HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19910722
Rec,~ular Meetinq Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
PROCLAMATION - Joseph Brodsky 1
CITIZEN COMMENTS 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 1
CONSENT CALENDAR 3
LIQUOR LICENSE HEARING - Downtown Sports Center 3
HOTEL JEROME LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER; EAGLES CLUB SPECIAL
EVENT PERMIT 3
ORDINANCE #18, SERIES OF 199 1 - Institutional Controls
Smuggler Superfund Site 3
ORDINANCE #20, SERIES OF 1991 - Messiah Lutheran Church 4
ORDINANCE #22, SERIES OF 1991 - Code Amendment Square Foot-
5
age
ORDINANCE #23, SERIES OF 1991 - Pitkin County Bank Vested
Rights 6
ORDINANCE #24, SERIES OF 1991 - Newspaper Racks 6
ORDINANCE #27. SERIES OF 1991 - West Hopkins AH Rezoning 7
ORDINANCE #28, SERIES OF 1991 - PUD Amendment Clarendon 7
RIO GRANDE CONCEPTUAL SPA 8
RFTA/SKI CO SKIER SHUTTLE 11
ORDINANCE #29, SERIES OF 1991 - Appropriations 12
BUDGET POLICIES 14
ORDINANCE #31, SERIES OF 1991 - Amending Fire Code 14
REQUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT PIONEE R PARK 15
ORDINANCE #33, SERIES OF 1991 - Eastwood Road Public ROW
Dedication 15
BURNT MOUNTAIN PROPOSAL 16
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Regular Meetin Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
Mayor Bennett called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with
Councilmembers Peters, Reno, Pendleton and Richards present.
PROCLAMATION - Joseph Brodsky
Mayor Bennett and Council proclaimed July 27 as Joseph Brodsky day
to honor the Poet Laureate of the United State. Mayor Bennett said
he will present this to Brodsky at a reception July 27th.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
1. Jody Ensign, representing the Aspen Youth Center, requested
they be able to place at sign at both entrances to the Youth Center
for their fund raising efforts. Ms. Ensign said this will be a 4
by 8 foot sign, Yes to Youth, with a thermometer to indicate their
goal and how much has been raised. Councilman Peters said he would
not object as long as this is temporary. Amy Margerum, planning
director told Council this does not comply with the city's sign
code; however, if it is temporary and does have Council's permis-
sion, it will be all right.
2. Tom Osborne, representing RT Gallery and Tom's Ice Cream,
requested a mall lease for his establishment be added to the
consent agenda. Osborne told Council he met with the CCLC who
reviewed and approved the request. This is on the Mill street mall
and last year was leased to Levi's Lickety Split.
Councilman Peters moved to suspend the rules and add this item to
the consent agenda; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All in
favor, motion carried.
3. Si Coleman asked what Resolution #29 addresses. Mayor Bennett
said this formalizes Council's discussion at a work session on the
pier design for the Maroon Creek Bridge.
4. Katie MacMahon requested Ordinance #17, 1991, Tagert Lot Split
Amendment, be tabled unit the next regular meeting. Ms. MacMahon
said they are still working out issues with the adjacent property
owners.
Councilman Peters moved to table Ordinance #17, Series of 1991, to
August 12; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion
carried.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Councilwoman Richards complimented staff and getting a
temporary bus station at Iselin. It is a nice effort and is being
used.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
2. Councilwoman Richards said she has noticed the tree planting
at Rubey park. Councilwoman Richards requested staff double check
the irrigation to make sure the trees are being watered. Council-
woman Richards suggested tree grates around the trees at Rubey
park.
3. Councilwoman Richards asked about thistle control on city
property. Carol O'Dowd, city manager, said there is an existing
agreement with the county for them to take care of this thistles on
city property.
4. Councilman Peters extended his thanks to the County Commis-
sioners for rescinding the institutional controls for the superfund
site.
5. Councilman Peters said Council earlier made appointments to
the Roaring Fork Trails task force. Council requested time to talk
to these people as well as the train task force members. Council
scheduled this for August 5 at 4:30 before their work session.
6. Councilman Peters said after the joint meeting with the
Commissioners and housing authority on the development of the 1991-
92 projects, one issue left standing was how much to spend and what
to allocate through year end. Staff forwarded to Council a balance
on the HRETT and .45 sales tax. Councilman Peters requested that
report be sent monthly to Council and to the housing office.
7. Carol O'Dowd, city manager, told Council she has talked to
representatives of the EPA. In light of the county's action, the
EPA is rethinking their position and would like time on Council's
August 12th agenda to respond to requests to participate in a blood
lead level study.
8. Carol O'Dowd, city manager, announced the CCLC will have a
public meeting August 21st at 9 a.m. on delivery vehicles in Aspen
and trucks in the mall. Councilwoman Richards requested there be
plenty of public notice about this meeting.
9. Carol O'Dowd, city manager, told Council staff is working on
park improvement proposals. One is to develop a fishing pond at
Jenny Adair park. This is currently used by the streets crew.
Staff will report back. Other proposals are for improvements to
Patsy Newbury park.
10. Carol O'Dowd, city manager, requested Council add to the
RFTA/Ski Company discussion regarding the skier shuttle a resolu-
tion scheduling a special election September 24th on an excise tax.
2
~-- Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilwoman Richards moved to adopt the consent calendar as
amended; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. The consent calendar
is: A. Electric System Equipment Purchase
B. Request for funds - Transportation Symposium
C. Resolution #27, 1991 - Indemnification for Sandy Stuller
and city staff
D. Agreement for Godfrey Easement and Aspen Highlands Ski
Co.
E. Resolution 29, 1991 - Establishing pier design guidelines
for Maroon Creek Bridge
F. Minutes - July 1, 15, 1991
G. Mall Lease - Tom's Ice Cream
All in favor, motion carried.
LI UOR LICENSE HEARING - Downtown Sports Center
Mayor Bennett said this is a request from Molly and Terry Swanton
for a tavern license at 209 South Galena. City Clerk Kathryn Koch
reported the file, posting and publication to be in order. Molly
Swanton told Council this establishment has had a liquor license
since before 1969. The Swantons have owned it since 1987 and have
had a hotel and restaurant liquor license. Due to the food
requirements, they are applying for a tavern license.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved that based on the evidence presented
at the public hearing held July 22, 1991, relating to the applica-
tion Terry and Molly Swanton for a tavern license the Liquor
License Authority finds that the needs of the community have not
been met and the license as applied for is hereby granted; seconded
by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
HOTEL JEROME LI UOR LICENSE TRANSFER; EAGLES CLUB SPECIAL EVENT
PERMIT
Councilman Peters moved to approve the liquor license transfer for
the hotel Jerome and the special event permit for the Eagle's Club;
seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #18, SERIES OF 1991 - Institutional Controls Smuggler
Superfund Site
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_-- Reqular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
Councilwoman Richards moved to table Ordinance #18, Series of 1991,
to August 12; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All in favor,
motion carried.
ORDINANCE #20, SERIES OF 1991 - Messiah Lutheran Church
(Councilman Reno left the room due to a conflict of interest) . Kim
Johnson, planning office, reminded Council at their last meeting
there was some concern about the deed restriction category for the
housing unit. Staff, P & Z and the housing authority recommended
this unit be deed restricted to level 3, which is moderate income.
Council discussed lowering this to category #2. Ms. Johnson
pointed out this is a voluntary unit and is restricted to produce
less income than that allowed because of the size of the unit. The
Church will be lessening their income, even at category 3.
Sunny Vann, representing the applicant, told Council Pitkin County
Bank received a growth management allocation this year. As a
result of this they have to house 3 or 4 employees. The applicant
proposed to pay cash-in-lieu; the then-Council requested they try
and find housing rather than pay cash. The Bank made an arrange-
ment with the Messiah Lutheran Church where the Bank would assist
in building a parsonage. The size of the structure the Church
needed exceeds the size the Bank needed to produce in order to get
credit for their affordable housing. The Bank agreed to assist in
building a 1400 square foot unit in exchange for deed restricting
this to category #3. The maximum size unit in category 3 is 1200
square feet. The Church will have to pay to build about 200 square
feet in which they cannot capture any costs.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Richards asked the rental per square foot on category
3. Vann said it is $1.03/square feet for category 3 with a maximum
size of 1200 square; category 2 is $.83 with a maximum size of 1100
square feet. The difference is $913 for a 1430 square foot 3
bedroom unit and $1230 for a 1400 square foot unit. This only
applies if a minister does not use it. Councilwoman Richards said
because the applicant is building a larger unit, they are asking
for a higher category than that needed to supplement the existing
housing. Councilwoman Richards said this is over $400 per bedroom,
and, if this is not rented to the minister, is a fairly substantial
rent. Vann said there is a demonstrated need for housing through-
out all the categories. Councilwoman Richards said this is an
application for a GMQS and there should be some give on behalf of
the developer of the unit. Vann pointed out an affordable housing
unit is exempt from competition. Vann said the only thing the
applicant is asking is to exceed the size of the unit, which is
permitted as long as rent is not charged for the extra size.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
Councilman Peters supported reducing the income guideline to 2.
Councilman Peters said Council has already given in on the use of
the unit by the minister who probably exceeds the income guidelines
and who community would not be housing. Councilman Peters said the
more lower income units the community can get, the better off the
community at large is. Vann told Council the Church is concerned
about the cost of construction and requested the applicants be
allowed to reduce the size of the unit to the maximum in category
2 if the numbers do not work. Councilman Peters said that is fine
as long as the number of people housed does not decrease. Vann
said that number cannot be changed because that is what satisfied
the growth management application.
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #20, Series of 1991, on
second reading including all conditions in Section 2 with the
modifications that condition #1 change from category 3 to category
2 and insert the additional language that allows the Lutheran
Church to reduce the size of the unit to the maximum sized allowed
in category 2; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Pendleton, yes; Richards, yes; Peters, yes; Mayor
Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #22, SERIES OF 1991 - Code Amendment Square Footage
Leslie Lamont, planning office, told Council this is a proposed
amendment to Section 5-504 of the land use code. This section
limits the size of individual businesses in the CC, C-1 and S/C/I
zone districts, to a gross floor area. The term gross floor area
is not used anywhere else in the land use code. Ms. Lamont told
Council dimensional requirements, FAR, height, site coverage, are
used to limit bulk and mass of buildings. Net leasable is used in
mitigation, employee housing, parking, reduction of open space and
trash service area. Ms. Lamont told Council this amendment changed
"gross floor area" to "net leasable commercial and office space".
This code amendment was initiated by Pitkin County Bank who
competed in the 1990 growth management and received a net leasable
allocation for square footage. When the applicant went to apply
this to their building, they realized they were over in their gross
floor area. Pitkin County Bank could add on what they gained in
GMP but would have to rent a percentage of that space to another
business because they are over in their gross floor area. Ms.
Lamont said this code amendment may allow some businesses to grow
bigger in size; however, staff feels that the city has dimensional
requirements and net leasable which insures there will be mitiga-
tion for certain impacts.
Sunny Vann, representing the Pitkin County Bank, told Council the
Bank competed for the square footage, has mitigated all impacts,
and the building is under the allowable FAR. Because of the term
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- Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
"gross floor area" , the Bank cannot occupy the space for which they
have competed. The Bank can lease this space to someone else and
go next door and rent space for themselves but cannot occupy the
space they have. Vann said if this code amendment is adopted, the
terminology would be consistent throughout the code. Floor area
will govern the size of buildings. Vann said if the intent is to
compare relative size of businesses, net leasable is the best way
to do this.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing.
Ms. Lamont reminded Council this code amendment only affects the
CC, C-1 and S/C/I. Ms. Lamont said there is still a limit in this
section of the code. Councilman Peters said this will be a
significant change in how big businesses can be. Councilman Peters
said he is willing to support this but would like the planning
office to take another look at net leasable square footage. Ms.
Margerum said this provision was getting at use by one business.
This should not encourage more growth.
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #22, Series of 1991, on
second reading; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. Roll call
vote; Councilmembers Richards, yes; Peters, yes; Pendleton, yes;
Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #23, SERIES OF 1991 - Pitkin County Bank Vested Rights
Kim Johnson, planning office, told Council this establishes vested
rights for the Bank's land use approvals granted by Council in
December 1990. The land use code allows for an approval to remain
valid for a period of 18 months; with a vested rights ordinance
this period of time could be extended to 3 years.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Richards moved to adopt Ordinance #23, Series of 1991,
on second reading; seconded by Councilman Peters; Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Richards, yes; Peters, yes; Pendleton, yes; Mayor
Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #24, SERIES OF 1991 - Newspaper Racks
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to continue this ordinance to October
28, 1991; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion
carried.
Councilwoman Richards said she would like to have some progress
reports on this item during the next 90 days.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
ORDINANCE #27, SERIES OF 1991 - West Hopkins AH Rezoning
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to table this to August 12, 1991;
seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #28, SERIES OF 1991 - PUD Amendment Clarendon
Leslie Lamont, planning office, reminded Council at first reading
they wanted to know whether the Clarendon was a non-conforming use.
The underlying zoning is R-6 mandatory PUD. Multi-family is not a
permitted use in the R-6 zone. The non-conforming section of the
code prohibits extensions to a non-conforming use. Ms. Lamont told
Council she has reviewed the history of the Clarendon. The
Clarendon was originally approved September 1975. Because they did
not file their plat, in January 1976 they got a re-approval for 15
units; 9 two-bedrooms and 6 three-bedrooms. In 1974, Ordinance #13
zoned this parcel R-6 mandatory PUD. The PUD language at the time
of the Clarendon's approval allowed the development to "consist of
individual lots and/or have common recreation open space surround-
ing clustered buildings". In addition, the code also stated that
a final PUD development plan "binds the real property to those
conditions listed by the final development plan and rezones such a
property as stated in the final development plan". Ms. Lamont said
the current PUD language does not allow clustering. The code does
require, "maximum density shall be no greater than that permitted
in the underlying zone district". Ms. Lamont said the original
approval for the Clarendons was a conforming use and recordation of
the final development plan constituted a rezoning and the develop-
ment regulations for that property. The Clarendon is proposing to
add floor area but no more units, to add one bedroom each to the 5
two-bedroom units and living room space. The total square footage
requested is 6, 715 square feet. The allowable floor area in the R-
6 zone is 32,109 square feet; the proposed FAR with the additions
would be 31,073 square feet.
Ms. Lamont said mandatory PUD allows staff to review parking. The
Clarendon proposes adding 1 more parking space which will give them
2 spaces per unit. The R-6 zone requires one space per bedroom;
however, the PUD language in the codes gives the ability to require
parking and reduce it. The Clarendon provides a manager operated
shuttle. They have a pass system; one pass per car per homeowner
with the second pass to be used for guests. Given the Clarendon's
proximity to the lifts and to downtown, staff is recommending the
parking requirement be reduced to two spaces per unit for a total
of 30 spaces on site.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing.
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-- Regular Meetinct Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
Councilwoman Richards asked about waiving the need for additional
parking spaces and in 5 years the pass system falls apart and the
shuttle system is not running. What is the city's ability to
review the parking situation. Ms. Lamont told Council P & Z had
similar concerns. With this PUD amendment, the applicant is
required to submit a plan showing the site changes. They also have
to amend the PUD agreement. They are going to reflect the language
about the pass system and the shuttle in the PUD agreement. The
agreement cannot be changed by the homeowners. Councilwoman
Richards asked if there is any employee mitigation that goes along
with these extra bedrooms. Ms. Lamont said residential growth
management is based on the number of units, not bedrooms. If the
Clarendon wanted to add more units, they would have to go through
growth management. Councilman Peters asked if Council could
require a parking-in-lieu fee to be waived pursuant to the policies
that have been implemented by the condominium association and the
city could go back in the future if these policies are not in
place. Amy Margerum, planning director, pointed out it is a
condition of this approval and is in the ordinance that the
Clarendon has to have a shuttle system. If the Clarendon ceases to
use that system and there is a parking problem in the neighborhood,
the city has the ability to go back in and either require the
shuttle service, add more parking, or have the Clarendon pay the
fees. Councilwoman Richards suggested spelling out these alterna-
tives in the ordinance. Ms. Margerum said this language could be
in the PUD agreement rather than the ordinance.
Councilwoman Richards moved to adopt Ordinance #28, Series of 1991,
on second reading; seconded by Councilman Peters. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Reno, yes; Peters, yes; Richards, yes; Pendleton,
yes; Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
RIO GRANDE CONCEPTUAL SPA
Leslie Lamont, planning office, told Council this is two step
process, and this is the public hearing of the conceptual review
for all 3 applicants. The SPA review is a 4-step process;
conceptual, P & Z Council and Final P & Z and Council. Ms. Lamont
recommended Council look at every applicant conceptually. When
each individual applicant is ready for final, they will submit
their own application in their own time frame. Ms. Lamont said
there are proposals from the art park, theatre company; the trolley
car barn; and the snowmelt facility. The public works department
would like to set up a work session with Council to go over the
snowmelter, alternative locations, and all materials that has been
gathered to this point.
Ms. Lamont showed Council a plan of the area containing the
library, park, youth center, site 1 old impound lot which is
currently the recycling facility and is currently the proposal for
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Regular Meeting ___ __ Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
the trolley car bar; site 2 is where the snow melter and snow dump
are located; site 3 containing the art park and the existing
temporary theatre tent. Ms. Lamont told Council in 1988 a
conceptual SPA review was conducted for the entire Rio Grande site.
This focused on the library, parking garage and youth center.
The trolley applicants are proposing a 7,000 square foot car barn
with the ability to build 5700 square feet of employee housing on
the second floor. The trolley applicants are not proposing the
housing but are saying they will build a building that can hold
housing on the second floor. Ms. Lamont pointed out this is
currently the recycling facility; staff and P & Z recommend that
future plans for the car barn need to incorporate recycling. The
trolley proposes to circle the Rio Grande ball field with tracks,
poles and wires in order to have a continuous loop with stops by
the art park and Mill street and up between the jail and youth
center. Staff recommends circling the field be eliminated. The
route and trolley system will be looked at in the final SPA
application. Threshold issue for the trolley is whether a car barn
is an appropriate land use for this site. Council has the ability
to grant a GMP exemption for essential public services; however,
Council does not have the ability to negate employee mitigation in
a GMP exemption. P & Z recommended approval of the car barn and
that the trolley applicants continue to work with the recycling
group.
The art park and theatre propose a 5 year improvement plan with
gazebo, riverfront enhancement with bridges over to the island, and
a 6400 square foot theatre with 200 seats. They are proposing 4400
square feet of affordable housing within the theatre building. The
applicants are asking for temporary approval to expand the existing
tent to 60 by 80 feet and to build a 250 square foot storage shed
on site and 2 composting toilets on site. The threshold issues for
the theatre are is this an appropriate site for a permanent theatre
building; does the community need another theatre building in town;
is their method of employee housing mitigation appropriate. P & Z
recommended approval of the theatre but not the employee housing
located on site.
Ms. Lamont told Council there is one snow melter and a 1, 000 square
feet pit; a pond and sand filter for water treatment, which is
about 1/4 acre and a snow storage area which is about 5/8 acre.
The P & Z recommended to deny the continued use of the snow melter
facility and to remove it by the 1991-92 season. Staff recommends
a work session on the analysis by public works department on the
snow melt. Staff is concerned about denial of a use where there is
not an alternative location.
Harry Teague, representing the art park, showed slides of the art
park, the theatre, surrounding area, 1988 conceptual Rio Grande
9
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
plan. Jon Busch, representing the trolley car barn, showed slides
of trolleys, their operations, trolleys and pedestrians together.
Carol O'Dowd, city manager, told Council the snow melt facility is
an essential public service. Staff would like to meet with Council
in a work session to go over alternatives. Council scheduled a
work session August 14th at 5 p.m. to go over all aspects of this
SPA.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing.
Mead Metcalf told Council he has been a trolley supporter from the
beginning. Metcalf said he feels this will be an asset to the
community and will be well received. Ramona Markalunas, on behalf
of the Western Slope Railroad, entered a letter into the record in
support of the trolley. Ms. Markalunas asked if the theatre group
has had soils tests done on the property; what is the water level.
This fill land was put there in the last 20 years, and is that land
actually buildable. Ms. Markalunas said beside the Wheeler Opera
House, the Aspen schools now have a 500 seat theatre and the city
has recently approved a 500 seat facility near the music tent. Ms.
Markalunas said people who worked on the greenway plan in the early
70s had the concept that the river would always be a people place.
Bob Grueter said people to do not like ride buses because they do
not know where they are going to go. People like to ride trolleys.
Camilla Sparlin supports the trolleys as an integral portion of
mass transit in the valley. Jim Markalunas, trolley supporter,
suggested Council reconsider the restoration of hydroelectric power
for Aspen. This could be used to power the trolleys. Don Swales
supports the trolleys and agrees with using hydroelectric to secure
the city's water rights and to provide power. Marvin Jordan
supports the trolley and told Council citizens have been promised
a cross town shuttle since the parking garage was in the conceptual
stage. This should be implemented with a trolley. Person said he
is a trolley supporter; he questioned the need for another
performing arts theatre in the community.
Councilman Peters moved to continue the public hearing to August
26th; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton.
Councilman Peters suggested a copy of the SPA application be at the
library. This should be included in the notice. Councilwoman
Richards asked if the theatre company is planning on raising their
own funds. Teague said the funds will be raised privately. Teague
said the need for a theatre is well established. Councilwoman
Pendleton asked for some information and history of the greenway
plan.
Ms . Lamont said the issues for the art park and theatre are the
employee housing on the site. Is a permanent building an appropri-
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-- Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
ate land use for this use. The theatre company needs Council to
either approval or disapprove temporary expansion of the tent and
storage facility. P & Z made a condition of approval that the
applicant has to be very clear of their funding source and its
longevity. For the trolley, the review is to get the conceptual
idea of a trolley system up for discussion; should this be
discussed; is this an appropriate use for this site. The site is
unique as there are a couple of route alternatives off this site.
Councilwoman Pendleton agreed the idea of a trolley system should
not wait to final review. Susie Langenkamp said the employee
housing for the theatre will actually be "artist accommodation".
The theatre does not have employees but needs temporary housing.
All in favor, motion carried.
RFTAjSKI CO SKIER SHUTTLE
Carol O'Dowd, city manager, told Council city staff, Ski Company,
RFTA and Town of Snowmass Village held a meeting today. Snowmass
Village Board is reviewing the excise tax issue at their meeting.
Ms. O'Dowd presented Council a resolution calling for a special
election. There is also a request for a work session with RFTA to
discuss the costs for a skier's shuttle, costs for an expanded
shuttle. Ms. O'Dowd said staff needs to review with Council the
language of the ballot question, distribution of the use of the
funds by the cities, a common ballot and ordinances, and to look at
other financing options and strategies. Council scheduled a work
session July 24 at 5 p.m. in Snowmass.
Councilwoman Richards said she is concerned about coordinating with
the county if they are going to impose an impact fee. If Council
schedules an election, is this pushing the county. Caswall
suggested if Council is concerned, they can table the scheduling of
the election until they have met with the county. Caswall pointed
out the city has to schedule 60 days ahead so they have to move
before the county or Snowmass Village, who only have to give 30
days notice. Councilman Reno asked if the excise tax raises
necessary funds for RFTA to get the skiers shuttle activated or can
this wait two weeks to find out what Snowmass is going to do.
Councilwoman Pendleton said this election can be scheduled and then
either postponed or canceled. Councilwoman Richards asked if other
ballot issues can be added to this election. Caswall said if they
are defined and written within the next 30 days.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to adopt Resolution #30, Series of
1991, calling a special municipal election for September 24;
seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
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- Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
Councilman Peters moved to direct the city manager to contact the
Town of Snowmass Village regarding this action; seconded by
Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #29, SERIES OF 1991 - Appropriations
Dallas Everhart, budget director, pointed out this appropriation
ordinance reallocates the pay for performance raises, which are
included in the initial budget approved by Council. Everhart said
$152,000 was budgeted; this ordinance reallocates $137,900.
Everhart said there is also a general fund transfer of $150,000 to
the city hall capital improvement fund. This relates back to 1990
budget savings, not change in fund balance. Everhart told Council
the staff has already appropriated $150,000 which went into a fund
within the general fund that can be spent in 1991 for making
improvements. The second $150,000 is a transfer to the capital
fund; it is not for safety improvements.
Councilman Peters said this is a total of budget savings for
$300,000 from 1990. Councilman Peters asked what the difference
between savings and carry forward is. Everhart explained that
carry forward is a budget brought forward from one year to another
for a project that was not completed in that calendar year.
Everhart said this is for specific projects or purchase orders.
Councilwoman Richards asked if savings are at the expense of
personnel, like raises or bonuses. Everhart said no, and the
reason there are savings is because of the budget controls. Carol
O' Dowd, city manager, told Council the city' s budget is a conserva-
tion one, that every position will be filled, every supply used,
and everyone will get a raise. As a result, every year there is a
savings. Everhart said with a $9 million budget, there was a
$300,000 savings. Mayor Bennett said he would like to encourage
savings in departments, like utilities phone use and supplies.
Councilman Peters said this adds up to $300,000 being appropriated
without seeking the opinions and consent of this Council.
Councilman Peters said the budget savings are commendable; however,
Council should look at range of places budget savings may be spent .
There are a lot of interests for this money. Councilman Peters
said he was not elected to turn this choice over to staff.
Everhart pointed out this ordinance transfers the money to the
capital improvement fund; there is no appropriation to spend it.
Everhart said this ordinance can be amended before second reading.
Councilwoman Pendleton asked about the expenses in the housing/day
care fund. Everhart said when Council approved the housing
authority's budget, there were certain revenues and expenses
related to the authority. This ordinance matches the city's
housing/day care fund expenditures to that approved in the
authority's budget. Councilman Reno pointed out his firm has had
12
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
an involvement with city hall and asked if his participation in
this discussion is a conflict of interest. Jed Caswall, city
attorney, suggested Reno abstain. Council said they would like to
hear Reno's comments. Councilman Reno agreed with Councilman
Peters; that Council needs to decide where the "savings" are to be
spent.
Mayor Bennett said he would like to know which departments saved
this money; what were they thinking; how much is really a savings.
Everhart said 60 percent of the city's budget is personnel.
Because of turn over, there will always be savings. Councilwoman
Pendleton said her perception, when Council voted not to use the
land fund for city hall, was to use savings in the general fund and
to earmark these for city hall renovation. Councilwoman Pendleton
said the city hall fund has to be built up in order to get anything
done with city hall. Councilman Peters agreed the effort was to
save a little money here and there from each department; since then
this fund has fluctuated up to $500,000 and down to $300,000.
Councilman Peters said he is concerned that the amounts are so
significant.
Councilwoman Richards moved to suspend the rules and extend the
meeting for 30 minutes; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All in
favor, motion carried.
Everhart said the $150, 000 can sit in the general fund until budget
time and the ordinance will be reflected to show that by second
reading.
Councilman Peters moved to read Ordinance #29, Series of 1991;
seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #29
(Series of 1991)
AN ORDINANCE RECOGNIZING GENERAL FUND REVENUES OF
$15,600; APPROPRIATING GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES OF
$43,600; RECLASSIFYING PREVIOUSLY APPROVED EXPENDITURES
WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND OF $140,950; TRANSFERRING
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES OF $1,000
TO THE WHEELER TRANSFER TAX FUND; TRANSFERRING $150,000
FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE CITY HALL CAPITAL IMPROVE-
MENT FUND; APPROPRIATING TRANSPORTATION FUND EXPENDITURES
OF $8,950; APPROPRIATING WHEELER TRANSFER TAX FUND
EXPENDITURES OF $11,000; RECOGNIZING ASSET REPLACEMENT
FUND REVENUES OF $2,300; APPROPRIATING ASSET REPLACEMENT
FUND EXPENDITURES OF $2,300; RECOGNIZING HOUSING DAYCARE
FUND REVENUES OF $104,000; APPROPRIATING HOUSING DAYCARE
FUND EXPENDITURES OF $327,532; APPROPRIATING WATER FUND
EXPENSES OF $33,000; RECOGNIZING GOLF COURSE FUND
13
- Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
REVENUES OF $5,000; APPROPRIATING GOLF COURSE FUND
EXPENSES OF $5,000; RECOGNIZING ICE GARDEN FUND REVENUES
OF $17,000; APPROPRIATING ICE GARDEN FUND EXPENSES OF
$8,200; APPROPRIATING TRUSCOTT PLACE HOUSING FUND
EXPENSES OF $122,300 was read by the city clerk
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #29, Series of 1991, to
be amended on second reading as discussed; seconded by Councilwoman
Pendleton. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Reno, abstain; Peters,
yes; Richards, yes; Pendleton, yes; Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion
carried.
Councilman Peters said he does not feel Reno has a conflict on
budgetary matters. Mayor Bennett agreed.
BUDGET POLICIES
Dallas Everhart, budget director, presented a budget hearing
schedule to Council for their adoption. Schedule B starts October
8, is more condensed, fewer hours overall with longer meetings.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to approve scheduled B; seconded by
Councilman Peters.
Councilwoman Richards said she would like Council to have the
opportunity to have discussions with departments on new projects
Council would like to see them budget, for instance the city having
their own striping program. Carol O'Dowd, city manager, said staff
can get the budget workbook out to Council earlier and Council can
ask for any projects that are not in there. Councilwoman Richards
suggested staff include any items that have been discussed in the
past but that there has not been funds to do . Ms . O' Dowd suggested
staff hold an information work session on the budget process,
issues that were reviewed last year.
All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #31, SERIES OF 1991 - Amending Fire Code
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to read Ordinance #31, Series of 1991;
seconded by Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #31
(Series of 1991)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 9-3 OF CHAPTER 9 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, SUCH
SECTION ADOPTING AND AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
UNIFORM FIRE CODE, 1988 EDITION was read by the city
clerk
14
Reaular Meetinct Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
Ed VanWalraven, fire department, told Council this amendment is any
house built over 5, 000 square feet, 5 minutes from the fire station
or geographically undesirable shall have an approved, listed
residential fire sprinkler system installed. Mayor Bennett asked
what this will add to the cost of a house. VanWalraven said $.75
to $1.50 per square foot depending on how elaborate it is.
Councilman Reno said he is concerned about the 5 minute rule and
would feel more comfortable with a geographic vicinity map.
Councilman Reno asked if this is just single family. VanWalraven
said it is any structure. Councilman Reno pointed out this
amendment will add costs to employee housing. Councilman Peters
said not a lot of these will fall within the city limits; however,
there are benefits in having the city and county codes similar.
Councilman Peters agreed on the geographic area; who is going to
decide, what are the standards, etc. VanWalraven said insurance
companies are giving credits for sprinkled buildings.
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #31, Series of 1991, on
first reading; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Richards, yes; Reno, yes; Pendleton, yes; Peters,
yes; Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
Councilman Peters moved to suspend the rules and extend the meeting
for 15 more minutes; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. All in
favor, motion carried.
REQUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT PIONEER PARK
Bob Gish, public works director, requested this be taken off the
agenda and put on the next consent agenda.
Councilman Reno moved to continue Pioneer Park to August 12 and
place it on the consent calendar; seconded by Councilwoman
Pendleton. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE # 3 3 , SERIES OF 1991 - Eastwood Road Public ROW Dedication
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to read Ordinance #33, Series of 1991;
seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #33
(Series of 1991)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, ACCEPTING THE CONVEYANCE AND DEDICATION OF THE
EASTWOOD ROAD AS A PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AND FOR UTILITY
EASEMENT PURPOSES was read by the city clerk
Rob Thompson, engineering department, told Council this area was
annexed recently; the road was maintained by the county as a
15
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
private road. The road needs to be a public right-of-way in order
to have the city maintain it. Thompson told Council 100 percent of
the owners have agreed.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to adopt Ordinance #33, Series of
1991, on first reading; seconded by Councilman Peters. Roll call
vote; Councilmembers Peters, yes; Pendleton, yes; Reno, yes;
Richards, yes; Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
BURNT MOUNTAIN PROPOSAL
Councilwoman Richards said the letter is good and it is appropriate
for the city to stay in touch with Snowmass Village about the Burnt
Mountain development. Councilwoman Richards said it is difficult
to evaluate the Burnt Mountain proposal without the information
that would be provided in an EIS and without understanding what is
the eventual commercial and residential buildout of East Village.
Councilwoman Pendleton said Aspen will be impacted as much as
Snowmass will be by this development. Councilwoman Pendleton asked
if there is a possibility Aspen can get involved in the planning of
this.
Amy Margerum, planning director, said the city can get involved
when the EIS comes out. The county and planning office staff have
advised Snowmass they feel this should not be reviewed conceptually
without benefit of the information that would be available in the
EIS. The Snowmass land use code allows them to proceed with
conceptual approval with very little information. The county and
Snowmass Village have come to an agreement to allow Snowmass to go
ahead conceptually but puts on record the county will participate
when they have more information. Councilwoman Pendleton asked how
the city can say they would like an EIS done during conceptual.
Ms. Margerum said the letter can state that the city understands
Snowmass's policies; however, the city is concerned that the
information is not available.
Mayor Bennett said the forest service has indicated they want to
hear the city's position. Jed Caswall, city attorney, suggested
the Council put this in their letter to Snowmass. Ms. Margerum
said the transportation will particularly affect the city of Aspen.
The application has been bifurcated; they have a gondola going to
nothing; the application includes no parking and nothing at the
base of the gondola. Ms. Margerum said the city should try and
work with Snowmass and to educate them to Aspen's concerns. Ms.
Margerum suggested a city P & Z member be appointed to attend the
Burnt Mountain meetings to ask questions and to raise the level of
awareness.
Ms. Margerum said she will add some additional statements on the
EIS process to the letter and information up grant on the cumula-
16
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 22, 1991
tive effects and the bifurcated process. Staff will also sent this
letter to Tom Hoots of the forest service. Council agreed.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to adjourn at 9:55 p.m.; seconded by
Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion carried.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
17