HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Update.202010271
AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
October 27, 2020
5:00 PM,
I.INFORMATION UPDATE
I.A.Lift One Corridor
I.B.Reinstating Bag Fee
I.C.Election Update
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INFORMATION ONLY - MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Torre and City Council
FROM: Ben Anderson, Long-Range Principal Planner, Community Development
MEMO DATE: October 20, 2020
RE: Lift One Corridor Update – Final Planned Development Reviews
__________
BACKGROUND: In March of 2019, Aspen voters approved the Gorsuch Haus and Lift One
Lodge Planned Developments. The vote granted approval of Ordinance No. 39, Series of 2016
(Gorsuch Haus) and Ordinance No. 38, Series of 2018 (Lift One Lodge). These Ordinances
outlined the Planned Development (PD) - Project Review approvals for each of the projects.
Project Review approval establishes the basic parameters of a PD, including site planning,
height, mass, other dimensions like setbacks, approved uses, growth management
requirements, and other important fundamentals. Together, the Project Review approvals for
Gorsuch Haus and Lift One Lodge established the conceptual level of design, programming, and
conditional entitlements for the entirety of the Lift One Corridor as it moves through the two
projects, culminating at Dean Street.
Review Process
Planned Developments require a two-step review process. The next step in this process involves
Detailed Review for both projects with Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and Final Review
with the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for Lift One Lodge. These reviews begin with
P&Z on November 4th and are anticipated to be completed in 2020.
If granted these final land use approvals, both projects have a significant number of agreements
and other entitlement documents that will be reviewed and recorded prior to the submission of
a building permit. It is anticipated that site work, following issuance of building permits for the
two projects would begin as early as 2022.
DISCUSSION: Since voter approval, both project teams have engaged in substantial work in
advancing the architectural, landscape, and engineering design to prepare for the submission of
the applications for these final land use reviews. This work has required extensive cooperation
and coordination across multiple stakeholders – including the ownership groups, their design
March 2019
Project PD
approval
Aspen voters
November and
December 2020
Detailed PD
review
P&Z and HPC
Within 180 days
of Detailed
approval
Recordation of
entitlement
documents
Within vesting
period
Submission of
building permit
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and planning teams, Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen Historical Society, and multiple city
departments, most notably the City Parks Department.
As part of this work, both projects and the corridor have been granted approval of variances for
the realigned, new Lift 1A by the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board.
The Land Use Review
As the projects’ designs advance toward the level of detail needed for building permit
submission, these final reviews are in place to accomplish the following:
1) Ensure that design remains consistent with the approval granted by voters. Minor changes
are allowed to accommodate technical necessity, but the basics of site planning, maximum
heights and other dimensions related to mass and scale must remain within the parameters
established by voters in the ordinances for the two projects.
2) Ensure that the project, as designed, can practically work on a variety of levels. Most
important to these projects are the engineering systems and design, but this also includes
life/safety fundamentals, ski operations and interface with the park, the parking garage, trash
and recycling, etc.
3) Ensure compliance with PD Detail Review criteria and HPC Final Review criteria. This
involves commercial design standards and guidelines related to materials and fenestration,
plans for landscaping, lighting, signage, and historic preservation and design details.
Schedule of Review
• October 15th – Open Space and Trails Board. The board reviewed the park design and
provided a recommendation of approval in a 3-0 vote. This recommendation will be
presented to HPC and P&Z for their consideration.
• November 4th – Planning and Zoning Commission. This is a public hearing. P&Z will be
reintroduced to the corridor project and the review process. Lift One Lodge and Gorsuch
Haus teams will introduce the designs for both projects. The public hearings for both
projects will be continued to a future meeting for individual consideration of each project.
• November 11th – Historic Planning Commission. This is a public hearing. HPC will review
the Park design, and the preservation and design of the relocated historic resources,
including the Skiers’ Chalet Lodge and Steakhouse and the Historic Lift One towers and
gantry.
• November 17th – Planning and Zoning Commission. This is a public hearing. P&Z will
review the Gorsuch Haus project.
• December 1st – Planning and Zoning Commission. This is a public hearing. P&Z will
review the Lift One Lodge project.
• December 15th – tentative, Planning and Zoning Commission. This is a public hearing. If
necessary, P&Z will use this meeting to consider any outstanding issues for each of the
projects.
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The applications for both projects are available to the public on the City of Aspen’s website – at
the following location:
https://www.cityofaspen.com/1330/Gorsuch-Haus-and-Lift-One-Lodge
Specific questions about either of the projects can be addressed to the assigned case planner:
Gorsuch Haus: Garrett Larimer, Planner II
Garrett.Larimer@cityofaspen.com
429.2739
Lift One Lodge: Ben Anderson, Long-Range Principal Planner
Ben.Anderson@cityofaspen.com
429.2765
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INFORMATION ONLY MEMORANDUM
TO:Mayor Torre and City Council
FROM:Nicole Henning, City Clerk
THROUGH:Alissa Farrell, Administrative Services Director
Jim True, City Attorney
MEMO DATE:October 18, 2020
RE:2021 City Election
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: The following is additional information requested by
city council at the work session discussion on July 7 around City of Aspen voter
participation and voter turnout (Memo - Attachment A). It includes more detailed
information on Ballot Drop Boxes, Communications and Outreach, and PPE for the 2021
regular (March) and potentially runoff (April) municipal elections.
Ballot Drop Box and Surveillance Camera:
The City of Aspen Clerk’s Department is tasked to ensure the municipal election is an
accessible and safe experience for voters, judges and staff. One way to achieve this is to
provide a secure and accessible external ballot drop box. A ballot drop box allows
individuals to vote around their schedules and maintain social distance while voting, which
will be extremely important to voters and staff as we move forward in an environment of
COVID-19.
A few examples below show having a drop box available increases voter turnout:
Ballot drop off boxes ‘a huge hit’ during Florida primary
With more ballot drop boxes, will more people vote?
Evaluating the Impact of Drop Boxes on Voter Turnout
Aspen voters tend to wait until the last two days to vote to drop off a mail ballot or come
in person on election day. In the
2019 election, almost 1,300 of the
dropped off ballots were received in
the last two days of the election as
compared to almost 800 dropped off
during the first 11 days of voting.
Performing signature verification on
the high volume of the dropped off
ballots on election day is time-
consuming. A conveniently located
drop box will encourage and assist
voters to drop off their ballots before
election day.
22%
78%
38%
62%
86%
14%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
First 11 days Last 2 days
Voting Method Over Time
In Person Ballots Dropped Off Ballots Mailed Ballots
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The Clerks have checked with drop box manufacturers regarding different makes and
models that would meet our community’s needs and are considering a box similar in
size and capacity used by the Pitkin County election department. The box will
accommodate 3,000 – 6,000 ballots. The total cost of the box under consideration is
approximately $4,000. After discussing potential locations with the Asset Management
department, the proposed location for the ballot drop box is in front of City Hall on
Galena Street. This location was identified due to its central location, proximity to
department staff, close proximity to ADA parking and the possibility of a short-term
parking space on Hopkins Ave.
Additional equipment mandated for a drop box will be a 24x7 video surveillance system.
The City of Aspen’s IT department has identified an outdoor camera that meets all the
necessary security criteria. The cost of the camera, licensing, and cloud storage for 5
years will cost $5,374.
Education and Voter Turnout Outreach:
To encourage mail ballot voting and educate the voters of Aspen regarding the location
and availability of the new drop box, the City Clerks Department is planning on utilizing
print and targeted digital ads in the local paper(s), and the City of Aspen’s social media.
The City Clerks Department is also focused on communicating the measures and
procedures put in place to ensure safe in-person voting. The estimated cost for the
education campaign would be $6,000. The City currently has $3,000 available and
would need an additional $3,000.
Moreover, the City Clerk’s Department is currently working with the Communications
Office to create a communications and outreach plan that will emphasize two themes: 1)
getting out the vote to the entire voting population with specific marketing components to
reach: lapsed voters and 2) how and where to vote.
The campaign will include best practices proven to increase voter turnout in the marketing
materials, whether it is in the slogans used or using local advocates for voting who may
be featured on voting outreach materials. Specifically, pending the additional funding
request scheduled for the 2020 Fall supplemental, voter education and voter engagement
materials would be more frequently advertised through the paper, radio ads, the City
website and materials would be in English and Spanish. Additionally, the City is focused
on outreach strategies, video messaging along with leveraging community partnerships
for voter educational opportunities.
The communications plan will be completed by the end November with the graphic
designer working on materials throughout the fall. The communications and outreach
initiatives will begin in January 2021 and run through election day.
PPE Needs Estimate:
Due to COVID-19, extra precautions will be put in place to protect voters and election
officials. Currently, the City Clerk is assuming City Hall will be used for election operations
including the use of Council Chambers as the vote center. The City Clerk has and will
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continue to review considerations provided by the CDC, the election equipment vendors
and other resources to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the election event.
Examples of potential precautions currently being explored are listed below:
Erect physical barriers between election workers and voters
Erect signs and barriers to ensure safe traffic of voters into and exiting the vote
center
Erect signs for promoting protective measures (hand washing, masks, social
distancing, etc.)
Provide hand sanitizer, gloves and masks for election workers and voters
Provide clean mechanisms for voters to sign-in to vote and utilize the voting
machines (single use pens, q-tips, etc.)
Provide self-sealing ballot envelopes
Educational campaign for new City drop box
Total Cost Estimate:
Cost Notes
Ballot Drop Box $ 4,000 Purchase and delivery
Surveillance Camera
(including 5-year cloud license)
$ 5,374
Education and Voter Turnout
Outreach Campaign
$ 3,000
PPE Needs
(Regular and Runoff election)
$ 3,000 One-time equipment cost $1,500
Each election costs $750
Total Costs $15,374
A 2020 Fall Supplemental is forthcoming to request funds for the above.
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Attachment A
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Torre and City Council
FROM: Nicole Henning, City Clerk
THROUGH: Alissa Farrell, Administrative Services Director
Andrea Bryan, Assistant City Attorney
CC: Jim True, City Attorney
Sara Ott, City Manager
Paul Schultz, IT Director
MEMO DATE: July 1st, 2020
MEETING DATE: July 7th, 2020
RE: Elections: Voter Participation and Turnout
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: The following information is to provide background
for the Council discussion on July 7 around City of Aspen voter participation and voter
turnout.
City of Aspen
Currently there are 8,851 voters registered to vote in the City of Aspen. There were
6,095 registered voters in 2019 and 6,400 in 2017. In 2019, 3,243 individuals voted, a
53.2% turnout. Of those who voted, 82% voted through their mail-in ballot and 18%
voted in-person. In 2017, 2413 ballots were cast, a 37.7% turnout. Of those voting, 88%
voted through their mail-in ballot and 12% voted in-person. For both 2017 and 2019,
about 11% voted early in-person and about 25% voted in-person on Election Day.
Historically, what is on the ballot tends to influence voter turnout and participation.
In 2019, 2015 and 2009, issues on the ballots, such as, Lift 1A and instant runoff,
brought out over 40% of registered voters and on non-issue years, voter turnout was
mid-30%.
Colorado
Although opportunities always exist to improve voter turnout and to encourage citizens
to regularly participate in elections, it is important to recognize that Colorado serves as
an exceptional election model. In November of 2018, Colorado voters were at the
highest rate for a midterm election in more than 50 years and Colorado proved once
again to be one of the highest voter turnout states in the country. As stated in the
Denver Post, by the Election Project’s projection, nearly 60 percent of eligible voting-
age adults in Colorado participated in the election, compared to 48 percent nationally.
The state also has voting measures which include but are not limited to:
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• automatic voter registration with driver’s license services
• an allowance for some 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections
• mailed ballots to all registered voters to enable an efficient vote-at-home process
• without requiring voters to make the request before each election, opportunity to
submit completed ballots through the mail at secure 24/7 drop boxes, same day
registration
• and use of paper ballots and implementation of risk-limiting audits to ensure the
outcome of election properly captures the will of the voters.
Although Pitkin County and the City of Aspen run separate elections, Janice Vos
Caudill, Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder and I have discussed electronic/mobile
voting. Based on the concerns from the majority of the subject matter experts, the
mobile voting initiative to all voters in Aspen is not supported by either of us at this time.
If mobile voting is to be further pursued, further conversations will need to be had at a
local and state level.
DISCUSSION:
When considering enhancements to increase voter participation and turnout, the
following researched initiatives may aid in the discussion:
Voter Participation and Turnout Options:
Explore new ways to collaborate with the county, state and community partners.
Increase in diverse and extensive outreach to promote voter registration and Election
Day participation.
• Enhance current voter advertisement and outreach campaign. Ideas include but
are not limited to increase in advertisements in the paper, enhance City website
voter information, radio ads, add a banner over Main Street and offer
communication materials in English and Spanish.
Support Grassroot initiatives such as allowing voter registration at the Saturday
Market.
Offer voter incentives.
Outreach to high school students and community groups to deliver education about
meaningful democracy to help provide new energy and reduce voter apathy.
Explore technological options and enhancements including but not limited to mobile
voting and text communications, etc.
Add a secure 24/7 drop box to further provide accessibility and options.
The following link provides additional ideas:
https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2019/11/local-elections-voter-turnout-
citygovernment-judges-census/601396/
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The procedures for City of Aspen municipal elections are set forth in Article II of the
City’s Charter and Title 9 of the City’s Municipal Code. The Charter and Title 9
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incorporate the Colorado Municipal Election code, set forth in Section 31-10-101, et
seq. of the Colorado Revised Statutes. For elections that are coordinated with the
County, the Uniform Election Code set forth in Section 1-1-101, et seq of the Colorado
Revised Statutes applies. The City’s municipal election provides for mail ballot elections
to be conducted pursuant to the Colorado Municipal Election Code. There are no
provisions in the Colorado Municipal Election Code or the Uniform Election Code that
allow for elections to be conducted via electronic mobile voting. To implement mobile
voting in a municipal only election, the City’s municipal code would need to be amended
to set forth detailed procedures for the conduct of mobile voting. For elections that are
coordinated with the County, amendments to State election laws would be required.
Changes to the state elections laws and rules would require action by the Colorado
General Assembly, Senate, and the Governor, as well as the Colorado Secretary of
State, who administers Colorado’s voting laws.
TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS:
The consensus of mobile/electronic voting from the election security experts and
national security experts along with the City’s IT department, is that numerous studies of
mobile/electronic voting systems have uncovered critical security flaws that could
compromise ballot confidentiality and verifiability, ballot integrity and/or stop ballot
availability. The potential that a successful attack could change the result of a major
election remains of great concern. The continued desire to make remote voter
participation available to more people through mobile/electronic voting, especially in
light of COVID-19, remains a laudable goal. However, as cybersecurity remains a
heightened issue, further evaluation of the risks versus the tradeoffs would need to be
heavily scrutinized and further conversation with the subject matter experts at the
Secretary of State would need to be initiated.
Additionally, the state of Colorado has conducted two mobile voting pilots and their
conclusion was that additional pilots are required to further test the capabilities and
ensure necessary audit capabilities are in place. Here is a link to the report:
https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2019/11/local-elections-voter-turnout-
citygovernment-judges-census/601396/
RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Additional staff and financial resources will already be necessary for the upcoming 2021
municipal election to address possible closures of City property where elections are
typically held, provide a safe environment for candidates and electors to interact with
the City for the election as well as provide a safe environment for election staff to assist
with running the election.
The following items would need to be considered in regard to financial and staff impacts
in any of the above options are further explored. Specifically, if a mobile voting system
were to be used by the City the below are additional considerations:
• Purchase\lease of mobile voting system
• RFP or RFQ process
• Testing of system with possible modifications
• Integration with existing tabulation and counting system
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• Implementation of system
• Updating election process to ensure appropriate security measures are in place for
utilizing, monitoring and auditing the system
• Technical training
• Public education campaign
• Emergency response team to monitor and respond to potential loss of service
• Backup plan if mobile system became inoperable or hacked
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
After Georgia’s Election Fiasco, Why Can’t People Vote Online? Experts Weigh In.
https://observer.com/2020/06/election-security-why-cant-people-vote-online/
States Expand Internet Voting Experiments Amid Pandemic, Raising Security Fears
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/28/844581667/states-expand-internet-
votingexperiments-amid-pandemic-raising-security-fears
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