THE OFFICIAL TOWN OF WINDSOR NEWSLETTER
WINDSOR MATTERS FALL 2021
7TH & WALNUT IMPROVEMENTS
BRINGING SAFETY INTO FOCUS The Budget Process
How the Budget is Prepared and Reviewed for the Upcoming Year
Street Sweeping Best Practices for Fall Leaf Removal
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SUMMER IN REVIEW
Looking Back at Fun in the Sun in Windsor
FROM MAYOR
RENNEMEYER’S DESK
WINDSOR
TOWN BOARD
Mayor Paul Rennemeyer prennemeyer@windsorgov.com
Dear Windsor Residents, Let me begin with a toast to a good summer! From Concerts in the Park to ice cream at Windsor Lake Coffee, I hope you soaked it all in. This summer break was a much deserved season of togetherness. Seeing businesses busy with customers, the parks filled with picnics and games, people's faces at the Farmers Market and neighbors gathering in yards was as refreshing as the summer breeze off the lake. I’d also like to mention a few other reasons to celebrate. The Eastman Park River Experience is open and it was one of the highlights of my extended family’s visit to Windsor as we tubed down the Poudre River. Our Parks and Recreation Department has done an amazing job in creating a fun, safe way to enjoy the river right here in Windsor. Additionally, the completion of the intersection at County Road 5/Fairgrounds Avenue and Highway 392 is making that particular entrance into our community safer and more enjoyable. It was a much needed expansion. Hopefully your summer was culminated by being able to participate in one of the many events of our 99th annual Harvest Festival over Labor Day weekend. In particular, my family’s favorite event every year is most certainly the community parade where we get to pass out candy and see the whole town come together to celebrate the unofficial end to summer. Windsor, as we head into the fall let’s keep this summer’s spirit of adventure and let it fuel our hope that brighter days are ahead. Join me for some conversation each month at Pints with Paul or Coffee with the Mayor (see the town’s website for more details on times and locations). Windsor, we made it through together, I raise my glass to each and every one of you. With gratitude,
Scott Charpentier
District 1 scharpentier@windsorgov.com
Barry Wilson
District 2 bwilson@windsorgov.com
Ken Bennett
District 3 Mayor Pro-Tem kbennett@windsorgov.com
Julie Cline
District 4 jcline@windsorgov.com
CONNECT WITH US Keep up with Town of Windsor news and information by visiting the Windsor's website and by following us on social media.
facebook.com/windsorgov Twitter: @windsorgov Instagram: @windsorgov youtube.com/TownofWindsorCO Nextdoor: Town of Windsor windsorgov.com
Victor Tallon
District 5 vtallon@windsorgov.com
QUESTIONS?
Email us at communications@windsorgov.com
WINDSOR MATTERS David Sislowski
District 6 dsislowski@windsorgov.com
Town Board Meetings
Held the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Hearing assistance is available during public town board meetings; make the request for headphones prior to the meeting. For information about meetings, visit windsorgov.com/TownBoard.
TOWN MANAGER Mayor Paul Rennemeyer
Shane Hale
shale@windsorgov.com 970-674-2419
Windsor Matters is an effort to improve town communications and increase resident engagement. A newsletter is included in monthly utility bills, with a full print edition mailed twice a year. Front Cover: A young girl and her father play by the Cache la Poudre River at the new Eastman Park River Experience in May 2021. Photo by John Robson. Windsor Matters is published by the Town of Windsor © 2021. Reproduction of any portion of this publication, including photography and artwork, is strictly prohibited without the express consent of the Town of Windsor.
Windsor Town Hall
301 Walnut St. | 970-674-2400 windsorgov.com
@windsorgov
Keep up with community events and advisory board meetings at windsorgov.com/Calendar. Sign up for text or email notifications for upcoming events, Town Board and Planning Commission meetings and agendas, traffic alerts and more at windsorgov.com/NotifyMe. Participate in public meetings virtually. Learn how to participate at windsorgov.com/ VirtualMeetings or find participation instructions on the meeting agenda, which can be found at windsorgov.com/Agendas. Watch live or previously recorded public meetings on WindsorTV: Comcast cable channel 8, or online at windsorgov.com/MeetingsOnDemand.
UPCOMING MEETINGS SEP
20
Town Board Work Session
5:30 p.m.
SEP
Town Board Work Session 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting 7 p.m.
OCT
Town Board Work Session
27 4
5:30 p.m.
OCT
Planning Commission Regular Meeting 7 p.m.
OCT
Town Board Work Session 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting 7 p.m.
6
11
Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Contact Town Clerk or consult agenda for final start time. All Town Board and Planning Commission meetings are televised. Visit windsorgov.com/MeetingsOnDemand for broadcast schedule.
WINDSOR MATTERS |
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THE
October 15 & 16
ANNUAL
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Windsor Public Services Facility
BUDGET The annual budget, developed jointly by staff and the Town Board, is arguably the single most important policy document that the town produces each year. All segments of the town’s operations and citizens are affected by the annual budget. Consequently, the budgeting process has evolved into a year-round information gathering and disseminating process aimed at including the entire community. There are many processes impacting decisions concerning the annual budget and long-range plans. Citizen groups, advisory boards, department heads and employees all influence the budget process. Annual budget priorities are established on the basis of organizational goals established by the Town Board.
IMPORTANT TERMS Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): A comprehensive five-year program that focuses on the Town of Windsor’s ever-growing need for improvements to streets, increased demands on water and sewer infrastructure, expansion of parks and trails and safeguarding current infrastructure. The capital planning process is incorporated in the annual budget process. Operating Expenditures: Expenditures that keep the town operating on a day-to-day basis, including wages and benefits, road maintenance, police protection, supplies, water and wastewater operations, information technology needs and anything that supports the town's administrative functions.
THE BUDGET PROCESS JANUARY-MAY • BUDGET PREPARATION The annual budget process begins. Departments begin assessing their requirements for the following year and initial projections are completed for revenue forecasts.
JUNE-AUGUST • STAFF SUBMITTALS Departments submit their operational and capital requests to the Town Manager for further review and discussion. Revenue forecasts are finalized.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER • WORK SESSIONS The Town Board begins meeting with staff over several work sessions to discuss the Town Manager’s recommended budget in detail. On Aug. 23, staff will have their first work session with the Town Board to discuss revenue projections for 2022. Additional work sessions will take place through September and October, including a presentation of the operating budget on Saturday, Oct. 9.
NOVEMBER • FINAL APPROVAL The Town Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 29, taking public input and any additional comments, before adopting the 2022 budget.
Windsor Utility customers are invited to participate in the 2021 Fall CleanUp event Oct. 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Public Services facility, 922 N. 15th St, and is no additional cost for utility customers to attend. An original voucher is required to participate and can be found on the back page of this magazine. If the voucher is misplaced, residents can bring valid identification such as a driver’s license or copy of their utility bill to Windsor Town Hall, 301 Walnut St., during regular business hours for a replacement. At the event, residents will be able to drive up and drop-off their materials at corresponding stations. Residents will be responsible for unloading their own items. In addition to the fall clean-up event, Windsor Utility customers can receive a one-time annual reimbursement up to $10 for responsible yard waste recycling at any time during the year. Additional details about the town’s yard waste recycling program are available at windsorgov.com/Recycling. For more information about the Town of Windsor Utilities visit windsorgov.com/Utilities.
ACCEPTED ITEMS • General household trash • Organic materials such as yard and garden waste, branches, tree limbs up to four inches in diameter and grass clippings • Scrap metal • Small furniture (no mattresses or large couches)
• Indoor appliances such as stoves, ovens, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves • Grills • Bicycles • Vehicle tires without rims • Glass
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED • General household mixed recycling (paper, cardboard etc.) • Hazardous waste • Propane tanks and gas cylinders • Refrigerators or other appliances containing freon • Construction debris (dirt, cement, pavers) • Wooden pallets • Vehicles
• Animal carcasses • Large copiers • Laptops, computers, keyboards, cell phones, tablets, servers • Flat screen TVs and monitors • CRT TVs • Projector style TVs • Small printers and copiers
For more information about Windsor's financial practices, visit windsorgov.com/Finance. WINDSOR MATTERS | 4
Help Us Make a Clean Sweep
RESPONSIBLE STREET, STORMWATER PRACTICES Proper leaf collection and disposal not only keeps neighborhoods clean and welcoming, but it also makes them safer, more environmentally friendly and allows Windsor’s Streets and Stormwater Divisions to maintain Town streets more efficiently. Residents are reminded not to blow or rake leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, trash or debris into the street, as doing so can result in clogged storm drains, ice buildups and a $70 fine. Clogged drains can lead to flooded streets, intersections and homes. Street sweepers can easily pick up leaves that fall naturally onto the street but large piles of leaves and debris can clog the machines and result in expensive repairs. Additionally, decomposing leaves entering the storm sewer system can lead to the release of excess phosphorus into the Cache la Poudre River and local bodies of water, which can cause excessive algae growth and poor downstream water quality. The Streets and Stormwater Divisions have divided Windsor into 20 street sweeping districts. They sweep the town’s districts at least four times per year and on an as-needed basis, collecting approximately 900 tons of debris. The downtown business district is swept during the early morning
hours before standard business operations. The Town of Windsor’s street sweeping season typically runs from Apr. 1 through Nov. 30. If temperatures are above freezing, street sweeping may also take place December through March. Downtown Windsor and areas with larger, mature trees are swept several times each week during leaf season. Residents can visit the website to view an interactive street sweeping map and schedule. Schedules are weather permitting and designed to help residents see when the town plans to sweep their district and help maximize the street sweepers’ efforts. Schedules may also shift due to additional factors including equipment issues, redirects for unplanned emergencies, staffing changes and specific fall leaf season needs. Residents are asked to keep trash and recycling cans, sports equipment, vehicles and other obstructions out of the streets as much as possible and especially when the sweeper is scheduled for their area. They can also help by trimming tree branches and any brush that line the street so street sweepers can have full access to the curb and gutter area. Residents can dispose of leaves, twigs, branches under four inches in diameter and grass clippings at
Keep trash cans, vehicles and sports equipment out of the street, and keep tree branches and brush trimmed back to allow the sweeper to clean the gutter area.
Plan ahead when fertilizing. Only apply the amount of fertilizer that is recommended and don’t apply when the ground is frozen or the grass has gone dormant.
the Fall Clean Up Days Oct. 15 and 16 at the Public Services Facility, 922 North 15th St. The event is complimentary for Windsor Utility customers, but a voucher is required to participate. For more information about the Town of Windsor Streets Division and street sweeping, visit windsorgov.com/StreetSweeping.
Windsor Utility customers can receive a one-time annual reimbursement up to $10 for responsible yard waste recycling at any time during the year. Additional details about the town’s yard waste recycling program are available at windsorgov.com/Recycling.
Keep storm drains clear. Never rake or blow leaves into storm drains. It can create unhealthy local waterway conditions and cause flooding.
Dispose of leaves and lawn waste responsibly. Bring waste to a local organics recycling site.
Learn more about Windsor's street sweeping operations at windsorgov.com/StreetSweeping. WINDSOR MATTERS |
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What's the
Difference?
BUFFERED BIKE LANES
7TH & WALNUT
Upcoming Corridor Improvements Prioritize Safety, Mobility Windsor’s Transportation Master Plan, adopted in 2020, established a vision for a low-stress bicycle network throughout town that would link neighborhoods, schools, regional trails, parks, shopping and other destinations. The proposed low-stress network will provide a transportation system that is safe for all users, with a focus on utilizing off-street trails and streets with lower traffic volume and speed. Windsor’s 7th Street Transportation Study and the Walnut Corridor Bikeway are two projects the town’s Community Development Department are leading to carry out some of the goals outlined in the Transportation Master Plan. The first of two projects from the low-stress network, expected to be installed this year, is 7th Street between the Poudre River Trail and Windsor Lake. This street is a key route that links the Poudre River Trail, numerous neighborhoods, downtown and Windsor Lake. Initial improvements will add buffered bike lanes through the corridor while also making improvements to create safer pedestrian crossings. Future phases of the project aim to add an off-street trail for bikes and pedestrians and a linear park providing a greenway to the corridor. The future project will also prioritize intersection improvements at Stone Mountain Drive and Garden Drive to improve traffic flow and safety. The second project coming this year is Walnut Street between 15th Street
On a street with a buffered bike lane, both motor vehicles and bicycles have their own dedicated lanes for travel.
7th St Buffered bike lanes provide space between motor vehicles and bicycles, giving bicyclists an added layer of safety.
Walnut St
Diagram showing the new configuration of the intersection at 7th and Walnut Streets. Left turns off of Walnut St., as well as traffic crossing 7th on Walnut, will no longer be allowed.
and State Highway 257. This route provides access to downtown while avoiding the higher speeds and traffic volumes of Main Street. The route will include buffered bike lanes on the eastern portion of the corridor and advisory bike lanes on the western portion of the corridor. Advisory bike lanes, while used in other locations in Colorado and around the country, are new to Windsor. They are similar to regular bike lanes but are used on low volume streets that don’t have enough width for a regular bike lane. Streets with an advisory bike lane condense the typical two travel lanes into a single 16’ wide travel lane. The advisory bike lane gives people on bikes space to ride but also provides people driving a place to merge when passing an oncoming vehicle. The juncture of these two projects is at 7th Street and Walnut Street and includes intersection improvements
that aim to increase safety of people driving, walking and biking. A median in 7th Street provides a refuge for people crossing 7th on foot or bike. The median will also prohibit drivers from making left turn movements from Walnut Street onto 7th Street, as this turn movement has been associated with a higher risk for crashes, especially at peak travel times during the morning and late afternoon. This median, along with other improvements, will utilize temporary materials to allow a low cost, quick-to-implement solution that can be fine-tuned prior to installation of more permanent materials. Project timelines are subject to change due to a variety of factors including weather and material availability. For project updates and more, visit windsorgov.com/ ProjectConnect.
On a street with an advisory bike lane, motor vehicles and bicycles share the lane. This configuration is used on streets that are not wide enough for buffered bike lanes.
ADVISORY BIKE LANES
Motor vehicles can utilize an unoccupied advisory bike lane to pass oncoming traffic. When a bicycle is present in the advisory lane, vehicles must yield to the bicyclist, either by slowing down or allowing the oncoming traffic to use the bike lane on their side of the road.
WINDSOR MATTERS |
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School is Back in Session
REMEMBER TO DRIVE SAFE DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY UPDATE The Town of Windsor Planning Division and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are partnering to evaluate parking needs, demands and options for the downtown area, taking into consideration community and business growth. After taking a pause in 2020 to account for COVID-19 complications and a temporary change in downtown business activity, the Downtown Parking Study has resumed data collection, and the project team is looking for stakeholder and community feedback. Upon completion, the Downtown Parking Study will provide: • Options to increase accessibility and decrease congestion in downtown; • Strategic parking recommendations based off stakeholder and community feedback and parking management best practices; and • A two-, five- and 10-year outlook for parking conditions and availability. Stay tuned for upcoming engagement opportunities scheduled for this fall. Learn more about the project and find out how you can make your voice heard by visiting windsorgov.com/ProjectConnect.
Sign up for the Police Department’s Secure Streets video share program and help deter crime in Windsor. For the program to be successful, property owners who have private video security systems that record public areas such as streets, sidewalks or parking lots register their cameras so that officers who respond to burglaries, assaults, and other crimes are able to see a secure map of locations that have cameras within the vicinity of the crime. Officers can quickly contact registered camera owners to see if they are willing to volunteer their recorded footage for review. It’s that simple!
SECURE
STREETS
About Secure Streets: • The program is intended to deter and prosecute criminal activity. • Details are kept confidential and in a secure database only accessible by authorized staff. • The program is voluntary; it does not allow officers remote or direct access to private video systems. • Property owners can unsubscribe at any time.
Help deter and thwart crime. Register your home surveillance cameras with the Windsor Police Department.
windsorPD.com/Secure | 970-674-6436
Be courteous. Stay alert. Eliminate distractions. Know the law. In Windsor, we take pride in our safe hometown feel. As the school year begins, it’s important that drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians keep safety in mind, especially at crosswalks. Crosswalk safety is everyone’s responsibility and here are a few ways you can keep crosswalks safe. Pedestrians • Watch for traffic and use marked crosswalks when possible. • Allow vehicles reasonable time to stop before entering a crosswalk. • Obey traffic signs and signals. • Walk when the “Walk” symbol is displayed and traffic is clear. • Don’t enter the roadway if the “Don’t Walk” indicator is flashing. If you’re already in the crosswalk, continue to the nearest median or curb.
Drivers • Take extra care when you see pedestrians approaching the crosswalk and stay alert. • Yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing within a crosswalk. • Do not pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk. • Drivers cannot park within 20 feet of a crosswalk. • Follow the posted speed limits. It is even more important in areas such as school zones and neighborhood streets where pedestrians can suddenly appear. And last but not least, make sure you have plenty of time to get to your destination so you're not in a hurry. One of the main contributing factors of accidents is drivers being in a rush to get to their destination.
Bicycles • Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as motorists when riding on a street. • Windsor does not restrict bikes from riding on sidewalks but bicyclists using sidewalks should always yield to pedestrians. • Bicyclists using the sidewalk should dismount and walk the bike when crossing at a designated crosswalk. • When using a sidewalk, bicyclists must allow vehicles reasonable time to stop before entering a crosswalk and they must obey all traffic signals.
Saturday, October 23 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Windsor Police Department 200 N. 11th Street
windsorpd.com | 970-674-6400
WINDSOR MATTERS |
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KYGER RESERVOIR UPDATE
Windsor Awarded Fishing is Fun Grant, Plans Public Access Improvements for 2022 Kyger Reservoir Open Space, located at the northwest corner of Highway 392 and Colorado Boulevard/County Road 13, is an inland irrigation reservoir owned by the Town of Windsor featuring 90 acres of water. In a 2020 public survey, residents asked if it could be opened to angler access and non-motorized boating. Thanks to a recent $128,000 Fishing is Fun grant award from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, these public access improvements are able to happen next year, ahead of schedule. The Town of Windsor purchased Kyger Reservoir in 2013 for water storage, irrigation, and public recreation. Since purchasing the site, town staff have taken a conservative approach to considering the reservoir as a fishery due to the seasonal water level changes and safety concerns. After 8 years of operation, staff believe there is sufficient year-
round water in the reservoir for the location to function as a fishery. Staff also identified that safety concerns could be addressed by making site improvements. Planned improvements include an ADAcompliant fishing pier, shoreline angler access, non-motorized pedestrian boat ramp and trails for anglers and boaters.
Windsor’s quality of life through efficient use of taxpayer resources.”
More than 1,000,000 daily, multiday and annual fishing licenses are sold in Colorado each year.
Kyger Reservoir Open Space is operated by staff from the Windsor Parks, Recreation & Culture department. For more information about parks and open spaces in the Town of Windsor, visit recreationliveshere.com/Parks.
“Windsor’s Town Board takes a strategic approach to planning and funding community amenities and I’m proud of the staff who identified and earned this grant for our community,” said Windsor Town Manager Shane Hale. “We’re always looking for opportunities to enhance
The Fishing Is Fun program provides funding for projects that improve angling opportunities in Colorado. Eight projects were allocated funds this year. For the Kyger project, the Town of Windsor will provide an additional $255,520 to make sure the project comes to fruition.
Discuss Community and Regional Issues with Mayor Paul Rennemeyer
Free coffee provided
Beverages available for purchase
For complete schedule and details, visit windsorgov.com.
Mayor Paul Rennemeyer, members of the Windsor Town Board and town leadership at the ribbon cutting for the Eastman Park River Experience in May. WINDSOR MATTERS |
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Friday, October 29 | 5 - 7:45 p.m. Community Recreation Center Pool
Swim through the water to find the perfect pumpkin to decorate! Pre-registration required. Ages 2-12.
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER 250 N. 11th Street 970-674-3500 | recreationliveshere.com |
Saturday, October 30 | 1 - 4 p.m. Windsor History Museum
@windsorPRC
FREE FOR ALL AGES! The Halloween Carnival is back and it’s bigger than ever! Join us on the Saturday before Halloween for trick or treating at the Windsor History Museum, games, giveaways and lots of fun activities. All for free! Wear your costume and bring your candy bucket. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Twilight Tours of Lakeview Cemetery
Saturday, October 16, 23 & 30 Embark on a fun evening tour of Windsor’s historic Lakeview Cemetery with a costumed tour guide from the Town of Windsor Museums! Guided by lantern light, discover the exciting, unusual, and often scandalous stories of the early local pioneers who are buried in the cemetery.
Cost: $5 | Register at recreationliveshere.com
LAKEVIEW CEMETERY 32815 Highway 257 970-674-3532 | recreationliveshere.com |
@windsorPRC
WINDSOR HISTORY MUSEUM 100 N. 5th Street 970-674-3502 | recreationliveshere.com |
@windsorPRC
The Town of Windsor is Hiring! Visit windsorgov.com/Jobs.
CONTACT US Windsor Town Hall 970-674-2400 Police Department Non-Emergency Dispatch 970-674-6400 Option 1 Emergency 9-1-1 Community Recreation Center 970-674-3500
Follow Windsor PRC on social media!
@windsorPRC recreationliveshere.com
2021 Fall Clean-Up Voucher October 15 & 16 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Windsor Public Services Facility 922 N. 15th St. This voucher must be redeemed at the event. Good for one load per household. In case of inclement weather, updates about the event will be posted to windsorgov.com and to the town’s Facebook page at facebook.com/windsorgov. Copies of this voucher will not be accepted.