HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.special.20210601
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SPECIAL MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL JUNE 1ST, 2021
At 4:00 p.m. Mayor Torre called the special meeting to order with Councilors Richards, Mullins,
Mesirow, and Hauenstein in attendance.
City Attorney, James R. True, introduced Resolution #052, Series of 2021 – Repeal of Mask Mandates
Mr. True said we passed a series of emergency ordinances to address the COVID-19 pandemic. He
summarized the previous ordinances for council. Resolution #052, Series of 2021, rescinds the face
covering requirements through June 7th. This is to make sure the city and county are on the same page.
He cannot think of another time that council has rescinded another ordinance like this, but it is proper
action to terminate legislation instead of enacting legislation. It’s kind of complicated but relatively
simple. The county can still require this even if we get rid of it but it will be up to the county to also get
rid of this.
Councilor Richards asked what the current county public health order is and when it expires. Mr. True
said they are reconsidering their position on Thursday, and currently they require face coverings in
public buildings. Councilor Richards said she worries that if we rescind it tonight, it won’t sync up with
the county.
City Manager, Sara Ott, said the county could modify or choose to uphold this requirement or eliminate
it. The timing is purely at their direction. Her opinion and recommendation to the council is to join state
regulations and make it the sole responsibility of the county instead of doing our own thing. We are the
only municipality with a face covering requirement left in the valley.
Councilor Richards mentioned APD enforcing county health orders within the city. Ms. Ott said the idea
would be education as opposed to enforcement.
Councilor Hauenstein said he’s looking forward to rescinding this and it makes sense to get rid of this
layer for clarity.
Councilor Mesirow asked for clarity if we choose to rescind this, we can choose our timeline. Mr. True
said that is correct.
Councilor Mullins said we’ve done a really good job of taking control of this pandemic but now we are
past the point to be the most restrictive in the state. The state loosened up today by allowing 500 plus
to gather without a mask, so she’s supportive of rescinding and being in sync with the county.
Councilor Richards said she’s supporting for consistency’s sake. The Washington Post did a story a
couple days ago after analyzing vaccine resistant areas of the country. There is always danger in
averages. We have several vaccine resistant counties here in Colorado. A lot of those states like to send
visitors to Aspen. She’s really concerned with this.
Councilor Hauenstein said we can reinstate an emergency ordinance at any time to safeguard the health
of the public. That’s why he’s supporting this. At this point, everyone who wants to be vaccinated, has
been. It’s their free choice and they should accept the risk going out in public. He honors and respects
the decision, but also wants everyone vaccinated.
Councilor Mesirow is supportive and said it’s time since the majority of the community has been
vaccinated. This is not over. If you make the choice not to get vaccinated, you are making your body
ready for the variance. Anything to do to encourage vaccination, he’s supportive of.
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SPECIAL MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL JUNE 1ST, 2021
Councilor Richards said there are two Denver police officers who hadn’t been vaccinated and died. She’s
reminding everyone that hospital bills are shared by the public and insurance rates will go up.
Councilor Hauenstein moved to approve Resolution #052, Series of 2021; Councilor Mesirow seconded.
Mayor Torre said he agrees and thanked them for making their statements. This council didn’t hesitate
for greater regulation when we needed it and this council wouldn’t hesitate to reinstitute regulation if
necessary. Individuals can still choose to wear a mask, and we should all be supportive. Businesses have
the option to require all patrons to wear a mask and that must be respected. Some businesses will still
ask for this. This Thursday is the Board of Health meeting and there are different ways to skin this cat.
He wants to hear councils’ feelings before he goes into that meeting. He hasn’t gotten any advance
materials for the agenda, but it will be held at 1:00 on Thursday.
Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes; Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried.
Councilor Mullins motioned to adjourn; Councilor Hauenstein seconded. Roll call vote: Hauenstein, yes;
Mesirow, yes; Mullins, yes; Richards, yes; Torre, yes. 5-0, motion carried.
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City Clerk, Nicole Henning