HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Update 0823221
AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
August 23, 2022
5:00 PM,
I.INFORMATION UPDATE
I.A.Follow Up Memos from Parks and Open Space Work Sessions
I.B.Grants Program Work Session Follow Up Memo
I.C.0.5% Open Space Sales Tax Work Session Follow Up Memo
I.D.Cope Notes Pilot Program
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FOLLOW-UP MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING DATE:July 25, 2022
FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE:August 5, 2022
AGENDA TOPIC:Maroon Creek Multi-use Trail Site Visit
PRESENTED BY:John Spiess, Matt Kuhn
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Torre, Rachael Richards, Skippy
Mesirow, John Doyle
_______________________________________________________________________
WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY: City Council visited the trail corridor and
received updates regarding the proposed Maroon Creek Multi-use Trail project slated for
construction in 2023.
1. Topic: Discuss the upcoming project purpose, timeline, and budget.
Council supported the project need and timeline. The proposed budget may
be further discussed during Council budget meetings.
2. Topic: Staff discussed the need to shift Maroon Creek Rd to the east so that the
trail could be constructed within the Right of Way.
No Council direction.
NEXT STEPS:
1.Staff will continue to work on project design and planning. Staff anticipate taking
a contract for council consideration for the final design of the trail sometime in the
next six to eight weeks.
2.Adoption of 2023 Capital budget will lead to project contracting beginning in late
2022 or early 2023.
3.Staff will continue to seek an easement from the private landowner adjacent to the
Moore Open Space.
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CITY MANAGER NOTES:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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FOLLOW-UP MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING DATE:July 25, 2022
FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE:August 5, 2022
AGENDA TOPIC:Cozy Point Ranch Site Visit
PRESENTED BY:John Spiess, Matt Kuhn, Patti Watson, Eden
Vardy
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Torre, Rachael Richards, Skippy
Mesirow, John Doyle
_______________________________________________________________________
WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY: City Council toured Cozy Point Ranch and
received updates regarding upcoming capital projects, as well as an orientation to the two
ranch lease programs.
1. Topic: Upcoming proposed capital projects including updates to the riding arena,
the boarding facility, and the existing ranch worker housing.
Council generally supported proposed timelines for improvements, and
suggested that improvements to the existing housing conditions be
accelerated to an earlier time. Council will have the opportunity to further
comment on the capital projects during the budget meetings later in the fall.
2. Topic: Patti Watson and Eden Vardy each gave a tour of their lease areas and
presented Council with a basic description of their mission and operations.
No Council direction.
NEXT STEPS:
1.Staff will further analyze opportunities and timelines related to water and
stormwater improvements.
2.Staff will research opportunities for partnership funding related to the equestrian
operations.
3.Staff have bumped up the proposed replacement of the existing ranch worker
housing to 2023 and 2024 within the LRP.
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4.Council will review additional budget detail during the budget meetings over the
fall.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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FOLLOW-UP MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING DATE:August 1, 2022
FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE:August 5, 2022
AGENDA TOPIC:Parks Special Use Policy and Fees
PRESENTED BY:Matt Kuhn, Steve Barr, Nancy Lesley
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Torre, Rachael Richards, Ward
Hauenstein (virtual), Skippy Mesirow, John
Doyle
_______________________________________________________________________
WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Staff presented a summary of the trends that
have been occurring related to park rentals, and park special uses. Staff presented three
topics for consideration:
1. Topic: A guiding philosophy for park uses was proposed.
Council generally supported this philosophy with suggestion to include
sustainable use within the guiding principles, and the majority of council
members expressed a desire to keep parks predominantly open and
accessible for the public’s enjoyment.
2. Topic: Staff presented the concept of a park maximum framework that
considered, size, type, and frequency of park use as potential factors for
consideration.
Council understood and supported continuing to work on developing the
park framework. The majority of council members did not support large and
complex park uses, such as wedding receptions with large amounts of
infrastructure and expense. Council members encouraged staff to consider
improvements to the policy, but to not over regulate the use of parks, and to
consider how fees relate to different uses.
3. Topic: Staff asked whether commercial use of parks was acceptable, and to what
extent the community should be involved in the discussion about commercial use.
Council members supported further study and discussion around different
commercial uses within parks, and noted that perhaps uses similar to private
businesses conducting paid yoga classes in parks should be considered as
allowed use.
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NEXT STEPS:
1.Staff will further research other communities approaches park uses, and to refine
and simplify the definitions and policy terms of park rentals.
This will be completed and prepared for a November 7th work session.
2.Develop and propose potential threshold limits for commercial use in parks. Staff
will directly engage with key stakeholders to discuss the project and seek input
from these stakeholders.
This will be drafted and prepared for a November 7
th work session.
3.Refine the framework and establish certain maximum thresholds for frequency and
types of events in various parks.
This will be drafted and prepared for a November 7
th work session.
4.Review, edit and amend the existing code to align with revised policy, including a
revision to fee structures.
This will be completed following the next work session.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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FOLLOW-UP MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING DATE:August 2, 2022
FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE:August 9, 2022
AGENDA TOPIC:Grant Consultant Report, Program Policy
PRESENTED BY:Patrick Quick, Strategy & Innovation Director
Alissa Farrell, Administrative Services Director
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Torre, Rachel Richards, Skippy Mesirow,
Ward Hauenstein, John Doyle
_______________________________________________________________________
WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY:
Staff presented Council with the findings and recommendations of an After-Action Review
of the Grants Program alongside a third-party consultant, Point B(e). In addition, staff
presented programmatic changes, and requested guidance from Council on three policy-
level questions.
Topic: Four programmatic changes were discussed with consensus on each from
Council:
Develop multiple applications/tiers based on request amount
o Small (under $10,000)
o Medium (10,001-$40,000)
o Large (over $40,000)
Develop a standalone application for “In-Kind” category requests, listing a menu of
offerings on the application
Require an Impact/Outcome Report for each grantee to reapply for funding, tailored
by application tier
Tailor and enhance training by application type, including grant writing workshops
and new assessment tools for the volunteer committees
Topic: Three policy-level implementations reached consensus from Council:
Multi-Year Funding
o Make two-year grant funding available to all organizations across the
program applying to “small” requests under $10,000 in the application
Maintain two-year grant funding to all organizations under the Health
& Human Services category of the program
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Max Request Cap
o Maintain a maximum cap on all requests in the program at $100,000
o Establish a maximum cap per grantee across the program
Location Priority
o Maintain current location criteria (within the Roaring Fork Valley) for all
historic programs and categories
o Pilot a restriction to the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary for the two new
grants programs:
Individual Artist Fellowship
Asset & Acquisition Support
NEXT STEPS:
Council asked that staff take into context the relationship of a funding request against the
total budget of the organization. Staff agreed that this could be discussed by the review
committees, but not formally built into the criteria.
Staff will establish four applications including a small, medium, and large request
application along with a standalone in-kind request application.
The grants program will now require submittal of a standardized Impact and Outcome
Report from all previous grantees to reapply for funding or in-kind support.
Staff will enhance training and improve assessment tools for review committees in addition
to providing a grants writing workshop available to all applicants prior to the next cycle.
Staff will offer two-year grants funding on all applications under $10,000 across the
program and maintain two-year grants funding across the Health and Human Services
category of the program.
Council asked that staff consider caps per grantee, in addition to the $100,000 maximum
cap per request. Staff agreed to move forward with building this change into the criteria of
the program by the start of 2022/2023 grants cycle. A maximum cap of $100,000 per
request will be maintained across programs.
Staff will maintain the location criteria of inside the Roaring Fork Valley for all historic grants
program categories. However, staff will pilot a restricted location inside the Aspen Urban
Growth Boundary for two new program areas including the Individual Artist Fellowship and
the Asset and Acquisition Support categories in 2023.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
None
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FOLLOW-UP MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING DATE:August 1, 2022
FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE:August 5, 2022
AGENDA TOPIC:0.5% Open Space Sales Tax Re-authorization
PRESENTED BY:Austin Weiss, Parks & Recreation Director
Matt Kuhn, Parks & Open Space Director
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Torre, Rachael Richards, Skippy Mesirow,
John Doyle, and Ward Hauenstein (remote)
_______________________________________________________________________
WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY: City Staff led a discussion with City Council to seek
direction for re-authorization of the 0.5% Open Space Sales Tax (commonly referred to as the
Half Cent sales tax), in preparation for the November 8th general election. Specifically, staff
needed direction with the following questions:
1. Question to Council regarding the election timing: Was Council comfortable with moving
forward with a Fall 2022 ballot question in November?
Council was unanimous in their support for a Fall 2022 ballot question.
2. Question regarding the proposed ballot language: Was Council supportive of asking the
community for a permanent extension of the 0.5% Open Space Sales Tax that utilized the
original language, “for the purpose of buying, improving and maintaining trail,
recreational and open space properties, and ancillary facilities”?
Council expressed unanimous support for asking voters for a permanent extension of
the 0.5% Open Space Tax.
NEXT STEPS:
1.The next step will be for staff to work with the City Attorney to create a resolution for City
Council to consider, with the finalized ballot language that will reflect a simple,
permanent extension of the 0.5% Open Space Sales Tax.
Deadline. Resolution will go to City Council at the August 23
rd, 2022 regular meeting.
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2.Once the ballot language resolution has been adopted by City Council, then that ballot
language will need to be delivered to the County Clerk’s office by September 9
th.
Deadline. Ballot language must be submitted to the County Clerk’s office by September
9th, 2022.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Mayor & City Council
FROM: Angie Sprang, Assistant to the City Manager
THROUGH: Sara Ott, City Manager
MEMO DATE: 08/10/2022
MEETING DATE: 08/23/2022
RE:Cope Notes - Information Only
REQUST OF COUNCIL:Council requested Staff conduct a Cope Notes Pilot Program.
This information only memo is intended to provide an update on the status of the pilot
program.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
The city of Aspen is exploring methods to enhance quality of life and improve mental
health for our citizens, especially the frontline workers.
DISCUSSION:
In that vein, we are excited to announce a pilot program with Cope Notes - an
organization who helps lower stress, anxiety, and depression - via text messages. Their
program has proven to show results in increased EQ, resiliency, and coping skills.
What is it & how does it work?
You can see the Cope Notes digital brochure here
You can watch a 30 sec Cope Notes explainer video here
Watch the Cope Notes founder’s Tedx talk/origin story here
Watch the Cope Notes FAQ’s here
What will participants receive?
A free text messaging subscription for 90 days. Subscribers will receive one
inspirational text daily. There will be a short voluntary survey texted to pilot participants
at the beginning and the end of the free subscription period. If someone unsubscribes to
the service during the process, we will recirculate their subscription to another
interested party.
How do I redeem my free text message subscription?
It’s as easy as going to www.copenotes.com/redeem and entering the code your cell
phone number.
It is 100% anonymous and automatic.
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What have some people said about Cope Notes?
"We were initially concerned that it would drive too much screen time, but it’s done the
opposite, encouraging people to form healthier social connections and build healthier
habits. It’s been nothing but beneficial for everyone involved.” - David Hicks, Director
“I think Cope Notes is great because I get daily reminders to stay focused. I still see my
therapist, but the texts are really good reminders to be positive. Sometimes they are
kinda funny, but always helpful in one way or another. Maybe they should be called
Hope Notes? HAHA. I like how they are unexpected. Thank you.”- Female parent
Wrapping up & Current Enrollment.
At the end of the 90 days, Cope Notes will evaluate the anonymous survey data to
present to Council and see if the Council would like to extend and/or expand the
program, so user feedback is crucial!
Enrollments to date are at 17 of 70 available subscriptions. Over the next two weeks, the
City Communications team has worked to put the word out to the community through the
ACRA Newsletter, Newspaper Ad’s, Kids First Newsletter, County Mental Health
Coordination Team, Social Media Posts. Staff respectfully requests that City Council
spread the word about our Cope Notes Pilot Program.
This program was approved by the Aspen City Council and paid for by the City of
Aspen. Contact the City of Aspen with any questions: Angie Sprang, Asst to the City
Manager, angie.sprang@aspen.gov
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS:
The cost of the pilot program was $2,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff respectfully requests that City Council spread the word about our Cope Notes Pilot
Program.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Aspen Cope Notes Flyer 1
Attachment B: Aspen Cope Notes Flyer 2
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