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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19870112Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 1987 PROCLAMATIONS 1 CITIZENS COMMENTS 1 COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 2 CABLE TELEVISION EVALUATION 3 RED ROOF INNS 5 ORDINANCE #l, SERIES OF 1987 - Lodge Improvement District 7 ORDINANCE #2, SERIES OF 1987 - Electric Rate Increase 8 SUBDIVISION EXCEPTION - Dunn/Bishop 10 PUD AMENDMENT - Hotel Jerome 10 NORDIC COUNCIL PRESENTATION 11 CCLC SIGN PROGRAM 13 ORDINANCE #3, SERIES OF 1987 - Purchase Contract/Anderson 14 BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEW DATE 14 HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERVIEW 14 SISTER CITY PROGRAM 15 16 Regular Meetna__ Aspen City Counc~~. ~nus~r~ 12, 1987 Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with Councilmembers Collins, Fallin, Isaac and Walls present. PRO CL AMAT I 0 N S 1. Mayor Stirling presented proclamations of the 40th anniversary of the Aspen Skiing Company and the f ormal ization of skiing in Aspen. 2. January 8, 1987 was proclaimed at Tenth Mountain Division day. 3. January 15 - 23, 1987, was declared Winter conference Series Festival on Film, Dance and Theatre. CITIZENS COMMENTS 1. Marty Kahn brought up the recreation complex. At the last meeting, Council turned down the concept by 3 to 2. Kahn said committee members were not aware this matter was going to be taken up by Council. Kahn requested this be added to the January 26th agenda to discuss putting this on the municipal election ballot, rather than have the committee proceed with an initiative or referendum. Mayor Stirling said Council discussed choices and the f unding limitations and made a decision based on the city's capital improvement program. Council deal with the capital improvements that could be funded without seeking new sources of revenues. Kahn said the would like Council to explore a question to the voters about an additional 1/4 or 1/2 penny tax. Mayor Stirling said Council voted not to pursue .the eighth penny for any projects. Mayor Stirling said this does not preclude seeking a tax district for the recreation complex. Kahn asked Council if they would be willing to allow the voters to decide on additional sales tax. Councilman Isaac moved to put on the January 26 agenda a discussion on the recreation complex and possible funding mechanisms for that facility; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Councilman Collins said a project of this kind if more appropriate as a community-wide type facility rather than a city facility. Councilwoman Fallin asked if the c ity has the ability to sponsor a recreation district, and would like that discussed at the next meeting. All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Collins and Mayor Stirling. Motion carried. 2. Bill Ash, president of Thirstbusters company, told Council last year this service was franchised around the country. They 1 Regular Meeting Ashen City Council January 12,-1987.. were in Vail last season, and entered a contract with the Aspen Skiing Company to vend hot drinks on the mountain and in lift lines. They have been vending in Aspen and Snowmass over this Christmas season. Ash told Council the response has been very favorable. Ash said a strong demand for this service has been at the bus depot in Snowmass. Ash approached RFTA about vending at the city's bus terminal at Rubey park, and requested Council to grant a special permit to vend at Rubey park. Ash said it is not the intention to compete with restaurants nor to expand from Rubey Park. Mayor Stirling moved to direct staff to analyze the proposal and bring back to the January 26th agenda to see if the service can be provided; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Bruce Abel, general manager RFTA, told Council he has not discussed this with the Board but it seems like an idea worth pursuing for customers waiting for buses. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Chip Monday, representing Centennial homeowners, presented a proposed open space acquisition. Monday said this parcel is not within the city but is within proposed annexation areas. Monday said there is a one acre parcel between Hunter Creek condominiums and Centennial. This parcel contains a Victorian house contains a lot of cottonwoods and does get use as a park area. Monday suggested the city consider purchasing the parcel, divide off the house and sell it to help make up the costs. This parcel has good trail connection possibilities and could connect with other open space in the area. Council suggested the planning office and Ron Mitchell work with Monday on this parcel, and it be brought back to Council if it meets Council's guidelines. Monday told Council there is a pending county GMP application for a condominium complex on this parcel. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 1. Councilman Isaac asked if the community service agreements, city funding and open meeting requirements are on the next agenda. Staff said this is scheduled for January 26. 2. Councilman Isaac congratulated the city staff for a job well done over the holidays and Bill Efting for all the work on the snow sculpture and the extra time on this project. 3. Councilman Isaac said the county would like to meet with Council about capital projects and funding of those projects. City Manager Bob Anderson suggested the staff meet first. Anderson said the county's point of view is with the various 2 Reqular_Meetinq Aspen Citv Council Januarv 1.2.,__1987 improvements being discussed, there is fuzzy jurisdictional lines. Anderson said not every entity has the same revenue choices to use, the county would like to discuss these projects. 4. Mayor Stirling said the real estate transfer tax totalled $109,000 for December and was $20,000 over the maximum ever received. 5. Mayor Stirling said there is a request to meet with Snowmass Council on an aerial tram connecting Aspen and Snowmass. Council scheduled this for Wednesday, January 21 at noon. 6. Mayor Stirling said the regional forest service supervisor has been charged with doing an environmental impact statement on Burnt Mountain. They have asked Council to appoint a representative to this group working on the EIS. Council requested this be on the January 26 agenda and turn in any recommendations. 7. Mayor Stirlina, said he has noticed a gift shop in the entry area of the Wheeler Opera house. Mayor Stirling said he feels this is an inappropriate use of the space for the items that are being sold. This is competing with other businesses; there is a captive audience, and the space is paid for by taxpayers. Councilman Isaac said Council was asked about this use in t he Wheeler. Mayor Stirling asked Council to go by and look at this gift shop. 8. Mayor Stirling said the downtown development authority has met about its organization. Assistant City Manager Mitchell said an advisory committee will be put together and report back to Council early March. 9. Mayor Stirling said the new Commissioners will be sworn in tomorrow, January 13 at noon, on the courthouse steps. 10. Mayor Stirling said the Colorado Association of Ski Towns is co-sponsoring a legislative tour of state assembly people January 30th in Durango. Mayor Stirling and City Manager Anderson will be attending. CABLE TELEVISION EVALUATION Assistant City Manager Mitchell reminded Council the cable television ordinance requires a two-year evaluation of the operation. Mitchell said the two options are that Council can act as the review body or can re-appoint the cable TV advisory body to do this public hearing review. Mitchell said he has reviewed the permit, the ordinance, Canyon Cable's filings with the city, payments to the city, and other requirements. Mitchell 3 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Januarv 12, 1987 told Council his finding is that Canyon Cable has complied with appropriate sections of both the ordinance and permit. Mitchell recommended Council act as the review board. Mitchell told Council this meeting has been noticed as the public hearing as part of this procedure. Councilwoman Fallin moved that Council hold a public hearing on the cable operation at this Council meeting; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. Kelly Bloomer, Canyon Cable, said since they began the renewal of the system, that operations are very good. Mayor Stirling agreed it is a large improvement. Bloomer told Council Canyon Cable spent 51,200,000 on total replacement of the cable system, and it is a state of the art system. Mayor Stirling asked if the city is satisfied about the cuts and repairs in the alleys. Mitchell told Council the engineering department indicated Canyon Cable worked with staff very well during this and the undergroundin g process. Mitchell pointe d out the ordinance indicates Canyon Cable has to underground when the city does their undergrounding. This is being worked on with staff and Canyon Cable. Bloomer said they will convert their facilities to underground in those areas that have conduit underground. Bloomer said Canyon Cable spent a lot of money on the system in 1984, and had to throw away a lot of aerial wire; however, they will continue to go along with the underground process. Mayor Stirling said Canyon Cable disbursed 568,000 to city in franchise fees. Mitchell told Council that figure is the total; there is a 2 percent franchise fee and 3 percent for community television and radio. The f ranchise fee defrays the cost of the city administering the cable permit. Mayor Stirling said paying to have cable television ought to be a one time charge and customers should be able to get every station available. Bloomer said it would be impossible to come up with a one time c barge that would not be prohibitive. Bloomer said Canyon Cable pays for service for programming based on the number of customers for channels like HBO and Disney. Mitchell told Council a tier-type approach to monthly service is standard in the cable television industry. Mitchell pointed out the cable advisory committee recommended to council that rates not be part of the ordinance. Council does not have the authority to review rates. Mitchell said within the last 2 years, FCC has ruled that is not part of local jurisdiction. Don Helmich said if a person brings a paid for cable tap into a residence, they ought to be able to get more than one tap. Right now, you have to pay extra for each tap. Bloomer said Canyon Cabl a has always charged f or extra outlets , and the r ea son i s 4 Regular Meeting Aspen CitX Council Januarv 12, 1987 they service these outlets. Bloomer explained because of FCC regulations, they are obligated to do a thorough monitoring of their system to detect and correct leakage of signals into the air which might impeded air traffic control. Bloomer said a big problem when people use splitters is that they start leaking signals into the air. Canyon Cable is responsible for these problems regardless of who causes them. Councilman Isaac moved that Council finds that Canyon Cable has met all the appropriate requirements of Ordinance 64, 1983, and the cable television permit; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried. RED ROOF INNS City Manager Bob Anderson reminded Council they have not determined whether triey want to sell this property or to look at more options. Council requested staff to present what it would take to look at broader options. Anderson said there have been several preliminary proposals from different facets of the community. Council should determine whether it wants to stick to proposals for sale under the parameters of the ballot question or to open this up. Mayor Stirling said Council could either go with open ended proposals or to do a more narrow way to dispose of the facility. Mayor Stirling said he has no interest in the more narrow approach and a pure disposition of the Red Roof. Councilman Isaac said he would prefer to publish for proposals to set what kind of ideas there are for the facility. Councilman Isaac said he would favor the open ended approach so that Council can see what is best f or the community and what type of revenue may be generated. Councilwoman Walls said she would agree with the most open ended procedure to get all proposals for using that building. Anderson suggested a packet with information, set a date f or peopl e to ask questions , set parameter s as best as possible. Anderson said staff could set a date for applicants to pick up the information packet of February 2nd. Council suggested 30 days for applicants to have their proposals back to the city. Anderson suggested a deadline of March 16th at 5:00. Staff will then present to Council all the legitimate proposals within the guidelines set up and categorize them on some basis. Councilwoman Fallin said Council needs to decide what they want to see at the Red Roof facility, whether Council wants to see it remain the public domain or to turn it over to someone else to develop. Councilwoman Walls said she feels this approach of accepting all proposals will help Council decide what they want to see at the Red Roof . Councilman Isaac said he would 1 ike the city to advertise locally, statewide and nationally f or these proposals. Councilman Isaac said he feels this will maximize the 5 Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council January 12, 1987 scope of the proposals received. The applications will come in a like f orm so that they can be compared. Mayor Stirling said he would prefer to keep the facility under the city's control and lease it. It is important to have a support f acility for the golf course and tennis courts. Councilwoman Fallin pointed out one of the reasons the M.A.A. wants this is to use the restaurant facility for their own use, and it would not be open as a support facility. Mayor Stirling said if the city got the right operator, they could work together with the M.A.A. Mayor Stirling moved to direct staff to publish an opened ended request f or proposals f or the disposition of the Red Roof lodge and have the proposal ready for publication within two weeks and give until February 2, 1987, to pick up proposals; seconded by Councilman Collins. Councilman Collins said this open ended proposal should not preclude a straight cash arrangement. Anderson said the difficulty is that the property is quite restricted right now. Anderson noted by opening this to more proposals, the city has to be careful not to imply that awarding it clears all the hurdles. Anderson said his outline will have the restrictions currently on the property clearly stated. There is the opportunity for applicants to propose something else, as long as it is clear if their proposal is accepted that the restrictions are not waived. City Attorney Taddune said the ballot question outlined that the city subject any sale to various conditions. If Council decides not to sell it and utilize it in place, the city may not be governed by those restrictions but by the zoning in place. Earl asked if the Council is aware of the costs of the Red Roof to the city at this time. Earl said the staff's report should include how much these costs are to the city, like loss of revenues, taxes, utilities, etc. Anderson said the utilities are 5100 a day. Since this is city property, taxes are not paid so there is some lost revenue. Anderson told Council it did not cost as much as anticipated to patch the roof. The rest of the money will be used to patch up the interior of the roof. Mayor Stirling said Council has to focus on the best interest of the community. Mayor Stirling said the property has to be made a viable economic concern rather than returning to the city every two years. Jim Breasted suggested forming a small task force of 3 or 4 people to go over these proposals. Breasted said this property has been a problem for 15 years and no operation in there has worked. Councilman Collins said Council's philosophy is to gain the greatest benefit for the city and at the same time provide a facility compatible with the golf course. Mayor Stirling contended the city has gotten their return and now it is time to do something in a broader sense and to serve the community. Howie Mallory suggested Council set a deadline by 6 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 1987 which they have to make a decision on these proposals. Council added to the motion that their decision will be made by April 13, 1987. All in favor, motion carried. ORDINANCE #l, SERIES OF 1987 - Lodge Improvement District Mayor Stirling reported he attended the public hearing on the lodge improvement district December 30th. Almost everyone present spoke against the forming of the district for various reasons; too little time to respond to the district, the drainage issue, unfair boundaries, city should pay for the entire district, a v ote by the property owners. Jay Hammond, city engineer, recommended the f first reading of the formation of the district ordinance be tabled until January 26, 1987. The city has received public comment through written remonstrances and the public hearing. The task force met January 8, 1987, and discussed these comments. The task force has more information and responses to some of the concerns. The task force would like to prepare a report for Council' s benef it, as well as looking at ramifications of changes of the district. The city manager needs an opportunity to prepare an order for Council. Councilwoman Fallin said when these discussions first started, she f el t everyone had been spoken to and was in favor of the district. These letters indicate people have never heard of the district. Hammond said formal notification occurred only for the first hearing December 30th. Informal meetings have been available. Councilwoman Fallin said she thought the plan was to eliminate woonerf streets. Hammond answered the majority of woonerf streets were removed f rom the plan. The ones that are left have been reduced in size. Councilwoman Fallin asked about the Ski Company '.s participation in the drainage problem and what about the people with mining operations. Hammond said the issue of w Nether entities other than the improvement district are to participate has not been determined. The improvement district has included funds within their budget f or a contribution towards a drainage solution for the mountain runoff. Unless other entities, like city, county and Skiing Company are involved in the solution, those funds will not be spent by the district. Anderson told Council the adopted Council procedure states Council shall have a city manager' s order recommending a district, and Council does not have that order. Anderson told Council there will be another task force meeting January 15 at 2 p.m. The task force will go through letters and concerns and come up with a position for the city manager to pass on to Council. Mayor Stirling said he is concerned the district is losing parking places, not gaining them, and there are some 7 ReQUlar Meeting Aspen Citv Counc~~_ Januarv 12, 1987 when the electric fund had excess money. The city should f ind another way to fund these items because there is not excess money in the electric fund anymore. The lighting program was originally another fund, rather than the electric fund. Councilwoman Walls said she had received a memorandum from Holy Cross indicating that MEAN may have been charging the city too much for electricity. City Manager Bob Anderson told Council the city's current rate with MEAN is based on a combination of demand charge and usage charge. There is a possibility of a high demand charge figure if there is any kind of short term outage when Ruedi is off-line. Anderson told Council Holy Cross's current proposals to wholesale purchasers puts this strictly on usage with no demand charge. Anderson said when the city entered into a contract with MEAN, a long term contract was established and staff has no idea what it would take to break the contract or to adjust it. Assistant City Manager Mitchell said the city signed a contract to get the lowest rate and the contract runs the length of their longest bonds. Mitchell said the projections at that time were that the city was going to save about $300,000 a year. Mitchell said there were savings; however, things have changed and the staff needs to look at the contract and all the implications. Mitchell said the discrepancy in what the city is paying for power has been caused by what is happening at Ruedi. There has been a lot of testing; there has been a problem with the turbine because of a vacuum created. There has been more down time than anyone thought. Mitchell said when there is down time, the demand charge kicks in. Councilman Coll ins asked if the city has accepted the hydro facility from General Electric. Hammond told Council the city has not accepted it. There are clauses in the contract that could penalize the contractor if they do not meet the production requirements in the contract. Hammond told Council once Ruedi is up and in production, there should not be a lot of trouble. Hammond said there are problems with outages outside the city's control. It is not a concern to MEAN why Ruedi is not producing. Mitchell said the lighting program was always planned to come out of the electric f und. Anderson pointed out the budget has been adopted for the general and electric funds. Anderson said if Council does not want to raise electric rates, staff can go back to the budget and f ind where the monies would come f rom. Mayor Stirling said Council should not raise electric rates, acknowledge the $170,000 for the asset replacement fund monies will come out of the electric fund for 1987 and some other way in 1988. Councilwoman Walls said she would prefer to have the asset replacement purchases be funded somewhere else for 1987. 9 Regular Meeting. Aspen Citv Council January 12, 1987 frills in the overall proposals. Councilwoman Walls said the original idea was to pave streets and add sidewalks. This proposal may be simplified to do just utilitarian improvements. Hammond said the plan has been simplified greatly and is viewed as utilitarian. Councilwoman Walls said she is not in favor of changing the district boundaries. Anderson pointed out wherever there is a boundary, there is that argument that people do not believe they should fit in the district. Anderson said one property manager feels the district has been pared down too much. Mayor Stirling said he is enthusiastic about going ahead with the district, but the city should respond to these concerns as best as possible. Hammond told Council staff marked a map as to where the protests were coming from; there is some concentration on the peripheral areas. Hammond told Council it is possible to make some boundary changes. Councilman Collins said he thought the original idea was to have a vote of the property owners. Hammond said establishment of an assessment district can occur with over 50 percent of the property owners petitioning for the formation of a district, or the city can take a lead role in creating the district and require that 50 percent property owners petition out. Councilman Isaac moved to table Ordinance #l, Series of 1987, to January 26 , 19 87; seconded by Councilman Coll ins. All in favor, motion carried. ORDINANCE #2, SERIES OF 198.7 - Electric Rate Increase Councilwoman Fallin moved to read Ordinance #2, Series of 1986; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion carried. ORDINANCE #2 ( Series of 1987) AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEW RATE ELECTRICAL SERVICE AND ADDING A THE MUNICIPAL CODE, TO AUTHORIZE SERVICE CHARGE OF THIRTY ( $30.00 ) ON AND EACH SHUT-OFF OF ELECTRICA the city clerk SCHEDULE FOR RETAIL NEW SECT ION 23 -26 TO THE IMPOSITION OF A DOLLARS FOR EACH TURN L SERVICE was read by Councilwoman Walls said the city's philosophy has been that the city electric customers be kept close to Holy Cross rates as possible. In the past that has meant paying more than is necessary because the city could sell electricity cheaper than Holy Cross. Now the situation is reversed, and it is not fair to raise electric rates because it costs more to supply electricity than it did. Councilwoman Walls said there are expenditures in the electric fund that do not need to be there to run an electric department; one is the asset replacement fund. This was started 8 Rectular Meetinct Aspen Citv Council January 12, 1987 Councilman Collins said for years the electric fund was the best of the city's funds with a good f and balance. Councilman Collins said he woul d l i . a ze ort on what has hapha sedb o n d e de f o rctt h e fund. Mayor ~~irlir~g said the city undergrounding and the lighting program and pays 6 percent for the asset replacement fund. Mayor Stirling moved to ask staff to analyze the memorandum from Holy Cross as relates to MEAN and report back January 26, 1987; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. Councilman Isaac moved to table Ordinance #2, Series of 1987. Motion DIES for lack of a second. SUBDIVISION EXCEPT ION - Dunn/Bishop Councilwoman Fall in moved to table this item; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. PUD AMENDMENT - Hotel Jerome Steve Burstein, planning off ice, told Council there are 4 deed restricted employee housing units within the Hotel J erome. Burstein told Council the Jerome is allowed to substitute off- site housing for on-site with Council's approval. The Jerome would like to have 4 off -site employee units to be located at the Cortina and use the space in the hotel as offices. Burstein told Council presently there are 7 deed restricted units at the Cortina. This proposal would add 2 two-bedroom units at the Cortina. Burstein said these are inexpensive accommodations and close to the Jerome. Burstein said the housing office has recommended in favor of this substitution. Burstein presented a resolution approving this change, specifying that the restrictions and plat will have to be filed prior to certificate of occupancy for the Hotel Jerome addition. Burstein said the second issue is parking. Perry Harvey, representing the applicant, told Council the original plans called for office space below the check in desk, which was removed. Harvey said there is a shortage of office space for the functioning of the hotel. Harvey said the Cortina is 90 percent complete with upgrade f or employee housing. Harvey said this office space is for the internal operations of the hotel Jerome. Councilman Isaac asked if the entire Cortina will be used for employee housing. Harvey said not all units have been deed restricted for employee housing. Burstein said the units have to be deed restricted but have not been assigned to a specific project. Jim Mollica, housing authority, said they felt it was a positive to have housing units off-site. Mollica said the city needs units like these proposed. 10 Regular Meetinct Aspen Citv Council Januarv 12. 1987 Councilwoman Walls moved to adopt Resolution #1, Series of 1987; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion carried. Burstein said the hotel Jerome has proposed to use 25 reserve d parking spaces at the Rio Grande until their parking garage is completed. This wold include overnight parking f or the hotel guests. The engineering department has commented it is not appropriate to have private use of a public parking 1 of . The engineering department raised the concern that the neighborhood parking congestion has been caused by employees of the construction, which would persist even if the hotel is given the space on the Rio Grande. Burstein pointed out t he Rio Grande parking lot is well used, and this plan may displace some people using that lot. Burstein recommended against this request and would urge the Jerome to better manage their parking. Harvey told Council at a weekly construction meeting, the parking is brought up and the employees are requested to park at the Rio Grande. Harvey said there is a lot of traffic on Bleeker street as well as sub-contractors, and their employees parking near the site. Harvey said the applicant has to lower the street level of Bleeker street so the underground garage will not be usable until the street is done. Harvey pointed out the parking spaces on the north of the Jerome are gone and the new spaces are not available. The construction is aggravating the problem. The Hotel Jerome is looking for a place f or the guests to park their cars overnight. Harvey told Council the Bleeker street regrading i s pl anne d f or April or May, and they hope to have the Jerome addition done in June. Harvey said the parking request is f or the guest s in the 27 rooms of the old hotel. Harvey requested the no overnight parking in the Rio Grande be waived. Mayor Stirling moved to direct the city manager to work with the Jerome staff to waive the overnight restriction at the Rio Grande so that the city can still manage snow removal; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Fallin. Motion carried. NORDIC COUNCIL PRESENTATION Craig Ward, Nordic Council, told Council they have had an anonymous offer to send the Council to Davos and other resorts in Switzerland and Austria to see the value of cross country skiing as done in Europe. Ward told Council he spends an inordinate amount of time fund raising, rather than spending energy on the trails system. The Nordic council is funded through contributions. The second proposal in the packet is a way the city could administer, staff and operate the trails system with the direction of the Nordic council under a reduced budget. The 11 Regular Meeting Aspen City=Council Januarv 12, 1987 budget reduction would be due to the fact that the fund raising and office space f or that would be gone, a major portion of the administrator's salary would be gone. Mayor Stirling said he would prefer the donor's money to go into the cross country trails system than to send the Council to Europe. Mayor Stirling said he is going to Davos in February as part of the sister city program and would look at the cross country trail system then. Ward told Council he is working on getting complimentary tickets to Switzerland. Ward said the anonymous donor has already contributed money to the cross country trail system and does not see that the nickel and diming of the operation will get a program that people can depend on. This donor would like to see money put into a program that is permanent. The cross country trails system is like the parks department and an extension of the trails system. If this were part of the parks department, sales tax revenues supporting it could be j ustif ied. Councilwoman Walls said she favors cross county skiing and the maintenance of the trails, and this should be part of the city's recreation budget. Councilwoman Walls suggested this be included in the 1988 recreation budget. Councilwoman Walls agreed seeing first hand how well European crass country systems work and add to the experience of the tourist helps to appreciate the system. Councilwoman Walls said she feels visiting European cross country systems would be a big benefit to the city. Councilman I saac concurred this donation should be put towards some capital improvements in the cross country system. Mayor Stirling said he ha s some concerns about the offer of a trip to European cross country system; it may make the city beholden to the donor. Mayor Stirling said the city is building a $500,000 bridge across Castle creek; is funding two Pisten-Bulleys and is behind the Nordic system. Councilman Isaac said there is not much more the city can do to support the system without additional revenue or without cutting back on another program. Councilman Collins said this is a broad community-used activity and the support should come from the entire community. The city is doing its share to support the trails system. Councilw oma n Walls said the winter use of the trails is an extension of the summer trails program, and it should be included in the total trails maintenance budget. Mayor Stirling said there is the possibility to use the sixth penny in a different way f or the Nordic system. Anderson said the Nordic system benefits Aspen, Snowmass and the entire community. The flexible revenues do not follow geographically with the opportunity. The increased sales tax benefits all entities; however, it does take one organization to take the lead. 12 Regular Meeting- Astaen__C~.ty Council Januarv 12, 1987 Mayor Stirling moved to direct the city manager to work with Craig Ward and the Nordic Council to see if through combination of resources what the city can do, and bring Snowmass and the county in on the program and bring the proposal back to Council on or before April 13; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Mayor Stirling said Council is convinced about the merits of the cross country system. Spence Videon, ARA, suggested Council look at a contractual relationship with the Nordic council rather than having the parks department take over the trails. All in favor, motion carried. CCLC S IG N PROGRAM Mayor Stirling said he has had second thoughts about allocating 59,000 f or a study to determine what kind of and how many signs the town needs. Mayor Stirling said he does not think the city needs a study on this issue and it may not be the best use of taxpayers money. Mayor Stirling moved to reconsider the allocation of the money for the study of signs; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. Mayor Stirling suggested if this motion is supported, that this item be scheduled for another agenda to give it more discussion time. Councilman Isaac said he would like to see some community effort to provide signs. Councilwoman Fallin said the previous motion approved an already budgeted amount of money from the CCLC. Mayor Stirling said the money is for a study and not construction of the signs themselves and may be too much money for a study alone. City Manager Bob Anderson said at the original meeting, the staff did not make a full presentation. Anderson said this is potentially money well spent because money is spent on signs every year by the city as well as other organizations in the community. Anderson said a merit to reconsideration will be to get a clearer idea of the program. Gary Plumley, chairman CCLC, said the program does not intend to increase the number of signs. There is a proliferation and hodgepodge of signs which may be confusing to the visitors. The CCLC would like to take the signs and redesign them to make sense, be visible, easy to read, and modifiable f or business changes. Plumley said another part of the program is to make the standard signs more attractive. All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Fallin. Motion carried. Mayor Stirling moved that the city manager in conjunction with the CCLC bring back to the January 26 agenda a more formal 13 Regular Meeting Aspen Citv Council ___Jan_~r~ 12, 1987 presentation; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. Councilman Collins said he would 1 Ike cost information on the physical sign part of the program. All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Fallin. Motion carried. ORDINANCE #3,-SERIES OF 1987 - Purchase Contract/Anderson City Manager Anderson recommended the amount Council authorized as a second mortgage be reduced from $22,500 to $20,400 as well as reduce the amount of improvements to the unit by $1600 by not replacing one of the wood stoves and not charge the staining of the exterior of the house. This will reduce the amount the city was going to spent by 53400 and reduce the amount of the house value by $2600 and will reduce the price of the house from 5189,500 to 5186,900. Anderson told Council there was an appraisal of the house, the house and lot are appraised at 5280,000. City Attorney Taddune requested Council amend and approve the ordinance and the documents in concept. Councilman Collins moved to read Ordinance #3, Series of 1987; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried. ORDINANCE N0. 3 (Series of 1987) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CONVEYANCE OF UNIT 1, McARTHUR CONDOMINIUMS, PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, TO ROBERT S. AND LEONARDA ANDERSON PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE PURCHASE AND OPTION AGREEMENT ANNEXED HERETO; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO CONSUMMATE THE TRANSACTION was ready by the city clerk Councilman Collins moved to adopt Ordinance #3, Series of 1987, on first reading as amended; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Walls, yes; Isaac, yes; Collins, yes; Fallin, yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried. BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEW DATE Council scheduled this for January 21, 1987 at 4:30 p.m. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERVIEW Mayor Stirling presented a memorandum discussing the concepts of historic preservation, some compensatory ideas to help a historic program work. Mayor Stirling said he feels everyone in town has a role in this, and the work session scheduled for January 13, 1987, is very important. 14 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Janu~rv 12, 1987 SISTER CITY PROGRAM Mayor Stirling said the Sister City committee has endorsed and brought forward Davos, a Swiss ski resort town, that Aspen is planning to affiliate with. A Davos delegation has been to visit Aspen; Mayor Pro Tem Walls visited Davos and gave a positive report on similarities and benefits that would occur. A delegation from Aspen is going to Davos February 2nd. This will formalize the sister-city relationship and make Aspen's second sister city. Francis Whitaker has made a metal Aspen leaf to be given to Davos. Mayor Stirling requested formal approval of Aspen's connection with Davos as a sister city. Councilwoman Walls moved to approve going forward with the linkage with Davos; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion carried. Mayor Stirling reported that Aspen and Chamonix have exchanged ski instructors, and the Hotel Jerome and a hotel in Chamonix are exchanging workers. Councilman Collins moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. The consent agenda is liquor license renewals - Crossroads; Les Bistro; J. J's Grille; Greenhouse Restaurant; Home Plate; Minutes - October 27, November 10, 24, 1986. All in favor, motion carried. Kathryn Koch, City Clerk 15