HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2012-02-14Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 14, 2012
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 14th day of
February, 2012.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig and Miller
Attending: All
Also Attending: Interim Town Administrator Richardson, Town Attorney
White and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
LMD DESTINATION BRANDING STRATEGY.
Executive Director Peggy Campbell, Stakeholder Services Kirby Nelson and Branding
Consultant Duane Knapp of BrandingStrategy Inc. presented a review of the branding
effort to date. The presentation reviewed the branding assessment process, branding
assessment methodology, branding assessment research, branding assessment
conclusions and paradigm shifts. The branding strategy is a four phase process
including brand assessment, brand promise, brand blueprint and brand culturalization.
The brand assessment methodology included the review of research from thousands of
Estes Park visitors, frequent travelers and community influencers and a review of
dozens of previously completed research studies. Assessment conclusions included
the following: the town has achieved positive performance despite a downturn in the
economy; there is a positive relationship with the Rocky Mountain National Park and it
enjoys a high level of satisfaction with its visitors; visitors enjoy the destination, however
satisfaction declines during the prime summer season due to traffic and parking; one
season with no strategy to create a year-round destination; a gateway mindset; Estes
Park viewed as a relaxing mountain getaway; no strategy to optimize/sustain the wildlife
experience; no specific strategy to provide a consistent exceptional experiences; and
enhance success through wayfinding strategy throughout Estes Park and improve the
sense of arrival. The overall paradigm shifts would be moving from a gateway versus a
getaway; guest versus visitor; favorite versus one of many, always in season versus on-
or off-season and village versus resort.
MAYOR’S RIGHT TO VOTE.
The Mayor’s right to vote is determined by Colorado State Statute; however, a
municipality may provide by ordinance that the mayor shall not be entitled to vote on
any matter before the board, except in the case of a tie vote. The Clerk’s Office
performed a review of past codified Municipal Codes and was able to determine the
Mayor’s right to vote in the case of a tie vote only has been in existence since at least
1961. A quick survey was conducted of other municipalities and it was determined that
approximately half of those surveyed have also adopted an ordinance limiting the
mayor’s voting to a tie vote.
Trustee Elrod stated constituents that he has communicated with on the issue are
surprised to find out that the mayor does not vote on all issues. Limiting the mayor’s
voting rights appears to limit the voters’ rights to representation. He would support as
outlined in the state statute a repeal of the current limitation and return the full voting
rights to the mayor prior to the April Election.
Town Board Study Session – February 14, 2012 – Page 2
Discussion followed amongst the Board members and many of the Trustees
appreciated the issue being brought forward; however, the consensus was to maintain
the current mayor’s right to vote (tie breaking vote only) because it allows the mayor to
hear all sides of an issue in the event a tiebreaking vote becomes necessary. The
Board also discussed the need to eliminate counting the mayor position as part of the
quorum if the position does not vote on all issues; therefore, the Board requested staff
present an ordinance at the next Town Board meeting to amend the Municipal Code
section related to quorum.
TOWN BOARD COMPENSATION.
The current board’s annual compensation for the Mayor is $6,000, Mayor Pro Tem is
$5,000 and Trustee is $4,000. Medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits are
available at the same contribution rates paid by a fulltime employee of the Town. There
is no policy established on how and when the Town Board compensation is reviewed.
The Board’s compensation was last reviewed in 2008. Staff would recommend Board
compensation include 100% medical coverage for all members that participate in the
Town’s medical plan. Staff would also recommend a policy be established similar to the
Municipal Court staff on how and when the elected official salaries are reviewed.
The Board discussed a potential increase prior to the 2012 election, which by state
statute would only affect those newly elected to the Board in April. All other Board
member’s salaries would remain at the current level. Several stated a slight increase
would help to cover the current medical premium costs. All agreed a policy should be
reviewed and suggested a review should be conducted on the off-election years during
the budget process. This would allow funds to be budgeted for the following election
year. The Board requested staff review salaries of similar communities and provide
recommendations on potential salary increases for board members elected during 2012
at an upcoming study session.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk