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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session Budget Meeting 05-05-2004 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 5, 2004 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 5th day of May, 2004. Board: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Doylen, Habecker, Jeffrey-Clark, Levine, Newsom, Pinkham Attending: All Also Attending: Town Administrator Widmer, Assistant Town Administrator Repola, Town Attorney White, Deputy Clerk van Deutekom, Directors Brandjord, Joseph, Linnane, Pickering, Manager Marsh, and EPURA Executive Director Smith Absent: None Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m. CVB AND ANNEXATION PLAN STATUS. CVB - Operation of a Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is scheduled to begin October 1, 2004. The mission of the CVB is to: 1) offer a comprehensive marketing program that sells Estes Park as a year round vacation and recreation destination; 2) offer a menu of services at a fair, equitable, and reasonable price; 3) provide one marketing face for the community; and 4) provide visitors, businesses, and citizens a high level of customer service, working cooperatively as a community to build the economy and preserve the natural surrounding. The intention is that the CVB will create revenues from the sale of its menu of services to offset the new CVB operating expenses. The 2005/2006 budgets will reflect those expenses and revenues. The 2004 start-up phase will require an appropriation of $195,000 from the General Fund to CVB expenses for the fourth quarter of 2004. Discussion items included: - benefits of CVB membership - staffing requirements - website creation and content - building improvements (i.e., future needs that may require remodeling/reconstruction/reconfiguration of existing structure). A funding request will be presented to the Town Board for approval. Annexation Plan – individual businesses outside Town limits and located along highway corridors (34/36/66) are being contacted by the Business Development Dept. regarding the Town’s commercial annexation program. Under this program, the Public Works 2004 operating budget would absorb the expenses required to annex (approximately $7,000 per property). Based on approximately 30 qualifying businesses, potential new tax revenues could range from $250,000 to $500,000 if only 50% annex. Of the 10 businesses contacted, 5 have requested annexation, 3 are under consideration, and 2 have opted out. Formal action is not required by the Board. Staff will continue the solicitation of these businesses, addressing their needs and individual concerns on a business to business basis. FIRE DISTRICT UPDATE. The Service Plan for the proposed Estes Park Fire District was filed with Larimer County on April 1, 2004. The Larimer County Commissioners set a public hearing on the Service Plan on June 1, 2004. Following approval by the Commissioners, a Petition may be filed with the Town Board Study Session - May 5, 2004 – Page 2 Larimer County District Court requesting approval of the formation of a Fire District. If the Petition is found to be in accordance with the Colorado State Statutes, the District Court judge will order that the question of formation of the Fire District be placed on the General Election ballot of November 2, 2004. Also on the ballot will be the election of five (5) directors. If a majority of the eligible electors vote in favor of the formation of the Fire District, the Fire District will be formed by the District Court and the five (5) persons who receive the most votes will constitute the Board of Directors. Attorney White indicated that State Statute requires homeowner notification of this process and public hearing date. A total of 8,946 notification letters will be mailed this week to all residents within the proposed District boundaries. EPURA. Executive Director Smith presented a summary description of EPURA, noting that the current primary focus has been the implementation of the West Corridor Plan. This includes completion of the Riverwalk and its amenities through the west end and connecting with the Fall River Trail at Performance Park, the kayak course, development of Wiest Plaza, parking improvements, and redevelopment of the Bob’s Amoco site. Major accomplishments of EPURA over the past two decades include the streetscape along Elkhorn Ave., the Riverwalk, multiple parking improvements, Riverside Plaza, and the Conference Center. Discussion items included: - extending the life of EPURA - importance of investing in the community - property and sales tax increments MUNICIPAL BUILDING REMODEL. In 2003, Thorp Associates prepared a Municipal Building Remodel Multi-Year Master Plan for the Town. The remodel master plan proposed a multi-year, three-phased approach to construction, with the end result being the total remodeling of both floors of the Municipal Building. Phase I was budged in 2004 and is currently under construction. Future phases (to include remodeling the second floor and moving the Police Department to an off-site location) are contingent upon future budgets. Phase I involves: 1) construction of a new public restroom with interior access, as well as 24-hr. public assess; 2) construction of a new Finance Department workspace; 3) improved customer service lobby facility; 4) miscellaneous items, including a remodeled women’s restroom; employee-use room, a new computer room that houses all of the Town’s equipment in one area; and 5) improved building and computer security. Phase I schedule: 50% of the project has been completed, including installation of underground sewer and electricity; plumbing; concrete slab; framing; temporary Finance offices; Executive Women’s Restroom; sidewalk; insulation; sheetrock; Computer Room/I.T. office; and relocation of all computer servers and mainframe. Phase I project completion is anticipated by July 14, 2004. FINANCIAL REVIEW. Finance Officer Brandjord summarized financial activities and trends. The source for 2003 data is the most recent draft of the audited financial statements, as the audit for 2003 has not yet been presented. A comparison of revenues, transfers, expenditures and fund balances was reviewed for the General, Light & Power, and Water Funds. Discussion items included: - water assets and water rights portfolio - water rate and tap fee studies completed in 2003 WIEST THEATRE. Town Board Study Session - May 5, 2004 – Page 3 In early 2003, the idea of purchasing the Park Theatre and adjacent River Shops, to create a cultural arts facility and the possibility of developing the Wiest Theatre were discussed. Following several months of negotiations, it became apparent the Park Theatre and adjacent shops were not considered “for sale” by the property owners and the negotiations were terminated. In mid April, 2003, EPURA and the Town announced plans to build the Wiest Theatre, the West Riverwalk improvements, and a parking deck in the Wiest parking lot. EPURA contracted Thorp Associates to begin a conceptual design to include a 525-seat theatre and associated parking structure. Costs for the theatre ranged from $8-$10 million. AMS Planning and Research was hired to produce a feasibility study that would compare the operational costs and the associated economic benefits of the project. Details from the feasibility study are as follows: At approximately year 3 – operating revenues of $219,650 and operating expenses of $523,199, for an operating deficit of $303,549 per year. These calculations assume rental charges from non-profit uses of $75,000. The deficit would be in addition to the debt service for the theatre. Direct economic impact as a result of the theatre would amount to approximately $36,000 in sales taxes per year. The consultant will present this study at a Town Board meeting in the near future. Discussion items included: - estimated cost of the theater ($8-10 million range) and the possibility of “scaling” down the project. - community expectations regarding the project STANLEY PARK QUIET TITLE. Attorney White presented a brief history of the acquisition of Stanley Park and summarized his efforts regarding the quiet title research. The Town acquired the Park property (3 parcels) during the 1930’s from the following entities: F.O. Stanley, the Estes Park Company, and Manford Family. The title work has been completed on the Estes Park Company and Manford Family parcels with successful results. During the discovery process, it was revealed that the interests of the F.O. Stanley heirs were not transferred as previously thought, thus Attorney White explained that pursuit of this issue is not recommended. Attorney White noted that the current title is not in jeopardy and any future bonding could only include the Estes Park Company and Manford parcels. SHORT TERM RENTALS. In 1998, the Town Board amended the business license ordinance to permit short term vacation rentals (less than 30 days) in all residential zoning districts. In 2000, the Estes Valley Development Code referenced this Municipal ordinance, categorizing the use as accessory rather than principal. In order to address new concerns and clarify the existing limitations and inconsistencies between the codes, staff recommends the following amendments and presents the following options for consideration: - amend the Municipal Code to limit the total number of guests to one family, or eight unrelated individuals (as one party). - efficiency kitchens and off site employees should be prohibited. - Option A: Accessory use could be defined even if it is difficult to track and enforce. The period of vacation rental use should not exceed 6 months out of the year if it is intended to be accessory only. - Option B: Provide for vacation rentals as a principal use with no regulation of duration. This option would also require elimination of current B&B restrictions in the EVDC. Discussion items included: Town Board Study Session - May 5, 2004 – Page 4 - difficulties of enforcement - primary vs. accessory use - restrictions for B&B’s Concluding all discussion, it was noted that this is a complex issue requiring additional study. Assistant Administrator Repola will prepare a summation of current issues and provide potential solutions for further review. Attorney White presented an additional issue regarding short term rentals. It was determined that inclusion of A-Accommodations zones is necessary to clarify the intent of the Municipal Code and specifically state that individual business licenses are required for all properties operating as short term rentals. Attorney White will prepare the Ordinance for consideration by the Town Board for approval. ELK MANAGEMENT EIS. Director Joseph presented details from a recent elk EIS meeting regarding possible staging locations for intervention measures outside the RMNP. Alternatives (such as rounding up/culling, sterilization, relocation, fencing) were discussed for both public and private lands. The elk EIS group does not intend to propose an alternative without confirming that a site would in fact become available as contemplated. The group requests that the Town formally request the Department of Wildlife (DOW) give consideration to the hazing and herding alternatives, as they are the responsible agency outside RMNP. Director Joseph presented the following schedule: April 30: Distribute Draft Alternative Development/Matrix to IET May 12: RMNP staff meeting May 14: IET comments due May 26: “Drop dead” deadline for IET comments, meeting if requested by IET June 2: Complete newsletter, get to printer June 7: Distribute newsletter Wk. of June 21: Public meetings Discussion items included: - alternatives as they relate to Town-owned property - importance of public and Town input and sensitivity of the issue - DOW issues regarding hunting and alternatives presented Director Joseph will convey Town concerns and comments to the group by May 14th. RETREAT BRIEFING. The Retreat has been scheduled May 19th from 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm at the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Conference Center. Lunch will be served. The notebooks will be available on May 14th. There being no further business, Mayor Baudek adjourned the meeting at 8:32 pm. Rebecca van Deutekom, CMC, Deputy Town Clerk