HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20221213
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REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 13, 2022
At 5:00 p.m. Mayor Torre called the regular meeting to order with Councilors Doyle, Richards, and
Hauenstein present. Councilor Mesirow on Zoom.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE:
Proclamation for Richard Pryor. He and his wife Pip were present. Mayor Torre read the proclamation.
City Manager, Sara Ott, presented the retiring of Mr. Pryor’s badge to him.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: None.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilor Mesirow said happy holidays. He mentioned election coming up in March and said
congratulations to those who have picked up petitions. It’s been a high honor for him to serve on
council. We stand to benefit from robust and differential public debate.
Councilor Doyle said 2022 tied for the 4th warmest on record. He gave environmental stats. Worldwide
all-time high. On an upbeat note, skiing was great today and hopes everyone has a happy holiday
season.
Councilor Hauenstein reminded everyone that we are seven days from winter solstice, and the daylight
hours will get longer. During this period, he wishes everyone peace, joy and love in your lives
throughout the year.
Councilor Richards said there is a lot of climate news in the past few days. Hundreds of miles of forest
land has been lost because of heat and lack of water. She spoke about water and hydropower.
Mayor Torre said there is an event tonight at the Aspen Art Museum regarding climate awareness. He is
wishing everyone happy holidays and to all council and staff.
Councilor Richards complimented Mayor Torre on his Christmas attire. He said it was his fathers.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS: None.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Ms. Ott said there will be donuts with the chief tomorrow morning at the APD to send him off. We
would love to have a crowd and well wishes for Mr. Pryor. We feel really ready for this upcoming holiday
season. She feels strongly that we have a solid team to handle anything that should come up over this
busy time.
BOARD REPORTS:
Councilor Doyle said he had his first Board of Health meeting and there was a retail food and safety
update regarding inspecting kitchens, etc. COVID, RSV and flu infections are going up in Aspen. With
international visitors coming to Aspen, it’s a good idea to wear masks indoors again and wash your
hands.
Councilor Richards said she has an APCHA meeting this coming Wednesday.
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REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 13, 2022
Mayor Torre attended the ACRA marketing committee meeting. I don’t sit on the committee I just sat
in. There was a bit of talk about the passage of 2A and the STR taxes coming in May and the uncertainty
of how it will impact business.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilor Doyle gave a shout out to Ryland French and CORE and thanked him.
Councilor Mesirow pulled Resolution #152.
Resolution #152, Series of 2022 – John Barker, Senior Analyst and Alissa Farrell, Administrative Services
Director
Mr. Barker explained the origin of this grant.
Mayor Torre thanked them for their work and thanked Sara Ott for bringing this forward to us.
Councilor Richards motioned to approve; Councilor Doyle seconded.
Councilor Richards spoke about the STR crisis and an article about what Vail is doing.
Roll call vote: Doyle, yes; Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried.
Councilor Richards motioned to adjourn; Councilor Doyle seconded. Roll call vote: Doyle, yes;
Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried.
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Nicole Henning, City Clerk