HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2026-09-22Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 22, 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 22nd day of September, 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.
Proclamation - Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Mayor Hall proclaimed October 1 , 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Brianna
Spica from the organization United 2 Stop Human Trafficking thanked the Town Board
for their leadership, spoke about the organization's efforts to prevent human trafficking,
and invited the Town Board to the United 2 Stop Human Trafficking 2026 Summit.
Agenda Approval.
Town Administrator Machalek requested Action Item 2: Ordinance 13-26 Third
Amendment to 2016 Verizon Wireless Land Lease Agreement be removed from the
agenda as the associated contract was not ready for consideration. It was moved and
seconded (Eshelman/Brown) to approve the Agenda with the removal of Action Item
2: Ordinance 13-26, and it passed unanimously.
Public Comments.
Ron Wilcocks/ County resident presented an alternative proposal to the planned new
Public Safety facility of a decentralized network of facilities for public safety staff costing
approximately $9 million.
Hal Henderson/Town resident expressed concern about the existing evacuation
infrastructure along Highway 34.
Trustee Comments.
Board comments were heard and have been summarized: thanked the Water Division for
hosting the Water Shop Open House; Visit Estes Park (VEP) would present the
organization's draft operating plan to the Town Board and Larimer County Board of
Commissioners on October 27; thanked Mike Zumbaugh for his service as CFO ofVEP
and congratulated him on his retirement; welcomed Jorge Perez as the new CFO ofVEP;
Mayor Hall and Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton interviewed ten (10) applicants for the VEP
Board of Directors position to be filled at the end of 2026 and prepared recommendations
for the Board to consider in October; the Estes Chamber of Commerce Next Generation
Network would meet with Mayor Hall and Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton to learn how to
become involved in municipal government; Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton would attend the
Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Summit as a member of the Colorado Association of Ski
Towns (CAST); Trustees Igel and Lancaster interviewed applicants for the Estes Park
Housing Authority (EPHA) Board of Commissioners and prepared recommendations for
the Board's consideration; EPHA reviewed a draft of the 2027 budget and would be
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closing on the Tiny Town property at 830 Moraine Ave at the end of September; the Estes
Valley Restorative Justice Partnership (EVRJP) Board of Directors expected to complete
their strategic plan in Spring 2027; welcomed Lee Currie to the EVRJP Board of Directors;
directed the public to the Trustee's public email portal for more information on CDOT's
project to install traffic cameras on Highway 36; invited the public to join the Estes Park
Sister Cities Association; reminded the public of the Hispanic Heritage Month activities;
Mayor Hall and Trustees Brown and Mieras attended the Larimer County Workforce
Symposium; and Mayor Hall would attend the Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference.
Town Administrator Report.
Town Administrator Machalek thanked the Water Division and Public Information Officer
Miller for organizing the Water Shop Open House.
Policy Governance Monitoring Report - Policy 3.8. Town Administrator Machalek
reported full compliance.
Consent Agenda:
1. Expenditure Approval Lists - Bills
2. Town Board Meeting and Study Session Minutes dated September 8,2026
3. Estes Park Planning Commission Minutes dated August 18, 2026 (acknowledgment
only)
4. Resolution 97-26 Extension No. 2 of the Colorado-Big Thompson Subcontract
among the Town of Estes Park, the YMCA of the Rockies, and the Northern
Colorado Water Conservancy District
5. Acceptance of Town Administrator Policy Governance Monitoring Report
6. Estes Park Housing Assessment Addendum and Housing Action Plan - Item
continued by staff to October 13, 2026
It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Mieras) to approve the Consent Agenda with
the removal of Consent Item #4: Resolution 97-26, and it passed unanimously.
Consent Item #4 - Resolution 97-26 Extension No. 2 of the Colorado-Big Thompson
Subcontract among the Town of Estes Park, the YMCA of the Rockies, and the
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. Trustee Eshelman requested
information on the current status of incorporating Town of Estes Park Water Division
customers into the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWC) and
Subdistrict, Special Counsel White stated properties within town limits were in the process
of being incorporated and the Town would petition the District Court to include properties
beyond the town boundary into the District or Subdistrict. The Trustees expressed their
desire to complete the incorporation of NCWC customers and discussed the timeline.
Special Counsel White was confident all lands being served by the Town's water system
located outside of the Town's boundaries would be incorporated into NCWC by the end
of October 2028. Trustee Eshelman recused himself from the vote as he currently holds
the position of Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) for water sen/ice at the YMCA. It
was moved and seconded (Hazelton/lgel) to approve Consent Agenda Item #4:
Resolution 97-26, and it passed with Trustee Eshelman recusing himself.
Reports and Discussion Items (Outside Entities):
1. Support Our Firefighters Estes Valley Fire Protection District - Ballot Question
6D Overview. Randy Repola, Chairperson of the Estes Valley Fire and Safety
Coalition provided an overview of Ballot Question 6D. Ballot Question 6D would
establish a 0.5% sales tax within the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) to
fund the EVFPD. The top three priorities of the EVFPD were wildland firefighting,
firefighter support, and timely response and apparatus. Anticipated future expenses
included ongoing training of new and existing volunteers, replacing outdated gear,
replacing self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) and a SCBA fill station,
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purchasing new tires for Type 3 Engines, and replacing vehicles. Repola discussed
existing and proposed funding mechanisms. EVFPD's existing property tax of 2.069
mills was over four (4) mills lower than comparable communities. Other fire protection
districts around Colorado have adopted a 0.5-1.5% sales tax, in addition to mill levy's
ranging from 2.199 -16.621 mills. He noted that both fire calls and sales tax revenue
fluctuate with visitation. Board comments and questions have been summarized:
asked if additional EVFPD staff would be hired if Issue 6D passed, Repola stated his
understanding was the EVFPD Board was committed to maintaining the EVFPD as
a volunteer organization; questioned the cost of replacing a fire engine, Repola
estimated replacement cost at $1 million with the ladder vehicle due for replacement
in 2039 estimated to cost $5 million; discussed the status of EVFPD's capital
replacement fund, Repola believed a fund had existed previously but was not aware
if it had been depleted and stated if Issue 6D passed some of the revenue would
contribute to a capital replacement fund; questioned if any changes were planned to
the wildland mitigation efforts currently supported by a portion of the 1A sales tax,
Repola stated there were several opportunities to expand mitigation efforts; inquired
if EVFPD had a strategic plan; stated the Town did not plan to stop funding the EVFPD
if Issue 6D failed; supported Ballot Issue 6D to enable EVFPD to be financially
independent from the Town; and explained a sales tax shared the responsibility of
funding EVFPD with visitors and all of those within the EVFPD boundaries, including
residents beyond town limits.
Planning Commission Action Items:
A. Resolutions 98-26 Amended Plat of Lots 12 and 13 of the Amended Plat of Lots
12, 13, and 14, Block 1, Amended Plat of Lots 12 through 16 and 23 through 35,
Block 1, Fall River Estates, Schuele Family Revocable Trust/Owner, Van Horn
Engineering/Applicant. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing. Senior Planner
Hornbeck presented the staff recommendation to amend a subdivision plat to combine
two (2) lots. This amendment was at the request of the owner who owned both
properties. Utility providers had approved the dissolution of the utility easement
between the two existing lots. Andy Schaffner/ Van Horn Engineering confirmed the
contents of the application and the owner's desire to combine the two (2) lots. Mayor
Hall closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Igel/Lancaster) to
approve Resolution 98-26, and it passed unanimously.
Action Items:
1. Resolution 99-26 Supporting Estes Valley Fire Protection District Ballot Issue
6D. Town Administrator Machalek provided information on the Town's current support
of EVFPD. The Town committed 7% of the Town's then 4% sales tax to the EVFPD
at the formation of the district in 2009. Senate Bill 24-194 authorized fire districts and
other emergency services districts to levy sales tax beginning in May 2024. The Town
Board had clearly stated no redirection of the Town's existing contribution to the
EVFPD would be considered unless the EVFPD secured alternate financing.
Ron Wilcocks/County resident expressed concern sales tax was not an equitable
funding option. He stated increasing sales tax had a greater negative impact on those
with fewer means and questioned the boundaries of the sales tax and the effect on
non-profit organizations. Funding the EVFPD through an increase in property taxes
would distribute the burden to those who benefited the most from fire protection in the
Estes Valley. The existing sales taxes resulted in people purchasing necessities
outside of town limits. He expressed his support for EVFPD and the services they
provide and encouraged the EVFPD to consider alternative funding mechanisms.
Board discussion was heard and has been summarized: discussed the EVFPD's
previous unsuccessful attempts to increase the existing mill levy; reminded fellow
Board members of the correlation between the increase in tourism and the increase
in calls for the EVFPD; suggested EVFPD ask voters to increase the mill levy and
decrease the proposed sales tax in the future; supported Resolution 99-26; discussed
the lack of success of EVFPD's previous attempts to distribute the cost of service by
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charging for calls beyond town boundaries; and confirmed non-profits would collect
and remit sales tax.
It was moved and seconded (Igel/Mieras) to approve Resolution 99-26, and it
passed unanimously.
2. Ordinance 13-26 Third Amendment to 2016 Verizon Wireless Land Lease
Agreement. Item was continued to a date uncertain at the request of staff.
3. Ordinance 14-26 Amending chapter 18.04 of the Municipal Code Regarding
Floodplain Regulations. Mayor Hall opened the public hearing for Ordinance 14-26.
Engineer and Floodplain Administrator Waters reviewed Ordinance 14-26. Adopting
the most recent Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
provided by the Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP) was required by FEMA
for continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. The maps were
the most recent representation of the risk of flooding in Estes Park. Mayor Hall stated
his appreciation for the diligence to mitigate flood risk. Mayor Hall closed the public
hearing. It was moved and seconded (Hazelton/Eshelman) to approve Ordinance
14-26, and it passed unanimously.
4. Ordinance 15-26 Prospect Mountain Water Project Repayment Surcharge. Mayor
Hall opened the public hearing for Ordinance 15-26. Manager Wesley presented an
overview of the proposed repayment program for the Prospect Mountain water
customers. The Town of Estes Park Water Division began operating the Prospect
Mountain Water System in 2016. The Voluntary Transfer Agreement between the
Bankruptcy Trustee for Prospect Mountain Water Company (PMWC) and the Town
transferred RMWC assets to the Town in 2019. At that time, former PMWC customers
became Town customers subject to Town rules and billing. It was identified the water
system required updating. The Town secured over $10 million worth of grant funding
for the project in addition to a USDA-RD low-interest loan payable over 40 years. A
surcharge would be applied to former PMWC customers and customers connecting
before the completion of the project to repay the USDA loan. Customers connecting
after the completion of the project would not be charged the project surcharge. The
estimated benefited customer repayment was $150 per month, accounting for
administrative costs and the interest rate of the USDA loan. The final surcharge
amount would be calculated following project completion. A one-time payoff process
would be established for interested parties. Board discussion was heard and has been
summarized: questioned how the continued weeping of the water storage tank would
be resolved, staff stated it was the contractor's responsibility to deliver a completed
water tank and staff were in negotiation with the contractor to fix the weeping,
complete other remaining work, and resolve liquidated damages; staff confirmed there
was a surety bond; supported the $150 per month maximum surcharge; discussed the
expressed desire of Prospect Mountain water customers to update the water system
to ensure it remained operational; and confirmed the Voluntary Transfer Agreement
was between the Town and the Bankruptcy Trustee for PMWC rather than individual
property owners, and therefore, annexation of the properties was not considered as
part of the Water Division's acquisition of the infrastructure. Mayor Hall closed the
public hearing. It was moved and seconded (Eshelman/Hazelton) to approve
Ordinance 15-26, and it passed unanimously.
5. Appointments to the Estes Park Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Trustees Igel and Lancaster recommended the Board appoint Isaiah Johnson to
replace Marty Miranda for a term expiring April 30, 2026, Adam Hochstetler to replace
Julia Daley for a term expiring April 30, 2027 and recommended extending the term
to April 30, 2029, and Zengzhen (Jillina) Yang to replace Rut Miller for a term expiring
April 30, 2028. They discussed the selection process which included reviewing the
applications, resumes, and cover letters of 14 applicants and inten/iewing six (6) of
the applicants. Attorney Kramer recommended limiting Adam Hochstetler's
appointment to replace Julia Daley for the remainder of the term expiring April 30,
2027 so as to comply with State statute. Mayor Hall questioned the decision to
interview six (6) of the 14 applicants rather than all of the applicants, Trustees Igeland
Lancaster agreed it was most efficient for the interview committee and the applicants
Board of Trustees - September 22,2026 - Page 5
to interview the top six (6) applicants. Appointment nominees Isaiah Johnson and
Adam Hochstetler introduced themselves to the Board, thanked them for their time
and consideration, and extended the invitation to discuss housing issues further. It
was moved and seconded (Lancaster/Hazelton) to appoint Isaiah Johnson to
replace Marty Miranda for a term expiring April 30, 2029, Adam Hochstetler to
replace Julia Daley for a term expiring April 30, 2027, and Zengzhen (Jillina)
Yang to replace Rut Miller for a term expiring April 30, 2028, and it passed
unanimously.
Whereupon Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Gary HallJ^ayor /
-^^w/-/
Ste^Ranie Bramwell, Recording Secretary