiller)toapprovetheconsentagenda,anditpassedunanimously.2.ACTIONITEMS:1.APPOINTMENTTOTREEBOARD.DirectorZurnreviewedtheapplicationandinterviewprocesstheTreeBoardinitiatedtofillavacancyontheboard.TheTreeBoardrecommendsJ.RexPoggenpohltocompletethetermofSueDoylenexpiringon3/31/12.Itwasmovedandseconded(Miller/Blackhurst)toapprovetheappointmentof].RexPoggenpohltotheTreeBoardasoutlinedabove,anditpassedunanimously.2.CONTRACTAWARDFOROFFICEREMODEL.AdministratorHalburntstatedtheremodelwouldcloseofthesouthwestentrancetoTownHalltocreateanewofficeforthePublicInformationOfficerbymovingEPURAintothisnewlycreatedoffice.Thisentrancewasslatedtobeclosedinthe2002TownHallmasterplaninanefforttoaddressbuildingsecurity.TheprojectwassenttolocalcontractorandbidswerereceivedwithThreePeaksConstructionsubmittingthelowbidof$15,521.66. BoardofTrustees—March24,2009—Page3TownBoarddiscussionfollowed:questionediftherearealternativeswithinthebuildingforanadditionaloffice,thehistoricaccesstothebuildingshouldnotbeclosed,theaccessprovideshandicapaccess,andotheroptionsneedtobereviewedsuchasmovingEPURAtoanewlocationasitisnotaTowndepartment.Itwasmovedandseconded(Homeier/Eisenlauer)todefertheofficeremodeldiscussiontothenextregularlyscheduledmeeting,anditpassedunanimously.AdministratorHalburntsuggestedtheBoarddevelopapolicyforbuildingaccessandsecurity.3.RESOLUTION#06-09,SURPRISESIDEWALKSALE.DirectorPickeringstatedtheCommunityDeveloFmentCommitteerecommendedapprovaloftheResolutionfortheApril18hlandl9”SurpriseSidewalkSaleattheMarch5thmeeting.TheCommitteedidraiseconcernwithpolicingtheregulationscontainedintheResolutionandrequestedCodeEnforcementOfficerHartworkwiththeDowntownMerchantAssociationtoimprovecomplianceduringthesale.Itwasmovedandseconded(BlackhursUMiller)Resolution#06-09beadopted,anditpassedunanimously.4.RESOLUTION#07-09—SUPPORTFORFIRESERVICEPLAN.InitiativeCommitteeChairTomAndersonstatedtheCommitteehascompletedtheServicePlanandfileditwiththeCountyPlanningDepartmentforreview.Oncereviewed,theCountyCommissionerswouldholdaformalpublichearinginMayorJuneforapprovaloftheplan.TheCommitteerequeststheBoardconsideraResolutionsupportingtheproposedFireServicesPlan.Itwasmovedandseconded(Eisenlauer/Ericson)thatResolution#07-09beadopted,anditpassedunanimously.TheBoardthankedtheInitiativesCommitteefortheirworkontheissue.5.ORDINANCE#02-09—AMENDINGSECTIONS5.20OFTHEMUNICIPALCODEPERTAININGTOLICENSINGOFCOMMUNITYSPECIALEVENTVENDORS.TownClerkWilliamsonstatedtheCommunityDevelopmentCommitteereviewedanOrdinancetodeletefromtheMunicipalCodetherequirementforcommunityspecialeventvendorlicensing,communityspecialeventcoordinatorlicensingandaddalicensingexemptionforbusinessesrentingtownownedfacilities.ThefeeswouldstillbecollectedthroughtherentalfeeprocessestablishedintheSpecialEventPolicyManualapprovedintheConsentAgenda.TownAttorneyWhitereadtheOrdinanceintotherecord.Itwasmovedandseconded(MilIer/Homeier)thatOrdinance#02-09beadopted,anditpassedunanimously.6.TOWNMISSIONANDVISIONSTATEMENTS.AdministratorHalburntstatedatarecentTownBoardretreatandasecondfinalgoalsettingworksession,theBoardcompletedtheprocessofredefiningtheTown’sMissionandVisionstatements.MissionStatementTheMissionoftheTownofEstesParkistoprovidereliable,high-valueservicesforthebenefitofourcitizens,visitors,andemployees,whilebeinggoodstewardsofpublicresourcesandournaturalsetting.VisionStatementTheTownofEstesParkwillenhanceourpositionasapremiermountainresortcommunity. BoardofTrustees—March24,2009—Page4ItwasmovedandsecondedfBlackhursUEricson)toapprovethenewMissionandVisionstatementoutlinedabove,anditpassedunanimously.7.TOWNADMINISTRATORREPORT.None.8.REQUESTTOENTEREXECUTIVESESSION:Itwasmovedandseconded(Eisenlauer/Blackhurst)theTownBoardenterintoExecutiveSessionforthepurposesofdeterminingpositionsrelativetonegotiationsunderC.R.S.Section24-6-402(4)(e)withregardtotheMary’sLakeWaterTreatmentPlanandaconferencewithTownAttorneyWhitetoreceivelegaladviceunderC.R.S.Section24-6-402(4)(b)withregardtoEPURA,anditpassedunanimously.MayorProTemLevinecalleda10-minutebreakat8:27p.m.priortoenteringintoExecutiveSession.MayorProTemLevinereconvenedthemeetingat9:35p.m.fromExecutiveSessionwhereuponheadjournedthemeetingat9:35p.m.ChuckLevine,MayorProTemJackieWilliamson,TownClerk RECORDOFPROCEEDINGSTownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado,March24,2009MinutesofaRegularmeetingoftheTOWNBOARDSTUDYSESSIONoftheTownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado.MeetingheldatTownHallinRoom130insaidTownofEstesParkonthe24thdayofMarch,2009.Board:MayorPinkham,MayorProTernLevine,TrusteesBlackhurst,Eisenlauer,Ericson,HomeierandMillerAttending:MayorProTernLevine,TrusteesBlackhurst,Eisenlauer,Ericson,HomeierandMillerAlsoAttending:TownAdministratorHalburnt,DeputyTownAdrninistratorRichardson,DirectorsKilsdonk,Zurn,Pickering,Goehring,Mgr.Winslow,TownAttorneyWhiteandTownClerkWilliamsonAbsent:MayorPinkhamMayorProTernLevinecalledthemeetingtoorderat5:00p.m.SUPPORTEROFTHEPERFORMINGARTS(SOPA)MEMORANDUMOFUNDERSTANDING(MOU)TrusteeEisenlauerreportedSOPAhasrequestedtheTownBoardconsiderupdatingtheMOUbetweentheTownandSOPAfortheperformingartstheater.TheyarerequestingthereferencestothesaleofLot4,StanleyHistoricDistrictberemovedandtheTowncontinuetheircommitmenttofundsitepreparations.ThisfundingwoulddemonstratetopotentialgrantsthattheTownisbehindtheeffortbyprovidingnecessaryfunding.AdministratorHalburntstatedtheTownsetaside$217,000in2009forpotentialsitepreparationswhichequatestothesubsidytheTownpreviouslycommittedtoforoperationandmaintenanceofthetheateroncebuilt.DiscussionfollowedamongsttheBoard:theBoardagreedwiththerequestedrevisions,questionedifaspecificdollaramountforsitepreparationshouldberemovedfromtheMOU,andhowwouldtheTownfundthesitepreparationifSOPAobtainedthenecessaryfundstobuildthetheaterimmediately.AdministratorHalburntstatedfundingcouldcomefromfundbalanceifSOPAraisedenoughfundstobuildthetheater.TheBoardagreedtorevisetheMOUandprovidesitepreparationifSOPAcanraisethenecessaryfundstobuildthetheater.BUSINESSLICENSINGTrusteeEricsonproposedtheTownBoardexaminewaystohelpthedowntownbusinessesandsuggestedtheduedatefortheannualbusinesslicensebeextendedbeyondtheMarch31s1duedate.HealsosuggestedagroupofTownemployeesandbusinessownerscouldmeettodiscussadditionalideassuchasasalestaxfreeday.ItwasproposedbymembersoftheBoardthatstaffmeetwiththeDowntownMerchantAssociationtodiscusspotentialideas.HISTORICPROPERTYPRESERVATIONINCOMETAXCREDITTrusteeMillerreviewedtheprogramthatprovidesStateincometaxcreditof20%forqualifiedrehabilitationcostsuptoamaximumof$50,000forqualifyingpropertiesthatareatleast50yearsold,ontheStateregisterofhistoricplaces,ordesignatedasalandmarkbyacertifiedlocalgovernment.HestatedtheprogramcouldencouragedowntownpropertyownerstoupgradetheirbuildingatlittlecosttotheTown.However,theTownofEstesParkisnotaCertifiedLocalGovernment(CGL),andtherefore,would RECORDOFPROCEEDINGSTownBoardStudySession—March24,2009—Page2havetobecomeaCGLandestablishaHistoricPreservationCommission.AttorneyWhitestatedothercommunitiesthatestablishedhistoricdesignationshavefoundtheissuetobecontentiousattimeandtherearenolocalcontrolsonthestandardssetbytheState.DiscussionfollowedonthecosttotheTown,needforadditionalstaffmember,theprosandcons,andthelevelofinterestinthecommunity.Staffwillcontinuetoinvestigatetheissue.COMMUNITYDEVELOPMENTCOMMITTEEREPORTSMayorProTernLevinestatedstaffhasproposedCommunityDevelopmentCommitteereportsshouldbepreparedquarterlyandsenttoalltheTrusteesratherthanmonthlypresentationstotheCommittee.TheCommitteememberscommentedthereportsprovideanopportunityforthestafftoberecognizedfortheirworkandforthecitizenstoreceiveinformation.TheCommitteememberssuggestedthereportsbepresentedorallyonaquarterlybasisandrotatemonthlybydepartment.ThereportsshouldalsobesentouttoallTrustees.FAIRGROUNDSTrusteeEricsonexpressedconcernthatallnewdevelopmentattheStanleyfairgroundsshouldhaveaconsistentaesthetic.AdministratorHalburntstatedstaffsuggestsasetofspecificdesignguidelinesbeestablishedforthefairgrounds.TrusteeBlackhurstsuggestedstaffinvolveEPURAinthediscussionastheybegindesigningthenewgrandstands.Afterfurtherdiscussion,theBoardagreedasetofStanleyParkFairgroundDesignGuidelinesshouldbeestablishedforallbuildingsincollaborationwithSOPAandEPURA.StaffpresentedtheTrusteeswithalistofprogramideas,greenmeasuresandaproposedscheduleforcompletionofthemulti-purposeeventcenter.TheBoardapprovedoftheprogramideas.Staffsuggestedlocalpreferenceshouldbegiventogeneralcontractorthatarewithin3%ofthelowbidandtocontractorsthatutilizeatleast25%ofthebudgetonlocalcontractorswithinthevalleynottheelectricservicearea.Discussionfollowedonwhatpercentageoflocalcontractorwouldbeacceptableandstillencouragecompetitivebidding.TheBoardagreedthepercentageshouldbemuchhigherandsuggestedselectionpreferencebegiventothosebidsthatuseahigherpercentageoflocaltalent.Therebeingnofurtherbusiness,MayorProTernLevineadjournedthemeetingat6:40p.m.JackieWilliamson,TownClerk RECORDOFPROCEEDINGSTownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado,March19,2009MinutesofaRegularMeetingofthePUBLICSAFETYCOMMITTEEoftheTownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado.MeetingheldintheTownHallinsaidTownofEstesParkonthe19thdayofMarch,2009.Committee:ChairEisenlauer,TrusteesEricsonandHomeierAttending:AllAlsoAttending:TownAdministratorHalburnt,ChiefKufeld,ChiefDorman,RecordingSecretaryPetrieAbsent:DeputyTownAdministratorRichardsonChairEisenlauercalledthemeetingtoorderat8:00PUBLICCOMMENT.NonePOLICEDEPARTMENT.REPORTS.1.NeighborhoodPortfolioExcise—OfficerCalebRobertsonprovidedapresentationonyouthgangsandpresentedanoverviewofthreegangsinparticular:theNorteno,SurenosandLatinKings.WhiletherearenoactivegangswithintheTownofEstesPark,theEstesParkPoliceDepartmenthasinvestigatedincidencesofgraffitiandothercrimescommittedbyindividualsclaimingmembershiptotheabovementionedgangs.Thepolicedepartmenthasbeenveryproactiveinidentifyingandrecordingtheseindividuals,andgettingtheminvolvedwiththeRestorativeJusticeprogramtodeteranyfuturegang-relatedactivity.TheCommitteerecommendedthatOfficerRobertsonandthepolicedepartmentputtogetheraneducationalprogramforschoolsandotherserviceorganizationstoteachthemhowtorecognizetheearlysignsofganginvolvementandhowtoaddresstheissue.ChiefKufeldagreedandstatedinformationalpresentationswouldbescheduled.FIREDEPARTMENT.REPORTS.1.2008AssistancetoFirefightersGrant—ChiefDormanstatedtheFireDepartmentreceivedaFEMAgrantfor$14,000topurchaseofawasher/extractoranddryingcabinetforfirefighters’turnoutgear.Thegrantisa95/5matchinggrantwith5%fundedbytheVolunteerFirefighter.StaffissuedaRFPtocommercialsuppliersandthenewequipmentshouldbeoperationalbythefirstofMay.TheEPVFDhasreceivedgrantsfromtheprograminpastyears,includinga2002wellnessandfitnessgrant;a2003grantforawildlandfireengine;andagrantin2004foramobilelivefiretrainingtrailer.2.FireOfficerOn-CallProgram—TheFireChiefhasbeentheprimarycontactforallweekendissuesrelatedtofireprotectionintheTownofEstesPark(i.e.smokedetectoralarms;citizenconcernsfromdispatch).Inanefforttobalancetheresponsibilities,aweekend“on-call”programhasbeenestablished.There RECORDOFPROCEEDINGSPublicSafetyCommittee—March19,2009—Page2arecurrentlytenfireofficers,includingtheChief.Theofficerswillrotateweekendstohandlefire-relatedissuesfrom6:00p.m.Fridayto6:00a.m.Monday.MISCELLANEOUSAdministratorHalburntbroughtforthasecondcomplaintfiledbyacountyresidentregardinga$1000billreceivedafterfirepersonnelinvestigatedareportofsmokeattheirresidence.Thehomeownerdidnotpaythe$130optionalfeeandclaimsanoticewasnotreceivedforeither2008or2009.Townrecordsshowanoticewassenttohercorrectaddress.Therebeingnofurtherbusiness,ChairEisenlaueradjournedthemeetingat8:43a.m.SandraPetrie,RecordingSecretary RECORDOFPROCEEDINGSTownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado,April2,2009MinutesofaRegularmeetingoftheCOMMUNITYDEVELOPMENTCOMMITTEEoftheTownofEstesPark,LarimerCounty,Colorado.MeetingheldinTownHallinsaidTownofEstesParkonthe2dayofApril2009.Committee:ChairLevine,TrusteesEisenlauerandMillerAttending:ChairLevine,TrusteesEisenlauerandMillerAlsoAttending:DeputyTownAdministratorRichardson,DirectorsPickering,Kilsdonk,JosephandMarsh;ManagerMitchell,andDeputyClerkDeatsAbsent:TownAdministratorHalburntChairLevinecalledthemeetingtoorderat8:00am.I’PUBLICCOMMENT.PaulFishman,Townresidentandownerofl4ersCafé,notedthatthepublicrestroomslocatedintheDairyQueenparkinglotandonMoraineAvenueremainclosed,andsaidweekendvisitorsarebeinginconvenienced.Mr.Fishmanreadfromanarticlewrittenin1949thatrequestedemployeesandshopownerstoparkoutsideofthemaindowntownbusinessdistrictinordertofreeupparkingforvisitors,andpointedoutthatthesesameparkingproblemsstillexisttoday.CONVENTION&2øPBUREAU’Reportsprovidedforinformationalpurposesandmadeapartoftheproceedings.•MarketingCommittee•VisitorsServicesDir.MarshreportedthattheCVBhasinitiatedtwopromotionalprograms(televisionadvertisingonChannels4and9andtheColorado.come-newsletter)designedtostimulatelodgingbookingsforthesummerseason.TheCommitteewasencouragedbytheVisitorsServicesReportthatreflecteda30%increaseinvisitortrafficoverfirstquarter2008.MUSEUMISENIORCENTERSERVICESDEPARTMENT.O’CONNORPAVILIONFEEWAIVERREQUEST.DuringtheMarch2009CommunityDevelopmentCommitteemeeting,localresidentSteveLaingrequestedawaiveroftheusagefeefortheO’ConnorPicnicPavilionforareunionoftheEstesParkHighSchoolClassof1979,scheduledtobeheldonAugust8,2009.SubsequenttotherequestandatthedirectionofTownAdministratorHalburnt,staffresearchedinformationrelatedtowaiversoftherentalfeeforuseofthissite.TheTownofEstesParkfacilityrentalpolicyrequiresalllesseespay$225anda$100refundablesecuritydepositforuseofthepavilion.Thefeewasestablishedtocovermaintenancesuchasbathroomcleaning,trashremoval,andnormalwearandtearonthefacility.Overtheyears,avarietyofeventshavebeenheldatthesite,includingclassreunions,withnowaivershavingbeengrantedtoanyofthepublicorprivategroupshostingtheevents.TheCommitteediscussedtheissueandcametoaconsensusthat,basedonpolicyand RECORDOFPROCEEDINGSCommunityDevelopment—April2,2009—Page2pastusageofthefacility,afeewaiverisnotjustifiedatthistime;statingthepolicymustbeuniformlyapplied.TheCommitteerecommendsthedenialoftherequestforafeewaiverforuseoftheO’ConnorPicnicPavilionmadebytheEstesParkHighSchoolClassof1979.REPORTS.Reportsprovidedforinformationalpurposesandmadeapartoftheproceedings.•MuseumMonthlyReport•SeniorCenterMonthlyReportTheCommitteenotedthatvisitationattheMuseumandtheSeniorCenterisup,andthatthefirst“CoffeeChatwiththeMayor”attractedapproximately19people,includingstaff.COMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT.TEMPORARYBANNERS—DISCUSSION.Subsequenttolastmonth’smeeting,staffwasdirectedtoresearcharevisiontotheexistingsigncoderelatedtobanners.Thecurrentcodeprohibitsbannersofanykind.Staffresearchedavarietyofcommunitiesandfoundthatsomemunicipalitiesallowbannersasapermittedtemporarycommercialsignwithregulationsrelatedtothesizeofthebannerandthelengthoftimethebannercanbedisplayed.Dir.JosephstatedthatiftheCommitteeintendstopursuesigncodemodificationstoallowbanners,staffwillprepareadraftofproposedrevisionsforreviewbytheCommitteeandtheTownBoard.Afterdiscussionofprovisionsrelatedtobannerpermitfees,bannersize,allowableeventdurationandnumberofeventsperyear,theCommitteeconcludedthatadditionalinformationisrequiredinordertomoveforwardwithasigncoderevision.DeputyTownAdministratorRichardsonstatedthatDir.JosephwillputtogetherataskforcetogatherpublicinputanddraftsigncoderevisionstobebroughtbeforetheCommitteeinJuneorJuly.TheCommitteewillpostponemovingforwardwithatemporarysigncoderevisioninanticipationofthetaskforce’sfindingsandsubsequentrecommendationREPORTS.4Reportsprovidedforinformationalpurposesandmadeapartoftheproceedings.•CommunityDevelopmentFinancial•MonthlyBuildingPermitSummary•SmokeAlarmComplaint(Cipolla)Dir.Josephstatedthatheexpectstoseeadecreaseinpermitsfornew,singlefamilyhomesduring2009.fInresponsetoacomplaintfiledbyPatrickCipollaconcerningtheinspectionofhishomeforsmokealarms,Dir.JosephandChiefBuildingOfficial(CBO)Birchfieldsummarizedthehistoryrelatedtotheadoptionofthesectionofthebuildingcodethataddressessmokealarms.Hestatedthatduringthecodeadoptionprocess,inputissolicitedfromthecommunity,contractors,designers,andotherstakeholdersinordertoaddresslocalconcerns;andthatprovisionsaddressingtheretroactiveinstallationofsmokealarmshavebeenpresentinthebuildingcodesince1979.Hestatedthatduringthe2005codeadoptionprocess,theTownBoardwasaskedforspecificguidancerelatedtolocalamendmentstotheInternationalBuildingCode(IBC)whichrequiretheretroactiveinstallationofsmokealarmswithvirtuallyanyinteriorworkpermitregardlessofthedollaramountofthepermit,andrequiringtheuseoflithiumbatteriesinthealarms.CBOBirchfieldstatedthatthebuildingdepartmenthasbeenconsistentlyandfairlyadministeringthissectionofthecodesinceitsadoption.Hestatedthatretrofittedsmokealarmsarenotrequiredtobehardwiredunlesswiringisasignificantpartoftheprojectandsaidthatnoticeofthesmokealarmrequirementisprintedonthepermitapplication.CBOBirchfieldstatedthatthebuildinginspectorsmakeeveryeffortto RECORDOFPROCEEDINGSCommunityDevelopment—April2,2009—Page3respectthehomeowner’sprivacyandnotintrudeanymorethannecessaryandsaidthatMr.Cipolla’scontractormaynothavemadehimawareoftheinspectionrequirement.DeputyTownAdministratorRichardsonstatedthatMr.Cipollaconsideredtheinspectionaninfringementonhisrightsandthatalegalopiniononthisissuehasbeenrequested.ADMINISTRATION.REPORTS.Follow-UptoSignCode/BannerComplaint(Steadman)Ms.Steadmanstatedthatsincelastmonth’sCommunityDevelopmentmeetingshehasmetwithDeputyTownAdministratorRichardsonandCBOBirchfleldtogainabetterunderstandingofthesigncode.Shevoiceddiscontentwiththecode’sinconsistenciesrelatedtointerpretationandenforcement,andwashopefulthattheseissueswillbeaddressedbythetaskforce.Therebeingnofurtherbusiness,ChairLevineadjournedthemeetingat9:05am.CynthiaDeats,DeputyTownClerk RESOLUTION#08-09BEITRESOLVEDBYTHEBOARDOFTRUSTEESOFTHETOWNOFESTESPARK,COLORADO:ThatthefilingdateoftheapplicationforaNewBEER&WINELiquorLicense,filedby,ElkMeadowRVEssentialGourp[[CdbaELKMEADOWLODGE&RVRESORT,1665Hwy66,EstesPark,Colorado,isFebruary12,2009.ItisherebyorderedthatapublichearingonsaidapplicationshallbeheldintheBoardRoomoftheTownHall,170MacGregorAvenue,onTuesday,April28,2009at7:00P.M.,andthattheneighborhoodboundariesforthepurposeofsaidapplicationandhearingshallbetheareaincludedwithinaradiusof4.7miles,asmeasuredfromthecenteroftheapplicant’sproperty.DATEDthis_______dayof_______________________,2009.TOWNOFESTESPARKMayorATTEST:TownClerk EstesParkHmisirigAtithcrityMarch20,2009HonorableMayorBillPinkhamTownofEstesPark.P.O.Box1200EstesPark,CO80517DearMayorPinkham:ItiswithgreatpleasurethattheBoardofCommissionersfortheEstesParkHousingAuthorityrecommendsextendingMs.KarlaPorter’spositionontheBoardforanother5yearterm.Ms.Porter’stermexpiresonApril24,2009.IfapprovedbytheBoardofTrusteesthis5yearextensionwillhavehertermexpiringonApril24th,2014.WerespectfullyrequesttheBoardofTrusteesacceptourrecommendation.TheEPHAcommissionersareexcitedaboutKarla’spendingappointmentandareconfidentthathercommitmenttoourboardandtoaffordablehousingwillbothcomplimentandmirrorthatoftheTrustees.Karlabringsnotonlyapassionandenergytoourboard,butalsoaninvaluabletechnicalexpertiseandweareanxioustohavethisrecommendationapproved.Shouldyouhaveanyquestionsorconcernsonthismatter,pleasedonothesitatetocall.Scerely,aKaExecutiveDirectorEstesParkHousingAuthoritya170MacGregorAvenue,P0.Box1200•EstesPark,CO80517•(970)577-3730•Fax(970)586-0249 TownofEstesParkPublicWorksEngineeringRoom100,TownHallP.O.Box1200,EstesPark,CO80517970-577-3586,qsieverstestes.orgMemoTo:BoardofTrustees,andMayorPinkhamFrom:ScottZumP.E.DirectorofPublicWorksDate:April9,2009Re:ResolutiontoenterintoanagreementwithC.D.O.T.forroadsideenhancementfundingBackground:StaffwassuccessfulinobtainingroadwayenhancementfundingthroughtheUpperFrontRangeRegionalTransportationareacommittee.ThisisoneoffifteenTransportationPlanningRegionsintheState.TheTownisrepresentedinthisTPRwhichinfluencesCDOT’spoliciesregardingstatetransportationissues..ThesefundswereawardedspecificallyforenhancementofMoraineAvebetweenElkhornAve.andRockwellSt.Thesefundscanbeutilizedforbeatificationandpedestrianimprovements.Thegrantisintheamountof$200,000.BudgetICost:the2009budgetcontains$50,000intheGeneralFund,forthisworkasalocalagencymatch.(page77,acct#101-2400-424-22-02)Recommendation:StaffrequeststhattheTownResolvetoEnterintoanagreementwiththeCDOTtoSecureTransportationEnhancementFundingfor$200,000.•Page1 RESOLUTION#09-09WHEREAS,theTownofEstesParkandtheStateofColoradothroughtheColoradoDepartmentofTransportationnegotiatedaTransportationEnhancementContractforthepurposeofprovidingfundsfromtheState,whichalongwithTownfunds,willbeusedforthedesignandconstructionofpedestrianandaestheticimprovementsontheeastsideofMoraineAvenuetoRockwell(the“Project”);andWHEREAS,thetermsandconditionsoftheProjectrequiretheTownapprovetheContractandauthorizetheexpenditureoftheTown’smatchingshareofthecostoftheProjectbyResolution;andWHEREAS,sufficientfundshavebeenpreviouslyappropriatedbytheTowninthe2009TownBudgetfortheTown’smatchingshareofthecostoftheProject.NOW,THEREFORE,BASEDUPONTHERECITALSSETFORTHABOVEWHICHAREINCORPORATEDHEREINBYREFERENCE,BEITRESOLVEDBYTHEBOARDOFTRUSTEESOFTHETOWNOFESTESPARK,COLORADOASFOLLOWS:1.TheTransportationEnhancementContractbetweentheTownofEstesParkandtheStateofColoradofortheuseandbenefitoftheColoradoDepartmentofTransportationfortheProjectisherebyapproved.2.TheMayorandTownClerkareherebyauthorizedtoexecutetheContract.3.Thefundsappropriatedinthe2009TownBudgetareherebyauthorizedtobeexpendedpursuanttothetermsandconditionsoftheContract.Datedthis,2009.MayorATTEST:TownClerk R off)IlhlIeIatic1scape.ByKimSorvigITISWIDELYBELIEVEI)thatgoodlandscapedesigntranslatesintoeconomicbenefitsfortheclient—buthowmanylandscapearchitectsgetthechancetC)proveit?Intermsofhardnumbersandrealproof.notmanyFewerstillgettoWorkwithapublicclientformorethan25yearsand,attheend,havetheagencyeagertosignupforanothercloartercentury.That,however,isacapsuledescriptionofanunusualongoingt7rojectinEstesPark,Colorado.DesignSmdios\Vest(DS’’)olDenverandHeath0)0-stmctionoffortCollinshavebeenworkingasateamondieEstesParkRivenvalkandStreetscapesince1983.TheprojectAndwhatstatewouldn’trenewaprojectthatinvested$2()millionbtitincreasedrevenuebymorethan5()inlionwith—outraisingtaxrates?Thehallmark,”says1)onBrandes,ASLA.DS\V’spresident,“isthatthemunicipalitydoesn’tviewlandscapeimprovementsasliublicworksexpenses—theyareaninvestmentinaneconomicengine.”Witha25()percentreturnoninvestmentinrealdollarsdirectlyattributabletothelandscapeproject,liemakesacorn—pellingcasefrdievalueofplaceandplacernaking.ltsacasethatmanylandscapeprofessionalswillwanttoanalv7r,[wcatiseitisitttofatrendthatlookstolivableplacesandlandscapesforfinancialandcommunitysurvivaldespitehardtimes.ThistrendischangingtheAmericanWest,inparticular.awayfromlandscape—destrc)yingIndustriesandthoughtlesssuburbanization.32LandscapeArchitectureAPRILZOORAColorati()projectpi’ovstheecouoimcvaluewonboththePresidentsDesignExcellenceAwardandtheLindStewardshipAwardfromtheColoradoASLAinlate2007,anditwonstateapprovalhitcontinuedfttndingafewmonthslater.0C00S DESIGNLmostgoodstories,itStartswithadisaster.OnJuIv15.1982.thesinglemovietheaterintlitownorEstesParkwasplayingInScni/;ofNoahcArk.Nofilmcouldhavebeenmoreprophetic.Bytheendofthatday,75percentofthetown’sbusinesseswereclosed,inthemiddleotOutiStseason,uptotheircountertopsinmticldepositedbyaflashfloodofbiblicalproportions.Esteshasahistoryofseriousfloods.ThetownisthegatewaytoRockyMountainNationalParkandhastworiversrunningthroughit.AtleasttwicesincethetownsfoundinginI860,flashfloodsupto25feetdeephadbeenrecorded.Theworstfloodonrecordhadbeenjustsixyearsearlier—carshadbeenrolledintohugemetalmarbles,touristcabinsandcampersweresweptaway,and139peoplewerekilled.Despitethiswarning(andNativeAmericanlorethatspokeofothergreatfloods),by1982peoplehadrebuiltintheflixwlilain.Memoriesareshortwherelanddevelopmcntisconcerned.Upstream,ac1iffrentkindofland-uselunacyprevailed:ForthebenefitofadozenfarmersOfltheeasternplains,theParkServicehadpermittedapoorlybuiltreservoircalledLawnLakewithinparkboundaries.Thecollapseofitsoverfiliedandtinderinspectedearthclamsentsome36millioncubicfeiofwaterdownoiiEstesPark,carryingbouldersthesizeofhousesandmudthatburied177businesses.Itsremarkablethatonlythreeliveswerelost.Severaleiittepteneursputupsignsadvertisingfreemud.Enterthel,mdscapearchitects,ridingstallionsandwearingwhitehats.IntheaftermathoftheLawnlikeflood,theFortCollinsofficet)IEDAWunderHerbSchaal,FASLA,preparedamasterplanforthetown.Br,indcscallsit“thedocumentthatenabledthefurmation(ifFPIRA”—theEstesParkLtrhanRenewalAuthorirBy1983,EstesParkdesperatelyneededrenewal.Besidesfioxlsoftheliteralsort,ithadbeenwashedoutandwornclownbyfloodsoftouristsboundforRockyMountainNationalPark.Althoughthevalley’snamesakeEstesfamilyhadtried]raisingbeeffortheDen—‘crmarket,by1867transportcostshaddriventhemoutofninching.Thehomesteaderssoldthevalleyforawagonandapairofoxen.andfromthatdaycinward,itwaslandscapeamenitiesthatcreatedthelocaleconomy.LongsPeakdominatesthegreen‘park”valleyandbyt868hadbeenclimbedbynolessthanJohnWesleyPowell:photosoftheEstesareawerepresentedalongsideimagesofYellowstoneswondersandpromotedbyDenvernewspapers.Hostelriessprangup;forabriefperiod,alandstainbyanIrishlordturnedEstesParkintoaTheoriginalconceptplanshowsriverwalkandstreetscapeimprovementscompletedovera25-yearperiod:IA)PerformancePark(notpictured,justoffplan);(BIkayakcourse;(C)Riverspointe;(DlWiestPlaza;(ElConfluenceRiverfront;.(F)RiversidePlaza;IG)BarclayPlaza;and(H)BigThompsonRiverfrontThelawnLakefloodinundatedEstesParkin1982,bottorn,causingmajordamagebuttriggeringawareness—-ofriversasassetsInneedofInvestment.1jrrj_iooruta034LandscapeArchitectureAPIOC2O0 Thecompletedriverwalk,right,relinksthemainstreetandshopstotheriverandhascaptivatedRockyMountainNationalParkvisitors,whousedtopassthroughwithoutlingering,aswellaslocals,bottom.j7nvatehuntingpreserve.Then,in1X)3,inventorF0.Stanleycamewtown,seekingahighdn’curefortuberculosis.Withhimhebroughttwobasicprerequisitesoftourism:TheStanleySteamer,ahigh—tc)rque,high—clearanceIoreruntwrofthesportutilityvehicle,whichwastheonlywaytodrivethehorriblecanyontoadsoftheperiod;andanotherStanleyinvention,adry—platephotographicmethod,whichhelpedlaunchKodakatthedawnofthevacationsnap.shotera.ThegreatStan1eyhotelremainsamainfeatureofEstesPark’stouriStecnnnmytoday.Championedbyalocalnaturalist,thesurroundingmountainsbecameRockyMountainNationalParkin1915,withTrailRidgeRoadasafeatureattraction.Tourism,tlloLIghi,isatwo-edgedbusiness.InStanley’sday,the‘EstesParkTrail”newspaperadvertisedshops‘wherequalityisalwaysparamountandpricesarconapar”withNewYorkCity.Bythe1950s.however,EstesParkwasanovercrowdedplaceofrubbertomahawksandcottoncandy,tackyT-shirts,andsaltwatertafI’,athousandmilesfromanyocean.“Toheperfectlyhonest,”saysWilSmith,executivedirectorofEPURA,“visitorstoleratedthetowntogettothepark.’“We’dpileinthefiirnilycar,”recallsJolinLtnteriiiaii,alandscapearcltitectureprotssorattheUniversityofColoradoandformerDSWincipil.“CominsupfromBoulder,you’dcresttheridgeandseehowbeautifulitwas,andthenyouwereinTrinketTown.Onceyougotpastthat,youcouldgoUintotheNationalParkandseesomc’amazingthings.”Whatisitaboutnaturalgrandeurthatinspirestheworstincommercialschlck?Whetherit’sthevastoceanatAtlanticCity,NewJersey,orBrightonBeach.NewYhrk.orthemountainsatYosemiteorEstesPark,humansseemto)respondtoovenvhelmingnaturalixwerbyinstallingvideoarcades,casinos,andsugar-baseddistractions.Asfortheriver,“It’saclassicAmericanswr,saysLinterman,“turningottrbacksontherivcrways.Weneglectedthem,madethemaclumpinggroundforjunkears,oldrefrigeratorsontheirsides—theriverinEsteswasanalleyatbest,It’sinterestingtomakeupstoriesctboutwhatEstesParkmighthavebeenwithintirtheflixl—thatpulledthetriggerforthem.Smithagrees:“It’snottoomanydecadessincetheriver,inplaces,wasnearlyanopensewer.”WhatbroughtEstesParkback—bothfromtheIlooxiandhumbeingadireaclbare,congestedtouristtrap—waslandscapc’APRIL2005LandscapeArchitecture35 improvements.EPURAandDS\Vstartedsmall,installingalife-sizebronzeofthenativehiglinrnsheepattheentrancetothetown,setonbouldersamidalpineflowers.Miniaturesothesculptureweresoldicrinitialfttnd—raising,andthedesignersbeganchangingthestreetsuape.Old—timetsrememberthemaindragthroughtownasagarishiramujam,wherecarsbackedupastheywaitedtoenterthenationalpark.1)5Waddedstreettreesandraisedplanters,crosswalks,benches,andcoherentsignage.Visitorsurveysbegantoreportpeoplestoppingandstaving,notjustpassingthrough.Asthestreetscapeevolved,thefbcusofdesignworkshiftedtocreatingariverwalk.‘flxlaythereareseveralmilesnitmiIsandpromenades,mostlypavedinlocalredorcreamflaustoneandclottedwithexistingboulders.\VheretheBigThompsonandfallriversnicer,ConfluenceParkprovidesspaceforpublicevents,picnicking,splashingintheriver,andplazaswherelocalresratirantsandbusinesseshaveseating.Fartlicrwestanamphitheater,boilrofthesameflagstonewithasteelcanopyeverthestage,fitsintoriversidecliffsandoverlooksakayakrun.Theindividualfeatures,however,arenotwhatmakes—thisprojectremarkable.l3oththedesignandconstructionarehighquality,butdeliber--atelyabitlowkey,echoingbothnationalparkstyleandotherriverwalks.(SanAntoniolandscapearchitectJamesKcerer,PASTA,whodesignedthatcitv’swell-knownriversiderestemtion,collaboratedwithDSWonEstes.)Whatistrulyoutstandingaboutthisprojectishowittvasaccomplished:anontistialmethodoffunding(andonethatcx—plinrlyshowstheeconomicbenefitsofthelandscapework),long—termconsistencyasanoverridingconcern,andcloseteamworkwithinthedevelopmentteamandthecommunity.EPURAscharterisexplicit:Itinvestspublicmoneyinlandscapeimprovementsinacarefullydefinedzone.Thatzone’ssalestaxesarebenclimarkedatthelevelbeforethelandscapework,andanyincreaseinrevenues(discountedforlegislatedchangesinthetaxrate)belongsto[PtIRAtoreinvest.BythetimeitcameupIrrenewalin7t)OH,thisniethixihadinvestedanaverageof$8D5,Ot)Oannuallyandgenerate]twoandahalftimesthatmuchinincreasedsales—taxrevenue.Bycreatinganenvironmentwherepeoplewantedtobe,0C36ILandscapeArchitectureAPRIL2O0‘i4-__)\_---\--__-,-.PerformancePark°LzH::r.‘.f___-Ja--A-.___-•Bwftneyearsarf,theamphheater,___hereand,lght,andWiesiPlaza,i._.echocommonmaterialsandconcepts_________squaresoflocalsandstone,orientaHontowardLongsPeak,andriveraccess.4\C thestrc’etandriverscopeprojectsproducedaremarkableCcf)flOnhiCreturn.“WehookedupwithDSWandHeath,”saysSmith,whentheywerejustgettingstarted.”DSWhaddonesonicvallevwideplanningandhadworkedonrenovatingtheStanleyIlotel,BothDSwandIleathhadtobidcompetitivelyforcontinuedinvolvement,butasSmithnotes,‘Whenyou’vegotareliablefirmthathastreatedyoutvellandfnirhwhywouldyouchangeittosaveanickel—whichyouwon’tanyhow?”Intheearlieststagesoftheproject,DSWdesignerRussellMxreest;tblshedseveralkeydesignideaswithcommunityhelp.“Weinvitedthewholecc)nlmunitytocomeinandplayplanner,recallsSmith.&iiarepa\’eoflcxailredfiagstone,orientedtowardLongsPeak,becameathematicelementdiattiespliastogetheriLUOSSthedecades.The“rustic’styleofnationalparklymoreurbane,Con5istentdesignbasics,adaptedtoedchnewphase,uni&1rstrcetscapeandam—phItheater,riversidewalkwaysandsIiop—frontplazas.AnImportantp’ofthedesignbriefwastorestoretheriver,stabilizeitsbanks,andrevealittovisitors;pcoplc‘usedtC)discoveritbyaccidentifatall,”accordingtoSniith.That’swhereHeatthiConstructiongotitsfoothold,asanengineeringIirniwithexperiencenotinlandscapeworkassuchbutinstructciralstreambankandbridgedesign,saysprincipalRandy1)eMano.WeeklymeetingswithDSW,Heath,andotherconsultantswerecriticaltothework.whichmostlyrakesplaceinthewititer.whentheriver(aswellasthefloodoftourists)isdown.t)SW’sBobIck,ASLA,cametipwiththeconceptofputting“reveals’(shadowlines)intostream—isinkretainingwallstoshowthehlundft’d—yearfloodandtheleveloftheLiwnLikedisaster.Brandessays,“WelearnedsomuchfromIieathabouttechnicalreliabilityandmaintainabilityIcan’ttellyouhowmanyothercommunitiestveconicintoasconsultantsonaproject’sthirdphae,andtheysathefirstplascdesignwasgreat,hutwedidn’thavethemachinerytochangethestreetlights,orthepeopletowinterizetheirrigation,orwetin.deresrimatedthetrashpickupissue....”Publiccontractstoooftensegmentthe38ILandscapeArchitectureAPRiLZOOSHIL.Thekayakrun,topandabove,attractsbothparticipantsand—spectators,plusspecialevents,addinganotherlayerofeconomicvalvetotheriveramenity.Shopsgainedoutdoorseatingalongstabilizedriverbanks,below.‘designprovidedsonicinspiration.althoughthegatewaycommunitycati’tcool-pewdirectlywiththeparkandisdistinct- work—thecontractorissoisolatedhedoesn’tevenknowthehistory,notesDcMario.“DSWdidagreatjobofbreakingdownthosementalbarriers.”Landscapearchitects,saysBrandes,needtofeellessinsecureaboutgettingtherightpeoplearoundthetable:contractors,police,fire,special-eventsmanagers.”Thiscollaborativeattitudeiscritical,notonlywiththedesign/buildteam,hutwiththecommunity.‘Whateveryou’recontemplatingwithariverfrontordowntown,”Branchestellscivicgrc)ups,“doitforyourresidents.They’llinviterelativesandfriends;visitationwillgrow.I’mnotbigoncreatingawowfactororahook.”Thisconcept—creatingplacesthatpeoplewanttoliveinandrelyingonthevalueofplacetoattractnewresidents,entrepreneurs,appropriatebusinesses,andvisitors—hasaname.It’sbeentermed“amenitymigrationbyLawrenceMoss,ASI.A,whohasauthoredabookbythattitleandorganizedseveralconferencesonthesubject(a‘a‘a:cwa’iutymri1tMl.olg).Inessence,amenityeconomicsarebasedoninherentandholisticqualitiesoflandscapes—thebeautyoanational1xtrkorastatereserve,outdoorrecreationpossibilities,wildlife,orbird-watching—a.swellasthesocialamenitiesofruralandsmalI—townlocations.ThesecoincidewithmanyoftheconceptsofWalkableCitiesandNewUrbanism,amixofbusinessandresidence,cleanindustries,telecommuting,andwebmarketing.economicsisanincreasinglyviablealternative,andoneinwhichlandscapearchitectscouldplayamajorrole.Theecnnnmiccrisisthatwefitcerclavisdirectlyrelatedtounsustainablelanddevelopment,whethersprawlingsuborbsthathaveptishedmortgagedebtbe—vondtheactualvalueofthelandormin—eraldevelopmentthatdevoursandpollutesthelandwhileclaimingtobeiti—dispensabletonationalsecurityorcommerce.Place-basedamenityeconomicsisanincreasinglyviablealternative,andoneinwhichlandscapearchitectscouldplay’amajorroleiftheybecameftmiliarwiththeconcept.Thelandscapesthatwecreatecaneithercontributetoamenity-basedeconomies,astheFcresprojectshows,orriskbeingliterallyunderminedbyafocusonremovableresources.Thisissueremainsundertheradarfhrmanylandscapeandplanningprofessionals,butconflictsbetweenresidentialdevelopmentandminingareincreasing.“Ixtnictiveindustry”suchasmining,timber,bigagriculwre,401LandscapeArchitectureAPRIi.2009Place-basedamenityCiRGEa02ONREAnTr1F(ARflCcGOTOH1TPS9NFOHO1PtCOM,023028 andpetrolcuiiihasruledtheWestfuracentttrvormore.AdvocatesoftheseindustriesinsistthattheyarethetoldengOosethatnolegislaturedaresriskkilling.YetthroughouttheNewWest,amenityeconomiesalreadyacttiallyoutstrij,extmc—tiveindu.strbyafactorofnearly10toone.Inthehvcmajorenergy—producingstatesstudledbyHeadwatersEconomics(uu’utvacluatcrcccinio,,ncco;ç).oilandtasproductionsupportslessthan3percentofactualincome,althoughthoseindustriesclaimtosupplymuchlargeramountsofstatetaxrevenue.Relianceonasingleindustry,especiallyonethatconstantlyswingsfromboomtobust,isariskystrategy.Amenityeconomies,basedonthelong-termdrawofliealtlwandattractiveplaces,alreadysurpassminingrevenueformoststates—andwithoutdiedestmctivcrisksofpollutionandunreclaimedsurcelands.AstheRn’sresultsdocument,treatingthecreationofplace-specificamenitiesasaninvestmentisapowerfuleconomicstrategyGranted,theExIncrementFundingthatEPURAhasusedsosuccessfullytolinklandscapeimprovementstoacommontveconomicbasemightnotworkeverywhere.Still,attractivenesstolong—termresidents(someOfWhf)flistartbusinessesandcreateasecondlayerofeconomicbenefits)canbecreatedinmanywaysand,as1)onBrandespointsout,isnotjustabouttourism.Tocapitaliaconlocallandscapeattractionsrequiresseveralthings:aclearfucusonlong-termcommunity—acollaborativeapproachtodesignandconstructionawillingnessonthepartofpolitical___________________________________agenciestouseinveiltivemethodsoffundingsuchinvestmentsGiventheObamaaclrninistracion’scommitmenttojobcreationthroughrebuildingofinfrastructure,sustainableenergtandcornmonits’economics,landscapeatthitectsshouldbesmclvmgamenity-focusedprojectslikeEsresParkhard.ThehousingcrisismayturnouttobeabenchcialRxxl,washingawaysomeunsustainableckwelopmentbuttriggeringnewwaysofusingthelandscapebothprohtahlyandsustainably.KimSonic’isa/aidocaJ’eirihitect.dc’sç’uciit—it.antic’nr’irrmmentulalltburroitkiinSatita1c.Ncit#nizoocLandscapeArchitecture41ThenewMontage®weldedsteelornamentalfencesystemblendsadvancedmanufacturingandcoatintechnologywithInnovativeIdeasfromfenceprofessionalstosatisfyalltequirernentsforconsiderablylessthanornamentalfencesofthepast.Itisacclaimedas‘thegreatestInnovationeverInti’oducedinthefenceindustry”PleaseVisitUsAttheAlAExpo-Booth#4026fusion-weldedfordurabilityE-coatedmaintenancefreefinishBackedbyZOYcarWarrantyI1HUII55N.MingoRoadTuhn,OK74116iiPhonei-8RR-333-3422Fas1377-926-3747wnw.mo,,ta.rlencr.cnm•1*1*11:mktg<c.nnt.t.rtenn.nrniAllENIION:CCdE7ONREP,OdOSEVCtC‘rnoncoTOHtP9’iFC)1-iCTIMSCO’.35327SUPPV[RS,CORPURAIIDNLYoucanjoinASIAaaef)rJYoratememberwithbenefitstreatedesjeeia1Iyforyou.Onernt’Iui)ershil)feegivesYOUeXf1USiVeaccesstOtilelhouSan(ISoflatitiseapearchiteet4yOUtiobusinesswith.Contact1?wlnl)ership@cishiorgforinformation.M[RICANSOtETYOFtANDSCAP[RCHI1[CTSb3EYESTREETNW,WASHINIiTUN.lIE2OOO1-3152U2-NDU-2444FAX2U2-H98-2205•WWWASM.hNE WhyintheWorldShouldUrbanRenewalbeExtendedAnother25Years?TheFirstinanInformationalSeriesWilSmith,Director.EPURA&RonWilcocks,CommissionerandVice-Chairman,EPURAUrbanrenewal,theEstesParkUrbanRenewalAuthorityorEPURA,wascreatedinOctoberof1922,aftertheLawnLakefloodwreakedhavocindowntownEstesPark.ImprovementtodowntownEstesPark,aplacepeopletoleratedtogetthroughtoRockyMountainNationalPark,wastalkedaboutpriortotheflood;however,thefloodwasanimpetustoactuallydoingsomethingtoimprovedowntown.Promulgatedfallacy:EPURAwascreatedtocleanupaftertheflood.Nowthatthey’vedonethat,shouldn’ttheygoaway?Governmentalcreationsalwaysseemtohangaroundforeverandnevergoaway!Fact:TheLawnLakeFloodofJuly15,1982,wascleaneduplongbeforeEPURAwascreatedandEPURAhadnothingtodowiththeclean-up.EPURAwascreatedtoimprovedowntownandmakeitfunctionbetterandbemoreaestheticallypleasing,fortheenjoymentofresidentsandvisitorsalike.WiththehelpofEPURA,theTownhastransformeditselfintoadestination,oneofthemostvibrantmountaincommunitiesinColorado.WhathasEPURAaccomplished?EPURA’smajoraccomplishmentsaremanyandincludetheElkhornAvenuestreetscape,theRiverwalk,RiversidePlaza,multipleparkingimprovements,theConferenceCenter,redevelopmentofBob’sAmocointoRiverspointeDowntown.improvementstoTregentPark,enhancedentrancetotheStanleyHistoricDistrict,monumentalsandstonesignsattheVisitorsCenterandPerformancePark.EPURAhasalsoaccomplishednon-developmentimprovements,suchaspurchasingtheKnollportionoftheKnoll-Willowsconservationarea,20acresofpermanentopenspaceinthecenterofEstesPark.EPURAhasinvestedover$18millioncumulativelyinprojectsover25years.Withintheurbanrenewalarea,overthosesame25yearsandinlargepartadirectresultofEPURAledimprovements,thesalestaxhasincreasedmorethandoublethatinvestmentto$38million.Notonlydoesdowntownlookandfunctionbetter.Thoseimprovementswereanexcellentinvestment!Logicalquestionfromcasualobserver:Thoseaccomplishmentsaretrulywonderful.Youhaveimproveddowntownimmeasurably.Isn’tittimeforyoutowinddownandgoaway?EPURAresponse:ItwouldbeatragedytotheEstesParkcommunitynottocontinuetouseEPURAtoaccomplishfuturecommunityimprovements,becauseEPURAisamosteffectivewaytodothat.AllourcompetitorresortcommunitiesinColoradoareutilizingurbanrenewalauthoritiestocontinuetoenhancetheirtowns.EliminatingEPURAwouldsignificantlyhamperEstesPark’sabilitytocontinuetoimprove.TheTowngovernment 7wouldbehard-pressedtodowhatEPURAdoes,withitsmyriadofotherfinancialobligationsanddemandsforitsresources.Inquisitivecasualobserver:Whatcouldbelefttoaccomplish?EPURA:Well,theTownBoardadoptedanewUrbanRenewalPlanthatnotesaratherlongwishlistthatincludesthingslikeimprovingtheMoraineAvenuestreetscapetoElkhomAvenuestandards,otherdowntownstreetscapeandinfrastructureimprovements,implementingthebeautifulplanforimprovingCleaveStreet,additionaldowntownparkingincludingparkingstructures,additionalStanleyParkimprovementsandamyriadofpossibleprojectslistedinTheUrbanRenewalPlanfortheEstesPark21stCenturyUrbanRenewalProject.Casualobserver:WhydoyousayEPURAisamosteffectivewaytodotheseprojects?Couldn’ttheTowndothemjustaswellonitsown?Whydoyouthinkyouhavesomuchtooffer?EPURA:Well,wehaveaprettygoodtrackrecordofaestheticexcellence,aleanandmeanone-personstaffthatdoesn’tcostallthatmuch,atriedandtrueconsultingteamandaveryeffectivemeansoffinancingourwork.EPURAcanbondtoaccomplishlargeandlongtermprojectssoonerthantheywouldotherwisehappen,whereastheTowncannot.EPURAhasissuedbondsinthepastandcompletelypaidthemoffwithnoburdentolocaltaxpayers.Casualobserver:Aha!Youadmitthatyoustealmoneyfromthetaxingdistricts!IguessthatisprettyefficientforthatbandofthievesyouhaveasaTownBoard!StealfromthetaxingdistrictsandgiveittotheTown!YouaresomepervertedRobinHood!!!EPURA:Youhavebeenmisled.EPURAstealsnothing.ThetaxincrementEPURAusestopayforitsimprovementsiscreatedbyEPURAbyitsimprovementsthatmakethepropertymorevaluable,hencetheincrement.Then,moreincrementandmoreimprovements.Andthen,after25years,allthetaxingdistrictsbenefitbyreceivingthetaxincrement(increase)thatEPURAhascreatedforthem.Theimprovementsalsosignificantlyimprovethebusinessclimateandworktoincreasethesalestaxbasetoo.Whatadeal!Casualobserver:Youhaven’tcreatedanything!Thatincreaseinvalueinpropertyandsalestaxwouldhavehappenedanyway!!!EPURA:Sureitwould.Youmeanthatthe$18millionwespentonstreetscapeandRiverwalkandotheramenitieshasn’timprovedthepropertyvaluesoftheadjacentproperties?Areyousayingthattheseimprovementshaven’thadasignificantpositiveeffectonthesalestaxthatisgenerated?SignificantincreasesinbothpropertyandsalestaxreceiptsarecorrelateddirectlywiththeworkthatEPURAhasdoneovertheyears. Casualobserver:Well,thepropertyvaluesmighthavegoneup,butpropertyvaluesalwaysgoup.EPURA:LikeinmuchofCalifornia,Phoenix,VegasandmostofFlorida,right?Actually,withoutinvestinginimprovementsit’squitepossibleforpropertyvaluestogodown.Thinkofahousethatisnotmaintainedorimproved.Aftersometime,itsvaluewillplummet.Thesameistruewithsalestaxfrombusiness.Ifthebusinessisneglectedandnotinvestedin,thenitusuallydeclinesandultimatelyfails.Dowewantthisforourbusinesscommunity?Ifbusinessesdeclineandfail,soultimatelydooursalestaxreceiptsandourTownservices.NEXTTIME:Howdoestaxincrementfinancingreallywork?Or,arewereallyfleecingourfellowman?