HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2014-02-11
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado February 11, 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 11th day of January,
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 5:00 p.m.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
Trustee Norris commented the ballot language for Ballot Question 2 should be reviewed
as it relates to the start date for the Community Center. The Board would continue the
discussion at the Board meeting during the action item.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
No comments.
PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY STRATEGIC PLAN.
Jackie Sargent/General Manager & CEO of Platte River Power Authority (PRPA)
provided an overview the organization that provides the generation and transmission of
electricity to the four member cities, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland.
PRPA’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and
competitively priced energy and services in partnership with its customers. The current
make up of energy resources includes Rawhide coal unit 1, Craig coal units 1 & 2,
Rawhide combustion turbines, federal hydro power, and wind energy. PRPA’s strategic
plan requires the organization to manage the business risk of the resource portfolio
through integrated resource management and to decrease CO2 emissions while
maintaining low cost energy (lowest cost wholesaler in the region), look at adding
intermediate gas fired resources to diversify resource portfolio, add other renewable
energy sources, utilize new technology and innovation to strengthen organization when
it is economically feasible, begin a system-wide demand response program for
distributed load control, and evaluate other services for distributing solar and electric
energy. The Board recently added additional wind energy resources on a fixed 25 year
contract to add stability to the portfolio. Additional staff would be hired to help develop
resource risk analysis, including planning manager and system planner/analyst.
2014 CITIZEN SURVEY.
The last citizen survey was conducted in 2011 using a National Citizen Survey (NCS)
model, and the 2014 Strategic Plan calls for an updated survey to be completed in 2014
using the same survey. The NCS provides for a statistically valid survey of the
residents opinions about the community and services provided by the local government.
The survey results are useful for the Town, staff and stakeholders in planning and
allocating resources, program improvement, policy-making and tracking changes in
residents’ opinions about government performance.
Town Board Study Session – February 11, 2014 – Page 2
Kate Rusch/Public Information Officer stated the 2011 template which used a uniform
survey tool to allow benchmarking with over 300 communities in 45 states. The 2014
template has been updated to improve the value of the data and meet the needs of
communities. The survey would be finalized in May, randomly sample 1,200
households in late June, the survey would be provided in Spanish, following the
scientific survey an online survey would be conducted in August, and staff would
present final results in October.
Trustee comments are summarized: the survey should be the same as 2011 in order to
analyze the progress/improvements made; careful on the conclusions that are drawn by
the comparisons; questioned if the Town could compare its results with like
communities; the Town should take care to not evaluate items it is not involved in such
as recycling
Staff stated for an extra fee the Town could compare itself with like communities. The
draft survey was reviewed, including an optional question requested by the League of
Women Voters Community Recycling committee. The new question would cost an
additional $1,700. The Board agreed to not add questions from other entities to the
survey. Town Administrator Lancaster suggested the Town could add a monthly survey
on the Town’s website as an opinion poll.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk