HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBSS 09-12-17
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado September 12, 2017
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 12th day of September,
2017.
Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Martchink, Nelson, Norris and Walker
Attending: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Martchink, Nelson and Norris
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: Trustee Walker and Town Attorney White
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
BOARD EMAIL REVIEW.
Administrator Lancaster provided a review of the Board public email account, stating
nearly 4,000 emails have been posted, approximately two dozen emails have been
removed because they were not public, and 95% of the emails have no views or less
than three. IT and the Clerk’s office have not received any complaints on the email
account. Overall the Board has received positive comments on the transparency of the
new email account and individuals have been contacting Board members through
personal contact or by phone. Trustee Holcomb stated correspondence with the public
has virtually stopped since the Board’s emails were made public, even after he elected
to not participate. Mayor Pro Tem Koenig stated she elected to have her emails remain
private and would support the future option for Board members to opt out. The Board
consensus was to continue having the Board’s emails open to inspection on the Town’s
website.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2018.
Administrator Lancaster reviewed the proposed 2018 Strategic Plan and a listing of
programs/projects that make a positive impact on the environment. The Plan would
continue to evolve as funding for programs and projects are identified. The final Plan
would be presented to the Town Board for final approval during the budget process.
Trustee Norris stated in reviewing the current Strategic Plan initiatives, staff has
identified 47 environmental programs/projects the Town has completed or has in
process. He requested the staff provide updates to the public on current and continued
efforts to address the environment.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS
Trustee Nelson requested a report on traffic counts and the usage of the new parking
garage.
Administrator Lancaster provided a brief update on the variable message signs. The
Town continues to work with the sign company to bring down the cost of the project by
utilizing staff to complete some of the project work. The Town would also inquire if
additional grant funds may be available to complete the project.
Town Board Study Session – September 12, 2017 – Page 2
Trustee Martchink commented on the number of projects that have come to the Board
over budget. Administrator Lancaster stated the lag time between the design phase
and construction can be significant and construction costs continue to increase rapidly.
Staff would review the budget requests to take into account these issues.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig commented the Town owned property on Dry Gulch has been
identified by adjacent neighbors as open space and not developable. The wording on
the 1960 plat states the property was dedicated to the Town as a public area. The
property does not contain a conservation easement. She requested the Town review
the historical intent of the property before moving forward with discussions on
developing a workforce housing development on the property.
A discussion has been summarized on the need to ensure special event vendors are
collecting sales tax and remitting it to the State. It was suggested the Town could have
an employee monitor the events to ensure sales tax is being collected. Administrator
Lancaster stated staff has meet to discuss the issue and continues to review options
such as requiring a vendor to register online, provide their sales tax account name and
number, pay a vendor fee, display permit in their booth, and pass the information on to
the State to complete an audit of the event. An additional concern was the remittance
of sales tax collected in Estes Park to the vendors home town rather than Estes Park.
Staff would work on an amendment to the Municipal Code with the intent of having the
new regulations in place by January 2018.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
The September 26, 2017 Study Session would be focused on the proposed stormwater
infrastructure plan and the financial plan would be presented on October 24, 2017.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk