HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2012-05-22
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 22, 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 22nd day of May,
2012.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst, Trustees Elrod,
Ericson, Koenig, Norris and Phipps
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White and Town Clerk
Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
BRANDING STRATEGY – ESTES PARK BRAND PROMISE.
Peggy Campbell/Visit Estes Park Executive Director and Kirby Nelson/Stakeholder
Services Manager provided a review of the next phase of the branding process, the
Estes Park Brand Promise. They stated the emotional connection is the key to the
branding process; therefore, a successful destination promise must be a truthful and
aspirational description of how the guests should feel about Estes Park. The brand
promise must be a community promise with buy in from all levels of the community.
The brand promise concepts include exceptional outdoor adventures, favorite Colorado
experience, real wildlife, natural, extraordinary beauty, majestic mountain village, and
everyone’s a guest. The promise was discussed as well as next steps in the branding
process. The branding team continues to work on logos, theme lines, colors, etc.
Brand culturization would begin in the fall with training for the entire community and
would continue for months and years as an ongoing process.
SUNGARD UPDATE.
Superintendent Fraundorf provided the Board with a review of the upgrade to the
Town’s financial software. He stated one of the driving forces for moving to
OneSolution was to alleviate an ongoing significant problem in Community
Development with permitting software. SunGard suggested the permitting component
in OneSolution be implemented first. Upon analysis staff determined the need to
assess all Town business processes as they are interdependent and affect financials.
As of March 2012, staff has restarted the process. In order to be successful, an
experienced project manager to implement and lead the effort is required. He stated
the Town has a number of business processes that are manual and need to be
automated, thereby increasing staff efficiency, improve customer service and add
transparency by providing additional reporting efforts. Board consensus was to move
forward with an RFP to hire a consultant to manage the implementation of the software
upgrades at a cost of approximately $50,000 to $75,000 in fiscal year 2012.
BOND PARK PHASE V PREFERRED DESIGN ALTERNATIVE.
Dave Lamson/Chroma Design reviewed three design alternatives, reviewed with the
Bond Park stakeholder group, for the next phase of improvements to Bond Park. The
following were considered when developing the designs: a clear identity, consistent
physical forms, materials, and character, review of Master Plan and the current built
environment, iconic gateway, and new activities such as a picnic grove. Other
considerations discussed with the stakeholder group included an art walk along Elkhorn
Avenue, a picnic grove in the southeast corner, and gathering places in both the
Town Board Study Session – May 22, 2012 – Page 2
southeast and southwest corners. Programming needs of the area were considered
with regard to permeability, informal seating, snow removal, vehicular access, parade
seating and announcing, a gateway structure that fits with the festival atmosphere, and
tent layout for events.
Option #1 – Master Plan. This option is a pure form of the master plan and includes
seat walls in a reverse curve that is mainly oriented toward the center.
Option #2 – Playful Curves. This design has broken up the curves with
counterbalancing curves and created easier circulation, more permeable and a festival
atmosphere. This option was chosen as the preferred design by the stakeholder group.
Option #3 – Heart of the Park. The curves are embracing the green space, still
permeable, and additional space along Elkhorn has been created.
The project would be bid this summer with construction beginning in the fall and project
completion by spring 2013. The costs range from $450,000 to $490,000.
Trustee Blackhurst and stakeholder member stated the group reviewed the northeast
corner and made a recommendation to eliminate the hardscape, including the ice rink,
in lieu of building additional streetscape in the southeast corner for 10 tent sites.
Trustee Ericson questioned the need for parking on Elkhorn and suggested they be
removed or reduced by two spaces to maximize the green space of the park. Director
Zurn stated this area would be used for future transit.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
The Board requested the first quarter sales tax be removed from the agenda on June
12th, and add the Volunteer Policy manual on July 10th. Trustee Koenig requested staff
bring forward potential funding sources during the STIP presentation.
Mayor Pinkham stated a Board retreat would be held in the near future with the Board
and Administration. An additional goal setting session would be held with staff.
MISCELLANEOUS
Superintendent Fraundorf stated Verizon’s signal has improved significantly with the
new signal on top of Prospect Mountain; therefore, the ITS bus system would use
Verizon during 2012.
Director Zurn commented the bus counters would not be purchased in 2012, as grant
funds have been depleted. After discussion, it was determined the data would be useful
when making future decisions with regard to bus routes; therefore, the Board requested
the counters be purchased by the Town.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk