HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 09-22-2009
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 22,
2009
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
Rooms 202 & 203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 22nd day of
September, 2009.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Trustees Blackhurst, Ericson, Levine,
Homeier and Miller
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White, Town Clerk Williamson,
Absent: Trustee Eisenlauer
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
OFFICE OF SENATOR BENNET.
Meg Corwin and James Thompson from Senator Bennet’s office presented information
on the services provided to municipalities, including assistance with Federal Agencies,
grant funding opportunities, immigration or social security issues for citizens.
The Board provided Senator Bennet’s office with the top five issues/concerns facing the
Town of Estes Park, including transportation (transit and parking), economic
development to enhance year-round economy (new infrastructure at the fairgrounds and
Bond Park redevelopment), affordable housing for the work force above the 80%
median income, street infrastructure, community center (school building). The Board
requested information on what programs may be available through rural development,
block grants or other federal financing. Town Administration will provide Senator
Bennet’s office with background information and details on the issues.
OPEN DISCUSSION.
Mayor Pinkham, Administrator Halburnt and Commissioner Donnelley discussed the
issues that could be addressed at the recycling center in Estes Park, including safety
concerns, improved signage by the County, and encouraging Waste Management to
promote curbside recycling or requiring recycling with an increased base fee of $10.
The Board suggested the League of Women Voters could survey the community
to determine support for curbside recycling and could educate the community on
their options.
Mayor Pinkham would like the Board to consider moving forward on a bear-proof trash
can ordinance. Administration has discussion the potential of the County passing an
ordinance for the county properties in the valley. An ordinance would require the Town
to replace current trash cans downtown at a cost of approximately $500/can. A report
would be completed by the Community Development department to determine what
developments are required to have bear-proof cans and dumpsters. The Board
discussed other options including education and requiring a bear-proof can after
multiple problems at one location. The Board requested a draft ordinance be
forwarded to the Board for review.
Trustee Miller stated a policy should be developed to address responses to the
correspondence received by the Board. Discussion followed on who should respond to
the correspondence; how to draft a response; the need for a response to be reviewed
prior to sending it out; letters addressed to the Board or addressing town policy should
be answered by the Mayor and letters addressing staff or operations should be
answered by Administration.
Town Board Study Session – September 22, 2009 – Page 2
Trustee Miller suggested the Board consider adopting a set of rules and procedures for
how meetings will be run. He stated the City of Fort Collins has a standard operating
procedure for Town Council meetings.
Trustee Ericson questioned when the next joint Town Board and Planning Commission
meeting would be held and when the Town Board would be provided a list of code
changes for the Board’s review. Administrator Halburnt stated a list of code changes
has been approved by the Planning Commission, and the vacation home problem
statement has also been approved with investigation to begin on the issue
Trustee Ericson asked when an IGA with EPURA would be reviewed by the Town
Board. Administrator Halburnt stated an IGA with EPURA has been delayed until after
the election in January to decided whether or not EPURA would continue.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk