HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority 2008-02-20RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 20,- 2008
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 20th day of February, 2008.
Commissioners:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chairman Swank, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Halburnt,
Little, Steige, and Wilcocks
Chairman Swank, Commissioners Cope, Ericson, Halburnt,
Little, Steige, and Wilcocks
EPURA Dir. Smith, Finance Officer McFarland, Attorney
Paul Benedetti, Lee Sammons, Deputy Town Clerk Deats
None
Chairman Swank called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS.
None
MINUTES.
The minutes of the regular meeting held January 16, 2008, and the retreat held January
16, 2008, were approved.
REQUEST TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S. - For the purpose of determining positions relative to matters
that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and/or
instructing negotiators.
Commissioner Cope commented that when executive sessions are necessary, they
should be held at the conclusion of the meeting to accommodate members of the public
who have come to participate. Chairman Swank stated that as a general rule, executive
sessions are scheduled at the end of the meeting, but that in this case it would be
beneficial to have the executive session prior to addressing regular business, as it might
affect actions taken by the Board.
It was moved and seconded (Steige/Ericson) the Estes Park Urban Renewal
Authority enter Executive Session for the purpose of determining positions
relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for
negotiations, and/or instructing negotiators, under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(e),
and it passed. Those voting “Yes” Wilcocks, Ericson, Steige, and Little. Those voting
“No” Halburnt and Cope.
Chairman Swank adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 8:13 a.m.
Chairman Swank reconvened the meeting to open session at 8:56 a.m.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.
In regard to the Riverwalk project. Commissioner Wilcocks commented that the window
of opportunity to complete the project on time may have come and gone, and suggested
finishing up the work that is currently underway and moving forward to other endeavors.
Commissioner Cope requested staff report on the scheduling of an informal public
outreach meeting to inform the community about plans for extending EPURA, the mass
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Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - February 20, 2008 - Page 2
mailing to residents of the proposed new urban renewal area, the loan to EPURA that
was approved by the Town Board on February 12th, and the outcome of the Estes
Valley Planning Commission meeting of February 19th as it relates to the extension of
EPURA.
Commissioner Steige congratulated Finance Officer McFarland and the Finance
Department on receiving the Government Finance Officers’ Association Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
PARK THEATER MALL/RIVERWALK AGREEMENT.
Subsequent to the executive session, Chairman Swank made an addition to the agenda
related to the Park Theater Mall/Riverwalk project and the development agreement
between the owner of the mall and EPURA. It was moved and seconded (Cope/Little)
to authorize the Chairman and the Executive Director to discuss with the owner of
Park Theater Mall the extension of the RIverwalk through the mall and have a
decision by Friday, February 22, 2008, to move forward with the project or
discontinue work on the river beyond finishing the north wall, and it passed
unanimously.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.
1- New Urban Renewal Plan - Notifications relative to the new plan have been
mailed to residents within the proposed urban renewal area and published in the
newspaper as required by Colorado State statute. The impact report model has
been submitted to Larimer County and conversations are ongoing with County
Manager Frank Lancaster. The Estes Valley Planning Commission reviewed the
proposed plan at their February 19th meeting and found it to be only partially
compliant with the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission’s comments
related to non-compliance were that the EPURA proposal would reduce tax
revenue for special districts, thereby reducing the effectiveness of these entities;
that more specific information is required related to the proposed projects to
determine their compliance with the Comprehensive Plan; and that EPURA’s
ability to issue bonds without a public vote is not in compliance with the
Comprehensive Plan. Dir. Smith stated that it is EPURA’s responsibility to
educate the public and said that Atty. Benedetti will compose a memo explaining
tax increment financing, and that staff will schedule a community meeting to
provide a forum to answer questions and provide information about urban
renewal.
Financial Report - Finance Officer McFarland reported that the Town Board
approved a loan to EPURA in the amount of $600,000 with an interest rate of
3.82/o, at their February 12th meeting. The loan was requested in order to
provide funds for timely payments to contractors and consultants on the Park
Theater Mall/Riverwalk project. The bridge loan will be paid back with revenue
EPURA will receive throughout the calendar year. The Commissioners
requested Finance Officer McFarland provide summary financial reports, and
Commissioner Halburnt requested financial reports, and all other materials
pertinent to the meeting, be provided in advance of the meeting.
2.
RESOLUTION #385 - RETENTION OF PAUL BENEDETTI AS EPURA ATTORNEY.
Dir. Smith read Resolution #385 into the record. It was moved and seconded
(Ericson/Wilcocks) to adopt Resolution #385 to retain Paul Benedetti as EPURA
attorney, and it passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF URBAN RENEWAL PLAN - RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN
BOARD.
Dir. Smith stated that the plan is being finalized and fine-tuned prior to taking it to the
Town Board for approval on March 25^. A recommendation to the Board regarding the
amount of financing necessary to maintain a workable program while waiting for the tax
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Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - February 20, 2008 - Page 3
increment to build up and whether proposed projects should be included in the plan
need to be considered.
Commissioner Cope reiterated the need for EPURA to respond to the concerns of the
Planning Commission, the Town Board, and the general public and suggested
information related to tax increment financing and urban renewal projects be included in
future Citizen’s Information Academy sessions, community outreach meetings, formal
presentations to local service clubs and organizations, and in a column in the
newspaper.
Lee Sammons presented an outline for a proposed financial cooperative agreement
between the Town and EPURA in which the Town would fund EPURA for 11 years with
sales tax increment in the amount of $225,000 per year for administration and an
additional $525,000 for projects. Discussion ensued on the following topics: what
constitutes a “minimal program”?; EPURA may be able to borrow against future tax
increment financing revenue if certain large projects, such as Elkhorn Lodge
redevelopment and proposed King Soopers development occur; changes in the
proposed project list based on certain proposed large development projects; changes to
plan based on comments from Larimer County; plan approval deadlines are being met;
and plan document will become official when approved by the Town Board.
Whereupon, Chairman Swank adjourned the regular meeting at 10:04 a.m.
CynthtaTtbats, Deputy Town Clerk