HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 07-28-2009
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 28, 2009
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION
of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at
Town Hall in Rooms 201/202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the
28th day of July, 2009.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Eisenlauer, Ericson, Homeier, and Miller
Attending: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Eisenlauer, Ericson, and Miller
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White, Dir. Zurn, Dir. Pickering,
Mgr. Winslow, and Deputy Town Clerk Deats
Absent: Trustee Homeier (joined the meeting at 4:40 p.m.)
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
MULTI-PURPOSE EVENT CENTER (MPEC) PROGRAMMING DISCUSSION.
Kenney Associates, Inc. was awarded the contract for architectural and engineering
services for the multi-purpose event center and indoor arena. Roger Kenney and Chris
Lee were in attendance at the meeting and provided information related to the firm’s
background and experience which includes involvement in the Larimer County
Fairgrounds, Thomas McKee 4-H Building, Hearts and Horses therapeutic riding facility,
Loveland Sports Park, Eagle County fairgrounds, and the Black Canyon Inn. The firm is
licensed in seven states and has been in business in Loveland for the past 17 years.
Mr. Kenney opened the discussion by reviewing a list of potential program ideas for the
MPEC, and said that information about the types of events/activities that may be held in
the building will help the firm to design a structure that is flexible enough to
accommodate the largest variety of activities. Discussion topics included: design
facility to enhance off-season, draw people to Estes Park, and provide recreational
activities to residents; deed restriction requires component that will enhance the lifestyle
of citizenry; types of sports and activities will influence roof pitch and design; flooring for
specific sports such as volleyball, basketball, and tennis will drive up costs; storage for
specialized flooring would eat up square footage; sports floors can be rented and
brought into the facility; ice rink is costly; need ability to accommodate dirt floor (or mats
with bedding chips) and horse stalls; remove climbing wall, as no desire to compete with
local businesses; use break-out rooms located at conference center, or can be added in
the future; indoor arena size may be 100’ x 200’; size of building may be 30,000 sq. ft.
with ability to divide into smaller areas to accommodate multiple and various events;
number of restrooms will be related to square footage and occupancy; catering kitchen
has no area for food preparation; and include electrical drops for vendor booths and
trade shows.
Discussion continued regarding the design guidelines, building materials, and colors the
Town Board adopted to be used throughout development at the fairgrounds, and
“green” building practices that may be given consideration for the project.
Mr. Kenney said after touring the fairgrounds site he observed some potential problems
with the existing master plan, one being related to an access point in the middle of the
site which would potentially create encounters between people and horses while
entering the building. He said turning the building would work better with the grade of
the site; create an entrance with a closer proximity to parking and without interaction
between people and horses and visually improve the look of the complex; and stressed
the importance of having a good master plan.
Town Board Study Session – July 28, 2009 – Page 2
Mr. Kenney said that the discussion and input from the meeting had provided sufficient
information to prepare a schematic plan that will propose square footage, a design for
the building, and a starting point for costs to present to the Town Board at the next
study session.
OPEN DISCUSSION.
1. Trails – Town Administrator Halburnt engaged the Trustees in a discussion
related to the construction of trails in the Estes Valley. At a meeting attended by
members of the trails group, Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVRPD)
Dir. Stan Gengler, Town Administrator Halburnt and Mayor Pinkham, two trails
were identified as priorities for construction: 1. the extension of Fish Creek Trail
to the Homer Rouse trail; and 2. the extension of Fall River Trail to Rocky
Mountain National Park. A third trail, a bike/hike trail into Rocky Mountain
National Park through the old entrance located in the vicinity of the Dunraven Inn
on Highway 66, was also discussed. Administrator Halburnt asked the Trustees
their views on pooling Open Lands funds with EVRPD funds to cooperate in trail
construction, some of which would occur outside of the Town limits. She said the
mil levy passed by EVRPD last year is dedicated to trail construction and that a
combined effort with the Town may increase buying power and the ability to
acquire additional funding. The Trustees asked if Open Lands funds could be
used on the development of Bond Park. Administrator Halburnt stated that
Finance Officer McFarland is researching this question and has not yet received
a definitive answer. The Trustees requested clarification on the use of Open
Lands monies in Bond Park, which would be the preferred use of the funds, and
expressed interest in continued conversations about cooperating on trail projects.
2. Workforce Housing and Planning for the Future – Ideas for the creation of
affordable housing for the Estes Park work force, as well as residents, were
discussed and included: revitalizing the downtown area and utilizing unused
space above retails shops as housing; dedicated sales tax or permit fees for
affordable housing; and requiring large commercial employers to provide housing
to their employees. Trustee Miller stated that a recent brainstorming session
hosted by the Estes Park Housing Authority clearly illustrated the need for
housing, and noted that if the problem is not addressed, affordable housing
issues will continue to grow.
Mayor Pinkham said he has been researching the idea of hiring an outside
consultant to help look at the “big picture” for the Town and provide assistance in
identifying the issues Estes Park will face in the future. He said scenario
development and analysis by a consultant may provide answers as to how the
Town can stimulate growth to sustain its economy and remain a desirable place
to live and vacation in the face of rising energy costs, transportation issues, and
a lack of affordable workforce housing. Discussion ensued on the following
topics: the high cost of consulting firms; it’s worthwhile to get someone who is an
expert to lead and provide information about what is being done in other parts of
the country and the world; resources may be found through the Denver Regional
Council of Governments (DRCOG), the Colorado Municipal League (CML),
Colorado University (CU) or Colorado State University (CSU), the Colorado
Association of Ski Towns (CAST), and experts within our own community;
consultants often provide information you already have or can get on your own;
circumstances over the last couple of years have had a significant impact on
lifestyles and people’s ability to afford things; are we at the beginning of a new
era of lifestyles, what does that look like, and how are people going to spend
their money; these things will have a significant impact on this community; what
scenarios would cause the Town to change and adapt; in the past Estes Park
continued to grow in depressed economic times; private enterprise and the
market will reshape the Town to meet future scenarios; Estes Park may be in a
better position than mountain communities west of the continental divide due to
Town Board Study Session – July 28, 2009 – Page 3
its proximity to the Front Range; and the Town needs to ensure that its
investments are well spent.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:47 p.m.
Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk