HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2004-05-11Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,May 11,2004
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of
Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado.Meeting held in the Municipal
Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 1 1th day of May,2004.
Meeting called to order by Mayor John Baudek.
Present:John Baudek,Mayor
Susan L.Doylen,Mayor ProTem
Trustees David Habecker
Lori Jeffrey-Clark
Chuck Levine
Wayne Newsom
Bill Pinkham
Also Present:Rich Widmer,Town Administrator
Vickie O’Connor,Town Clerk
Gregory A.White,Town Attorney
Absent:None
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.and all recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Clerk O’Connor read a Proclamation naming the month of May as “Foster and Kinship
Care Month”,and Mayor Baudek presented same to Katie Sims,who commented on
her favorable experience with the foster care program,urging other families to
participate.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
TOWN BOARD COMMENTS
None.
1.CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of):
1.Town Board Minutes dated April 27,2004,and Study Session May 5,2004.
2.Bills.
3.Committee Minutes:
A.Community Development,May 6,2004:
Special Events Dept.
1.Stanley Park Master Plan Request for Proposals (RFP)—See
Action Item #2 below.
4.Estes Park Housing Authority,April 14,2004(acknowledgment only).
Board of Trustees —May If,2004—Page 2
5.Resolution #7-04 —Schedule public heating date of June 8,2004 for New
Hotel &Restaurant Liquor License Application filed by Himaichuli
Corporation,dba NEPAL’S CAFE,184 E.Elkhorn Ave.,Unit H.
It was moved and seconded (Doylen!Pinkham)the consent agenda be approved,
and it passed unanimously.
2.ACTION ITEMS:
1.ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK —PROJECT UPDATE.Larry Gamble
and Kyle Patterson gave an update on the following projects:
>Visitation —April was down 3%;however,year-to-date figures are up
7%.
>Budget.RMNP has been facing a flat to eroding budget for the last 3
to 4 years.Staff is attempting to retain core services by modifying
certain evening programs and staffing.The Volunteer Program is
critical to the Park’s operation.
>Bear Lake Road Reconstruction.Beginning the 2nd phase of
construction,and the shuttle will start-up 5/14.In 2003,there were
463,000 shuttle passengers.Re-vegetation work will restore the area
to its original condition.
>Hidden Valley.This summer,construction will be finalized to convert
this area into a year-round recreation area.Next summer,larger
picnic areas will be installed.
>Hazard Fuel Reductions.In a recent Newsletter to every postal
patron,information was included of fire mitigation.To date,1,780
slash piles were burned and 78 acres were thinned.A private
contractor will work on an additional 50 acres.A 45 ac.burn,located
on the south side of Moraine Park,is planned next week,weather
permitting.When they are not in-service,fire crews perform fire
reduction work.Permits are offered to the public for $70 for 2 cords of
wood.
>Elk &Vegetation Management Plan.An Interagency Team (of which
the Town is a member)is guiding the development of this plan and
environmental Impact statement.Seven alternatives being considered
and team members were asked for their comments by 5/26.Following
revision,public meetings will be scheduled.
>Relocation of Twin Owls Trail Head.This 20-yr.old project will
relocate the trail to the north of MacGregor Ranch.This trail provides
access to Lumpy Ridge,and,it is now on NPS land.The Legislature
must approve a land exchange with MacGregor Ranch prior to
construction.Devil’s Gulch Road will be paved and other dust
mitigation efforts will take place.Parking for 80-200 vehicles will
eliminate the Gem Lake Trailhead.
>Sheep —Mummy Range Lakes.The population of the sheep herd is
80 and steady;however,access to the lakes during the Park’s highest
visitation period is cause for concern as a dramatic decline in use of
the lakes has been observed.In 2002,there were over 1,900 sheep,
with sightings every 7 out of 10 days.In ‘03,there were sightings
every 3 days out of 10.In response,the parking lot neat the viewing
area will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians from June 7-20,2004
to conduct research.Other options are being considered and
evaluated.
Concluding the presentation,Mayor Baudek expressed the Board’s appreciation
to RMNP for the useful updates.
Board of Trustees —May 11,2004 —Page 3
2.STANLEY PARK MASTER PLAN REP.Assistant Town Administrator Repola
presented a preliminary copy of a Request for Proposal for the Stanley Park
Master Plan,and provided additional historical background.Currently,Van Horn
Engineering is preparing a drainage study on the grounds,and completion is
expected in June.The budget is $350,000 minus the drainage study,and this
funding will be utilized for expenses to obtain detailed cost estimates.Staff
anticipates proposals will be submitted within 3-4 weeks,and different levels of
detail were specified for the finished product.Trustee Habecker commented that
the consultant must be flexible with expertise and vision.The Town holds title to
the Manford and Estes Park Dev.Co.parcels and any improvements should
enhance the Stanley portion.Both resident and tourist interests will be well
thought-out,and consideration of the proposals will be held at the Community
Development Committee and Town Board meetings.Concluding all discussion,it
was moved and seconded (Habecker/Doylen)staff be authorized to proceed
with requesting proposals for the Stanley Park Master Plan,and it passed
unanimously.
3.TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT.
A.Construction Projects Update.(1)The Municipal Bldg.project remains on
schedule;the new restrooms should be opened 5/26;and completion is
expected 7/14.(2)The Museum Expansion Project is on schedule and within
budget;a 7/3 opening is planned.(3)The Performance Park restrooms are
nearing completion and should be available by Memorial Day.
Following completion of all agenda items,Mayor Baudek adjourned the meeting at 7:54
p.m.
ólohn Baudek,Mayor
Vickie O’Connor,Town Clerk