The Blog of Frisco's Town Manager, Michael Penny

Michael Penny's Blog (Town Manager of the Town of Frisco)

This blog offers the thoughts, opinions and observations of Frisco's Town Manager, Michael Penny.

Michael Penny would like to encourage you to e-mail him with any comments you may have regarding the contents of his blog or any other Town issues. He will e-mail you back to answer your questions. Citizen concerns will also be posted and addressed in the blog.

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10/15/2007

Keeping Frisco a great place to work and live!

I assume you all know this, but Frisco is a great place to live and work! However, a majority of our working residents cannot afford to live in the community they help shape and sustain. When this happens, Frisco risks becoming socially segregated and losing some of that personality that makes this town so unique and special. The Frisco Council has said that this is an issue for the local government and a challenge that we are now proactively taking on. One major way to combat this problem, is to add more affordable housing; housing that’s within financial reach of our teachers, nurses, firefighters, government employees and local business owners and employees. To that end, we are utilizing town assets to leverage toward success on this issue. We are seeking your input and vision for this process. The first of two town meetings concerning the Peak One Parcel, one possible location for affordable housing, is taking place Saturday, October 27. It starts at 9a.m. and lasts until 1p.m. and we will even treat you to lunch! Whether you’d like to see housing, trails, recreation or some sort of combination, I encourage you to come out and help plan this neighborhood. If you have other ideas and suggestions on how the government can play a productive role in addressing the housing issue in our community, please email me.

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04/30/2007

Colorado transportation for the 21st century

I was recently appointed to Governor Ritter's Transportation Finance and Implementation Panel. You may wonder, "What is this, and what does it have to do with Frisco?"

The panel's mission is to create a vision for long-term sustainable transportation in Colorado for the 21st century. To do so, the panel will bring together a broad range of stakeholders identify projects, programs and funding that will comprise a multimodal (air travel, mass transit, highways, alternative transportation) system. Such a system would support a vibrant economy and quality of life in Colorado.

The panel will meet about a dozen times before the end of the year to accomplish the charge from the governor.

The purpose of panel is to:

1. Examine the existing list of project priorities and recommend a process to implement infrastructure needs that enhance the economic vitality of the state, sustain our environment and maintain our quality of life;

2. Evaluate current spending practices and identify cost-effective investment strategies that support a statewide transportation vision; and

3. Explore a variety of revenue streams that could support transportation and propose a strategy for increased investment and specific funding options.

In Frisco, we need to be aware that our transportation needs are tied to the state's ability to provide funding to local jurisdictions. We need to play an active role at the state level to ensure that long-term funding is available and that our wants and needs are in the long-term funding list. Obviously, Interstate 70 improvements are the largest and most costly. But there are many dozen much-needed local road improvements, and those are funded in part by state and federal dollars. In order for Frisco to be successful, we need to be at the table, involved in the statewide transportation financing solution.

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04/12/2007

Help us plan for the peninsula's future

The Town is currently in the process of updating our Peninsula Recreation Area (PRA) plan. Through this process, we hope to arrive at our community's vision for the future of the Frisco Peninsula, namely, the assortment of recreational amenities and uses that belong there. We have held three public meetings thus far, and we will hold our final one on April 12. Following that meeting, the staff will synthesize the ideas and concepts and provide the information to the Frisco Recreation Open Space and Trails (FROST) committee.

FROST will then formulate a recommendation on a draft plan to the council. The council will then review the draft plan and the FROST recommendation (no public comment will be taken at this meeting). In early June, we will ask the council to adopt the final land use plan for the PRA. There will be an opportunity for public comment at the council meeting to adopt the plan.

Following council adoption of the PRA land use plan, the council will direct the staff to develop an implementation plan, which will include an analysis of the public's relative prioritization, costs, construction timing, the public's willingness to pay, etc. The public can expect a short community survey to assist staff in gathering this information. The PRA implementation plan will be completed and reviewed by the council in time for the 2008 capital projects budget discussion.

I encourage you to provide comments to the Town Council or the staff on the PRA update.

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09/29/2006

Doing business with the environment in mind

I am so excited to let you know about Frisco's recently launched ES² program. Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability (ES²) is a comprehensive initiative for environmental protection that involves each department in Frisco's town government operations at every level.

This initiative has its roots in the 2005 Frisco Master Plan, which clearly articulates our citizens' vision for a town that does its utmost to protect our air, water, land, ecosystems, wildlife and climate for future generations. With these marching orders, the town staff has worked over the last year to create a comprehensive set of policies - the ES² program - to guide our decisions and daily operations with the environment in mind. These policies cover everything from the kind of paper we buy to the energy efficiency of our buildings to our efforts to improve forest health.

We already have a number of initiatives under way - after all, environmental protection is certainly not a new concept. But we are picking up speed on a number of new projects which we believe will make a big impact and set an example for other town governments as well as those in the private sector. I'd encourage you to check out the ES2 page here on our site for great information on many of our ongoing and future initiatives in addition to some tips for you on ways to reduce your own environmental impact.

Here are some highlights:

Renewable Energy: This month, we made a commitment to offset 100 percent of our town government electricty use with wind power. Annually, this will save 1.95 million pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. That's the equivalent of taking 616 automobiles off the road each year.
Recycling: We have streamlined our recycling systems to maximize the amount of waste we divert from the landfill. Upon hiring, all Town of Frisco employees are asked to sign a pledge to reduce waste, reuse materials, recycle all recyclable waste and purchase materials with recycled content while they're at work.
Composting: All grass clippings, landscape prunings and other plant waste generated during our regular upkeep parks and other outdoor areas are composted to fuel the following year's landscaping.
Efficient buildings: We are in the midst of an energy audit in which outside experts have assessed the energy efficiency of Frisco Town Hall. The company will develop a set of recommendations to minimize our energy use here in the building.
Transportation: We are working to make it easier for visitors and residents alike to get on their bikes and out of their automobiles. We have erected new signage along the paved pathways throughout town this summer, and during the past two summers we have created new paved paths along Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue. Also, whenever it's time for a scheduled vehicle replacement in the town fleet, we're purchasing gas/electric hybrids to make our dollars and gallons go farther. And we provide small incentives for town employees to take the bus, ride, walk or carpool to work.

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09/29/2006

Doing the math - building heights in Frisco

There has been some confusion lately on allowable building heights in the town. For those of you with little time, here's the short version: Recent changes to Frisco's Mixed Use zoning ordinance reduced the maximum possible building height in Frisco from 52 feet to 45 feet.

For those with more free time, read on.

For the past year and a half, the Town of Frisco has been working on a comprehensive review of the town zoning code, covering each zone district throughout the town. Within the last six months, the Planning Commission and the Town Council have made numerous changes.

Early this year, the Council discussed the Mixed Use Zoning District (MU), covering the west end of Main Street from Madison to I-70 and east Main Street (properties abutting Summit Boulevard).

Prior to the recent changes, the code allowed for a maximum building height of 45 feet in the MU zone. Also, any building with underground parking was allowed a 15-percent height bonus, bringing the maximum to 52 feet.

Many of the town’s overlay districts require a bulk plane which mandates that buildings be set back as they go up in height. This minimizes the ‘feel’ of the height. This was not a requirement within the MU zoning.

The Council approved the following changes to the MU zoning ordinance:

Implementation of a bulk plane requirement at the east end of Main Street (thus creating two distinct MU districts)
Removal of the underground parking bonus (thus lowering the maximum possible height)
Implementation of a 35-foot height limit for flat-roofed buildings on West Main Street
The 45-foot height limit remains for all other buildings.

The code before:

No bulk plane requirement (buildings like the Boardwalk with a flat façade could be built).
Base height of 45 feet allowed
A bonus for underground parking of 15 percent allowed for a maximum building height of 52 feet.

The code now:

1. East Main MU (including the northern Summit Blvd. MU districts)

Bulk plane requirement for those MU properties located adjacent to Summit Blvd.
No bonus for underground parking
Maximum height of 45 feet regardless of roof type

2. West Main MU

No bonus for underground parking
Maximum height of 45 feet for pitched roofs Maximum height of 35 feet for flat roofs

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03/20/2006

The 2006 marketing project - what it is and what it isn't

On Tuesday, March 14, the Frisco Town Council approved an evaluation and critical analysis of our marketing and events programs. Contrary to how this project has been portrayed in the news, it is not just a branding exercise to come up with a slick new slogan for Frisco. More accurately, it is the first-ever comprehensive and objective evaluation of our marketing and events investment dollars.

The Town spends about 10 percent (more than $600,000) of the total Operations and Maintenance Budget on marketing and events. That's a major investment every year, but we have never gathered any hard data to determine whether the community is receiving a return on that investment. Whether the return is described as local citizens having fun at Music on Main or as numbers of visitors to support local businesses, how we define the return on that investment will be part of the project.

Should we invest more? Can we gain the same return for less money? Should we focus on increasing our year-round resident population? Should we focus our advertising in the Front Range media markets, the destination ski markets or just in local media outlets to capture visitors who are already in Summit County? Do we want to increase or decrease our events budget? There are many, many questions to which we need answers, because I believe it is imperative that we validate this level of public expenditure. And by spending $50,000 this year, we'll be able to best determine how to spend more than $600,000 per year for five to 10 years hence.

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03/20/2006

New ballfields on the way

This month the Frisco Town Council took the first official step in the creation of new youth athletic fields. On March 14, the council signed an intergovernmental agreement with Summit School District for the creation of a youth baseball field and a new football field within the track, both located at the middle school. The town council has wanted to improve the recreational amenities within the town for some time. The end result of this project will be a new football field, the youth baseball field, and two regulation soccer fields. The soccer fields will be placed where Summit Middle School's current football field is located..

When this project is complete, it will substantially increase the number of useable green fields located within Frisco.

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12/15/2005

Happy holidays and 9.4-acre next steps

Happy holidays to all our residents, visitors and workers.

Each time of year has its own appeal in Frisco, but there’s something about the holiday season that makes our town all the more special. A few nights ago, I was walking down Main Street, snow crunching under my feet; storefronts, trees and light-posts decked out in Christmas lights; people inside restaurants and bars sharing time with friends and family.

Even in the midst of an emotional and contentious election, the holiday spirit was alive and well. And I think that says a lot about our community. For even as we discuss, debate and deliberate on our respective visions for Frisco, we all obviously see the big picture – that Frisco is a great town in an amazing physical setting, filled with enthusiastic, caring citizens.

And with the Dec. 13 election on the 9.4-acre parcel behind us, I’m optimistic that the strength of this community will heal the scrapes, burns and bumps we may have endured during the campaigns for and against Home Depot. And it will guide our discussions as we resume the dialogue in the new year.

For the next few weeks, the council and town staff will put the 9.4-acre parcel issue on hold. The council will begin exploring potential next steps at its regular work-sessions in January. Voters decided Home Depot will not land on the parcel, but the question remains: What is the best use for this piece of land?

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11/23/2005

There's a lot to be thankful for in Frisco

The early-season snow has certainly been a blessing to our local ski resorts and our to our locals who are taking in the long powder runs and short lift lines.

At the Town of Frisco, we have just completed the 2006 budget process. The Town Council unanimously approved the budget and capital expenditures for 2006. When the staff began the budget-creafting process in late summer, we set a goal of limiting overall expenditure growth to 2 percent for 2006. We succeeded, with a 1.9 percent increase over 2005. You can find budget specifics in the "News" section of our website. I think you'll be pleased with the 2006 projects planned to improve the safety and enjoyment of your neighborhood and the places you work and play in Frisco.

We are also very excited about a $1 million federal grant awarded to the Town of Frisco. The grant will enable the Town to improve West Main Street from Madison to I-70. This is an important entrance to the Town of Frisco and our historic Main Street. The improvements have been on the capital wish-list for many years. Many thanks are due to our Colorado Congressional delegation for its support. The Council authorized $1 million of our own funds to be used in conjunction with the federal grant to ensure a quality project. You can find additional information on this grant in the "News" section also.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. This is the time of year to step back and reflect on all the good that we have in this world, to say thanks to those who give more of themselves than they take from others, to be thankful for family and friends….and, of course, to appreciate all that early season snow!

Cheers,

Michael

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11/03/2005

If you have questions, we have answers . . .

With the November elections behind us, Frisco citizens are shifting their civic attention to the upcoming townwide special election, little more than a month away. On Dec. 13, Frisco will decide whether the town should enter into negotiations with Home Depot to develop a store on the 9.4-acre parcel. If you have questions about the issue, I welcome your e-mails. Shoot off a note to michaelp@townoffrisco.com.

If you've already made up your mind on the ballot question, feel free to drop by Town Hall and fill out an absentee ballot application. Our staff will be happy to assist you.

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10/06/2005

It's budget season

Fall is upon us, and that means budget season for local governments. We are in the final throes of developing the proposed budget for Town Council review. I thought Frisco citizens might be interested in how the town staff has identified projects and programs for 2006 funding.

The budget will be available for public review starting Oct. 11.

First, this budget attempts to implement Council goals in areas of economic development, community and customer service enhancements, affordable housing, recreation and a strong leadership role in the community. And in the big picture, town staff approached the budget-crafting process from the Council mission statement: “To preserve a family-oriented and economically vibrant mountain community that thrives on citizen involvement, respects our natural environment and enhances our quality of life.”

From there, staff evaluated the budget per the following priorities: (1) excellent service; (2) maintenance of existing of infrastructure; (3) financial efficiency (revenues and expenditures); (4) community health and safety; (5) recruitment and retention of high-quality employees (employee satisfaction); and (5) new capital development.

Finally, staff has identified each proposed 2006 capital project’s place within an adopted plan and/or associated Frisco Master Plan goals and priorities.

We believe that the cumulative evaluation of Council goals, the Council mission statement, the prioritization and tangible connection to adopted plans has resulted in a budget the Town Council and our community can be proud of.

Some highlights in the 2006 proposed budget include:

$10,000 to plan for a new affordable housing development
$65,000 for a kayak park in Ten Mile Creek
$55,000 to replace two older town vehicles with new gas/electric hybrid vehicles
$10,000 toward the Swan Mountain Rec Path
$55,340 for Nordic trail improvements to Jodi’s Nugget Extension and Reischls Retreat at the Peninsula Recreation Area
$30,000 for a comprehensive weed management program
$85,000 for pine beetle mitigation on the Peninsula
$85,000 on new trail signage, per the Paved Pathway Master Plan
$400,000 for Fifth Avenue reconstruction and pathway
$57,000 for the July 4^th celebration

* * * * *

And as the aspen shed their leaves, the Town of Frisco is in the thick of another annual tradition: preparations for the winter. You will see public works staff removing the flowers on Main Street, and the town pick-ups will sport snow plowing equipment. Boats are being winterized, and our construction projects are wrapping up.

We are all hoping for a good season with many days of clear, blue sky above and the sounds of snow crunching under our snowshoes and skis. As the weather turns brisk, and morning frost covers our walkways and windshields, I remind myself to take the time to look up and around at our community and its surrounding natural environment, take a deep breath (OK, maybe a few) and be thankful for the world we live in, regardless of our differences locally or nationally. Every time I do take those moments, I think, WOW – how lucky am I to live and raise my family here!

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09/15/2005

On the streets ... what's been happening this summer

On a completely different topic! (We do work on other projects.)

I want to thank CDOT for their work on the second eastbound on-ramp and the bridge improvements at exit 203. We did not receive any complaints on either project and the improvements are great!

If you haven’t driven onEighth Avenue lately, you’re missing out. As part of the 2005 budget, Council approved a redesigned street from Frisco Street to Belford. It has a multi-use path and a very nice landscaped area between the road and the path. We have received more positive comments on this project than we can count! And what a great hub of community activity at the end of the road: the new Funground!

Some folks have asked why the path doesn’t continue to Granite. It stops where it does because in 2006, the recycling center and the Boardwalk shopping center property will be redeveloped and the trail will be completed when that project is done.

I’d like to thank the Frisco Public Works staff for doing a fantastic job this summer of keeping our town beautiful. These folks work diligently to complete new projects, maintain our infrastructure and keep our parks and streets looking great. Please take the time to say thank you next time you see someone working to keep our town in great shape.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hard work of our special events staff, our police department, and the public works staff that work hard to make our events, like the recent Oktoberfest, truly a pleasure to attend. Thanks to all of you!

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08/01/2005

This isn't your ordinary blog ... Let's get blogging

Blog, blog, blog ... Blah, blah, blah. Everybody's blogging and the blogosphere can be frankly, boring. What is a blog anyway? It's a weblog or an electronically written series of narratives from a particular author. Instead of blogging you to death, let's make this blog a real interaction between you and me. With the introduction of our new website we have added this blog to tell you stories behind the scenes in Town Hall, give you insight into the complexities of an issue and acquaint you with what really goes on day to day in various Town departments. Here's what I want to accomplish with this blog:

Educate - I'm going to explain what we're doing and why. If you understand what we're up against, you'll be more apt and knowledgeable to engage in constructive dialogue with me, staff and your elected officials.

Promote - Yes, you're going to hear about our events and programs, as well as, other community services.

Enhance - I'll give you the "behind the scenes scoop."

Praise - I will be handing out kudos to staff, Council, committees and you, the citizens. Be sure and let me know about your accomplishments, so I can post them here.

Personalize - I want to put a face on us 'bureaucrats' here at Town Hall. I want you to work with me on a human scale. We are your neighbors, friends, and members of the larger community.

Most important to me is your feedback. E-mail me with your concerns, comments and questions and I'll tackle them here on this page. So let's be effective bloggers, starting today.

Recently, we completed a large street resurfacing project. The Public Works Department had a schedule of repaving that included Galena, Granite, Pitkin, 3rd, 6th and Lakepoint Drive. We got many positive comments about how smoothly, no pun intended, the paving operation went. Great job by Brad Thompson and his Streets Crew. The machine they used was amazing - it took up the old and put down the new in one fell swoop, so the closures and other construction impacts were minimized.

This week we are wading through the first steps of the budgeting process for 2006. I'll be honest, it's not pretty. While the national economy may have had a surge last year, it didn't translate to any appreciable increase in sales tax revenue for the Town. There are many unknowns in our future. Will Wal-Mart find an alternative location, and if so, how do we prepare for that action. What will be the outcome of the 9.4-acre development? In the meantime, our yearly sales tax numbers indicate we are facing a flat fiscal future. Our goal for 2006 is a net increase of no more than 2% in the Town budget. What will that mean to you? We'll keep you apprised as to how services and programs will be affected. Every department director is rating their programs and services as Essential, Preferred and Desired and we are working together to prioritize the list. There's been lots of teeth gnashing and head butting, but we are working as a team and will emerge with a budget that works for you, the citizens.

If you haven't met me yet (I've been the Town Manager for about 14 months now), come to the Town Hall or look for me at any of the many events hosted in our wonderful community.

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Town of Frisco, Colorado

Resident Services

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Government

Business

Michael Penny's Blog (Town Manager of the Town of Frisco)

Keeping Frisco a great place to work and live!

Colorado transportation for the 21st century

Help us plan for the peninsula's future

Doing business with the environment in mind

Doing the math - building heights in Frisco

The 2006 marketing project - what it is and what it isn't

New ballfields on the way

Happy holidays and 9.4-acre next steps

There's a lot to be thankful for in Frisco

If you have questions, we have answers . . .

It's budget season

On the streets ... what's been happening this summer

This isn't your ordinary blog ... Let's get blogging

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