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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19830614Present: George Madsen, Thomas Blake, Helen Klanderud, Robert W. Child, Michael Kinsley Councilmenbers: Bill Stirling, Chic Collins, Charlotte Walls, A1 Blomquist Trams The Board convened a special joint meeting with City Council to consider the formation of am act Task ing Transit Authority Board. Transportation Task Force Chairperson Eve H~mever introduced a Force joint resolution enpowering the current Transportation Task Force as the Act{ng Transit Authority Board for the oeriod of May thro .ugh 25 of July, 1983. The Acting Board would then be authorized to advertise for the oosition of Transportation Director, establish the format for the future Board of Directors, for~alate amd adopt a contract with the Aspen Skiing C~any, initiate a consolidated budget for 1984, amd otherwise establish the framework for the consolidated trans~ system funded as the soecial election on ~ay 3. Hom~ver explained that there is a vacancy on the five (5) member Task Force at this time, a oosition which was appointed by the previous Council, and she requested that Council appoint another individual no the Acting Board. The Task Force consists of Homeyer, Conmissioner Helen Klanderud, Councilmsmber Chic Collins, amd Namcy Van Domelen; subsequent to the Council Appointment, the group would assune the role of the Acting Board as noted above. Although the Town of Snowzmss Village has declined to join the consolidat~ system at this time, Mayor Jeff Tippett has been involved in the formation of the Authority amd would continue to de so. Stifling noted that Council has discussed am appoinnnent to the Task Force, amd that Francis Whitaker has been recommended for the position. The Borad, Council and the Task Force members generally agreed with the appointment of Whitaker, who would assume the position today. Task Force mmzber Nancy Van Domelen discussed the Acting Board and those issues to be addressed orior to July 25. It was anticipated that the format for the Board of Directors would then be established, a Transoortation Director selected, amd a contract with the Aspen Skiing Ccmpany formulated, all of which would be ratified by the Board of Directors subsequent to their appoint- ment. Both the Board amd Council would appoint the oermanent five (5) member Board of Directors, which app_ ointments have been scheduled for consideration at a joint meeting on July 25. This entity would then finalize an intergoverrmmntal agreement creating the consolidated system, pre=~ pare a consolidated budget, including agreemenns with the County inplementing the sixth penny sales tax, provide for the transfer of UPrZA grants from the County to the new Authority, amd consider bond issues to orovide the local matching funds for the Bus Maintenance Facility and related equipment. Stirling sugg. ested that the Task Force consider existing City or County Staff for the position of Director; it was felt that in-house staff would be most useful in establishing the new Authority, due to their experise and knowledge of the local transit system and such would elimin- ate scme of the tasks to be considered by the Acting Board. In the event in-house staff were utilized, there would be no need to advertise for the position of Director, establish a pay/bene- fit package and screen potential applicants, all of which would orovide the Acting Board with greater time to accu~lish its remaining tasks. Van Domelen understood that both the Cityand the County were required to advertise for the Director's position for compliance with EOE regulations. She acknowledged the assistance of ex- isting transportation staff, and explained that local applicants would certainly be considered for the position. It was considered inappropriate, however, to preclude the Authority from re- taining the most qualified individual; the position would be permanent, the responsibilities significant, and the solicitation of applicants was considered the most appropriate method no pre vide for such. Stifling suggested that the Acting Board prioritize local applicants as such would acknowledge existing expertise in the c~lL~nity. He also suggested that pay/benefit package for the Director be reviewed for comformity with existing City and County salaries/'benefits. County Manager Curt Stewart explained that County staff would draft the inter-goverrm~ntal agre ement whereby the consolidated urensportation system would be created. The agreement would be reviewed by the Board and Council for adoption, anticipated to coincide with the Board of Direc- tors appointments on July 25. Stirling requested the opportunity to review the agreement well in advance of its adootion. Collins supported a five (5) mmrber Board of Directors, although it was suggested that such allow for additional members in the event the Town of Snowmass VillaFe, for instance, or some other entity, was to join the consolidated system. He prop_osed that the Board of Directors consist of the Follow- ing: one (1) Council member, one (1) Board member, amd two (2) at-large citizens, one (1) a resident of the City and the other of the County These latter two (2) would then select the fifth member, who should also be a City resident. Collins explained ~hat the City transit system has been in operation for an extended qeriod of time, amd it was considered appropriate that the Board of Directors orovide for two (2) City representatives. Stirling explained that the Citv's transit system rep_resents approximately seventy percent (70'/0) of transit service in the cu~,~nitv and that the City would provide the majority of the local match- ing funds for the Bus Maintenance Facility; based upon the proportion of service and funds, it was considered appropriate that the Board of Directors provide for two (2) City representatives. Dlanderud noted that the Transoortation Task Force, open its fomnation late last year, did not provide for the residency of its members, rather, that the most qualified individuals become invol- ved in the process. The issue of territoriality has been of little significance during the past several months, and the members have instead focused on am economically feasible transit system that would orovide the best level of service to the c~t~nity. She also noted that, as suggested by Monroe Stoners, the Board amd Council might consider a downvallev representative, perhaps form the Basalt area, for involvement in the new Authority. Stirlin~ exoressed soma concern that consolidation may result in a loss of service within the City, and it was on this basis that two (2) City representatives were proposed. Homever noted that both City and Cotmtv transit systems wet highly jeopardized at this time; the City system was expected to run at a significant deficit this year, amd it was considered very unlikely that the County system could continue beyond this year. Consolidation of the two (2) was considered the most appropriate mechanism by which to maintain transit service in the cinmonitv. Child noted that the Housing Authority Board of Conrmissioners provided for two (2) co~cil appoint- ments, two (2) Board appointments, and ene (1) joint appointment. He suggested that this procedure may be appropriate for the Board of the new Authority. Van Domelen exolained that the Task Force intended to review the commosition of various boards, particularly those joint boards that have function well. The Task Force would subseduently recu~umnt a procedure for appointing nhe Transit Authority Board of Directors. Stifling exoressed some concern with the authority to be vested in the new Board of Directors, particularly ~rith resoect to' the Aspen Skiing Ccn~oanv contract. It was suggested that the Task Force utilize the City and County attorney's amd staff throughout the negotiation proceCs. He also noted that the joint resolution designed the City and County ~anagers as being responsible for planning amd coordinating in-house assistance for the Acting Board, amd requested that the Assistant City Manager be so designated. Klanderud explained that the Acting Board would establish the format for the Board of Directors, including its authority, responsibility, and others. Such would be reviewed bv both the Board and Council within the context of the intergovernmental agreement. Blake them moved approval of the resolution to include the following amendments: - that the current Transportation Task Force be empowered as the Acting Transit Authority Board for the period of June through July 25, 1983, or until such tima as a permenent board has been appointed - with respect to the position of Transportation Director, that the Acting Board co~mlete the initial screening of applicants with all due consideration to be given to locala~olicents - that the Assisnant City Menager m~d the County Mmnager supply ~J~e necessary amount of planning and coordin- ation assistance required Stirling seconded. Blomquist expressed some concern that the Acting Board would adoot a contract with the Aspen Skiing C~any and suggested an smenctn~nt whereby the Acting Board would only formulate and reco~,~mnd such a contract. Blake mnended his motion to include such, Stifling agreed, end the motion as amended by Blomquist passed uneni- l~OL~gly. Child noted that the Board of Directors of the new Authority may be reculred to convene a oublic hearing prior to adopting a consolidated budget for 1984. It was suggested that such a hearing be mandatory so as to allcw residents of all service areas to review and co~nt on transit service. Madsen introduced a project agreement between the Board and Co~mcil concerning improvements to the Sr~ggler Smuggler area. Madsen acknowledged that Council may not be prepared to act on the agreement today, but noted that time Area was of the essence; if the first phase of the improvements was to be ir~lemented orior to snowfall, legal In, rove notice soliciting bids must be made within a matter of weeks. It was suggested that, subse~uenn no today's Agree discussion, the agreement ne acted upon at a joint meeting on June 27. Planner Glenn Horn introduced discussion on the draft Smuggler Area Master Plan, an outling of various improvements for the entire Smuggler area. The draft, prepared in conjunction ~_hh the Planning Office, and both the City and County Engineers, reccr~nended as the first priority the upgrading of Mill Street to meet existing as well as future traffic levels. The Board end Council subseouently approved an engineering contract for those improvements, which include the reconstruction of the Mill Street Bridge. County Engineer Pat Dobie explained that the various ir~rovenmnns have been phased over a four (4) year period as follows: -Phase I: Mill Street, Mill Street Bridge, West Gibson Avenue, Rod Mountain Road, Spruce Street, and right- of-way acquisition in the Smuggler and Park Circle areas -Phase II: Centenmial Roads, Park Circle, Park Avenue -Phase III:Center Gibson Avenue, drainage retenntien ponds -Phase IV: Neal Street, Neal Street Bridge Phase ene (1) has been planned for inplementatien this year, with the retaining Phases to occur durin? each successive year. The Mill Street inprovements were so prioritized as such represents the major access point into the Smuggler area at this time. The bridge itself was included so as no accc~nodate utility extensions prior to paving. The phases were also fornmlated on the basis of what could be accomplished in the near future; there are various encroachment and right-of-way problems associated with the third phase, and the last phase was to be accomplished in large part with federal funds. City staff has only recently initiated an application for bridge reconstruction f~nds for the Neal Street Bridge, a process which could require approxi- mately two (2) years. Dobie explained that the replacement of the Mill Street Bridge was initiated ar the recorm~ndation of the City Engineer, due to its limited hydraulic opening, that such is a narrow facility situated on a curve, and due to deficient pedestrian walkways. It was not considered cost effective to retro- fit the facility, such so that an entirely new structure has been planned. The new structure would provide for utility extedsions, after which the road would be raised by approximately three (3) feet. The cost of the phase one (1) improvements has been estimated at seven hundred end f~fty thousand dollars ($750,000); this includes approximately two hundred and ninity thousand dollars ($290,000) for the bridge itself, approximately eighty-five thousand dollars ($85,000) for the acquisition of right-of-way, and others. Stirling asked if the phases would have been prioritized differently in the Centennial developmmnt. Dobie expl~funed that the intersection of Gibson Avenue ~nd Rod Mountain Road would have been considered a priority in this instance, although the new bridge was considered a major co~onenn of this project. He also noted that the City Engineer prioritized the new Mill Street Bridge due to a concern with backwater a~ the Visual Arts Center. Blomquist expressed some concern that the proposed facility may hinder a greenbelt along the Roazing Fork River. Dobie explained that the riparian zone under the bridge has been addressed; the new facility would provide for a trail under the bridge, a bencb on the south side of the river, and two (2) sidewalks seven (7) feet in width on both sides of the structure. The facility was designed to accomodate trail linkage within the greenbelt, and a pedestrian trail that would eventually connect with the community cermet. It was consid- ered unlikely that sufficient funds would be available to establish linkage with the comrmnity center this year. Walls noted that the Blue Ribbon Panel recommended that all of the Smuggler Area ir~rovements be f~nded by a County-wide mill levy. The Panel reviewed various funding alternatives, including a seoarate improvemmnn district, and a City mill levy increase; the former was considered unduly burdensome as such would require a levy of approximately one hundred (100) mills, and the latter would also necessitate a sizeable increase. There was some concern that the subjec~ area was, until recently, within the jurisdiction of the County, end that improv~ents should have been accomplished prior to its annexation by the City. A County-wide mill levy increase was considered the most equitableand sustainable method by which to finance the intorovements. Blake explained that the Board has, as a matter of policy, prioritized County services to ~hasize road improvements. The Board provided for specific road i~prove~ts in the Srmlggler area this year end funds have already been so appropriated. Although Coencil could consider the formation of an improvement district for that portion of Smuggler situated within the City limits, it was considered more appropriate that both govern- ments cooperate on end attemp to achieve the necessary improvements simultaneously. Klanderud noted that generalf~nds have been allocated for the Smggler improven~ts this year, end expressed some concern with a County-wide mill levy specifically to address the subject area. Sr~aggler area resident John Busch suggested that the City contribute freater f~nds than the County as the improvements would banefit the City to a greater extent. He explained that area residents would not favor an ir~provement district; residents of the reaiter park, for instance, have already agreed to fund ir~orovements to the park, estimated to cost approximately three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), such so that inclusion in another improvement district would be considered onerous. . Stirling noted that Coomcil has scheduled a meeting for next week on the Smuggler area; zt was suggested that would be further prepered to discuss the issue subsequent to this meeting. Kinsley expressed some concerto with the issue of funding; it was noted that City residents, although respon- sible for both City and County property taxes, utilize County roads and facilities, including the conrm~nity center and the airport, and generally receive greater sez-v-ices. County residents must pay sales tax in the City, generally pay higher utility rates, and others. The sales tax foramla was actually devised in an attempt to balance all ot the above and to provide for a more equitable basis for governmental services. Walls requested that City staff pursue the use of electric funds to provide for street lights in the subject area. Dobie explained that the phase one (1) improvemants include conduits for lighting to facilitate future additions in the area. The utility extensions have been pre-fit for an area-wide street light system. The Board and Council generally agreed to contunue discussion at the joint meeting on June 27. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.