HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.cclc.min.04022008COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES APRIL 2, 2008
Chairperson, Terry Butler called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Commissioners in attendance: Bill Dinsmoor, Mark Goodman, Don
Sheeley, Roger Haneman and Shae Singer. Fred Ayarza and John Starr
where excused.
MOTION: Terry moved to approve the minutes of March 10, 2008; second
by Don. All in favor, motion carried.
Chairperson, Terry Butler invited Dr. Sworsky to the CCLC meeting to
discuss his views and concerns with parking.
Dr. Sworsky said he has been on committees up and down the valley and the
task forces have been beneficial. They have evolved into a better bus
system. I've listened and thought about our paid parking situation.
Downtown parking meters opened up more parking spaces. The thing that
concerns me now is what is the breaking point. The perception is that
visitors are not wanted here. Is expansion of the paid parking a good thing
or a bad thing. The new parking idea invests in all sorts of invasive issues.
It penalizes people without discretionary cash in their pocket. It is
congestion pricing. To spend that much money to generate and pay off the
parking meters. We are loosing for a less auto invasive town. People drive
around and around looking for spaces. Why not build some parking so that
you park as soon as you get right into town.
We are all penalized for being in the car. It is two lanes converting into one
that causes the build up. We need to build parking and complete the
highway.
Dream transit -
Dr. Sworsky said his dream transit would be a transportation high speed
train that connects the four base areas. We need to make this town a user
friendly place.
Mark said everyone would support additional parking. Mark pointed out
that the two hour parking works well. Paid parking is not expensive and it
keeps spaces open.
Shae said we need to address to council that the onus is falling on the
business owner. Bus passes, ski passes and insurance. It is all connected.
As a business owner it is difficult to get employees because of the transit.
t
COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES APRIL 2, 2008
Don said he is running for an ACRA seat. Transportation and parking are
the issues and the ACRA should be stepping in and communicating with
city council.
Dr. Sworsky said we need to complete the highway and have more parking.
Zermont Switzerland has small electric cars or carriages to pick you up.
Mark also agreed that we need another parking lot.
Bill said one of the foundational problems is that we really don't have a
voice. We need an organization structure that allows a voice to be heard in
the community and speaks to the truth and has the factual basis. We have
been talking about a car share bike share program. We have 3 people on
council that are not really interested in our problems. Organization is the
first issue.
Dr. Sworsky said the bus schedule works well for normal business hours but
if you have to take kids to school etc. it is difficult.
Roger said the city does collect parking in lieu with developments.
Lynn Rumbaugh said the increase fee is for additional cost of doing
business. Part of the idea is by increasing the rates it will decrease the
occupancy downtown.
David Sworsky said there is no parking at the base of the mountain to ski.
People are not welcome. Aspen Highlands had 850 parking spaces and now
has 450 spaces at the base. Snowmass is also cutting down the amount of
parking at the base.
Car share program:
John Krueger and Lynn Rumbaugh
John pointed out that parking and transportation are emotional issues in the
community. Part of the problem is getting a consensus within the
community. RFTA has 4 '/z million riders. Ridership goes up 8 to 10% per
year. There will be a bus lane installed this summer and it will be open by
next winter. Brush Creek to Aspen will be free next year. Vehicles coming
into town are below the 1993 stats but we didn't take into account the use of
2
COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES APRIL 2, 2008
Cemetery Lane to get out of town. Brush Creek park in ride changing to a
station is one idea.
Lynn said the Car Share Program is being overhauled. We are changing the
name and getting a new reservation system. Right now there is no
technology guarding the program. We need a more reliable reservation
system. We are also redoing the cars with decals. Anew web site will soon
be coming. Basically we are revamping the entire program. The program is
set for 10 cars.
John said we haven't asked for more funding because we are waiting for the
use to come up to the amount of cars that we have. Council is supportive of
the program
Lynn said the program helps people not to buy a second car. Key car
technology is being researched. We need to start corporate memberships
and possibly CCLC could be involved in that. We only have four corporate
members right now.
Shae said Telluride has a private enterprise partnership. Go green Telluride.
It is a rental car program that provides mopeds, electric cars. etc. Telluride
provides a parking space and I am not sure if the city pays for the electricity.
Bill said flex car and zip car has been melding for months. Rental car
businesses are exploring this idea. Is there some other model that would
work here in a small resort? We need to find out if there is a business
model.
John said we would need funding to research a business model.
Roger asked what the revenue source was. John said it is funded through the
transportation, parking fund which is an enterprise fund.
Bill said he feels this program should go forward. Bill said the program
could be contracted out. Lynn and John will report at a later date.
Mee 'ng a bourne 1:00 m.
~~ ~~s
Kathleen J. Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk