HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2018-11-13
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado November 13, 2018
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 13th day of November,
2018.
Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Walker, Trustees Bangs,
Cenac, Martchink, Norris and Zornes
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Town Attorney White, and Recording Secretary
Disney.
Absent: None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
BROADBAND FINANCING AND NEXT STEPS. Director Hudson presented an update
on Broadband financing. He provided background on the Broadband utility and
highlighted work done on financing options with Financial Advisor Jim Manire of Hilltop
Securities, Inc. It was determined to include the broadband utility as a division of the
Light & Power fund, which would improve financing options. Staff would like to issue a
Request for Proposals (RFP) for a bond underwriter to assist developing the final debt
service structure and prepare the bond issuance for market. Staff would continue to
investigate potential cost reductions and phased construction options.
Trustees discussed the advantages of Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont developing
similar utilities at the same time as Estes Park, the basis for selecting a bond
underwriter, public input, and the process of setting interest rates. It was determined to
have a RFP for a bond underwriter added to the consent agenda for the regular meeting
on November 27, 2018.
CHANGES TO VEP INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH LARIMER
COUNTY. Town Administrator Lancaster and Town Attorney White presented
suggested changes to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Estes Park Local
Marketing District with Larimer County. The changes would either add the option or
require the appointment of Trustees and County Commissioners to the Local Marketing
District (LMD) Board. The Trustees discussed the advantages and disadvantages of
providing an option versus requiring the appointment of elected officials to the LMD
Board, Visit Estes Park staff’s reaction to the amendments, residency requirements, and
the Board of County Commissioners’ reaction. It was determined to allow the option to
appoint elected officials to the LMD Board which would be brought to a regular meeting
following a review of the amendments to the IGA by the County Commissioners.
ESTES TRANSIT FOR 2019. Transit Manager Wells provided background on the
Brown Route of the shuttle service including ridership and the importance of the route to
sponsors. Earlier this year direction was received to review the potential of removing
stops outside of Town limits. Should the stops be removed, plans have been devised
which would be overseen by Parking and Transit Manager Solesbee. The Trustees
discussed the advantages of removing out-of-town stops, the shortened duration of the
Brown Route, the effect the change would have on out-of-town businesses, the increase
in personal vehicles in town, and the Transportation Advisory Board’s reaction. It was
determined to eliminate the stops outside of Town limits on the Brown Route for 2019.
TRUSTEE & ADMINSTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
Town Board Study Session – November 13, 2018 – Page 2
Trustee Norris stated the original charter of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory
Committee required recommendations be brought to the Board in December.
Considering Director Hunt’s leave and the holiday season, the committee recommended
allowing public comment on the drafted documents through December 2018 with
recommendations made to the Board in January 2019. The Estes Valley Planning
Commission recently approved a Development Plan for the Black Canyon Inn which
shows the Board’s direction to the Planning Commission has been effective. Zoning
code amendments were continued due to confusion about how the Comprehensive
Plan would be used in guiding code amendments and zoning issues. The Planning
Commission would like additional direction and clarification on these issues.
Trustee Cenac stated the LMD Board is headed in the correct direction.
Mayor Jirsa stated applications have been received for the Visit Estes Park CEO
position.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Town Administrator Lancaster stated the update on Film Center Plans with John Cullen,
tentatively scheduled for November 27, 2018 has yet to be confirmed.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:13 p.m.
Kimberly Disney, Recording Secretary