HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19760712Regular Meeting Aspen City Council July 12, 1976 ~
JOINT MEETING WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1. Recyclihg Report. George Ochs told Council and Commissioners that Dacre Bush had
submitted a report which outlined where . recycling is financially, what is
being done. The program has made a few dollars only because of the cars sold in May. Recycling
Ochs stated it was his opinion that the program was going, but not too strong. There program
has been some fairly good pick up in town. The expenses are a long way from the total
expenses allocated. Ochs said he would like to continue the progra~ through Labor
Day.
Ochs reported that they have begun to charge people at the dump on weekends. This charg~
is only for people who have not separated their trash. Mayor Standley said he felt it '
was a good idea to limit the number of auto parts that people could take out of cars
at the dump.
Commissioner Kinsley suggested having trash pick up bins for the recycling program
down valley where the bus stops are. Council and Commissioners discussed various
locations for these pick ups, and if they would work with the recycling program. Mayor
Standley stated he did not want the entrances to town to look like a trash dump.
2. Rodent Control Report. Mayor Standley stated he would like the City and County Rodent control
finance directors and the two sanitarians to review the finances that would be allocated program
for a rodent control program and make a resolution on it.
Councilman Parry asked Tom Dunlop what happens to magpies, eagles, hawks, in areas where
rodent control programs take place. Dunlop answered that the amount of poison is minut~
It is strong enough to kill a rodent, but is not detrimental to other animals. Dunlop
stated this poison has been commonly used in years past with no detrimental effect to
the ecology and environment. Stewart Mace questioned this and asked for the address
of the people Dunlop had been working with.
Councilwoman Johnston asked if Dunlop had researched any other programs, like flooding
or trapping. Dunlop stated for these programs you have to have people available to ~
capture and to relocate the animals. Other than flooding or trapping, this proposed
program is the most common, and safest with the least after effects. The animals die
and decompose in their burrows. Any animals that die on the surface would be. picked up.~
Dunlop
stated he and Bob Nelson had worked with two men from the Department of ~
Agriculture and Veterinary section on developing this program. The poison is 5/10 of
i per cent and deteriorates very rapidly. It is applied underground. The control
measures will be as strict as possible.
Stewart Mace stated that anything that has the potential for secondary kill is dangerous.
There will be loss of weasels, eagles, badgers, hawks, etc. These creatures will suffer
because this program will kill a number of desirable animals that support life under-
ground. Mayor Standley pointed out that timing of this is not of the essence.
program
Council directed Dunlop and Bob Nelson to work with Stewart Mace on researching the
effects of this program and report to the next Council meeting.
3. A-95 Review - Colorado Right To Read Program.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to forward the application with favorable comment; seconded
by Councilman Wishart. All in favor, motion carried.
A-95 Review - Solid Waste Management and Demonstration.
Councilwoman Johnston moved to table this application until the next meeting and ask for
~omment from tee health department; seconded by Councilman Wishrt. All in favor, motion
carried.-
4. Communications Grant. Marty Hershey, Chief of Police, told the Commissioners and
Council that it was possible for the pol~ice and sheriff's department to receive federal
Police monies for the area of communications. There was a study done by Corbet on engineering
dept. a communications study for the city and county. Hershey stated that before the police
communi- department can begin to apply for the grant, they need a study done of where to put the
cations repeater sites. This particular piece of work has to be done. This grant will be the
grant first major step towards consolidations of the city/county communications and record
center. There will be emergency generators, telephone lines, etc. Hershey asked for
$1500 from the city and county each to fund this study.
Commissioner Kinsley asked exactly what the grant money would provide. Hershey answered
they would get an emergency generator, telephone lines, patching in service, hot lines
to fire department, hospital, etc. Ed Killam added this will be a first step in
immediate improvement to the dispatch area. The telephone communications system badly
needs upgrading. The system will establish five emergency lines with the same number for
the fire, ambulance, sheriff, police, etc.
Councilwoman Johnston stated her primary concern is to do something immediately about
getting a generator. Commissioner Shellman agreed, the city and county having been
talking about emergency generator for years and still don't have one.
Councilman Parry moved to go ahead and authorize the $3000 expenditure for the study by th~
city and county; seconded by Councilman Wishart. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to mobilize a generator immediately so that the communications
center can- have it; seconded by Commissioner Shellman. All in favor, motion carried.
5. Golf Course Trail. Bill Smith, director of parks, told the Commissioners and Council
that it was possible to put a trail from the tot lot between the 4 and 5 fairways.
Mayor Standley said the City would go for a trail if it was fenced and signed no horses.
Golf Commissioner Edwards stated the reason there was a problem with horses on the golf course
course is that there is no way to get across. Edwards stated if the City signed the trail and
trail had a designated way for horse riders to get across the golf course, they would use the
trail. Mayor Standley said the City would reserve the right to prohibit horses if they
become a problem.
Councilwoman Johnston moved to approve a trail as outlined; seconded by Councilwoman
Pedersen. All in favor, motion carried.
COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Standley called the meeting with order at 6:00 p.~. with Councilmembers Behrendt,
Wishart, Parry, Pedersen, Johnston, Acting City Attorney Art Daily present.
MINUTES
There were no minutes for the June 28, 1976 meeting submitted.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Councilwoman Pedersen moved To approve the ~une accounts payable; seconded by Councilman
Wishart. All in favor, motion carried.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
There were no comments.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
West end 1. Councilwoman Pedersen brought up the potholes in the west end and asked when they woul~
potholes be fixed.
2. Councilwoman Pedersen thanked the Aspen Police Department for their work and control o~
4th of the crowds on the Fourth of July.
July
3. Councilman Behrendt stated he had received complaints about the lights at ~setin park
field. They were disturbing people all the way up Red Mountain. Councilman Behrendt
Lights at suggested a curfew on all parks due to the noise, crowds, and lights disturbing any
Iselin neighborhood. Councilman Behrendt asked if there was support for this from Council.
park Mayor Standley suggested he met with City Manager Mahoney, Ted Armstrong and Bill Smith
and bring a recommendation back to Council.
4. Councilman Behrendt said the City was promised brick layers working double time in
the mall starting July 6th. The brick layers are six days late; what will that do to Bricking in
the mall schedule. City ManaGer M'ahoney answered that Jim Furniss was meeting with the mall
brick layers in the morning to work out a schedule to see if they could brick Hyman and
Cooper at the same time.
5. Councilman Behrendt asked about painting the crosswalks.
6. Councilman Behrendt brought up the "pedestrians right-of-way signs" in the City.
Mayor Standley told Council that Art Hougland had moved the signs to places at the
entrances to town.
7. Councilman Parry stated he and Councilman Behrendt had expressed dissatisfaction with
the transportation department and asked for an update. City Manager Mahoney stated he Transporta-
was somewhat in agreement with that. The present director of transportation has been tion dept.
very good in operational terms, keeping the buses running and on schedule, but has been
lack in signing, bus stops, etc. Mahoney stated he was not sure the Council had given
Mojo the funding or management support to do so. Mahoney told Council he had considered
some alternatives and had interviewed some people for the job of transportation director.
Mahoney has asked Art Hougland to give a hand in the transportation, and H.J. Stalf will
be in charge of signing. Stalf had temporary signs made for the buses over the weekend.
Jim Furniss, Mall project director, told Council he had planned to start laying bricks
in the gutter the end of June. Due to the Fourth of July weekend and celebrations, the
Mall progress
brick work was put off. Elam closed their plant down for a week and Furniss could not
get any asphalt until today. Furniss stated they were going to work six days a week, report
10 hours a day. Furniss plans to brick Hyman and Cooper streets at the same time.
Furniss told Council he was having difficulty hiring brick layers, most applicants are
laborers. If brick layers cannot be found in Aspen, the contractors will bring in men
from Boston. Mahoney said he felt that the City is starting to move backwards. The
City has to support Furniss. The City is not over budget on the mall and is not over
spending, but is making a mess. Furniss pointed out that the mall has not been under
construction for two months, and they have come a long way.
8. Mayor Standley congratulated City Manager Mahoney for being elected to the Board of
City Managers for the state of Colorado.
STUDENT COMMENTS
There were no comment.
ASPEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Request to mow lawn; Special Event Permit
Aspen Histor
ical Society
Ramona Markalunas, director of the AHS, told Council when they purchased the Stallard
request to
House in 1967 the historical society asked the City for lawn care and payment of the
mow lawn
utilities. The utilities could not be paid because of the audit procedures. The City v
agreed to give a cash donation to do the lawn care. Bill Smith told Council the
City mows the lawn once a week and take approximately three man hours. Councilman Wishar~
in-kind services
asked if this lawn was available to the public. Mrs. Markalunas stated they allowed
children to use the park and other people but did not allow active participation, like
frisbie.
Councilwoman Johnston asked about the contributions the City makes to the historical
society. John Eldert answered that the City gives $2,500 each year since 1969. Mayor
Standley brought up the mimeographing done for museum tours, walking tours, and Ashcroft
tours, by the city clerk's office. This service has never been requested but has lust
been done. Councilman Wishart stated he had no problem with in-kind services or cash
contributions, but for the City's bookkeeping it should be recorded. Mrs. Markalunas
stated she felt the historical society was as much a public service to the city as the
City itself. The AHS has kept their requests to the city reasonable. Councilman Wishart
indicated he felt that the in-house City bookkeeping should reflect exactly what the
City is doing for the AHS.
Councilman Parry moved to continue mowing the grass and uo let the budget reflect that
this is an in-kind contribution on the Council budget; seconded by Councilwoman Johnston.
Councilwoman Pedersen asked that this in-kind service be reviewed year to year at budget
time. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Wishart moved to continue the in-kind servlce~as they have historically been
done until the Council comes to budget time and re-evaluate this at budget time; seconded
by Councilwoman Johnston. All in favor, motion carried.
Special Event Permit. .~ouncilman Behrendt moved to approve the special event permit for
the Aspen Historical Society for August 12 for a three-way license; seconded by Council-
Special event
man Parry. All in favor, motion carried, permit
ASPEN-ALPINE BICYCLE RACE - Request for contribution and street closures
Bert Bidwell, representing the Aspen Alpine race, told Council this race would take place Aspen-Alpine ~i
July 30, 31, and August 1. The road race will be 210 miles between here and Vail and bike race
back again. The third day is a 40 mile race on the streets of Aspen. Bidwell stated the
request for ~
Olympic teams from U.S., Canada, and Mexico will be here from Montreal. donation &
street
Bidwell asked that the first day, Friday July 30, that Main street between Monarch and
closure
Galena be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. so that the riders can get organized. Bidwel
also asked to have two police officers there to help. The race will end up in front of
the Hotel Jerome at approximately 1 p.m. Bidwell asked to have the streets closed from
the bridge including Mill street, as the riders will be coming in fast. Terry Morse and
people from the ski club will help handle the finish.
On Sunday, August 1, the criterium will start at 10 a.m. Bidwell asked to have the
intersections blocked off from about 9 a.m. until noon. The course for the criterium
will not be known until two or three days before the race due to the condition of the
streets at the present time.
Bidwell stated that in order to get the Olympic teams here, the Aspen-Alpine had to
guarantee all expenses from Denver to Aspen and back, and while they are here will be
paid. Several restaurants have agreed to feed them and several condominiums have agreed
to house them. The Aspen Alpine i~ putting up $2500 in price money. Anothe~ $1300 to
$1500 will be needed to run the race. Bidwell asked the City for $1,000 contribution
for the race.
Councilwoman Johnston moved that the City Council contribute $1,000 to the Aspen Alpine
bicycle race to help with expenses plus in-kind services; seconded by Councilman Behrendt.
Bidwell told Council he will take out a S300,000 public liability insurance policy for
the race. Art Daily asked that the City be listed as named insured. Daily also stated
that all riders sign a release form. Mayor Standley asked that Daily review the insurance
policy to make sure it is adequate.
All in favor, motion carried.
VACATION OF ALLEY/BLOCK 54
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to table this item as no one was present from the Ice Palace;
seconded by Councilwoman Johnston. All in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Standley asked that some one from the Ice Palace be present at the next meeting to
explain the request.
HYMAN STREET VICTORIANS - Conceptual Subdivision Approval
Hyman St. Hal Clark, planning office, told Council this property is at 990 East Hyman street, is
Victorian! zoned R/MF and consists of 6,000 square feet. R/MF requires 2,000 square feet per unit
Concept- for two bedroom units on a lot size of less than 9,000 square feet. There is an existing
ual - structure, to which will be added 2 two-bedroom condominium units. ~he applicant has
approved agreed to a six month covenant on the 2 units, which the planning office feels is very
appropriate in the R/MF zone. The planning office recommends approval of this subdivision.
Perry Harvey, the applicant, explained that he was going to live in the structure and
design the two condominium units.
Councilman Behrendt moved to approve conceptual subdivision; seconded by Councilman Parry.
All in favor, motion carried.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Hal Clark submitted a memorandum to Council summarizing the work on this energy conserva-
Energy tion for the past year. Ted Mularz, architect, has spent a great deal of time on this
conserva- project. Mularz has basic support for these energy conservation regulations. Council-
tion woman Johnston pointed out that the Senate finance committee has approved a tax credit
insulatior of up to $225 for house insulation. Mayor Standley said he had read that some finance
code agencies were knocking of up to 3/4 of a point on interest rates on houses that need some
energy conservation.
Ted Mularz stated he was in favor of an energy conservation ordinance. Mularz stated that
the County insulation code has not appreciably affected construction costs. On a 3,000
square foot building, $600 to $800 more might be spent for insulation, but there is a
credit of a smaller boiler and a lower fuel bill.
Mayor Standley questioned remodels of over 50 per cent of the building value, what does
that architecturally do to old buildings. Mularz stated that in some cases you can't do
this 100 per cent; additions are required to come up to the code. This has not presented
problems yet. Mularz stated he had not had a hard time selling the energy conservation
code to any client. Clark stated they had recommended exempting single family dwellings
where 90 per cent of those cases would come up.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to draft this as an amendment to the City building code;
seconded by.~Councilman Wishart.
Councilwoman Pedersen noted that this energy conservation is not only for cold weather,
but also helps in hot weather to keep the house cool. Mularz stated he had recently
abandoned designing a completely solar heated house as the solar heat constituted 25 per
cent of the building cost. If the Council could see any way to offer any incentives,
i.e. building permit fees, water tap fees, sewer tap fees, dedication fees, to pay for
solar heating systems, people may be more willing to do solar heat.
Councilman Parry asked if there were restrictions on north facing glass. Clark answered
yes, but the design flexibility clause allows one to waive that if the overall heat loss
design meets a certain standard. There are two parts to the code, specific performance
section, and a design flexibility section.
All in favor, motion carried.
PURCHASE OF VAN FOR .RECREATION
City Manager Mahoney told Council that a 1974 Ford van had been located for sale in the
Van Aspen Times for $3550. This van has been checked out by the City shop and has been
purchase recommended for purchase for the recreation department's use. Councilman Wishart asked
for rec- where the money was coming from. City Manager Mahoney stated the entire transportation
reation budget had to be addressed when the finance director returned.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to buy the van; seconded by Councilman Wishart.
Councilman Parry reminded Council that the recreation department had had two buses
purchased from the school~district. These buses have been taken over by the transporta-
tion department. The recreation department no longer has buses. Councilman Parry stated
the recreation department needed a van about this size to carry people to the various
program that go on.
Council decided this expenditure would come out of the budget as determined by the City ~
Manager and the finance director. Mayor Standley stated he felt this should be a trans-
portation vehicle.
All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #33, SERIES OF 1976 - Annexation of Alpine Acres - Public Hearing
Ord. 33
Mayor Standley opened the public hearing. Tom Dunlop, sanitarian, told Council he had
Annexation
send Lennie Oates a letter specifing 9 items he wanted answers to. Dunlop stated he
of Alpine
had not received answers to them. Mayor Standley stated when these issues were resolved,
then the Council would have a second reading. Acres
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to continue the public hearing; seconded by Councilwoman
Johnston. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE ~32, SERIES OF 1976 Designation of Floradora and Mesa Store Bakery as
Historic Structures Ord. 32
Mayor Standley opened the public hearing. Floradora &
Mesa Store
John Stanford, planning office, showed Council where on a map these two buildings were Bakery as
located. They are both on Main street. There is one other historically designated "H"
building on Main street, and the planning office has some tentative applications for
others. The Mesa Store Bakery and Floradora have been researched as far as their
historic documentation. These buildings have been placed in the highest categories
of historic building on Main street.
With respect to the Floradora, it was originally the residence of Benjamin Ferris who
lived in Aspen in the 1890's. The sources for the documentation of this building were
an 1893 Aspen directory and a book, Colo~a.~o.'.~ Enterprising Cities.
The Mesa Store bakery was originally the Gould and Grover Store. This building was
historically documented by an interview with Lena VanLoon, an old Aspen resident; a
quo~ from the Aspen Daily Times, July 3, 1890; and The Crystal City of the Rockies.
Stanford entered the following documents into the record: public hearing for ~oint hear-
lng of HPC and P & Z; public notice for public hearing before Council; historic docu-
mentation of each structure including the sources listed above, title chains tracing
owners of each property, dates of construction and tax assessments, interview with Lena
VanLoon; owner consent forms from the present owners requesting historic designation;
HPC resolution dated April 28, 1976, recommending approval of historic designation;
joint resolution and report to Council from the HPC and P & Z recommending adoption;
1896 Willits map; Main street buildings analysis, historic buildings inventory, existing
land use, future land use, predominant building materials.
Mayor Standley closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to read Ordinance #32, Series of 1976; seconded by Council-
man Behrendt. All in favor, motion carried. ~
ORDINANCE #32
(Series of 1976)
AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE SITE OF THE MESA STORE BAKERY (LOTS R AND S
OF BLOCK 30, ORIGINAL ASPEN TOWNSITE) AND THE FLORADORA (LOTS P, Q, R AND
S, BLOCK 37, ORIGINAL ASPEN TOWNSITE) AS HISTORIC SITES ALL AS PROVIDED
BY ~RTICLE IX OF CHAPTER 24 OF THE'ASPEN MUNICIPAL CODE was read by the
city clerk
Councilwoman Peders~nmoved to adopt Ordinance #32, Series of 1976, on second reading;
seconded by Councilman Parry. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Behrendt, aye; Johnston,
aye; Parry, aye; Pedersen, aye; Wishart, aye; Mayor Standley, aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #35, SERIES .OF 1976 - Creating parks and recreation as separate departments
Mayor Standley opened the public hearing. Paula Childs asked how much this was going to
cost the City. Mahoney answered there will be no additional appropriations. Eldert Ord. 35 -
concurred it was possible to divide the two departments without further money needed, parks &
Mahoney said Armstrong would absorb some expenses underneath himself through coaching recreation
and refereeing; Smith will do the same thing~ Monies will be transferred from ditch separated
construction and the mall to Smith's budget. Eldert pointed out that the recreation
programs are revenue supported activities.
Mayor S~andley closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to read Ordinance #35, SEries of 1976; seconded by Councilmar
Parry. All in favor, motion carried. ~-~
ORDINANCE #35
(Series of 1976)
AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION WITHIN
THE CITY OF ASPEN ADMINISTRATION AND ESTABLISHING IN LIEU THEREOF TWO
SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS TO BE CALLED THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to adopt Ordinance 935, Series of 1976, on second reading;
seconded by Councilman Wishart. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Johnston, aye; Parry,
aye; Pedersen, aye; Wishart, aye; Behrendt, aye; Mayor Standley, aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE ~3.7,....S~IE.S OF. ~.976 - Appropriation from water fund
Ord. 37 Mayor Standley opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Standley closed
Appropri- the public hearing.
ation fron
water Councilwoman Johnston moved to read Ordinance #37, Series of 1976; seconded by Council-
fund woman Pedersen. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE 937
(Series of 1976)
AN ORDINANCE RECOGNIZING $264,067 OF UNAPPROPRIATED CURRENT YEAR REVENUES
AND PRIOR YEAR RETAINED EARNINGS IN THE WATER FUND: AND APPROPRIATIONS
FROM THE WATER FUND AMOUNTS FOR IMPROVING DITCH RIGHTS ($42,067), FOR THE
TRUEMAN PROPERTY WATER TRANSMISSION LINE ($9,000), FOR WATER HYDRANTS
($6,000), FOR REPLACEMENT PAVING ON THE GALENA STREET WATER LINE ($2,000)
AND FOR STORM SEWER CONSTRUCTION $205,000 was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to adopt Ordinance 937, Series of 1976, on second reading;
seconded by Councilwoman Johnston. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Parry, aye; Pedersen,
aye; Wishart, aye; Behrendt, aye; Johnston, aye; Mayor Standley, aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #38, SERIES. OF 1976 - Appropriation from park dedication fees
Ord. 38 Mayor Standley opened the public hearing.
Appropria-
tion from Tony Coleman, mall designer, showed Council a model of the proposed children's park and
park public toilets and explained the location, which will be the east side of Wagner park
dedication along Mill street. The playground will have heavy timber play area. The toilets will
fees be bermed. There will be a place for public telephones, which will have a place for
amplification. The berms of the park and toilets can be used as grandstands for watching
activities in the park. Councilwoman Johnston asked if this project was within the
mall funds. Mahoney answered when the mall budget was worked out, this project was put
in it.
Mayor Standley closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to read Ordinance ~38, Series of 1976; seconded by Council-
woman Johnston. All in.favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #38
(Series of 1976)
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $29,000 FROM PARK DEDICATION FEES FOR PUBLIC
TOILETS FOR WAGNER PARK ($16,000) AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CHILDREN'S
PARK NEAR THE MALL ($13,000); AND FURTHER APPROPRIATING FROM THE SIXTH
PENNY SALES TAX FUND $16,900 FOR STREET FURNISHINGS AND $20,000 FOR LAND
SCAPING was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to adopt Ordinance #38, Series of 1976; seconded by Council-
woman Johnston. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Pedersen, aye; Wishart, aye; Behrendt,
aye; Johnston, aye; Parry, aye; Mayor Standley, aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #39, SERIES OF..~76 Appropriation from 7th penny to transit
Ord. 39
tabled Mayor Standley opened the public hearing. John Eldert asked that this ordinance be
tabled until the transportation budget can be resolved. Mayor Standley closed the public
hearing.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to table Ordinance #39, Series of 1976; seconded by Council-
man Wishart. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #40., SERIES OF 1976 Appropriation from electric fund to undergrounding
Ord. 40 Mayor Standley opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Standley closed
Appropri- the public hearing.
ation
from Councilwoman Pedersen moved to read Ordinance #40, Series of 1976; seconded by Council-
electric woman Johnston. All in favor, motion carried.
to under-
grounding ORDINANCE #40
(Series of 1976)
AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING $66,750 OF UNAPPROPRIATED REVENUES FROM THE
ELECTRIC FUND TO THE ELECTRICAL UNDERGROUNDING CONSTRUCTION FUND
($36,750) AND TO THE MALL CONSTRUCTION FUND ($30,000) FOR MALL LIGHTING
was read by the city clerk.
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to adopt Ordinance $40, Series of 1976, on second reading;
seconded by Councilman Behrendt. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Wishart, aye; Pedersen,
aye; Parry, aye; Johnston, aye; Behrendt, aye; Mayor Standley, aye. Motion carried.
CITY MANAGER
1. Hatlam and Bleeker street closure. City Manager Mahoney told Council the planner,
Bill Kane, had spent almost a week ~n the hospital, and therefore, had not been able to
work out solutions for this problem. Mayor Standley stated the petition against closing Hallam &
these streets had 17 signatures of people living on Francis, and 47 living in the west Bleeker
end, out of 200. Mayor Standley suggested that Mahoney take people off the petition closure
against closing the streets and people from the petition in favor of closing the streets
and appoint them as a committee to work with Mahoney and Kane on solutions. Council
asked that the administration bring a solution to the next Council meeting.
2. Rio Grande parking. Councilman Behrendt stated that parking is a problem, and the
biggest part of the problem is locals who park on the streets for long periods of time
and take up high turn over spaces. Councilman Behrendt suggested the City pay people who
park in the Rio Grande for over six hours $.50 a day. Councilman Behrendt pointed out Rio Grande
this would be less expensive than building a parking structure. The program would only parking
run six months and would require only one employee to monitor it. Councilman Behrendt proposal
said the City could make the parking lot more attractive by building stairs and a trail.
Mahoney added that cars left several days could only collect for one day.
Councilman Wishart pointed out that Councilman Behrendt's figure of $2,000 per month for
the program did not jive. If the City were paying $90 a day for cars to park down there
plus an attendant, that would not come out. Councilman Wishart stated he would rather
use that money to put on two more parking enforcement officers. Councilman Parry stated
more enforcement officers just made the cars rotate more often.
Councilwoman Johnston stated she really like the idea and felt it was good incentive to
get people to park on the Rio Grande. Mayor Standley agreed the idea had merit, especiall
from the PR value of it. Mayor Standley asked that the planning office evaluate this
plan also. Councilwoman Pedersen Suggested havingthe-~a~propriate~l~giSla~i~nfor'thisprogram~
ready for the next meeting.
Council decided they were interested in pursuing this idea and asked Councilman Behrendt,
City Manager Mahoney and Planner Kane to work on it.
3. Mill Levy Report. John Eldert submitted a memorandum; this was mainly a public
information item.
4. Mall budget ~ort. Eldert gave Council an expenditure summary of the mall project
through June 1976. The annual budget is $1,196,140 with an additional $45,000 for Galena ~all budget
street. $850,000 fDr the project was mall bonds, $346,900 is transfers from other depart- report
ments. $850,000 is for the basic mall project; $30,000 is from electric fund for street
lighting; $38,155 from the water department for water rights, hydrants, descending waters;
$16,900 is for street furnishings; $20,000 is for landscaping; $13,000 for the children's
park, and $16,000 is for public toilets. There is $40,000 for architectural fees. Some
of these projects come from sixth penny funds, departmental transfers, and park dedica-
tion fees. Eldert told Council that the mall budget looked good, and the City has good
firm contract quotes.
TREE INVESTIGATION
Acting City Attorney Art Daily told Council the issue had been well laid out in City
Attorney Stuller's memorandum. Daily stated that Mahoney has taken the position that he Tree
is subject to the requirements that a permit should be obtained by a City official. The Investigation
question becomes whether an exception for emergency circumstances is applicable. Daily
stated that based upon Pete Luhn's letter, Mahoney had reason to believe that an emergency
existed.
Daily told Council they had to decide whether or not to prefer charges. If charges are
filed, then a Council hearing date would be set. The issue is, did the City Manager have
just cause for feeling that a permit was not necessary in these circumstances. Daily
pointed out that Fred Braun stated also that the tree was in danger of coming down.
Councilman Wishart stated in view of these letters, he felt that Mahoney was within his
rights.
Andy Hecht, representing Mahoney, submitted a Iet~-~' and asked that it become part of the
record. Mayor Standley admitted the letter submitted as part of the proceedings alon~
with the memoranda and attachalents. Hecht stated the issue he was focusing on was what
reason the tree was taken down without a permit. It was taken down based on Luhn's
letter, and Mahoney felt there was an emergency. Whether or not anybody can demonstrate
the tree was going to come down in the next windstorm is not the issue. Hecht stated
that Mahoney would have been remiss if he had not made the decision to cut the tree based
on the letter from Luhn. Hecht said the issue is not whether Mahoney has to abide by
the code and procedures; they agree he does. This instance is an exception and Mahoney
felt this was an emergency. The Code giv~ the City Manager the responsibility to do that.
City Manager Mahoney stated he has relied on Luhn for 2% years in the tree business.
Hecht said originally this tree was part of the mall design. It was not intended to be
removed. It was not until Luhn's letter was it decided to remove the tree. Councilman
Parry said this controversy came up only because it is necessary to get a permit. Mayor
Standley answered that is what the complaint stated. The City Manager has the exceptional
power in emergencies. Hecht said he was asking Council to decide there was an emergency.
There is enough evidence to say this; there is a provision in the code that if an emergen¢
exists, then the City Manager does not have to go through procedures.
Councilwoman Pedersen stated that Luhn's letter certainly does not sound like this was
Tree an imperative situation, nor an emergency. Councilwoman Johnston stated she felt it was
Investi- most important for public officials to follow procedures. Luhn wrote the letter on
gation May 11 and the tree came down two weeks later. Councilwoman Johnston pointed out that
cont. Mahoney certainly had time to get a tree permit. Councilwoman Johnston said she felt the
Council and the City owed it to the people to see that the City's ordinances are upheld.
Councilman Wishart pointed out that the Council is decid~g whether or not there was an
emergency. If there was, then Mahoney did follow the ordinance. Mahoney responded to
Luhn's letter the same day. Councilman Wishart agreed that public officials should
follow the City's ordinances.
Mayor Standley noted that last year a cottonwood tree in the west end fell down and
damaged a car in a wind storm. This tree had a rotten core. Had this happened in the
mall, the tree could have damaged more than a car. After the RBH tree incident, the
building inspector stated he would not issue a tree cutting permit without receiving
Mahoney's approval. Ted Armstrong, who also can sign a tree cutting permit, was out in
limbo due to the parks and recreation situation during most of this time and could not
be reached to sign a permit. Mayor Standley quoted from Hecht's letter, and stated that
in talking about a small town, this requires responsive government that gets out and
does something immediately. Mayor Standley pointed out that the experts in trees were
involved and did agree with Mahoney.
Councilwoman Pedersen questioned the methodology and was concerned that Mahoney did not
take diagnostic steps. Councilwoman Pedersen stated that Mahoney should have set the
groundwork properly. Councilwoman Pedersen said she did not question emergency powers
and stated she did not see the emergency element in this situation. Councilwoman Johnston
pointed out that this all happened on May 11; the parks thing did not~.happen until June.
Councilman Wishart moved that given the facts there is a follow up letter to Luhn's
original letter indicating that the tree was rotten and the tree was a hazard, Mahoney
acted within the City's codes, and that the Council should not continue the proceedings
against Mahoney; seconded by Councilman Parry~
Councilwoman Pedersen stated she would like to see the methodology improved.
Councilmembers Behrendt, Wishart, Parry, Pedersen and~ay~r Standley in favor; Council-
woman Johnston opposed. Motion carried.
Council decided to refer to City Manager Mahoney, City Attorney Stuller and Building
Inspector Meyrlng the ordinance in question for review.
MAYOR'S DEED
Councilman Behrendt moved to approve the Mayor's deed for lots D and E, Block 94, to
Maurice Beririo; seconded by Councilwoman Johnston. All in favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTIpN #10, SERIES OF 1976
Councilwoman Pedersen moved to table Resolution ~10, Series of 1976; seconded by Council-
man Parry. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCe. ?.34, SERIES DF .19.76 Use of Open Space
Ord. 34
Use of Mayor Standley explained this ordinance was re-written to enable restaurants to use open
Open space with approval of the planning and zoning commission.
Space
Councilman Behrendt moved to read Ordinance #34, Series of 1976; seconded by Councilwoman
Johnston. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE ~34
(Series of 1976)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION ~4-3.7[d) OF THE ASPEN MUNICIPAL CODE (THE
OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ZONING CODE) PROHIBITING THE USE OF REQUIRED
OPEN SPACE FOR COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY (UNLESS AS AN ADJUNCT TO THE USE OF AN
AUBTTING RIGHT-OF-WAY), BUT EXCEPTING FROM SUCH PROHIBITION THE USE OF
OPEN SPACE FOR RESTAURANTS ON RECEIPT OF PRIOR APPROVAL BY THE CITY'S
PLANNING COMMISSION was read by the city clerk
Councilman Behrendt moved to refer this ordinance to P & Z for comments. Motion died
for lack of a second.
Councilman Wishart moved to approve on first reading with the provision that P & Z
comment by the second reading; seconded by Councilman Behrendt. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Behrendt, aye; Johnston, aye; Parry, aye; Pedersen, nay; Wishart, aye;
Mayor Standley, aye. Motion carried.
Ord. 41 ORDInanCE ~41,. S~IE.S ~F. 197.6 Appropriation paving additional rights-of-way abutting
Appropri- the mall
ation for
paving Mayor Standley told Council this was to take care of entrances to buildings along the
r-o-w mall. Mayor Standley asked Mahoney to check out a letter to Bert Bidwell stating that
abutting the City was charging about 7 times more than other contractors. The letter stated
mall Bidwell could have the work done for $160 vs. $870 if done by the city.
Councilwoman Johnston moved to read Ordinance 941, Series of 1976, seconded by Councilman
Wishart. All in favor, motion carried.
Regular Meeting .~ Aspen City Council July 26, 1976
JOINT MEETING WITH COUNTY CO~4ISSIONERS
Mayor Standley called the joint meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with Councilmembers
Behrendt, De Gregorio, Parry, Johnston, Wishart, City Manager Mahoney, City Attorney
Stuller, Commissioners Shellman, Edwards, and Kinsley present.
1. A-95 Reviews.
Mayor Standley told the Commissioners and Council that his administrative assistant,
Phyllis Kenny, had represented the County and City at the last COG meeting. Mayor A-95 reviews
Standley gave a report on the various A-95 reviews; (1) Cooperative health agreement COG meeting
between COG and the western county health systems agencies was tabled. This grant was
opposed by the nurses and is under investigation. Commissioner Kinsley explained that
rather than have the health agencies centralized in Grand Junction, COG was pushing
for people to be located in all the western counties so that more people could partici-
pate. (2) Community Flu Vaccination Program was forwarded With negative comments from
COG because of problems with liability. (3) School Scoliosis Screening and Treatment
was approved. (4) Historic preservation was approved. (5) State Mental Health five
year plan received favorable comment from all public health groups except Jackson Count
and was approved by COG (6) Regional Housing Goals and Objectives was tabled fro
discussion. Mayor Standley asked that Brian Goodheim have comments for the next joint
meeting.
a. Community Food Stamp Program. A memorandum from Betty Erickson recommended
favorable comment that this program be directed toward target groups.
Commissioner Shellman recommended favorable comment with qualification; seconded by
Councilman Wishart. All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Behrendt. Motion
carried.