City Manager
Report October 8, 2019
From the City Manager Kudos Council Directives Update Kudos to Crew Leader Robbie Shine. In August he Per Council request, an update on Council completed a three-year Parks Planning and Directives to Staff, as of October 2 will be Maintenance Academy offered through the provided as Rainbow. Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute. Hogadon Ski Area Partnership The General Manager of Hogadon Ski Area From the Departments reached out to Parks and Recreation recently to Parks and Recreation propose partnering with Howelsen Hill Ski Area. Howelsen Ski and Rodeo Complex The proposal (Attachment 1) is that Howelsen City staff is gathering cost estimates to season pass holders would get three days of free explore an expanded scope of improvements skiing at Hogadon and their season pass holders related to the Barrows Chairlift replacement would be eligible for three days of free skiing at project. Howelsen. The terms include the City promoting Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Board held this partnership with the Hogadon logo their annual retreat on Thursday, September (Attachment 2) on our website and they would 27th. City Engineer Ben Beall attended to give do the same for us. This benefit would only be an update on the parking lot paving project, accepted for recreational skiers and not valid for other facility improvements discussed race events. included announcers stand replacement and Hogadon is owned and operated by the City of potential bleacher improvements. Casper, Wyoming. They are a larger operation Howelsen Hill staff is in the process of re- than Howelsen Hill but there are several organization. Parks Crew leader, Robbie similarities, including ownership and hosting the Shine, has been hired to fill the vacant Ski and Casper Mountain Racers Ski Team. They partner Rodeo Supervisor position. Robbie will report with “Friends of Hogadon” for improvements to Howelsen Ski and rodeo Complex including a new lodge and planned lighting Manager, Brad Setter. Staff is excited to work improvements. Parks and Recreation staff are with Robbie to implement new ideas to move interested in pursuing this agreement for this the operations forward and continue to build coming season with Howelsen and if successful on our successful partnership with SSWSC. looking to expand our reach to some of the other City Parks and Recreation and IT staff have areas participating with their program collaborated on a project to bring fiber optic (Attachment 3). connectivity to Howelsen Hill. The project is 75% complete and the project will improve Comcast internet service and include a workstation at Comcast channel lineup changes include the loss the Hill to allow staff to work more efficiently. of Canal 52MX (Ch. 320) from Xfinity Latino effective December 5th and the addition of a new tenenovela channel Kanal D Drama on Xfinity Latino effective October 29th.
City Manager’s Report 10/3/2019 For 10/8/2019 Meeting Open Space and Trails Division Emerald Mountain with the potential for brief The Upper Spring Creek Dam Modification closures of trails. Capital Improvement Project started August The Honey Stinger Race in mid-August saw 19, 2019 with Duckels Construction. Access 912 runners and bikers over two days of to the ponds and dog park is closed for the racing on Emerald. The High School bike race duration of the project. Staff estimates they in early September had 584 participants. are approximately 2-3 weeks behind schedule Other recent events on city trails included the and anticipate completion mid – late Run Rabbit Run and STARS Biking the Boat. October. The project is currently over budget Staff continue to work on the new Spring by approximately $40,000 - $60,000 due to Creek hiking trail with plans to have it unexpected poor soil conditions in the dam. completed by early October. The overage is being covered by surplus Staff installed all of the new Sailors Way signs Capital Improvement Project funding from to replace the old Lower Spring Creek signs the 2018/19 completed Emerald Park Parking along the trail. New signs have also been lot project. installed along the Core Trail and on the Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) is hiking only T-Bar Trail on Emerald Mountain. rebuilding and adding safety features to the Staff installed a new gate on County Road #34 natural gas valve on the east side of River at Spring Creek. The gate will be closed, Road (County Road 14) on City conserved remain unlocked and will note that there is open space. City Staff is working with no access to public lands (only private) Colorado Parks and Wildlife and PSCo on a beyond the gate. The County and Spring reclamation plan once the project is complete Creek landowners are all supportive of the in early October. gate as part of the trail improvements in the Staff is working with Nordic Excavating and 5 area to discourage trespassing on private Smooth Stones to execute structural repairs property. to the Depot (D) Hole whitewater structure in Staff removed several hazardous trees along early October. The project is estimated to the Spring Creek Trail near bridges #3 and #8. take approximately two days and will involve resetting boulders into original locations and Parks Division grouting the rocks in place. The project has Staff is working with Yampa Valley Electric to been reviewed and approved by the United renew a lease for use of a building and States Army Corps of Engineers as a storage space adjacent to Parks and maintenance project. Recreation through 2020. Staff is Sloop Painting finished the Capital investigating opportunities with YVEA to Improvement Project Fish Creek Bridge purchase this parcel. refurbishment project on September 17th, Parks crews are maintaining fields for adult almost 2 weeks ahead of schedule and on soccer, kickball, ultimate frisbee, youth budget. soccer, lacrosse and flag football leagues. The Colorado Open Space Alliance Parks staff has begun winterizing irrigation Conference came to Steamboat September systems and park restrooms. 16th-18th with over 300 attendees. Staff The Klumker Field renovation project is helped plan and lead field trips for almost complete. The entire field has been conference participants including bike rides laser graded and has a new irrigation system, on Emerald Mountain and a hike on Spring new sod, and new warning track. Drains are Creek. Four staff members participated in the being installed in the infield before the new conference. infield mix is applied. Yampa Valley Electric Association continues work on the new transmission line on Adult Sports and Field Scheduling
City Manager Report 10/3/2019 For 10/8/2019 Meeting Fall adult sports are underway with 4 facilitator, and the kids are pumped up and different sporting options for adults to ready to start working. This year they are participate in. Adult fall leagues consist of: regrouping to offer several events for their o Coed 7v7 Soccer: Ski Town Fields – 6 high school age peers, along with working on teams participating effective change in our community. o Coed Hockey: HIA – 14 teams Alyssa Groves was chosen as our Afterschool participating Action Group Leader of the month. o Coed Ultimate Frisbee: Howelsen Congratulations Alyssa and thank you for all Complex – 36 players participating of your hard work! The City of Steamboat Springs Youth & Teen o Coed Kickball: Howelsen Complex – 8 Programs will be the Agency Spotlight on teams participating October 15th for the Human Resource Ultimate Frisbee has seen a growth in Coalition. participation over the first weeks of league play. James Hix (coordinator) has done a Howelsen Ice Arena great job of recruiting and teaching the basic Youth Hockey tryouts begin this week- skills to players who are new to the sport. enrollment is slightly up from the 2018-2019 We have confirmed gym time and space with season. the Steamboat Springs Middle School for a The Wranglers begin their regular season with fall adult indoor volleyball league. a triple header against Ogden. Game times Registration for this league is currently open are as following: and the first day of league play is Monday, o 10/11/19: 8:00 PM puck drop October 7th. Games will be held each week o 10/12/19: 7:00 PM puck drop on Monday nights from October to mid- o 10/13/19: 12:00 PM puck drop December. Field billing has been sent out to user groups Marketing & Events through August 31st. We continue to struggle The Parks & Recreation Roundup Newsletter with having all user groups submit field use continues to be popular amongst our payment within the 30 day time period. Park customers, partners and user groups. Goals for year one of the publication included an User fee revenue is currently at 66.96% for average open rate of at least 21% and a click the year. rate of at least 6%. During the month of Youth Programs August, three total newsletters were Mikayla Boehm has started working as our published with an average open rate of 67% new Recreation Specialist, and we have hired and an average click rate of 7%. Rachel Jackson for our second open The Parks & Recreation social media Recreation Specialist position. Rachel’s first platforms continue to show continuous day will be on September 29th. We say growth and engagement. During the month farewell to Mackenzie Woodsmall on October of August, Page Likes were up from 1,779 to 11th. 1,798 and Followers were up from 1,789 to Session II registration will open on October 1,807. The top 3 Parks & Recreation Facebook 7th for Afterschool Action, School Days Off, posts in August (most impressions) included: ASSET Clubs, and Middle School programs. Fish Creek Bridge Replacement (998), Glow in Session II runs from November 4th through the Park (972), and Spring Creek Bike Trail January 3rd. Naming (914). The Teen Council has started meeting for the Material development continues for all winter 2019-20 school year. We have brought in marketing initiatives. This includes updates to Communities that Care as an additional the Winter Activity Brochure, Yampa Valley
City Manager Report 10/3/2019 For 10/8/2019 Meeting Regional Airport marketing, and ads in a The inaugural Fall Hockey Classic (benefitting variety of regional publications. Ads for the youth hockey in the valley) was a huge Steamboat Visitors Guide, CO Life Magazine, success with many unique features and and Steamboat Neighbors have all been games. We have had many great reviews on finalized and shipped to the publishers. the event and look forward to hosting again Planning is underway for the 2019/2020 next fall. Howelsen Hill ski season including YTD rounds at the end of August are up 7% lodge/concession signage, merchandise, over 2018 and 8% over 2017. website updates, pass design, social media, YTD total revenue at the end of August is up and marketing plans. For the 2019/2020 13% over 2018 and 11% over 2017. season, additional marketing initiatives will take place around the IKON pass blackout Most of our seasonal staff will be finishing up st dates including increased radio promotions for the season October 1 , with just 3-4 and newspaper ads. Season Passes will be staying on through the end of October. The available for purchase online beginning golf course will remain open until we get October 7th and the concession will open for snow or until the play does damage to the pass sales and pick-up on November 5th. golf course. Howelsen Hill will be featured in the Maintenance beginning our aerification and December issue of American Way, American winterization schedule October 1st with Airlines in-flight magazine. The article will temporary hole closures throughout the focus on Colorado’s independent and month. community owned ski areas. Staff is in the Tee box aerification was completed on process of working with their writers to September 27th and course aerification began provide information for the article. on September 30th. Staff is currently exploring opportunities We have applied the first snow mold around a winter Town Challenge Ski Ascent preventative to the greens and began Series, partnering with an already established excavating a site for the future starter shack. series to provide promotional and logistical The City’s GIS department is helping with support. mapping wastewater and a water monitoring Tennis Center system. The Steamboat Tennis Association (STA) was Administration recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Staff started the discussion on potential river USTA National Foundation to be used for the use fees at the September 25th Parks and Rec Steamboat SERVES program. The Steamboat Commission meeting. Per City Council’s SERVES attracts 20-30 youth from under- direction, Staff will be focusing on river use resourced families in the Routt County area. and management and will be investigating The Tennis Center at Steamboat and the what other river communities across the STA partner to make this program available country are doing to manage river recreation. for very little or no cost to these families 18 This discussion will likely continue for several weeks per year. more Parks and Rec Commission meetings with updates provided to City Council. Haymaker Golf Course Per City Councils direction, staff will begin a Tournament participation for all of our events public discussion on e-bike use on City trails in September has been great with the Fall at the October 23rd Parks and Recreation Classic, Haycup, and Final-Final all having sold Commission meeting. out fields. An in-depth Recreation Manager recruitment and selection process included a nationwide
City Manager Report 10/3/2019 For 10/8/2019 Meeting search with 100 applicants, supplemental sometime during the following month. The questions asked to the top 30 candidates, City and the County will work with our preliminary Skype interviews with the top 10, Project Manager to identify any and concluded with in-person panel opportunities to regain progress lost from interviews and site tours with the top 4. We the delayed start. are pleased to announce that Alexis Wolf has o Planning Commission Review Authority received and accepted the position of Outreach – preparing for changes to the Recreation Manager! Alexis has worked with development review process effective the Parks and Recreation Department for 15 January 1st. Working on changes to staff years and will transition into the Recreation report and resolution templates, public Manager position on October 14th. notice templates, agenda templates, meeting procedures, and developing public Planning outreach efforts. Planned schedule is There are currently 68 projects at some stage attached (Attachment 5). of the development review process. No o Mountain Town Subarea Plan – drafting projects are showing as late in receiving DRT Request for Proposals to be released in review comments. early October with a goal of selecting a Updates on projects: consultant and entering into a contract o Vacation Rental Committee prior to the end of the year. recommendations – researching outsourcing options for registration and Public Works compliance enforcement by talking with Streets vendors and other communities. Will be Streets crews began prepping and widening presenting options and staff/resource 13th Street for bike lanes. This work is being needs to City Council for further direction performed in advance of 2020’s overlay prior to the end of the year. The summary program, where 13th Street will receive a of recommendations from the Vacation complete overlay and re-striping that will Rental Committee is attached (Attachment help accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians. 4). Much of September was spent on o Code Amendments – working on the stormwater-related duties. Catch basins following topics for code updates: were cleaned throughout the City. definition of Family, waterbody setbacks, Additionally, a new catch basin was installed open space requirements, Entry Corridor in the alley between 10th and 11th Streets, 40 Overlay Zone, public notice requirements, feet of culverts were replaced along Ski Trail solar gardens and solar incentives, Lane, and 365 feet of culvert pipe and 4 catch easement encroachments, plat exemption basins were installed along Larimer Street as for City-owned properties, and small cell part of a large, multi-year effort to mitigate wireless standards. seasonal flooding in the Butcherknife Creek o Sign Code Update – nearing completion on drainage basin. complete draft Sign Code. Final review and public outreach will occur over the next Transit several months. SST carried 45,791 passengers in the month o Land Management Software – CityView of September. This compares to 44,008 implementation has been delayed slightly passengers in September 2018. due to CityView project scheduling and Tyler Kern, the Operations Supervisor for other factors. We anticipate our first Steamboat Springs Transit received Third meeting with our Project Manager to occur Party CDL examiner certification and is on October 15th and we will be scheduling completing requirements to be a Class A the official project Kick Off meeting City Manager Report 10/3/2019 For 10/8/2019 Meeting Examiner. In addition, Gabe Gassaway, the US Forest Service has pre-positioned at Transit Supervisor was recently certified for the Airport until further notice. school buses. This enables SST to provide testing to the community for all CDL classifications.
Water and Sewer The Copper Mountain Estates Water Main Replacement project and the Spruce Street Water Main & Culvert Replacement project have been substantially completed. The River Road Interceptor Replacement Project is in progress. After taking the summer months off to accommodate events at Howelsen Hill and the Rodeo, work was re- started in mid-August in the Howelsen Hill parking lot and has now progressed to a point south of 5th Street. This year’s work will see pipelaying continue to Agate Street. Next year, work will begin at Agate Street and continue south along River Road to the southern edge of the Brooklyn neighborhood. The West Area Water Tank land subdivision review by County Planning staff is currently wrapping up. The project will then go before County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners later this fall. The annual inspections of Fish Creek dam, Fish Creek saddle dam, and Long Lake dam were completed in late August. Our maintenance and monitoring programs for the dams have been successful, as there were no major findings during the inspections. We are currently working with Mt. Werner Water to complete some preventative maintenance and monitoring equipment upgrades. We will continue to be diligent about our maintenance of these critical structures. Wastewater The Wastewater Treatment Plant treated 73 million gallons of wastewater in the month of September. This is approximately 8% more than the amount of wastewater treated in September 2018. Airport The Airport is providing a base to a KMax firefighting helicopter and support team that
City Manager Report 10/3/2019 For 10/8/2019 Meeting Engineering As of September 17th, 299 development We are running a test along 11th Street reviews have been submitted with a review between Lincoln Ave. and Oak Street to due date in calendar year 2019. 100% of plan simulate the effect that a new sidewalk would reviews have been delivered to the Planning have on traffic flow and parking. Rubberized Department from the Engineering Division on parking stops were installed the week of time, with 13 reviews currently in queue. September 23rd on 11th Street along the west The Engineering Division participated in the side of the Nordic Lodge to simulate a future Steamboat Springs Northwest Colorado sidewalk footprint. This test allows us to Building Futures High School Career Day on move from the blueprint to real-time Sept 4th. Staff presented to students what we experience, which we can use to inform the are charged to oversee and perform on a future design of the sidewalk and the daily basis. We showed the students master associated parking configurations. planning documents and plan sets including Construction on 13th Street is underway. showing them how to use a scale. The group Giovonni Construction is the general then visited a nearby construction site to gain contractor and periodic closures have been a first-hand experience. necessary on 13th Street throughout construction. Staff will be working with the contractor throughout the fall to account for vehicular, pedestrian. and bicycle traffic through the work zone. Native Excavating began work on the Fish Creek Underpass project. Crews have been careful to limit the removal of trees along the riparian area as the trail is constructed. Work within the creek area will be completed by October 3rd in order to minimize impact to Mountain Whitefish spawning areas within Fish Creek. Duckels Construction began work on the Butcherknife Floodplain Improvements and Eagle Scout Restroom project. Work this year is limited to the culvert replacement under Oak Street with the remaining work to be performed in 2020. ***
City Manager Report 10/3/2019 For 10/8/2019 Meeting Attachment #1
2019/2020 Ski Area Partner Agreement The Ski Area Partner program is designed to give your employees and guests affordable access to Hogadon Basin Ski Area, while delivering benefits to both Hogadon Basin and your property through the co-promotion of special events, programs, and sales. The following agreement outlines the requirements in order to participate in the program for the 2018/2019 season, defined as November 23rd, 2019 through April 11th, 2020. As a member of the Ski Area Partner program, Hogadon Basin will provide the following: • Your profile will be displayed on the Partnering Areas page of our website at www.hogadon.net which to include your logo and the ski area agreement. • Ability to use Hogadon Basin Ski Area in promotional materials for your ski area. For example, as an added season pass benefit to boost sales. • Your season pass holders will receive 3 full day tickets one time per season at Hogadon Basin Skier Services, no blackout dates. Tickets must be used in consecutive days. In order to receive this discount, your season pass holders must present their season pass at the time of purchase with current year on pass. Participation in the Ski Area Partner Program requires the following of your ski area: • Host a link to our website, www.Hogadon.net, and promote Hogadon Basin events and relevant news on your ski area’s website and social media pages. • Hogadon Basin Ski Area season pass holders may receive 3 full day tickets one time per season at your property by presenting a current valid season pass. Tickets must be used in consecutive days. • Facebook updates and promotions specific to Hogadon Basin Ski Area • Current logo and ski area agreement displayed onto your website with a link to www.Hogadon.net
Please sign this agreement to agree to the requirements of the Ski Area Partnership. The partnership deadline is December 1st, 2019. Late agreements will not be accepted. Ski Area Name: ______Contact Person: ______Physical Address of Property: ______Mailing Address of Property: ______City: ______State: ______Zip Code: ______Email Address: ______Phone Number: ______Manager or Owner Signature: ______Date Agreement Signed: ______Please mail your completed agreement to 1800 E. “K” St. Casper, WY 82601 ATTN: Hogadon Basin or scan and email it to [email protected] Attachment #2 Attachment #3 Attachment #4
Vacation Unit Advisory Committee Recommendations
SCOPE: ISSUES AND IMPACTS Review of the following broad categories of issues and impacts to: 1) determine whether there is a problem that needs solving; 2) evaluate options and potential solutions to identified problems; and 3) provide recommendations to City Council for further consideration.
Long-Term Rental Housing Problem: Inconclusive The committee was unable to determine whether there is a problem that needs solving; however, the committee acknowledges that this is perceived as an issue within the community. Research indicates that other communities have concluded that vacation rentals negatively impact their long-term rental housing supply. Additional data is necessary to accurately assess the issue and to determine the impact of vacation rentals on long-term housing stock in Steamboat Springs. The committee recommends re- evaluating in three years or less once additional data is available.
Neighborhood Character Problem: Inconclusive The committee was unable to determine whether there is a problem that needs solving; however, the committee acknowledges that this is perceived as an issue within the community. Neighborhood character is difficult to define and means different things to different people. Character may also be impacted by vacant second homes. Impacts of vacation rentals discussed included trash, noise, and parking; these issues may be addressed through improved enforcement.
Sales and Lodging Tax Collection Problem: No The committee didn’t identify an existing problem that needs solving. The City Finance Department feels confident that there is a high level of compliance. The committee recommends requiring management companies to provide a list of registered vacation units covered under their sales tax license.
Safety Problem: Yes The committee has concern that vacation rentals are not subject to the same safety regulations as other lodging establishments. The committee recommends minimum measures to ensure basic life safety concerns are met, such as providing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. The committee also recommends establishing a periodic inspection program, such as once every three or five years, to verify basic life safety measures are in place.
Enforcement Problem: Yes The committee identified the following issues with current enforcement of vacation rentals: 1) current lack of cross-referencing with Police calls at vacation units, 2) lack of understanding by the public of the “3-strike” enforcement policy, and 3) current lack of cross-referencing with sales tax licenses. The committee recommends improved enforcement procedures and accessible public information.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Annual Registration Require annual registration of all vacation units, including Vacation Home Rentals, Vacation Rentals, and Short-Term Rentals (refer to attached definitions). Annual registration is not a land use permit; it cannot be revoked. Request information regarding personal use of vacation units. This will provide data to help determine whether units are second or seasonal homes or whether they are full-time vacation units. Require signed statement that the vacation unit is equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. Require verification of City sales tax licenses. Require 24-hour local contact information. Require certificate of registration be posted inside every vacation unit. Require information on available parking spaces. Require occupancy limits for all vacation rentals similar to Vacation Home Rentals (1 occupant/200 square feet; maximum 16). Registration fee should cover expense of administering the program (registration and enforcement). Require registration number be included on all online listings.
Improved Public Information Develop concise vacation unit information packet to outline all applicable registration requirements, permit processes, and regulations. Provide list of registered vacation units publicly available and easily accessible.
Improved Enforcement Policies and Procedures Improve tools for the public to submit a complaint regarding vacation units. Develop written policies regarding complaint response, violations, citations, and repeat offenses. Establish procedures for cross-referencing Police calls with vacation units. Establish procedures for cross-referencing sales tax licenses with vacation units. Add a disclaimer on sales tax license application regarding the potential for audit. Establish a periodic (three- or five-year) inspection program focused on ensuring basic life safety measures are in place.
CDC Use Standards for Vacation Home Rentals (VHR) Reconsider parking standards (including on-site v. on-street, overnight, and minimum number required). Apply attendance limits to indoor activities similar to those for outdoor activities.
CDC Use Standards for Vacation Rentals and Short-Term Rentals Adopt minimum standards for Vacation Rentals and Short-Term Rentals, similar to those applicable to VHRs, including occupancy limit, prohibition on outdoor sleeping, and posting of rules related to parking and trash removal. Attachment #5
Planning Commission Authority- Outreach Plan and Schedule October November December January February March Task 9/30-10/4 10/7-10/11 10/14-10/18 10/21-10/25 10/28-11/1 11/4-11/8 11/11-11/15 11/18-11/22 11/25-11/29 12/2-12/6 12/9-12/13 12/16-12/20 12/23-12/27 12/30-1/3 1/6-1/10 1/13-1/17 1/20-1/24 1/27-1/31 1 Review message 2 7 2 Meet with George/ Rebecca- PC announcements, procedures, Training 7 Flyers- front desk at centennial and city hall, Planning Dept. door, coffee 3 Ongoing with council Announcement at PC meetings about Authority change - with link to 4 10 24 14 21 12 19 9 23 website on agenda and announced 5 Staff Coaching during PC meetings 10 24 14 21 12 19 9 23 Ongoing 6 PC and Planning website update 16 7 Press Release, Planning Commission Authority 21 20 8 PC meeting 10 24 14 21 12 19 9 23 9 Call up handout for Council 16 10 Meeting Announcement, Social Media, by Mike 7 21 11 18 9 16 Ongoing 11 Planning Commission recap- by Mike, Social Media 11 25 15 22 13 20 10 24 Ongoing 12 Email by Karen to City Council- switch to Fridays, include call up handout 11 25 15 22 13 20 10 24 Ongoing 13 Development Community Email 21 18 16 6 14 meet with Karen/ Sabrina- update agenda 4 15 Templates, agendas, notice updated 1 16 Planning staff reminder/training 9 17 Newspaper Story by 1/9 18 City Page Announcement Before Thanksgiving By 12/20 19 PC training 16 6 January PC/GO LIVE Go Live: Planning Commission Authority- First meeting where decisions 9 can be made, January 9, 2020