Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.regular.20201027 1 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 27TH, 2020 At 5:00 p.m. Mayor Torre called the regular meeting to order with Councilmembers Richards, Mesirow, Mullins and Hauenstein joining via video conference. SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES: Pitkin County Clerk, Janice Vos Caudill Ms. Vos Caudill gave an election update and said she has received over 7000 voted mail ballots so far. Early voting is in process at the Aspen Jewish Community Center and is taking place between 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Election day they will be open from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., and they will be implementing 7 foot distancing and masks. Yesterday was the last day to mail out a mail ballot. The Basalt library is also being used this year due to COVID, but she urged people to please be safe and vote your mail ballot if possible, instead of coming in person. They will be reporting numbers sometime after 7:00 p.m. on election night. People can also check pitkinvotes.com for election night reporting. Councilwoman Mullins thanked Janice and mentioned the ballot tracking via BallotTrax. She said she signed up for it and received a response right away. She said it’s very gratifying. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Peter Fornell – Mr. Fornell said he’s a longtime local Aspen citizen. He said when he built the housing project at 500 West Main St., it was in the mixed-use zone district. When he was developing this at the time, it was 100% an affordable housing project. He said HPC turned him down flat for his 1.2 to 1 recommendation and he got even less than 1 to 1 floor area. He went to Amy Simon at the time and was struck down by her and HPC, so he walked away from that deal. If that had not happened, there would currently be 5 affordable housing units on-site today. Here’s here tonight, because not only was the new owner granted a lot split, which he was not able to get, but this also allows them to build a spec house. Mr. Fornell said he would like to know who was in charge of giving this lot split out and asked how council feels about the equitability of how this went down. Councilwoman Mullins said that HPC is reviewing this tomorrow night, and she will be in attendance. Jim True said she may have to recuse herself if she makes comments before it comes to council. She was on HPC when the Mesa store was redeveloped. Mr. True said he would caution council in discussing this too much further. He is happy to look into this and discuss it more and will get more information from Ms. Simon and Mr. Fornell. Mr. Fornell asked that council encourage HPC to continue this item tomorrow night until all the details get straightened out with everyone. Mayor Torre advised Pete to call in for public comment tomorrow night and ask for continuation at HPC. Miller Ford – Mr. Ford said he is back to discuss the fact that Aspen 12-step meetings have officially been left out in the cold. They had to meet outside yesterday. He said that council supported him when he came to speak at the last two meetings, but nothing has been done, and they still have no long-term solution. He asked that they don’t become the council to ignore the sick and suffering. He said they need shelter for 3 hours a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Mayor Torre said that he and Mr. Ford have been in touch several times over the past couple of weeks. He and Courtney DeVito have put in much effort into helping them find a space. He said they are all 2 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 27TH, 2020 concerned about this and we will continue to do outreach for this and keep looking. He’s really trying to find solutions. Councilwoman Mullins said that their silence doesn’t meant that they don’t support them. She said they all do for various reasons, and they are also looking for a place for the foodbank of the Rockies currently. She has plenty of faith that they will continue to look and find something for use. Councilman Mesirow apologized for their lack of performance thus far. He said he 100% supports this group. He said he would also like some clarity around this from staff. City Manager, Sara Ott, said they’ve gone above and beyond and have bent over backwards and have not dropped the ball, but it’s almost impossible to find space for anything right now for this group size, which can be opened up to the public. She said they will continue to reach out and try to find something that will work. Lee Mulcahy – Mr. Mulcahy said he is grateful about his victory last week in the court of appeals. He is super grateful. Mr. Mulcahy mentioned up Sonya Bolerjack being thrown out with her two children in the winter by APCHA. He said that Skippy tried to advocate for her in the most recent APCHA meeting. He said we should all thank APCHA’s attorney for his service along with the deputy director but said it’s time to move on. He encouraged people to vote for Steve Child for Pitkin County Commissioner. He said he wants peace and settlement. He said that Sonya should have been able to pay a fine instead of being evicted. He said that regarding his own case, he will pay the fine and do community service and will show compliance. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS: Councilman Mesirow said people need to get out there and vote and that we are so close now. Councilman Hauenstein said to vote like democracy depends on it, because it does. Councilwoman Mullins mentioned how hard everyone at ACRA is working to make this an ok winter due to COVID. We heard from Ski Co and RFTA and everyone just needs to be patient, as plans change for better or worse. Everyone is working their tails off. She reiterated voting and said there are only six days left and the blue book is a great resource in making your decisions and clarifying issues. Councilwoman Richards said COVID is exploding in Colorado again now and we keep having to tighten up restrictions and lose variances that were granted. She asked everyone to remain vigilant and continue with precautions. Mayor Torre said voting is so important. He encouraged people to vote yes on the Gallagher repeal and to support the tobacco tax and the school tax. He picked up where Rachel left off with vigilance and said trends are going up. The virus still transmitting in our valley, and what we do now will determine how we go into winter and what kinds of restrictions and regulations we go in with. He said that Halloween holds tradition of great celebration in Aspen, but he’s asking everyone to exercise caution. These are the days setting us up for success. He apologized for the length of the meeting last night. 3 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 27TH, 2020 AGENDA AMENDMENTS: Mayor Torre said he will be adding an item under action items for City of Aspen holiday facility hours during the holidays. Direction is needed for staff on what to provide on hours over the Christmas and New Years Eve time frame. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Ms. Ott said some of our law enforcement staff has been in Grand county assisting with wildfire management. She said these staff members are going above and beyond, and that regarding public health, the governor made changes this past week and took the informal gatherings down to 10 people and are limited to no more than two households. This is a short-term sacrifice for long term gain as the Mayor said, and there are other creative ways to celebrate the holidays. The strategy on winter continues as we are adding on the use of Wagner Park for review and discussion. On November 9th, we will bring back a final conversation for retail right of way usage. The language in the current resolution for tonight, is regarding restaurants only. We will also continue to work with our partners at the county, Ski Co, etc. on testing and there has been some progress made. We will receive further information at Board of Health on Thursday. BOARD REPORTS: Councilmember Richards said Club 20 held their Pitkin County caucuses last week, and she was re- elected for the representative for Pitkin County and Tara Nelson volunteered to be an alternate. Councilmember Mesirow said he attended Northwest COG with a report on statewide opioid issues. They are also working to drive the conversation on fire bans. He also had APCHA last week and dove into the first half of their workplan. Mayor Torre said he had ACRA regarding winter tourism outlook. It was updates from various sectors and what to expect for winter. PROCLAMATION: Susan Arenella Retirement Mayor Torre read the proclamation. Oct 27th, 2020 is declared as Susan Arenella career appreciation day. Council thanked her for her 30 years of service, and she will be greatly missed. Ms. Arenella thanked many people among her husband and she said they will still be around here in the valley. CONSENT CALENDAR: Councilwoman Richards moved to approve; Councilwoman Mullins seconded. Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried. NOTICE OF CALL UP: 611 W. Main – Kevin Rayes Mr. Rayes said this project received conceptual approval from HPC on September 9th. It has seven onsite affordable housing units. The purpose of the project is to generate credits, and 14.75 FTE credits would be established. This is a locally designated landmark on a 9000 square foot lot and in the mixed- use zone district. This received a 3-0 vote to approve it by HPC, and staff is suggesting no call up. Councilman Mesirow said he has no issues with this. 4 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 27TH, 2020 Councilwoman Mullins said she has no interest in calling this up. It’s a really good project. Councilman Hauenstein said he has no desire to call this up. Councilwoman Richards said this is a good fit for the neighborhood and thanked everyone for a job well done. NOTICE OF CALL UP: 225 N. Mill – Kevin Rayes Mr. Rayes said approval was received on this by Planning & Zoning on October 6th. This is located in the neighborhood commercial zone district on a 18,000 square foot lot and has a planned development overlay. This project is to develop an enclosed glass entry to accommodate a new elevator and stairway and this will improve pedestrian access to the building. This will become ADA compliant, and the HVAC equipment will also be updated. This received a 7-0 approval from P&Z, and staff is not recommending a call up. Councilwoman Richards said she is not interested in calling this up and thanked them for their work. Councilwoman Mullins said she is not interested in calling this up either. Mayor Torre said he has no desire to call this up. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance #16, Series of 2020 – Authorization of the Kids First Advisory Board – Shirley Ritter Ms. Ritter said this is for the authorization of the Kids First Advisory Board, which she explained at the last meeting, never had an ordinance signed. Nothing has changed for second reading, except she added the members to the memo. Councilwoman Mullins asked if she has a plan to stagger the appointments going forward and Ms. Ritter said the current members already have three-year terms, and they will continue this as we recruit. They will have a couple of new alternates who will interview with city council. Mayor Torre opened the public hearing. The public hearing closed. Councilwoman Richards moved to approve; Councilman Hauenstein seconded. Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried. Ordinance #18, Series of 2020 – Emergency Mask Ordinance - Jim True This came before you at a work session on October 12th and is set to expire next Wednesday. This will extend Ordinance #12 to remain in effect until May 1st, 2021. He reminded council of the area covered and allows the effective date to be immediate. Mr. True said this does not require a public hearing. Mayor Torre opened up for public comment. Public comment was closed. Councilwoman Mullins motioned to approve; Councilman Mesirow seconded. 5 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 27TH, 2020 Councilman Hauenstein reinforced how important it is to not drop our guard. Councilwoman Richards said this provides clear and consistent direction for people. Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried. ACTION ITEMS : Resolution #090, Series of 2020 – Animal Shelter IGA for Operation of the Cheryl and Sam Wyly Animal Shelter – Ron Leblanc Mr. Leblanc said earlier this year, a new lease was approved by council. This is an IGA with the county for the operations of the shelter. This document reflects the changes which council made regarding the lease starting with $20,000 per year, the citizen board, and noticing Sachson Incorporated of any changes to the IGA. Mayor Torre said there are no real large changes, just a refresher. The animal shelter has been doing an amazing job. Councilwoman Richards gave kudos to Seth and all the dog walkers. We should celebrate this on-going partnership. They take great care for all the animals, and she is more than happy to renew. Councilman Hauenstein is so happy for Seth. He is pleased to extend the IGA. Councilwoman Mullins said she is pleased to extend this as well. It’s nice that the community loves the animal shelter and she’s happy to support. Councilwoman Mullins motioned to approve; Councilman Hauenstein seconded. Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried. Holidays and Facility Hours – Sara Ott Ms. Ott said typically, we have a celebration in December for all city staff, so we are looking at ways to recognize staff members this year under COVID conditions. She wanted to entertain not operating on full days on the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. We want to maximize employees time to spend time with family and the employee would still need to use PTO. Typically, we stayed open on these days, but she’s asking council to have a discussion about allowing the facilities to be closed on those days. We want to close or limit hours at the ARC, Red Brick and Ice Garden. This is a small way to recognize all staff. Mayor Torre said he is in favor of an early close on those days. He would love to close these facilities completely, but some folks utilize these places on the holidays as well. Councilman Mesirow said he is happy to support this fully. Councilman Hauenstein said he is appreciative of all staff efforts and is in favor of this. He supports this and values family more than anything. He is leaving this to Sara to implement as she sees fit. Councilwoman Mullins said this is a great idea since there is no party this year. She supports full closure on those three days to be fair to everyone. 6 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 27TH, 2020 Councilwoman Richards said she tends to side with Torre on people needing certain facilities on those mornings. She agreed with closing early, but not fully regarding the ARC. She will continue to listen to dialogue about closing fully. Ms. Ott clarified the plan with council and thanked them for their input. Councilman Mesirow motioned to adjourn; Councilman Hauenstein seconded. Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried. _____________________________ Nicole Henning, City Clerk