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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19861215Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with Councilmembers Fallin, Walls, Collins and Isaac present. CITIZEN COMMENTS 1. Francis Whitaker submitted a letter to council about the conditions of the sidewalks in the city. Whitaker said there is a follow up story in the Daily News. Whitaker asked who pays the hospital bills as his wife was taken to the hospital after falling on the sidewalk on the recommendation of a police officer . Whitaker told Council the article in the Dail,..y News states the police will enforce the ordinance if they receive complaints. Whitaker asked if that means a private citizen has to go around and mark locations of sidewalk violations and turn that over to the police department. City Manager Bob Anderson told Council the police have a 3 step enforcement policy. After the first snowfall, the traffic officers give verbal reminders to core area locations not in compliance with the ordinance. After that, the traffic officers issue warning tickets. Anderson told Council 12 warning tickets were issued December 10th. Last, if people do not respond to the warnings, they are given tickets. Anderson said the business was cited where Mrs. whitaker fell. Whitaker pointed out the traffic control officers do not extend this enforcement beyond the commercial core district. Councilman Collins said Council needs more information on whether citations have been issued and what has happened so Council can see if the city is taking steps. Councilman Collins said it seems if this happens on the city right-of-way, the city may be liable. Councilwoman Walls said if property owners are required by ordinance to shovel the walk in front of their business, it would be an incongruity for the city to be responsible. Anderson said he feels the city is making an enforcement attempt. Whitaker said there is an article in the Denver Post about a Colorado Supreme Court decision on liability on the city of Denver regarding something like this. It was a landmark decision where the court held the city was responsible for not enforcing the ordinance. Anderson said the city should be concentrating on what their objectives are and what needs to be done. Anderson said the city is not ignoring is ordinance. If Council wants the staff to be more aggressive, they will step up the enforcement. 2. Craig Ward told Council last week Continental Airline flew in 24 press writers from around the country to have a tour of cross country trails in the area. Ward told Council it was a very positive tour, and there should be some good articles from this. Ward said the city has allowed the electrical contractor to store his equipment on the Marolt property and it is right in the cross country tracks. Ward told Council he has discussed 1 Regular Meetna_____ - Aspen Citv Council December 15~ 1986 this with the leisure services department, and they will try to work out a better route through the Marolt property. Clem Kopf , consultant, told Council the contract with the contractor provided a staging area, and Council selected the Marolt property. 3. Steve Conger told Council he has been working with the Information Institute, which is an interdisciplinary group regarding the effect and impact of information on society. Conger told Council they have been looking for site to do computer training and are interested in looking at the Red Roof Inn. Conger said they would maintain the facility with the restaurant and bar and public access; however, they would concentrate the use of it for. conferences in training on information technologies. They would like to have some office space for the Institute at the Red Roof. Ted Slidel said the Information Institute feels this is a very attractive facility for their purposes. Conger told Council they have given a letter of intent to the City Manager. 4. Fritz Benedict read a letter to Council from the Music Associates following up on discussions regarding the Red Roof. Benedict said the M.A.A, would like until January 12, 1987, to present their plan, so that the Board will have had a chance to meet. 5. Dan Arrow brought up the streamlining of the city's zoning code and the possibility of having a "land czar" as a person who will be the first review. Arrow said there is something about the dynamics of group decisions which makes it inviting and fair for people to approach. Arrow said a one official review does not sound very good at this point. Mayor Stirling said the city is involved in having consultants analyzing and helping to streamline the city's code. One of the ways to accomplish this is to have a hearing officer to hear lesser administrative issues. Mayor Stirling said he sees potential problems in separating citizens from elected officials. This is a discussion item at this point. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 1. Mayor Stirling said he asked for the city's Christmas party to be held in the city as it is inappropriate to take taxpayers money and spend it in the county. 2. Councilwoman Fallin said she has received from COG a copy of governor-elect Roy Rohmer's economic development plan. Councilwoman Fallin said there are meetings all over the state and there will be one in Grand Junction December 19th, which the western slope has been urged to attend. City Manager Bob 2 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council December 15. 1986 Anderson said he is planning to attend. Councilman Isaac said he would be interested in going, also. 3. Councilwoman Fallin said she would like to know when the street lighting program will be finished. Councilwoman Fallin said people have said the lighting program is very nice. Clem Kopf, consultant, said they should be all lighted by Friday, December 19th. Kopf told Council there are some parts missing for the antique fixtures, which he will wire around. 4 . Councilwoman Fallin said she has received compliments on this year's Christmas decorations, and town looks very nice. 5. Councilman Isaac told Council he and city staff members met with representatives from Holy Cross and Ute electric company. Councilman Isaac said they are proposing to take over MEAN contract for supplying electricity to the city. Councilman Isaac said the implications of MEAN contract are not known; however, Holy Cross and Ute would like to sell electricity at a lower rate. Councilman Isaac told Council they also discussed a management contract for the city's electric service. 6. Councilman Isaac said he has met the new administrator for the airport, who would like to meet with Council to find out the city's concerns about the airport. Council requested this be scheduled on the January 12 Council meeting. 7. Mayor Stirling said Colorado Association of Ski Towns met in Aspen last week. Mayor Stirling said one of the major issues discussed was increasing the tourist taxes of .1 percent to .3 percent. There is a lot of lobbying on this, and they are seeking CAST's support. Mayor Stirling told Council CAST has not given formal support but has asked the executive committee to draw up a resolution. The other issue was tax simplifications. City Manager Bob Anderson said an interesting issue, which arose out of the tunnel to Winter Park, is looking at the special authority approach to transportation between Aspen and Snowmass. Anderson said if legislation goes through Congress, it may be a mechanism to look at for the transportation challenge in this area. 8. Mayor Stirling said Council will be without a quorum f or two weeks. 9. Mayor Stirling asked if Council wants to add Red Roof to the agenda tonight to give staff direction. Mayor Stirling asked if Council wants to pursue the non-profit route or would rather than the staff prepare a request for proposals for next month. 3 Regular Meeting _Aspen City Council December 15, 1986 Councilman Isaac moved to add Red Roof Inns to the agenda; seconded by Mayor Stirling. Councilman Isaac and Mayor Stirling in favor, Councilmembers Fallin, Walls and Collins opposed. Notion NOT carried. Councilman Coll ins said he would like staff to draft what the options might be and what the proposals might look like. City Manager Bob Anderson said he will draft something outlining the characteristics of what the deal might entail. Council requested this be on the January 12th agenda. ORDINANCE #57, SERIES-OF -1986 - Adopting 1985 Fire Code Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. City Attorney Taddune requested Council delete the first sentence Section 7, page 18. Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Fallin said she would like smoke detectors and sprinklers be required in lodges and dormitories. Wayne Vandemark, fire marshal, told Council the 1985 fire code does cover these items and mandates a sprinkler system in a building over 1500 square feet. Vandemark told Council he added condominiums to this ordinance, which are not covered in the fire code. Vandemark told Council of the lodges he has inspected, he has found very few violations. Vandemark said if the hazards were to be life threatening, they would be fixed immediately. Vandemark told Council occupancy for assembly buildings is lowered to 50 because of the various below grade type of establishments and the emergency lighting required. Councilwoman Fallin moved to adopt Ordinance #57, Series of 1986, as amended, on second reading; seconded by Councilman Isaac. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Collins, yes; Isaac, yes; Fallin, yes; Walls, yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried. ICE RINK REPORT Brice Hastings, consultant Hastings & Chivetta, reminded Council the consultants worked with the ice rink and pool committees, to establish spaces they wanted in the facility. The consultants looked at where the facility could be located, conducted public meetings, and determined operational costs and participation from the community. Hastings told Council they looked at the ice area, the natatorium - aquatic center - and multi-purpose room. Hastings told Council the multi-purpose room was added during the process by the public, indicating the need for a large space with varied uses. Hastings told Council this is how they arrived at the 76,000 square feet of building. The consultants also discussed an outdoor ice rink to be located in the commercial core. The consultants arbitrarily suggested 17,000 square feet 4 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council December 15, 198 of ice surface, which is the size of a standard ice arena. Hastings said they determined the outdoor arena should be free form and not suitable for programmed events. Hastings told Council the outdoor arena will need some support service; a machinery room and a place to park the Zamboni. Skate rentals and other services could use existing buildings in the area. Hastings told Council for the recreation complex, the consultants build the activity programs themselves and it was their intent this be a community-oriented facility. Hastings said people will drive 20 minutes to use a facility of this type, which takes in 90 percent of Pitkin county. There are about 10,000 residents in this area. The income stream is based on these factors. Hastings said the consultants used history in the community and put some rates to their financial assumptions. Hastings told Council it is very rare that a community gets more than 5.5 percent of its population using a recreation facility at any given time. Hastings told Council they used low-medium range of utilization to run the numbers in the computer program. Hastings reported for the expenses, the consultants used other facilities and experience they are familiar with. Hastings said the operating costs for this facility would be $529,000 per year, which was used throughout all of the examples. Hastings told Council the consultants looked at potential sites f or both the recreation center and the outdoor ice rink. The only sites currently owned by the city large enough for the recreation center are Iselin park and Rio Grande. The consultants used about 50 criteria to evaluate these sites; Rio Grande scored higher on the objective scoring. Hastings said they discussed the sites with P & Z and Council and are very much aware of the other demands on the Rio Grande site. They turned their study toward Iselin park because of the proximity to the school and the demands on Rio Grande. Hastings told Council they looked at 5 or 6 potential sites f or the ice rink. The ice rink needs to be close enough to the business district to be effective. One site that would make a natural extension to the existing mall and a good f ac it i ty i s Mill street between Rubey and Wagner parks, using a little of each property. In the summer, this could be an extension of the mall. Hastings told Council it was not their task in this study to design this facility but they did not a full range of concepts about the design. Hastings said the facility should be safe, inviting and attractive as well as marketable. One of the goals of the study was to be abl e to have each f acil ity ( i. e. natatorium, arena) to be able to have 3 things going on at once. The total cost of the recreation complex is 57,800,000; the cost 5 ReQUlar Meeting Aspen City Co~t~rrcil December 15, 1986 for the outdoor ice rink is $1,100,000. Hastings pointed out the city has allocated monies for refurbishing the pool and ice garden, which could be turned into this project. Sale of the present ice garden could also be turned back into this project. One of the studies has incremental financing, using the above savings. Hastings noted in total project cost versus construction costs, total project costs include fees, furnishings, etc. Hastings said they looked at various financing alternatives. This report tries to give Council all the information they need to study this issue. Councilman Isaac asked how the user fees in a new facility would compare with the current city fees. Hastings said they would be very similar. The consultant used the current city fees in constructing their program. Hastings said the city fees are very modest. City Manager Bob Anderson said Council will have to clarify whom this complex is to benefit. There have been benefits of this complex to the community as a resort brought up, and is it to benefit tourists, locals or both. Mayor Stirling asked what the philosophy of the building is as presented to the consultants. Hastings said it was presented to benefit the community, the local residents. Hastings told Council a complex like this needs support from the community in order to work. Anderson said who uses the facility is not only relevant to the scale of the facility but also the location, and sizes of the various entities like ice rinks, pools, etc. Councilwoman Fallin said she would not support a recreation complex on the Rio Grande. Councilwoman Fallin said a facility like this should be community-oriented, not tourist oriented. Mayor Stirling asked if a facility like this would bring more business to town. Councilwoman Fallin said it is not her philosophy to see this as a tourist attraction. Mayor Stirling asked if this complex is excessive in its scope and size of 76,000 square feet. Mayor Stirling pointed out about 1/3 of the facility is devoted to the multi-purpose room and asked if it could be taken out of the complex or if there are some other ways the facility could be reduced. Hastings said there is a lack of this type of activity space in Aspen, and the consultants feel it would get a lot of use. Hastings pointed out ice rinks and pools come in certain sizes and it is hard to have half of that facility. To reduce this complex, you would have to take off an entire major element. Hastings said the number of size of the meetings room could be cut down. Hastings told Council the committee felt the lobby was too small and it has been enlarged. There has to be a place for people to congregate. The ice area has 1250 seats, and this lobby is not excessive. Councilman Isaac asked if there are standards in the industry for square footage of lobby versus seating area. 6 Reaul-ar Meeting Aspen Citv Council December 15, 198 Hastings said there are and this building is well within those standards. Councilwoman Fallin said she would eliminate the multi-purpose room and would like to see an ice rink, studio rink and swimming pool. Councilwoman Fallin said the school gymnasiums are probably adequate. Tim Vanatta, leisure services director, told Council the city almost lost space in the gymnasiums at the school, and their use is currently maxed out. Hastings pointed out the leisure services offices will be in this complex, which will eliminate bringing in additional staff to operate the building during slow times. Mayor Stirling asked if this will increase staff. Vanatta said part of the financing for this is to sell the existing ice garden, which would necessitate new offices for recreation and leisure services. There will be some savings in consolidating staff rather than having them in various parts of the city. Mayor Stirling reiterated this facility can be pared down. Councilwoman Walls said the recreation facilities in Europe are built with federal grants and federal loans. Councilwoman Walls said the original idea was to make repairs at the ice rink and to cover the pool. The city has not had the money to keep up their existing facilities. Councilwoman Walls said she f eels this facility is unrealistic. If a lot of people in the community are interested in building this facility, it should be a community-effort rather than a city effort. Councilwoman Walls said this facility is beyond the scope of the city to pay for it. Mayor Stirling said of this 57,800,000 proposal, $1,000,000 is to be funded from monies allocated but not yet spent to upgrade the ice rink and swimming pool and 5600,000 will come from the sale of the existing ice garden. Mayor Stirling pointed out the city will be spending 55,300,000 plus donating the land. The city will be funding more than three-quarters of the projects. Mayor Stirling pointed out an additional one cent sales tax would raise $1,600,000 but there would be other demands for that money. The city would need at least 5400,000 to support a debt service of 54,800,000. Mayor Stirling said the city, county, school board and other interested parties met November 26th. The school board said they will participate but did not commit to how much funding. The county has no money to contribute to the facility but could ask for a property tax increase on a county-wide basis. Mayor Stirling said this is not a high priority for the community for him. Mayor Stirling said the city already provides the golf course, tennis courts, softball diamonds, ice rink and the swimming pool. The last two items need work and Council has discussed allocating money for these improvements. Mayor Stirling said the city is addressing a transportation system between Snowmass and Aspen, which will be a multi-million dollar project. The city may have to spend money to improve Highway 82 7 Regular Meetina Asx7en City Council December 15, 1986 and the entrance to town. There is the possibility of purchasing the East Meadows. Mayor Stirling said the city need to enhance the facilities they already have bef ore getting into a project of this scope. Councilman Isaac said he favors a concept of a joint recreation facility. Councilman Isaac said he is opposed to putting money into a bad facility, like the pool and the ice rink. Councilman Isaac said these facilities are inadequate f or the needs of the community and putting $1,000,000 into them is not good long range planning. Councilman Isaac said a facility like the recreation complex presented at this meeting is a good investment for the future of Aspen. Councilman Isaac said there are not many amenities that are affordable for the working people. Councilman Isaac said he is not in f avor of both the outdoor rink and the recreation complex; two ice structures would compete with each other. Councilman Isaac said he would prefer building the recreation complex first because it wold replace the ice garden, which could be sold for development. Councilman Isaac said the ice garden is in poor shape and $500,000 is probably not enough to bring it up to reasonable standards. Councilman Isaac said the multi-purpose room should be looked at to see whether it is needed or not. Councilwoman Fallin stated this has to be a joint effort; the city cannot pay for the whol e f ac it ity itself . Councilwoman Fallin said she has received a lot of positive comment about a facility like this; there is a need for a place for youth in the community. Councilwoman Fallin said the ice rink is in deplorable shape and is embarrassing. Councilwoman Fallin said the ice rink is seriously impacting the neighborhood with parking and noise problems, and it is not fair to the neighborhood to keep a facility like that located there. Councilwoman Fallin said she feels it is time to do something for the residents of the community. Councilwoman Fallin said she favors a recreation taxing district to fund this facility. Councilman Collins said this project should be a community endeavor, and for the city it is a matter of priorities. Councilman Collins said on his priority list at the top is city hall. councilman Collins said this is a great plan, however, this is just so much money to go around. Councilman Collins said the city needs to do something about where its employees w ork. The city has to do something about the snow dump, the impound lot, and the city shop. These are city responsibilities and have to be addressed. Mayor Stirling said he feels the outdoor ice rink is the most important part of this feasibility study. Mayor Stirling said this will serve both tourists and locals. The staff has 8 Regular Meeting _ _Aspen Citv Council December 15, 1986 commented the proposed site between Wagner and Rubey parks does not work for an outdoor ice rink. Bruce Abel ~ RFTA general manager, said the north part of Rubey park is the site used for skier shuttle in the winter and generates between 3,000 and 5,000 passengers trips per day. Abel said removing access to that site would have significant impacts on this operation, providing transportation to Aspen and Snowmass. Able said RFTA is presently working on improvements to Rubey park and to tie it in with the pedestrian mall and the lodge improvement district. Tom Baker, planning off ice, concurred with this opinion. Baker pointed out the Aspen Mountain Lodge PUD does provide for a small ice rink on their site across from Rubey park. Councilwoman Fallin said she is lukewarm about an outdoor ice rink. Councilman Isaac said he is opposed. Councilwoman Walls said she is not anxious to put any money into an outdoor rink. George Madsen said the direction to the committee seems to be if they want this facility, to form a district to fund it. Council agreed if this is to be pursued, it should be on a separate taxing district. Mayor Stirling said the community just cannot have every facility. Councilman Isaac pointed out this community is very health and exercise oriented, and the city has not been keeping facilities up to the grade. Councilwoman Fallin said this type of facility takes care of adults and children every day of the year, rather than winter only or summer only. GOLF COURSE/HALL PROPERTY Joe Krabacher, representing Jim Hall, objected to the f act that they were not noticed when this was discussed by Council at their October 27th meeting. Krabacher passed out maps and photos of the property. City Attorney Taddune told Council he has shared much information in this case; however, Hall was not given notice about the resolution regarding the Mills case. Taddune said it was noticed in the newspaper. Krabacher said the city should have acquired this property in 1970 when they acquired the entire golf course. Krabacher said his client has been litigating this matter since 1980. Krabacher used the map to show there is a subdivision along Cemetery Lane with single lots. Hall owns a single lot immediately adjacent to the lot owned by Wally Mills. Krabacher showed fairway #9 aligned in the nine-hole golf course. Krabacher said they believe Mills was never intended to acquire his parcel. Krabacher said at one time Mills owned the entire property and conveyed out a piece, then conveyed the rest of it to get financing for the golf course. After riills got financing for the golf course, he received a quit claim back for this parcel. Ultimately, Mills lost the rest of the property through foreclosure. 9 Regular Meeting -Aspen City Council December 15, 1986 In 1970, the city acquired the golf course through a company that got the property through bankruptcy. Krabacher pointed out how this parcel juts into the fairway. Krabacher said there was a problem with the legal description in the deeds in which the city got the property. The legal description goes around the parcel. Krabacher said the legal description is several pages of metes and bounds and there may have been a mistake made. Krabacher said they feel in the agreements and negotiations at the time, it was fully intended the city acquire the entire property. Krabacher said in 1975, Mills told the city they were trespassing on his property. As a result, there were a series of negotiations the city went through to exchange the parcel. Krabacher told Council in the first trial they established, because Mills conveyed all the property off in a financing transactions, that Mills never got this parcel. Taddune said the determination was made that Mills acquired the parcel as trustee for W. C. & R Corporation under the doctrine of after acquired title. Krabacher said in 1984, Mills got another quit claim deed for this parcel. Krabacher said he feels he can establish that the negotiations between the city and W.C.&R in 1970, were such that it was intended that this parcel be conveyed as part of the golf course. Krabacher said the city, in 1975, acknowledged that Mills owned this property and re-oriented the property around it. Taddune said in 1975 the city did not take the position that there was a mistake in the deed from W.C. &R. to the city. Krabacher said he is trying to preserve his client's right to proceed with the litigation to fight Mill on this. The concern is that the stipulation to dismiss the lawsuit approved by Council may have the effect of saying the city does not claim any interest in this parcel. Mills will be able to get an easement to his property and be able to build a duplex. There will be impact on Hall's property. Krabacher agreed he has discussed this case a lot with the city attorney. He and his client were out of town in October and did not have the opportunity to discuss the case. This may have affected Council's decision to dismiss the lawsuit. Jim Hall told Council he was asked at one point to put in some money for this parcel and did not have the money to put in. Hall told Council he has been involved in this since 1978. Hall objected to the fact staff asked Council to pass a resolution to disclaim any interest in that half acre. Hall maintained the city should have interest in that half acre, and to have the city withdraw leaves Hall in an awkward position. Hall said he is not interested in selling an easement through his property. H all stated he believes this is city property and does not see why the golf course should have a duplex sticking out into it. Taddune said the deed description did not include this parcel. A quit 10 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council December 15, 1986 claim deed was in Mills' possession at the time. Taddune also asked why the city acquired the golf course property and left an island protruding into a fairway. Taddune said he has not explanation about this. Taddune reminded Council they have had a number of executive session on this issue. Taddune said last summer the court awarded Hall be returned $20,000 in fees. Hall said he feels before he should be sued for easement, the logical step would be to establish who owns this half acre. Taddune said next the staff tried to come up negotiate a purchase from Mills, who wanted over $200,000 for this parcel. Councilman Isaac asked what the Council would have to do to reverse their decision and staff involved in the case. Taddune said the property description appended to the contract for the golf course does not include this parcel. The question is was there a mistake at the time the city entered into the contract . It has to be clearly proved that both sides had a mistake. The second issue is whether it can be construed that the city has a recreational easement across the property. Taddune said in order to withdraw from this litigation, the city has to take a position regarding ownership of the parcel. Councilman Isaac moved that the city reaffirm its claim to parcel C off Cemetery Lane and stay involved in the lawsuit against Mr. Mills. Motion DIES for lack of second. Councilwoman Wall s asked why attorney' s f ees were given to Hall and the city. Taddune explained that Mills had been pursuing one theory in the case that resulted in Hall and the city incurring legal fees. At the end, Mills wanted to change the theory of the case, which the court allowed if the attorney's fees incurred up to that point were paid. REQUEST ~0 USE WAGNER PARK - Winternational Patsy Malone, personnel director, said this is a request from the Aspen Skiing Company through Citicorp and Diner's Club to use Wagner park for a f ood tasting event. Peter Forsch, Aspen Skiing Company, said Winternational has a new sponsor and event. Forsch told Council this is Citicorp/Aspen a la carte featuring 30 restaurants in a food tasting event in Wagner park Wednesday, March 4. Coupon books will be sold to allow people to sample food from different restaurants. Ms. Malone said Council has to approve a vendors agreement to allow the coupon books to be sold. The Skiing company will put plywood in the park and put up a tent. Forsch told Council Citicorp is spending energy and money to promote this event and will be a national promotion. Forsch said the charge will only reimburse the restaurants for the food they will be using. Anything left over will benefit tipsy taxi. Libby Ferguson told Council all the restaurants have had a chance 11 Regular Meeting - Aspen City Council December- 15, 1986 to participate in this event. Ms. Malone said the Skiing Company will be using the city's electricity for this event which will be a nominal expense. Councilwoman Walls moved to direct the city attorney to prepare a vendor's agreement with the Skiing Company for Wagner Park, Wednesday March 7, 1987; seconded by Councilman Collins. Bill Getz, Diner's Club said they are tying to bring something unique to winternational as a sponsor. Diner's club will be promoting the event. All in favor, motion carried. Councilwoman Fallin moved to approve a special event permit for Wednesday, March 7, 1987; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried. Mayor Stirling moved that the city contribute the electricity to this event; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDING REPORT Cindy Shafer, finance director, presented memoranda giving Council existing revenues, new revenues, capital expenditures and ways to finance these. Ms. Shafer pointed out in all these plans it is assumed that ,water and electric revenues will be at the 1987 budgeted level, which means further rates increases for both funds. Ms. Shafer said the plans assume a future sale of the Red Roof Inn and minimal interest income through 1990. Ms. Shafer said Council needs to determine what projects they want to do, and if they would like to investigate further new revenue sources. Mayor Stirling recommended proceeding in 1987 with a general obligation bond to do city hall at $1,600,000 and the lodge improvement district at $710,000 and contribute $570,000 upgrading to the city shop facility f or a total of $2 , 880 , 0 0 0 . Mayor Stirling suggested a second g.o. bond in 1988 for about $1,200,000 for $450,000 toward covering the pool and $450,000 for refurbishing the ice rink and $200,000 to the Wheeler opera house and $100,000 for trail improvements. Mayor Stirling said that would be the maximum bonding the city would be allowed at that time. The second improvements may be phased over 1988 and 1989 and the city may have some cash to contribute towards these projects. Mayor Stirling said the city should not seek any new taxing and not mortgage the future. Mayor Stirling said the city should seek financing for any transportation issues downtown through a downtown development authority. Mayor Stirling said 12 Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council December 15, 1986 transportation solutions between Snowmass and Aspen should com e through RFTA, Snowmass, Pitkin County, the ski companies working with the city. Mayor Stirling suggested putting off the Maroon power project. Cindy Shafer, finance director, pointed out in issuing bonds, the limit in 1987 is $2,400,000 and in future years is $2,000,000, which could not be issued until 1990. Mayor Stirling said under that 1 imitation, he would recommend city hall and the lodge improvement district in 1987 and the street imppvoements in 1990. Mayor Stirling said a fundamental issue to be dealt with is upkeep and maintenance of city facilities. Mayor Stirling said his approach is without a new source of revenue. Councilman Isaac said he agrees with the improvements for 1987, but would like to generate new revenues to do the pool, ice rink and street improvements before 1990. Councilwoman Walls agreed with the Mayor's priorities. Mayor Stirling said Council has made a decision to move ahead with the downtown development authority. At this point, it is not known what projects will be in the district. Mayor Stirling said Council's other projects, like pool, ice rink, streets, do not seem to fit within the district. Assistant City Manager Mitchell said the projects have to be built within the district to qualify. Mitchell reminded Council one of the basis for forming the district is problems with parking, traffic an d pedestrian circulation. Councilwoman Walls agreed the city would not get much support for the DDA unless it is dedicated to projects like a parking garage. Mayor Stirling said city hall and the lodge improvement district take up the bonding capabil ites for 1987 . Council can then continue to look at the larger picture. Mitchell said Council will have to schedule an election for approval of the general obligation bonds for these projects. Councilwoman Fallin said she is opposed to a general obligation bond election for city hall and thought the project was going to be phased. Mitchell said there is not enough money to phase city hall improvements. Mitchell said staff feels there should be more drawing and schematic work put into city hall before the election. The cost has been reduced about $600,000 and the annex has been eliminated. Councilman Isaac said he would 1 ike to see the election scheduled in March to get an earlier construction start date. Councilwoman Fallin said she is opposed to special elections. City Manager Anderson said staff hoped to be able to phase city hall remodel; however, one difficulty is the structure of the building. Councilwoman Walls asked if the city does have $3,400,000 cash balance at the end of the year. Ms. Shafer said that is the 13 Regular Meeting Aspen_ City Council December 15, 198 projected cash balance for 1986. Councilwoman Walls said it seems like a lot of money to hold. Ms. Shafer said Council adopted financial policies with ratios as how the cash balance should relate to debt. Bil Dunaway pointed out these ratios are very conservative and are not law. Dunaway said when the voters are asked for money, and there is money laying around in reserve, people are not about to raise their taxes. Mitchell told Council the policies were developed from recommendations made by Municipal Finance Association and the city's financial advisor. Councilman Isaac pointed out if the city starts spending the fund balances, the bond ratings may go down. Anderson noted this fund balance is spread through all the city's f und. Ms. Shafer said this fund balance does not include reserves specified for bonds that a trustee is in charge of . Ms. Shafer said when Council looks at the fund balance, they should also look at the amount of debt anticipated for the coming year. Mitchell told Council there is some money in the golf course that is specifically for golf course improvements, not associated with this program. Councilman Collins said he would like to get the process started on city hall so that the project can begin next year. Councilman Collins pointed out previously there was a vote for a nordic district, which was turned down. Since then the council has approved about 51,000,000 for the trail system. Mayor Stirling moved the city start the ball rolling for a general obligation bond election ceiling of 52,400,000 to include city hall and the lodge improvement district and to set a ceiling of 525,000 on conceptual drawings to be prepared in advance of the election and to draft the documents to set a special election before April 1, 1987; seconded by Councilman Isaac. Councilwoman Fall in said she does not want to have a special election, they cost more money and do not get as large a turnout. Councilwoman Fall in said during a regular election there are better debates. Mayor Stirling amended his motion to have the bond election during the regular election in May. Councilman Isaac withdrew his section. Councilwoman Fallin seconded the amendment. All in favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Collins and Isaac. Motion carried. All in favor of the main motion, with the exception of Councilmembers Collins and Isaac. Motion carried. 1986 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT Craig Overbeck, assistant finance director, told Council the city's cash position is about 570,000 weaker than seen in July, 14 Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council December 15, 1986 mainly due to not increasing water and electric revenues. There was a transfer to the lodge improvement district, which should be repaid in 1987. In the land fund, the Red Roof Inn situation hurts the cash proceeds position. The sales tax collections should come in about $30,000 ahead. Overbeck said the Wheeler fund will come in ahead of budget. Overbeck said there are personnel savings in the Wheeler budget. There will be a short fall in water sales revenues of $150,000 to $185, 000. There will be up to 5300 , 000 short f al l in tap f ee revenues in the water f und; this is an improvement over the last report. The electric f and has savings in personnel and in the contingency fund. However, the fund will be down from budget estimates. The electric fund did receive the Castleridge settlement. The golf course revenues will be about 516,000 over budget. Overbeck told Council the city is still in a strong cash position. Departments have cut back on their expenditures. Councilman Isaac asked if staff recommends any changes in the projected 1987 budget. Overbeck said the electric fund revenues are budgeted too high and these should be looked at again. RESOLUTION X46, 1986. - Recreation Program Fees Tim Vanatta, leisure services director, said this resolution is to formalize the fee structures, which were discussed with Council during the budget hearing. These are program fees, not admission fees. Vanatta told Council staff did an informal fee survey and found Aspen is about 25 percent lower than towns surveyed. The City has not modified the recreation fees in 5 years. Vanatta told Council staff feels this is a short term solution before a formula for setting all program fees is established. Vanatta said staff will have to structure fees in relation to the costs of the program. Currently programs are being subsidized anywhere from 10 percent to 30 percent and up. Mayor Stirling moved to retain the current fee structure until staff brings an analysis of the entire rate structure. If at that time a shift is indicated, Council address it then; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion carried. RESOLUTION #47. SERIES OF 1986 - Golf Course Fee Increase Tim Vanatta, leisure service director, reminded council these also were discussed during budget hearings. The primary reason for increasing the golf fees was to cover operational costs as well as the new capital improvements. Both the men and women's golf associations had input into the fee structure and support it. Vanatta said this increase will generate abut 550,000. 15 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council December 15, 1986 Councilman Collins said 568 is out of sight f or greens fees and cart f or a municipal golf course. Councilman Collins said the city may be pricing this out; this is about a 15 percent increase . Councilman Collins said it is important to look at other tourist towns and to stay competitive. Mayor Stirling said the city needs to make improvements to the golf course to make it a better course. Councilwoman Walls pointed out some of the pass options have been made better. All in f avor, with the exception of Councilman Collins. Motion carried. CCLC SIGNAGE PROPOSALS Elyse Elliott, engineering department, told Council the CCLC has determined there is a signage deficiency in Aspen, that visitors are circulating needlessly looking for places. The CCLC advertised for a request for qualifications and interviewed firms that applied. The CCLC chose the f firm of Wood/Monte. The f first phase is to devise a program of 6 phases, which contains project overview, goals, definition of information, existing conditions, preliminary concepts and schedule. Ms. Elliott told Council staf f solicited input f rom organizations 1 ike RFTA, M.A.A. , ARA, P & Z and other departments. Ms. Elliott told Council the second step is conceptual design. CCLC allocated $10,000 in their 1987 budget for this phase. Wood/Monte has come up with a quotation to complete phase two for $8,230. Mayor Stirling asked what it would cost to do the signs. Jerome Wood said they have been doing this type of program in other communities. Ms. Elliott told Council they expect participation in funding this program from the lodges and RFTA. Wood said the city and CCLC want to take a leadership position in developing a consistent graphics and sign program which different groups can use. Wood said over the long term, this program will cost several hundred thousand dollars. Ms. Elliott said the downtown development authority program has earmarked 525,000 for a sign program. Councilwoman Walls asked if Council's funding responsibility ends with this phase. Ms. Elliott said phase two will have the conceptual design, colors, quantities, locations, etc. After that will be the construction document phase. This will be bid. The city will be asked to pay for their part of the sign program. Councilman Isaac moved to allocated a conceptual design phase and a budget of up to 510,000 to Wood/Monte for the sign program; seconded by Mayor Stirling. Mayor Stirling said he feels there is a need for direction to be given to the guests. Si Coleman said this program addresses 16 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council December 15, 1986 uniformity, and one of the uniqueness of Aspen is that there is not uniformity of signs. There does need to be information conveyed. Ms. Elliott said the aim to have consistency but not sameness. Wood said the reference to uniformity is format, consistent place and location. Mayor Stirling agreed he is not interested in very sign being the same. Councilwoman Fallin said she is concerned about the proliferation of signs in town. Ms. E11 iott said thi s phase will still solicit inf ormation f rom many organizations, and people are sensitive about too many signs in t own. This $10,000 is already part of the CCLC's 1987 budget. Councilman Isaac said he hears complaints that tourists cannot find places in town. Wood said one goal in this program is not to proliferate signs but to clean up the clutter of signs around town. All in favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Walls and Collins. Motion carried. Mayor Stirling moved to suspend the rules and go another 10 minutes; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. ENCROACHMENT REQUEST - Aspen Community Church Councilwoman Walls moved to approve an encroachment f or the Aspen Community Church for the purpose of constructing an enclosed entryway; seconded by Councilman Collins. Councilman Isaac asked if this entryway will be wheelchair accessible. Graeme Means said this entrance goes into the basement and there will be 4 stairs. Elyse Elliott, engineering department, pointed out the west side of the Church is built almost on the property line. Means said this remodelling is trying to bring the building up to Code. There is 19 feet from this encroachment to the curb . All in favor, motion carried. RFTA BUDGET RESOLUTIONS Councilwoman Walls moved to approve the RFTA 1987 budget proposal; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in f avor, motion carried. Councilman Isaac asked if there will be Aorta potties in Rubey park. Bruce Abel, general manager RFTA, said he has gotten mixed messages about having portapotties in Rubey park, and unless he gets a very firm direction will not provide portapotties. Abel said Rubey park is a very visible part of Aspen. 17 Regular _Meetirrcr -Aspen Citv Council December 15 ~_ 1.9.8 Councilman Isaac moved that RFTA place at least 3 portapotties in Rubey park. Motion DIES f or lack of a second. Assistant City Manager Mitchell said he will look at the lease to see if these are required. SANDING STREETS Bob Anderson, city manager, said staff has done extensive research and there is a marginal possibility of getting harder material. Staff passed out samples of what the city is using, the county is using and what Vail is using. Anderson said staff is trying to balance a public safety imperative with the amount of sand used on the streets. The best potential for dealing with the air pollution problem is more frequent flushing of the streets. Anderson told Council staff is looking for heated storage for the flushing equipment. Anderson said the staff will also be looking at if anything the city does makes a difference. There is not good base data for this program yet. If the hardness of the material to sand the streets is increased by 20 percent , the payof f in terms of pollution control is about 7 percent. The cost factor is 4 or 5 to 1. Anderson told Council there may be a better source of sanding material, which staff is investigating. Mayor Stirling moved to direct staff to continue pursuing a better sanding material and alternative heated storage for the flushing equipment; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried. Si Coleman asked if it would be valid to heat the streets in certain areas. The net costs in terms of pollution may be j ust if ied. All in favor, motion carried. CON SENT -AGENDA Councilman Collins moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. The consent agenda is Minutes - October 28, November 3, 1986; Liquor License Renewals - Wienerstube; High Altitude Paradise. All in favor, motion carried. Councilwoman Walls moved to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried. 1~-~--w- ~ .1~1 j~ d ~ Kathryn S, Koch; City Clerk 18