HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19911111Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
PRESENTATION OF BUDGET AWARD 1
CITIZEN COMMENTS 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 2
CONSENT CALENDAR 3
LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS 4
LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFERS - Grand Aspen; Szechuan; Espana 4
19 9 2 BUDGET 4
ORDINANCE #42, SERIES OF 1991 - Ute Avenue Improvement
District 4
ORDINANCE #24, SERIES OF 1991 - Newsracks 5
ORDINANCE #37, SERIES OF 1991 - Water Conservation 6
RFTA 19 91 BUDGET 7
ORDINANCE ##40, SERIES OF 1991 - 1001 Ute Avenue Lot Line
Adjustment 8
SNOW DISPOSAL 8
ADOPTION OF LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO REDUCE PM 10 11
1006 E. COOPER ENCROACHMENT - Rigsby 12
REQUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT - Haan 12
COUNTY REQUEST TO USE RIO GRANDE FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE 14
ORDINANCE #43, SERIES OF 1991 - Community Center rezoning to
Affordable Housing 14
SCHEDULE BOARD INTERVIEWS 15
KRAUT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS 15
RIO GRANDE KAYAK COURSE 16
18
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11. 1991
Mayor Bennett called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. with
Councilmembers Richards, Reno, Pendleton and Peters present.
PRESENTATION OF BUDGET AWARD
Mayor Bennett announced the city has received the Government
Finance Officers distinguished budget award for the 1991 budget
document. This is the fifth year the city has received this award.
The award shows a commitment to excellence in providing information
to citizens and other agencies regarding the city's budget. Mayor
Bennett and Council presented this award to Dallas Everhart,
finance director.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
1. Raymond Auger, business owner on Rio Grande place, reminded
Council several weeks ago he presented a petition signed by all the
people on work on that block, employees and employers, regarding
timed parking. Auger said the parking on this block is limited to
these business people. Everyone objects to the new parking
regulations, which cause divisiveness and are a parking harassment.
Auger requested direction on getting the city to remove these
restrictions.
Amy Margerum, city manager, suggested Council direct staff to put
this on their next agenda. Councilman Peters said Auger has
presented a case for the business owners not liking these restric-
tions, not whether this is a good policy or not. Councilman Peters
pointed out there is timed parking all over town; businesses do not
have guaranteed spaces in front of their stores. These are spaces
for patrons. Councilman Peters said the city should not be
providing long term parking for business owners in one area.
Councilman Peters said someone from a business in the downtown area
could come in and make the same request. Councilman Peters said
people who need to park long term have the parking garage only a
block away.
Mayor Bennett said this should be on a future agenda with a one
page memorandum from staff outlining the pros and cons and that
Auger summarize his arguments in one page. Councilwoman Richards
said parking in town is an overall plan. Addressing this one block
is very piecemeal. Councilwoman Richards said she does not like
looking at this block in isolation. Councilwoman Richards pointed
out the library and youth center are in the next block and the
parking situation in this area will change. This will be on the
November 25th agenda; in the meantime keep enforcing the parking
regulations.
2. Phoebe Ryerson said the city should very seriously question
whether the planning department knows more about private property
1
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
rights than the owners. Ms. Ryerson said the new zoning approach
in planning is antagonizing almost everyone in town. Ms. Ryerson
said the city should not be so experimental. Ms. Ryerson said
courtesy to visitors and citizens is equally important.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Councilwoman Richards said at the intersection of Cooper and
Original there is a new 4-way stop sign. Councilwoman Richards
suggested a right turn lane north onto Original rather than
parallel parking to help ease the traffic situation.
2. Councilwoman Richards announced a Burnt Mountain scoping
session to begin the process with the forest service November 21st
at 7 p . m . at the Inn at Aspen . There is a meeting November 13th at
6:30 at the Pitkin County Library meeting room with the EPA for
citizen input on how to better manage clean up sites overall. The
League of Women Voters is hosting this meeting.
3. Councilwoman Richards asked if the city is doing anything
about reapportionment. Dividing the city into 2 or 3 districts is
madness. Mayor Bennett said the county has written a letter and
suggested the city write one, also. Council agreed.
4. Councilwoman Richards brought up an issue of international
Newsweek with a cigarette advertisement on the back using the name
of Aspen, Colorado, and a gondola in the background. Councilwoman
Richards requested staff write a letter to the editor explaining
the city' s strong no smoking legislation and that the ski companies
no longer accept tobacco companies as sponsors for events on their
mountains. Council agreed.
5. Councilman Peters requested Council convene an executive
session to talk about real property acquisition. Council scheduled
a special meeting Monday, November 18th at 8 a.m.
6. Councilman Peters suggested the youth center lease just drawn
up by the attorney's office may be used as a model lease for all
non-profit leases of city property. Councilwoman Pendleton said
she is not ready to say this is the perfect lease. Councilwoman
Pendleton said each group and lease seems to have a different set
of circumstances. Mayor Bennett said having a standard, model
lease would make the city more like a landlord who does not do a
different lease for every space. Mayor Bennett suggested a one
page outline listing the essential elements of the lease; from this
Council could develop a lease they want.
7. Councilman Peters said the highway department is imposing load
limits on Maroon Creek bridge. Councilman Peters asked if the
engineering department has received information on what parameters
2
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11~ 1991
were used for this decision. Amy Margerum, city manager, said a
letter was sent requesting these parameters. Bob Mosten, depart-
ment of transportation, is coming to Aspen for a meeting next week.
Councilman Peters said he is not interested in talking about land
for the highway until the DOT responds to a request from staff.
8. Amy Margerum, city manager, requested Council add the Kraut
RFP to the agenda. Councilman Peters moved to add this as agenda
item IX(i); seconded by Councilwoman Richards. All in favor
motion carried.
9. Amy Margerum, city manager, said there was a meeting held
Friday on the red brick school. The staff would like to meet with
Council to discuss financing options. A staff member is at the
school board meeting to take notes on their action.
Councilwoman Richards brought up the noise complaint at the Tippler
and asked when the city last reviewed the noise standards. Amy
Margerum, city manager, said these have been extensively reviewed;
however, because of the type of noise problem, it takes very
sophisticated equipment to monitor the noise. Ms. Margerum pointed
out it would not be useful to amend the noise ordinance unless the
city has the equipment to enforce it. Ms. Margerum said one
solution is to examine the land use code and not allow music in
buildings that abut lodges. Councilwoman Richards said the
complainants have not gotten the benefits of discussions of the
noise complaints and what the city has done. Councilwoman Richards
said she would not like the city to just dismiss this out of hand.
Councilman Reno said during the budget process the Council has
heard how government is being leaned on to solve problems.
Councilman Reno said these people may need to work out the problem
amongst themselves and the city should not spend time and money
increasing equipment and work load. Jed Caswall, city attorney,
said the complaining party can take this to civil court. Caswall
pointed out a lot of noise complaints are at 2 a.m. when bars are
closing and people are being noisy in the streets. Caswall said
the police department already checks out these areas. Mayor
Bennett requested a memorandum from staff what has been done on the
Tippler, what the noise standards are, responses to the neighbors
and any possible remedies. Councilwoman Pendleton said she would
prefer not to have the city involved in this.
10. Mayor Bennett asked how many parking spaces will be lost at
Original and Cooper and a result of changing the parking to
parallel. Jim Gibbard, engineering department, said no more than
two spaces.
Council agreed to discuss the red brick school at lunch Monday,
November 18th.
3
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilman Reno moved to approve the consent calendar; seconded by
Councilman Peters. The consent calendar is:
A. Minutes - October 15, 28, 1991
B. Resolution #44, 1991 - Designated Emergency Response
C. Youth Center Lease
D. Dooger Digging Equipment Lease
A11 in favor, motion carried.
LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS
Councilman Peters moved to approve the liquor license renewals for
Wienerstube; Grog Shop; Guido's; Ute City Banque; seconded by
Councilwoman Pendleton. All in favor, motion carried.
LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFERS - Grand Aspen; Szechuan; Espana
Councilman Peters moved to approve the liquor license transfer of
the Grand Aspen to Sage Aspen Inc., Szechuan to Kenichi of Aspen,
Inc. and Espana to Su Casa Inc; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton.
All in favor, motion carried.
1992 BUDGET
Dallas Everhart, finance director, pointed out through November 5,
Council has spent 49 hours in budget work session. This week
Council will have meetings Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Everhart
said the revenues from highway users tax funds and county road and
bridge funds will be used for street maintenance. The park
dedication fees will be used for capital requests in the parks and
open space funds . The parking impact fees will be used for parking
garage operations. The housing payment in lieu fees will be
brought to Council for approval. The current budget deficit is
$183,000.
Mayor Bennett opened the continued public hearing and continued it
to November 25, 1991.
Councilman Peters said the Aspen air show requested $10, 000 and was
funded nothing. Councilman Peters requested Council consider
funding them $2,000, the difference in grants and targets for
grants. Mayor Bennett said Grassroots should be addressed.
Councilwoman Richards said Jazz Aspen requested money and received
none. Jazz Aspen is a weekend event that brings in revenues.
Council decided to discuss this at the next open items meeting.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to continue the budget to November 25,
1991; seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
4
Reaular Meetina Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
ORDINANCE #42, SERIES OF 1991 - Ute Avenue Improvement District
Cindy Wilson, assistant city manager, said Council can pursue the
project and get started with engineering design or wait and have
this prioritized by the citizens' capital committee. It will be
tight to meet a construction schedule if this is put off for a
month. Councilwoman Pendleton said Council has appointed a
committee and she is opposed to approving any capital improvement
item without a recommendation from this group.
Councilman Peters said a citizens committee has been active on this
project for a long time and are willing to put up a lot of money
for this project. The city will get major street improvements
leveraged from other people's money. Bob Daniels, engineer, told
Council the sooner this can go to bid, the better prices they will
be able to get; however, they had not anticipated bidding this
until March 1st and could wait for a decision until December 1.
Councilwoman Richards said the pedestrian trails and bikeway plan
made this one of their top recommendations. Councilwoman Pendleton
said the point of the capital projects committee is to review
everything not in a vacuum. Councilwoman Pendleton said she
supports this project but wants it reviewed. Councilman Reno
agreed with Pendleton on putting this off.
Nick McGrath, representing Ute Place, reminded Council this effort
was started in 1989, tabled for the pedestrian bikeway plan, tabled
in order to allow upper Ute to join the district. McGrath said he
will have to go to another committee to convince them to favor this
project. Mayor Bennett said the plan has been debated for a long
time; however, the city's $73,000 contribution is new and has not
been discussed.
Amy Margerum, city manager, told Council the parks department is
working on the Rio Grande site and is removing fill from this site.
The city will save money if they can move the fill to Ute Avenue
now.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to table Ordinance #42, Series of
1991, to November 25, 1991; seconded by Councilman Reno. All in
favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Peters and Richards.
Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #24, SERIES OF 1991 - Newsracks
John Worcester, assistant city attorney, requested Council table
this until a representative of the CCLC can be present to explain
their work and negotiations. Councilwoman Richards said she is
concerned about the newsracks that are not bolted down and are a
safety issue for this winter. Councilwoman Richards said she would
like a letter to the distribution companies to reiterate the city's
5
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council __November 11, 1991
intention. Hal Clifford, Daily News, told Council the distributors
met with the CCLC, made site visits, kept lists of what needed to
be done. Clifford said the next letter from CCLC said people have
not complied and they are going to pass the ordinance. Councilwom-
an Richards said at the last meeting there was no representative
from CCLC. Council does not want to wait 6 months to have the
safety issues addressed.
Councilwoman Pendleton said she is disappointed that no one from
CCLC is doing a follow up on this or is at this meeting. John
Colson, Aspen Times, said Council does not have any guidelines to
say what is safe and what is not. Councilwoman Pendleton said she
wants it communicated to the CCLC that Council wants action.
Councilman Peters agreed this should be postponed for two weeks.
If there is not going to be a lot of compliance or this will take
a lot of staff time, there may be no sense to this ordinance.
Clifford told Council USA Today replaced all their boxes and may
not have been told these boxes needed to be bolted down. Mayor
Bennett requested CCLC show up at the next meeting and also
requested letters sent to USA Today about the bolting requirements.
Councilwoman Richards moved to table Ordinance #24, Series of 1991,
to November 25, 1991; seconded by Councilman Reno. All in favor,
motion carried.
ORDINANCE #37, SERIES OF 1991 - Water Conservation
Amy Margerum, city manager, reminded Council this ordinance was
continued so staff could address the concern about raw water.
Larry Ballenger, water department director, said staff continues to
work on using non-potable water for irrigation purposes. Ballenger
said these are two specific utilizations of water and should not be
integrated in one ordinance. This ordinance is specifically for
potable water. Ballenger recommended staff come back with a new
ordinance on potable water, how it is used, how it is applied and
how administered.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilman Peters said the arguments for conserving potable water
are that it takes effort to treat the water and uses plant
capacity. Also the waste water into the sewage system has to be
treated before it goes into the river. Councilman Peters said
focusing on potable water is the improvement he was looking for in
this ordinance. Councilman Reno asked how this ordinance will be
enforced; how will the city force someone to use mulches to reduce
water needs or to use lower water demand plants. Ballenger said
when plans are submitted to the city, the landscaping plans are
reviewed to make sure people have the proper mulching, the proper
6
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
soil stabilization. Councilman Reno said it is good to conserve
water but requiring a landscape plan will increase people's costs.
Jed Caswall, city attorney, agreed this will not catch someone who
is just re-doing their lawn.
Mayor Bennett asked if there is something in between a full
landscape plan and nothing. Mayor Bennett suggested a list of
plants people intend to use. Ballenger noted the ordinance
requires a list of plants be maintained for people desiring to
install landscaping. Councilman Peters suggested a pamphlet of
recommendations and standards that will comply with this ordinance
and give it to people applying for a building permit. Mayor
Bennett said having people list the plant material for their yard
will make them think about what they are doing. Councilwoman
Richards said she would rather control landscaping through water
costs. Amy Margerum, city manager, said the ordinance as written
is more concerned with soil preparation, grasses and irrigation and
says the city will provide a list of plant species, without
legislating it. Ms. Margerum suggested staff could work on an
implementation package to be handed out to the public. Jed
Caswall, city attorney, suggested adding "the director of parks
shall promulgate and advisory list of ..." Council agreed.
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #37, Series of 1991, as
amended on second reading; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Richards, yes; Reno, yes; Pendleton,
yes; Peters, yes; Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
RFTA 1991 BUDGET
Dan Blankenship, general manager RFTA, presented the proposed
budget and Resolution 91-8 which summarizes the revenues and
expenditures and adopts the 1992 budget and Resolution 91-9 which
appropriates money to RFTA for the 1992 budget. Blankenship told
Council according to the terms of the IGA, RFTA is required to
submit their budget to the city and county for approval. Blanken-
ship told Council their major source of revenue is sales tax. RFTA
is projecting a 3 percent increase over 1991 for sales tax. The
net sales tax revenues is $2,444,000. Blankenship said about
$709,000 will be generated from fares. The total operating revenue
from all sources is $4,051,000.
Blankenship said exhibit 5 shows the monies required from local
governments to fund the skiers shuttle program for the next 10
years. Blankenship told Council in their 12 year financial plan it
looked as if they would be in a deficit by 1994. The RFTA Board
looked at an additional .005 cent sales tax and decided not to
pursue it. Instead the Board worked on cost reductions and revenue
enhancements. In order to make 1991 budget balance, the Board
eliminated the airport shuttle, reduced city service in the off
7
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
season, reduced Woody Creek to winter season. There will be a $.50
fee increase for down valley routes. All of the line items have
been examined and reduced wherever possible. The total expendi-
tures for 1992 is $3,982,000.
Blankenship told Council in making cost cuts and increasing
revenues, the Board has tried to push out the deficit as far as
they can and have managed to get the deficit to 1999. Blankenship
said RFTA intends to keep trying to push the deficit out another
year in each budget year. Blankenship pointed out RFTA's capital
budget is very lean. In 1992 they will buy 5 new buses for the
skiers shuttle, pay debt service on buses they currently have, put
up some bus shelters and replace some supervisor's vehicles.
Councilwoman Richards asked what supervisors use their vehicles
for. Blankenship said they cover accidents, they dispatch buses
from Snowmass, collect ticket sales throughout the valley.
Councilwoman Richards said two vehicles for $30,000 seems high.
Blankenship said they hope to get a van for one of these vehicles
and also use it to meet the disabilities act requirements. These
vehicles are also used by the office staff. Councilman Reno
suggested looking into sharing vehicles with the city and/or
county.
Councilman Peters asked where the capital fund gets funded.
Blankenship said this is a combination of $300,000 of sales tax
that goes into capital; there is a balance from 1990. Councilman
Peters asked what is driving the deficit. Blankenship said
expenditures are going up because RFTA expanded service; ridership
has gone up 80 percent in 2 years on the down valley program. It
is expensive to meet this demand. Blankenship said the maintenance
facility and 16 of the buses were funded through a federal grant.
Starting in 1996, replacement of these vehicles is due and RFTA
will probably be paying full price for these vehicles. Blankenship
pointed out in 1989 RFTA purchased 10 buses for the skiers shuttle
and paid cash for these buses . This depleted a lot of the surplus .
Blankenship said he feels good that RFTA has been able to push the
deficit out 5 years.
Mayor Bennett said there is a reduction in revenues due to fare
increases. Mayor Bennett requested RFTA track this and let Council
know what happens. Blankenship said they hope there will not be a
decrease in ridership; however, it is prudent to budget for it.
Mayor Bennett asked about the 3 percent salary increase. Blanken-
ship told Council RFTA has consultants that do a salary survey
update annually. This 3 percent increase is a recommendation from
them.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to approve RFTA budget resolution 91-8
and 91-9; seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion
carried.
8
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
ORDINANCE #40, SERIES OF 1991 - 1001 Ute Avenue Lot Line Adjustment
The applicant has requested this be tabled and they hope to have
their issues resolved in 2 weeks. Councilwoman Richards moved to
table this to November 25, 1991; seconded by Councilman Reno.
Motion carried.
SNOW DISPOSAL
Chuck Roth, city engineer, recommended in light of budgetary
constraints that the snow melter be maintained in its existing
location on the Rio Grande. Roth said staff is sensitive to the
fact that Council would like this moved and have looked at various
locations. Roth told Council originally the city budgeted for 3
snow melters to melt all the snow on site. Since then, service
levels have increased and staff feels they would need 5 to 6 snow
melters.
Jack Reid, streets superintendent, told Council in 1989 the city
changed the way snow was removed from the streets. Now the city
contracts trucks to haul the snow while the city crew is plowing
the streets. The two operations can run simultaneously. Reid
pointed out the city will have to comply with the new imposed load
limit on the Maroon Creek bridge, which may affect where the city
hauls the snow. Roth said space requirements for naturally melting
the snow is 3 acres; drainage is a prime consideration in snow
disposal facility whether it is artificially or naturally melted.
Reid said there will be the same mount of trash that will have to
be removed no matter how the snow is melted.
Roth told Council staff got formulae from the EPA for calculating
the PM 10 produced by either process . The snow melter process does
not produce much PM 10; burning of natural gas is almost 0.
Hauling of snow with diesel trucks does add to PM 10. This is
shown on the matrix drawn up by staff. This is about 1 percent of
Aspen's PM 10, which is something to consider. Roth told Council
the city spends about $25, 000 annually to melt the snow. Roth told
Council a study was done which concluded the cost of melting snow
versus hauling snow as break even at less than 2 miles. If you
have to haul snow more than 2 miles, it is more economical to melt
it. Reid said if the city added 5 melters so all snow could be
melted and there would not be a pile, this would cost $350,000. A
package plant to clean the water would eliminate the settling
ponds, clean up and recycling the road sand would cost another
$350,000.
Roth gave Council a matrix with 15 alternatives outlining location,
acreage, haul distance, number of trucks required, PM 10 impact,
ownership, visual and environmental concerns. This is conceptual
information and any site would require more study. Roth recommend-
9
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
ed any site that is picked be tried for one winter. There are no
site development costs included in the matrix, such as improvements
to roads. Some of the suggested sites are behind the airport,
airport ranch, Iselin park vicinity, city/county landfill, Marolt
property, golf course driving range, Independence pass gate,
Burlingame ranch off old stage roach, highway 82 realignment.
Council noted the highway 82 realignment was promised to the voters
as open space. Roth said the M.A.A. parking lot of 2.6 acres is a
possibility. The snow does not melt until as late as July on a
parking lot. Benedict gravel pit and Pfister property are two
other alternatives.
Councilwoman Richards said it is apparent the city will be using
the current snow dump location for this winter in a status quo
situation. Councilwoman Richards suggested this matrix be given to
the blue ribbon panel. Snow removal, operations and capital have
large funding implications. Reid said the city could install snow
melters in the recycle area, put a berm and conifers around this
and have a compact unit right in town. This would not increase the
haul distance nor the PM 10 effect. This should solve some
complaints from Oklahoma Flats about truck noises.
Councilwoman Pendleton asked why the city has to run the snow
melter; why not stack the snow up by the recycle center and let it
melt naturally into the ponds. Reid said the city will have to
help this melt or there will not be enough room left. Reid said
the city could build a concrete pad with hydronics in it with a
continuous drain to ponds or to a package plant. Councilwoman
Pendleton said she would like to see a cost analysis on this.
Councilwoman Pendleton asked about leaving the snow on the Rio
Grande, using it for Nordic skiing and letting it melt naturally.
Reid said the snow cannot go into the river without being treated.
Councilwoman Richards said the snow melt is effective and handy but
it has always been a temporary use on the Rio Grande.
Mayor Bennett said Council voted 5 to 0 in August to move the snow
melt and to direct staff to find a new location. Councilwoman
Pendleton said when she sees the logistics of trying to find
another site, it makes one reconsider. Mayor Bennett said he is
not inclined to direct staff to spend time to work on a proposal
for $700,000 worth of snow equipment on the Rio Grande. Roth
suggested using this winter to experiment hauling the snow to
different locations on the matrix. Councilwoman Richards suggested
also looking at hauling less snow and leaving more on the ground.
Reid said the sooner the snow is gotten off the street, the easier
it is for business, tourists and residents to function.
Mayor Bennett said if Council is not going to reconsider the Rio
Grande as a site, they should scratch options 1 through 3 and focus
on options 4 through 15 and begin experimenting and researching the
10
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11~ 1991
alternatives. Councilwoman Pendleton said she has wanted the snow
melt out of the Rio Grande since the beginning; however, Council
has to be realistic and look at all costs. There may be a way to
hide this on the Rio Grande. Councilwoman Pendleton said she is
willing to look at the Rio Grande. Councilman Peters said the city
can change the scope of street plowing. Councilman Reno objected
to the fact that the Rio Grande gets used for things other than its
intended use . Councilman Reno said he does not want to see impound
lots and snow melters on the Rio Grande.
Amy Margerum, city manager, asked about the ramifications of using
the golf course. Reid said anywhere this snow is dumped destroys
the landscaping below it. Ms. Margerum suggested this be pursued
either through the community planning group or the blue ribbon
group. Councilwoman Richards suggested hiring a real estate agent
to work on land purchases. Councilwoman Richards said this is very
important for the blue ribbon panel to look at. Mayor Bennett said
he does not want to get the blue ribbon panel involved on where to
locate a snow melt. Councilwoman Pendleton said she is willing to
look at a hidden snow melt facility on the Rio Grande. Councilman
Peters said it is not outlandish to consider the recycling area for
snowmelt. This area is on the edge of open space and industrial
uses. The recycle area is not as much of an invasion of open space
as the lower Rio Grande.
Mayor Bennett said the most he could agree to is to leave this on
the plate for the master planning process to consider. Councilwom-
an Pendleton said she would prefer options 4 though 15; however,
she will look at 1 through 3. Councilman Reno said he could
support hiding this on the Rio Grande if the staff looks at
different service levels. Mayor Bennett his priorities are (1)
move it to the airport (2) leave more snow on the streets, and a
distant (3) leave it on the Rio Grande property. Councilwoman
Richards said she wants it moved it off the Rio Grande. George
Robinson, parks director, pointed out if the streets department
moves the snow to the sidewalk, his service levels will increase
dramatically.
Councilwoman Richards moved to go with the status quo operation of
the snow melt this winter; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All
in favor, motion carried.
ADOPTION OF LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO REDUCE PM 10
Lee Cassin, environmental health department, reminded Council
Aspen's PM 10 levels have been high enough that Aspen has been
declared a non-attainment area by the EPA. The Clean Air Act gives
the responsibility to the state for coming up with a plan for all
non-attainment areas in the state to comply with the federal
standards. The deadline for the state to do that is November 21,
11
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
1991. Ms. Cassin said the state then sends this plan onto the EPA.
If the state does not comply, the EPA will impose a plan upon the
city. Ms. Cassin told Council the city received the draft plan,
and made many corrections most of which have been accepted by the
state. The plan requires a 24 percent reduction in PM 10 emissions
from paved roads, like street sanding material, by November 1997.
By November 1992, Council has to adopt enough ordinances that the
EPA computer model can bring about that reduction.
Ms. Cassin presented Council a list of concerns which she would
like forwarded with the implementation plan. Ms. Cassin said one
concern is that the city should meet with the state continually.
Representatives doing the plan should come to Aspen. The study
should start February 1st. Ms. Cassin said staff should get
involved in the protocol and goals of any study. Ms. Cassin
recommended Council vote to approve plan with the revisions made by
staff and with staff's conditions added. Councilwoman Richards
requested highlights of the plan. Councilwoman Richards asked if
the city is getting full credit for the fireplace work that has
been done in the past couple of years . Councilwoman Richards asked
what other municipalities are doing that is acceptable to the EPA.
Ms. Cassin said they have given credit for replacement of fireplac-
es. Councilwoman Richards suggested the city should also get
credit for the amount of funding given to RFTA for mass transit.
Councilman Peters moved to endorse the Aspen state implementation
plan and forward the recommended conditions 1 through 6 promulgated
by Ms. Cassin and additionally forward to the state a list of the
most significant PM 10 actions taken locally and #1 be strengthened
to more accurately portray the level to which the APCEH would like
to be involved in devising a plan for remediation; seconded by
Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Peters moved to suspend the rules and continue the
meeting to 9:30 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Reno. All in favor,
motion carried.
1006 E. COOPER ENCROACHMENT - Rigsby
Rob Thomson, engineering department, reminded Council they granted
an encroachment license for a structure at 1006 East Cooper
encroaching into the right of way 6 feet by 32 into the alley.
After this approval there were complaints from the neighbors and a
request to rescind this license. Thomson said there was nothing in
the letter that was not brought up in previous discussion. Thomson
said staff's position has not changed from the first review; the
applicant went through the process and followed the right proce-
dures and received an encroachment license. Thomson recommended
the license not be rescinded but that a condition be added that no
future permits be issued for the property unless the encroachment
12
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
is corrected. Thomson said this means major redevelopment of the
parcel itself, not this structure.
Councilman Peters moved to accept staff's recommendation that the
encroachment license remain in effect with the condition that no
future permits will be issued unless this encroachment is corrected
and by future permits this means in addition to the present
renovation; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All in favor, with
the exception of Councilman Reno. Motion carried.
REQUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT - Haan
Jim Gibbard, engineering department, told Council this is an
encroachment application for trees in the alley at 201 South
Garmisch. The engineering department recommends the encroachment
be denied and that the trees be removed. Gibbard said there are
utilities in the alley and the roots could be a problem for the
underground utilities in the future. Gibbard said the applicant
states the engineering policy is to allow landscaping in the right-
of-way. Gibbard said this policy was not to address alleys but
sidewalks. Gibbard noted the applicant states the fire department
visited the site and has no complaints. Gibbard said in the past
the fire department has supported the staff ' s effort to get rid of
encroachments. Gibbard told Council the applicants say they
received approval from the former parks director, Bill Ness.
Gibbard noted only Council has the right to grant approvals for any
encroachments into the right-of-way.
Jack Reid, streets department, said the city's rights-of way should
be protected. There are encroachments all over town. These
encroachments serious impede the city's ability to clean the
streets. Reid said these trees will grow. Reid encouraged Council
to keep the rights-of-way open to allow the services to function
better.
Tom Smith, representing the applicant, presented a site survey and
told Council the tree involves 5 pines with trunks of 1-1/2 to 2-
1/2 feet. Smith said the trees are located beyond the traveled
portion of the alley and beyond the 14 foot graveled surface.
Smith told Council there are improvements on the other side of the
fence that would preclude relocating the trees on the other side of
the fence. Smith told Council the trees serve as a visual barrier
for the owners across the street and are also a public amenity.
Frank Ross, representing the applicant, told Council when they put
the trees in the right of way, they believed Bill Ness had the
authority to tell them where they could put the trees. Councilwom-
an Richards asked if the fence is encroaching. Smith said no.
13
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
Councilman Peters moved that the encroachment license be denied and
that staff be directed to take no action to remove the trees;
seconded by Councilman Reno.
Jed Caswall, city attorney, said if the intent is to leave the
trees, Council should approve the license. An encroachment license
says the city will not be responsible for anything that happens to
the trees. Mayor Bennett agreed, and noted the city will get the
$300 application fee if the encroachment is approved.
Councilman Peters withdrew his motion.
Councilman Peters moved to approve the encroachment license;
seconded by Mayor Bennett.
Councilman Reno said the city has a duty to protect the public
rights-of-way. These trees will grow, and there is some liability.
If the neighbor across the alley wants to do the same thing, where
does this stop. Councilwoman Richards agreed.
Councilman Peters moved to call the question; seconded by Council-
woman Richards.
Mayor Bennett said he does not know why Council discusses encroach-
ments. Mayor Bennett said he visited this encroachment and feels
it is attractive and a plus to the neighborhood. Councilwoman
Richards said these trees should be planted within the lot line
rather than the alley. Mayor Bennett said he does not feel there
is a connection between adding trees, which benefit the city, and
outbuildings. Mayor Bennett said he does not have a problem with
encroachment. Councilwoman Pendleton said this is a fairness
issue. If the applicants were told by the city they could plant
the trees, they should be able to stay. Mayor Bennett said also
encroaching into this alley are a fence, parked car, dumpster,
utility post and another building.
Council requested staff draft a code amendment to have encroach-
ments approved by staff and not Council.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Reno and
Richards. Motion carried.
Councilwoman Richards moved to suspend the rules and continue the
meeting to 10:00 p.m.; seconded by Councilwoman Pendleton. All in
favor, motion carried.
COUNTY REQUEST TO USE RIO GRANDE FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE
Amy Margerum, city manager, told Council the county has requested
storing the affordable housing modules for Williams Woods on the
14
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
Rio Grande site. Ms. Margerum pointed out Council has given the
authority to the Board of Adjustment to temporary storage ; however,
Council must approve the application because they are the property
owner. Council directed the city manager to make this decision.
Councilwoman Pendleton suggested the Smuggler land being used by
the EPA.
ORDINANCE #43, SERIES OF 1991 - Community Center rezoning to
Affordable Housing
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to read Ordinance #43, Series of 1991;
seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #43
(Series of 1991)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL GRANTING A
REZONING FROM PUBLIC (PUB) TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING (AH)
0100 LONE PINE ROAD, THE COMMUNITY CENTER SITE, ASPEN,
COLORADO was read by the city clerk
Leslie Lamont, planning office, told Council an application has
been submitted by Common Ground Housing Association seeking to
rezone 86,000 square feet from Pub to AH for a 100 percent
affordable housing project. P & Z has reviewed and recommends
approval. This is only the rezoning request.
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #43, Series of 1991, on
first reading; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Pendleton, yes; Reno, yes; Richards, yes; Peters,
yes; Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion carried.
SCHEDULE BOARD INTERVIEWS
Council requested the city clerk's office re-advertise for
vacancies on the Board of Appeals, Wheeler Opera House and P & Z.
KRAUT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS
Amy Margerum, city manager, told Council a non-profit group has
discussed developing the Kraut parcel. They were concerned that in
rezoning this parcel, it would put financing limitations on private
sector financing the project. Ms. Margerum said staff feels the
city could go ahead with the rezoning and condition it to insure
this is not holding back any private developers from financing
options. Ms. Margerum said in order for other to also bid on this
proposal, the housing authority has put together an RFP in order to
weigh proposals for the property. Ms. Margerum said people are
concerned about the city limiting the options by rezoning the
property. Ms. Margerum said when the rezoning comes to Council it
can be conditionally rezoned.
15
Regular Meetincr Aspen City Council November 11, 1991
Councilwoman Richards suggested two members of Council sit on the
review committee instead of one. Councilman Reno said he is
concerned about the sense of competitiveness with the housing
authority being a participant in the RFPs. Councilman Reno said
there are already proposals which the housing authority is privy
to. Kunze said the housing authority will be challenged in
striking the balance between incomes to be served while minimizing
the level of city subsidy.
Councilman Peters said the housing authority considered not making
a proposal because they were afraid if they made a proposal and
were not selected, they would be cut out of the supervisory loop.
Councilman Peters told Council he has encouraged the housing staff
to make a proposal. No matter who is selected, the city will want
someone to act as their agent. Councilman Peters said he feels the
housing authority should have the same advantage as any other
competitor to put together a design team based upon experience.
Mayor Bennett said he feels it is all right for the housing
authority to compete but they should not be part of the judging
panel. Councilwoman Pendleton said she is willing to go with
staff's recommendation and allow the housing. Mayor Bennett agreed
and requested the staff be deleted from the evaluating committee.
Councilwoman Pendleton said the housing board members are lay
people and the housing staff are more knowledgeable and should be
evaluating the projects. Mayor Bennett said he does not think the
housing staff should be voting on the evaluations but could be
present and advise on the proposals. Mayor Bennett said staff
should not see the other proposals until they have submitted
theirs.
Council agreed the staff members should be an ad hoc, non voting
member. Jed Caswall, city attorney, requested the RFPs be mailed
to the city manager's office. Council requested the voting
committee be a planning and finance staff, Council, public and
Housing Authority board member. Councilman Peters will be the
housing authority board member. Councilman Reno will be the
Council representative unless one of his clients is a bidder.
Council agreed to have Councilman Reno serve if this will not be a
conflict of interest. Mayor Bennett requested in addition to the
RFPs that the housing office send out a press release.
RIO GRANDE KAYAK COURSE
Amy Margerum, city manager, asked permission to put fill from the
kayak course both on Ute Avenue and Patsy Newbury Park. Council
agreed.
Councilwoman Pendleton moved to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.; seconded by
Mayor Bennett. All in favor, motion carried.