HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19860210Regular Meeting Ashen City Council February 10, 1986
CITIZEN COMMENTS 1
ORDINANCE #5, SERIES OF 1985 - Woodburning Amendments 1
ORDINANCE #l, 1986 - Street Vacation Baar 3
BAAR LOT SPLIT 5
ORDINANCE #2, SERIES OF 1986 - Employee Housing Code
Amendments 5
ORDINANCE #3, SERIES OF 1986 - Setting Election Precincts 7
ORDINANCE #4, SERIES OF 1986 - Building Code Fees 7
QUILLEN LOT SPLIT PUBLIC HEARING 7
SCHOOL DISTRICT WAIVER OF WATER TAP FEES 9
AIR QUALITY VOLUNTARY PROGRAM 9
VOL K PROPERTY REPORT 12
CONVEYANCE OF ARTHUR' S 14
LIQUOR LICENSE HEARING - Ohl & DeVack 14
ORDINANCE #6, SERIES OF 1986 - Edel Street Vacation 14
BAN ON SALE OF TRAPPED FURS 15
PROSPECTOR TIMESHARE AMENDMENT 15
ORDINANCE #8, SERIES OF 1986 - Lot Split Amendment 16
ORDINANCE #7, SERIES OF 1986 - Transfer of Assets to RFTA 17
MAINTENANCE FACILITY STUDY 17
REQUEST FOR GOLF PASSES FOR BALLET ASPEN 17
BOARDS AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS 18
REPORT ON SALE/LEASE BACK OF CITY HALL 18
CONSENT CALENDAR 19
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Regular Meeting As ep n Ci~,v Council February 10. 1986
Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:05 p. m. with
Councilmembers Walls, Isaac and Fallin present.
~ITIZ EN COMMENTS
1. Joan Bain, representing Ballet Aspen, told Council they
thought they were going to be on the agenda. They would like to
request a golf pass to auction off at their fund raiser this
week. Ms. Bain said the Ballet Aspen desperately needs the
money. Councilwoman Walls said Council has made rules not to add
items to the agenda, and if Council is going to make rules they
should follow them. Assistant City Manager Mitchell told Council
over the last couple of years Council has decided to consider
requests for golf passes during budget time. Ms. Bain said this
fund raiser was planned at the last minute.
Mayor Stirling moved to waive the rules and consider this request
at the end of the agenda; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in
favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion carried.
2. Craig Ward, Nordic Council , told Council he has met with the
staff and the owner of the Sawmill property. The proposed
purchaser of the Sawmill property wants to give a trail easement
to the city. There are some conditions about maintenance,
parking, trail and bridge use. Ward said everyone feels these
conditions can be met; however, the purchaser wants these spelled
out and would 1 ike to see some preliminary designs for the trail
and bridge prior to the purchase. Ward said in the near future
he will have a method of providing the trail and bridge.
3. Craig Ward said there
that may be allocated for
Volk property. Ward told
made cash contributions t
the petitions to purchase
not aware of any potentia
like to remove their names
is a potential conflict between monies
the bridge and for the purchase of the
Council there are 41 people that have
o the Nordic Council that have signed
the Volk property. These people were
1 conflict between the two and would
from the petitions.
ORDINANCE #5. SERIES OF 1985 - Woodburning Amendments
Tom Dunlop, environmental health department, told Council staff
has met with the petitioners' committee since the last meting and
have presented two options of the ordinance for Council. Option
1 is that each building can have one dirty and one certified
device. This option is recommended by staff and the Clean Air
Advisory Board. Option 2 specifically addresses duplexes and
al 1 ow s them to have one dirty and two certified clean burning
devices determined by the square footage of the duplex. Dunlop
said the intent in option 2 is to address employee or caretaker
units.
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Rggular Meeting Aspen Citv Council February 10, 1986
Dunlop said option 1 streamlines the operation of enforcing the
ordinance. Option 2 would provide a third solid fuel burning
device for duplexes. Dunlop said his office has been told by the
Colorado Department of Health that woodbu rning i s not necessarily
cheaper than heating with other sources. Dunlop told Council in
option 2 if the duplex units were less than 1,000 square feet,
they could have one clean burning units. If the units are larger
than 1, 000 square feet they could have two dirty burning devices
and two clean devices. City Attorney Taddune pointed out the
ordinance has been amended since first reading to include
definition of board, buildings, and certified devices.
Mayor Stirl ing opened the public hearing.
Sally Roach, petitioners' committee, said they prefer option 2.
Councilman Isaac asked what the county law allows. Lee Cassin,
environmental health department, told Council the county law
allows one fireplace per side if the units are over 2,000 square
feet and an unlimited number of certified devices. Ms. Roach
said the petitioners' committee feel that duplexes were clearly
addressed by Council at first reading and option 1 does not deal
with duplexes clearly. Suzanne Caskey, CAAB, said with option 2
Council may have to answer to owners of multi-family buildings
why they can only have two devices and a duplex could have four.
Ms. Caskey said the community has a problem with air quality and
adding any more dirty devices is adding to an existing problem.
Ms. Roach said that fireplaces are only 30 percent of the
problem. Ms. Caskey said the other 70 per cent is not highly
toxic like f fireplace smoke is.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Isaac said he would like to prohibit burning of coal
except with special permission of the Clean Air Advisory Board.
Ms. Cassin said the environmental heal th department has a 1 i st of
people allowed to burn coal under the old law, and there are 15
in the entire county. Dunlop said there is a possibility in the
future that coal burning devices may be certified. Ms. Roach
pointed out one reason to leave the size of duplexes at 1, 00
square feet is that lots in the city are smaller than those in
the county.
Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Ordinance #5, Series of 1985,
option 2 as amended; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Councilwoman Walls moved to amend Ordinance #5, Section 3 (a) (2 )
to change the size of a duplex to 2, 000 square feet to be in
conformity with the county; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
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Reaul_ar Me~ti~a_ Asuen Citv Council F~br_ua-rat 10, 1986
Councilwoman Walls said the city trying to put a 1 imit on
fireplaces. Jim Wilson, building department, told Council the
average size of a duplex currently being built is about 6, 000
square feet. Ramona Markalunas told Council the petitioners'
committee has agreed to option 2, and this amendment constitutes
a substantial change. Ms. Markalunas said this amendment would
have to go back for approval.
Councilmembers Fallin and Walls in favor; Councilman Isaac and
Mayor Stirling opposed. Motion NOT carried.
Councilwoman Walls said the air quality will not improve unless
there is a strong volunteer program. Ms. Roach told Council they
have met with the ARA and lodge and condominium owners and are
working on programs, and hope to get more involved. Ms. Roach
said the petitioners' committee has a letter to withdraw their
petition for a referendum election if option 2 is adopted as a
compromise to their objections to Ordinance #47, 1985. Ms. Roach
said that option 1 is inconsistent with what was adopted on
first reading.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Fallin, yes; Isaac, yes; Walls,
no; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1.- 1986 - Street Vacation Baar
Steve Burstein told Council there are two separate issues; one is
the second reading of the ordinance for a street vacation, the
other is the lot split. The information on the lot split did not
get into the packet. Steve Burstein told Council this is a
request for vacation of a 12 foot strip of street of 30 feet that
Baar dedicated to the city in the original subdivision. This is
a total of 1800 square feet of property. Burstein told Council
the staff has suggested some compensation for this land of fair
market value. Burstein said this is a unique case. The city
does not need this right-of-way because there is an adequate
amount without it. Burstein pointed out Baar had dedicated this
to the city 20 years ago.
Burstein told Council Baar has the right to a lot split without
this street vacation. The requests are inter-related because the
street vacation affects the configuration of the lots. Burstein
said one of the adjacent property owners feels his views may be
effected; however, with appropriate designs and landscaping,
those effects could be minimized. Burstein said there is a
question of whether this would effect the Meadows property.
Burstein said easements would be retained on this right-of-way,
and there is adequate flexibility of what the city can do with
that right-of-way and the city would not request an undue burden
of right-of-way on the Meadows property side. Burstein told
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Regular Meertina Aspen City Council Februarv 10, 1986
Council staff and P & Z have recommended approval of thi s
request.
Councilman Isaac asked if there is a precedent for charging for a
street vacation. Lennie Oates, representing Baar, told Council
this is not covered in the state statute, which is the enabling
legislation, and does not feel Council can request compensation
for this 1 and.
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Oates told Council this land was Mr. Baar's in the first place;
he gave it to the city and is now asking for some of it back to
make the lot configuration better. Hal Clark told Council in the
city's procedures there is no mention of compensation. Clark
pointed out the city will still have plenty of right-of-way.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Isaac said he does not feel it is appropriate to ask
for compensation in this instance. Elyse Elliott, engineering
department, told Council they support this because by retaining
an easement, the city is not giving up any claims. Also the most
1 ikely way to expand Meadows road is not to the west but to the
east. There is a ditch and a lot of trees on this property. Ms.
Elliott pointed out to the north, this subdivision did not
dedicate any right-of-way. Mayor Stirling said he feels a
vacation should demonstrate a public good and does not know if
this is in the best interests of the community.
Clark told Council they feel it was incorrect to require this
land initially, that it was an over-taking of land. Clark said
by correcting this unfair situation, Council is acting in the
public interests. C1 ark said he feels Council is setting a
precedent to correct an inequitable situation. Clark said this
property will go back on the tax rolls when it goes into private
ownership. Clark said this is an unique situation as there are
not many people that gave up so much right-of-way.
Councilwoman Fall in moved to adopt Ordinance #1, Series of 1986,
on second reading without fair market compensation; seconded by
Councilwoman Walls.
City Attorney Taddune said the vacation law provides that
municipalities can only reserve rights-of-way for existing
utilities. Taddune said as an inducement to approve this
ordinance the applicant will grant an easement back to the city.
Taddune said he would 1 ike to add a new section to the ordinance
saying it will take effect upon the conveyance of the easements
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Regular Meeting Asp,Q~n CitX Council F.~br~~ry 10. 1986
to the city as described in Section 1. Oates said that was
acceptable.
Roll call vote; Council members Isaac, yes; Walls, yes; Fallin,
yes; Mayor Stirling, no. Motion carried.
BAAR LOT SPLIT
Mayor Stirling moved to table the public hearing to February 24,
1986; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilman Isaac. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #2, SERIES OF 1986 -Employee Housing Code Amendments
Alan Richman, planning director, reminded Council they agreed
with the first four changes unanimously and added section 5 which
addresses cash-in-lieu. Councilman Isaac objected to the repeal
of extra points for conversion of existing units. Councilman
Isaac said he would prefer to see existing units available for
employees. Richman said this amendment leaves conversion with
the same amount of points as production of new units. Gideon
Kaufman said applicants can get extra points for converting old,
run down units and providing new units would get less points.
Mayor Stirling said when Council originally made this amendment,
they assumed the units would be upgraded; however, there is not a
mechanism to do this, and applicants are getting existing points
for conversion. Mayor Stirling said this amendment gives the
applicant freedom to make the choice on what the market dictates.
The second amendment discusses requirements of provision of
employee housing off-site. The third amendment is the FAR bonus
in the commercial core district.
Councilwoman Fallin said she opposes allowing employee housing in
the Aspen Metro area and that this housing should be within the
city. Richman told Council the Aspen Metro area generally
conforms to the annexation areas Council is looking at. Richman
agreed housing should not be provided down valley, and the first
choice would be within the city. Richman pointed out there is
little land left within the city. Mayor Stirling said there has
to be flexibility to get employee housing.
Richman said another amendment is the reduction for the number of
points available in the residential scoring system. Richman said
this has put too much emphasis on employee housing in the
residential sector. Richman told Council the cash in lieu
provision is an option, not something Council has to accept. An
applicant could propose cash in lieu and Council may make a
determination that cash in lieu will not get them to their
housing goals. Richman said there is nothing by providing this
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Regular Meeting AsAen Citv CQUn~~I_ Februarv 10, 1986
option that binds Council to accept it. Richman said this opens
up the opportunity to get dorm-type or senior housing. Richman
told Council there have only been 13 units produced through the
residential GMP since 1978; 8 free market unit and 5 employee
units. Richman said there is some probl em in the residential
section not allowing the financing to work. Richman said
changing the points for employee housing and the cash in 1 ieu
option will help get at the problem.
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Gideon Raufman told Council the reason he favors the cash in 1 ieu
option because the present system requires an applicant to
maximize a development on site. Raufman said he has had some
applications where the site did not work well with all the
density. Certain neighborhoods are overcrowded to begin with or
don't lend themselves to employee housing. Raufman suggested a
one year review clause to see if this will work. This option
will give Council the opportunity to make a better project for
the community. Raufman said the purpose of a flexible GMP is to
be able to adjust it over time.
Bil Dunaway said the success of this program would hinge on the
amount of cash required to give. If it is too little, the
program won't work. Mayor Stirling asked how it is determined
what the cash in 1 ieu would be. Richman told Council cash in
lieu is based on subsidizing per employee. Richman told Council
all calculations in the GMP are on a per person basis, not
bedrooms or number of units. Mayor Stirling asked about the
issue of the developer getting off the hook by not having to
provide inventory. Richman said this one P & Z's main objection.
Richman said the point is to get housing, and the system has not
been effective and cash in 1 ieu is a way to be effective.
Richman told Council there are other ways of producing housing
rather than to have the public sector go out and build the
housing.
Jim Adamski, housing office, told Council he feels cash in lieu
can offer incentives and meet the demands of the employees. The
demand might be a mortgage pool. Adamski said the city and
county have produced employee units, now they need away to make
them affordable. Adamski said the housing office does not want
to get into developing and managing housing. Jim Curtis, housing
authority, told Council he supports cash in lieu as it recognizes
the job the city and county have done in creating a physical
housing supply. Cash in 1 ieu also gives flexibility in how the
housing authority can work with applicants to come up with
solutions as the current code offers no alternatives. Curtis
said the Code should create as many options as possible and judge
these on their individual merits.
6
R r t' A 0 86
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Walls moved to adopt Ordinance #2, Series of 1986;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Councilman Isaac said he is very hesitant about getting involved
with cash in lieu.
Roll call vote; Council members Walls, yes; Isaac, no; Fallin,
yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #3;--SERIES OF 1986 - Setting Election Precincts
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. Mayor Stirling moved
to table this until further in the meeting to see if Council is
going to cancel the election; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All
in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #4, SERIES OF 1986 -Building Code Fees
Jim Wilson, building department, passed out the fees as adopted
by the County Commissioners. Wilson said the changes are to
flatten out the upper end of the curve. Wilson told Council he
checked with 15 other resort towns; 9 use the UBC fees and 4
charge greater than the UBC fees, 1 was less.
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. There were no
comments. Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Isaac asked if the building department can cover their
expenses by lowering the higher valuation fees. Wilson said the
difference in projected revenues will be a $63, 000 short fall.
Wilson said he does expect a higher construction activity than
when he projected the budget. Mayor Stirling asked if this i s
the Robin Hood theory where the high end projects pay for the low
end projects. Wilson said that is the philosophy behind the
fees.
Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Ordinance #4, Series of 1986, as
amended; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Isaac, yes; Walls, yes; Fallin, yes; Mayor
Stirling, no. Motion carried.
QUILLEN LOT SPLIT PUBLIC HEARING
Alan Richman, planning director, reminded Council at the end of
1985, Council denied this application. Jon Seigle requested
reconsideration; Council agreed. the staff has noticed this as a
public hearing. Richman told Council the staff recommends
7
Regular Meetincr Aspen City Council February 10, 1986
approval of this application with conditions. Richman told
Council the applicant has granted easements along both Cemetery
Lane and Red Butte drive. Richman said this application meets
the criteria for lot splits. Jay Hammond, engineering
department, said the staff originally requested an easement along
Cemetery Lane through all 3 lots. When they staked the property,
it was found the easement is only needed through lot 12 B.
Jon Seigle, representing the applicant, objected to condition 7
which i s that the applicant will release the neighbors from
claims associated with the law suits. Seigle told Council he has
accomplished a settlement with most of the neighbors. For a full
settlement, they need 9 votes and they have 7 currently. City
Attorney Taddune said this is not a standard condition for a
subdivision approval and may be inappropriate. Taddune said this
also may be restricting the ability of some of the property
owners to continue in litigation if they want. Taddune told
Council he has seen the settlement agreement and feels the
Quillens have made efforts to satisfy their differences.
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Marvin Jordan asked Council to include condition 7. There have
been some settlements for some neighbors, and for some other s
nothing has been done. Jordan said he has only had verbal
assurances for his litigation. Seigle said this condition has
nothing to do with land use.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Isaac moved to grant final approval to the Quillen
subdivision to adjust the 1 of 1 fines between 1 of 11A and 12A,
block 1 of the Red Butte subdivision and split off lot 12B from
the new 1 of s, subject to conditions 1 through 6 in the planning
office memorandum.
Councilwoman Fallin asked what the effect would be if condition 7
was left in. Taddune told Council the reason Council is hearing
no other opposition than Jordan's is that part of the settlement
agreement is that the neighbors will not object to this
subdivision. Taddune said this has no effect on the neighbors.
Mayor Stirling said he originally made this condition to get this
private litigation settled.
All in favor, motion carried.
Gary Wright said the water amendment to permit charitable
functions to have use of facilities has been deleted from the
agenda. Wright said there are people here to address this issue.
Assistant City Manager Mitchell said the staff report has not
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Regular -M~etinc~_ _ Aspen Citv Council Februarv 10, 198
been completed. Mayor Stirling suggested scheduling this for the
next agenda.
Councilman Isaac moved to add this item to the agenda; seconded
by Mayor Stirling. Councilman Isaac and Mayor Stirling in favor;
Council members Walls and Fallin opposed. Motion NOT carried.
SCHOOL DISTRICT WAIVER OF WATER TAP FEES
Jay Hammond, engineering department, said one concern is that
waiver of tap fees does require action by ordinance. Also
waiving of any tap fees is loss of revenues to the water fund.
Hammond said if Council is inclined to support any waiver of tap
fees, it should be done through the general fund. When Council
waived the tap fee for the hospital, they did it through an
appropriation from the general fund. Hammond pointed out waiving
of fees impacts the budgeting of the water fund.
Jon Seigle said this is a new addition to the high school and is
an $14,000 tap fee. Seigle said the school is building more
classrooms, not because of more students but because of more
complicated programs. Seigle said they do not anticipate
generating more demand on the water system. Seigle said the
school is financing this out of capital reserve with no tax
increases. Seigle said they would prefer to use the money to buy
books and computers rather than tap fees.
Councilwoman Fallin asked what is the legal status of taxing an
already taxing district. Assistant City Manager Mitchell said
there is nothing in the ordinances allowing waiver of tap fees.
Council in the past has decided to fund this out of the general
fund. Seigle told Council the water department has requested the
school district upgrade the water system, and they are willing to
put the loop in at their cost. Seigle said the school district
did not anticipate looping or the tap fee. Mitchell pointed out
that Castleridge project paid the tap fee. Seigle said that
project increased the demand on the water system. Councilman
Isaac said Council has set a precedent by donating the tap fees
to the Music Associates. Councilman Isaac said it would be
appropriate to meet with the school board on common issues, like
the swimming pool . Mayor Stirling said when Council made the
contribution to the M. A. A. , they were making it to a non-profit
group which has no tax base. Council scheduled a work session
with the school district at February 24 at 4: 00.
AIR~UALITY VOLUNTARY PROGRAM
Tom Dunlop, environmental health department, presented a display
of six particulate filters. Lee Cassin, environmental health
department, said there are many suggestions for a voluntary
9
Re-aul ar Meetin4 _____ AsAen Citv Council Februarv 10 , 1986
program to improve the air quality. The effectiveness of some of
these is small ; however, that does not mean these won't help.
Ms. Cassin said there are problems in all these programs. One is
notifying people when there is an inversion, especially in a
tourist area. People are not familiar with the radio and
television stations. Also visitors may be less motivated to make
sacrifices during the week there are here. Ms. Cassin pointed
out there is conflict about mentioning the air quality.
Ms. Cassin said one program is public service spots. This has
small effectiveness especially if people do not listen to the
media. Another program is inversion alerts, which is crucial to
the voluntary program. This program has a capital cost for
monitoring equipment. Another program is "no burn days", which
may have little effectiveness because the "no burn day" may not
match up with the inversion days. Another proposal is no burn
times of day, which could be quite effective. However, the times
it would be appropriate not to burn are exactly the times people
burn their fireplaces.
Ms. Cassin said another program is RFTA participation including
less polluting buses, smaller buses, marketing efforts and not
idling. Ms. Cassin told Council RFTA's policy is not to allow
idling for more than 5 minutes, which is needed to build up the
air pressure for the buses. Ms. Cassin said the complaints about
idling buses in Rubey park have dropped since RFTA started this
new program. RFTA is increasing their marketing to explain to
people how to use the bus system. Ms. Cassin told Council RFTA
has committed to presenting available options on less polluting
buses when they are ready to replace the buses. Bruce Abel, RFTA
manager, said he has looked at several alternatives and diesel is
the most practical alternative. There are experiments with
natural gas, propane and electricity.
Ms. Cassin said the property managers could provide written
materials about air quality and fireplaces for their guests.
This has happened on a small scale and people do not feel it i s
effective. Property managers could inform guests when there is
an inversion; however, property managers want to provide their
guests with a positive experience and it is not easy to call and
tell the guests not to burn. Another proposal was to have
airline seat pamphlets describing the air quality probl em. Ms.
Cassin pointed out this is a good example of the conflict about
getting a needed but negative message across.
Sally Roach suggested rather than a separate pamphlet to have
this message included in the in-flight magazine. Councilwoman
Walls said this could apply to all ski areas and be a generic
message. Ms. Cassin said another program is spot checking
smoking vehicles. The environmental health department does get
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council ~'ebruar_.v lOL 1986
complaints, to which they respond and seem to get compliance.
Gary P1 uml ey told Council Coors and Coca Cola are using propane
trucks.
Ms. Cassin told Council the environmental health department used
to provide testing lanes for vehicles. The state department
provided the equipment but could not get enough interest to
justify the state department to come to Aspen. Ms. Cassin said
the potential effect of downtown circulation patterns could be
1 arge. This depends on whether the goal i s to make it easier for
more cars to drive more miles more easily or whether to create
auto disincentives. The latter would have a big pollution
impact. Mayor Stirling said the decision for this will come out
of the transportation development plan, which is being worked on
currently.
Ms. Cassin said another item is improved community
conscienceness, and this is important to all programs. The
community conscienceness is high right now and this should be
continued in as positive way as possible. A suggestion is
modifying existing city programs. The environmental health
department is having the present sanding material testing right
now. Another option is to use less sanding material. A
recommendation is asphalting rather than chip and seal. Ms.
Cassin told Council another suggestion is flushing the cinders
more often. Ms. Cassin said they could investigate equipment
that would pick up the cinders without using water.
Ms. Cassin said there could be a city-sponsored program for
retrofitting or replacing high polluting woodburning devices with
clean ones. This is targeted to a small portion or existing
devices which could be retrofitted. Another option is an auto
inspection and readjustment program, which is in place on the
front range. Ms. Cassin told Council other than getting peopl e
not to drive, this is the single most important way to reduce
pollution.
One suggestion is if public service ads are part of the program,
the city should try to enlist the aid of celebrities, which may
get the attention of guests better. Ms. Cassin suggested
changing the idling ordinance of the city from 15 minutes to 5
minutes, which can be done immediately. Ms. Cassin suggested an
opacity law for diesel vehicles, which law is in place on the
front range. Mayor Stirling said Council should have a work
session on this to discuss the entire program as well as the
financial implications. Mayor Stirling said there is motivation
in the community to get behind voluntary efforts.
Dunlop said the voluntary efforts of the past have not been
successful but this was in part due to 1 ack of personnel , Council
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 10, 1986
support and community support. Dunlop said if Council is going
to commit to this, it has to be a long term commitment. Dunlop
requested about $33, 000 to fund a 4th environmental health
officer and make the 1/2 time secretary full time. Dunlop said
equipment to monitor inversions would cost $41, 000 or a 1 ess a
less intense program to predict inversion would cost $7,000.
Dunlop told Council operation and maintenance would cost $12, 000
to be able to monitor everything or $1500 for the inversion
monitoring.
Dunlop said the CAAB voted 3 to 0 for this program and are very
interested in promoting the community to get behind this program.
Dunlop said the environmental health department will evaluate
each program to determine its effectiveness. Dunlop read a list
of all the programs they are involved in besides air quality.
Dunlop told Council the public health significance of the
programs that are suffering is as great as the air pollution
impacts, 1 ike food service inspections. Dunlop said the threat
exists for a public health episode to occur in the food service
industry due to a lack of inspections. The environmental health
department is required to inspect restaurants twice a year. If
another officer is hired, they may be able to do inspections up
to 4 times a year.
Councilman Isaac asked if Dunlop has talked to the county about
sharing expenses. Dunlop said he is meeting with the
Commissioner tomorrow. Mayor Stirling said he is not a believer
in increasing city staff, but the city is faced with two specific
challenges, restaurants and air quality. Mayor Stirling said he
i s favor of allocating money for this request as far as personnel
is concerned and not vote on the equipment until after the
proposed work session.
Councilwoman Walls moved to
additional staff sharing 1/2
by Councilwoman Fall in. Al
requested a work session on
set as soon as possible.
adopt the proposed appropriation for
the cost with the county; seconded
1 in favor, motion carried. Council
this voluntary program and have it
VOLR PROPERTY REPORT
(Councilwoman Fall in left due to conflict of interest.) Mayor
Stirling said the passage earlier of Ordinance #5 precludes the
need for a special election in March. The issue is whether
Council would like to take the purchase of the Volk property as a
non-binding issue to the electorate. Assistant City Manager
Mitchell said the opinion of value is $725, 000 which cost would
represent 58 percent of the open space acquisition program for
the next 5 years in the current capital improvement program. The
property generates $17,600 in sales tax and $2450 in property tax
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Co n~~ cil February 10, 1986
per year. Mitchell said the estimate is it would cost $230,000
to develop the property according to the planning department's
options. Staff recommends Council finalize the capital plan and
how it will be financed before making any decisions on open space
acquisitions. The current capital plan anticipates bonding
$3,000,000 in 1986 and $2,000,000 in 1987. If Council commits to
buying the Volk property, it would change the capital
improvements pl ans.
Councilman Isaac said he has a problem buying this property for
$725,000 as it will impact the rest of the city's programs.
Councilman Isaac said he would be interested in seeing what terms
the owner may be interested in discussing. Councilman Isaac said
rather than spending time and money on an election, he would have
the staff negotiate with the Vol ks to see what arrangements could
be made. Mayor Stirling said simultaneously the Council should
continue work on the capital improvement program.
Councilman Isaac moved to instruct the city staff to contact Mr.
Volk to attempt to negotiate purchase of this property in an
arrangement which would be more favorable to the city either long
term purchase or condemnation or some vehicle that would be more
reasonable and bring this back to Council February 24; seconded
by Councilwoman Walls.
Mitchell said it is critical to have a meeting on the capital
improvement program because there is only so much money available
for planned programs. Mitchell said the financing for the
capital improvement plan will require an election. David White,
P & Z, said they are in the process of looking at the TDP,
transportation, downtown plan. This property is a very important
piece of the downtown plan. Mayor Stirling said this is a good
opportunity for groups in town to debate the pros and cons of
purchasing this property.
All in favor, motion carried.
Wink Jaffee asked that as long as this is being discussed by
Council, a building permit cannot be issued. Mayor Stirling said
there is no way to prohibit a permit from being issued. Mayor
Stirling pointed out there are approvals and GMP allotments for
this project. Don Fleisher, representing the owner, told Council
the Volk family is not interested in selling this property
because of the tax consequences. Fleisher told Council the owner
would like to be under development by May 1986.
Council schedul ed the capital improvement program work session
for February 25 at 5 p, m. at city hall.
13
Rectular Meeting Aspen City .council February 10, 1986
Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Resolution #4, Series of 1986,
cancelling the special election March 18, 1986; seconded by
Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried.
CONVEYANCE OF ARTHUR'S
John Kelly requested Council give his client, First Federal Bank
of Newton, a break on the lease termination. The lease calls for
$24,000 payment to terminate the lease, which the bank does not
have a probl em with. Kelly said the bank objects to the $1, 000 a
month which has been accumulating since June. Kelly told Council
he has been working on terminating this lease since June. Kelly
said there were discussions that the clock would stop during the
negotiations. Kelly pointed out the bank has paid a 1 of more
than they feel they have had to.
Councilwoman Fall in moved to accept $24 , 000 as settlement on
Arthur's lease conveyance; seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in
favor, motion carried.
L IOUOR LICENSE HEARING - Ohl & DeVack
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. City C1 erk Koch
reported the files, posting and publication to be in order.
Larry Ohl said they are applying for a beer & wine license for
their gourmet special ty shop, serving breakfast 1 unch and dinner.
Mayor Stirling asked for opponents. There were none. Mayor
Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Isaac moved that based on the evidence at this public
hearing relating to the application of Ohl & DeVack for a bee r
and wine license, the city council finds that the needs of the
community have not been met and the 1 icense is granted; seconded
by Councilwoman Fall in. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #6, SERIES OF 1986 - Edel Street Vacation
Councilman Isaac moved to read Ordinance #6, Series of 1986;
seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #6
(Series of 1986)
AN ORDINANCE VACATING PORTION OF FOURTH STREET RIGHT-
OF-WAY CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 130 SQUARE FEET
ADJACENT TO 602 NORTH FOURTH STREET, ALL WITHIN THE
CITY OF ASPEN, PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO was read by the
city clerk
14
Regular Meeting Aspen _City Council Februarv 10, 1986
Councilwoman Fallin moved to adopt Ordinance #6, Series of 1986,
on first reading; seconded by Councilman Isaac. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Fallin, yes; Walls, yes, Isaac, yes; Mayor
Stirling, yes. Mot ion carried.
BAN ON SALE OF TRAPPED FURS
Councilwoman Walls said she is proposing an ordinance to ban the
sale of animal products that are obtained by cruel and inhumane
methods, specifically leg hold traps. City Attorney Taddune said
the city has an ordinance prohibiting leg hold traps within the
city. The proposed ordinance would prohibit the sale of furs
obtained by this method.
Councilman Isaac moved to direct staff to prepare an ordinance;
seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, with the exception
of Councilwoman Fallin.
Councilman Isaac said he would 1 ike to know how this can be
enf orced and how much enforcement would cost. Taddune said this
can be addressed in the ordinance. Taddune said this is a new
concept. Council requested this return to Council by March 10.
PROSPECTOR TIMESHARE AMENDMENT
Steve Burstein, planning office, said this is a request to amend
some of the conditions of the Prospector timeshare approval. The
main request is to eliminate the condition that 8 timeshare units
out of 15 be sold prior to closing on the unit. Burstein said at
the time the Prospector was approved, Council was very cautious
about timeshare, and had passed some strict laws. Council felt
this condition was to protect consumers. Burstein said the
applicant claims this condition is counter productive and has
jeopardized the viability to the project.
Bur stein said staff feels this condition may hamper the cash
flow; however, there are probably other contributing factors to
the probl ems of the Prospector. Bur stein recommended eliminating
this condition. Nick McGrath , representing Security Pacific,
told Council they have filed a foreclosure on the Prospector.
McGrath said the conditions are acceptable to his client and they
believe the relaxation of the rule of 8 will assist in marketing.
McGrath said they feel there were cancellation of sales because
owners could not close on and use their units. This money can
repay some of the loan and increase the accumulation of interest.
Councilman Isaac asked about the other timeshare project if they
have the same condition. Burstein said the other project has to
sell 5 out of 15 units. Councilwoman Fallin asked if other
communities have this type of restriction. Burstein said he
15
Regular Meeting A~gpen QitvTCo, uncil Febru~r.~ 10. 1986
talked to Vail, and they do not have these restrictions. McGrath
told Council Security Pacific is a 100 per cent lender on this
project. Mayor Stirling said there are other factors and this
rule of 8 is not the only reason that this project may or may not
have succ eeded. McGrath agreed with that. Mayor Stirling said
the real estate market was very slow when this project went
through, and the project may have been under capitalized.
Mayor Stirling asked if this bank has any other experience in
integral ownership. McGrath said they have interests in 29 other
timeshare project s. David White, P ~ Z member, said one of the
reasons this was a condition was to get local people both
managing and selling the projects to get consistency. McGrath
said his client intends to do a marketing plan to cover these
concerns. The city staff has to approve any marketing plan.
Councilwoman Fall in moved to approve amendment of condition
numbers 6, 9 and 13 subject to conditions a and b in the planning
office memorandum of February 4, 1986; seconded by Councilman
Isaac.
Councilman Isaac asked if this project now fails and Council has
changed the requirements, can the present owners came back to
Council. Taddune said there is a disclaimer in the timeshare
documents stating there is no liability on behalf of the city for
any representations. McGrath said there are only 4 current sales
in escrow and would make full disclosure to these people that the
rule of 8 is changing and if they want out, they may get out.
McGrath said all the present owners have objected to the rule of
8.
Councilwoman Fall in amended her motion to add a condition (c )
that the existing contracts in escrow be notified of these
changes; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion
carried.
ORDINANCE #8, SERIES OF 1986 -Lot Split Amendment
Councilwoman Walls moved to read Ordinance #8, Series of 1986;
seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE # 8
(Series of 1986)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL REPEALING AND
REENACTING SECTION 24-11.2 (D) TO CHANGE THE EL IGIB ILITY
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN EXEMPTION
FOR LOT SPLITS was read by the city clerk
16
ReQUlar MeetincL___ _ Aspen Citv Council Februarv__10,__1~86
Councilwoman Walls moved to adopt Ordinance #8, Series of 1986,
on first reading; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Roll call
vote; Councilmembers Fallin, yes; Isaac, yes; Walls, yes; Mayor
Stirl ing, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #7. SERIES OF 1986 - Transfer of Assets to RFTA
Councilwoman Fallin moved to read Ordinance #7, Series of 1986,;
seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE # 7
(Series of 1986)
AN ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE COUNTY MANAGER AND THE CITY MANAGER
REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO THE ROARING FORR
TRANSIT AGENCY AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER' S
AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO SAID AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE
CITY was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Fallin moved to adopt Ordinance #7, Series of 1986,
on first reading; seconded by Councilman Isaac. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Walls, yes; Isaac, yes; Fallin, yes; Mayor
Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
MAINTENANCE FACILITY STUDY
Jay Hammond, engineering department, said the city was involved
in a combined maintenance facility study with the county. The
report the consultant made did not speak in detail to the square
footage requirements of the city, or any expected impacts by
annexation. Hammond said the staff feels some aspects of the
report are lacking in detail. The city would like details on the
square footage requirement of the site and the facility so that
the staff can do an analysis on available sites, how the existing
shop may be effected.
Councilwoman Walls moved to suspend the rule and go until 9:30
p. m. ; seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilwoman Walls moved that the city manager be authorized to
enter into a consulting agreement with Fleet Maintenance
Consultants for a fee not to exceed $4,000; seconded by
Councilman Isaac. All in favor, with the exception of Mayor
Stirling. Motion carried.
REQUEST FOR GOLF PASSES --FOR BALLET ASPEN
Joan Bain said this request is for a golf pass to be auctioned
off at a Valentine's party to benefit Ballet Aspen. Assistant
17
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 10, 1986
City Manager Mitchell said 2 years ago Council adopted a policy
not to grant golf passes during the year except at budget time.
MItchell said if Council approves this, the money would come out
of the general fund to increase the contribution to Ballet Aspen.
Councilman Isaac moved to extend a golf pass to Ballet Aspen and
to fund this out of the Council budget; seconded by Mayor
Stirling. Councilman Isaac and Mayor Stirling in favor ;
Council members Fall in and Walls opposed. Motion NOT carried.
BOARDS AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
Council appointed Katherine Reppa as a regular and Sy Col eman as
an alternate to the Clean Air Advisory Board; Charles Cunniffee
as a regular and Bill Poss as an alternate to Historic
Preservation Commission, and Ted Mularz to the Board of Examiners
and Appeals.
REPORT ON SAL E f LEAS E BACK OF CITY HALL
Assistant City Manager Mitchell said Council had asked
representatives of Touche Ross to present some options on
privatization for funding city hall. John Noble said Council is
trying to maximize the benefits to the community at the least
cost and to remedy the burden to future citizens. Nobil
presented Council a report with background, the issues, and some
of the approaches that have been taken. Jane Olmstead, Touche
Ross, explained that privatization is financing public sector
facilities using private funds. Because of tax changes over the
last 5 years, this approach is beneficial.
Ms. Olmstead told Council one way to achieve this is a service
contract with the private sector who puts equity into a public
sector facility. The private sector gets all the tax benefits,
depreciation on the building, the investment tax credit. The
private sector person will be operating or maintaining the
building. If a municipality prefers to maintain control and
operate it themselves, they can enter into a lease purchase with
the private sector. From the private sector point of view, this
is an installment sale; from the city's point of view it is a
1 ea se at favorable terms.
Another concept is sale leaseback, which because of recent tax
changes is not so beneficial. Ms. Olmstead said there are
several opportunities available to municipalities that can be
beneficial to the municipality, the citizens and the private
sector. Each of these alternatives needs to be evaluated because
every situation is different. Ms. Olmstead said there are
probl ems municipalities run into because this is a complicated
process. There should be a planning process, and Touche Ross can
18
Regular Meeting AsAen Citv Council Februarv 10, 198
help the city with this planning process and do an initial
feasibility study. Ms. Olmstead told Council they have worked
with Interpl an on many projects. Ms. Olmstead said she i s
familiar with the work Interplan did on city hall, she knows what
the options of the city are. Ms. Olmstead said next there should
be the development of a planning process and a feasibility study
to see if the city should be looking at privatization. Some
outputs are an economic cash flow modeling process to eval uate
the different expenses, the different revenues. Then the city
will know how much this will cost, what amount of financing will
be needed to do the expansion of city hall.
Ms. Olmstead said at that point, Touche Ross can help put
together a request for proposal and can help evaluate those
proposals. Nobil said they need to know the city's objectives
for the new facility, how long is the facility to be in effect,
and what is the city's current funding capacity, what concerns
does the city have over the control and management of the
property. Mitchell said the city has most of this information
available. Mitchell said Council should know the cost to go
through the first phase of feasibility. Then Council can decide
if they want to proceed with requests for proposals. Nobil said
Touche Ross can go through some analysis for the planning
process, then develop a model to assist the city in evaluating
the alternatives. Mayor Stirl ing asked what this would cost.
Nobel said between $6, 000 to $12, 000 depending what stage the
city is at. Nobil said he can talk to Mitchell and the
architects to see where the city is. Mayor Stirling requested a
cost by February 24 . Taddune told Council the staff reviewed
privatization for the Wheeler, so there is some background.
Mitchell said the city has detailed plans for city hall from the
architects, has an appraisal of city hall, the cost of
renovation. Mayor Stirling said the Council is very sensitive to
the people losing control of city hall. Mayor Stirling requested
Touche Ross come back at the next meeting with a cost and how
quickly this could be done.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilman Isaac requested the liquor license transfer for Lower
East Side be taken off the consent calendar. Jere Michael,
purchaser, told Council he has signed a purchase agreement with
the former owner. They have signed a lease with the Elk's.
Michael told Council they have put $75,000 in escrow and have
notified the creditors of this. Michael told Council they plan a
food and beverage operation similar to what it was 10 years ago
and pl an to rename this Galena Street East.
Councilman Isaac moved to approve the transfer of the Lower East
19
Regular Meeting _Aepen Citv Council Februarv 10. 198
Side liquor license to Michael d/b/a Galena Street East;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilwoman Walls moved to approve the con sent calendar ;
seconded by Mayor Stirling. The consent calendar is Special
Event Permit - St. Mary's Church; Aspen Ski Club and Minutes
November 25, 1985 and January 27, 1986. All in favor, motion
carried.
City Attorney Taddune requested an executive session on
litigation. Councilwoman Walls moved to continue the meeting to
February 17, 1986, at 4: 30 p. m. ; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
All in favor, motion carried.
Council left the meeting at 9: 30 p, m.
1 ~.~,/.~
~~ ~ ~~
Kathryn S. och, City Clerk
20