City Annual Report flipbook

ANNUAL REPORT 20161steamboatsprings.net/annualreport 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

© LARRY PIERCE The Steamboat Springs ProRodeo Series was selected as the 2016 Mountain States Circuit Small Rodeo of the Year.

From the City ManagerDear Steamboat Springs Resident: future vision for Howelsen Hill, a venue that impacts many of us, and these efforts will continue with greater emphasis into 2017. In June 2016, I had the pleasure of being appointed as SteamboatSprings’ new city manager. I came in as the interim manager, and, As the end of the year neared, downtown lights returned alongafter a nationwide search, I was fortunate to land the job on a perma- Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs Transit saw record ridership,nent basis and couldn’t be happier. I want to thank the City Council forstaying the course during this transition and City Hall had reopened on Friday mornings, asetting goals to continue moving the city new animal code ordinance leashed up andforward. the city achieved a 4-STAR rating for sustainability. Under the leadership of Chief Christensen,the police department has established Reflecting on the past year, the city enjoyedrenewed and reinvigorated rapport with the many milestones. However, as we look ahead,community. For the first time in many months, there are major topics to tackle, and your inputthe police force is at full staff welcoming the and participation is vital in making Steamboataddition of Commander Annette Dopplick. Springs a better place. This council and theSignificant progress has been made on real- community are moving steadily toward aizing a new police station and finalizing the more engaged and active citizenry. I urge youMemo of Understanding (MOU) with Routt to make your thoughts known on what mattersCounty. While there is still work to be done, most to you or what you would like to see ourwe’re moving in the right direction and, more future hold.importantly, working together. I would like to thank each and every staff Over the summer, the city completed the member for diligently working to make amost significant set of capital projects in positive difference in the city they live andrecent history, valued at $7.7 million, high- love. I encourage all of you to keep sharing,lighted by Central Park Drive/Snapdragon keep showing up, and keep working with usWay, Après Ski Way/Village Drive and down- to help Steamboat Springs realize its fulltown improvements along Yampa and Oak Streets. In addition, the potential as a thriving, authentic community and world-classBear River Master Plan, Workman Park, Toots Hole, new 2A trails and destination.permanent public access to the Yampa River became realities. Sincerely, Looking across the river from my office, Howelsen Hill showcased Gary Suiter, City Managerits trails to an avid snow clientele, many for the first time, during theinaugural Ski Free program. Due to its popularity, the Ski Free campaignlooks to expand for the winter. Additionally, we’re working to define theCover Photo: © DAVID DIETRICH 32 0 1 6 ANNUAL REPORT

New Faces at the City Michael Lane Communications Manager Annette Dopplick Police Commander Lane has lived in Steamboat Springs for over 22 years and has experience in Following a nationwide search, the city public relations and communications. He hired Dopplick as its new police com- is an involved community member who mander in June. Commander Dopplick has volunteered for various organizations brings more than a decade of experience across the Yampa Valley. in law enforcement to her new post. Prior to joining the city, Dopplick held various Alan Lind positions with the Vail Police Department. Director of General Services Stacie L. Fain The city announced the hiring of Mr. Lind Airport Manager as general services director in December. He has an extensive background in the An accomplished 23-year aviation and aerospace industry, overseeing diverse senior operations professional, Fain joined departments. He joined the city team just the city in September. She has a Master’s after the New Year. of Aeronautical Science and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Aviation. She is a commercial pilot, unrestricted naval aviator, and certified flight instructor.INFORMATION GATEWAY: Year Total Visits Total Page Views Unique Page Visits Downloads Mobile Accesssteamboatsprings.net 2015 418,783 633,660 471,230 253,943 46%The city’s website features a wide array ofdetailed information for citizens and visitors. 2016 448,361 657,849 524,846 232,552 49%4 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

© NOAH WETZEL Yampa Street Schematic Accommodation Tax Projects In 2013, voters approved the 2A Accommodations Tax, which directs accommodations tax funds to the following areas through 2023. 2A Trails: Two new directional trails – Lower NPR beginner and Lower NPR intermediate – were constructed on Howelsen Hill. After three years of planning and due diligence work, the proposed trail network on Buffalo Pass received final NEPA approval and the USFS started trail construction. Buffalo Pass trails will continue to be constructed in 2017. Marketing 2A: The 2A ballot measure directs $30,000 annually to marketing of 2A improvements. In 2016, marketing was again carried out by Bike Town, U.S.A.® and included improving biking information on SteamboatBikeTown.com, digital, print and social media advertising, trade show and conference representation, and developing and distributing bike guides to bike shops located in Steamboat Springs, Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley and Longmont. 52 0 1 6 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial DashboardWhat are the sources of revenue? Sales tax is a crucial componentof the city’s funding structure with over 40% of revenue in 2016coming from this single revenue source. The city does not have aproperty tax for municipal purposes, therefore charges for servicesand intergovernmental grant revenues are also important fundingsources and relied upon heavily to provide city infrastructure,equipment, and services. In 2016, the city issued $4M of debt inorder to finance a multi-year downtown improvement project.How is the money spent? The City of Steamboat Springs provides Parks & Community Services department, as well as other essentialmany services and amenities to residents and visitors. These include services such as police services, public works, and transit. In 2016,a multi-use trail system funded with accommodations tax, a the city had over 50 capital projects in progress which accounted formunicipally owned airport, a professional fire department, a robust over 30% of the expenditure budget. Some of these capital projects included storm water system improvements, refurbishing six transit6 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS busses, water and sewer line replacement, electrical underground- ing related to the downtown improvement project, and Central Park Drive Reconstruction What does the future hold? While this report focuses specifically on 2016 financials, it is important to keep overall fiscal sustainability in mind as the city moves forward in the coming years. With antici- pated service and cost increases, a long-term fiscal sustainability plan for the city remains at the forefront and as a primary goal for City Council and staff.

Firefighters respond to an accident on Children work together to hit the target with water from A member of the swift water team trains alongRabbit Ears Pass. the hose on Ladder Truck, T-62. the Yampa River. Department HighlightsThe following outlines individual city department highlights toward services when requested by other fire agencies in the countygoals established by city council. While these goals vary in scope and through mutual aid agreements.scale, all efforts reflect the desire to make the city and its departmentsfiscally sustainable, transparent, open and available to residents.CITY CLERKThe office of the city clerk provides city information to thecommunity through posting meeting agendas, packets and minutesfor the Steamboat Springs City Council, Steamboat Springs LiquorLicensing Authority and Steamboat Springs RedevelopmentAuthority on the city’s website. Information is also available uponrequest through the Colorado Open Records Act. 2016 was a busyyear with 242 open records requests and seven additional citycouncil meetings over the previous year.FIRE-RESCUEThe Steamboat Springs Fire-Rescue (SSFR) served the city andsurrounding Steamboat Springs Area Fire Protection District, a 387square mile area comprised of an estimated base population of20,000 and moving upwards of 35,000 including visitors. SSFR is theonly paramedic level service in Routt County and provides these 72 0 1 6 ANNUAL REPORT

Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue group photo in front of the Mountain Fire Station. A little down time during the Black Forest fire for Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue, who were dispatched to aid in fire suppression efforts. • During 2016, SSFR responded to 2,247 calls for service, a 3.0% increase over 2015 YTD calls (2,179 calls). • In October, Insurance Services Organization (ISO), implemented a new Public Protection Classification (PPC) for Steamboat Springs. The previous PPC of 5 and 8B changed to 3 and 3Y effective October 1, 2016. This reflects an improvement in the PPC rating, which translates into reduced fire insurance rates for property owners. The improved rating is based on many factors, both internal (fire department) and external (water departments/supply). • Paid fully by state grant dollars, new bunker gear extractors and an exhaust extraction system were installed in the Mt. Fire Station. These improvements, which meet NFPA standards, scrub and clean equipment by removing damaging particulates, prolonging use and improving safety. • SSFR provided eleven CPR/Basic Life Support classes to groups including law enforcement, city employees and school staff and students as part of its community outreach goals. • 32 education events took place over the year ranging from public education at schools to fire extinguisher training for lodging/hotel staff to an annual dinner for children who are burn survivors.8 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

GENERAL SERVICES and products and manages municipal addressing and street naming. In 2016, the GIS staff accomplished six significant projects including:The general services department supports the entire city organization. • Updating the infill model to predict vacant parcels and futureFacilities: The facilities division maintains all of the city’s 132 facilities development potential.and structures as well as managing several capital projects eachyear. In 2016, this division replaced underground infrastructure and • Creating new comprehensive online maps representing theinstalled new pens and arena panels at the rodeo grounds, replaced Sidewalk Master Plan, Steamboat Springs Parking Map andthree roof top units at the airport terminal building with energy effi- Fire Call Locations.cient units, reroofed the airport maintenance building with a20-year life span TPO membrane roof, remodeled the Ice Arena to • Integrating EMS location points to all Howelsen Hill trail inter-create a locker room for the junior hockey team and replaced the sections and Spring Creek bridges for Emergency Response/Rehder sidewalk along 8th street. Search & Rescue operations.Information Systems (IT): IT conducts major upgrades and carries • Impacting Conduit/Fiber projects with updated location dataout critical and day-to-day technological operations needed to keep and online maps.the city’s storage of information safe and secure and the technicaloperations and equipment running seamlessly. In 2016, IT completed • Designing a trail & landmark map book for Animal Control Officersthe host server replacement program and hypervisor management (ACOs) to determine if an incident occurred within city limits.upgrades, completed storage area network upgrades at both datacenters, and began a major telephone project which will span into • Implementing aerial imagery providing high resolution 3D2017. IT also completed the replacement of the backup generator at views of the city limits as well as surrounding neighboringCentennial Hall, installed a new backup generator at the Parks and natural and developed areas.Community Services building, and repurposed an older generator tofunction as backup power at Howelsen Hill. INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICESProcurement & Contracting Division: The procurement and con- Child Care Initiative – In the first year of the Child Care Initiative, thetracting division provides a centralized source for procurement of city provided micro-grants of $5,000 to assist with the startup of twogoods and services and contracting with vendors. In 2016, the division new in-home licensed child care providers.issued 42 invitations for bids and requests for proposals, and processed131 contracts, 23 grant agreements and 185 purchase orders. Grants – The City leveraged over $3 million in grant funds in 2016 for a variety of projects including a sidewalk on Highway 40,Risk Management: Risk Management provides for the safety of infrastructure improvements on Yampa Street, transit operations,employees and the public by analyzing the risks and exposures for fire equipment, a Yampa River Management Plan, trail and rivercity services, programs and special events, conducting audits on improvements and employee training.public facilities and programs, coordinating insurance coverages andprograms, and promoting safety consciousness and loss prevention. PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICESGeospatial Information Systems (GIS): The GIS division creates and This department manages and maintains the city’s recreationalmanages city geospatial information and data, provides quality maps facilities, parks, open space areas, trails, and the Yampa River, and provides recreational and sports programming to the community. In 2016, the average number of kids per day in youth summer camp increased 1.4% to 91.32 students per day while after school program attendance increased 12.14% over last summer and 92 0 1 6 ANNUAL REPORT

A snowcat serves as the back drop for the Howelsen Hill hosted curling for the first time The 2016 NCAA Skiing ChampionshipsParks & Community Services team photo. during a private event. Nordic and slalom races took place at Howelsen Hill.23.43% over two years. Parks hosted 14 athletic tournaments and PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT680 teams participating in baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse,rugby, volleyball and kickball. Planning is responsible for the community’s long range planning, current development review, code enforcement and historicThe division carried out several infrastructure projects, including preservation. While the number of development permit applicationsirrigation upgrades at West Lincoln Park, Highway 40 medians and remained at a level 23% over 2014, they were relatively flat comparedHaymaker Golf Course; new pickleball courts at the Tennis Center; to 2015. Twenty-five development plans and 23 final developmenthazardous tree removal from Emerald Mountain; upgrades to the plans were processed in 2016. However, the number of subdivisionpopular NPR and Root Canal mountain bike trails and various applications was at the highest level since 2008, while the number ofimprovements at Howelsen Hill (summer and winter), the Rodeo variance requests decreased significantly.Arena, Haymaker and the Yampa River. These enhancementsdirectly build on resource efficiency and respect for the natural The addition of a planning position mid-year allowed for a greaterenvironment as outlined in council goals. percentage of staff time to be devoted to city initiated projects like the Community Development Code reorganization, Sign Code revisionThe business enterprise division enhanced operations of the Ice and a new suite of improved application forms. However, challengesArena, setting a new record for bumper car usage, and welcomed filling a vacancy are currently impacting capacity. Digital TAC review isthe new junior hockey team, the Steamboat Wranglers. The Rodeo saving applicant costs as well as improving plan distribution efficiency.Arena was awarded GOCO’s Starburst Award and recognized as the2016 Mountain States Circuit Small Rodeo of the Year. Overall, all Major projects in 2016 included: Sunlight Subdivision, Riverviewoutlets garnered consistent four and five star ratings on TripAdvisor. PUD, Steamboat Mountain Coaster and Mini-golf, Cloverdale at the Carver House, YVEA Solar Project, Flat Tops at Wildhorse Meadows and Winter WonderGrass.10 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

© MATT STENSLANDCoffee with a Cop was launched to discuss community topics in a relaxed Local children were treated to a special Christmas shopping outingand informal setting. as part of the 3rd Annual Shop With A Cop program.POLICE SERVICES a homicide case from 2000. Over 400 pieces of original evidence were reviewed multiple times by attorneys with overTwenty-five sworn police officers and 12 support personnel provide 220 items repackaged for case presentation and transferred toaround the clock public safety services to the residents and visitors District Court. Meticulous and systematic handling of evidenceof the city. In 2016: over the seventeen years of prosecution efforts helped support a first-degree murder conviction. • Police, community service and animal control officers attended to 14,512 calls for service. • Community service officers worked 118 events and a total of 2,333 hours, including weekend rodeos, free concert series, • In an effort to proactively improve traffic safety, 1,347 traffic community events, marathon and bike races. Select seasonal citations and 1,816 written warnings were issued for violations. officers were sworn in by the municipal court judge to complement existing patrols and river education. In addition, • The Records Division, the first employees to greet citizens community service officers and parking and code compliance seeking assistance and access to critical information, handled officers handled several functions of the police department 280 records checks, provided 244 report copies and conducted including VIN checks, refuse storage requirements, lost 98 liquor license checks. property, found property, vehicle complaints, parking and private tows. • There were 7,084 transfers of physical evidence which included 1,365 items collected, 186 items returned to owners and 434 items disposed. Significant in 2016 was the third prosecution of 112016 ANNUAL REPORT

A Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter squadron stopped at Steamboat Springs Airport (KSBS) enroute to a training exercise.PUBLIC WORKS Sidewalk Master Plan update, Base Area Arrival Experience Master Plan, and the US40 East Access Control Plan. Engineering collabo-The public works department completed a myriad of projects, rated with the Colorado Department of Transportation, combininginitiatives and day-to-day operations which improved infrastructure four projects into one for the planned 2017 Elk River Road/US40and provided first-class, efficient and safety conscious service to intersection. Due to a high temperature listing by the Coloradoresidents and visitors. Notable highlights by division include: Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), the Yampa River temperature monitoring program recorded continuousAirport: Bob Adams Airport supported 7,268 aircraft takeoffs and temperature data from a number of river locations. In addition, anlandings, an increase of almost 1,000 operations from 2015, and updated MS4 permit from CDPHE was received for the city’s stormrealized a 5.2% increase in aviation gas and jet fuel sales. Two water management program.aircraft with the U.S. Forest Service were stationed at the airport fromJune to August providing firefighting capabilities and community Fleet: In 2016, the fleet division completed over 3,200 services andprotection during the Beaver Creek wildfire. repairs and dispensed nearly 84,000 gallons of fuel across city vehicles that safely traveled more than half a million miles. This pastEngineering: The engineering division completed the most signifi- year, the new Collective Data System, an advanced fleet assetcant set of capital projects in recent history, highlighted by Central management software, was launched. The new program features anPark Drive/Snapdragon Way involving the formation of a local electronic work order assignment system, streamlines parts orderingimprovements district for the first time since 2000; Après Ski Way/ and tracking and is accessible by every city department.Village Drive intersection and downtown improvements on Yampaand Oak Streets. Strategic long range planning efforts tackled a12 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

The Colorado Asphalt PavementAssociation recognized the CentralPark Plaza project as Best inColorado for City Street Newor Reconstructed in 2016. 132016 ANNUAL REPORT

Streets: In 2016, streets implemented a grader-led hybrid snow An old 4-inch cast iron water main in Old Town Steamboat Springs isplowing operation, hauled nearly 65,000 yards of snow, distributed replaced with a new 8-inch PVC line by city crews.over 2,700 tons of scoria for traction and spent nearly 1,850 hourssweeping up 773 yards of material which improved air quality andkeep pollutants out of the Yampa River. A Bombardier snowcat wasutilized to improve efficiency and maintenance at the Mt. Marshsnow storage pile. The city’s pavement condition indicator (PCI)rating is currently 64 (scale 0-100) based on a pavement analysisconducted by IMS Infrastructure Management Services.The streets division, comprised of 15 full-time employees and fivewinter seasonal staff, is responsible for maintaining approximately155 lane miles of streets, six miles of alleys, 105 cul-de-sacs and 39parking lots. In addition, the department maintains all street signage,three traffic signals, and storm drainage including bridges, culverts,ditches and catch basin inlets.Transit: For the tenth consecutive year, the transit division (SST)carried more than one million passengers, with 1,154,762 totalpassengers in 2016. This represents a 7% increase over 2015.Paratransit service experienced a 16% increase, and the regional bus, which travels between Craig and Steamboat Springs, carried almost 30,000 passengers during the year. Wastewater Treatment Plant: The wastewater treatment plant experienced no violations, accidents or injuries while treating 1.030 billion gallons of wastewater and achieving 95% removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) per day in 2016. Despite seeing a peak month for BOD in August, the plant reduced its produced bio solids by5%.The CDPHE finalized Permits and Notice ofAuthorizations (NOA) for all wastewater functions such as discharge of effluent to river, authorization to deliver reclaimed water and authorization to use reclaimed water. CH2M and city engineers completed an analysis and costs for alternatives for the Steamboat II Lift Station, setting the stage for completion of the recommended alternative in 2017.14 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

A new water main installed from Strawberry Park Elementary School Two thousand acre feet of water rights become absolute at the Fishto Woods Drive eliminated two dead-end loops and created a Creek Reservoir this past year.redundant feed.Water & Sewer: Based on a study by finance and public works, an A number of water court decrees were filed in 2016 making 17.38ordinance to increase rates over the next three years (2017-2019) cfs of water rights absolute while maintaining 45.87 cfs aswas passed in November 2016, providing the funding and stability to conditional. The West Lincoln Park project will now draw raw wateroperate the water and wastewater utilities through 2019. The past from the Yampa River for irrigation, saving an estimated 2.675year experienced zero violations as 450 million gallons of water were million gallons of potable water each summer. Along with ourconsumed by the City of Steamboat Springs Water District. This partners, Colorado Water Trust and Upper Water Conservancyequates to an average per-day of 2.1 million gallons during summer District, the city for the first time called upon its 552 acre-feet pooland 800,000 during winter, with a peak day of 2.7 million gallons on in Stagecoach Reservoir to be released to improve flows and waterJuly 11th and the slowest day with 408,000 gallons used on April quality in the Yampa River. This collaboration set the foundation for23rd. Over the summer, 1.125 miles (5,940 linear feet) of water main developing the 2017 Yampa River Stream Management Plan, whichwas installed or replaced in Old Town, between Strawberry Park will shape more long-term and sustainable solutions to droughtElementary School and Woods Drive, near Bob Adams Airport and and stream flow impacts.along Yampa Street. 152016 ANNUAL REPORT

2016 Steamboat Springs City Council Walter Magill, President Jason Lacy, Pro-Tem Tony Connell Robin Crossan District III District II District I District [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Scott Ford Heather Sloop Kathi Meyer District II District III At [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] STATEMENT VISION STATEMENTThe city council serves its citizens through the development City council synthesizes the best of the past and the mostand implementation of plans and partnerships that provide sustainable of the present to enhance Steamboat Springs’quality facilities, services, and programs for a diverse, vibrant unique sense of place and its vibrant and healthy communityand healthy community. for the future.16 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

2017 CITY COUNCIL GOALS © DAVID DIETRICH1) Continue to develop plans and funding for a new law enforcement facility.2) Howelsen Hill a) Work with all public stakeholders to develop a com- munity vision, strategic plan, master plan, long term sustainable financial plan and long term maintenance plan for Nordic, jumping, alpine and summer usage. b) Work with SSWSC on developing a new Joint Use Agreement for Howelsen Hill in the context of the community vision and strategic plan for the ski area.3) Downtown a) Complete Downtown Improvement Plan b) Define parking problem and investigate solutions for parking in the downtown area. c) Community discussion of character of downtown area. (Including land uses, density, height, parking standards, public art, etc.)4) Develop a long-term fiscal sustainability plan for the City.5) Improve community trust.6) Define the City’s role and develop viable options for facilitating diverse housing opportunities.7) Long Term Water Planning a) Conservation plan b) Redundancy and Watershed Protection c) Water Rights Development d) Land use planning in the context of water e) Water reclamation (sewer) 172016 ANNUAL REPORT

Community EngagementAn engaged community is a healthy community. Active participationby residents, whether making their views known during the publicprocess or serving on council, a commission or board, leads todialogue and discussion that shapes the process of making the Cityof Steamboat Springs a better place.CITY 101 City 101 class got their hands wet as part of training with the department.As a way to showcase the City of Steamboat Springs and its opera- COMMENT TO COUNCILtions, city employees and members of the community participatedin the second class of City 101, a six-month in-depth course from EMAIL, [email protected], directly to all councilJanuary through June. The City 101 leadership program is intended to: members, city manager, city attorney and city clerk. Through WEBSITE via council comment form at www.steam- • Create a shared understanding of the city’s mission and purpose boatsprings.net/comment. • Increase community and employee understanding of the city During REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS and all of its operations • General Comment for items not on the agenda-typically • Enhance community member and employee ability to serve as around 7:00 PM. ambassadors for the city • Agenda Item-when that matter is addressed on agenda byIn addition to class room sessions, participants enjoyed hands-on council and President asks for public comment.experiences across a number of departments that build team work • Proposed Ordinance-requires two readings and public commentand showcase what it takes to run a municipality on a daily basis. accepted each time.Home Rule Charter General Services • Work Sessions – City Council must agree to accept publicCity Council Human ResourcesCity Manager Parks & Community Services comment during work sessions.City Attorney Planning INFORMAL (not part of public record)City Partnerships Police • Coffee with Council - 2nd Friday of monthFinance • Cocktails with Council - 4th Tuesday of monthFire-Rescue Public WorksDuring the first two years of the City 101 program nearly 50 individualsachieved their City 101 degrees furthering their education on theplace they live, work and play – the City of Steamboat Springs. Theprogram returns for its third year in 2017.18 CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

192016 ANNUAL REPORT © DAVID DIETRICH

© LARRY PIERCE CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS 137 10th Street | PO Box 775088 Steamboat Springs, CO 80477970.879.2060 | steamboatsprings.net