HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20020211Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February ! 1, 2002
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE BONUS AWARDS ........................... ~ ......... 2
P&Z COMMENDATION - Bob Blaich .............~ ...... ,i .................................. 2
OLYMPIC TORCH PRESENTATION ..... i .............. } .................................... 2
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ........................ 2 ....................................... .......... 2
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS...i .......................................................... 3
CONSENT CALENDAR ..... i .......................................................................... 3
· Street Lights Funding Request - $3,000/electric department .................. 4
· Resolution #11, 2001 - Granting of Parking EaSement to Truscott Place
LLLP ........................................................................................................... 4
· Resolution # 10, 2002 - Contract Amendment - Ted Guy Tmscott
Architecture ................................................................................................. 4
· Request for Funds - HVAC Software Upgrade/2002 Supplemental
Budget Request Wheeler ..................................................................... ........ 4
· Minutes - January 28, 2002 ~ ................................... ................................. 4
ORDINANCE #5, SERIES OF 2002 - Golf Course Fees .............................. 4
ORDINANCE #6, SERIES OF 2002 - 615 East Bleeker Growth
Management Allotment ......................................................................... ,...,:-, 4
ORDINANCE #4~ SERiES OF 2002 -Parking Fee In~reasel..ill ................... 5
ORDINANCE #3, SERIES OF 2002- C~isms inn Lodge Preservation
PUD ............. 2 ......... 2 ......................................................................................... 7
7~ AND MAIN CATEGORY PRICING ...................................................... 9
Regular Meeting Aspen Citw Council February 11, 2002
Mayor Klanderud called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with
Councilmembers McCabe, Hershey, Paulson and Semrau present.
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE BONUS AWARDS
Council and City Manager Steve Barwick presented outstanding employee
bonus awards to Michelle White, police department, and Neal
Goldsborough, water department.
P&Z COMMENDATION - Bob Blaich
Mayor Klanderud and Council presented a commendation to Bob Blaich for
his service as a P&Z member from 1994 to 2002.
OLYMPIC TORCH PRESENTATION
Linda Gerdenich, community relations officer, thanked Council for hosting
the Olympic Torch Relay in Aspen. Ms. Gerdenich presented an Olympic
torch to Council. Several of the torchbearers presented hats and pins to
Council. Mayor Klanderud read a proclamation proclaiming February 11 th
as Linda Gerdenich day for all her work in coordinating this event~
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
1: Anne Murchison said being able to park on Cooper Avenue in front of
City Market is second only in importance in being able to park in front of
one's own house. Ms. Murchison said the city has discussed making this
block a metered area. Ms. Murchison pointed out if this block becomes
metered; there will be more competition for the very few spots in the City
Market lot. Ms. Murchison asked Council not to put meters in this block.
2. Ramon Duvernay handed out copies of the Aspen Times and noted
the paper decided to censor public comment in the Andrew Kole incident.
Duvemay requested Council protest what the Aspen Times did. Duvernay
said the Aspen Times should respect free speech. Councilman Hershey said
freedom of the press in the First Amendment belongs not to the citizens but
to the press to print what they want.
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Regular Meetin~ Aspen City Council February 11, 2002
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Mayor Klanderud thanked city staff and the community for all the
effort put into the events over the last month, the X-games, Winterskol, and
the Olympic Torch Relay.
2. Councilman McCabe said he was astonished by the energy of the
community at the Olympic Torch ceremony. Councilman McCabe thanked
everyone who participated in the Olympic Torch Relay celebration.
3. Mayor Klanderud wished Chris Klug, Kate Monahan and Casey
· Puckett well at the Olympics.
4. Steve Barwick, city manager, invited Council to a party for Bob
Blaich February 20th at 5:30 p.m. at the Elk's.
5. Councilman Semrau announced the housing director resigned last
week. The housing board plans to appoint an interim director, look at the
housing master plan and make sure the job description matches what the
housing board sees as the mission of the housing department before hiring a
replacement.
6. Councilman Hershey stated he resigned from the Grassroots TV
Board. Councilman Hershey said he cannot participate in Council
discussions about funding for Grassroots, which seems to defeat the purpose
of serving on that board.
7. Mayor Klanderud noted the next RFTA meeting is February 14th at 9
a.m. at the new maintenance facility in Glenwood Springs.
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Barwick requested Resolution #9, 2002, Lehman Butterwick
Truscott Audits be withdrawn until a later date.
Councilman Hershey moved to approve the consent calendar as amended;
seconded by Councilman Semrau. The consent calendar is:
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 11, 2002
Street Lights Funding Request - $3,000/electric department
· Resolution #1 I, 2001 - Granting of Parking Easement to Truscott Place
LLLP
· Resolution #10, 2002 - Contract Amendment - Ted Guy Truscott
Architecture
· Request for Funds - HVAC Software Upgrade/2002 Supplemental
Budget Request Wheeler
· Minutes - January 28, 2002
All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #5, SERIES OF 2002 - GOlf COurse Fees
Councilman Hershey moved to read Ordinance #5, Series of 2002; seconded
by Councilman Semrau. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 5
Series of 2002
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN TO INCREASE CERTAIN FEES AT THE MUNICIPAL
GOLF COURSE
Mayor Klanderud noted some corrections to be made so the recommended
fee increases are the same as the ordinance. These are the junior pass and
the 20-punch pass.
Councilman H~rshey moved to adopt Ordinance #5, Series of 2002, as
amended on first reading; seconded by Councilman Semrau. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Semrau, yes; Paulson, yes; McCabe, yes; Hershey, yes;
Mayor Klanderud, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #6, SERIES OF 2002 - 615 East Bleeker Growth
Management Allotment
Councilman Hershey moved to read Ordinance #6, Series of 2002; seconded
by C°fincilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried:
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Regular Meetin~ Aspen Ci.ty Council February 11, 2002
ORDINANCE NO. 6
(SERIES OF 2002)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIl_ OF THE CITY OF ASPEN
APPROVING COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ALLOTMENTS FOR THE MURPHY
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL, 615 EAST BLEEKER STREET, LOT #2
GIGNOUX-LYNCH SUBDIVISION, CITY OF ASPEN.
Councilman Semrau moved to adopt Ordinance #6, Series of 2002, on first
reading; seconded by Councilman Hershey. Roll call vote; Councilmembers
Paulson, yes; McCabe, yes; Hershey, yes; Semrau, yes; Mayor Klanderud,
yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #4~ SERIES OF 2002 - Parking Fee Increase
Tim Ware, parking department director, reminded Council this resulted from
a work session ~n January. The city's request for funding from the 1/2-cent
sales tax was denied by the EOTC last week. This is the first rate increase
for paid parking in 8 years. Ware outlined the proposed fees; 1st hour
remains $1, 2nd hour additional $2, 3rd hour additional $2, 4th hour additional
$3 ~ total for 4 hours $8. The city has not previously allowed parking for 3
and 4 hours. Ware said this will allow the use of credit cards, a
communication data system transfer system for report capabilities and
alarms for the meters.
Ware pointed out any increase in downtown parking affects the entire
parking plan. Ware recommended the service permits increase from
$100/year to $.50/hour; delivery permits $52/year to $100/year; lodge passes
$1.00/week to $1.50/week; construction fees $8/day to $14/day. The
parking garage will increase from $.75/hour to $1.25/hour; lost ticket $7.50
to $12.50; 10 visit pass $30 to $40.
Ware told Council this ordinance addresses two complaints; 2 hours is not
long enough for parking in downtown; machines do not take credit cards.
Ware said this will increase the parking meter revenue by $433,000 annually
after 2002 as this ordinance will not go into effect until June. The other
parking permits will increase revenues $25,000/annually. The garage
increase will increase revenue by $92,000. Councilman Semrau asked what
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Regular Meeting Aspen Ci~, Council February 11~ 2002
the 2002 deficit will be. Randy Ready, assistant city manager, said the in-
town transit will be $104,000 and the transportation/parking fund will be
$300,000. Ready said there will be a transfer from transportation/parking to
in-town transit starting in 2003. Councilman Semrau asked if the $300,000
will come out of reserves. Ready said it will reduce the cash over reserves.
Mayor Klanderud oPened the public heating. There were no comments.
Mayor Klanderud closed the public hearing.
Councilman Semrau asked if Councilmembers are comfortable operating on
a $300,000 deficit. Councilman Hershey said he was disappointed the
EOTC voted against the City's request for funds. Councilman Hershey noted
over 60% of the sales tax revenue comes from the city. Councilman Semrau
suggested raising'the parking fee to $1.50/firSt hour, which would raise
$120,000/annually. Councilman Hershey said citizens like the one hour, in
and out at $1.00.
Mayor Klanderud said she felt the direction from EOTC was that the city
should look at their budget first to See what could be done to lower
expenditures. Mayor Klanderud said she is ambivalent about raising parking
fees in this economy. Is raising parking fees a boon or a disadvantage for
businesses. Mayor Klanderud said this does not prevent people parking in
the same spot and continually filling their meter. Mayor Klanderud said the
city should be looking at places to cut rather than raising fees.
Steve Barwick, city manager, said taking this deficit out of reserves for one
year is all right. The city is trying to put aside funds for bus replacement out
of this budget. Councilman Semrau agreed it is time to dip into reserves, not
cut services, until the next budget. Councilman Hershey said he is in favor
of the longer time and acceptance of credit cards.
Councilman Hershey moved to adopt Ordinance ~/4, Series of 2002, on
second reading; seconded by Councilman Semrau. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Paulson, yes; McCabe, yes; Semrau, yes; Hershey, yes;
Mayor Klanderud, no. Motion carried.
Mayor Klanderud and Councilman Hershey said they are opposed to parking
meters in the City Market block. Council agreed they will discuss this at a
work session.
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Regular Meetin~ Aspen Ci~, Council February 11, 2002
ORDINANCE #3, SERIES 'OF 2002 C~stmas i~ L°dge PreServation
PUD
Fred Jarman, community development department, told Council this
expansion includes minor facades changes, additional 8 lodge rooms, 2
affordable housing units, eliminating the curb cut on Main street, and adding
a third story on the rear of the site. Jarman said HPC, Housing Board and
P&Z all recommended approval: P&Z is the sole decision maker on
allotments for a lodge preservation proposal, and they approved those units.
Jarman noted the two outstanding issues are height and parking. The
application is to provide 5 on-site parking spaces; the code requirement for
this expansion would be 7.6 parking spaces for a deficit of 2.6 parking
spaces. Jarman said the rear of the structure will be 27'3". All reviewing
boards have discussed the height. Jarman pointed out in all LP projects
before Council, the parking has been a balancing act between allowing a
lodge expansion and required on-site parking. Jarman said the applicants
will provide taxi vouchers, bus passes for employees, and the lodge is close
to downtown and to bus stops.
Jarman said the proposal has 2 affordable housing units, a studio and a one-
bedroom, which meets the requirements of mitigating for 1.96 employees.
Jarman presented pictures of the current Christmas Inn and the proposed
height.
Stan Clauson, representing the applicant, told Council the applicants hope to
bring this lodge back to life and to maintain the character of Main street.
This proposal would bring the lodge to 35 rooms; the lobby will be
improved, the drive-in courtyard will be eliminated, which also eliminates
the curb cut on Main. The latter will allow the landscape on Main street to
be enhanced. Clauson said there will be one loading space on Main street in
front of the lodge.
Augie Reno, architect for the project, showed elevations of what will come
down and what the additions will look like, where the building was lowered.
Mayor Klanderud opened the public hearing.
Nick deWolfe noted the building is right up against the property line.
DeWolfe said from his office, he has a view through to the mountains.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council February 11, 2002
DeWolfe worked with the purchaser of the property to buy a "room" that
would have been in the space. DeWolfe told Council he supports lodge
preservation in general.
John Dobbs, 2no and Bleeker, said he is opposed to this expansion as the
massing is intrusive and destructive to the residential neighborhood. This
may open the door to other 3 story expansions along Main street. The
applicants have asked for a height variance over that 25 feet allowed. This
height variance will restrict the view and cut off sunlight to houses on the
other side of the alley. Dobbs stated parking is an issue and the Christmas
Inn currently has a parking deficit of 18.9 spaces. They are asking for a
waiver of 2.6 more spaces. Dobbs stated no variances to setbacks in the rear
and side yards should be granted. Dobbs said if the city stuck by its rules,
residents would not have to "buy" space to protect their views.
Mayor Klanderud closed the public hear/ng.
Mayor Klanderud said she was concerned about the height; however, the
model as well as the fact that the height has been lowered to 26.75 feet
makes this less of a concern. Councilman Hershey said the town has
economic troubles and letting this lodge run down will not help. The
previous Council created a lodge preservation program to address
rehabilitation issues.
Councilman Semrau said the city is not raising height limits. This is a
request for a 1.75" height variance to accommodate this project. Jarman
noted when a current lodge is expanded, the code states one does not need to
mitigate any existing deficit. DeWolfe said he would like to see the various
aspects of the town better balanced, which is why he is willing to support this
proposal. Councilman Paulson asked if the owners are willing to advertise in
their brochures that cars are not needed. Clauson stated the owners are very
committed to that, Councilman Paulson said he would like to see that as part
of the approval. Reno said only existing lodges can go through this lodge
preservation process and ask for variances for rehabilitation.
Councilman Semrau said he is hesitant about constantly approving parking
waivers. Councilman McCabe said every lodge preservation project has had
parking and height concerns. Councilman McCabe said the community has
made it clear lodge preservation is a priority and to help lodges where
practicable. Councilman Paulson said he would like to see the clock in
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Regular Meeting Aspen Ci.ty Council February 11~ 2002
working order. Councilman Semrau noted condition #11 states fire sprinklers
will be installed throughout the entire lodge. Councilman Semrau asked if
this is both the old and new parts of the lodge. Reno answered this is up to
interpretation by the fire marshal and they will agree to do the entire lodge if
that is the interpretation.
Councilman Hershey moved to adopt Ordinance #3, Series of 2002, on
second reading, to include a condition that the brochure lets visitors know a
car is not needed; seconded by Councilman Panlson. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers McCabe, yes; Semrau, yes; Panlson, yes; Hershey, yes;
Mayor Klanderud, yes. Motion carried.
7xu AND MAIN CATEGORY PRICING
Michelle Bonfils, housing department, recommended category 3 to help
minimize the impacts of the project. Mayor Klandemd noted this is
consistent with the subsidy on the other units. Councilman Semrau pointed
out the subsidy for this project is very large. Councilman McCabe asked
how the basement space is being handled. Ms. Bonfils said the space has
been divided into two; one space for this unit and a second space for the
homeowner's association.
Councilman Semrau moved to approve this at a category 3 price; seconded
by Councilman Hershey, All in favor, motion carried.
Council scheduled Monday February 25 at 4 p.m. to ~nterview applicants for
the open space board.
Councilman Hershey moved to go into executive session at 6:55 p.m. to
discussion potential land acquisition per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(a); seconded by
Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Hershey moved to come out of executive session and to adjourn
at 8:15 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Semrau. All in favor, motion carried.
Kat~-S. Koch, City Cler'"Ftr
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