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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcclc.min.1206171 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6TH, 2017 Chairperson, Bill Guth, called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. Commissioners in attendance: Kiki Raj, Amanda Tanaka, Bill Dinsmoor, Terry Butler, Steve Fante, Charles Cunniffe, Bill Guth, Erik Klanderud. Staff in attendance: Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk Mitch Osur, Parking Services Coordinator Pete Rice, Civil Engineer II Tim Thompson, Project Manager Special Guest: Kathy Strickland APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regarding the November 15th minutes, Mr. Guth stated that he wanted to make clear to Mr. Klanderud and ACRA, that CCLC feels Winterskol is past its prime and ready for a refresh. Mr. Dinsmoor motioned to approve November 1st & 15th minutes, Mr. Cunniffe seconded. All in favor, motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. Mall renovation presentation: Tim Thompson of Capital Asset, Darla Callaway of Design Workshop and Pete Rice of Engineering. Mr. Thompson said that everyone is coming together to work on this project and are really happy where it is today and are constantly looking for feedback. 1.1 million has been budgeted for this first phase and as they move forward, they will be asking council for money as details are worked out. Mr. Guth asked how much will be requested and Mr. Thompson said they have no idea at this point as they need to hone in on designs and utilities. Right now, they are working on design details and doing the outreach that is necessary to make the best decisions. There is a bond issue and potential special tax for people in that district. All options are on the table right now and the conversation is constant and continuing. Mr. Cunniffe noted how important it is to have CCLC’s input and how they feel the project affects the downtown area. Ms. Callaway said that first and foremost, they want to maintain the historic character and integrity of the mall and keep the pulse for the town, while addressing important infrastructure issues. The top priorities are storm water, aging utilities, maintaining the space as a park so it is not just an urban space. She said they came up with these goals via surveys done with the public. She went on to discuss the three proposals with plans shown on screen. Mr. Thompson reiterated that they are really taking into consideration every business and how to make this the most painless for everyone concerned and not take up the front and back doors at the same time. Mr. Rice echoed the same concern and said this is an important issue is not going to be dropped. 2 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2017 Ms. Butler mentioned that this project can’t be cheapened down because it must be done right. Mr. Thompson said when council went into this, they said it’s not about just picking one design, but it should be a mix and match of what people like from all three designs. They will choose the best objects from each design regarding particular sections, etc. Ms. Butler mentioned that Ms. Raj made a key point about a changing room next to the restrooms down by the old McDonalds. She said she would rather have this instead of a new water feature. The trees and bricks are most important to Ms. Butler. Those bricks have caused more accidents to people in town and should be replaced with a different kind of brick that is attractive, but more stable and safe. The whole mall should be designed around the precious trees. People gather where the shade is. Mr. Dinsmoor said he doesn’t give a damn about the trees. Spruce and pine are problematic in his mind. He also suggested possibly moving the sister cities spot. Ms. Tanaka said she is coming from a family oriented place and that she loves the water features, shade, playground and music. She loves the Ki Davis option #2. She said that a lot of families spend a lot of time on the mall and hers is down there every single day in the summer. Mr. Cunniffe said the Sister Cities area is a great gathering node that is underutilized. It is great for parades and other gatherings, but is not currently being maximized. Rather than a water feature, an ice sculpture would be nice or a splash place with foam blocks, etc. He would like to see a children’s attraction that is sort of a gateway to the park. He mentioned that the big tooth park is overrun. He thinks the pedestrian crossover on Durant is a great idea. It’s a good move to open up the park. Ms. Raj agreed and thinks the Ruby Park conduit is important. She also said the water feature design should be opened up to the public. She feels that the bathroom expansion is a great idea and should include changing rooms. The directional approach was her favorite. Mr. Fante said there is no reason to have the crab apple trees as they are just providing food for the bears. As far as outdoor dining goes, it is important that the restaurants and retailers discuss pros and cons of middle or off to the side dining. This is an important dialogue that needs to be had. Regarding restrooms, he suggested they look at putting them below ground. He said this could solve water problems and open up Ruby Park to Wagner Park to make it all consistent. He said there is always a question of where to put skis along with the incorporation of bike storage. A lot can be done underground and an elevator should be considered. 3 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2017 Mr. Guth thanked everyone and said it was a great presentation. He said he has always been in favor of some type of ski and snowboard storage. He doesn’t understand the importance of the Ki Davis fountain. He said he personally has no attachment to it. Mr. Thompson said it’s one of those contentious issues and everyone feels differently about it. Mr. Guth asked for more kid stuff interspersed throughout the mall. He loves the engagement with Wagner Park and the Sister Cities space. The Durant link is important and they really did an amazing job with that. He likes the idea of dining at the stream edge. He said they should rethink eliminating fire pits totally because he feels it’s a really nice way to make the water features active and it provides a warm spot on a cold night. He feels that lighting and shade are critical and said he fought hard to get holiday lighting on Hyman mall this winter. He prefers to engage these areas with good quality lighting. He thinks they should make entrances to the mall smoother, creating pitch points. He suggested that fire pits be turned off at 9:30 p.m. instead of 1:00 a.m. Mr. Thompson said that one of the comments received was from Richard Lai, who helped design the original mall, and he talked about a possible fire & water interaction. Mr. Guth said we can’t forget how cold and dark it gets in these spaces so he feels it’s necessary to have fire. These spaces need to feel warm, inviting and cozy so that people want to congregate there. Mr. Cunniffe agreed and said that après ski is always fire related. Ms. Callaway suggested that everyone on CCLC take the online survey. Mr. Thompson asked the board if they feel the team is on track with their proposals and everyone agreed that they are. Presentation of Aspen Saturday Market issues: Kathy Strickland Ms. Strickland handed out a memo and the updated aggie application for everyone to view. She said there has been a lot of aggie outreach recently. She mentioned Don Lario regarding the dried flowers and said he would rather do veggies to supplement the fresh flowers. Mr. Guth said we should encourage him to be a flower vendor primarily. Ms. Strickland wanted them to look at the updated applications to make sure they are ok with the changes. She said the Cottage Act supplement that will go on the website tomorrow. Mr. Guth mentioned that he wants to make sure there is a line added, which states, “If you do not comply with the rules, you will not be allowed back in the market the following year” or something to that effect. Ms. Strickland said there is currently a line in the application, which states, “vendors are required to commit to the entire season.” Mr. Guth suggested adding to that statement, “failure to comply will result in your expulsion for the remainder of the season or exclusion from the market the following year.” 4 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2017 Ms. Strickland also stated that any vendors with whom she had trouble with, will be remembered during the next review. She said she had a couple of people who just didn’t bother to show up for the last couple of weekends. She said she will be much stronger with the vendors this next year and consistently remind them of the rules. Mr. Guth also recommended adding a line about not using any non-compostable plastic bags or selling bottled water. Ms. Strickland said that she is not going to keep the bags on her porch again. She had to cover them with a tarp and she’s not going to do that again this next year because 80% of the vendors have their own special bags. Mr. Guth agreed and said that all single use bags must be compostable. Ms. Strickland mentioned her contract and Mr. Guth said she should bring back the financial piece to share with them and we can finalize a decision on her contract in January. He asked her where the money comes from to pay her and she said from what the market takes in and there was $5000 in funds left over this last year so he said there is room to pay her more. She said that’s great because the tax person wants the leftover fund to stay at $4000.00 or under. Ms. Strickland also mentioned moving the aggie meeting up to January 15th. Mr. Dinsmoor said he will make a point to attend and she agreed that anyone from CCLC that can make it, should attend. The meeting will be held at the Redstone Inn. Mr. Dinsmoor mentioned Ms. Strickland finding an artisan rep who is designated to help David Powers, Allegheny and others. He said this would be very valuable to pursue or to have an artisan subcommittee to help with dialogue and recruiting. Ms. Strickland suggested blocking out three hours to plan ahead for the artisan review day, which will take place on January 17th. ______________________________________ Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk