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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcclc.min.100318 1 REGULAR MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION OCTOBER 3, 2018 Chairperson Steve Fante opened the meeting at 8:40 a.m. Commissioners in attendance: Steve Fante, Amanda Tanaka, Bill Dinsmoor, Angi Wang, Jeb Ball. Absent were: Terry Butler, Kiki Raj and Charles Cunniffe. Staff present: Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk Mitch Osur, Parking Services Director Councilman Ward Hauenstein PUBLIC COMMENT: None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Mr. Fante asked Mr. Osur if he brought the updated sales tax numbers that he mentioned in the last meeting. Mr. Osur said no because the finance department is knee deep, since they just lost their director, among other things. He said that in July, sales tax was up 9 percent and people didn’t buy that. Either way, he said he will work with Pete Strecker over the next week or two to get this number. Luxury businesses were saying their business was terrible. We need to know what actually happened regarding non-taxable sales. Mr. Strecker is cautious because these numbers are confidential. Ms. Wang entered the meeting. Mr. Fante mentioned another number that he often wonders about is the “Stay Aspen” Snowmass, in terms of residents. Mr. Osur said that number is positive but doesn’t really show what’s going on and he suggested that they come speak to CCLC sometime. Mr. Dinsmoor said he is the chairman of the Woody Creek Caucus Commission and discussed the proposed expansion of the airport. There are only a couple of constituencies in support of this, which are ACRA and Ski Co. He feels the group heading this up are basing their projections on the highest load factor even through the weather we have here in Aspen. We think this would change our valley in terrible and irreversible ways. Mr. Osur that everyone should read the letter to the editor in the paper today about Rifle being the main airport hub. They already have the space and better weather. It’s a very complex issue. Mr. Hauenstein asked Mr. Dinsmoor to notice CCLC if the commission has public meetings on this issue so he can attend. OLD BUSINESS: MOTION: Mr. Fante motioned to approve the minutes from September 19th, Mr. Dinsmoor seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Welcome Baskets: Mr. Fante said he has a new neighbor at the jewelry store next door, so it would be a good opportunity to bring them a basket. Ms. Henning mentioned to the board that Ms. Butler dropped off the baskets to the clerk’s office, so we just need to get a few put together. Mr. Fante wants to work with Ms. Henning to get the first one out. Ms. Wang has a contact list to add as well as a list of standards. Newsletter: Mr. Fante said he sent an email back to Ms. Wang and Ms. Tanaka with revisions, but the girls said they didn’t receive it. Mr. Ball volunteered his time and services and said he would be happy to help. He mentioned that he has a marketing company, and this is exactly what they do. Ms. Tanaka said 2 REGULAR MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION OCTOBER 3, 2018 she’s been slammed at work lately. Mr. Fante said it would be good to know that is going on and asked for everyone’s participation in communicating issues. Mr. Ball said he will take care of it this week, so we can hope to have it out by next Monday. Mr. Osur suggested for the first newsletter, we have CCLC people distribute them and divide up the core amongst the board, so everyone has a different area. Mr. Dinsmoor mentioned how difficult it can be getting something in the hands of meaningful people at a business instead of just a cashier. Mr. Osur agreed and said the decision makers are never there as he has experienced the same thing. Sandwich Boards: Mr. Fante said this is a short issue to deal with over the next year. He asked Mr. Hauenstein if there will be an issue to come up and Mr. Hauenstein said he doesn’t think it will come up at all for another year. Mr. Hauenstein said there are new sandwich boards that spring up all the time, so we have to enforce getting rid of the bandit ones. That was the direction given to Jim Pomeroy and he says it’s on a complaint basis only. Mr. Hauenstein suggested to CCLC that they police it themselves, but Ms. Henning reminded him that the board has no way of knowing who is permitted and who isn’t. Mr. Hauenstein doesn’t want to see them done away with completely, so he wondered if Mr. Pomeroy can get a list to CCLC of who has a permit. Mr. Osur said he went out on September 20th and took pictures of every single sandwich board. He said there were 47 signs from the east to west and 10 from the north to south and he was shocked by that. He said very few spaces had multiple signs. Mr. Osur said CCLC should take the lead to find out what other cities are doing so we are prepared to deal with this in one year since council is thinking all or none. We need to take the lead to do the research, so we can have some ammo. It’s a supreme court law which puts us in a tough position. Mr. Hauenstein has heard other cities are looking to Aspen to see how we’ve dealt with it. Ms. Tanaka said we should definitely keep this on our radar. Mr. Osur agreed and said this will come back to council next March/April. Scoring of Market Vendors: Mr. Fante said this is being handled by Ms. Raj and Mr. Cunniffe and neither are present. He said it’s a critical point, so he will send them an email to follow up, so we have something set in stone before we have to go through the applications in January. Mr. Dinsmoor also mentioned getting something from Ms. Strickland which lists the basic financials for the new year. Mr. Osur said we need to invite Mr. True to the meeting and vote on all matters of political booths, second tier spaces, etc. and we also need to find out from him what we need to add to the application to avoid problems in the next year. We need to require that everyone applies no matter what. Ms. Henning said she will call Ms. Strickland today and find out what her timeline is for posting the 2019 application. Mr. Fante suggested that we post something in the paper with our new guidelines for 2019 and also state when applications are due so that the public is on the same page and no one can say the rules were not posted. We also need to understand the construction schedule regarding the Hopkins building as that could drastically affect the market. Mr. Fante said he spoke with Ms. Strickland about that and she’s prepared to lose 60 feet next year. Mr. Osur said we should look at expanding and go to council for approval and suggested a few of us take a walk around next week and see where we could potentially branch out. Mr. Fante said before we go down that road, we should wait for the vote in November and see what happens with the Hunt building. He also mentioned deciding which building they are supporting for the city offices and writing a letter to the editor. Mr. Hauenstein noted that the fact sheet was released yesterday by Mitzi Rapkin and suggested that CCLC read it before making a decision. Mr. Hauenstein said there is no issue committee for the Rio Grande parcel and said there is money to support this group, but we just need a group to support this. 3 REGULAR MEETING COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION OCTOBER 3, 2018 Introduction of new member: The board welcomed Jeb Ball. He said he is originally from Chicago and he’s been coming to Aspen for 50 years. He’s a retired Wall Street guy who worked for Merrill Lynch and has since purchased a marketing company in Aspen a few years ago where they do digital marketing. He still represents clients for mergers and acquisitions, but otherwise really enjoys his marketing company. He also noted that he is married with five kids. CCLC By-Laws: Mr. Osur said the board needs to address meeting expectations. You guys need to think about term limits and if you want to implement that for the board and think about whether there should be consequences for not coming to meetings especially in no call / no shows situations. He asked if it is fair that some of us sit here without other board members present and if it is important that people on the board currently be in business (with no offense to Mr. Dinsmoor). We can add any of these things to the by-laws. He read the ordinance from 2007 which lists CCLC’s duties and said that everyone needs to think about what they want to change/add/etc. Mr. Osur reminded everyone of the mall festival 42 taking place over the weekend due to the mall winning an award for being a great place. The award is called, “America’s Great Place” and there are only five given each year by the APA. We received the award last Tuesday and this weekend will be the presentation of the award at an event from 11-2 in front of the dancing fountain along with the sidewalk sale, etc. Mr. Hauenstein mentioned having a party for the bridge completion. He said the community owes the Hickory House a bone. MOTION: Mr. Fante motioned to adjourn, Ms. Wang seconded. All in favor, motion carried at 10:02 a.m. __________________________________ Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk