HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.special.20200727
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SPECIAL MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020
At 4:00 p.m. Mayor Torre called the special meeting to order with Councilmembers Richards, Mesirow,
Mullins and Hauenstein joining via video conference.
ORDINANCE #12, SERIES OF 2020: Face Covering Zone
Jim True presented Ordinance #12 to council, which would amend Ordinance #11, section 2 to add a
face covering zone. Face coverings would be mandated at all times outdoors. The exceptions would be
under two years old or some type of medical impairment. There are proposed zones which are in the
packet and council will decide on which zone is appropriate.
Mayor Torre mentioned exceptions for eating or drinking. Mr. True said this does not have an exception
for eating and drinking while outside.
Councilman Hauenstein said that last week we included bars, but that was when open, so he would like
a clarification on a “bar”. Mr. True explained that a bar is that of which has limited food service.
Councilwoman Mullins said it’s important to open up the ordinance to language which allows for eating
and drinking on the mall when purchasing from places like the frozen yogurt shop. She’s interested in
the survey results and said she’s heard that most people support extending this to the city limits.
Mayor Torre clarified what “river to river” means and said that covers anyone on a bike and in the west
end walking down the street, etc. Councilwoman Mullins said yes, it was presented as zone 3 in the
memo.
Councilman Mesirow asked about people working out on a bike or running through the zone. Mr. True
said if anyone is passing through the zone, they must have on a mask.
Councilwoman Richards said she is in favor of city limits.
Alissa Farrell went over the survey results.
Trish Aragon went over the mask zone pavement markings and cost. Zone 1 is the least expensive area.
Councilman Hauenstein said he likes the everywhere, every time concept regarding high density public
areas. He can’t imagine wearing a mask while bicycling, however. His preference is for zone 2 extended
to Newberry park and eliminating the 10 min rule.
Mayor Torre asked about the Highlands Base area.
Councilman Hauenstein said he would add an exemption for pedestrians in the Highlands area. He
would also make an exemption for eating or drinking on the mall because you can’t eat through a mask.
He would extend this to the beginning of next year, or at least into October.
Councilwoman Mullins said she would go stricter than less strict and said she’s still pushing for city
limits. She supports an extension through September/October as well but thinks more exemptions will
just muddy this. People can use common sense.
Councilwoman Richards said she also prefers city limits because it makes it simpler. She feels as though
they’ve let people down and they need to do the right thing.
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SPECIAL MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020
Mayor Torre said he was in favor of the mall area, but then thought zone 2 made sense. He thinks a
citywide mandate is a little much when someone is in their own front yard and is required to have on a
mask.
Richard Pryor, Police Chief, said the enforcement is the million-dollar question. He said that due to the
exceptions and the ordinances passed, there are a lot of challenges on enforcement. We know we are
not going to achieve 100% compliance. The bigger the zone, the more challenging this is going to be. We
still only have a few officers to police the entire town.
Councilman Mesirow said the end of September or October, to get through the summer surge, is fine
with him as far as a timeline.
Councilman Hauenstein still thinks it should go through the end of 2020. He does think that having
people wearing a mask on your own property seems like too much. He does value individual freedoms.
Mayor Torre said that Jim will prepare the ordinance to include city limits and another that doesn’t.
Mr. True said this would change the regulations for the golf course too.
Councilman Hauenstein motioned to read Ordinance #12, Councilman Mesirow seconded. Roll call vote:
Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. All in favor, motion carried.
Ms. Henning read Ordinance #12, Series of 2020.
Mayor Torre has questions about mandating the entire city and feels we might be diluting our message
here. He will need some answers before making a decision tomorrow.
Councilman Hauenstein motioned to adopt Ordinance #12, with the following provisions: the mandate
be in effect until November 1st, zone 2 as depicted in the packet and extended to Herron Park and
Highlands Base area. He said there will be an exemption for removal of masks of people who are
stationary and eating and we will eliminate the 10 min rule. Councilwoman Richards seconded.
Councilwoman Mullins offered the friendly amendment of considering city limits instead of zone 2
because it’s a cleaner message and easier way to message to visitors coming in on 82. She’s going for
simplicity.
Councilwoman Mullins asked Councilwoman Richards why she is comfortable with the modification.
Rachel said she wants to reach a consensus in the group, and she took Ward’s comments seriously and
we can tighten up from here if we need to.
Mr. True said he’s confused because we are defining this as all public places, not private yards and
properties.
Councilman Hauenstein accepted Councilwoman Mullins’ friendly amendment and Councilwoman
Richards accepted as seconder.
Mayor Torre said we are setting up for difficulty in compliance on this.
Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. All in favor, motion
carried.
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SPECIAL MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020
Mayor Torre said this is tough stuff and unprecedented.
Councilwoman Mullins motioned to adjourn, Councilman Hauenstein seconded.
Roll call: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes, Richards, yes; Torre, yes. All in favor, motion
carried.
______________________
Nicole Henning, City Clerk