HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20010313Continued Meeting Aspen City Council March 13, 2001
Mayor Richards called the continued meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. with
Councilmembers Paulson, Hershey, McCabe and Markalunas present.
Councilman Hershey moved to reconvene the meeting of March 12, 2001;
seconded by Councilman McCabe. All in favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTION #28, SERIES OF 2001
- Ballot Questions
Mayor Richards reminded Council last night there was a lengthy discussion
on the transportation questions. John Worcester, city attorney, has redrafted
this language based upon comments from that meeting. Worcester said he
tried to draft the second question to be consistent with the first question
relating to the highway. Mayor Richards noted a citizen suggested,
"minimally reasonably required construction easements". The city attorney
advises this is too subjective; the question only includes temporary
construction easements.
Mayor Richards said public comment suggested the environmental concerns
that were in the 1996 question, and which have not yet been satisfied, should
be added to this question. Worcester told Council the only two mitigation
measures from the 1996 ballot that were not covered in the record of
Decision and he added them to the question.
Denny Vaughan questioned how "the total use of open space shall be the
minimum possible consistent with good design" has been satisfied by the
ROD, or "the alignment will be as sensitive as possible to the Holden".
Worcester said CDOT went through many technical meetings to try and
make the alignment as minimal as necessary, which has been reflected in the
ROD. Vaughan questioned leaving in the 400-foot tunnel, which is also
satisfied by the ROD. Worcester answered a citizen said at the last Council
meeting that it is important to indicate to voters that a cut and cover tunnel
would be part of this. Vaughan said it would be important to include all of
these to educate the voters.
Jake Vickery asked what the city plans to provide voters as educational
material before the election. Mayor Richards stated the city is not allowed
to expend funds for or against ballot questions. Mayor Richards said all city
questions will be published in the paper with other election information.
Mayor Richards said the city will try and get the Record of Decision
available for citizens.
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council March 13, 2001
Helen Palmer thanked Council for all the time they have spent on the
transportation questions. Ms. Palmer said it is good to spend time and
energy talking about what to do about open space, especially in this valley.
Vickery said he has concerns about traffic on Main street and about loss of
parking on Main street. Vickery asked if the straight shot is approved, what
measures will the city take to keep traffic down on Main street. When a
road is straightened out, there is increased traffic and increased speed.
Mayor Richards said there is no requirement or plan within the Record of
Decision to remove the parking lanes on Main street.
Mayor Richards agreed the Record of Decision covers the additional
mitigation concerns. When this question was voted on in 1996, there was no
Record of Decision. Worcester reiterated there were many meetings with
CDOT and Council was part of these meetings in which the environmental
mitigations were discussed. Worcester said if the question refers to the
Record of Decision, that decision has been made.
Worcester pointed out in the last question having to do with the Municipal
Golf Course/Truscott redevelopment question should be changed from "the
subsidy having to do with the project" to "the subsidy for 99 new units and
the rehabilitation of 46 existing units" to give the voters a sense of what is
happening with this project.
All Council except Councilman Paulson agreed to the first transportation
question. Councilman Paulson said he feels the second transportation
question is worded unfairly and is biased. Mayor Richards said this
language is the one received from the Friends of Marolt.
Councilman Hershey moved to approve Resolution #28, Series of 2001, as
amended; seconded by Councilman McCabe.
Councilman Markalunas said he does not feel the question proposed by the
Friends of Marolt is a constructive alternative nor a workable solution.
Councilman Markalunas moved to amend Resolution #28, Series of 2001,
by eliminating Section 2; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Councilman
Markalunas and Councilman Paulson in favor; Councilmembers Hershey,
McCabe and Mayor Richards opposed. Motion NOT carried.
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council March 13, 2001
Councilman Paulson suggested added "interim roundabout until such time as
the entrance to Aspen is approved for rail". Councilman Paulson said the
EIS has no trigger to tell the community when rail will be appropriate. This
is subject to politics and finances, and these two items may not make this
happen.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Markalunas, yes; Paulson, no; Mayor
Richards, yes; McCabe, yes; Hershey, yes. Motion carried.
Councilman Hershey moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.; seconded by
Councilman McCabe. All in favor, motion carried.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
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