HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority 2007-07-18RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 18, 2007
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK URBAN RENEWAL
AUTHORITY of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado.
Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on
the 18th day of July, 2007.
Commissioners:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chairman Swank, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Little,
Repola, Steige, and Wilcocks
Chairman Swank, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Repola,
Steige, and Wilcocks
EPURA Director Smith, Finance Dir. McFarland, Deputy
Town Clerk Deats
Commissioner Little
Chairman Swank called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS.
None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.
Chairman Swank conducted an unscientific price comparison survey of 25 grocery
items purchased at the local Safeway store, a Loveland Safeway store, a Loveland King
Soopers store, Safeway and/or City Market stores in Fraser, Granby, Vail, Frisco, and
Dillon, and the Longmont Super Walmart. The results of his comparison indicated that
there was minimal difference in the price of the items between the mountain grocery
stores and the Loveland stores (less than $10.00) and the biggest difference found
when the mountain store prices were compared to Waimart, where the items were
$30.00 less expensive. Chairman Swank supplied the information to the
Commissioners in order to illustrate the need to respond to requests for economic
development in a non-emotional, factual manner.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the regular meeting held June 20, 2007 were approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT.
Finance Dir. McFarland stated the financial reports have been refined to be more easily
read and include a restated capital budget and spendable balances available to
EPURA. Historically, cash flow from sales tax and property tax are high in July, which
should translate to more available capital on next month’s financial reports. A
discussion of the report ensued addressing the following points: assets, liabilities,
receivables, debt payments, expenses associated with the renewal of EPURA, and the
availability of funds to connect the Riverwalk and complete the signage project.
PROGRESS REPORT FOR WIEST PLAZA PROJECT.
Jerry Grandt, Construction Superintendent for Heath Construction, stated that the Wiest
Project is nearing completion with all aspects of the job complete, on schedule, or in
progress including the removal of overhead lines, pavement/crosswalk markings and
signage, gazebo placement and lighting, walkway paver installation, and landscaping.
The chain link fence along Wiest Drive will be removed on Thursday with the removal of
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - July 18, 2007 - Page 2
construction trailers scheduled for July 31st. Water quality remains a priority as does
communicating with the area merchants. Some disruption has been caused to
businesses during construction, but Heath has attempted to keep the disruption to a
minimum and will continue to do so until the end of the project. Mr. Grandt thanked
EPURA and the Town of Estes Park for working together with Heath Construction to
create “another successful project."
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.
1. Wiest Plaza Electrical Service - Dir. Smith commended the Town of Estes
Park’s Light and Power Department on the transfer from overhead to
underground electrical service along Wiest Drive. The transfer was done early in
the morning to cause the least amount of disruption to service.
2. Blight Study - A final draft of the Blight Study from Terry Ware is expected soon.
Dir. Smith and Attorney Windholz have reviewed the preliminary study and
provided input to Mr. Ware, including a request for identification of the
photographs in the study.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL.
An annual performance review of the EPURA Executive Director is traditionally
performed by two Commissioners appointed by the Chairman. Commissioners Steige
and Little recently conducted a performance appraisal for Dir. Smith and, upon
completion, recommended a rating of “excellent” to the Commission. They attribute
EPURA projects being completed on time and on, or under budget to Dir. Smith’s
project coordination and management abilities. No discussion of Dir. Smith’s
Employment Agreement is necessary at this time, as the current agreement extends
through May 2008. The remaining Commissioners concurred with the performance
appraisal and encouraged Dir. Smith to use, rather than lose, his vacation days.
PROPOSALS - NEW URBAN RENEWAL PLAN PREPARATION.
A request for proposals for the preparation of a new urban renewal plan were solicited
electronically on the American Planning Association Colorado Chapter website and
verbaliy by Dir. Smith, resulting in responses from the following five firms/individuals:
Sammons/Dutton, MTA Architects and Planners, Terry Ware, Eric Heil, and Leland
Consulting Group (received late). Dir. Smith, Chairman Swank and Commissioner
Steige reviewed the proposals, with the most interest in the proposals from
Sammons/Dutton and MTA Architects and Planners, and recommend the
Sammons/Dutton proposal based on the firm’s depth of experience as it relates to the
financial portion of the plan and their partnering with DSW for the project aspects.
After discussion regarding the proposals and budgeting. Chairman Swank scheduled a
special meeting to be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. for the purpose
of further review of the proposals for developing a new urban renewal plan. Dir. Smith
will provide each Commissioner with a copy of the submitted proposals for the special
meeting. Discussion will also take place regarding Larimer County’s role in developing
a new urban renewal plan and keeping the property tax increment as a source of
funding for EPURA, with a meeting between EPURA Commissioners, Larimer County
Commissioner Gibson, and County Manager Lancaster to be scheduled in the future.
Whereupon, Chairman Swank adjourned the regular meeting at 8:59 a.m.
a Deats, Deputy Town Clerk