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Home My WebLink Aboutminutes.council.20040112Regular Meetin~ Aspen City Council January 12, 2004 ASPEN PUBLIC FACILITIES MEETING ............................................................ 2 COUNCII MEETING ............................................................................................ 2 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION .................................................................................. 2 COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS .................................................................... 3 CONSENT CALENDAR .......................................................................................... 4 · Resolution #1, 2004 - Posting Public Meeting Notices ......................................... a · Letter to State Air Quality Commission Regarding Relaxation of Reqmrements for Pollution Control on Expanded or Modified Industrial Plants .................................. 4 · Minutes - December g, 9, 15, 2003 ........................................................................ 4 RESOLUTION #2, 2004 - Annexation Maroon Creek Road ...................... 4 RESOLUTION #3, 2004 - SPARC Contract Amendment ............................... 5 ORDINANCE #1, SERIES OF 2004 - 7th and Hopkins Annexation ............ 5 ORDINANCE #64, SERIES OF 2003 - 134 and 134-1/2 West Hopkins Historic Lot Split .......................................................................................................... 6 SATURDAY MARKET ANNUAL REVIEW ................................................... 6 REQUEST TO CLOSE STREETS - Aspen Skiing Company. ..................... 7 ASPEN RETAIL ANALYSIS REPORT BY BBC .................................... 9 .Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12~ 2004 ASPEN PUBLIC FACILITIES MEETING President Klanderud called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with members Paulson, Torre, Semrau, Richards, Menter and Koch present. Paulson moved to approve the minutes of January 13, 2003; seconded by Semrau. All in favor, motion carried. Semrau moved to nominate Torre for Assistant Secretary; seconded by Paulson. All in favor, motion carried. The officers are: President Vice President Secretary Asst. Secretary Treasurer Helen Klanderud Terry Paulson Kathryn Koch Torre Paul Menter There were no communications or other business. Torre moved to adjourn at 5:10 p.m.; seconded by Paulson. All in favor, motion camed. COUNCIL MEETING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION l. David Laughren, Avalanche Productions, requested Council add to their agenda a discussion of street closures for a live band performance put on by the Aspen Skiing Company in conjunction with Railvolution. Council added this to the agenda as the first action item. 2. Toni Kronberg thanked Mayor Klanderud and Councilman Semrau for quick action when the parking became unbearable at the ARC. They asked the parking department to monitor the lot on weekends. It has become much more manageable. Ms. Kronberg said she hopes there are plans to tell people when the lot is full and where alternative parking is located. Ms. Kronberg said the ARC advisory group has a lot of ideas similar to hers. The advisory group has asked for a business plan study to be done so when the plan is completed, they can prioritize and move forward with plans for Regular Meetinff Aspen City Council January 12,2004 the facility. Ms. Kronberg noted there are a lot of projects not yet built, like the Hyatt, the Residences at Little Nell, Dancing Bear, and traffic will continue to worsen. Ms. Kronberg requested interested Council members work on an intermountain gondola. Mayor Klanderud suggested anyone interested contact Scott Writer or Steve Siefert. 3. Stephanie Soldner read a letter into the record regarding the access to the Burlingame Village. Ms. Soldner said their home and location for artists is in great jeopardy by the chosen access. Ms. Soldner said after analyzing maps, the Soldners believe there is a more desirable and economical location for the access road that will serve the City and the Zolines' interests while preserving wildlife values. This would be to extend the entrance of the access road leading to Burlingame Village east straight down Stage road to the far east side of the Zolines pasture, then north. Ms. Soldner asked Council and the Zolines to make an ethical and economical decision to move the Burlingame Village access road as described in her letter. Ms. Soldner stated in return they would negotiate the disputed property boundaries to resolve all claims against their property. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 1. Mayor Klandemd wished everyone a happy new year. The year has started out with great snow and great skiing. 2. Councilman Semrau complimented staff on the great job of keeping the town functioning well over Christmas. 3. Councilman Paulson said he hopes this is the year of soul searching for Aspen and that the town does not get too carried away and change what Aspen has stood for. Councilman Paulson smd he does not want to see Aspen try to be like every place else. 4. Councilwoman Richards reported she attended the Club 20 meeting in Grand Junction; tourism and transportation were discussed. Councilwoman Richards said there is a proposal to use $2.5 million from the unclaimed funds for tourism. Councilwoman Richards said this may supplant the funds set aside for tourism in the existing budget. Councilwoman Richards said with the light rail plans in the metro area, a lot of the state's discretionary funds on mass transit will be allocated to Denver. Reaular Meetin~ Aspen City Council January 12~ 2004 5. Mayor Klanderud noted she and Councilman Paulson attended the RFTA meeting where there was a presentation of the recently completed corridor conservation assessment. The board gave direction to move forward quickly where any encroachments exist. There were a presentation by the New Century. Transportation Foundation, Alice Hubbard, Ralph Tripani and Randy Udall. RFTA endorsed the new organization to come before the EOTC and request funds. Mayor Klanderud said there was discussion about RFTA employees transferring from under the aegis of Pitkin County. There will be up front costs of $300,000 to make this transfer. At the January 15th EOTC meeting, RFTA will request funds for 4 hybrid buses and 10 low diesel transit buses. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Semrau requested Resolution #3, 2004 - SPARC comract amendment be withdrawn. Councilman Torre requests Resolution #2, 2004 - Annexation Maroon Creek Road be withdrawn. Councilman Paulson moved to approve the consent calendar as amended; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. The consent calendar is: · Resolution #1, 2004 Posting Public Meeting Notices Letter to State Air Quality Commission Regarding Relaxation of Requirements for Pollution Control on Expanded or Modified Industrial Plants · Minutes - December 8, 9, 15, 2003 All in favor, motion carried. RESOLUTION #2~ 2004 - Annexation Maroon Creek Road Councilman Torre noted this is a request for annexation from Pitkin County; the city manager has stare he is not in favor of this. Steve Barwick. city manager, said Council has already voted against this; however, the city needs to make a formal record. John Worcester, city attorney, pointed out whenever a petition for annexation is filed, the staff is required to bring it forward to Council. This resolution sets a public hearing and acknowledges this is in compliance with state statutes. Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2004 Councilman Torre moved to approve Resolution #2, Series of 2004; seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried. RESOLUTION #3, 2004, SpARC contract Amendment Councilman Semrau said this contract amendment requires the city to commit to two sheets of ice to 2018; the previous agreement was 2005. Councilman Semrau said this should give the city more flexibility in case circumstances change. Councilman Semrau said he would be willing to extend this to 2008. Scott Writer, SPARC, said one reason SPARC spent time and effort raising money for this facility was not to raise money for a single ice rink but to have more space. Writer said the original agreement was negotiated in good faith. Writer said SPARC supporters would like to have more assurance that the old ice rink will be there and picked 2018 as the useful life of the ice rink. Writer said they acknowledge the demand may change and there may not be the need for two sheets of ice. SPARC agrees that the old ice rink could be closed in the summer if the demand abates. Writer said it is not SPARC's intention to state that the Aspen Ice Garden has to remain until 2018. The intention is to state there should be two sheets of ice until 2018. Writer said it would be fair to amend the agreement to state "subject to demand". John Worcester, city attorney, suggested Council continue this item for staff and SPARC to meet and to clarify the details of the agreement. Councilman Semrau moved to continue Resolution #3, Series of 2004, to January 26, 2004; seconded by Councilman Torre. All in favor, motion carried. ORDINANCE #1, SERIES OF 2004 - 7th and Hopkins Annexation Councilman Paulson moved to read Ordinance #1, Series of 2004; seconded by Councilman Semrau. All in favor, motion carried. ORDINANCE NO. 1 (Series of 2004) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, APPROVING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN 5 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12~ 2004 TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, TO BE KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS THE "SEVENTH STREET & HOPKINs" ANNEXATION. Councilman Paulson moved to adopt Ordinance #1, Series of 2004 on first reading; seconded by Councilman Semrau. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Torre, yes; Richards, yes; Paulson, yes; Semrau, yes; Mayor Klandemd, yes. Motion carried. ORDINANCE #64~ SERIES OF 2003 - 134 and 134-I/2 West Hopkins Historic Lot Split Amy Guthrie, community development department, told Council this is a 6,000 square foot parcel with a miner's cottage from the 1800's and a second cottage moved there in the last 10 years. The property is completely developed. The request is for a lot split to change the form of ownership. The applicants requested a 336 square foot FAR bonus but it will not increase any building; it is to accommodate what is already there. Mayor Klanderud opened the public heanng. There were no comments. Mayor Klanderud closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Richards moved to adopt Ordinance #64, Series of 2003, on second reading; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Semrau, yes; Richards, yes; Paulson, yes; Torre, yes; Mayor Klanderud, yes. Motion carried. SATURDAY MARKET ANNUAL REVIEW Bill Dinsmoor, chairperson CCLC, requested approval for the Saturday market on East Hopkins and South Hunter. Dinsmoor noted the guidelines will be the same as last year; the crafts and products will be locally made, grown, or produced. Mayor Klandemd asked about the ~ncreased geographical area from which the vendors may come. Dinsmoor said the thought is to get the best and finest crafts available. Dinsmoor told Council the prionLy is for crafts people in Aspen, then Roaring Fork Valley, then the 1-70 corridor. Mayor Klanderud opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Klanderud closed the public hearing. Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2004 Councilwoman Richards asked that the CCLC be especially sensitive to competition with local merchants. Councilwoman Richards also asked that the CCLC to invite the non-profits to participate in some way. Mayor Klanderud said she would like to see more produce. Andrew Kole, CCLC, said the number of farmers and produce is governed by an agreement with the farmer's market group. When this agreement expires, Council should discuss this with the farmers group. Mayor Klanderud requested CCLC survey retailers with the same kind of goods to make certain there is not direct competition. Councilman Paulson moved to approve the farmer's market in the same configuration for 2004; seconded by Councilman Semrau. All in favor, motion canned. REQUEST TO CLOSE STREETS - Aspen Skiing Company David Perry, Aspen Ski Company, said the request is to add music to X- games and to bring events into the city. Perry said Railvolution is planned for the gondola plaza Tuesday, January 27 from 5 to 6 p.m. The Ski Company would like to bring the band, Offspnng, to create an event. Perry said the Ski Company would like to highlight the town with this event. ESPN will be filming the concert. Perry said the request to close streets is to create a larger venue that will hold up to 5,000. A letter was circulated to the adjacent property owners explaining the event. The Ski Company is committed to working with the city to try and mitigate any negative impacts of the event. Nancy Schenkman told Council this process was started in October meeting with the Special Events Committee to see the possibilities of events like this. Ms. Schenkman said the Ski Company received positive feedback to go forward with an event like this. Ms. Schenkman said staff encouraged a location in front of the Wheeler on Mill and Hyman. The Ski Company feels very strongly the venue should be on Hunter street to tie it into the Railvolution. Ms. Schenkman noted the venue was moved one block north so that Cooper Avenue will not have to be closed until the afternoon of the event. David Laughren, Avalanche Productions, told Council they will need to close the 200 block of South Hunter street starting Monday January 26th. 7 Regular Meetin~ Aspen City Council January 12~20~A Laughren said Vectra Bank has asked that only the south half of the block be closed. On Tuesday, about half of Hyman east and west of Hunter will be closed. The street will be open to traffic until late afternoon, but there will be no parking on Hyman and perhaps Cooper Avenues all day Tuesday. There will be no parking on Hunter for the same time. Tim Ware, parking director, said parking could be allowed on Hyman and Cooper up to 1 p.m., then the streets will be barricaded until after the concert. Loren Ryerson, police department, said this location does create challenges, which include two private parking lots on Hyman Avenue that may need access or if there are vehicles in the lots may create a liability issue. Ryerson said the use of the parking lots needs to be addressed. Ryerson stated he ~s concerned about pedestrian crossings of Durant street to the venue. Ryerson suggested Cooper and Galena or Mill and Hyman as alternate venues that have less impacts on parking and traffic. Councilwoman Richards suggested the Ski Company offer the lessees of the private parking lot a space somewhere else in town for that night. Laughren told Council they are willing to have security or paid police working at the comer of Durant and Hunter to control pedestrian traffic. Tim Ware, parking department, said the loss of parking revenue will be around $2300. Ware suggested there be no parking on the east/west streets but not to shut them down to traffic until the afternoon of January 27th. Bill Garfallo, manager o£Boogie's, said this is a great venue, giving exposure for the downtown area. This will be good for the ski Company and good for the retailers in town. David Fleisher said whenever there are street closures, his store loses bus~ness; however, in the spirit of the X-Games, he would suggest Council go for it. Shae Singer agreed this is a big event and the community should do what they can to make to the best event possible. Singer said it would be safer to close the streets down for the whole event. Laughren requested the parking fees be waived in exchange for the exposure tO town. Councilman Semrau said he supports this. Councilwoman Richards said she, too, is supportive; sometimes communities have to experiment to see what works. Councilwoman Richards said every ad should mention using public transportation. Ryerson suggested the applicants post a bond for any damage that may happen. Councilman Paulson said he supports this event and wmving the fee. Councilman Torre also supports the event. Barwick said this money would be coming out of the parking/transportation fund. If Regular Meetin~ Aspen City Council January 12~ 2004 Council is interested in waiving the fee, they should pay the parking fund out of the general fund. Councilman Torre said he does not support waiving the fee. John Worcester, city attorney, suggested that the applicant use the money for parking revenues and settle the private parking lot issue. Mayor Klanderud said she is supportive of this event and does not want to take the revenue out of the parking fund. David Perry, Aspen Skiing Company, said they will provide alternative parking for those private lots. Council agreed to take the money from the general fund, waive the parking fees, and give the city manager the authority to make this event work. Nancy Schenkman presented photos of the Red Bull arch to be up on Little Nell for Rail Revolution event and to put a blow up Budweiser television in the Hunter street venue. Council agreed to allow these. ASPEN RETAIL ANALYSIS REPORT BY BBC Julie Ann Woods, community development department, reminded Council there were several meetings during the fall with retailers, staff and the consultants. Staff and ACRA have been working on the job description for a downtown catalyst with the hope of completing some small projects during the first year. Ms. Woods recommended the downtown catalyst report to the president of ACRA at least during the first year. Staff recommends funding for the downtown catalyst come from a business surcharge added to business license fees to generate about $100,000. The funding for capital Improvements should come from the public sector. Ford Frick and Henry Beer, representing the consulting team, presented the results of the study they have been working on for the last several months. Frick said his company, BBC, looked at the market data and trends; Communications Arts looked at the Aspen downtown from a functionality and design perspective, how to design for retails; and Kornfeld looked at tenant/ownership issues. Frick went through the retail sales trends, showing 3 years in a row of declining sales. Frick noted other resorts have similar trends. Frick presented a chart illustrating that summer and off-season sales have rematned stable however, wtnter sales have declined. Frick pointed out comments on "Aspen is losing ~ts soul" were the lack of downtown vibrancy; eroded store mix and logs of unique stores; too many high-end stores; lack of entertainment and night life; no incubator space; high 9 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2004 vacancy, high rent, too many real estate offices. Frick told Council there are other factors, like the national economy, families moving and shopping down valley, resort competition. The charts show that Aspen's share of the Roaring Fork retail marketplace has declined from 32% to 29% of all sales over the last 6 years. Other factors in the impact of the downtown are loss of hotel beds, high commercial rents, growth in the non-retail activity on street level and government regulations constraining the downtown's ability to change and adapt. It is important for resort communities to create attractive and functional retail environments. Great downtowns create an ambiance that causes people to congregate and to remain in the downtown. Exceptional public spaces and retail experiences combine nostalgia and hope, memory and prophecy. Adding elements like fire, ice and water adds attractions to the downtown. Storefronts could be more varied to be part of the show. One of the biggest challenges in revitalizing the downtown will be to find the confidence to allow change to occur and accepting the risk that some of what currently exists will be lost. The conclusions of the report are that (1) external market and econormc factors largely explain recent downtown retail sales performance; (2) the Aspen visitor market continues to evolve and change. One cannot force the downtown to be something the market won't accept; (3) although imperfect, Aspen remmns one of the best downtown patterns of all in the resorts; (4) property owners may be a problem but they are not the principal cause of current retail problems; (5) non-retail uses on the ground floor contribute to Aspen's downtown lethargy; (6) Aspen's downtown regulations are aimed at preservation and the prevention of change but are also stifling to retail health and (7) There are 3 points in the retail system where the public sector can effectively intervene (a) attract more destination visitors; (b) capture more of existing market; (c) create a more effective offering. The first recommendation is to "get organized". Aspen's downtown lacks a voice and an advocate. Frick told Council during the community workshops, there was enthusiasm for many ideas but the absence of an organization to carry them out. Frick recommended a business improvement district be formed and a downtown catalyst position should be created. The community needs to commit to being a multi-function downtown, not just a retail center. Council needs to unbind Aspen's over-regulated downtown. Frick suggested Council look at reducing non-retail ground floor by defining i0 Regular MeetinR Aspen City Council January 12~ 2004 the core area as "retail only", grandfather existing leases of non-retail, include review and sunset provisions. The city should imProve retail support infrastructure with parking, visitors center and informational or directional kiosks. One comment from the community workshops was just to get more people here. The city has 3 opportunities to increase visitors; (1) increase marketing and customers awareness; (2) make travel and access easier and less expensive and (3) improve quality or diversity of attractions. The city can generate more downtown visitors from the existing market by developing attractions, events, festivals; by supporting incubator space development; by reducing retail leakage out of the community. Beer recommended that the city pursue, stimulate and promote a new and vital downtown by (a) welcoming and informing visitors; (b) enhancing the retail presence; (c) enhancing the merchandising zone; (d) activate the retail zone; (e) supporting downtown resident life and (f) recommitting to the Aspen idea. A visitor's center and directory would welcome and inform visitors. The retail presence could be enhanced with new storefronts and improved signs and lighting. There are various ways to activate the downtown adding attractions, making the malI more versatile and inviting, having a long table, or restaurant seating out in the middle. Councilman Semrau asked if Aspen hdopts the "do nothing'; alternative, what may happen. Beer said the downtown and commercial district will be reflective of what is going on; Aspen will end up with a downtown with little vitality, more narrow, more competition from down valley. Bill Dinsmoor, CCLC, asked how one gets from great studies to getting something done; how is the transition made. Dinsmoor asked if hiring a point person will change the institution's outlook. Frick said they pointed out in the report that the community needs to embrace other ideas and change in the community. Beer said there has been ambivalence about the commercial sense of downtown, about open space, about views and the community needs to get past that and look at successful ways to a more inviting downtown. Frick said a downtown catalyst would be thinking about ways to improve and to enhance the downtown all the time, would be running interference with the city and trying to get things accomplished. Dinsmoor said there are issues with how government works, government does not like to give up responsibility or money. 11 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 200,1 Mayor Klanderud said it may be the time when all past studies and present enthusiasm come together and something will actually happen. Mayor Klanderud said she would like to proceed. Mayor Klanderud noted that Aspen Highlands should be included in any plans for revitalization. Councilman Semrau said Council needs to decide which ideas out of the report they want to pursue and what are their priorities. Councilman Semrau noted listing the priorities may answer whether a downtown catalyst ~s needed or not. Frick said he believes in a business improvement district, an organization that is independent of the Council is very important. A BID would be representation of the downtown by the downtown. Frick said this should be supported by a mill levy on those who would benefit. Frick said Council may need to hire someone to get a business improvement district going as 50% of the property owners need to support a BID. Councilman Semrau said Council should come to a conclusion on the 6 recommendations. Andy Modell said Council needs to agree conceptually to this plan and to move forward. Modell said a downtown catalyst should answer to the ACRA as they represent the business community. David Fleisher said he hopes this moves forward with sensibilities to past Aspen. Beer said when a community gets the big issues right, like the street grid, they can experiment on littler issues, which can self-cure over time. Mayor Klanderud stated any changes will have to be reviewed by the city. Councilwoman Richards said there is no quick fix and there will be a combining of lot of different suggestions. Councilwoman Richards said there ~s a matter of sequentialness to this. Councilwoman Richards stated the staff ought to be able to tackle the sign code amendments without a downtown catalyst. The staff should be able to draft the first floor retail only provisions. Council has scheduled work sessions to look at code amendments to allow the type of growth they want downtown. Councilwoman Richards said if a person is hired, she sees their role as forming the business improvement district, which will be a long term process. Councilwoman Richards said in the list of tasks, there are things current staff could accomplish. Councilwoman Richards said she is afraid if there is a downtown catalyst, all responsibilities will be shuffled off and no one else will take responsibility. 12 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Januarv l2,200~ Mayor Klanderud said the sole focus of the doWntown catalyst would be the business community; to have someone as a liaison on the streets will help the communication between the business community and the city. Mayor Klanderud agreed the overall goals are ones the city should subscribe to. This is an opportunity to move forward with some of the general ideas. Stan Clauson noted in November 2002 the economic sustainability committee issued recommendations for a doWntown manager. Clauson said it is a worthwhile experiment to have someone charged with organizing issues relating to the downtown. Councilman Torre said the city is trying to address specihl events in Aspen, downtoWn programming to help the economic stability. Councilman Torre said no one denies the impact to the community that many different events bring. Councilman Torre requested Council postpone a decision on hiring a downtown catalyst until after the special event work session. Councilman Torre said is not clear what the intent of the staff position is. Councilman Torre said staff should accomplish the list of items; there is no need for a downtown catalyst. Councilman Torre said he feels this person, were they to be hired, would function best in ACRA's realm. The city should be able to effect code changes without a downtown catalyst. Rick Jones, president of ACRA, said a consistent theme is resort versus community. Jones noted the community has focused on things rather than on how to invite the people and make the community people-friendly. Jones said one question is how to open up the community and allow people move forward without losing all nostalgia. A healthy retail environment is always changing and adjusting to the market. The city needs to focus on retailers' flexibility to respond to the market. The community has been so focused on preventing the bad that the good has not been allowed to happen. Frick said he believes this community needs a business improvement district and needs a person to shepherd this. Stanley Hoffoerger agreed someone needs to keep focused on business issues and to take this plan one step further. Ruth Kruger said she is excited by this presentation and by the community's response. Ms. Kruger recommended Council take small steps every time they get together to make sure this plan is moving forward. David Perry, Aspen Ski Company, said he feels Council can adopt the recommendations in their entirety. 13 Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 200~ Mayor Klanderud said she would like to move forward with the pnnclples in the report. Mayor Klanderud supports hiring a downtown catalyst and to work on the job description at a work session. Mayor Klanderud said if Council agrees to hire a downtown catalyst, they will need to decide on how to fund it. Mayor Klanderud stated she does not want progress on this topic to get stuck; there has been a lot of work and enthusiasm from the community. Councilman Semrau said this is a great blueprint on how to revitalize the downtown core, which should be Council's number I priority. Councilman Semrau stated he is willing to adopt the pnnciples; however, it will take will and commitment to make the plan real. Councilman Semrau said he does not support hiring a downtown catalyst. Councilwoman Richards agreed it is important to continue the momentum and Council will need work sessions to keep going. Councilwoman Richards said there are a lot of items in the job description that staff should be able to complete, like changes to the sign code or a code amendment addressing non-retail uses on the first floor. Councilwoman Richards stated she supports the report but would like to look at blocks other than just the malls, Councilwoman Richards said Council needs a work session to define a downtown catalyst position further. Councilman Paulson said he has not heard anything that convinces him about a downtown catalyst. Councilman Paulson said he feels it is events that make the community work; if the people are not here, the retailers do not have an audience. CounCilman Paulson said visitors return for events. Councilman Paulson agreed he would rather hold off and discuss special events and the downtown catalyst position. Mayor Klanderud said she hopes Council does not get caught up in the details and overlook the bigger picture. Mayor Klanderud said the community should take what they have and make it even better. Mayor Klanderud said the city staffis not an advocate for the commercial community. A downtown catalyst would be an ombudsman, someone who can hear from and work for the bus~ness community. This is a bigger picture than just adding special events. Mayor Klanderud said she agrees to further discuss what the downtown catalyst would do, to whom they answer, and how the position would be funded. Regular Meetin~ Aspen City Council January 12~ 200t Council agreed to add the next steps in the downtown plan to their January 20th work session. Councilman Semrau moved to accept the concepts contained in the report; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion carried. Councilman Torre moved to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Semrau. All in favor, motion carried. Kathr~S. Koch, City Clerk 15