Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20010108Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 Annual Meeting - Aspen Public Facility Authority President Rachel Richards called to order the annual meeting of the Aspen Public Facility Authority at 5:00 p.m. with members Terry Paulson, Jim Markalunas, Kathryn Koch, David Hurd, Tom McCabe and Tony Hershey present. McCabe moved to approve the minutes of January 9, 2000; seconded by Hershey. McCabe noted a new treasurer will have to be appointed. All in favor, motion carried. Richards pointed out there is a new 5 year lease with ACRA for their space in the parking garage. Hershey moved to nominate David Hurd as treasurer of the Aspen Public Facility Authority; seconded by McCabe. All in favor, motion carried. Paulson moved to adjourn the annual meeting of the Public Facility Authority at 5:05 p.m.; seconded by Markalunas, All in favor, motion carried. COUNCIL MEETING PROCLAMATION - Kyoto, Japan Mayor and Council recognized the historical relationship between Aspen and Kyoto, Japan, going back to 1887 when representatives traveled to Aspen to study the hydroelectric power plant in operation. Mayor Richards traveled to Kyoto and visited their hydroelectric power plant in 1999 and 2000. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 1. Jake Vickery recommended Rich Ryan, parking department, be nominated for an outstanding employee bonus award for all the help he gave to the electric bus program. Without Ryan, the program would not have been successful. Vickery reminded Council he sat on the HPC for 6 years and also had an architectural practice focusing on historic redevelopment. Vickery 1 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 said he feels the historic preservation program needs to be reauthorized. The HPC is a decision making body and has a lot of power in the city. Vickery said the standards are so vague, it is a hardship on people making applications to the HPC. It is not a predictable system. Vickery noted it has been years since the HPC was put into effect and it needs to be refreshed. Mayor Richards said recently the Council reached these same conclusions. The city has hired a consultant to review the work done on the inventory, the merits of modern architecture. Councilman McCabe said he has met with the consultant and they agree these are areas to focus on. Vickery said Council should seriously consider an increase in their monthly compensation. 2. Gary Wright, representing Jordon Gerberg, said he feels the goals of HPC are worthy; however, the process is flawed and citizens are no longer interested in supporting these goals. Wright said he delivered a written request to staff to get information on the HPC process and did not get one written correspondence in return. Wright said on th September 13 , a majority of HPC members voted to remove 17 properties from further consideration. Staff put 4 of those 17 properties back on and all but Gerberg's have been removed from further consideration. Wright told Council he sent a hand-delivered th letter dated December 28 containing an affidavit outlining that staff returned Gerber's property to that list because they didn't like his attitude. Wright told Council he suggested an investigation to the city manager. Wright said he does not want to file a Rule 106 action; however, this seems arbitrary and capricious. Wright suggested the HPC code be re-written so that no property built after 1950 is considered without the owner's consent. City Attorney John Worcester told Council any personnel matters should be dealt with by the city manager. Worcester recommended Council allow the city manager to review this and report back to Council. Wright said there is a pending application for a demolition permit for his client's property and he has no reason to believe to won't be issued. Wright said it is too bad one has to apply for a demolition permit and demolish a good residence. 2 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 3. L. J. Erspamer told Council he feels their current salary is grossly inadequate. Council spends a lot of time and effort and should be compensated more. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 1. Mayor Richards reminded everyone of the community lecture series th beginning Tuesday, January 9 at the Wheeler. The theme is th Winterskol ski legends. Mayor Richards noted this is the 50 anniversary of Winterskol. The parade is Saturday at 3 p.m. 2. Mayor Richards announced a town meeting on the Isis, Tuesday, th January 16 at 5 p.m. at the Isis Theatre. The meeting will look at the options for public community uses. The staff will have a background report; there will be small group discussions on the future of the Isis and what outside resources can be used. 3. Mayor Richards said Assistant Chief Keith Ikeda has resigned from the police department. Ikeda expressed interested in moving on with new options in his life. Mayor Richards stated Ikeda has been a fine peace officer for this community, has done a lot to engender good public relations, and has created a code of ethics for the police department. 4. Councilman McCabe invited any interested persons to participate in th the Burlingame COWOP meeting, Tuesday, January 9 at 4 p.m. at the Aspen Golf Course conference room. Councilman McCabe said the next Burlingame COWOP meeting is January 23 at 4 p.m. 5. Councilman McCabe said he has some concerns with RTA funding issues, like funding the CIS study. Councilman McCabe suggested the RTA board list questions to submit to the federal authority review body as to whether this is viable, whether completing this will give Pitkin County an edge for funding for bus systems. Councilman McCabe asked staff to notify other jurisdictions that is our suggestion. Mayor Richards agreed the RTA needs to get some answers to make sure whatever expenditures the community chooses to make come from everyone having the same information. Mayor Richards said RTA spend their first 60 days getting organized. Councilman Markalunas said he is a strong supporter of the CIS and would like to see it completed. 6. Councilman Markalunas noted that traffic on highway 82 coming into Aspen was recorded at 32,955 on August 25, the highest day, 10,188 the lowest day and 28,155 in March. These figures are about the same 3 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 as 1994. Councilman Markalunas said he has Federal order #13149, the greening of the government and what they are doing to conserve energy. Councilman Markalunas said he will give that report to staff to see if the city can adopt any of these measures. 7. Councilman Markalunas said the first Winterskol was January 1951 and Jack dePagter was the King. Winterskol was started to get people coming to Aspen and celebrating winter. Councilman Markalunas gave a "skoal" to dePagter and 50 years of Winterskol festivities. 8. Councilman Hershey said he would like to remove (e) Resolution #4, 2001, Amendment to GoCo Legacy Grant for Roaring Fork Railroad Legacy Project from the consent calendar. 9. Councilman Markalunas moved to continue Resolution #160, 2000, Appeal of Code Interpretation to February 12, 2000; seconded by Councilman Hershey. All in favor, motion carried. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Lorrie Winnerman told Council she has a handicap permit and found it very difficult to find a handicap parking space in town. Ms. Winnerman suggested more spaces be added. Mayor Richards said there are 30 handicap parking spaces in the core area. Persons with a handicap sticker may park in any legal parking space. Mayor Richards said she will have staff get Ms. Winnerman a map locating all the handicap spaces in the core area. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Markalunas moved to adopt the consent calendar as amended; seconded by Councilman Paulson. The consent calendar is: 4 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 · Resolution #1, 2001 - Posting Notices of Public Meetings · Resolution #2, 2001 - ACRA Lease Rio Grande · Request for Funds - HP Inventory Consultant · Resolution #3, 2001 - Contract Schmueser, Gordon, Meyer - Old Stage Road reconstruction · Minutes - October 23, November 13, December 11, 12, 18, 2000 All in favor, motion carried. RESOLUTION #4, 2001 - Amendment to GoCo Legacy Grant for Roaring Fork Railroad Legacy Project Councilman Hershey said this amendment came about because Representative McInnis did not want a private entity controlling the corridor, but wanted a public entity to control it. Bob Noone, RFRHA, said McInnis wanted elected, locally accountable officials controlling that corridor. Councilman Hershey said he does not understand why this resolution commits to a mode of transportation. Noone told Council the county attorney raised the issue that 3.1 relates to Pitkin County's trail easement, which is a separate right not affected by this agreement. Unless the Pitkin County's trail easement is amended, the change in the legacy grant would be premature. Councilman Hershey said RFRHA may not exist in 6 months. Noone said the conservation easement and original GOCO grant provided that in the event Great Outdoors Colorado did not find the comprehensive plan adopted by RFRHA consistent with the original grant application with a conservation easement on the entire 466 acres, GOCO could advise RFRHA it was not accepting the comprehensive plan. Within 6 months RFRHA had to come to a new agreement with GOCO in order to maintain funding. The deadline for that is January 18, 2001, before the existing grant will expire. Councilman McCabe asked how much this amendment cost. Tom Newland, RFRHA, said his best estimate is around $50,000 to get $1.5 million from GOCO to purchase this property. Councilman Markalunas moved to adopt Resolution #4, 2001; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Paulson, yes; 5 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 McCabe, yes; Markalunas, yes; Hershey, no; Mayor Richards, yes. Motion carried. ORDINANCE #57, SERIES OF 2000 - 2001 Fees John Worcester, city attorney, reminded Council every year staff looks at fee structure to see if the revenues generated covers the costs of these services. Any fee increase are at about 4 percent. Worcester noted a change from community development department, "fees may be waived or reduced in the discretion of the community development director for project serving a public purposes, proposed by a non-profit organization, on in situations where the fee may be excessive for the work proposed" for sections 9, 10 and 11. Mayor Richards opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Richards closed the public hearing. Councilman Markalunas said he would like to consider a reduction in fees for people who are hand demolishing their structures and recycling the material. Mayor Richards suggested asking staff to look at this for a future modification. Councilman Markalunas said he would like to amend the residential permit parking program fees that the first permit be free, the second permit cost $25.00; the third permit $50.00. Councilman Markalunas said town is congested with excess automobiles and the city should do all they can to encourage people to cut down on the number of automobiles. People should be conserving energy and using mass transit. Councilman Hershey moved to adopt Ordinance #57, Series of 2000, on second reading as amended; seconded by Councilman Markalunas Councilman Hershey said he is concerned about fees going up too much and affecting ordinary citizens, like in the recreation program. Mayor Richards pointed out this is only an inflationary increase. Also Council approved the budget based on these fee increases. Councilman Markalunas moved to amend the ordinances in 2.12.060(3) st nd rd th residential permits, 1 permit free, 2 $25.00; 3 $50.00 4 $100 and no 6 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 more than 4 permits shall be issued per residence; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Councilman Paulson said this amendment goes along with the general philosophy that the automobile should pay for itself. Mayor Richards said that amendment may turn people off from city transit program. Mayor Richards said two permits for a residence seems reasonable. Mayor Richards noted the residential parking program was initiated to protect neighborhood from cars drifting over from the commercial core. Councilman Hershey agreed people have a right to park in front of their house. Mayor Richards requested staff to work with CORE, the landfill, and building department to draft language about recycling of building products and a reduction in fees. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Hershey, no; Paulson, yes; McCabe, no; Markalunas, yes; Mayor Richards, no. Motion NOT carried. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Markalunas, yes; Paulson, yes; McCabe, yes; Hershey, yes; Mayor Richards, yes. Motion carried. ORDINANCE #58, SERIES OF 2000 - Code Amendment Security Signs John Worcester, city attorney, said this code amendment was requested by Apex who objected to the regulation stating where security signs may be placed. This ordinance removed the restriction. Worcester noted the added to the ordinance "security signs shall be of a neutral color" and will issue a letter to Apex that Council finds white and blue signs are "of a neutral color" Mayor Richards asked about signs on landmark structures. Worcester said these are subject to HPC approval. Councilman Paulson asked about lighting of these signs. Worcester said this should be covered by the city's lighting code. Councilman Paulson requested staff look at the lighting code, at the use of reflective materials. Mayor Richards opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Richards closed the public hearing. 7 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 Councilman Hershey moved to adopt Ordinance #58, Series of 2000, on second reading; seconded by Councilman McCabe. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Paulson, yes; Hershey, yes; McCabe, yes; Markalunas, yes; Mayor Richards, yes. Motion carried EAST END DURANT IMPROVEMENTS Nick Adeh, city engineer, told Council he has been working with the property owners on east Durant. The cul-de-sac has been on the city's 5 year priority list. Last year the Council decided to focus the money on sidewalks on Main Street. Adeh told Council with the neighborhood and developer's participation in the costs on improvements to the East Durant cul-de-sac, the city will be funding about 1/3 of the project. Mayor Richards said she supports this type of partnership. Council agreed the East Durant improvements should go forward. Mayor Richards indicated she is concerned about money being spent on the Main and Galena intersection when Council wanted to see what type of low-key, more in character with the historic intersection stop lights could be used. Adeh told Council he has identified a good plan, reducing the number of poles from 4 to 2, they will be more ornamental-type street lights. Adeh said he will bring renderings to the Council before going any further with the project. Councilman McCabe said he appreciates the work the neighbors and developer have done toward the East Durant improvements. Councilman McCabe moved to approve the $30,000 expenditure for the East Durant cul-de-sac; seconded by Councilman Markalunas. All in favor, motion carried. COUNCIL COMPENSATION Mayor Richards noted the current salaries for Mayor at $1725/month and Council at 1200/month were set in 1996. Mayor Richards recommends a $300/month increase for both Council and Mayor and to include health insurance as a benefit. Mayor Richards suggested having staff draft an ordinance to increase Council's compensation so that people who are interested in running for office in May will know what the salaries are. 8 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 Randy Ready, assistant city manager, told Council it may not be possible to add part-time employees to the city's health insurance policy. The salaries could be increased to allow the Council to pay for health insurance or the city could provide a separate policy for Council. Andrew Kole said he would like to see the Mayor's salary at $3000/month and Council salary at $2100/month. This could be voted on at the May election. John Worcester, city attorney, pointed out that city officials and employees salaries are not subject to initiative or referendum petitions. Worcester said if this were an issue on the May ballot, it will still have to be acted on by Council. Any increases will only apply to persons running for office. Mayor Richards said a petition could be circulated that would not be binding but advisory asking Council to put a compensation package question on the May ballot. Kole said the present pay for Mayor and Council is embarrassing. Kole said there is public support for an increase in Council's pay. Mayor Richards said she feels her proposal is adequate and in keeping with the level of previous raises. Councilman Hershey said Council is supposed to be a part-time job, the Council is supposed to be citizen legislators. People do not run for office because they think they will get rich. Mayor Richards said this Council has all taken on more committee work and more outside non-profit board seats. There are new boards like RTA, EOTC meetings, COWOP meetings, RFRHA, meeting with other governmental jurisdictions. Councilman Paulson said he feels this is a 3/4 to 7/8 time job and Council should be compensated in order to get a broader cross section of people to run for the Council. Council directed staff to draft an ordinance raising the Mayor salary $600/month, raising the Council salary $500/month offering health insurance either by a plan or by compensating officials the same that an single employee is compensated. Councilman Hershey moved to go into executive session to discuss potential litigation at 7:40 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Markalunas. All in favor, motion carried. Councilman Markalunas moved to come out of executive session at 8:20 p.m. seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried. 9 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 Councilman Paulson moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Markalunas. All in favor, motion carried. Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk 10 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 8, 2001 Annual Meeting - Aspen Public Facility Authority ................................ ...... 1 PROCLAMATION - Kyoto, Japan ................................ .............................. 1 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ................................ ................................ ....... 1 COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS ................................ ........................... 3 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ................................ ................................ ....... 4 CONSENT CALENDAR ................................ ................................ ............. 4 · Resolution #1, 2001 - Posting Notices of Public Meetings ................... 5 · Resolution #2, 2001 - ACRA Lease Rio Grande ................................ .. 5 · Request for Funds - HP Inventory Consultant ................................ ...... 5 · Resolut ion #3, 2001 - Contract Schmueser, Gordon, Meyer - Old Stage Road reconstruction ................................ ................................ ................. 5 · Minutes - October 23, November 13, December 11, 12, 18, 2000 ........ 5 RESOLUTION #4, 2001 - Amendment to GoCo Legacy Grant for Roaring Fork Railroad Legacy Project ................................ ................................ ...... 5 ORDINANCE #57, SERIES OF 2000 - 2001 Fees ................................ ...... 6 ORDINANCE #58, SERIES OF 2000 - Code Amendment Security Signs .. 7 EAST END DURANT IMPROVEMENTS ................................ ................. 8 COUNCIL COMPENSATION ................................ ................................ .... 8 11