At their October 6th meeting, the Winter Park Town Council reviewed the contract for snow removal services for the Hideaway Place apartments and north parking garage. Public Works Director Gerry Vernon had sent out a Request for Proposals and received one, from the current service provider, Golden Eagle Snow Removal LLC. 

The bid amounts remained the same as the prior year (Hand Shovel – $55/hour; Skid Steer Loader – $90/hour; Front End Loader – $135/hour; and, Dump Truck – $85/hour). The new contract would be for a three-year term. Vernon estimated the annual expense at $35,000. Also, to address concerns expressed by residents, the new contract stipulates that all work would be completed between the hours of 5 am – 9 am, unless otherwise directed and/or approved by town staff.

Council approved Resolution 1811, the service contract with Golden Eagle, unanimously, 6:0. Councilor Mike Periolat was absent from the meeting.

New Front End Loader

Vernon next presented Resolution 1812, authorizing purchase of a Caterpillar Wheel Loader 938 M from Wagner Equipment at a cost of $233,110.80. 

In a memo to Council, he explained, “The 2020 Capital Equipment Budget included the acquisition of a wheel loader to augment the two existing wheel loaders in our fleet. The primary use of this wheel loader will be for snow removal operations in the winter and intermittent use throughout the summer for various projects. The purchase of this machine was delayed due to the Covid-19 budget reductions earlier this year. However, staff has reconsidered the

purchase due to it critical nature and the 2020 budget revenues will allow for the capital

purchase. You may remember that the department previously held a surplus equipment

auction that generated nearly $100,000 in unexpected revenues this summer.”

The current snow operations fleet consists of eleven vehicles: a Kenworth Large Plow; a Freightliner Large Plow (back-up); a Caterpillar Motor Grader; 2 Caterpillar 938 K Loaders; 3 Bobcat Skid Steer Loaders; and 3 GMC Truck Plows.

Purchasing another loader would increase the fleet to 3, allowing dedication of two loaders to downtown and the third would cover the south end of town (Lakota, Old Town and Winter Park Resort). 

Council approved Resolution 1812 unanimously, 6:0.

Town and WPRA tighten Gondola site usage language

Resolution 1813 amends the Winter Park License Agreement with Winter Park Recreational Association (WPRA). Vernon explained that, in 2013, the Town and the WPRA entered into a

license agreement for use of the downtown property known as the Gondola Lot for specific purposes.

Located across the street from Town Hall, this summer’s road closure and construction work “pushed the limits” of permitted use. Vernon’s discussions with Doug Laraby at Winter Park Resort led to a decision to formalize the existing agreement, spelling out summer and winter operations of the lot. The amendment specifies what the Town is required to do at the beginning of the summer season and at its closure. Likewise, it specifies how the Town is to prepare the

lot for the winter season and snow storage use.

Council approved the amendment unanimously.

Goal set to Electrify Public Transit Fleet

As a follow-up to council discussions regarding electrifying the town’s Public Transit fleet, Transit Manager Ivy Compton said staff was applying for funding assistance to acquire an electric transit bus and related electric charging infrastructure through the 2021 Consolidated Call for Capital Projects (CCCP) grant application from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

In a memo to council, Transit Manager Michael Koch stated, “The transition of the public transit fleet to electric would coincide with the new transit storage, maintenance, and administration facility completion date in 2022. This will allow for a successful short-term transition from diesel buses to electric. Not only will this allow the Town to assist in meeting state-wide electrification goals but also help to reduce emissions in the Fraser Valley and our alpine environment.”

Staff recommended approval of the resolution to affirm its position on electrifying the Town’s transit fleet. “Approval of this resolution will strengthen all grant applications the Town intends to pursue to assist in subsidizing costs related to attaining this goal. This resolution will convey to state and federal officials there is established support among town leadership for the intention to electrify The Lift transit fleet by 2035,” said Koch.

Compton clarified the current fleet cannot be converted to electric. The current grant application is for one electric bus and associated infrastructure. As buses are rotated out, the goal is to replace them with electric vehicles.

Council approved Resolution 1814 unanimously.

Continued Suspension of Fees & Regulations

In May Council passed an emergency ordinance suspending certain regulations and fees allowing local businesses to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included suspending:

  • The single-use plastic bag fee
  • Sign ordinance regulations prohibiting sandwich boards and banners located on sidewalks as long as they don’t impede pedestrians
  • The design review process, associated fees and building permit fees for the expansion of patios
  • Parking requirements for restaurants to allow for expansions of patios into private parking areas

The original ordinance was set to expire on October 31, 2020. With that date quickly approaching, a new ordinance was introduced to continue the suspensions through October 31, 2021 or until Council votes to repeal the ordinance. It also allows for “curbside pick-up/drop-off” locations to be established on Main Street and for the use of tents or other structures. 

Council approved Ordinance 543 on first reading. A public hearing and second reading of the ordinance was scheduled for the next meeting, on Tuesday, October 20, where it was approved unanimously, 7:0.

Transit contracts with Home James for Paid Ride Service

Transit Manager Michael Koch submitted Resolution 1815, approving a contract with Home James to provide a paid ride service to The Lift transit riders who were not comfortable riding in the confined space of a bus, due to COVID-19. Koch explained that staff had been exploring options to provide alternative mobility options to the community and negotiated with Home James to offer a paid ride service on weekends and holidays, at a discounted rate per vehicle load.

Koch said the town would share liability and risk with Home James, with funds coming from pre-allocated dollars budgeted for call-and-ride service. The Night Lift would also utilize two vehicles, instead of three. No rider impact was anticipated.

Council approved Resolution unanimously, 7:0.

Reunion Station: Parking Variance, Final Plat and Development Improvement Agreement

Town Planner Hugh Bell presented three separate resolutions (1816, 1817, 1818) for Reunion Station, a new development located at 78436 US Hwy 40 to council for approval. 

  • A parking variance was granted to reduce parking requirements for the complex by 31% as nearby on-street parking is available and the public parking garage is across the street.
  • The Final Plat was approved with the plans to build 4 townhomes, 4400 sq. ft. of commercial space for restaurant and retail, and 4 condo units above that space. 
  • The Town and developer entered into a Development Improvements Agreement for public improvements such as grading, installing utilities, drainage, landscaping and paving. These improvements total approximately $745,867.

All three resolutions were approved unanimously.  

Fireside Creek Development Agreement

The Town has been working with Winter Park Partners to advance the Fireside Creek development, an apartment complex with deed-restricted workforce housing. Since getting direction from Council to move forward with the project in August, Town staff has worked with Winter Park Partners to develop a development agreement that includes the required deed restriction. 

The agreement requires a minimum of 70 workforce apartment units. The proposed mix of bedrooms includes 28 one-bedroom units, 30 two-bedroom units, and 12 three-bedroom units. Upon completion of the project, Winter Park Partners will own and operate the rental units in compliance with the deed restriction. The Town will contribute the land to the developer at a minimal cost, assist with the water and sewer taps, and waive development fees. 

The development agreement was approved on first reading. A public hearing and second reading of the ordinance was scheduled for the next meeting on Tuesday, November 3.

At the meeting on November 3, Assistant Town Manager Alisha Janes told council they had updated the deed restriction for three bedroom units, adding the requirement of a second qualified workforce member to be in residence. Janes said they also maintained the ability to make exceptions, on a case by case basis.

Homeowners in the nearby Silverado II complex expressed concerns on access, sightline, drainage, density parking, snow removal and storage. The developers and town staff agreed to work with the surrounding neighbors to resolve the issues.

Council approved Ordinance 544 unanimously. “This is a step in the right direction for our workforce housing,” said Mayor Nick Kutrumbos.

Winter Park Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm in Town Hall. The meetings are open to the public. To learn more, visit wpgov.com.