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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.regular.20200526 1 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL MAY 26, 2020 At 5:00 p.m. Mayor Torre called the regular meeting to order with Councilmembers Richards, Mesirow, Mullins and Hauenstein joining via video conference. Mayor Torre introduced and showed the Aspen Gratitude movie. Mayor Torre thanked all of Aspen’s essential workers. PUBLIC COMMENT: Shawn Cox- Ms. Cox stated that APCHA disregarded multiple procedural requirements and that the district court failed to follow up and verify procedural requirements were met. Ms. Cox further explained that this neglectful action was depriving Lee Mulcahy of his due process. Lee Mulcahy- Mr. Mulcahy stated that he here to discuss government overreach and petty tyranny of APCHA and their attorney. Mr. Mulcahy stated that APCHA disregarded nearly every single procedural requirement in state to ensure fair litigation practices. Toni Kronberg- Ms. Kronberg thanked city staff for making Aspen safe during COVID-19 shutdown. Ms. Kronberg applauded council on number of work sessions through COVID-19. Ms. Kronberg asked when will there be a work session on the city office project. Zack Needith – in the valley for 10 years and bartender in town, grew up in golf world. Wrote a letter two weeks ago. Commenting on course and it’s operations. Inequity with price and privileges. No tees time avail. Staffing issue, computer glitch, etc. not a covid issue, this is a lack of leadership from Steve Aitken. We annually offer him solutions. Staff is also frustrated. With proper management could have a national ranking. Lifetime locals fill in the void of leadership. Small sample of customers who are frustrated golfers. Passholder frustration is high. We would like time with council for future improvements. Torre thanked him and council has seen this letter and comments among staff. Your complaints are being addressed. Julie Melville – mountain chalet. The testing that would shut the town down again is for 18 positives? Torre, yes. There was one pod of Australians when this all started. This was one metric, we need to use a different metric so one area, group, or family doesn’t shut down the whole town. Torre said the 18 is developed off of the hospital numbers. He asked Sara Ott how else they came to that number or if they have any other information. Sara didn’t have any infobot would follow up. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: Ann Mullins – happy about paradise staying put and congratulated them. Post covid workplace. The new reality, in terms of workspace, they will change dramatically. Construction has begun again. Do another analysis of the new city building to adapt to the post covid world. We need to set up a drive in movie theatre in town. 2 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL MAY 26, 2020 Torre said ACRA is looking into exactly that. Buttermilk parking lot is one of those locations being discussed. Rachel -welcomed everyone to early summer. Ward- Rode up to the bells and took a cruise through town. The joy of personal interaction that has been lacking, and encouraging people to do that but be safe. Skippy- appreciation and gratitude for summer and nice to be outside and see people. we’re still so blessed to go through it right here together. Torre – Happy Memorial day. Important day for him every year. Elks lodge member doing volunteerism and missed the picnic this year. Remembering those who are fallen but never forgotten. Also, tomorrow we will see a change in the public health orders. Welcoming summer residents and visitors, make sure we are staying together in this. We are going to possibly see more of the virus. Encourage the community to maintain their cautious and conscientious behaviors. Remember the 5 commitments of containment: social distancing, wearing masks, getting tested, staying home if you’re not feeling well and continuing good hygiene. Want to address rent relief, we moved quickly to help stabilize in the short term. There were people that program didn’t help and we are doing best we can and continuing to look for ways to help community. That program was designed to hit a certain segment. We are still looking at ways to include the others who didn’t qualify so they aren’t left behind. Boards and commissions. A lot of openings and taking applications. Contact city clerk’s office or look online. He listed some of boards who are looking for members. Plenty of opportunities for volunteerism, It’s truly an asset to have these volunteers. Wonderful opportunity and experience. Agenda amendments: none CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Sara Ott – 108 businesses have benefitted from the rent relief program. Success story. Golf complaint – that was taken to the golf advisory board who reviewed it. We are requesting more frequent tee times. Waiting to hear back from Pitkin county on. We are definitely following public health orders and that is limiting some of those experiences. Next Monday, updated information relating the potential uses for public right of way to allow expansion or restaurants and potential businesses. Conversation of how you’d like to go forward. 550 residents and 136 business owners participate. You will have a very full perspective of opinions on this idea. This project would go until mid October. This is really through leaf peeper season. She asked Philip Supino for update on census. Philip Supino-Update of census, Financial reasons for caring about this – federal funding – political incentive for picking up a congressional seat. We need to get this right locally. The census date has been extended to oct 31st. 2020census.gov. we’d love to get higher than that 39% rate. Torre-received mailer, can you just go online and fill out your information? Philip Supino-Yes that is correct, you can go online and fill out your information. 2020cenus.gov Ann Mullins-Can we get some flyers for the food distribution at the schools 3 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL MAY 26, 2020 Ward. Junk mail – suspicious looking debit card from the government, that is cash. BOARD REPORTS: Ann-Reudi water and power authority meeting-approved budget and updated on aquatic nuisance species. The aspen yacht club is open. As of june 1st or 15th more will open. They are inspecting boats. They got more money from forest service to extend hours and days. Ward- CCLC – plans for the Saturday market, food and agricultural. Groups of 50 with masks. Sippy-APCHA no a lot new. Case we were able to settle with someone. Rachel-Zoom meeting of Club 20 on Monday and Friday. Senator Tate’s Gallagher relief measure to the ballot in November. Gave him support that he could go to legislature and say Club 20 supported him. Spoke of opposing electronic signatures for petitions, concerns about fraud. Talked about unemployment fraud. Torre-ACRA – update by 14 market sectors about measures we are using to open safely. CONSENT CALENDAR: Ann pulled Reso 042. Ann discrepancy in the bids. PJ Murray – the company that provided the lowest bid is from the front range. Small project and fit their needs well in getting the work done. She is confident in their ability to complete the work. Page 104 of packet. Ward BOH, not BOA minor correction. Motion for consent – Ann motioned, Ward second. Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes NOTICE OF CALL UP: N/A FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES: Motion to read-Motion and second Roll call vote to read: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. Ordinance #08, series of 2020: Approving a cable system franchise agreement between the City of Aspen and Comcast. Jim true – Comcast has had a franchise agreement with the COA for a number of years. The last agreement was approved in 2009, ended in 2017. Retained an atty to negotiate a new franchise agreement. Approved the agreement proposed under ord. 08. The City’s approval was delayed because of concerns of franchise agreements going to the voters. The agreement in the packet is lengthy and 4 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL MAY 26, 2020 complicated. We do feel it is inappropriate to move forward with voter approval because voters have no authority to deny agreement. Under federal law cable operators are entitled to this franchise agreement. Will go to public hearing June 9th in Resolution form. Rachel-Wondering about federal regulatory agency rules, net neutrality discussions, does it make sense to do as long a term franchise when we may have a different federal agency in a year that will be looking into these issues differently? Jim-We can look into that before public hearing Ward-Is this TV only or broadband and IP phones as well? Andy-Video only Motion Rachel moved to approve on first reading, Ann second Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance #02 – continuation. Torre opened public hearing for 949 W Smuggler lot split, no public comment. Ann motion to continue to June 23, Skippy second Roll call vote-Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes: Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. Ord 07 – Pete Strecker sharing a few pages from the packet. 2020 Spring supplemental, $44 million increase. This is the result of two capital budge project being rolled forward from 2019 to 2020. The City offices and affordable housing projects. Capital carry forward is $51 million. $16 million in spending reductions as a direct response to Covid impacts. Three were three changes after 1st reading. $12,000 Reduction to council budget, 3 adjustments on carryforward projects, (ped mall design and Rio Grande roadway), and $300K for ACRA marketing campaign. Armory renovation and multiple other projects put on hold. City postponed all merit increases and all goals and outcomes bonuses. Ward appreciates measures to help employees, suggests across the board reduction in pay for employees. Ann thanks Pete and Sara and the departments for looking at budget. This is a good exercise in how to reduce budgets. In appropriating we need to look closely at every dollar. Rachel dittos thanks. We are going to monitor economic conditions as they unfold and adjust as needed. Skippy thanks everyone as well for doing the hard work on the budget. Torre wondering about staffing, is there an outlying plan on ringing people back? Sara Ott said the frozen positions will remain frozen for the rest of the year unless there is a significant need for those and then it will be accessed. The employees that are reassigned will come back to work when their buildings are reopened. 5 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL MAY 26, 2020 Torre asked for council support on a city offices work session. They all agreed. He asked of someone could speak about the capital projects in regards to the City offices. Sara Ott said we would have to continue leasing outside spaces. There has been a lot of work and steel . would cost a lot to have all of this taken out too to restore the location. The penalties with the general contractors and with the holder of the certificates of participation. It is in the best fiscal interest for the project to go forward. Ward said he has no appetite for terminating the project, but he does think there should be discussion on internal programming. Rachel wouldn’t mind having an internal programming conversation but is not sure we have enough info for this yet. She has no desire to stop the project. Rachel asked for an update from Sara Ott on childcare reopening. Sara said there is one provider operating out of the Yellowbrick and 2 more opening on Monday with reduced numbers. A number of camps are launching in June. No public comment on Ordinance 7, series 2020, Spring Supplemental Motion to approve Ord 7, series 2020 by Ann, Skippy second Roll call vote-Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes: Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. Ordinance 7 passes Action item – Resolution 43, extending public health order – mandatory face covering Jim True said this simply extends resolution 40 for a period of time to be decided by Council. Torre wondering if they should do this even though the county already has something in place. Jim said the City’s reso is more restrictive and if it’s not extended it will end tomorrow. Ward is in favor of letting this reso expire and be under the Pitkin County Public Health order from here on forward. Rachel thinks the city should say and do what they think is best. She quoted Karen Koehnman “gold standard” of safety and how do we make that real. She thinks we need to put up banners and posters asking visitors to uphold the gold standard by wearing masks, etc. she thinks this is very necessary. Skippy asked for the differences of county rules and this ordinance, and if there is a time frame. Ann said the states ruling goes till June 14th. She is in favor of continuing to the state’s date or unless we come up with a diff date. She’d also like to know how it differs from the state and county. Sara read the Pitkin County order. Jim-paragraph 2A and 2B should be amended – read amended language for reso #40. Resolution 43 still propose this to extend to june 16th. Rachel made motion to approve Reso #43 with amendments and exp date of June 17th, Ann second Roll call vote-Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes: Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 6 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL MAY 26, 2020 Resolution 44 – Jim explained the ACRA loan. Rachel fully supportive of this, wondering how we remind visitors to work with us to stay safe Sara explained some of the things they are working on to inform visitors and residents how to stay safe Ann talking about short and long term benefits. Skippy spoke about integrating the education for guests but creating messaging that includes locals. Rachel made a motion to approve resolution 44, Ann seconds. Roll call vote-Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes: Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. Local economic stimulus program – Ron LeBlanc spoke about program. Limiteing to Aspen residents that filed for the food tax refund. Funds must be spent within the City limits, does not include Buttermilk or the AABC. All businesses are eligible but not required to participate. Vouchers are valid through July 10. We want to get through the 4th weekend. Card used at one time in one location. 25.00 per card. Using food tax rebate, 461 seniors eligible. 1082 non seniors. 450 additional cards to local non profits. Aspen police would also have some. People who are in need. 50,000 for total program. Appropriated previously funds. Come to city hall to pick up the cards through the window on Galena. Cards must be used by July 6th. Businesses must sign up on the city website. City staff can go around to remind them. Collect the cards and then bring back to city hall to be redeemed. Rachel is very supportive, her concern is fraud. Are we numbering them? Ron said the cards have ID serial number that would be hard to figure out. Short duration for program. Skippy is supportive with some questions. Ann said it’s an energizing program, it’s activating people in town. Her one concern is people saying they didn’t apply for food tax but still want their coupon. She’s supports it. Ward is not sure why city and county employees excluded. Encourages people to buy a gift card because most never get used. He supports this. Ron there is an appearance to the public on special treatment that we’d like to avoid. Torre asked council what they thought about including retail, or just restaurants. Rachel supports retail as well so Carl’s, City market, or Clarks would apply. Would rather leave to the people’s discretion where they use it. Ward is fine with retail as well. All on board with retail and restaurant and eligibility. Ward motions for adjournment, Rachel Seconds Roll call vote-Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes: Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. Meeting adjourned 7 REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL MAY 26, 2020 ______________________ Nicole Henning, City Clerk