HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2014-03-25
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado March 25, 2014
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
Rooms 202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 25th day of March, 2014.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst, Trustees Elrod,
Ericson, Koenig, Norris and Phipps
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Town Attorney White and
Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None.
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Trustee Phipps requested the addition of a discussion on public forums and how they
are established, what topics should be discussed, advance notice, how they are
determined, and how they are utilized. The topic would be discussed at the May 27,
2014 study session.
A future study session to discuss commercially zoned properties should include the 70
acres at the Fish Hatchery and A – Accommodation zoned properties. The discussion
should include the lack of commercial property in the valley and what property can be
developed or redeveloped. The Board requested a history for the Fish Hatchery
property. The item would be added to the future study session list without a date at this
time.
PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS – MANUFACTURING OF CRAFT LIQUOR.
Director Chilcott stated staff receives phone calls yearly on the possibility of establishing
micro crafted liquors within the valley to manufacture and sell their product without a
restaurant. The development of these types of businesses fit within the Board’s
established objective to create a robust economy and further economic development
within the valley. Staff would host a public forum on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 to
gain further information from the public on the needs, concerns, appropriate regulation,
and unintended consequences related to manufacturing establishments. Staff would
then meet with Fort Collins, Crested Butte, Boulder and other similar communities to
determine what other communities have established related to regulating manufacturing
of micro crafted liquors, including location, size limitation, zoning districts, etc.
The Board consensus was to move forward with the forum and focus on the unintended
consequences and carefully explore the possible revisions to the Development code.
Staff would discuss the results of the forum at the joint study session with the County
Commissioners, Town Board and the Planning Commission on April 9, 2014 and
present a problem statement, a menu of options and recommendations from the forum.
LIQUOR VIOLATION POLICY.
Town Clerk Williamson presented the latest draft of the proposed liquor violation
guidelines that include revisions requested by the Board at the study session on March
11, 2014. Staff would present the new guidelines at the April 8, 2014 Town Board
Town Board Study Session – March 25, 2014 – Page 2
meeting for final adoption. During the next two weeks staff would send the proposed
draft to each licensee and notify them of the upcoming Board meeting in order to
receive public comment on the guidelines. Discussion followed on the use of the
Restorative Justice process, the use of the process in lieu of district court, the need to
publicize the enforcement process, and publicly acknowledge those businesses that
pass compliance checks.
SEASONAL TOUR BUSINESS DISCUSSION.
Seasonal tour businesses such as jeep tours, horse drawn carriages, rafting
companies, ATV tours, and historic trolley tours (new for 2014) have been operating
within Estes Park. These businesses are currently required to have a brick and mortar
location to run their business, utilize a staging area for pick up and drop off of patrons,
and storage for vehicles/equipment. Most of these businesses have been operating
without major issues; however, as these types of businesses become more prevalent in
town issues may arise. Currently the Visitor Center has been used by businesses as a
staging area with no regulation on use by the Town or a concession/franchise fee for
the use of a Town asset for private gain. The use of the Visitor Center by these
businesses requires their patrons utilize parking stalls. The use of a vehicle such as a
trolley as a mobile office is not permitted by the development code and would not be
allowed to park in one area for the season without a temporary use permit, only good for
60 days. Therefore, a business without a brick and mortar location would need to make
other arrangements to sell tickets such as online, through other businesses, or out of
the vehicle as patrons enter the vehicle. Storage of vehicles/equipment must be
screened per the Development code and may not be parked overnight were they are
visible as they become an off-premise sign. Staff does not anticipate significant issues
this season; however, staff would request the Board provide direction on addressing
any issues raised by tour businesses.
The Board stated concern it may be competing with private industry by allowing the tour
businesses to operate out of the Visitor Center. A surcharge on the cost of the ticket
would help defray the cost of maintaining Town infrastructure. Attorney White stated
the Town could charge a franchise fee for the use of the Town parking lots but could not
charge a surcharge on the price of the ticket. Staff would come back in October to
discuss how the season went and what changes may need to be made to Town codes
to address tour businesses.
STATUS REPORT ON TOWN POLICY REVISIONS.
Administrator Lancaster stated the flood slowed the progress of drafting and revising
Town policies. The Human Resources and Finance polices are to be completed first.
All policies developed would be reviewed by the leadership team and by all employees.
A number of policies require simple updating and reformatting only. A standard format
and numbering system have been established, each policy has a review timeframe, and
a reference back to the Policy Governance adopted by the Board.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk