HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority 2010-01-20RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 20, 2010
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 January, 2010.
Commissioners:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chairman Newsom, Commissioners Blume, Halburnt, Little,
White and Wilcocks
Chairman Newsom, Commissioners Blume, Halburnt, White
and Wilcocks
EPURA Executive Director Richardson, Finance Officer
McFarland, Attorney Benedetti and Town Clerk Williamson
Commissioner Little
Chairman Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS.
Charles Dickey/Town citizen urged the EPURA Board to pursue the current court case
to determine the validity of the Initiated Ordinance passed by the citizens of Estes Park
to abolish EPURA. He expressed concern with the inaccurate statements presented
during the election, including the false statements related to the increase in taxes. He
stated EPURA is one tool the Town has to grow the economic base of the town during
tough economic times.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.
Commissioners White & Wilcocks spoke to the Initiated Ordinance election results and
expressed concern with the inaccurate and misconstrued information presented during
the election. Both raised concern for the future of Estes Park without EPURA to grow
the business community.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the regular meeting held December 16, 2009, were approved.
RESOLUTION #394 -POSTING DESIGNATION FOR MEETINGS.
It was moved and seconded (Wilcocks/White) to approve Resolution #394, and it
passed unanimously.
COOPERATION AGREEMENT.
Executive Director Richardson stated the agreement was reviewed by the
Commissioners in December and would provide EPURA with staff support from the
Town at no cost, more specifically Executive Director support from Deputy Town
Administrator Richardson. It was moved and seconded (Halburnt/Blume) to approve
the Cooperation Agreement between EPURA and the Town of Estes Park, and it
passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.
None.
AVAILABILITY OF FUND.
Finance Officer McFarland reported EPURA has $784,650 in fund balance prior to the
payment of construction invoices for December 2009. The Authority has received
approximately $20,000 in TIF funding year to date.
Commissioner Little joined the meeting at 8:15 a.m.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority - January 20, 2010 - Page 2
The Commissioners discussed the future of the facade program. Commissioner
comments included whether or not the fagade funds should be transferred to the
grandstand project; need to determine the fund balance for the project; reassess
program once the fate of EPURA has been determined by the Town Board; the program
should continue as long as EPURA exists; and the additional funds should be used for
other programs or the grandstand project.
UPDATE - GRANDSTANDS AT STANLEY PARK FAIRGROUNDS.
Roger Thorp, Thorp Associates, provided an update on the grandstands project. The
foundation of the structure continues; however, progress has been slow due to the cold
weather. The drawings for the steel structure have not been completed and were
anticipated in December. The first set of drawings should be available for review and if
corrections are minimal the steel structure should be ready in March. The contractor
has stated they would provide the necessary personnel to complete the project by early
June without impacting the scheduled events at the Fairgrounds. Once the shop
drawings are completed a schedule for the project would be available. Commissioner
Wilcocks requested the schedule be provided to the Authority with a list of key
milestones.
LOCAL ROOTS CO-OP AND CULTURAL ARTS CENTER.
Executive Director Richardson reported funds approved by EPURA have been
distributed to the Local Roots Co-Op/$18,000 and the Cultural Arts Council of Estes
Park/$5,000. The Arts Council has provided a letter stating the funds have been
secured in a special bank account awaiting project implementation. The Local Roots
Co-Op has experienced financial issues and may be on the verge of closing. It would
appear the EPURA funds committed to the completion of a mural have been expended
without the project being completed. The Commissioners requested staff and Attorney
Benedetti review what legal steps need to be taken to ensure the project is completed
or that EPURA’s money be refunded.
REQUEST TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:
24-6-402(4)(b) C.R.S., for the purpose of conference with the EPURA Attorney to
receive legal advice on specific legal questions regarding the Initiated Ordinance.
It was moved and seconded (Halburnt/Blume) the EPURA Board enter Executive
Session for the purpose of a conference with the EPURA Attorney to receive legal
advice on specific legal questions regarding the Initiated Ordinance, and it passed
unanimously.
Whereupon Chairman Newsom adjourned the meeting to Executive Session at 8:33
a.m.
Chairman Newsom reconvened the meeting to open session at 9:32 a.m.
Chairman Newsom stated the Authority would wait for the Town Board to make a final
decision on the disposition of EPURA before making any final decisions related to the
Initiated Ordinance election results.
Whereupon, Chairman Newsom adjourned the regular meeting at 9:33 a.m.
. o Q . ''rx—
ie Williamson, Town Clerk