HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 10-21-2009
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 21, 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
Room 203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 21st day of October,
2009.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Trustees Blackhurst, Eisenlauer, Ericson,
Levine, Homeier and Miller
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White, Town Clerk Williamson,
Directors Kilsdonk and McFarland
Absent: Trustee Homeier
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
STANLEY PARK FAIRGROUNDS.
Trustee Eisenlauer expressed her concern with postponing the decision to move
forward with the construction drawings and the bid process for the Multi Purpose Event
Center (MPEC). Delaying the project would increase the cost and delay the completion
of the MPEC, thereby losing a season of revenue. She does not support a smaller
event center in an effort to reduce costs. The 2008 community survey demonstrated
the communities desire to have a facility that could be used in the winter for activity
such as tennis and basketball, which would not be accommodated in a smaller facility.
Trustee Miller stated the original intent at the fairgrounds was to provide new horse
barns, which overtime developed into an Event Center and an Indoor Arena created by
covering an existing barn. The original plan dictated the location of the Event Center on
the Northwest corner of the property, thereby placing staff offices way from the events.
He presented a new approach to the layout and design of buildings at the fairgrounds
including an Event Center, Indoor Arena and three new barns. A smaller Event Center
(20,000 – 25,000 sq. ft.) located near the grandstands with a connecting barn would be
designed with minimal toilet facilities, mechanical spaces, wash-racks, etc. and would
be heated for winter use. The toilet facilities at the nearby grandstands would be
utilized to save money on design and construction costs. This concept would allow
flexibility for two events to occur simultaneously and locate staff offices in the middle of
the facility. He estimated the cost per barn at $500,000 and a smaller Event Center at
$2.5 million. The barn could be built for use in May/June 2010 and allow a performa to
be completed for the Event Center and Indoor Arena with possible construction during
the fall of 2010. This timeframe would allow staff the time to investigate alternative
funding sources for the buildings including grants and naming rights.
Discussion amongst the Board is summarized: the project has already been delayed
and the Town needs to move forward with the current design; the Event Center would
provide economic stability for the community by providing additional revenue for the
Estes valley as well as additional sales tax for the Town; the Town needs more revenue
sources and this project would be a smart investment; the buildings must meet the
needs of the participants or they will not come; there is a need for barns and the Town
could build a couple of barns at the expense of the MPEC; the Town does not have the
funds to build the MPEC and would have to go to the voters to receive approval to incur
debit; and the Board should not change the direction of Kenney & Associates because
the MPEC has been a part of the Master Plan since 2004.
Deputy Town Administrator Richardson stated the winterizing of the grandstand
bathrooms would be a redesign by the architect and a change order to the contractor at
an approximate cost of $40,000.
Town Board Study Session – October 21, 2009 – Page 2
Trustee Homeier arrived at 4:45 p.m.
Manager Winslow commented the Event Center would be the most useful building;
however, he would be concerned with vendors, participants and guests having to walk
to the restroom. Vendors would be concerned with the lack of appropriate facilities
within the building including concessions. The proposed concept would infringe upon a
warm-up arena and the loss of Barn T and U. He stated having the staff office in a
centralized location on the property would be useful; however, placement of the Event
Center on the edge of the property would keep the general public separate from the
equestrian facilities. An Indoor Arena needs to be connected to 250 to 300 stalls to
make the building profitable.
The Board discussed the need to set a time limit for the Supporters of the Performing
Arts to raise the funds necessary to build the performing arts theater. The Town owns
the property on the southeast corner that has been reserved for the theater and has
been setting money aside for site preparations. This property could be used for other
fairground facilities.
The Board consensus was to have Kenney & Associates complete construction/bid
documents for the Event Center and schematics drawings for the Indoor Arena and
attached barns. Staff would renegotiate the contract with Kenney. The Board
requested Trustee Eisenlauer/SOPA Liaison discuss a realistic dated to end the current
MOU for the theater. Trustee Miller stated other issues that should be addressed are
the landscaping for fairground improvements and an interconnected sound system for
all buildings at the fairgrounds.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Administrator Halburnt stated Betsy Markey would tour the Park Theater Mall fire site.
Daily email updates on the status of the fire investigation would be sent to the Board.
Mayor Pinkham stated efforts are being coordinated to provide resources for Park
Theater Mall businesses owners in conjunction with the Partners of Commerce.
The grandstand construction would require a special building inspector as the Town’s
Chief Building Inspector is not qualified to inspect this type of structure and would cost
up to $15,000.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 5:36 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk