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REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 25, 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.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Torre said Lee Mulcahy contacted him earlier to play a YouTube video from the APCHA meeting.
He asked Shannon Buckner to put a link on the screen if people want to view the video. Councilman
Mesirow said it was a video of his mother, Sandy Mulcahy at a meeting from three years or so back
giving testimony regarding the eviction.
Mike Maple – Mr. Maple thanked everyone for their service and COVID responses. He said that allowing
restaurants into the street was a brilliant move. He also thanked Mitch Osur. He mentioned electric
bikes and said there has been a huge explosion this summer. It’s great but has created some challenges.
He’s happy to report, he has seen very few e-bikes where they shouldn’t be. E-bikes shouldn’t be going
faster than 20 mph on trails like the Rio Grande and physical changes need to be made. We need wider
trails due to the number of them being used. The Castle Creek underpass to the Marolt bridge needs
some work as it’s a very dangerous choke point. He’s had near collisions dozens of times per year due to
the sharp blind corner. More time effort and money need to be put into this and roundabout
improvements. He said it’s difficult to do public comment and that the city should provide a link.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilwoman Mullins said thank you to the citizens of Aspen and visitors. The mask order is working,
and people are adhering to it. She thanked everyone for taking it seriously. She said she is happy about
the stage 2 drought measures added to the council packet last minute.
Councilman Mesirow said he was in DC recently and said sometimes you have to leave Aspen to
appreciate how wonderful it is. To be in a major city to see a lack of compliance and innumerable closed
businesses, really drove home how well we are doing. We are lucky. Thank you to the management
team, city staff, county commissioners and city council. He pointed out that he is wearing his I voted
sticker and mentioned the upcoming election and said voting is more paramount than ever.
Councilman Hauenstein said I-70 is back open and he is deeply grateful to the 800 firefighters fighting
the Grizzly Creek fire. He reminded everyone to fill out their census form.
Councilwoman Richards said flu shots are in and she is encouraging everyone to get this so they don’t
have to determine flu or COVID this season. Wished everyone a happy end to summer.
Mayor Torre said Labor Day is around the corner. He said we are still at a comfortable level for the virus
and reminded everyone to stay vigilant with the 5 commitments. This morning was a chamber board
meeting and he said he learned that occupancy is still down whether we see it or not. You might feel
more presence on the streets but take a deep breath, stay calm and patient. We are still working
together on all aspects of recovery.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Ms. Ott gave an overview of how she is approaching this winter with staff. She created an internal team
for planning, logistics, liaison. There are 30 or so issues which need to be addressed. There is a team set
up and sub teams, which are meeting regularly and bringing policies back to council. She’s spending a
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REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 25, 2020
lot of time with Pitkin County folks figuring out the winter issues. She is heavily focused on getting clarity
from the governor’s office regarding ski hills. She gave an update on the city election and the addition of
a ballot box in front of city hall. She also mentioned an election communication campaign to encourage
voter participation. She mentioned the census and a committee that has been really focused on
canvassing in low response areas. She gave an update on the Marolt units and said they are at 35%
occupancy at this time. They are going ahead with pre-leasing. Lastly, she mentioned that council will
not be meeting again until September 8th.
Councilwoman Richards said it’s a real shame to have rental units at Marolt not occupied. She said the
APCHA website doesn’t show any Marolt units as available.
Councilman Hauenstein agreed with Rachel regarding the Marolt units. He volunteered to sit on the
Wheeler board as ex officio.
Mayor Torre said he is also interested in the Wheeler appointment.
Councilman Mesirow also said he is surprised to see empty units as well. He thinks Torre would be great
for the Wheeler position as well.
BOARD REPORTS:
Councilwoman Richards said she sat in on the Club 20 executive meeting.
Councilman Mesirow said there was a short APCHA meeting and looked at some candidates for hearing
officers and Sara spoke about briefly about Mike’s departure.
Councilwoman Mullins asked who is going to Northwest COG and Councilman Mesirow said he will
continue going.
Mayor Torre said there was an ACRA meeting today and they had Mitch Osur giving a presentation
about some items the city has been working on, such as the small loan program, street activation, etc. It
was a very thorough update.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilwoman Mullins pulled resolutions #074 and #077.
Resolution #074 – Wheeler Opera House Masonry Scope – Rob Schober
Councilwoman Mullins said she has gotten several emails questioning why we don’t have someone who
is a specialist or expert for the masonry. Mr. Schober said Aspen Constructors is managing and using a
subcontractor who is a preferred contractor for the historical society. They are just finishing up a
multiyear renovation at the Denver Cathedral, so those masons will come here to work on the Wheeler.
Councilwoman Mullins said she would like to see a list of their projects for her own interests.
Resolution #077 – Stage 2 Water Restrictions – Tyler Christoff
Mr. Christoff explained the stage 2 details and how they differ from stage 1.
Councilwoman Mullins motioned to approve the consent calendar; Councilman Hauenstein seconded.
Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried.
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REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 25, 2020
NOTICE OF CALL UP: 110 Neale Avenue – Sarah Yoon
Ms. Yoon said this lot is maintaining its historic designation, but not the resource. HPC gave conceptual
approval. There were no HPC benefits requested and it was approved 5-0. Staff is recommending council
uphold their decision.
Councilman Hauenstein said he supports this.
Councilwoman Mullins said she doesn’t support a call up.
Councilwoman Richards said it seems that our calculation for getting rid of an accessory dwelling unit,
results in a very low payback. It’s something we should try to adjust moving forward.
500 W. Main Street – Amy Simon
Ms. Simon said Rowland & Broughton had approached council about a lot split and wanted to sell off the
TDR’s and that was approved, but now they are more interested in developing a home. This is ok in this
zone district. This was approved by HPC in a 5-0 vote and staff is recommending council uphold the
approval.
Mayor Torre said this isn’t in alignment with what we want for the community. Councilman Mesirow
agreed.
Councilman Hauenstein and Councilwoman Mullins aren’t interested in calling this up.
PUBLIC HEARING: – Ordinance #10, Series of 2020 - Amending Chapters 25.28 Water Shortages of the
City of Aspen Municipal Code – Steve Hunter
Councilwoman Mullins motioned to approve; Councilwoman Richards seconded.
Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes.
RESOLUTION #067, SERIES OF 2020: Silver City Ice Rink Temporary Use – Amy Simon
Ms. Simon said COVID delayed the removal of the chiller and now the owner would like to keep it a little
longer for this winter season to April 10th, 2021.
Councilwoman Mullins motioned to approve, Councilman Mesirow seconded.
Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried.
Councilwoman Richards motioned to adjourn, Councilman Hauenstein seconded.
Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried.
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Nicole Henning, City Clerk