HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19880627Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council June 27, 1988
SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES 1
CITIZEN COMMENTS 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 2
BOND REFUNDING . 5
CONS ENT AGENDA 6
ORDINANCE #20, SERIES OF 1988 - Fireplaces and Gas Logs 6
ORDINANCE #23, SERIES OF 1988 - Alley Vacation 12
ORDINANCE #25, SERIES OF 1988 - Election Precincts 13
ORDINANCE #16, SERIES OF 1988 - Newspaper Racks 13
SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE 14
RESOLUTION #17, SERIES OF 1988 - Election Questions 14
REQUEST TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO CONSIDER INITIATIVE
PETITIONS 19
ORDINANCE #24, SERIES OF 1988 - 1/4 Cent Sales Tax 21
ICE GARDEN REPORT 22
SNOW DUMP REPORT 2 3
WATER RATE PLAN 2 3
SPECIAL EVENT GUIDELINES 25
SUBDIVISION EXCEPTION - Martin 26
SUBDIVISION EXCEPTION - Harmon 26
ENCROACHMENT REQUEST - McDonald 300 West Main 26
GALENA STREET IMPROVEMENTS CONDUIT . 26
JOINT MAINTENANCE FACILITY - City Storage 27
MALL EXTENSION REQUEST - The Grill 27
1989 BUDGET POLICIES 27
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Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council -.June 27, 1988
Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with
Councilmembers Gassman, Tuite, Isaac and Fallin present.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES
1. Mayor Stirling said last week was declared Aspen Sculpture
week in light of the opening of the sculpture garden on Hopkins
and also the many provocative sculptures being f eatured through-
out Aspen.
2. Mayor Stirling said there is a group from Gumma, Japan,
touring Aspen which he will introduce later.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
1. Bill Shorr, representing the Arts Council, invited Council
to arts day. The arts groups have been working together for the
past two years as an advocacy under the Arts Council. Shorr said
people who are involved in supporting the arts are invited to
spend two days with the arts groups. These are July 15 in
Snowmass and August 3 in Aspen. Shorr said they will have a tour
of Anderson Arts Ranch, the Ballet facilities, and the dance
connection, and a performance of the Nerd at the Snowmass
Repertory Theatre.
2. Jan Collins, representing Aspen Valley Improvement Associa-
tion, reminded Council at the June 20th work session, they
presented recommendations as a result of their survey regarding
the Aspen Meadows. Ms. Collins read, "As per the recommendations
of the Aspen Valley Improvement Association presented to Aspen
City Council in a study session June 20, 1988, AVIA hereby
requests that the Aspen City Council accept the sentiments
expressed in the Aspen Institute property survey regarding the
future use of the Aspen Institute property, all 88 acres and that
the Aspen City Council initiate immediate action to zone and
preserve the entire property, all 88 acres, the academic and
Meadows parcels, as it is, a campus, which is consistent with
its present cultural and academic use." Ms. Collins told Council
they AVIA will be presenting to the city a proposed ordinance.
Alan Richman, planning director, told Council if they are
interested in pursuing this, the Code is very clear that the
first step should be an initiation and then a referral to the
staff to refer to the planning commission. Richman said for
Council to take a first reading would not be in order according
to the newly adopted Code. Mayor Stirling suggested this be
placed on the July 11 agenda to see if Council wants to remand
this to staff.
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Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council June 27, 1988
3. Gideon Kaufman, representing the Aspen Institute, told
Council they have concerns about any proposals at the Institute
property. Kaufman told Council the effected non-profit groups
have been working very hard for past months and have concerns
about the rush to accomplish what is in the above statement.
Kaufman said he would like an opportunity to make Council aware
of what has been going on. Mayor Stirling said this will be an
agenda item to determine if Council even wants to remand it to P
& Z. Kris Marsh, on behalf of the M.A.A., Physics Institute and
Design Conference, said they would be concerned about moving too
rapidly to zone this property. Ms. Marsh said they would like
all options open on this property. They have been working with
th e non-profit groups and the owner of the property to see if
something beneficial for all can be accomplished.
4. Linda Evans, 218 North Monarch, told Council they have been
experiencing a high traffic and parking impact on their street.
Ms. Evans told Council in the past they have had a pedestrian
only designation. Ms. Evans said this area is on the historical
tour; there are children playing in the neighborhood. Ms. Evans
said she feels it would benefit everyone if this was a pedestrian
only street. Pat Hodgson, 212 North Monarch, said they were
given a promise as a neighborhood when the Jerome was recon-
structed that the impact on the neighborhood would be kept at a
minimum. Ms. Hodgson said there is a lot of traffic in the
summer from the music festival. This is a very dangerous corner.
Mayor Stirling asked Jay Hammond, city engineer, to look at this
situation and report back to Council as soon as possible. Ms.
Hodgson asked that the city enforce the "No Parking Here to
Corner" signs in the area. Nels Elder, Bleeker street, told
Council people are parking in his driveway or right behind his
cars so that he cannot get out. Council asked that staff look at
this situation immediately.
5. Masami Shigeta introduced Mr. Hagiwara from Gumma, Japan.
Mr. Hagiwara told Council Aspen is very beautiful, the town, the
mountains and the heart of the people.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. City Manager Bob Anderson told Council there have been
complications in the refunding bond issues. Joe Barrows from
Kirchner Moore is here to explain.
Mayor Stirling moved to add this to the agenda; seconded by
Councilman Tuite. All in favor, motion carried.
2. City Manager Bob Anderson told Council he recently attended
the CML and CAST meeting in Greeley. It was a good meeting.
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Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council June 27. 1988
3. Councilman Gassman said he is concerned about getting a
variance from the Sanitation District to put in a septic system
at the Marolt House. Councilman Gassman said it has been the
policy of the Sanitation District f or years to not permit septic
systems within its service area. Councilman Gassman said it
seems like the city is asking for something they would not grant
to a private individual. Councilman Gassman asked where the
money would come from to put in a septic system at the Marolt
property. Councilman Gassman said the Council agonizes over a
volleyball court but when it comes to developing open space, the
money seems readily available Councilman Gassman said to put
money into something that is an improper use of open space is
wrong. Councilman Gassman said he would like Council to discuss
this issue.
Councilman Gassman moved to place this on the July 11 agenda;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
4. Councilman Gassman said he is concerned about the barking
dog issue outlined in the city manager's memorandum. Councilman
Gassman said some citizens have complained to the city about a
barking dog next door and feel they have not gotten an adequate
response from the city. The city manager had suggested they sign
up f or the conflict resolution center. Councilman Gassman said
this seems like blaming the victim. Councilman Gassman said
there are laws on the books, and this seems to be an enforcement
problem. Councilman Gassman said he feels the conflict resolu-
tion center is great but questioned if this is the proper
response from the city. City Manager Bob Anderson said the city
has issued six citations to the dog owners in the last year. The
people have gone to court on three citations. Anderson said if
the court system does not have a way to resolve this, he was
suggesting a way to deal with this not through the courts.
Councilman Gassman said he would like the city not to drop the
ball if there is something the city can be doing. Anderson said
he is of the opinion that the city should do what they can with
whatever means they can. The city will continue to give tickets
and continue to work through the court system. If that does not
work, there are other opportunities to work things out between
neighbors.
5. Councilwoman Fallin brought up the irrigation assessment.
Staff suggested that people are encouraged to hook their irriga-
tion systems into the city ditches. Councilwoman Fallin said she
had no idea people could do this. Jay Hammond, city engineer,
said the city does not actively encourage use of raw water.
There are many ditches that are not controlled by the city.
There are ditches in town that the city knows if capacity might
be able to contract to use on a lawn. Part of the water manage-
ment policy has been to redevelop raw water for use as irrigation
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June 27, 1988
in lieu of using treated water. Hammond said this is not a
blanket notification that this water is available. Councilwoman
Fallin said if someone has a sprinkler system on an irrigation
system, they would be charged; however, there is no charge for
someone hooking up their hose. Hammond said there is a hose bed
fee associated with the fixture inventory. It is not as high as
a permanently installed irrigation system. Councilwoman Fallin
said people use more water through a hose than a sprinkler
system. Councilwoman Fallin said she would like this addressed
in a work session when Council discusses the water rates.
6. Councilwoman Fallin said there are people selling jewelry
and tee-shirts in the mall. City Manager Bob Anderson said
people are not supposed to be doing this. Tn~hen the staff sees
this or someone complains, action is taken. Councilwoman Fallin
said people are riding their bicycles on the mall and the
sidewalks. Councilwoman Fallin said she would like to see the
city step up enforcement. Councilwoman Fallin asked if the
police department still has the foot patrol in the mall.
Anderson said the police department is short a few people; he
will check and report back.
7. Councilwoman Fallin said she would like sign requirement for
no smoking in restaurants on the July 11th agenda. Councilwoman
Fallin said the city has come down hard on signs, and there is
not a problem with people smoking. Councilwoman Fallin said the
city should be concentrating on people smoking in restaurants and
not the signs. Councilwoman Fallin said she is opposed to
businesses having to put up large signs in restaurants.
Councilwoman Fallin moved to look at this section of the indoor
clean air act ordinance July 11; seconded by Councilman Gassman.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Isaac. Motion
carried.
8. Councilman Isaac said there have been a lot of cars going
through the mall, and he would like staff to keep an eye on
this. City Manager Bob Anderson said he will check with the
police on enforcement in the malls.
9. Councilman Tuite said he has been talking to Walter Ganz,
Red Mountain Homeowners Association, who is interested in joining
the city's water system. Councilman Tuite said this group has
been assessed $500,000 water tap fee, they have been asked to
give over their water rights, and the city is requesting an
easement. Councilman Tuite said he would like to see the city
manager get involved in this negotiation and report back to
Council. Councilman Tuite said the city wants people to join the
water system, yet is not encouraging people. City Manager Bob
Anderson said the root issue is Council policy; is the city
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Regular Meeting Aspen Cit~__Council June 27. 1988
trying to utilize excess capacity or to stick with the philosophy
that every new user pays their share. Council requested the
city manager take this as a test case and report back to Council.
10. Mayor Stirling said the law enforcement have been running
sirens during the music concerts and asked city manager to go
over the concert schedule with the police department.
11. Mayor Stirling told Council he was attending a new housing
organization meeting last week and f ound that the meeting was
closed. Councilman Tuite said he is a member of this group and
was unaware they are closed. Councilman Tuite said he has not
had a chance to talk to other members of the board about this but
will.
12. Mayor Stirling said Pat O'Bryan, HPC member, has resigned.
Mayor Stirling asked the city clerk's office to advertise this
vacancy.
BOND REFUNDING
Joe Barrows, Kirchner Moore, told Council when he was doing work
for delivery of the bonds, he came across a problem relating back
to the 1983 issue. Barrows told Council the call feature in all
the offering documents, except for the bond ordinance and the
legal opinion prepared by Sherman and Howard, failed to pick up
the 1990 call for two of the maturities. These have a 1993
call. Barrows said the cost to rectify this and pay interest and
carrying cost for an additional 3 years significantly changes the
savings available to the city through this refunding. Barrows
told Council although Kirchner Moore did not prepare the docu-
ments, they feel a responsibility for getting this corrected.
Barrows said Kirchner Moore is willing to cancel any anticipated
compensation, which will equal about $28,000 shy of the original
saving anticipated. Barrows said Kirchner Moore is giving up
about $117,000. Barrows said trying to reconstruct the original
flow of information is very difficult. Barrows told Council he
spoke with the head of the bond department at Sherman and Howard.
Their feeling was since they were not retained to draft the
official statement, they cannot take responsibility for the
conflicts. Barrows said the escrow is going into place tomorrow.
Barrows recommended the city take advantage of the $260,000
savings they can achieve and get the issue closed. Kirchner
Moore will forfeit their profit in order to fund the escrow the
full amount. Council agreed they want to go ahead with the bond
refunding. Mayor Stirling said he feels it is appropriate that
Kirchner Moore picks up these costs. The question is whether the
$28,500 should be their responsibility also. Barrows said this
issue should be pursued. City Attorney Taddune told Council he
has discussed this with Sherman and Howard. Their position is
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June 27, 1988
that their file does not have any instructions from the and er-
writer regarding the call. Taddune said their position is that
Kirchner Moore prepared the document. Mayor Stirling said he
appreciates Kirchner Moore taking responsibility. Mayor Stirling
said the city is willing to pay 528,500 but is hoping they will
not have to do so. The city will still have significant savings.
Councilman Tuite asked if this will be the last time this issue
can be refunded. Barrows said it cannot be refunded until the
escrow terminates, which is 1993.
CONSENT AGENDA
Cindy Houben, planning office, requested 925 East Durant final
plat be included in the consent agenda. There are no outstanding
issues; the applicant has met all the conditions listed in the
planning office memorandum.
Councilwoman Fallin moved to include 925 East Durant final plat
on the consent agenda; seconded byu Councilman Gassman. All in
favor, motion carried.
Councilman Gassman moved to add the Harmon Group subdivision
exception and the mall extension for the Grill to the consent
agenda; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, with the
exception of Mayor Stirling. Mayor Stirling said he objects to
the mall extension being on the consent agenda. The Harmon Group
can go on the consent agenda. Motion carried.
Councilman Isaac moved to approve the consent agenda including
the two items added above; seconded by Councilman Gassman. The
consent agenda is
A. Financial Performance Report
B. Electric Transformer Easement - Glory Hole
C. Liquor License Renewals - Paragon; Eastern
D. Special Event Permit - Historical Society;
Company
E. Liquor License Transfer - Calypso - Shlomo
F. Farmer's Market Agreement
G. Contract Approval - City Attorney
H. Minutes - June 6, 1988
I. Telephone System Upgrade
J. 925 East Durant - Final Plat
K. Subdivision Exception - Harmon Group
All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE__#20, SERIES OF 1988 - Fireplaces and Gas Logs
Winds
Theatre
Mayor Stirling said he has received 29 letters and calls; 2
letters are strongly in favor; 9 letters favor varying the
6
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council _June 27, 1988
ordinance, the rest are opposed. Mayor Stirling said this
discussion is about PM 10 and not other emissions. Mayor
Stirling pointed out this ordinance does not give the city the
power to enter homes. Mayor Stirling said the driving motivation
of the city is to clean up Aspen's air. The city is receiving
pressure from the EPA. Staff has been responding to that
pressure. Staff and the Clean Air Advisory Board are putting a
plan together and drafting implementing aspects of that plan.
Mayor Stirling said the EPA and the state health department have
told the city's environmental health department that voluntary
programs have never been a success in mitigating these issues.
Based on this, staff is pressing for legislation. Mayor Stirling
said Aspen has a challenge and has got to respond to it because
clean air is essential f or health, for residents and visitors
alike.
Lee Cassin, environmental health department, told Council
Ordinance #20 enacts 3 of the programs the city committed to in
thei r local implementation, plan. These are requirements that
stoves and fireplaces be registered, that new fireplaces be clean
burning, and that existing stoves and fireplaces be converted to
clean ones at the end of a certain time period. Ms. Cassin said
after this passed on first reading, the Clean Air Board had a
public hearing. Based on that hearing and some other work, there
were some changes in the ordinance. One of these changes is to
broaden the definition of an acceptable device.
Ms. Cassin said this ordinance does not contain the provision
about requiring upgrade on sale. Ms. Cassin said there have been
comments that fireplaces are being made to take the full brunt of
the clean up of PM 10. Ms. Cassin said fireplaces and sanding
are both included in the local implementation plan. Ms. Cassin
pointed out that fireplaces and sanding are roughly equal
contributors to PM 10. This is only true if one does not count
the caustic nature of the contributions from woodburning. Ms.
Cassin reminded Council the only money the city has spent on the
PM 10 problem has gone towards a new street sweeper. Ms. Cassin
told Council Elam is experimenting with new asphalt-coated
sanding material. Ms. Cassin said there are no other indications
of ways to solve the sanding problem, other than not sanding at
all. Ms. Cassin pointed out that Ordinance #20 deals with the
toxic part of PM 10.
Ms. Cassin said the staff believes the first 3 sections of
Ordinance #20 need to be adopted tonight to keep the problem from
getting worse. Section 4 has been modified as a result of the
public hearing held by the Clean Air Board. The first 3 sections
give people an extra fireplace if it has gas logs, registration
of stoves and fireplaces, and the requirement that new fireplaces
be clean burning. Upgrade at point of sale is not included in
7
Re ular Meetin As en Cit Council _ June 27. 1988
Ms. Caskey told Council the ordinance has been changed to help
the city get to evidence that is more conclusive.
Ms. Caskey told Council another theme the CAB heard is that not
enough public notice is given of what the environmental health
department and CAB are doing. Ms. Caskey said legal notice has
been given and they have tried to get as much notice in the press
as possible. Ms. Caskey said some of the voluntary program ideas
are linked to regulations, like taking wood off balconies.
Another major theme is to put off the time needed to convert.
Ms. Caskey told Council this amended ordinance #20 allows
Council to answer all the concerns. Ms. Caskey told Council a
voluntary or educational program, as pursued in the past, will
not solve the city's problems.
Ms. Caskey said the Council needs to commit to funding to helping
a voluntary and educational program. Ms. Caskey told Council
that the interest of the community at this point will die down
until the 3-1/2 years of up. People do not have the time to
think of what should go into a voluntary program. Ms. Caskey
said to not pass Ordinance #20 and to have a voluntary program
with no funds, will not go past the next burning season. Ms.
Caskey said Ordinance #20 should be enacted with its out and also
have the community stick together with a commitment toward clean
air.
Mayo r Stir 1 i ng sa i d he i s not su r e it makes sense to include
section 4 in Ordinance #20 because he does not like a law if too
little is known about what is being passed or it may have to be
remanded, which is implicit in the law. Mayor Stirling said he
does not want the vigil to stop.
Mayor Stirling moved to adopt Ordinance #20, Section 1, 2, and 3,
deleting all of Section 4
Mayor Stirling said the city needs to do something right away.
The work that has been done on Section 4 is laudable, but not the
outs. Mayor Stirling agreed the data is conclusive and the city
has been in violation. Mayor Stirling said what is not known is
what percentage is from road dust and what from fireplaces.
Mayor Stirling said that is a fundamental issue. Mayor Stirling
said he would be interested in an alternative program that would
combine voluntary and regulatory. Mayor Stirling said he would
suggest a deadline to determine what these programs will be or
Section 4 will be brought up again. Mayor Stirling said there
was an extensive voluntary program; people's consciousness has
been raised.
Ms. Caskey reminded Council there is a date by which the EPA will
require the city to comply. Ms. Caskey said if the town is not
9
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June_27, 1988
doing well in a voluntary program, the time will go by. Ms.
Caskey said it is more fair to tell people what will happen in 3-
1/2 years and may them prove the community can do without tha t
changeover. Mayor Stirling said a voluntary and regulatory
program should be before Council on or before September 1, 1988.
Council will have to determine how much money they are willing to
commit to this. The plan could then be given a year to determine
if it could work. There would still be time to enact laws if it
is found this combined program will not work.
Councilman Tuite said if Council does not adopt a plan which the
EPA finds suitable, they will adopt a plan for the city. Ms.
Cassin said Council has adopted a local implementation plan,
which commits Council to next summer, at the latest, adopting an
ordinance after another winter of data, which will give people 3
years to convert. Mayor Stirling said he is proposing a plan to
draw the community into assisting the Clean Air Board. Council-
woman Fallin said a voluntary program makes sense, but it has to
be in writing that something will happen because the city has a
deadline imposed on them by the EPA, to meet certain PM 10
standards by a certain date.
Mayor Stirling moved to table Ordinance #20, 1988, to July 11
with a direction to staff f or a rewritten section 4 to embrace on
or before September 1st, the Clean Air Advisory Board will
continue to hold their hearings and come up with a voluntary,
educational and regulatory program, with proposals how much it
needs to be supported, how it will be implemented, it will run
for one year, with language specifying the date by which this has
to be evaluated, sometime during the summer of 1989; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, with the exception of
Councilmembers Isaac and Tuite. Motion carried.
City Manager Bob Anderson told Council the Commissioners have
decided if the Council tables this ordinance, the county will
also table theirs. Mayor Stirling said something does have to be
done now, not 1991. The question is what is to be done. Ms.
Caskey told Council the CAB meetings are the second Wednesday of
every month at noon in the Council Chambers. Mayor Stirling said
he is willing to try something in cooperation with the whole
town. Mayor Stirling said it is expensive to convert to gas
logs. Mayor Stirling said he would like to see it a point of
honor that people begin to do these types of things on their own.
Mayor Stirling said this will be the first action item on the
July 11 agenda.
Councilman Isaac asked if the new section 4 will include a date
for conversion of stoves. Councilwoman Fallin said that was her
understanding. Ms. Caskey told Council the CAB will not have had
another meeting before July 11. Mayor Stirling said he is
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council -June 27, 1988
suggesting that the Ordinance be passed on July 11 with an
amended section 4 and that the CAB go ahead and have their
hearings in July and August and bring Council data by September
1st of how the program is going to be implemented. Councilman
Tuite said this is the construction season and getting new
fireplaces during this season will not make the problem any
better. Mayor Stirling said he is ready to pass the first three
sections at this meeting and have an amendment for Section 4 on
July 11th.
Mayor Stirling moved to reconsider tabling Ordinance #20, Series
of 1988; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilwoman Fallin. Motion carried.
Mayor Stirling moved to adopt
amending it to delete Section 4
3; seconded by Councilman Tuite.
Ordinance #20, Series of 1988,
and to include Sections 1, 2, and
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing on sections 1, 2, and 3.
Ralph Braden told Council he has not been able to put in gas logs
because he was told they were illegal in trying to convert his
existing fireplace. Council asked staff to look into this
problem. Nick Coates said Council ought to include an incentive
plan for people to convert, that people can have more than 2
fireplaces if they can get other people to convert. Councilman
Tuite said there are people in this community that heat their
homes with wood. Councilman Tuite said he would like to see a
fund that can be given to people to convert to a certified stove.
Councilman Tuite suggested people that one to put in more gas
burning fireplaces pay a fee, which goes into a fund that helps
to pay for conversions.
Councilman Isaac asked about the section that refers to operating
in "the open door mode". Ms. Cassin said the issue is whether an
insert would be an acceptable alternative. Ms. Cassin said a
certified insert takes a great deal of care to operate cleanly.
Ms. Cassin said for these devices to be clean, they need to be
tested as a fireplace, which means with the doors open. Peggy
Stevens said the city is still concentrating on fireplaces. If
the city cleaned up the sanding and the dust, the city would
comply.
Gordon Denton said there is as much confusion in the data
regarding fireplaces
limit the right of versus dust to make
a it a serious concern to
build. If the city person who owns property and
is going to restrict the rights wants to
of these
people to have fireplaces, the rights of
fireplace should b everyone else who has a
e
building standards restricted. Si Coleman pointed out that
change continuall
Thi
i
y. s
s upg rading the
11
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June__27, 1988
standards. Stan Stevens said 50 percent of the cause of pollu-
tion is from dust; some number less than 50 percent is from fire-
places. Most of the days the city exceeds the limits are from
cars on the road raising dust. Stevens said the city should be
able to clean this road dust up. Stevens said temperature
inversions are associated with clear days and nights. What is
being measured is road dust, not smoke from fireplaces. Stevens
said the dust should be a major and first priority to clean up.
Mayor Stirling said the city is working on the dust problem. The
Clean Air Board can take testimony on the dust problem and give
Council ideas. Mayor Stirling said the city has spent $100,000
on sanding and will continue to work on this. Jeffrey Evans said
until the city comes up with a lan that
with, people will not p People are comfortable
Evans told Council he has tried totworkeir registration program.
and met with problems. Evans said this latest eo dinancer•Board
in proportion to the is not
problem and is not in keeping with the
wishes of the community.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Gassman, no; Tuite, yes; Isaac,
yes; Fallin, no; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
Mayor Stirling said the Council will entertain a new ordinance
related to the directions and suggestions that have been given.
ORDINANCE #23, SERIES OF 1988 - Alley Vacation
Jay Hammond, city engineer, told Council this is a request for an
alley vacation at 1000 East Hopkins. Hammond reminded Council
there were requests made at the first reading. There is a
memorandum from the planning office indicating the acceptability
of the trail alignment. The easement will be wide enough to
accommodate the existing trail or a revised trail graded to be
wider. Hammond suggested the detailed identification of this
easement can be dealt with at the subdivision process. The
location of the trail is in general conformance with the trail
master plan. Hammond said there was some question of the
acceptability of the utility easement. Staff spoke with the
sanitation district, who is willing to accept the 20 foot
easement centered on the sewer line. Hammond said 5 foot
temporary easements will be granted on either side of the
permanent easement and there will be no structural improvements
within that area.
Hammond recommended approval of this vacation, subject to the
trail easement, the general utility easement with the additional
10 f eet of construction capability and approval of subsequent
subdivision of the project consistent with the representations
made in this process.
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~~ Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June 27, 1988
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Roberta Allen told Council this vacation would be a benefit to
the city because it would allow the developer to push the project
back and to have landscaping in the f ront . Ms. Allen told
Council she is a partial owner of the property.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Ordinance #23, Series of 1988,
subject to the 3 conditions and an amendment about the notice;
seconded by Councilman Tuite.
Councilwoman Fallin said she is opposed to vacations no matter
where they are located. The benefit lies with the city retaining
the ability to use their alleys.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Fallin, no; Isaac, yes; Tuite,
yes; Gassman, no; Mayor Stirling, no. Motion NOT carried.
ORDINANCE #25 SERIES OF 1988 - Election Precincts
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. There were no com-
ments. Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Fallin stated she does not approve of the city
having only one election precinct. The city should have pre-
cincts in each of the 5 primary precincts for the convenience of
the electors. City Clerk Kathryn Koch reported the Secretary of
State does not want the city to use the same precincts as the
primary.
Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Ordinance #25, Series of 1988;
seconded by Councilman Tuite. Roll call vote; Councilmembers
Isaac, yes; Gassman, yes; Fallin, yes; Tuite, yes; Mayor Stir-
ling, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #16 SERIES OF 1988 - Newspaper Racks
Bil Dunaway, Aspen Times, told Council the Supreme Court recently
ruled that cities do not have the right to regulate as much as
this ordinance contemplates. City Attorney Taddune told Council
the finding was that municipalities cannot delegate to an
administrator in an imprecise way, the power to determine where
newspaper racks should be installed. Taddune told Council he
will provide them with a synopsis of the case if they are
interested in continuing investigating this ordinance.
Mayor Stirling moved to table Ordinance #16, Series of 1988, to
13
Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Counci_1_ June 27. 1988
July 25th; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilwoman Fallin. Motion carried.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Tara Miller introduced Phillipe and Sylvia from Caquila, Peru,
who are weavers visiting Aspen for the summer. Their work will
be shown at local arts fairs.
RESOLUTION #17, SERIES OF 1988 - Election Questions
City Attorney Taddune told Council an initiated ordinance was
delivered to the city clerk's office this afternoon. This is for
determination of the signatures will allow this to go to an
election.
Taddune said the first proposed question on the ballot is
issuance of bonds for $6,500,000 and authorization of an addi-
tional 1/4 cent sales tax.
Councilman Isaac moved to include in Resolution #17, the proposed
1/4 penny sales tax to fund a parking facility; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin.
City Manager Bob Anderson said the city has discussed adding into
the question language to make it possible to fund street and
other improvements in connection with the parking structure.
Anderson asked if the wording of this question would allow that.
Taddune told Council he put the detail on the parking facility in
Ordinance #24, which imposes the additional 1/4 penny sales tax.
The ordinance is very specific. Taddune said "transportation
related services" are included, and what is intended by that is
space for bus facilities, ticket sales, etc. Paving of new
streets and the surface parking, landscaping the roof are also
included. Taddune said these specifics will be included in the
title of the bond ordinance.
Councilman Tuite brought up the 20 year provision. Taddune said
in Ordinance #24, there is a provision stating Council will not
amend the ordinance. There is a sunset provision stating that
the tax will expire after 20 years or when all indebtedness
underwritten by the tax is paid off. Mayor Stirling said he is
worried about a large, empty garage and a new l/4 penny sales tax
and cars being parked in residential areas.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Gassman and Mayor
Stirling. Motion carried.
Councilman Tuite said the parking garage does not stand on its
14
Regular Meetnq___ Aspen City Council June 27, 1988
own. The city has to look at enforcement options and other
issues.
Taddune said question #2 is the exchange of property with Cap's
Auto Supply. The amount of property to be exchanged has been
reduced to 2400 square feet. Councilwoman Fallin asked if the
question should state the city is going to trade the land in
conjunction with the construction of a parking facility. Taddune
told Council this was discussed, and it was decided it was a good
idea to make the change independently. Lennie Oates, represent-
ing Cap's, pointed out the question says Council may exchange
this land.
Councilman Isaac moved to include question #2 on the ballot;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Taddune told Council question #3 is one of the first employee
housing/M.A.A. questions. The parameters for this question were
provided by the housing office. The description is "generally
bounded on the north by Castle Creek road f or about 150 f eet,
across from the hospital/Castleridge housing, then northerly
approximately 1300 feet forming a rectangle approximately 290
feet wide, located on the plateau above and alongside the west of
Castle Creek". Taddune said staff wanted to give an indications
to the elections the property in the question. Councilwoman
Fallin said she has a problem with 4 questions using different
properties for employee/M.A.A. housing. When the voters look at
this, it will be overwhelming on one election. Councilwoman
Fallin said she feels the city would be better off to take only
one question at a time to the voters for the use of these
properties. Councilwoman Fallin said the Red Roof is already
constructed; it has had a full year of being used as employee
housing. The electors are used to this and more accepting of it.
Councilwoman Fallin said she would not want to see all four
questions fail because there are too many. Councilwoman Fallin
said she would like the city to get one accepted and hold off on
the Koch and Marolt property until next spring.
Councilman Isaac pointed out the Red Roof in inadequate to the
needs of the M.A.A. Unless additional housing gets approved and
constructed, the town is in danger of losing the M.A.A. Council-
man Isaac said the community has to make some choices. Council-
woman Fallin said all of these properties combined are not going
to solve the employee housing problem. Fritz Benedict, M.A.A,
told Council there are some board members that feel it would be a
mistake to have all 3 properties on the election. Benedict
suggested the question use bedrooms rather than units.
Councilman Tuite moved to put question #3 on the ballot; seconded
by Councilman Isaac.
15
~- Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June 27, 1988
Taddune said the key in the question is the 125,000 square feet
rather than the number of units. Taddune said the city does not
know what will be built on this property. Taddune told Council
the units are calculated at 400 square feet with additional
square footage for common space .
Councilman Tuite amended his motion to say "rooms" in the
question rather than units; seconded by Councilman Isaac.
Councilwoman Fallin asked why Council feels this issue should be
on the August ballot rather than next spring. Councilman Isaac
said the community has to be more aware during the summer of the
shortage of housing for the M.A.A. If the city puts this off, it
is delaying the struggle in finding adequate housing for the
summer. The M.A.A. has already had to turn down students for
this summer. Councilman Isaac said the city and M.A.A. will
have to work for the passage of these issues. Jim Curtis
encouraged Council to keep all of these issues on the ballot.
This is a way to express support for M.A.A. employee housing, to
identify sites that have been discussed.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Gassman and Mayor
Stirling. Motion carried.
Mayor Stirling said question #4 is to approve changing the use at
the Red Roof from short term tourist to residential. Taddune
reminded Council the ballot question authorizing the sale of the
Red Roof limited the use to short term tourist accommodations.
Councilman Isaac moved to put question #4 on the ballot; seconded
by Councilwoman Fallin.
City Manager Bob Anderson explained that this question and
question #5, the expansion of the Red Roof, were separated
because it is conceivable that voters may want to allow the use
of the Red Roof but not the expansion of the Red Roof . Mayo r
Stirling said there is no mention in this question of any
specific contract. Taddune said he could add that this would be
determined on such terms and conditions as the Council may
decide by ordinance. Council agreed this should be added at the
end of the question.
Chuck Vidal told Council the problem with the ballot question
dealing with the Red Roof currently is that it prescribes a
specific use. This question will prescribe another specific use
and will preclude the use that is there now. Mayor Stirling said
the question states, "in addition to currently approved uses".
Andy Hecht said the question should not be mandated for employee
16
Regular Meetinct Aspen Citv Council June 27, 1988
housing, it should be permitted f or use. Council changed the
word "may" for "would".
All in favor, motion carried.
Taddune said question # 5 u se s the same concept as the Marolt
housing question. The parameters for this were provided by the
housing office. Council may want to change the word "unit" to
"room" to make this consistent.
Councilman Isaac moved to put question #5 on the ballot; seconded
by Councilman Isaac.
Councilman Isaac asked if this is supposed to be an additional
100 units or up to 100 units. Taddune said it should say "no
more than an additional 100 units". Vidal said he has a concern
about this being very specific about a dormitory style housing.
Vidal said this may be appropriate for the predominant use;
however, the city may want to have a mix of rooms or uses in
there. Vidal suggested the question deal primarily with the fact
that this is additional employee housing.
Taddune told Council he took out references to multi-family use
in these questions on the recommendation of the housing office
and restricted the use to dormitory use. Mayor Stirling said
that is the urgent need currently in the community. Councilman
Tuite said dormitory could mean a style with several bedrooms,
central kitchen and living room. Vidal said with the wording,
the Red Roof could not have an apartment for a manager. Jim
Adamski said multi-family pictures 3 bedroom units. The housing
office wants to address the dormitory needs of the community.
Vidal said this should not bee 100 percent dormitory use. The
city should give themselves some flexibility so that if something
different is needed, they do not have to go back to the voters.
Mayor Stirling said there is wisdom in having flexibility.
Taddune said the original phrase was multi-family/dormitory
housing. This could be included in all 3 employee housing
questions. Richard Compton asked if the question includes who
the housing is for, M.A.A students and seasonal employees.
Councilwoman Fallin said she feels the questions should be very
specific but the housing should be able to provide a manager's
unit. Council suggested the purpose of "for employee/M.A.A.
housing" be added to these questions. Adamski said the staff is
trying to address the needs of the seasonal and M.A.A. employees.
Mayor Stirling said being precise gives the electorate reliance.
There is an urgent need to house M.A.A. faculty, students and
seasonal workers. Taddune agreed with leaving seasonal out and
putting in "employee/M.A.A. housing" and leave out dormitory
style.
17
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June 27~ 1988
Councilman Tuite moved to amend question #3 to include "employee
/M.A.A. housing"; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor,
motion carried.
Councilman Tuite moved to amend question #4 to be consistent;
seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Isaac amended the motion on question #5 to include the
above; seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilman Gassman. Motion carried.
Taddune told Council question #6 is for employee housing at the
Koch Lumber parcel and the description is "generally bounded by
Garmisch street on the east side, Cooper Avenue on the north
side, First street extended on the west side, and the Midland
railroad bed on the south side".
Councilman Isaac moved to put question #6 on the ballot deleting
dormitory-style housing and adding "employee/M.A.A. housing";
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Councilman Isaac pointed out the property is commonly known as
the Koch lumber property rather than the Koch lumber Park.
Councilman Isaac said he would like to delete the work park.
Councilman Isaac moved to delete the work "park". Motion DIES
for lack of a second.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Gassman and Mayor
Stirling. Motion carried.
Taddune said question #7 was expanded to include that the rent
proceeds shall be restricted to sixth penny open space fund and
the retirement of debt in connection with open space purposes.
The terms of the lease shall retain uses for trails and will
require that said golf course shall be available for use to the
general public. Taddune noted that the question states that the
lease will be approved by ordinance of the Council.
Andy Hecht said he would like to be fair to the electorate so
they understand this is not another municipal golf course. Hecht
said this golf course will be a recreational amenity available to
visitors and the public on a fee basis. Hecht said one problem
is bifurcating questions #4 and #7 because the contract combines
these two issues. Taddune said the questions can be tied
together by stating, "shall the City Council be authorized in
conjunction with the proposed sale of the Red Roof Inns property
to lease long term all or a portion".
18
Reaular Meeting Aspen_CtY Council June 27, 1988
Councilman Isaac moved to put question #7 on the ballot with the
revised title and language from above; seconded by Councilman
Tuite. All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Fallin.
Motion carried.
KNCB Moore submitted a letter to Council asking to change the
system of city elections to the primary system in sync with the
general elections. Council has no interest in placing that
change on the ballot. Moore's other suggestion had to do with
budget policies and the desirability of further testing the
city/county consolidation by having as identical as possible
formats. Councilwoman Fallin said this is not a ballot issue.
City Manager Bob Anderson said the staff is working on this
administratively.
REQUEST TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO CONSIDER INITIATIVE PETITIONS
Joe Edwards told Council they have filed initiative petitions
with City Clerk Kathryn Koch totalling 30 percent of the regis-
tered voters and about 70 percent of the average number of people
who vote in a city election. Edwards said he feels this is a
powerful indication of the community' s feeling about this
situation. Edwards said there will be a sufficient number of
signatures to bring this question before Council. Council's
choice will be to either adopt the ordinance as presented or if
they are disinclined to adopt the ordinance, it can be referred
to an election not less than 30 nor more than 90 days from
Council's last action on the proposed ordinance. Edwards said
Council already has an election scheduled for August 9th, and it
would be cost effective to add this question to the proposed
election. Edwards requested, if Council does not adopt the
ordinance, that they put this initiative on the August 9th
election.
Edwards said the city clerk, Kathryn Koch, can certify there are
sufficient number of signatures to validate this petition before
30 days before the election. Edwards said if Council were to
continue this regular meeting to a date certain next week so that
Ms. Koch can certify these petitions are sufficient, Council can
take up the issue of adoption of this ordinance or to put it on
the ballot. Edwards said there is a great deal of community
interest in this issue indicated by the number of signatures on
the petition gathered in less than week. Edwards said it would
be in everyone's interest to get this matter before the public
and resolved as soon as possible. Edwards said it is possible to
delay this action as long as possible in order to provide an
opportunity for the applicant to rush through a new approval.
Edwards told Council there is enough interest in this issue that
it will be before the voters one way or another. Edwards
requested this issue be handled most inexpensively and most
19
Reaular_Meeting Aspen City Council June 27, 1988
quickly and that Council continue this meeting for the purpose of
considering this initiative petition.
Mayor Stirling asked the effect of this initiative on the
existing process in which the Aspen Mountain Lodge in now in, if
this were on the August 9 ballot and were passed. City Attorney
Taddune told Council the intended effect of the initiative
ordinance is to prevent any application pending regarding PUD
approval process. If the voters adopted the ordinance, the Hadid
project as currently proposed would not be a viable project.
Edwards agreed with that interpretation.
Taddune told Council last month he distributed a case decided by
the Eleventh Circuit, where in similar fact the court concluded
that the consequence by initiative resulted in an inverse
condemnation, a taking f or which the municipality was liable in
damages and attorney's fees. This case has been f orwarded to
Edwards f or review. Taddune told Council the city of Aurora,
Colorado, is confronted with the same predicament and is at the
trial stage. Taddune told Council he is in the process of
obtaining the court documents. Taddune said he is researching
other cases where Courts have held in an initiated ordinance
that resulted in preventing a project that was pending where the
right had been vested, there was a potential for an inverse
condemnation that the municipality can be liable f or damages.
Taddune said there will have to be legal discussion with Council
concerning the ramifications. Taddune said the cases are
foreboding with regard to the consequences of this kind of an
ordinance postured the way it is being postured regarding the
Hadid project.
Mayor Stirling asked what effect this would have on a property
that already has an SPA designation on it, like the Meadows
property. Taddune said there is a safety valve in the SPA
process, which is that the process will not be exhausted adminis-
tratively until the matter is referred to the voters for
approval. Taddune told Council the ordinance would require that
the applicant participate in the process to obtain SPA approval
by P & Z and Council. At that point it would be referred to the
electors for ratification. Edwards said this is only if the
application involves a hotel. Taddune told Council if an
application involves a hotel and the application is pending,
there is no mechanism available for the PUD process to be
utilized to approve a hotel facility in the city if this
ordinance is adopted.
Mayor Stirling asked what would happen if there was a piece of
property that had underlying mixed use of both residential and
hotel. Taddune said the hotel component could be built in
accordance with existing zoning. Edwards said one would be
20
- Regular Meeting Aspen City Council June 27, 1988
allowed to build a hotel on a property under city zoning but one
cannot get variances.
Mayor Stirling moved to continue the meeting to July 5, 1988, at
7 p.m. after Council's work session; seconded by Councilwoman
Fallin. All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Isaac.
Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #24, SERIES OF 1988 - 1/4 Cent Sales Tax
Councilwoman Fallin moved to read Ordinance #24, Series of 1988;
seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #24
(Series of 1988)
AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL ONE-QUARTER PERCENT
(.25$) SALES TAX IN THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
THEREBY INCREASING THE SALE TAX TO ONE AND ONE-QUARTER
PERCENT (1.25$) UPON THE SELLING OF TANGIBLE PERSONAL
PROPERTY AT RETAIL UPON EVERY RETAILER OR FURNISHING
OF SERVICE IN THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, OPERATIVE
AND EFFECTIVE ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 1989; PROVIDING
THAT THE ADDITIONAL REVENUES RECEIVED BY SAID INCREASE
SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN A SPECIAL FUND AND MAY BE
EXPENDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF
CONSTRUCTING A PARKING FACILITY ON THE RIO GRANDE
PROPERTY INCLUDING SPACE FOR TRANSPORTATION-RELATED
SERVICES, PAVING A NEW STREET TO CONNECT MILL AND
SPRING STREETS, PAVING FOR THE SURFACE PARKING WHICH
REMAINS OUTSIDE OF THE PARKING FACILITY ON THE SITE,
LANDSCAPING THE ROOF AND OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
SURROUNDING THE SITE, ALL NECESSARY INCIDENTAL APPUR-
TENANT FACILITIES STRUCTURE, FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT,
LAND ACQUISITION, GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES, PAYMENT
OF INDEBTEDNESS INCURRED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,
RESERVES AND FOR THE EXPENDITURES NECESSARY TO PROTECT
ANY SUCH PROPERTY AGAINST LOSS OR DAMAGE OR DESTRUC-
TION; PROVIDING FOR THE EXPIRATION OF SAID SALES TAX;
PROVIDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MAY NOT AMEND, ALTER OR
CHANGE SAID ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING DETAILS IN
RELATION TO THE FOREGOING was read by the city clerk
Councilman Tuite moved to adopt Ordinance #24, Series of 1988, on
first reading; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Gassman, no; Tuite, yes; Isaac, yes; Fallin, yes;
Mayor Stirling, no. Motion carried.
21
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council ~ June 27, 1988
ICE GARDEN REPORT
Mayor Stirling moved that Council commit to fund in the fall of
1988 the first approach toward a new freon system not to exceed
$89,000 and to replace all the boards and plexiglass not to
exceed $103,000, that all the work be done during the f all of
1988
Councilwoman Fallin said the ice rink cannot be closed during the
fall. Councilwoman Fallin said the hockey teams need this time
to get into the rink and practice. Councilman Isaac said the ice
rink needs to be safe. Councilwoman Fallin said she would like
to see the work done by October 1st. George Pucak, ice garden
manager, said the hockey camp finishes August 22. Pucak said the
refrigeration work would take six weeks. They might be able to
open the rink by the first week of October.
Mayor Stirling amended his motion to reopen at the latest October
15th; seconded by Councilman Gassman.
Mayor Stirling said the city will have to continue working on
this issue. The money will have to come from fund balance and
whatever savings can be effected in 1988. Mayor Stirling said
both of these items have to be done at once. Councilman Tuite
asked if there was money set aside in the capital improvement
budget for the ice garden. Bill Efting, director of leisure
services said $25,000 was budgeted for a study. Cindy Wilson,
finance director, told Council the $25,000 is still available.
Taking this money out of the fund balance of the general fund
would be the least violation of the city's financial policies.
Councilman Isaac asked if it would be better financially to do
the freon system now and do the boards next spring when the ice
rink is closed. Pucak told Council it takes awhile to order the
boards.
Councilwoman Fallin suggested if the rink closes in the fall,
that they not be allowed to close in the spring. The reason the
rink is closed in the spring is to give the ice breathing time.
Councilwoman Fallin asked if the rink is closed in the fall, does
it have to be closed again in the spring. Councilwoman Fallin
said there is no sports taking place in the spring and having the
ice rink open would benefit the entire community. Councilwoman
Fallin said it is serious for the figure skaters to be off the
ice from April to June and to lose their practice time. Pucak
said they would try to keep it open in the spring. If they run
all winter and do not see any movement in the concrete, they
could stay open all year. Pucak said they could change their
melt time to the fall, if that would work better for the com-
munity. Ef ting said they will have to look at their operating
22
Reaular Meetnq___ Aspen Citv Council June 27. 1988
budget if they are to keep the rink open during the spring. Ms.
Wilson told Council financially it would be better to do this
project in two phases in order to see the 1988 savings and how
the 1989 budget looks.
All in favor, motion carried.
SNOW DUMP REPORT
Councilman Gassman moved to seek request for proposals in order
to select a design and construction management consultant for the
project; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Mayor Stirling said the Council has allocated 5125,000 for this
project. The proposed budget from staff is 5130,000 not includ-
ing the possibility of additional staff. Jay Hammond said the
staff impact s would occur in 1989. City Manager Bob Anderson
said he is not convinced that an increase is staff is necessary.
Councilman Gassman said he is not sure this should be located on
the Aspen One property. Mayor Stirling said his presumption and
motion were that it would be located on the Aspen One property.
Anderson said if it is located anywhere else, this will effect
the costs because the city is proposing to utilize holding ponds
that are already there. Councilman Gassman suggested looking at
the impound lot as an alternate site or other sites on the Rio
Grande.
All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Gassman said he would staff to stress in the RFPs and
in the design that ugliness and noise is a problem. Councilman
Gassman said he would 1 ike the staf f to emphasize sound proofing
as much as possible. Hammond said the intention is to provide
sound deadening, landscaping, drainage capabilities with the
anticipation that there will be more than one snow melt machine
located there. Ellen Archer, Trecan, recommended a 15 foot high
fence to cut down the noise levels. Ms. Archer told Council
Trecan has sent a price quote that is good for 30 days. Ms.
ARcher pointed out if the city installs more than one machine, it
will not be running as much of the time. Ms. Archer said it
would be more practical to put all 3 machines in at once.
WATER RATE PLAN
Cindy Wilson, finance director, told Council staff has attempted
to come up with different models to review how to calculate water
rates. The first two models are similar to the water management
plan with some changes regarding how service area f actors are
calculated. Ms. Wilson said model #1 also eliminates the avoided
cost charge. This can also be done in model #2. Models #3 and 4
23
Regular Meetinct______ Aspen City Council June 27. 1988
are similar to the previous system before the January 1988 bills
with minor changes. Model #5 is a totally different idea based
on consumption with different rates for different sizes of users.
Ms. Wilson told Council model #5 will be the most difficult for
staff to come up with but is available for Council to look at.
Ms. Wilson proposed staff present these at a work session for
Council to determine modifications, service area factors, etc.
Councilman Gassman said he cannot see any point in the avoided
cost charge. Councilman Gassman said the only argument he has
heard in favor of the avoided cost charge is if the utility
defaults on the bonds, the bonds are backed by the full faith and
credit of the city. Councilman Gassman said what will happen if
the city defaults is that the city will raise the water rates and
everyone will be effected equally, whether they are in the city
or outside the city. Councilman Gassman said he feels the rates
should be the same for all the service areas.
Councilman Gassman said the city should figure out if it costs
more to deliver water to one service area over another, and this
should be based on costs. Ms. Wilson told Council the current
service area factors are based on the cost of improvements to
those areas. Ms. Wilson said if Council is not satisfied with
the way the service area factors are working, they should be
modified in an arbitrary way. City Manager Bob Anderson said one
of the basic philosophical issue was based on the premise of
analyzing layers of service by cost, which included capital
improvements. Councilman Gassman agreed there are some costs
that are devoted to certain areas but this system seems to hit
them twice; charging for capital improvements and charging higher
rates. Councilman Gassman said it does not seem fair to do both.
Anderson said it is not necessarily easy to separate all the
issues out, like density factors.
Councilman Gassman said there is an unconscious presumption if a
person has a large house, they can afford to pay more for the
water. Councilman Gassman said the presumption is that it costs
more to serve a few big houses than a lot of little houses.
Councilman Gassman said he feels it is the opposite. Anderson
said if there is one unit per every half mile, there is less
return per half mile than with multiple units. Councilman
Gassman said in general, he favors model #5, the rates should be
based on ECUs and strongly weighted toward consumption than
demand.
Councilwoman Fallin said she favors models #4 or #5. Council-
woman Fallin said it was more expensive to put the water system
up to Red Mountain, Aspen Grove and some other areas. It is also
more expensive to pump water to these areas. Councilwoman Fallin
said she would retain some service area charges to mitigate those
24
Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council _ ___ June 27 , 1988
expenses. Councilman Gassman agreed with that but feels the
charges are excessive. Councilwoman Fallin said these charges
should be related to actual costs.
Mayor Stirling said the theory in the system is that the demand
charge coupled with tap fees brings back the cost of the capital
system. The consumption charges are to take care of the opera-
tional budget. Mayor Stirling said Council can change this
theory. Mayor Stirling said the lodge and condominiums users
individually paid no demand charges except a single charge f or
the building. This was one of the inequities this system was
trying to set right. Mayor Stirling said he would 1 ike thi s
integrated in any system. Ms. Wilson said there could be
different usage rates for total number of ECUs. These rates
could be multiples of each other but strictly usage-based. Ms.
Wilson reminded Council if there is no out-of-city rate, the
customers within the city will pay more. Councilwoman Fallin
said people outside the city do not pay city property taxes, and
equal water rates would be giving them a gift.
Stan Stevens said it does cost more to get water up higher; this
has always been factored in as an additional cost per gallon.
Stevens said the big inequality is the multiplier than has little
to do with anything else. Stevens pointed out that the pipes on
Red Mountain were put in by the developers and given to the city.
Stevens said the city ought to look at this as a selling water
basis, recognizing it does cost a little more to ship it up hill.
Councilman Isaac said the city just passed a new water rate
system a few weeks ago and should give it a couple of months to
see how it works. Council scheduled a work session for July 12
at 5:00 p.m. at 5 p.m. Council requested staff present 2 or 3
models incorporating Council's comments.
Ms. Wilson brought up the delinquent accounts. Ms. Wilson told
Council staff's position is that there has been no consideration
given for retroactive adjustments to bills, that the bills are
due and should be paid. Ms. Wilson said the normal process is to
send a letter and give people 10 days to pay, indicating if
people do not pay, their service will be terminated. Ms. Wilson
suggested notifying customers the bills are due, and if people
are having difficulty making payment, they can call the staff and
make arrangements for a payment plan. Ms. Wilson recommended
collecting half the bill in the next two weeks and arranging for
the balance in the next 4 or 6 weeks. Council agreed with this
procedure.
SPECIAL EVENT GUIDELINES
Mayor Stirling said the CCLC is using these and would like formal
25
Regular Meeting AsAen City Council June 27, 1988
approval. Councilman Isaac said the guidelines do not address
the small vendors. Mayor Stirling said that is a separate issue.
Mayor Stirling moved to adopt the special event guidelines and
pass them on to CCLC; seconded by Councilman Gassman. All in
favor, motion carried.
SUBDIVISION EXCEPTION - Martin
Councilwoman Fallin moved to table this issue; seconded by
Councilman Gassman. All in favor, motion carried.
SUBDIVISION EXCEPTION - Harmon
Council told Lennie Oates, representing the applicant, this was
approved on the consent agenda. Oates pointed out the city is
asking that a lot line adjustment be done. Oates told Council
neither one of the property owners are the ones that were there
when the problem was created. Oates said it may be difficult to
get the adjoining property owner to cooperate. Oates said they
would like the city's help if necessary.
ENCROACHMENT REQUEST - McDonald 300 West Main
Jay Hammond, city engineer, told Council this is a project
located at Second and Main. The applicants in creating a
restaurant as a conditional use are required to provide a certain
amount of on-site parking. HPC and P & Z waived the full parking
requirements. The original proposal was to reconfigure the
parking along Second street as angle parking. Staff had som e
concerns with that. Parks department argued that paving of angle
parking along Second street would endanger the existing trees on
site. Hammond said the staff supports an encroachment request
for one parking space on-site off the alley. There is a sidewalk
requirement, and it will be constructed on Second street and will
not interfere with the parking.
Councilman Gassman moved to approve the McDonald encroachment
request; seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, motion
carried.
Mayor Stirling moved to suspend the rules and meet for 15
minutes; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilman Gassman. Motion carried.
GALENA STREET IMPROVEMENTS CONDUIT
Jay Hammond reminded Council at the June 6 Council meeting, they
directed staff to look into details of the need f or conduit and
26
Regular Meeting AspenCity Council June 27~ 1988
the costs associated with placing this in the South Galena South
Mill project. Hammond said this will be a $9100 expenditure.
Hammond told Council this will be placed in Mill street only.
Hammond recommended the 59100 be appropriated from the electric
fund f or an addition to the project budget. Hammond reminded
Council 5125,000 of city money from the serial tax levy has been
committed to thi s improvement program. Thi s f unding i s f ul ly
committed to basic improvements. The remainder of the money is
contributions from the district membership and is devoted to
aesthetic concerns.
Councilman Isaac moved to appropriate 59100 from the electric
fund for placement of conduit on South Mill street; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Hammond told Council there are possibilities of leasing this or
the need for additional undergrounding, extending electric
service in this area.
JOINT MAINTENANCE FACILITY - City Storage
City Manager Bob Anderson said the city would love to do this
proposal but does not know where the money would come from.
Council agreed. Council requested another look at this during
budget hearings.
MALL EXTENSION REQUEST - The Grill
Councilman Gassman moved to approve the Grill mall lease exten-
sion request; seconded by Councilman Tuite.
Mayor Stirling said Council has already granted the Grill more
space into the mall than other lessees. Mayor Stirling said he
would rather see the applicants put a door into the patio space
to the north. Councilwoman Fallin agreed they have gotten more
than their share. Councilman Isaac suggested the applicants can
trade some mall space for this space to the north.
All in favor, with the exception of Mayor Stirling and Council-
woman Fallin. Motion carried.
1989 BUDGET POLICIES
Mayor Stirling said there are items in the budget policies that
need more discussion. Mayor Stirling said he does not want to
commit to a 6 percent increase. Cindy Wilson, finance director,
told Council staff went through the general fund in some detail
in projecting sales tax. Ms. Wilson said she is confident with
the 6 percent figure; it has been proven to be conservative. Ms.
Wilson told Council she expects the 1988 general fund to be ahead
27
Regular Meetinq_ Aspen City Council June 27. 198.8
of budget. Ms. Wilson said staff looked at other general f and
revenues to give projections in order to get target for expenses
for the departments. Ms. Wilson proposed that personnel will
stay at the same number of positions or less than 1988 budget.
The pay for performance raises will allow for a range of 0 to 8
percent, comparable to 1988. Ms. Wilson pointed out if some
other targets do not fit within revenues, the pay for performance
pool will be reduced in order to balance the budget.
Ms. Wilson said temporary personnel will be kept at the same
level or lower as 1988. The supplies and services will be
targeted at 1987 actual expenditures plus 5 percent. This is
below project inflation considering it is over a two year period.
The finance department will estimate utilities and liability
insurance. Ms. Wilson requested Council adopt the recommended
policies; if there are concerns with departments or revenues,
this can be discussed in detail at the budget hearing.
Councilman Gassman said he found the budget process one of the
most frustrating experiences. Councilman Gassman said Council
spends a lot of time and detail. Councilman Gassman said the
Council can get bogged down in the detail .and lose sight of very
general things, like where the money should be spent. Councilman
Gassman asked if a lot of the work could not be done more like a
consent agenda, get the information, and if Council has questions
or suggestions, talk about that. City Manager Bob Anderson
suggested talking about goals setting at the front end.
Mayor Stirling said he f eels this is a good way to learn about
all the departments and to have direct contact with Council.
Mayor Stirling agreed it is a long process. Anderson said staff
will talk about shortening the process. Councilwoman Fallin said
departments bring groups into to lobby for their projects.
Councilwoman Fallin said it is an opportunity for Council to work
with departments and not outside people.
Councilman Gassman moved to approve the budget policies in
concept; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion
carried.
The council meeting is continued to July 5, 1988, at 7:00 p.m. to
discuss the initiative petitions and hear a report from City
Clerk Kathryn Koch. Council left Chambers at 9:15 p.m.
,~ ~ ~~~
Kathryn Koch, City Clerk
28
Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council June 27, 1988
the ordinance. Ms. Cassin told Council Section 4 gives the
community some outs for the ultimate conversion requirement if
the community can be successful enough about lessening the
impacts from woodburning.
Ms. Cassin said the Clean Air Board held a public hearing on what
would be enough time to give people to convert, to clean up the
air and be equitable. The Clean Air Board recommends the
conversion be done by December 1, 1991. Ordinance #20 requires
that the Clean Air Board report to Council annually on how well
programs are going. The Clean Air Board will discuss mandatory
ways to make wood be burned less and to be burned more cleanly at
their July meeting and will report back to Council with a
recommendation. Ms. Cassin said the Clean Air Board will be
working on a proposal which would allow people to keep their
fireplaces if they can prove they will only use them on days when
pollution will not be a problem. It is the hope these two
measures, along with a successful voluntary program, will prevent
the need f or conversion at the end of 3-1/2 years. Ms. Cassin
told Council staff and the CAB feel these programs need the added
push of the knowledge that conversion will be necessary to make
them more effective in the interim.
Ms. Cassin said staff has been discussing ways to help finance
conversions. Ms. Cassin said this Ordinance is not asking people
to spend any money before the situation is known. What the
ordinance is asking is that people know that at the end of this
time period, conversions will have to be made. Ms. Cassin said
staff has done a very complete voluntary program aimed at the
entire community, both cars and woodburning. Ms. Cassin said
staff supports a voluntary program. Ms. Cassin told Council
current data indicates the town will have to make the conversion
at the end of 3-1/2 years. Ms. Cassin said staff is more than
willing to give other options a chance to work so that cony er-
sions are not necessary.
Ms. Cassin told Council subsection vi of Section 4 states that if
the city finds that woodburning does not contribute significantly
to the health problems or that alternative programs have suffi-
ciently reduced PM 10 pollution, the Council may by resolution,
delay or stay the implementation of the conversion requirements.
Suzanne Caskey, Clean Air Board Chairman, told Council the CAB
met after the public hearing and tried to come up with major
themes they heard. Ms. Caskey said one theme they heard is that
the information presented on PM 10 is not conclusive. Ms. Caskey
said the city has a lot of data over the last 13 years, all of
which continues to lead to the same conclusion. Ms. Caskey said
for people who do not feel there is enough data, there should be
something in the ordinance to allow the city to gather more data.
8