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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2015-02-24 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado February 24, 2015 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 24th day of February, 2015. Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Ericson, Holcomb, Nelson, Norris and Phipps Attending: All Also Attending: Town Attorney White, Finance Officer McFarland and Town Clerk Williamson Absent: Town Administrator Lancaster Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. TRUSTEE COMMENTS & QUESTIONS. Trustee Ericson requested staff review the possibility of reducing the Town Board packet material to an executive report with no more than four pages, including key issues, advantages and disadvantages. Mayor Pinkham stated concern if staff does not provide enough information on an item, individual Board members may seek out staff to discuss the item further. Trustee Holcomb stated the recent edition of the Denver Post contained an article on vacation homes. He requested the Board consider a seat tax for larger events to offset expenses related to additional police staff, traffic control, etc. Attorney White stated such a tax can only be considered by Home Rule communities. The Parks Advisory Board has drafted an Arts policy and would be prepared to present it at the May 12, 2015 study session. The Board requested the presentation be added to the Town Board meeting on May 12, 2015 as a report in order for the item to be televised. FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. Trustee Ericson reemphasized the importance of the discussion on the five year capital improvement plan on April 14, 2015. Staff requested the following item be included on the April 28, 2015 study session agenda: FEMA Community Rating System (Request for approval to engage public in discussions about joining CRS Program). SIGN CODE PROJECT. The Board discussed the need for a Sign Committee to work with staff and the consultant on revisions to the code. Trustee Phipps suggested staff and the consultant work on revisions; have the revisions reviewed by Town Attorney White and Chief Kufeld; and bring the final proposed revisions forward for the Board’s consideration. The Board can then chose to approve the revisions, send the proposed revisions back for additional changes or bring it forward to a public forum for discussion. The Board consensus was to move forward with the Sign Code revisions without a Sign Committee; however, the Board would like the draft revisions to be reviewed by entities such as Visit Estes Park, Economic Development Council, Downtown Partners for Commerce, local businesses, and the Board of Realtors. Town Board Study Session – February 24, 2015 – Page 2 COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENTATION. Skyler Rorabaugh/Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVPRD) Executive Director stated with the assistance of Bill Lively, a professional fundraiser, the district has identified the need to establish a professional campaign team consisting of a Campaign Director and an Executive Assistant. The collaborative approach with EVRPD partners, including the Town of Estes Park, Park R-3 School District, Hospital District, Library District and others, would provide the campaign with clearly defined support both financial and in kind services. It was suggested that formal agreements with each entity be developed to outline the type of support for the campaign. It is estimated that approximately $200,000 would be needed in the first two years to fund salaries and operational costs. The campaign’s partnership would commit to the development and implementation of a responsible campaign plan led by qualified volunteers and managed by the professional team. The partnership would also commit to the modified Plan B of approximately 38,000 sq. ft. building instead of the original 86,000 sq. ft. facility with a cost of not more than $12 million and redesigned to provide as many of the primary services included in the original plan as possible. The new plan would be designed to potentially add on in phases. The district would request the Town provide $50,000 in 2015 to fund the new campaign approach. Executive Director Rorabaugh stated the fundraising campaign would end no later than 2019 with the potential of breaking ground in 2018 to meet the sales tax initiative deadline. EVRPD continues to identify and apply for grants such as the Colorado Block Grants for flood recovery. The district also continues to work with the original group hired to provide assistance in raising capital funds; however, they have cut their efforts back considerably to approximately 10 hours a month and focusing their efforts on northern Colorado. Mr. Lively would provide pro bono assistance to the campaign team to develop the skills of the Campaign Director. He would meet with staff monthly and provide support. Board comments were heard and summarized: Mayor Pro Tem Koenig stated concern with moving from the current fundraising consultant and concern with limiting the scope of the facility; Trustee Norris voiced support for the reduced scope and phasing of the project, as well as the fundraising campaign; Trustee Nelson stated support for the broader approach to fundraising; and Trustee Phipps requested the Board be provided an executive summary of the fundraising campaign in order to provide a clear understanding of the effort. The Board consensus was to bring the funding request forward for consideration once EVRPD has discussed the partnership with the other partners. MUSEUM AND COLLECTION STORAGE FACILITY UPDATE. Museum Director Fortini stated the Museum/Senior Center Master Plan was completed in 2013. Staff presented the Board with a three phased approach to begin moving forward with a new facility for the Museum. Phase I would address the immediate need for a new Collections and Research center adjacent to the current building and additional parking. This is a departure from the original Master Plan; however, it would allow the Museum to continue operations while building the much needed center. Phase II would provide a work shop for exhibits. Phase III would expand the exhibit space and the meeting space. Light and Power has requested the Museum remove its collection from their building on Elm Road within the next two years as the space is needed by the department. The current estimated cost for full build out of the proposed phased project is $8.35 million (Phase I - $2.8 million, Phase II - $700,000 and Phase III - $4.85 million) with funding being provided by the Town at 50%, Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation Inc. at 25% and grants at 25%. Staff would propose the Town fund Phase I in 2015-2017 with $275,000 per year to be added to the $200,000 set aside in 2011. This would allow the Museum to break ground on the new facility in conjunction with the Town’s 100th anniversary in 2017. Staff has begun to have discussions with the donors of the additional buildings currently onsite to discuss how the buildings should be addressed, i.e. raising them, incorporating them into the collection or possibly moving them to a different location. Town Board Study Session – February 24, 2015 – Page 3 The Board discussed the phased approach to expanding the Museum and stated support for the plan, as well as the coordinated funding. As the Town continues to address flood recovery funding, it was agreed the Board would consider funding for Phase I in August when the Town would have a better idea of sales tax returns and flood recovery reimbursements. PROPOSED BEAR (WILDLIFE) ORDINANCE CHANGES. Chief Kufeld stated the current littering ordinance has been used by the Police department in cases of enforcement related to bear and other wildlife attractants; however, the ordinance was originally drafted to address littering and not wildlife. Staff would recommend drafting a new Wildlife Protection ordinance to effectively address the issue of increased bear activity that would heighten awareness and safety of local residents and guests, as well as wildlife; support the Town’s Mission and 2015 Strategic Plan; an ordinance would allow consistent enforcement within the Town of Estes Park; and an ordinance would inherently support and reinforce educational messages related to wildlife attractants. Staff has researched other communities with wildlife protection ordinances to address trash/attractants and discussed the issue with Municipal Judge Brown. Judge Brown would support more effective regulations. The current Littering ordinance does not address a timeframe for which trash needs to be addressed before a ticket could be issued; therefore, staff has provide residents and business owners with a warning and 6 hours to clean up trash before a ticket is issued. The Board consensus was to request staff move forward with drafting options for the Board’s consideration. Mayor Pro Tem Koenig stated the Town should also consider the social-economic impact of the options. Mayor Pinkham requested staff engage the County in the discussions to make it a valley wide initiative. EVDC AMENDMENT – ANIMAL RETAIL SALES AND SMALL-SCALE ANIMAL GROOMING IN CD ZONING DISTRICT. Planner Kleisler presented a request from a local downtown business owner to allow grooming as an accessory use to a downtown retail business. The Estes Valley Development Code prohibits the use in the CD- Commercial Downtown zoning district. Staff would recommend a limited public outreach as the proposed amendments would only affect one business owner. The amendments would encourage a new type of business downtown, strengthen the vibrancy of downtown, and bring citizens or visitors downtown for several hours while their pet was groomed. There could be conflicts with second story residential units if boarding was allowed in a commercial business on the first floor. Board discussion was heard and summarized. The Board consensus was to bring the amendments forward to the Planning Commission to consider proposed amendments and recommend final amendments to the Town Board and the County Commissioners. The Board also agreed that boarding of animals both short-term and long-term in the CD-Commercial Downtown zoning district should not be allowed due to the possible conflict with residential units. There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk