HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2016-07-26
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado July 26, 2016
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 July, 2016.
Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Martchink, Nelson, Norris and Walker
Attending: All
Also Attending: Assistant Town Administrator Machalek, Town Attorney
White, and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: Town Administrator Lancaster
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.
SCIENTIFIC & CULTURAL FACILITIES DISTRICT UPDATE.
Assistant Town Administrator Machalek provided an overview of the Scientific and
Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a special statutory district, provided for in the
Colorado Revised Statute. A SCFD may levy and collect a uniform sales tax throughout
its boundaries for the purpose of funding scientific and cultural nonprofits and/or
agencies of local government. A district in Denver currently exists. A county-wide
volunteer effort has been working for over a year to form a Larimer County Scientific
and Cultural Facilities District and place the issue on the November 2016 General
Election ballot. Over 11,000 signatures have been collected by the group and
submitted to the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder on July 20, 2016.
The proposed district would levy a tenth-of-a-percent sales tax that would sunset in ten
years. The tax collected in the first year throughout the district boundary (Larimer
County) has been estimated at $6.6 million. To be eligible to receive funds from the
district an organization must meet all of the following criteria: be a 501(c)(3) or an
agency of the government for specific art or cultural benefits listed in the statute, have
its principle office located within the district, conduct a majority of its activities within the
State of Colorado, and offer activities that benefit its residents.
The distribution of the funds would be made by a Board of Directors appointed by the
Larimer County Board of County Commissioners. No more than 7% of the funds would
be set aside for administrative costs and the remaining funds would be distributed to
two funds: Sustainability Fund and the Innovation Fund, each having their own criteria
for eligibility and funding. Examples of eligible organizations in Estes Park would
include the Estes Park Museum, the Art Center, the Cultural Arts Council, the Oratorio
Society, and the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies. Other entities such as the Estes Arts
District may become eligible as they meet the criteria for the funding, i.e. years in
operation. Funding exclusions would include items such as capital projects, library,
educational institutions, radio and television broadcasting station or network, cable
communications system, newspaper or magazine, or any organization engaged solely
in the acquisition or physical restoration of historic buildings, structures or sites.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
Trustee Holcomb questioned if the Town was addressing the blinking open signs. The
Town addresses these types of items upon complaint.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig commented the pavilion was built with the intent that it be used
during the winter months for indoor activities. She suggested the Town could
Town Board Study Session – July 26, 2016 – Page 2
investigate options for providing a walking track, indoor hockey, soccer or volleyball with
projected courts rather than physical striping. Staff would review the use of the building
and prepare a memo for the Board.
Trustee Martchink thanked Light & Power for their time during a recent ride along.
The hydrology study would be moved to the second meeting in October in order to allow
efficient time to complete the second peer review.
The Town ended its relationship with the initial company, Logan Simpson, for the
Downtown Neighborhood Plan. Staff has been working with the second company,
Winter and Company, identified through the RFP process to establish a scope of work
and price. Winter has provided a cost of $264,000, which is an increase of $74,000
over the grant funding secured for the project. The cost increase over their initial RFP
response includes funds for public engagement, $55,000 for report writing and $20,000
to include a local contractor at staff’s request. The additional cost could be funded
through the General Fund or the scope of the project could be reduced. As another
alternative, the Town could move forward with the third choice from the RFP to establish
a scope of work and cost.
Discussion followed and has been summarized: Logan Simpson was selected over
Winter because of the level of public engagement and the use of Steve Lane, a local
consultant; the Trustees stated concern with the increase cost by Winter from their
original RFP response; staff confirmed there are a number of areas Walker can cut back
on such as further analysis of the current conditions; Trustees confirmed support for
Winter if the scope would not be cut back; and staff would bring forward a contract for
the Board’s consideration with Winter for $190,000 and an additional $20,000 for the
inclusion of the local consultant.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Trustee Martchink requested the Board have a discussion on marijuana as a revenue
source. He also stated paid parking lots could generate revenue for future parking
structures. An agenda item would be added to the August 23rd Study Session to
discuss potential revenue generators and the draft Intergovernmental Agreement with
the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District. Staff would present the pros and cons
experienced by other municipalities relates to marijuana dispensaries in their
communities.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk