HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19790402 ~pecla± meeting Aspen ~lty ~ounol± Aprl± 2, 19/9
Mayor Pro Tem Behrendt called the special meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with Councilmembers
Anderson, Uan Ness, Parry, Isaac and Wishart present. This special meeting is to discuss
Council salaries and putting this issue on the ballot.
Councilman Isaac moved to put on the ag'enda a letter of acceptance to COG for a resolution
from COG'to the Colorado Legislature to fund a downhill skier tax and joint review process
study group. Motion DIED for lack of a second.
City Attorney Stock told Council the first ordinance allows Councilmembers salaries ~o be
~ set in two ways; first, set by an ordinance of the Council, and second, it could be set
by a vote of the public at a regular or special election. If the Councilmembers salaries
are set by Council, it canno~ apply to any member during his term of office that has vo~ed
on the ordinance. If the salaries are set by the public a~ election, then the raise can
apply to all Councilmembers sitting at that time. There ~s a provision that the salary
of Council cannot be decreased during the term of any Councilmember.
The second ordinance is that Council could establish salary &nd it would become applicakle
after the next general municipal election. Under that policy, if this ordinance was in
effect now, Council could adopt a salary increase and after the new Council is organized
in June, the raise would apply to all Councilmembers continuing their term. Stock told
Council he had found this type of ordinance only in effect in three states. This is an
alternative.
The third document presented is a resolution, which is a referendum question to the public
for this May ballot asking the electorate to establish the Council and Mayor salaries at
a certain level. Under the first ordinance, if Council salaries are set by Council or
the public, this resolution should be adopted. The public would have to vote in favor
on two questions; to alter the Charter to g~ve them that power, and secondly to raise the
salaries. Stock said on the second ordinance, the Council would adopt that and the Ordinance
#17, which has been adopted on first reading.
Councilman Wishart moved to read Ordinance ~27, Series of 1979, (the first ordinance out-
lined by Stock); seconded by Councilman Van Ness. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #27
(Series of 1979)
iAlternatives for AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTING TO A VOTE OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
Councilmembers COLORADO, AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATIVES FOR
Mayor ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS INCLUDING THE MAYOR AND
DECLARING THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ENACTMENT was read by the
city clerk
Councilman Wishart moved to adopt Ordinance ~27, Series of 1979, on first reading; seconded
by Councilwoman Anderson. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Wishart, aye; Van Ness, aye;
Parry, aye; Anderson, aye; Isaac, aye; Mayor Pro Tem Behrendt, aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Pro Tem Behrendt asked on Resolution 99, Series of 1979, if everyone was in consensus
that the salary figures agreed upon are $400 and $600. Councilman Van Ness pointed out
the numbers the Council is selecting for salaries is not, based on their knowledge, what
Council feels the job should pay but what the voters will approve. Councilman Wishart said
he felt the voters would approve more. Councilman Isaac pointed ou~ the Council in Vail
makes $125 per month. Councilman Wishart pointed out Denver Council makes $14,000.
Councilman Parry noted the County Commissioners make $17,000 a year. Mayor Pro Tem
Behrendt said these numbers might get voted through, and if the Council asks for too much
it will get voted down and the Council will get nothing. Councilman Wishart disagreed,
stating he felt the people will go for $500 and $700. Councilman Isaac said he hated to
lose other issues on the ballot for Council pay. Dunaway agreed everything on the ballot
has a cumulative effect.
Councilman Parry said it is too bad when Councilmembers want to get underpaid; the City is
tryi.ng to get representation out of people. Councilman Isaac said this is not a money-
making job, and is not going to be at $400 per month.
Councilman Van Ness moved to read Resolution ~9, Series of 1979, with the salary figures
of $400 and $600; seconded by Councilwoman Anderson.
Councilman Isaac said he felt this was out of line with the other Councils in the area, and
the other City Boards are getting paid nothing. They are serving for their own good will,
and this ~s a kick in their teeth. Councilman Isaac said he felt the Council could get
better participation by paying a flat rate, and by paying the members for participation ~n
each meeting. Councilman Van Ness said to compare Council to the Boards is that Council
is making the decision. The City owes it to the voters to get the best Council possible.
If the Council does not pass salary increases, the Councilmembers will be people with lots
of money and the working members will not be represented.
Councilwoman Anderson said she felt the Council job is about 1/3 to 1/2 time, and if the
salaries are not raised, only people who can afford to live on 1/2 pay will run. Council-
man Isaac said there are benefits of being on Council other than strict pay. Councilman
Isaac said he felt the Council was walking around patting themselves on the back.
Dunaway said he felt it was a myth that just because someone is working they cannot be on
the Council. The City's form of government is based on service, volunteer government.
Councilman Wishart said it was his experience that one cannot have a full time job and
work on Council. Councilman Isaac pointed out the Council told the staff there would be
no cost-of-living increase, and the Council is g~v~ng themselves raises.
All in favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTION 99
(Series of 1979)
WHEREAS, the City Council of Aspen, Colorado~ has determined that it is Question for
necessary and advisable to submit to the qualified, registered electors fo the Higher Salari~
City of Aspen a question providing for alternatives for establishing compensation ~placed on
for Councilmembers including the Mayor; and Ballot
WHEREAS, formal action is necessary to place this issue on the ballot;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO: Section 1
That at the General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Aspen,
Colorado, on Tuesday, the 8th day of May, 1979, there shall be submitted to a
vote of the qualified, registered electors of the City, the following question
as set forth below, which question shall be similarly stated in the Ballot
Label and Notice of Election.
FORM OF QUESTION
~ "VOTE FOR OR AGAINST THE FOLLOWING"
Shall the members of the City Council .(excluding the Mayor)
receive, as the compensation authorized in Section 3.6 of
the Home Rule Charter, the sum~of Four Hundred Dollars
($400.00) per month, and shall the Mayor receive, as the
compensation authorized in Section 3.6 of the Home Rule
Charter the sume of Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) per
month.
1. For
2. Against
Section 2
Those qualified, registered electors of the City who are qualified to
vote under the Constitutuion and the Charter of the City of Aspen, shall be
allowed to vote on the proposed question. Section 3
The election on the proposed question will be held at the designated
polling places within the newly established voting precincts between the hours
of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 1979, in the City of Aspen, Colorado. Section 4
The election of the proposed question shall be conducted by the judges
and clerks who shall be designated by the City Clerk with the approval of the
City Council of the City of Aspen. Section 5
The provisions of registration of electors and for voting by absentee
ballot on the question of the proposed question shall be in accordance with the
Colorado Municipal Election Law. Section 6
The votes at said election shall be registered on voting machines and the
ballot label shall read similarly to the form of question provided in Section 1.
The question shall be separately titled. Section 7
The election on the question of the proposed compensation question shall
be held and conducted, and the votes cast on the question aforesaid shall be
returned and canvassed, and the result declared in the same manner as nearly as
may be provided by law for the return, canvass and declaration of the officers
of the City of Aspen. Section 8
The notice of the election on the proposed question shall be published
in the Aspen Times, a newspaper published and of general circulation in said
City, and a copy of such notice shall be posted at each polling place within the
City at least ten (10) days before the election. The City Clerk is hereby
charged with the duty of giving such notice containing such information as is
required by law was read by the city clerk.
Councilman Van Ness moved to approve Resolution $9, Series of 1979; seconded by Council-
woman Anderson. All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Isaac. Motion carried.
Stock told Council they had to set a date for a second emergency meeting before April 7.
Council scheduled another special meeting for the next night, April 3, 1979.
Councilman Isaac moved to adjourn at 7:40; seconded by Councilwoman Anderson. All in
favor, motion carried.
Special Meeting Aspen City Council April 3, 1979
Mayor Standley called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. in City Manager Mahoney's office.
Councilmembers present were Parry, Behrendt, Van Ness, Isaac and Wishart. Also present
was City Attorney Stock. This special meeting was called to second read Ordinance 27
regarding placing the Council salary raises on the ballot.
Mayor Standley said he would only be in favor of putting the Council raises on the ballot
if they also put the question of reducing the number of Councilmembers on the ballot.
Councilman Parrt did not think the citizens could decide the. number of Council better
than the Council. He noted that it would be more difficult to attain a quorum at every
meeting. Mayor Standley did not feel this would make any difference. He also did not
feel the citizens should decide whether they should receive $250 orl $500 per month.
Councilman Van Ness noted that the number and salary of Council was voted on by the
citizens when the Charter was voted in. Councilman Wishart felt it would be more diffi-
cult to get three out of five votes than four out of seven. Councilwoman Anderson
entered the meeting.
2609
Special Meeting Aspen City Council April 3, 1979
Councilman Van Ness moved to read Ordinance ~27, Series of 1979; seconded by Councilman
Behrendt. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE ~27
(SEries of 1979)
AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTING TO A VOTE OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATIVES FOR
ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS INCLUDING THE MAYOR AND DECLARING
THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ENACTMENT was read by the deputy
city clerk.
increase in . Councilman Behrendt moved to adopt Ordinance ~27, Series of 1979, on second reading;
salaries quest~onedseconded by Councilman Parry.
Councilman Van Ness said he would be in favor of increasing the salaries of the new
members if the salaries of the old members were on the ballot. Stock said the standard
procedure in Colorado has been %o allow Council ~o adopt salary increases by ordinance.
Stock feels it is a dangerous precedent to begin allowing this by ballot. Councilman Parry
suggested an automatic pay raise after a predetermined time period. Mayor Standl~y said
he is against automatic pay raises.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Van Ness, aye; Isaacy, nay; Wishart, aye; Behrendt,aye;
Parry, nay; Anderson, aye; Mayor Standley, nay. Motion NOT carried.
Councilman Isaac moved to reconsider Resolution ~9, Series of 1979; seconded by Councilman
Van Ness. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Isaac moved to defeat Resolution #9, Series of 1979; seconded by Councilman
Wishart. All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Van Ness. Motion carried.
Councilman Van Ness moved to adjourn the meeting a~ 5:35 p.m.; seconded by Councilman
Isaac. All in favor, motion carried.
..... She~ Sif~en, Deputy City Clerk
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