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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.joint.20120501 MEETING AGENDA May 1, 2012 4:00pm, City Council Chambers JOINT WORK SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL & BOCC 4:00 Wildfire Update (verbal) 4:30 Special Housing Needs 5:00 Special Events Update (verbal) 5:30 Discussion of Future Agenda Topics 5:30 Adjourn Information Item: Pro Cycling Challenge Agenda Item Summary Memo JOINT MEETING DATE: May 1, 2012 AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Housing Summit Agenda Request STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Phylis Mattice, Assistant County Manager Issue Statement: On April 17`"the Board of Commissioners held a work session to discuss workforce and community housing. As part of that meeting the Board discussed emerging policy issues not currently addressed by our workforce housing program, such as: an aging population; lack of comprehensive support services to help people in crisis stay in housing; and accessibility and accommodation of people with disabilities. The City of Aspen and APCHA are in the process of planning a housing summit to be held this summer. The Board of Commissioners requests that emerging policy issues outlined in this memo (and other's that may be identified in our joint discussion) be included as topics for discussion during the housing summit. Background: At the Board's annual retreat in February housing emerged as one of the top focus areas for the County. On April 17th the Board of Commissioners held a work session to discuss workforce and community housing. Following is a summary of emerging policy questions discussed at that work session. Emerging Policy Issues: The County's partnership with APCHA and the City of Aspen on affordable housing has historically been focused on meeting workforce housing needs. However, over time, community demographics and needs change, a fact recognized in the recently adopted Aspen Area Community Plan (chapters El-Life Long Aspenite and E2—Housing). Specific examples of emerging policy issues discussed by the Board of Commissioners included: Aging Population: Pitkin County's population is aging which presents several challenges for workforce housing. Many seniors are on fixed incomes. Some, who are not yet at retirement age but may be over 60, are on Social Security which can be even more limited.When rents go up, seniors are particularly at risk. With the lack of section 8 vouchers and category 1 and 2 housing options we are running into more issues with affordability for our aging population. Additionally,the employment requirement is particularly difficult for people not yet 65 or who can't retire. We 1 have a shifting economy with limited job creation. It is often difficult for those nearing retirement to retool to take advantage of changing employment options, especially with limited job training resources in the County. Many older residents are having a difficult time meeting the employment requirement for workforce housing in our new economic environment. Pitkin County Demographic Shifts: 2010`Breakout Change 2000-2010* 65 and 774 691 over g30 2,769 45-64 1,103 2,869 1,247 35-44 -53 1,505 1,551 -649 18-34 1,841 1,505 425 Under 18 1,398 0 2,000 4,000 -1,000 0 1,000 2,000 •Female •Male Lack of Comprehensive Support Services to Help People in Crisis Stay in Housing: Developments of our workforce housing programs have not included development of comprehensive supportive housing services(wrap around safety net). The lack of these services as well as the focus on housing our workforce is resulting in evictions for unemployment, economic challenges,disability, mental illness,substance abuse, etc. The housing authority refers clients in crisis to the County's Adult Protection program or the Homeless Shelter just before evictions. However,this system addresses issues once they have already reached a crisis, versus offering preventive strategies such as embedded social workers,to begin working with 1 people at the first red flag. Such a strategy may not prevent all evictions, but could certainly avoid many of these difficult situations for APCHA and those in crisis. 2 P Accessibility and Accommodation of People with Disabilities: There remain concerns about the lack of accessibility and accommodation for people with disabilities. There are some ADA compliant units; however they may be rented to able bodied people because of timing. Demand for these units will likely increase as seniors experience physical deterioration and need safe and accessible units. Currently the Aspen Country Inn puts seniors in as a priority, but many of the units are inhabited by younger people and families, because there may not be seniors available or ready to move in when a unit is available. Likewise,there are not embedded services to assist seniors as they age in place. At our April 17`h work session the Board directed staff to research funding opportunities through Housing and Urban Development to support low income and accessible housing options. Additionally, the Board directed staff to research opportunities to facilitate and support the development of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)to better serve our growing senior population. Recommended Action: Discuss including emerging policy issues as outlined in this memo into the agenda for discussion at the upcoming housing summit. Provide staff direction. 3 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Nancy Lesley, Director of Special Events THRU: Jeff Woods,Manager of Parks and Recreation DATE OF MEMO: April 12,2012 MEETING DATE: April 16,2012 RE: Pro Cycling Challenge Update REQUEST OF COUNCIL: There is no request of council at this time. However next Monday, August 23rd, staff will be putting on consent the contract(reviewed and approved by Jim True/City Attorney) between the City of Aspen and CBR the owners of the bike race. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: Staff has been to Council on numerous occasions to discuss and update on the Pro Cycling Challenge. This is to continue to update Council on progress and budget. DISCUSSION: Aspen is in the unique and envious position of being the only host city on the entire 2012 Pro Cycling Challenge route to be a finish and start stage. The Pro Cyclinn Challenge will arrive in Aspen on Wednesday, August 22"1 and leave on Thursday, August 23` . Staff has three objectives in mind when planning for this event. To create a platform that the race organizers feel is well organized, user friendly to the racers and event staff, and so turn-key that they have no choice but to return year after year. The second objective is to create an experience for the spectator coming to Aspen that compels them to want to return. And finally, and just as important is to make it a good fit for our community. The Aspen Finish Stage is continuing its legacy of being billed as the Queen Stage. By being named the "Queen" stage of the entire race, it is marketed as the stage to watch, or the stage that will be a defining one for the racers. As we are the only host city with a finish and start, we are optimistic of larger crowds than last year. Putting the lessons we learned from last year into action, we are working on creating visible route crossings, sending out the message that Aspen is open, fun and the place to be on Wednesday and Thursday, and finally, we have strong assurance from the race organizers that they have fixed the TV issue(or signal issue)and even have a backup plan in place. Page 1 of 4 Staff once again is working with the Local Organizing Committee to create another success event. Not only is this a requirement of the contract, but there are dedicated and enthusiastic people giving many hours to create another great experience. They are: Bill Tomcich/SAS - Operations Director, Mitzi Rapkin/City of Aspen - Community Outreach and Education, Brian Pettit, Pitkin County— County Liason, Bill Kight and Stephen Ellsperman—Independence Pass, Julia Theisen ACRA — Marketing, Maureen Poshman Promo Communications — PR, Devon Paget, Mike Morgan and Pam Herr—Festivals, Lynn Rumbaugh City of Aspen—Transportation and Parking, Justin Todd The Little Nell — Women's Race, Barb Frank AVSC — Fundraising, Tom Kilby— Sponsorship, Tami Soldanz—Volunteers, Ashley Cantrell City of Aspen—ZGreen, and Aspen Police and Pitkin County Sheriff—Safety. All of the above are giving countless hours to their respective areas to make these two days this year a success. The Route: On Wednesday, August 22"d, the riders will start in Gunnison and ride to Aspen via Cottonwood and Independence Pass, same as last year. As they come down the Pass on Hwy 82 they continue straight as it turns into Cooper Avenue. They continue on Cooper, making the sweeping right at Paradise Bakery and they are now coming down Galena. They will make a right onto Hopkins and a left onto Original, which turns into Main Street. The finish line will be the middle of Paepcke Park, on Main between Aspen Street and Garmisch. The race will consist of approximately 128 riders and approximately 125 vehicles and motorcycles traveling with them on the route. All of these vehicles will come through town with the riders and be"diverted"when the riders take a left onto Original, most of the vehicles will take a right and park on Original Avenue, similar to last year. As the TV contract hasn't been signed yet, we can only speculate that the finish times will be similar to last year and we will be seeing cyclists around 3pm. As we did last year, some streets, or portions of the street will be closed starting Tuesday night for tent build out and all others will close at approximately 6am on Wednesday. The Start route is slightly different. The start line will also be on Main Street, but where last years finish was, near Galena in front of the Courthouse. The route will continue on Main to Aspen Street where we will take a left. We will continue on Aspen to Hyman, taking another left. We will `round the corner at the Wheeler where we will then be on Mill Street. A right on Hopkins will take us to Galena where we will take a right which takes us to the Paradise Bakery corner and puts us on Cooper Avenue. We'll take Cooper to Original where we'll take a left which will put us back on Main Street. The riders will do what is called "neutral" laps, or parade laps. They will follow this in town route for approximately 15 minutes, or 3 to 4 laps before the race begins and they head back up Independence Pass and over to Beaver Creek. Finish Line Festival: The Festival will be based in and around Paepcke Park, utilizing Aspen, Monarch and Hopkins Avenues. The festival, same as last year, will consist of vendors traveling from town to town with the Pro Challenge, Channel 9 News live broadcasts, local sponsors, the entertainment stage, beer garden (just announced beer sponsor is New Belgium) and local food vendors. The festival will open at approximately 11am and close at 6pm, this extension was a lesson learned from last year with the race organizers. In addition to the Finish Line Festival, we are creating a "local's corner" based around Original Curve, or the last corner until that final stretch to the finish on Main Street. There will be a beer Page 2 of 4 garden, music, local vendors and a big screen TV. We want to make this corner a big fun party, similar to the finish line but where potential action among the riders could happen. The goal is to make this corner so popular, so loud and enthusiastic, the TV announcers have no option but to talk about how Aspen is THE place to be this year and how the true the fans are. VIP Tent: The Finish VIP tent will be on Main Street across from Paepcke Park and the working plan currently is for it to run the length of the block. Tickets for the tent will once again be handled and sold through AVSC. The tent will open at approximately 11am serving food and alcohol, seating as well as TV's that will show the racers as they make their way into Aspen. The Start VIP tent will also be on Main Street, but in the same location as last year's finish, across from the Courthouse. Breakfast will be served and it will be open for approximately 3 hours from 8am to 1l am. Sponsorship: This year, sponsorship is being handled by Tom Kilby. He is already speaking to several companies very interested in pursuing a sponsor opportunity with the bike race. In addition we are starting a countdown to the race on Friday, August 10th with a community kickoff party and some sort of bike awareness for 12 days until the Pro Challenge arrives in Aspen. We are naming it BikeAspen. Notices to Neighbors and Business Community: Staff has created a timeline utilizing letters, emails and door hang notices to be in continual contact with those living in the affected areas. In late July and early August neighborhood meetings for residents and businesses will be held to inform and answer questions. Working through CCLC staff will be meeting with the local retail community. A very successful restaurant meeting already took place and several subsequent meetings have happened. Lodging: Several sources within the lodging community have notified staff they have seen a direct impact on future bookings during this week (August 20th) directly associated to the Pro Challenge. Once again, the lodging community, in its entirety, has come together to get behind this event and support it 100%. Working with staff, they are booked and ready to house the riders, staff and everyone associated with the Pro Challenge. Safety: This event once again, has the full collaboration between the City of Aspen, Aspen Police Department, Pitkin County Sheriff's office, Pitkin County, Aspen Ambulance, Aspen Fire District, US Forest Service, Independence Pass Foundation, Mountain Rescue, Aspen Valley Hospital, Flight for Life, and the Colorado State Patrol. These entities meet on a regular basis and plan for the safety of the community during this event. FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: The budget for this event is set at $387,000 which is greater than last year as we are hosting a two stage event where we hosted a one stage event last year. This budget includes the $100,000 from the General Fund, which is the same ask as 2011. Another difference this year is the ACRA contribution. Last year we received a check for $50,000 which we utilized $30,000 towards operations and $20,000 towards marketing. This year this entire $50,000 stays with ACRA and will be utilized to market Aspen around this event. Page 3 of 4