HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2026-05-26Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 26, 2026
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes
Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall in said Town
of Estes Park on the 26th day of May, 2026.
Present: Gary Hall, Mayor
Kirby Hazelton, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Bill Brown
Chris Eshelman
Mark Igel
Frank Lancaster
Jamie Mieras
Also Present: Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Deputy Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Stephanie Bramwell, Recording Secretary
Absent: None
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited the
Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Eshelman) to approve the Agenda, and it
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Alayna Henderson/Town resident read comments on behalf of Marty Miranda stating
concerns about the proposed Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) housing development
on Fish Hatchery Road, including evacuation infrastructure and the health of the wetland
ecosystem.
Hal Henderson/Town resident expressed concern about the proposed EPHA housing
development on Fish Hatchery Road, stating concerns about evacuation infrastructure.
Attorney Kramer noted public comments on quasi-judicial matters may only be heard
within the relevant public hearing.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Board comments were heard and have been summarized: the Estes Arts District stated
interest in supporting additional murals; the Economic Development and Workforce
Council would discuss the results of a survey on seasonal housing needs with support
from Deputy Town Administrator Damweber; encouraged people to attend the monthly
Trustee Talks; nominations were open for Visit Estes Park's (VEP) Tourism Awards for
people and businesses who support the local tourism industry; VEP created a public key
performance indicators dashboard available for viewing on their website; an event
commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Big Thompson Flood would be hosted at the
Drake Firehouse; the EPHA would institute a 3% rent increase August 1, 2026; the 30%
draft of the Estes Park Development Code update, attainable housing definitions,
workforce housing definitions, and housing density were discussed at the May EPHA
Board of Directors meeting; reminded businesses to adhere to the advertising signage
regulations outlined in the Municipal Code; encouraged those interested to join the Sister
Cities Association; encouraged support of the Mrs. Rooftop Rodeo fundraiser for cancer
screenings through the Estes Park Health Foundation; congratulated the Molle family on
the screening of their film at the Environmental Film Festival; recognized the proclamation
from Governor Polls proclaiming May 16, 2026 as Dr. Randall Maharry Day in recognition
of Dr. Randall Maharry's service in the Estes Valley; the UCHealth forum on the Hospital
Transformation Program discussed the ongoing integration of the Estes Valley Medical
Board of Trustees - May 26,2026 - Page 2
Center into the UCHealth System; Mayor Hall stated his criteria for considering
development in Estes Park was if it retained the beauty, character, and quality of life in
Estes; and spoke about recommendations to combine the two sanitation special districts
serving Estes Park.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT.
Town Administrator Machalek stated the 50% draft of the Estes Park Development Code
update would be shared with the community for feedback later in the summer.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills
2. Town Board Meeting and Study Session Minutes dated May 12,2026
3. Estes Park Planning Commission Minutes dated February 17, 2026
(acknowledgment only)
4. Resolution 61-26 Amendment No. 1 to Renew the Colorado Department of Human
Services Co-Responder Contract with SummitStone Health Partners
5. Resolution 62-26 Setting the Public Hearing for a New Hotel and Restaurant Liquor
License Application for Eastern Slope LLC dba Eastern Slope, 200 Moraine Avenue,
Estes Park, Colorado
6. Resolution 63-26 Contract Renewals with Dickinson Electric Inc., Flash Electric Inc.,
and South Paw Electric Company for On-Call Electrical Services - Budgeted
7. Resolution 64-26 Requesting the Department of Local Affairs Amend Grant EIAF B-
022's Scope of Project
It was moved and seconded (Brown/Eshelman) to approve the Consent Agenda with
the removal of Item 6: Resolution 63-26 and Item 7: 64-26, and it passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS REMOVED FOR DISCUSSION:
1. ITEM 6: RESOLUTION 63-26. Trustee Eshelman asked about the number of
renewals outlined in the original contracts. Staff confirmed the original contracts
allowed for four (4) additional renewals rather than the three (3) additional renewals
stated in the contract renewals, and stated it was not a substantive difference for the
one (1) year contract renewal outlined in Resolution 63-26. It was moved and
seconded (Eshelman/Hall) to approve Resolution 63-26, and it passed
unanimously.
2. ITEM 7: RESOLUTION 64-26. Trustee Eshelman asked about additional funding to
complete the Broadband Planning and Implementation project. Director Bergsten
stated additional grant opportunities were being researched and would be presented
to the Board for consideration at a future date. It was moved and seconded
(Hazelton/Eshelman) to approve Resolution 64-26, and it passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS (OUTSIDE ENTITIES):
1. 2025 BASE FUNDING REPORT: ESTES VALLEY INVESTMENT IN CHILDHOOD
SUCCESS (EVICS). Executive Director Miller provided an overview of the program
and highlighted a 21% increase in clients served from 2024 to 2025. 1,240 individuals
were served, 496 households supported, and 286 children impacted. In 2025, the
Family, Friend, and Neighbor childcare cohort launched; bilingual mental health
services expanded; Youth Advocate programming was added; and three (3) Peer
Support Specialists were trained. Board comments were heard and have been
summarized: asked which programs experienced an increase in participation, Director
Miller stated more people participated in the Family Development Program, childcare,
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Legal Clinic, and DMV monthly event than previous years; and thanked EVICS for
their efforts to improve the well-being of children and families in Estes Park.
LIQUOR ITEMS:
1. RESOLUTION 65-26 NEW VINTNERS RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE FILED
BY SNOWY PEAKS WINERY. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing and Town Clerk
Williamson presented Resolution 65-26 for a newVintners Restaurant Liquor License.
She reviewed the application stating all paperwork and fees had been submitted. The
location currently holds a manufacturing license through the State and can only sell
their wines. The new license would allow the business to serve other alcohol
manufactured by businesses in town such as those from local breweries and distillers.
The applicant had previously completed Responsible Vendor Training. The applicant
was available for questions and spoke regarding their plans to expand their liquor and
food offerings as an event venue. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved
and seconded (Eshelman/Mieras) to approve Resolution 65-26, and it passed
unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS- NEW BUSINESS:
1. ORDINANCE 09-26 CONSENTING TO THE INCLUSION OF CERTAIN
PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN OF ESTES PARK INTO THE
NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY'S MUNICIPAL
SUBDISTRICT. Mayor Hall reopened the public hearing which was continued at the
May 12, 2026 meeting. Director Bergsten and Legal Counsel White presented the
benefits of pursuing inclusion in the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy's
Municipal Subdistrict for properties within the Town not included in the subdistrict or
district. Properties are legally required to be in either the subdistrict or district to
receive water from the Town. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized:
questioned the likelihood of these properties being accepted into the district or
subdistrict, Legal Counsel White stated all of the properties for inclusion had been
identified by both the Town and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy; asked
about the process to include properties that are not within Town limits but receive
Town water, staff stated inclusion in the district or subdistrict would be sought for these
properties through a petition process requiring at least 5% of applicable property
owners to agree to inclusion in the district or subdistrict; asked about the difference
between the district and the subdistrict, Legal Counsel White stated the federal
government owned the water rights managed by the district while the subdistrict
owned the water rights it managed; asked about the leadership of the Northern
Colorado Water Conservancy, Legal Counsel White stated the board members were
appointed by the Chief District Court Judges who presided over the counties included
in the Northern Colorado Water Consen/ancy. Mayor Hall closed the public hearing.
It was moved and seconded (Eshelman/Mieras) to approve Ordinance 09-26, and
it passed unanimously.
2. ORDINANCE 10-26 CONSENTING TO THE INCLUSION OF CERTAIN
PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN OF ESTES PARK INTO THE
NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY'S DISTRICT. Mayor Hall
reopened the public hearing which was continued at the May 12, 2026 meeting.
Director Bergsten and Legal Counsel White presented the benefits of seeking
inclusion in the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy's District for properties within
the Town not included in the subdistrict or district. Properties are legally required to
be in either the subdistrict or district to receive water from the Town.
Carl Cross/Town resident asked for clarification regarding the increased water fees to
his property should it be included in the district, Legal Counsel White provided
clarification on the increase in water fees, stating it would be a one (1) mil increase
per year, properties currently in the district or subdistrict had been paying these fees,
and the Town would pay the required back taxes from 1938 for the properties listed in
Ordinance 09-26 and Ordinance 10-26 to enter the subdistrict or district. Cross then
stated his support of Ordinance 10-26.
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Mayor Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded
(Eshelman/Hazelton) to approve Ordinance 10-26, and it passed unanimously.
3. 2027 PROVISIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN. The Town Board held Strategic Planning
Sessions on March 9 and April 30, 2026. Adoption of the 2027 Provisional Strategic
Plan would provide staff with a formally-adopted document to inform and guide
development of the 2027 proposed budget, and track and report changes to the
Strategic Plan during the budget process. The final 2027 Strategic Plan would be
presented for adoption in conjunction with the 2027 Budget. Board discussion ensued
and has been summarized: discussed adding "exlpore partnership opportunities with
Whimsadoodle, EPHA, or other potential partners" to the goal regarding a shared
facility concept on Cleave Street to recognize current collaborators while remaining
open to new partnerships; discussed plans to demolish the existing Riverside
Restrooms and relocate the facility to the otherside of the river as mentioned in
Government Services and Internal Support Objective 11.B.1; Town Administrator
Machalek noted the complete Strategic Plan had not been included in the packet and
requested the item be continued to June 9, 2026. It was moved and seconded
(HaII/Brown) to continue the 2027 Provisional Strategic Plan to June 9,2026,and
it passed unanimously.
REQUEST TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:
It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Eshelman) to enter executive session to
discuss purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of any real, personal, or other
property interest - Section 24-6-402(4)(a), C.R.S. and for a conference with an
attorney for the Board for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal
questions - Section 24-6-402(4)(b), C.R.S. - Considerations for Development of
Housing on Town Properties, and it passed unanimously.
Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. to enter executive session.
The Board concluded the executive session at 9:26 p.m.
Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.
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Gary Halt, Mayor
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Stephanie Bramwell, Recording Secretary