HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBSS 10-24-17
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado October 24, 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 24th day of October,
2017.
Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Martchink, Nelson, Norris and Walker
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Town Attorney White, Directors Muhonen and
Hudson, and Recording Secretary Beers
Absent: None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 4:46 p.m.
DRAFT STORMWATER MASTER PLAN.
George Oamek an Economist with Headwaters Corporation provided a presentation on
Phase II of the Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study. Phase II would include financing and
financial impacts, time frame for implementation and formation of organizational
structure. The total estimated cost of the Master Plan Capital improvements would be
$75.1 million dollars set to three priority groups; Priority 1 Projects at $44.2 million
dollars, Priority 2 Projects at $19.3 million dollars and Priority 3 Projects at $11.6 million
dollars. He added the Town does not grow as fast as other communities and anticipates
relatively low future growth to help fund the plan. He stated the time frame is driven by
the community’s desire to increase public safety by reducing flood risks. He provided
financing options including; land use, monthly bills, new development fees, building a
capital reserve fund using customer charge revenues and/or sales tax revenue, grants
& federal assistance, loans and bonded indebtedness and property tax assessments.
He stated any monthly charges assessed to homeowners would be phased in a general
manner to minimize financial burden. Formation of a utility could include merging
wastewater and stormwater, development of a new Enterprise fund, which requires
working with the County and Regional Stormwater Authority requiring an IGA between
jurisdictions, taxing, or bonding authority.
Discussion by the Board followed and has been summarized; Enterprise Fund
concerns; implications of doing nothing; County involvement; concerns for homeowners
paying fees during the 30-year process and if they would see a positive change in
insurance rates; what are the current average comparisons of other municipalities;
which financing options go to a vote; establishing priorities to include public health &
safety; evaluating projects based on affected area of Town or County; how funding is
structured and assessing priorities in conjunction with capital projects. The Board
agreed more information would be needed to provide staff with direction.
PROPOSED 2018 BUDGET.
Director Hudson presented the proposed 2018 Budget highlighting an update on the
final quote for 2018 healthcare premiums which would decrease from 8% to 5% leaving
additional funding for one-time expenses and are reflected in the budget. The Board
requested staff compile a list of one-time expenses to present to the Board for review.
The Board reached consensus to apply $400,000 set aside for the parking garage to
fund outstanding capital projects with a left turn lane at Community Drive being
suggested as a potential project.
Town Board Study Session – October 24, 2017 – Page 2
Trustee Norris stated he would like to find a way to fund the addition of two Police
Officers and an Environmental Planner.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig inquired as to other methods available for protecting the arena
footing and the potential of moving the Museum artifacts from the storage facility on Elm
Road to the Senior Center.
SUNSET REVIEW – PARKS ADVISORY BOARD & TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY
BOARD. Town Administrator Lancaster stated Board Policy 102 requires a sunset
review for Town Committees every 5 years. After further discussion the Board agreed to
consider a resolution at a future meeting for the continuation of the Parks and
Transportation Advisory Boards.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
Mayor Jirsa stated during the review of the Fish Hatchery project RFP responses a
unanimous decision was reached by the selection committee to move forward with
AmericaWest Housing Solutions and combine the Fish Hatchery and Dry Gulch projects
for workforce housing on both lots.
Mayor Jirsa stated a new liaison would be needed for the Visit Estes Park Board and
welcomed any volunteers.
Town Administrator Lancaster stated Colorado Lottery GOCO funds have benefited
various projects in Town. The Board was in agreement to bring a Resolution to
reauthorize the Colorado State Lottery.
In preparation of the Strategic Plan, Town Administrator Lancaster developed a
prioritizing option technique to compare items and compile priority for Board objectives.
The Board was in agreement to complete the prioritizing action with objectives and
goals versus key outcome areas and requested Administrator Lancaster complete the
spreadsheet to provide a staff perspective.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Town Administrator Lancaster requested to remove the Discussion of Proceeds and
Savings from the Parking Structure Financing. The Board agreed to bring the Licensed
UTV on Town streets to the Board in the form of an Ordinance. A briefing on cyber
security and future use of the Senior Center building would be added to a future
meeting agenda.
Trustee Nelson made a request to schedule a discussion on Building Code Changes to
Facilitate Redevelopment and 3rd Party Building Inspections.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
Bunny Victoria Beers, Recording Secretary