HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19910225Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 2
CONSENT AGENDA 5
LIQUOR LICENSE SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT 5
AMENDING CASPIAN CORPORATION'S D/B/A/ EBBE'S ORDER 6
REQUEST WAIVER OF PLANNING FEES - Marolt Barn 6
HOUSING MITIGATION UPDATE - 409 East Hopkins 7
RESOLUTION #5. SERIES OF 1991 - Pitkin County Bank 9
RESOLUTION #7, SERIES OF 1991 - Maroon Creek Bridge Design 9
TAXABLE MORTGAGE POOL 9
BOARDS AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS 11
CITY HOLIDAYS 11
LIBRARY REQUEST RE: EMPLOYEE HOUSING MITIGATION 12
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with
Councilmembers Tuite, Pendleton, Peters and Gassman present.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
1. Deedee Brinkman, state film commission, told Council a NBC
pilot for television is being shot in Aspen. Ms. Brinkman said
this is a positive project. The film crew will be in Aspen until
March 21; there are 80 people being lodged and eating in Aspen.
Stan Rowgau, executive producer, told Council the town has been
wonderful and the process has been enjoyable. Rowgau said NBC may
be shooting this series, if successful, on a regular basis up to
7 months a year.
2. Chuck Vidal, chairman Pitkin County Library Board, said he
thought their affordable housing issue was to be on the agenda and
requested it be added.
Councilman Tuite moved to suspend the rules and add this to the
agenda as (h); seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion
carried.
3. Bill Martin requested Council consider an ordinance to limit
the number of signs on a property. Martin said there is a house
in the west end under construction which has signs for the
architect, builder, plumber, real estate agent etc. Jed Caswall,
city attorney, said the city's sign code states a total of two
signs per lot is allowed. Mayor Stirling said this may be a
question of enforcement. Mayor Stirling brought up neon signs.
Caswall said staff has completed their analysis of the sign code
and neon signs. The zoning office is in charge of enforcement;
their interpretation and policy is consistent with the ordinance.
Caswall said he will report back on the sign code at the next
meeting.
4. Peter Korn, representing Citizens for a Peaceful Solution,
read part of a resolution that the city Council demonstrate its
concern for the safety and survival of American and other allied
troops stationed in the Persian Gulf area by urging President Bush
to pursue every possible avenue which could result in a negotiated
and peaceful settlement of this war at the earliest possible
moment. Korn urged Council to adopt this resolution. Korn read
to Council a resolution adopted by the West Hollywood Council
urging peaceful solutions. Alanna Knight, Citizens for a Peaceful
Solution, said this is a great idea; this is not just a national
issue. Lorna Reed supported this resolution. Sarah Aley supported
the resolution and said local governments should have a voice and
not just go along with momentum that is perpetuated.
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Regular Meeting Aspen Cites Council February 25, 1991
Councilman Peters requested Councilmembers Gassman, Pendleton or
Tuite to consider bringing this resolution up at the next meeting.
Councilman Peters said this is an appropriate action for Council.
Councilwoman Pendleton said she is not interested in bringing it
back to Council.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Councilwoman Pendleton said she wants the potholes fixed; the
streets are a disgrace. Councilwoman Pendleton said she would like
to spend the money to fix the potholes properly. Bob Gish said the
city has been fixing the potholes. The problem in the winter is
there is no way to hold the mixture with the traffic and the water .
Councilwoman Pendleton said she wants to see a temporary solution
so people are not wrecking their cars.
2. Councilman Gassman said during the interviews for the Wheeler
Opera House board, it was brought up there is some confusion about
what is the board's duty. Councilman Gassman suggested a study
session with the Wheeler Board. Council scheduled this for March
18 at 5 p.m.
3. Councilman Gassman requested the Marolt Ranch/Truscott parking
be taken off the agenda. Councilman Gassman said he had a meeting
with the housing authority, some residents, Councilmembers Tuite
and Peters, and RFTA manager Dan Blankenship. This problem has
been assigned to the new housing director. Councilman Gassman said
he would like more time for all the different parties to work
together and to report back to Council with a proposal.
4. Councilman Peters said an issue that arose out of Ebbe's
liquor hearing at the last Council meeting should be dealt with.
It was said before and after that meeting that Ebbe was being
singled out, was being treated unfairly and he was being victimized
by the police who were enforcing the liquor statutes unevenly
across town. Councilman Peters said there is no question in his'
mind that the violations that were alleged did occur and that
Council found correctly at that hearing. This question should be
answered for the community. Councilman Peters requested the police
department to state for the record what their policy is on liquor
license enforcement and what it is that brings a violation forward
to Council. Council agreed.
5. Councilman Peters reported he went to a Mayors and Manager's
meeting in Glenwood Spring. The light rail program was on the
agenda. Councilman Peters said the county presented a proposal to
form a light rail task force with representatives from each
government in the valley. The goals statement presented was, "to
provide a rail system to mitigate the impacts of the development
of highway 82". Some of the down valley officials objected to that
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Regular Meetinci Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
because they felt it implied that there was going to be an attempt
to divert money from the construction of the highway. They asked
that any references in delay in highway construction be deleted.
The other officials were in favor of the task force. It was agreed
there would be citizens and elected officials on the task force.
Pitkin County presented a time table for an election next November.
This was not favored by the group; there are a number of competing
election planned for that November. The group felt it was
worthwhile to pursue an election for a taxing district; however a
date certain was unacceptable. Councilman Peters said there are
a number of problems to solve at this end of the, valley on the
light rail project.
6. Mayor Stirling requested the IGA Valley Solid Waste be taken
off the agenda.
7. Mayor Stirling said it was decided informally at a work
session not to continue on with the manager' s work on analyzing the
joint departments.
Councilman Peters moved to not go forward with further analysis of
the joint departments; seconded by Councilman Tuite.
Mayor Stirling said he feels there is a series of issues about
accountability that are critical and Council should be aware of the
needs that are there.
All in favor, with the exception of Mayor Stirling. Motion
carried.
8. Mayor Stirling said he has brought up an idea about a city-
wide energy policy. Mayor Stirling said his concept would involve
everything from heating systems to light bulbs, insulation, water
heaters, how the city is providing electric energy, combining with
other large users and become a model city. Mayor Stirling proposed
on the March 18th work session to have Rocky Mountain Institute,
Roaring Fork Energy Center, other involved groups, make a presenta-
tion of the kinds of ideas the city can work on. Councilman Tuite
said Council has been asking for a water conservation ordinance.
Every month something gets built and there is no water conserva-
tion. Councilman Tuite said this ties into heat also. Jed
Caswall, city attorney, pointed out the city already has existing
water conservation measures that are being applied to fixtures
being installed in new construction in both the UPC and UBC. Mayor
Stirling suggested any draft water conservation ordinances be sent
to RMI for suggestions.
Councilman Peters moved the Council not authorize any new water
system expansions or improvements until a comprehensive water
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
conservation policy has been presented and reviewed by Council;
seconded by Councilman Tuite.
Councilman Peters clarified this is just system expansions, not tap
fees, like MCDC, Red Mountain, Highlands, etc.
All in favor, motion carried.
9. Mayor Stirling brought up a letter from Jan Collins, represen-
ting the West Side Association. In May 1987 they gave a $1,000
contribution to the city to be used to begin a traffic study in the
west end. The WSIA requests a refund of that contribution. Mayor
Stirling requested this be directed to the appropriate staff
person.
Ed Roy said at the corner of Second and Francis streets there have
been 3 traffic accidents, two with personal injury. Roy requested
Council put in a four-way stop at that intersection. Mayor
Stirling said there are a number of intersections in the west end
that do not have signs. Perhaps these intersections need to be
analyzed. Councilman Tuite said Janet Shelton is working with a
group of neighbors in the west end. Bill Efting, assistant city
manager, suggested staff take a look at the entire west end. Mayor
Stirling said this should be tied to the pedestrian plan. Amy
Margerum, planning director, told Council there are recommendations
in that plan for the west end.
10: Mayor Stirling told Council he received a letter from the
PCPA. They are dropping the Zoline matter. The PCPA asked Council
to consider placing on the May ballot the issue of replacement of
any open space that is used for any other purpose. The PCPA would
also like Council to have an open space board. Jed Caswall, city
attorney, said the open space replacement issue can be done by
amending the existing ordinance. Councilman Gassman said he is not
interested. Councilwoman Pendleton said she is willing to look at
it. Councilman Peters said he does not support this. If open
space is converted, the community is intimately involved including
an election.
Mayor Stirling moved to add this item to a work session with the
PCPA; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. Councilmembers Tuite,
Gassman and Peters opposed; Councilwoman Pendleton and Mayor
Stirling in favor. Motion NOT carried.
11. Mayor Stirling said he received a letter from Dwight Shellman
about the implementation of the hook route. Shellman also brought
up the downtown parking issues and the need for a comprehensive
approach to this. Shellman requested this be worked into the Aspen
area community plan.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
12. Mayor Stirling said he received a letter from an organization
which recycles plastic. Mayor Stirling directed staff to analyze
recycling plastic and what the plans for that. Bill Efting,
assistant city manager, said he will report back.
13. Mayor Stirling told Council he did not send off the President
Bush the letter rescinding the resolution passed in January. Mayor
Stirling said this will be done tomorrow.
14. Bill Efting, assistant city manager, told Council staff is
answering complaints about dust. Street crews are sweeping the
streets when possible. Mayor Stirling asked if the ramps for the
Moore pool were budgeted for.
15. Mayor Stirling said he is very happy about the quality and
level of work the Council is receiving from the planning depart-
ment.
16. Councilwoman Pendleton moved to remove action item (h) Boards
and Commission appointments and put it on the March 11 meeting;
seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, with the exception of
Councilman Peters and Mayor Stirling. Motion carried.
17. Jed Caswall, city attorney, requested an executive session to
discuss pending litigation against the city.
Councilman Peters moved to go into executive session to discuss the
Roy litigation at the end of the meeting; seconded by Councilman
Tuite. All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Gassman and
Mayor Stirling. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to approve the consent calendar;
seconded by Councilman Peters. The consent calendar is:
A. Minutes - January 14, 1991
B. Winternational Special Event
All in favor, motion carried.
18. Amy Margerum, planning director, told Council staff set a
schedule for the Meadows that required the applicants to get their
application in for the final SPA by February 15th. Ms. Margerum
said staff received a partial application today. Ms. Margerum told
Council this will delay the Meadows schedule to the P & Z by at
least one week; it will continue to delay it week by week until
staff receives an application.
LIQUOR LICENSE SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
Councilman Peters moved to approve the special event permit for St .
Mary's Catholic Church; seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in
favor, motion carried.
AMENDING CASPIAN CORPORATION'S DfBjAf EBBE'S ORDER
Jed Caswall, city attorney, told Council the licensee has filed a
compliant in district court asking the court to review the liquor
board's finding and determination made at the February 11th
hearing. Caswall told Council there is a signed order by the judge
staying the effect date of the Board's suspension until such time
as the litigation has been resolved. Caswall reminded the Board
they made a determination that the licensee had violated two
provisions of the liquor code having to do with providing alcohol
to an intoxicated person. The Board directed Caswall to prepare
a written order to accurately reflect these findings. Caswall
pointed out he neglected to track the statute word for word The
statute said it is a violation to serve a "visibly" intoxicated
person. Caswall prepared an amended order changing paragraphs 4,
5, and the wherefor clause. Caswall said this is a technical
revision of the Board's finding. John Case, representing Caspian
Corporation, told the Board if they are finding Caspian Corporation
served a visibly intoxicated person, he would like a clear record
of that.
Mayor Stirling moved to amend the previously submitted order of 11
February with the inclusion of the word "visibly" in paragraphs 4,
5 and the wherefor clause; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton.
All in favor, motion carried.
REQUEST WAIVER OF PLANNING FEES - Marolt Barn
A letter from Rick Newton, Vice president, Aspen Historical
Society, was read into the minutes requesting the waiving of the
review fees for the Marolt Barn. The letter states the development
of the Holden-Marolt museum at the Marolt bar is a project that.
will greatly benefit the entire community. Newton said the
Historical Society hoped that the waiving of the fees will not only
serve as a show of faith and Council support for the project but
also be of encouragement to more of Aspen's community to become
involved with this and other community projects.
Staff told Council this fee is about $2000. Mayor Stirling asked
if waiving this fee would be allowable under present city
ordinances. Jed Caswall, city attorney, told Council there is
currently no provision under existing ordinances that specifically
allows for a waiver of building or planning fees . Caswall said the
only thing he can find on waiving fees addresses 100 percent
affordable housing. Councilman Peters said this is creating policy
for non-profit organizations to apply for support for their
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
projects . Councilman Peters said Council should be looking at this
as an overall policy. Councilman Peters pointed out during budget
time, Council approves the planning office budget based on their
work load. Councilman Peters said just waiving fees is inap-
propriate because the work load is still there. Councilman Peters
said when the contingency fund is used to pay these fees, it is
done on a first come first serve basis rather than reviewed all at
once. Councilman Peters said he would prefer to take applications
throughout the year and at the end of the year if there is money
left in the contingency, decide which ones the Council will pay.
Councilwoman Pendleton agreed and said these requests should be
brought up at budget time. Councilman Gassman said he objects to
waiving fees, which gives the illusion that services do not cost
anything.
Councilman Peters moved to consider any fee waivers by non-profit
groups at budget hearing in the fall; seconded by Councilman
Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
HOUSING MITIGATION UPDATE - 409 East Hopkins
Tom Smith, representing Pitkin County, reminded Council this was
deferred until something more could be found about how being
located in the Smuggler EPA superfund site affects this property.
Smith told Council he has contacted the EPA and Department of
Justice to determine if there is a solution to this problem that
would meet the needs of Council and the developer and not pose
liability problems for anyone. Smith told Council the initial
reaction from the EPA and Department of Justice is there would be
no satisfactory solution if the housing authority were to take
title to the property. If the county were to take title, the
county's liability could be resolved in the context of the current
settlement negotiations. Councilman Tuite told Council the
Commissioners voted today that they would take over ownership
subject to a detailed agreement. The Commissioners do not want the
liability of the building and would like to get it to the housing
authority as soon as possible.
Carr Kunze, housing director, told Council they would like an
income survey to know something about the current tenants to make
sure they are not getting into a displacement issue. Kunze said
the housing authority has tried to get a price on doing a building
condition survey, looking at the basic mechanical, structural,
electrical systems and habitability of the property. Kunze said
a requirement to accept housing for deed restriction is that that
property be brought up to new uniform building code standards.
This will require an examination of the property. Kunze said it
would be most cost effective for the building department to look
at this property from the standpoint of UBC. Kunze said the
housing authority would also have to have an appraisal on the
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
property in order to look at this for possible lending as well as
to satisfy the board they are not accepting a pig in a poke and are
getting value to relationship for employee in-lieu measure. Kunze
said they could get a limited appraisal for about $3000. This will
take 4 to 6 weeks and the applicants have a deadline in March.
Art Daily, representing the applicant, told Council he did not feel
the tenants would voluntarily provide income-and tax information
to the housing authority. Daily said all the leases expire in
October. Daily suggested exemptions from the guidelines for
existing tenants for a certain time period or for the length they
remain. Daily said the housing office was a detailed structural
analysis and they are entitled to it. Daily said the applicant may
be willing to pay $3000 for this analysis. Daily said he did not
see the purpose of buying an appraisal at this point. The
applicant will be spending $900,000 on this property. Daily
suggested something that establishes the present value of property
is purchase price on a cash deal. Daily told Council he is
concerned about added cost and time for the appraisal. Daily
questioned the benefits from an appraisal.
Kunze said the housing authority cannot require the tenants to give
income data but they would like a roster of tenants. Daily said
they can give them a roster of tenants.
Councilman Gassman said he cannot see a risk of going ahead without
a detailed appraisal. Councilwoman Pendleton agreed about the
appraisal. Councilwoman Pendleton said the issue of the structural
soundness was to be determined before approval of this request.
Councilman Peters said the structural analysis will help in
determining the value of the property. Councilman Peters said he
is looking for units rather than money and would like to not lose
this opportunity. The appraisal is not that necessary. There is
a willing buyer and a willing seller. Kunze said the housing
authority accepts that position.
Kunze said city inspectors should do the building analysis to keep
it cost effective. Mayor Stirling agreed the problem is what to
do if the report shows the building is not sound. Councilman
Gassman suggested Council deal with that after the report from the
building inspection. Councilman Peters said there is a lot of
value in getting employee units in the community quickly, which is
not part of an appraisal. Leslie Lamont, planning office, noted
the applicant needs to mitigate for 20.9 employees. This building
mitigates 17.5 employees.
Mayor Stirling moved to direct Leslie Lamont to continue the whole
process, get the UBC standards done asking if the applicant will
pay for that, there is a good reading from the EPA which should be
gotten in writing; Council is waiving the appraisal as a necessity;
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25; 1991
that this meets the employee housing requirements; seconded by
Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTION #5, SERIES OF 1991 - Pitkin County Bank
Amy Margerum, planning director, told Council the change from the
last meeting is the dollar amount of the remaining balance for the
cash-in-lieu, changed from $24,000 to $42,000. This change is at
the request of the applicant.
Councilman Peters moved to reconsider Resolution #5, Series of
1991; seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Gassman moved to adopt Resolution #5, Series of 1991,
as amended; seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, motion
carried.
RESOLUTION #7, SERIES OF 1991 - Maroon Creek Bridge Design
Councilman Tuite moved to table this to March 11; seconded by
Councilman Peters. All in favor, with the exception of Council-
woman Pendleton. Motion carried.
TAXABLE MORTGAGE POOL
Steve Jeffers, Kirchner Moore, told Council they have been working
with Carol O'Dowd, city manager, and with a housing group in CAST
to study various ways of funding employee housing. Jeffers said
they have come up with a program to provide housing assistance to
a segment of the community. It is not an all encompassing program
nor is it meant to be. Jeffers said this is a taxable mortgage
bond program that will make long term fixed mortgage money
available for home ownership of town-owned or market units. This
is an ownership program for permanent housing. This will create
a source of revenue for people who cannot qualify under the state
tax exempt bond programs because they are not first time home
buyers or cannot meet the minimum income or maximum price guide-
lines.
Jeffers noted the state type of programs do not work very well in
resort communities. Because this program is taxable, it gets
around the tax exempt restrictions of the federal government.
Because this is taxable, the rates will not be as low as a tax
exempt program. Jeffers said this program will not be the source
of the lowest mortgage financing in a community. This is attempt-
ing to be a source of funds available with a minimum amount down.
The program is geared to 10 percent down by the purchaser. Under
this program, each town can set it's own eligibility guidelines,
which can be the same as the housing authority guidelines.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februarv 25, 1991
Jeffers told Council each lender will have to be aware of these
guidelines and will have to originate loans under those guidelines.
The program will be open to all mortgage lenders in a community so
they will have access to the money. They will receive an origina-
tion fee of 1 percent for participating. The maximum loans amounts
will be $185,000; exceeding that gets into jumbo mortgages.
Jeffers said Kirchner Moore will be issuing bonds in series with
a 90 to 120 day origination period. At the end of the origination
period, the loans within each community will be added up and a bond
issue done and interest rates set. Each time the bonds are sold,
they are backed by a default reserve fund, initially funded at
$300,000 or $400,000 from the state division of housing. The
secondary line of defense is a 10 percent reserve fund put up by
each participating town. This is required to be put up at the time
each series of bonds is closed. If there are no loans borrowed
from your community, there is no money to be put up.
Jeffers said after that fund is private mortgage insurer to back
the remaining percentage of the loan. The mortgages will act as
collateral as well. Another requirement is that this has to be a
permanent principle residence of the person taking the loan out.
Jeffers said in a foreclosure, the city would have the option to
purchase the property. If there is a loss on the sale, this goes
against the debt service reserve fund the state has put up. When
that is depleted, it goes against the city's 10 percent. The
state's reserve fund is not restricted on a pro rata basis; it is
first come, first serve. After that money is gone, if there were
further loses in the city.'s portfolio, the loss is allocated
directly to the debt service reserve fund; it is the entire loss.
Once that is used up, the private mortgage insurer is on the hook
and makes up the deficiencies in any future disclosures. Jeffers
said the city's 10 percent debt service reserve is distinct and
separate from other participants in the program.
Jeffers said he is working with private mortgage companies to try
and put a maximum loss of 25 percent of the loan, which would be
the city's exposure on any one loan. After that the private
mortgage insurer would have to step in. Jeffers said when a bond
issue is closed and ready to allocate for mortgages, the city's 10
percent would be due, goes into the debt reserve fund. The money
earns interest, which comes back to the city on a semi-annual
basis. The rate of interest will be prevailing money market rates.
Jeffers told Council he is investigating when the debt service fund
can be freed up and come back to the municipality. It may be
either 15 years or when the aggregate loan to value ratio of the
city's pool reaches 70 percent or less. These are 30 year fixed
rate mortgages and are assumable.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februarv 25. 1991
Jeffers told Council there are 8 other municipalities and/or
counties interested in this program. Jeffers said if one does not
participate at the beginning, a municipality will either have to
wait until the shelf registration is used up or another city has
funds to give. Jeffers said he is looking for a commitment from
the city that they want to participate with an estimate on how many
dollars they may want. Jeffers said he will continue discussions
with private mortgage companies and will then come back to the city
with a final program.
Councilman Peters asked if this is a better deal than FannieMae
financing. Jeffers said it is not a better deal; however,
FannieMae will not make a loan on condominiums and townhomes with
10 percent down. Jeffers said this program would be accessing a
market that FannieMae does not want to make loans f.or. Jeffers
said in the event of foreclosure, the city will have the option of
either buying the unit for the mortgage amount or if the city still
has money left in the debt service reserve fund which can cover
the loss that may occur on the sale, they can pay for it from the
debt reserve fund or the state's debt reserve fund.
Mayor Stirling moved to have Kirchner Moore make a presentation to
the housing authority and have the housing authority evaluate this
and make a recommendation back to Council; seconded by Councilman
Peters.
Councilman Tuite suggested if the city is putting up the down
payment money, the city also ought to be able to reap in some of
the profits.
All in favor, motion carried.
BOARDS AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
Council scheduled interviews for the housing authority board March
6 at 5 p.m. Council put off appointments until March 11th.
CITY HOLIDAYS
Councilman Gassman moved to accept Carol O'Dowd, city manager,
recommendation; seconded by Councilman Peters.
Councilman Gassman asked what the two extra holidays would be.
Carol O'Dowd, city manager, said after Council makes a decision
about these two days, she will coordinate this with the school
district and balance them out with the other holidays. Councilman
Tuite agreed with adding Martin Luther King day as a holiday and
agreed with having Columbus and Presidents days as closed holidays.
Councilman Tuite said he has a problem adding two more holidays as
they would not be on days when other government services are
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
-- closed. Councilman Tuite said he would support one additional
holiday but not two. Mayor Stirling said he is concerned about
closing for extra holidays. Councilwoman Pendleton said she only
supports holidays when everything else is closed. Councilman
Peters said the real issue is employee morale. Mayor Stirling said
having city hall open is a good service
Councilmembers Peters and Gassman in favor; everyone else opposed.
Motion NOT carried.
Councilman Tuite moved to approve the addition of Martin Luther
King Day; deleting Columbus and Presidents day from vacation hours
and having them as holidays; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Gassman and Mayor
Stirling. Motion carried.
LIBRARY REQUEST RE: EMPLOYEE HOUSING MITIGATION
Mayor Stirling said there is a letter from the County Commissioners
asking for Council's support to handle this housing by the county
in some future housing project to be developed by the county.
Councilman Peters said this is all right as long as they do not use
deed restricted property the city is giving title for, the Smuggler
Mountain apartments.
Chuck Vidal, Library Board, told Council in trying to sell the old
library, they have proposals with and without the housing taken
care of. There is a significant discount without the housing being
resolved.
Amy Margerum, planning director, reminded Council it was a
condition of the rezoning of that parcel from public to office that
the housing mitigation would be taken care of. Ms. Margerum said
it is the city's concern that the housing is mitigated. Ms.
Margerum said it is at the Council's discretion whether or not to
approve a housing project when the project comes before Council .
Ms. Margerum said this request is not consistent with the housing
production plan. Housing built with county bond money is to make
up a deficit, not to pay for new development. The housing
production plan will have to be revised to reflect this.
Mayor Stirling said this is a way for the county to shift finances
around. Vidal said if this request is not supported, the library
will be sold for $750,000 rather than $1,100,000. Councilman
Peters said the city cannot put policy restraints on the county.
Councilman Tuite said he would rather see the county raise the
difference for the library and not take it out of the housing
program. Councilman Tuite said he would rather not see this
borrowing one fund from another.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 25, 1991
Councilman Gassman agreed this is conjecture. The Council cannot
decide without having a proposal in front of them. Councilman
Peters said it does not make sense to try and defeat a policy
prerogative of the county. Ms. Margerum said the city generally
does not make decision on accepting housing mitigation without
having an application and reviewing it. The Council's authority
is in whether or not the housing is being mitigated, not neces-
sarily how it is done.
Mayor Stirling moved that Council on February 25, 1991, accept a
county-involved housing mitigation for any development proposal of
the library site in the future; seconded by Councilman Peters.
Councilman Gassman said this is predetermining the outcome of an
application that Council has not seen.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Tuite and
Gassman. Motion carried.
Council adjourned into an executive session at 8:47 p.m. John
Colson, Aspen Times, objected to the executive session as not being
necessary and being a disservice to the public.
Council adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
,~ "` _ ,~
Kathryn S.~f och, City Clerk
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