HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board EPURA Study Session 2001-04-11BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 11, 2001
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD/EPURA STUDY
SESSION of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting
held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on 11th day of
April, 2001.
Town Board:
EPURA Board:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Habecker,
Jeffrey, Newsom
Chairman Putney, Commissioners Jackson, Jarolimek, Steige,
Swank, Wasson
Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Gillette, Habecker, Jeffrey,
Newsom
Town Administrator/Commissioner Widmer, Assistant Town
Administrator Repola, EPURA Exec. Dir. Smith, Clerk O’Connor,
Directors Brandjord, Kilsdonk, Matzke
Mayor ProTem Doylen, Commissioners Jackson and Steige
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
WALKWAY WESTWARD.
EPURA Exec. Director Smith reviewed EPURA’s goals and objectives.
EPURA’s foremost priority for the past year has been preparation of a conceptual plan for
extending the Riverwalk westward, and staff presented the concept plan that includes nearly
a half-mile of walkway with up to 12 logical phases. A very rough cost estimate is between
eight and ten million dollars.
Background information: Public input sessions were held with approximately 100 citizens
attending. Sixty possible design elements were suggested for public consideration and thus
formed the basis for the conceptual plan. Drawings were presented for this multi-phased
project, with specific phasing areas included.
Challenges include how to safely allow pedestrians to cross Moraine Ave., and exactly at
which location the project should commence.
Town Administrator Widmer reported on the parking in the Wiest Dr. area, including a map
that indicated property lines and Town ownership as compared to existing conditions.
There is sufficient space and accesses to accommodate a tiered parking lot, however,
priorities must be established to determine—how much, how soon, and how much can the
Town afford? Discussion followed on financing with the option of a partial-deck parking lot.
The parking lot could immediately be re-striped to improve the lot and increase its capacity.
Bob’s Amoco Property. Included in the Walkway Westward project, has been negotiation
for the best and highest use of the Amoco site. Development is needed at this location
which could in turn act as a prime impetus for the entire area. Additionally, EPURA prefers
not taking ownership of the Amoco property; but rather, find the best end user.
Discussion followed on available funding, with Director Smith reporting EPURA has
approximately $400,000/year for projects, the amount of which would not significantly
impact the Walkway Westward Project. No action was taken.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board/EPURA Study Session - April 11, 2001 - Page 2
EXTENSION OF EPURA.
Chairman Putney stated that EPURA has a 25-yr. financial life relative to property tax
increment financing, and the term expires in 7 years. Whether or not EPURA’s life is
extended will have a profound effect on its work program over the next seven years. There
is a need to expand parking opportunities outside the EPURA boundary, and the extension
of EPURA and boundary extension should be considered at the same time. The Town and
EPURA work as a coordinated body for the benefit of the community, thus a common
concern is how best to use resources in hand to apply to projects, and how to free-up
resources to do projects. The question is: does the Town desire to retain EPURA for
planning, implementing and financing?
Although legal requirements to extend the life are not yet confirmed, staff is aware that an
additional blight study (which includes more than a visual component) and public hearings
must be conducted prior to making a decision. Staff anticipates that the study could cost
$20,000 which could be expended at this time, and confirmed that neither the Town nor
EPURA may mandate improvements on private land, and public funding would be utilized
on public land. Administrator Widmer added that bonds cannot be sold for a long-term
project with 6 years remaining on the existing EPURA term, and that term extension is a
Town Board policy decision.
Following discussion, it was agreed that EPURA proceed with the Blight Study;
however, no further action was taken to allow the Town Board an opportunity to
address funding, bond maturity, and community reinvestment return.
THE KNOLL PROPERTY.
Mayor Baudek introduced the following idea for discussion: Perhaps the Town should make
remaining payments on The Knoll to free-up EPURA funds for infrastructure projects. At
some point, the property will logically belong to the Town, as EPURA will probably not exist
forever. The property would remain mostly open space, but not necessarily totally vacant.
EPURA must make three more annual payments for the lease/purchase, totaling $341,670.
EPURA’s investment to date is $757,700. The question is how can EPURA recoup its
investment in The Knoll for application toward other EPURA projects?
Trustee Barker expressed interest in using a portion of the Town’s open space money,
$250,000, for trail systems, not more open space, and Trustee Habecker suggested costs
be applied to each project. No action was taken.
EXPANSION OF EPURA BOUNDARY.
Tallant Park, an area the Town Board has asked EPURA to consider further, is not fully
within EPURA’s boundary. If EPURA is to make improvements in this area, the boundary
must be expanded and this process could be effectively accomplished in concert with the
extension of EPURA. No action was taken.
Concluding all discussion. Mayor Baudek expressed the Board’s appreciation for the
information presented, and adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Vickie O’Connor, CMC, Town Clerk