HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2013-11-26
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado November 26, 2013
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 the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 26th day of November,
2013.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst, Trustees Elrod,
Ericson, Koenig, Norris and Phipps
Attending: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst, Ericson,
Koenig, Norris and Phipps
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Town Attorney White and
Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: Trustee Elrod
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS & QUESTIONS. None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pinkham stated a Special Town Board meeting would be held on Thursday,
December 5, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in the Board Room to hear a presentation from the
Hospital District on a new plan to develop a Wellness Center on Lot 4, Stanley Historic
District (SHD). The Board would enter into an Executive Session following the
presentation to discuss negotiations of a potential new contract for the purchase of Lot
4, SHD. If the Board chooses to entertain a new proposal and revised contract, the
Board would discuss the next steps and the potential of an additional Special Town
Board meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. Staff requested the Board send in any
questions or concerns each member had with the previous contract presented at the
November 12, 2013 meeting.
Trustee Koenig requested staff bring forward a review of what properties in the valley
can be open space and to educate the citizens that not all undeveloped properties are
eligible for open space. Administrator Lancaster suggested staff begin by bringing
forward a map of commercial and industrial zoned properties in the valley to better
understand their location, number and uses. The Board was in favor of the discussion
with the addition of A, A-1 and CD zoned properties.
Administrator Lancaster clarified the discussion on the Community Survey would take
place in February, and a discussion on municipal court fees and the potential of
increasing them would be added to the December 10th study session.
VISIT ESTES PARK UPDATE ON MARKETING EFFORTS.
Peggy Campbell/Local Marketing District (LMD) President and CEO stated the LMD has
experienced a severe revenue shortfall since the flood and anticipates an ongoing
reduction in the collection of the 2% accommodation tax. A reduction in marketing
means a reduction in the collection of Town, County and State sales tax as well as a
much longer economic recovery. The district requested taxing partners such as the
Town and the County provide funding to help tourism recover more quickly in Estes
Park; i.e. $100,000 from Town, $15,000 from County and a possible grant from the
State. The marketing district receives 96% of its revenue from the lodging sector and
does not receive any revenue from day visitors, retail sales, restaurants or grocery
sales. The district anticipates a reduction in revenue of $600,000 in 2014 compared to
2012. A number of grants have been applied for and denied such as an SBA loan,
Community Services grant, FEMA, and temporary help from Larimer County Workforce.
Town Board Study Session – November 26, 2013 – Page 2
Other grants are pending including Northern Colorado Community Foundation Grant,
Economic Development Administration Grant, Colorado Office of Economic
Development and International Trade Grant and have requested funding from other
regional partners. The Estes Park valley continues to suffer from an image of
devastating destruction from the recent flooding, and therefore, it was stated the
economy would take longer to recover from the misperceptions without the proper
marketing effort. Destination marketing has been and continues to be a net generator
of revenue and profit. It is estimated that a $100,000 investment by the Town would
yield a $450,000 in revenue for the Town.
Brooke Burnham/LMD Director of Public Relations & Communications stated the LMD
can restore the tourism economy of Estes Park through effective destination marketing,
including an effective, integrated marketing campaign; and a collaborative partnership
approach with event planning and promoting and working in conjunction with regional
cities and DMOs. The marketing effort would include both short-term (phase I) and
long-term (phase II) goals to drive visitation during both the winter/spring months and
the summer visitation using creative marketing methods and social media. Adequate
marketing funding would be needed to continue the efforts in recovering the local
economy, including the award of grant funding, grant pledges and in-kind support, new
events to market, long term loans, and funding from partners.
After further discussion by the Board, the consensus was to add $100,000 in funding for
the LMD to the 2014 budget to help with the marketing of the community during 2014.
SUNGARD UPDATE.
IT Manager Fraundorf provided an update on the migration to OneSolution, stating it
had been postponed due to the modules not being completed by the company.
Therefore, the Town has moved away from the migration and would continue with the
maintenance only contract for HTE, the financial software used by the Town. The
decision was driven by the recent moves by HR to Paylocity to outsource payroll
services and Community Development’s move to Energov in 2014 for planning and
building permit processing. The only item left to address with OneSolution would have
been financial processes, which continues to be provided through HTE software. The
Town would move to the latest upgrade for HTE that would provide new reporting tools.
At the December 10th Board meeting, staff would provide the Board with a full report on
the history of the project, funds expended on the project, and the value of the items
received from Sungard to date. A discussion ensued on the need to set aside funds for
new software in the event the current software is no longer supported or cannot
complete the necessary requirements governed by the GASB.
SISTER CITIES AGREEMENT.
Mayor Pinkham stated the Sister Cities organization was initiated in 2001 by former
Mayor Baudek. An ad hoc committee was formed to identify a sister city community
that would be aligned with Estes Park. In 2004, the Town formalized a relationship with
Monte Verde, Costa Rica as its official sister city. In 2014, the 10th anniversary of the
sister city relationship would be celebrated. It was suggested both parties re-evaluate
how the relationship benefits each and whether or not to continue the sister city
partnership. The Board discussed the benefits to the Town related to the school district,
exchanges with students and other organizations, environmental issues, and the
ongoing relationship with the National Parks in both communities. Regardless of the
communities interest in continuing the sister city relationship, the National Parks could
continue their own exchanges. After further discussion, the consensus of the Board
was to reach out to the Monte Verde officials to determine their interest in continuing
and renewing the relationship.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk