HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2000-11-27%
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 27, 2000
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION
of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in
the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on 27th day of
November, 2000.
Committee:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Habecker,
Jeffrey, Newsom
Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Gillette, Habecker, Jeffrey,
Newsom
Town Administrator Widmer, Assistant Town Administrator
Repola, Interim Finance Officer Parrack, Clerk O’Connor,
Directors Filsinger, Stamey, Linnane, Matzke, Hinze, Staff
Members Fox,
Mayor ProTem Doylen
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
Editor’s note: the Agenda order was rearranged, however, for record-keeping
purposes, the order below conforms to the published Agenda.
2001 PAY PLAN AND COMPENSATION POLICY.
Assistant Town Administrator Repola presented the pay plan recommendation for 2001.
In order to fulfill the Town’s Vision and Mission, it is important to maintain a high-quality
work force. Thus, in the interest of retaining good employees, and attracting quality
applicants for current and future openings, a two-part proposal is being submitted. Part
One is the implementation of the Compensation Study and adoption of a Compensation
Policy. Part Two provides for a small merit pool to reward superior performance during
2000.
Compensation Study. A previous independent compensation study was
conducted in 1994. This year, staff selected Public Sector Consultants to
conduct a thorough review of the Town’s pay plan. The review included
identifying the appropriate market cities for comparison, reviewing 40 benchmark
positions, establishing relational linkages for non-benchmark positions,
establishing a permanent pay structure, and determination of a cost of housing
factor to be applied to comparison cities.
Currently, positions are assigned a pay grade based on past pay studies. Over
time, an employee progresses through the pay grade via merit increases. The
Pay Plan Team (Repola, Linnane, Matzke, Kilsdonk and Fox) is recommending
that all salaries be adjusted to the minimum of the ranges proposed in the new
plan. Each employee would then be placed at 75% of his/her current placement
in range as determined by experience and longevity. This strategy provides for
an equitable method of determining placement for all employees, and allows for
future advancement based on superior performance. The cost to implement this
portion of the pay plan is $446,881.
Compensation Policy. The Pay Team is proposing a policy that would
establish a standard for setting pay both now and in the future. The policy
establishes criteria for selecting comparison markets, includes a housing factor.
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Town Board Study Session - November 27, 2000 - Page 2
and sets a standard annual cost of living adjustment. In addition, the policy
directs that in the event that market adjustments are necessary, they will be
made during the year. This allows the Town to adjust salaries to be current with
our comparison market. The actual policy follows:
“The Town of Estes Park will annually compare its salaries to market data in an
effort to maintain a competitive salary structure. Furthermore, adjustments to
salaries and pay grades will adhere to this policy.
For all positions, excluding Light and Power positions, salaries will be compared
annually to a market consisting of Colorado cities and towns that are providing
similar services and have a population of 15,000 to 20,000 residents. Light &
Power salaries will be compared to a market consisting of Colorado cities and
towns that operate a power or electric utility, and when possible, have a
population of 15,000 to 20,000 residents.
Comparisons will include a factor to account for differences in housing prices.
Median housing prices will be used for the current or most recent year for Estes
Park and the comparison municipalities.
In order to avoid lagging behind the comparison cities and towns, adjustments
will be made following the market comparison. Adjustments as indicated by the
market study will be made by September 1 of each year.
A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) as indicated by the Denver-Boulder
Consumer Price Index (CPI) as reported by the Department of Labor, will be
applied to the first pay period of the following year. The COLA will be applied to
all positions with the Town of Estes Park. All adjustments will be made
contingent upon available funding.”
Merit Component. Pursuant to changes anticipated in the pay plan, a smaller
merit pool is being proposed for the 2001 payroll. The Team is suggesting 1.5%
of the 2001 payroll be awarded for superior performance during 2000. A
maximum merit award of 2% (Editor’s note: the 2% cap was later revised to
5%). These merit increases will be in addition to any adjustments caused by
implementation of the new pay plan. The cost of implementation is $66,633.
Trustee comments included: with the new plan, the salary range is from zero to
22%, and the 22% is typically the mid-manager position(s). The new plan
contains flexibility and establishes a list of comparison municipalities to verify
the figures. The consultants did a good job, the plan is fair and all employees
were reviewed individually. In some areas, positions have slipped lower than
they should be, thus “catch-up” is higher than normal. Continued drastic
increases should be eliminated with, and is one of the benefits of, the new
Compensation Policy.
With previous budget cuts and a successful election, adequate fund balance for
the new Pay Plan is available, and the Fund balance will be maintained.
Trustee Barker stated that there is public opinion that the Town drives salaries
and he cautioned the Town Board to be prepared for any comments in this
regard. Staff noted that even with this pay adjustment, certain Town employees
may still qualify for affordable housing.
No further action was taken as this item will be formally presented during the Town
Board meeting November 28th.
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Town Board Study Session - November 27, 2000 - Page 3
ANNEXATION OF ISLANDS.
Community Development Director Stamey presented a map containing 6 enclaves
within Town limits, adding that if a property has been an enclave for a minimum of 3
years, it can be annexed by Ordinance without an annexation petition. Pursuant to
state statute, notice must be given to the landowner and a public notice must be
published; a public hearing in not required. The six enclaves are:
SITE LANDOWNER ZONING TOTAL
ACREAGE
Silverlane Stables Betty Whiteside Commercial 1.6 acres
Ice of Estes, Elm Rd.Mitchell Family 1-1 Industrial 8/10’s ac.
1101 Lexington Ln.Lawrence Smootz R-Residential 2/10’s ac.
1341 S. St. Vrain Wieslaw Gadecki R-Residential 2.5 ac.
1750 S. St. Vrain Aliere Allen E-Estate 1.59 ac.
1770 S. St. Vrain Franklin Burk E-Estate 3.2 ac.
Pending areas include: Lake Shore Lodge that should annex in June, 2001; The
Uplands Subdivision; and a church on fish Creek Rd. Community Development is
currently discussing potential annexation to determine interest with 2-3 others.
Staff has not discussed annexation with the six sites identified above as this item is
being discussed to determine the Town Board’s interest; potential opposition to
annexation is anticipated. Based on other annexations, staff estimates the Town’s cost
to annex all 6 sites could be $8,000. Funding would be provided from the Contingency
Fund.
Police services were clarified for property outside Town limits to determine Town Board
interest. Newsom: public safety plus other advantages, should annex. Police services
clarified by Repola; had site with fatal accident on boundary, call on outside accident,
thus waited for Trooper - officers don’t know where the lines are, particularly with 911
call. Mocassin - annexed row this year.
Town Administrator Widmer and Director Stamey explained water rights, and a map
was displayed that identifies sites where landowners have executed Water Rights
Agreements (Town provides water and the landowner agrees to annexation).
Discussion followed, with the Board noting that the Town has taken an aggressive
stance in annexing commercial properties. Consensus: Staff proceed with the
annexation of the 6 enclaves as identified above. Those properties included in the
Water Rights Map to be discussed at a later date, within one year.
BOND PARK REGULATIONS.
Special Event Director Hinze referred to her memo dated November 22nd regarding the
use of downtown parks and associated correspondence received from Richard
Wood/Heirloom Jewelers, current Park Regulations, and new Proposed Event
Organizer Regulations.
Staff confirmed that the Park Regulations include not only Bond Park, but Riverside
Plaza and Tregent Park as well. Mr. Wood’s primary concerns are high-density use,
sound, and policy for future use. Director Hinze is seeking direction on the following:
• Is the current use of Town parks acceptable?
• Are the new Town Park organizer Regulations acceptable?
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Town Board Study Session - November 27, 2000 - Page 4
• Formal response concerning the future scheduling and sanctioning of
high-density, high-intensity, and high congestion events.
Discussion on the new Event Organizer Regulations followed, and as revised, they are
as follows:
New events may not be authorized to use the Park on holiday weekends or
during the summer tourist season.
All shows using Bond Park will be limited to 95 10x10 vendor spaces.
Only those vendors selling original products will be allowed.
Organizers will:
1. Mark vendor spaces the day prior to the event.
2. Will be on site 3 hours prior to the given time of setup.
3. Obtain license plate number of each vendor’s vehicle to monitor and strictly
enforce parking around Bond Park.
4. Instruct vendors to park north of Park Lane on MacGregor Ave.
5. Inform vendors that no RV’s will be allowed overnight in the Municipal Parking
Lot.
6. Ensure that all sales tax information is distributed to the vendors and that the
vendors show proof of payment on the forms provided. Failure to collect and
remit sales tax will result in the vendor not being allowed to sell at any future
shows in the Estes Park area.
7. Provide public restroom information to all vendors.
8. Monitor sound levels to ensure sound is not above 60 decibels at the Park
boundary during the day, and 55 during evening hours.
9. Provide adequate trash dumpsters at the comer of Park Lane and MacGregor
Ave. No bags are to be deposited outside the dumpsters.
10. Make sure that the Park is left litter free, tables placed in their original positions
and ready for public use.
11. Notify the Health Dept, if food is to be sold.
12. Provide insurance coverage as stated.
If event fails to adhere to the above regulations, future use may be denied.
Discussion continued on the appropriateness of using Bond Park for large events; the
organizers’ desire to remain in Bond Park; opinions from downtown merchants both in
favor of and in opposition to staying in Bond Park; and confirmation that the Fire
Dept.’s Labor Day Craft Fair is their most successful fundraising event of the year.
Town Administrator Widmer commented that EPURA is researching the possibility of a
public festival area in Tallant Park.
Concerning acceptability of using Town parks, consensus was reached that the
events could continue, with the Town being cognizant of the fact that as an event
expands, an alternate/larger site should be established. Additionally, the
regulations should be reviewed annually.
With regard to sound. Director Hinze stated that both Special Events and the Police
Department can improve monitoring this type of event.
Parking. The event organizer must be responsible for ensuring vendors do not use
prime parking spaces around and/or near Bond Park. The Police Department must
enforce parking regulations.
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Richard Wood commented that between his letters, his stance on this issue is clear.
He believes many of these events have already outgrown bond Park; he is not trying to
eliminate all events in Bond Park; and a long-term policy is needed.
There being no further business, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Vickie O’Connor, CMC, Town Clerk