CITY OF GLENWOOD SPRINGS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 17, 2005
101 W. 8TH STREET
6:30 P.M.
PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Mayor Larry Emery
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Richardson, David Merritt, Chris McGovern, Joe
O’Donnell, Bruce Christensen, and Larry Beckwith.
ALSO PRESENT: Jeff Hecksel, City Manager; Karl Hanlon, City Attorney;
Robin Unsworth, City Clerk; Larry Thompson, City Engineer; and Melissa Laeser, Transportation Demand Manager.
ITEM NO. 2 Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Emery led in the pledge of allegiance.
ITEM NO. 3 Citizens Appearing Before Council
Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario, 107 8th Street, appeared before Council to make citizens aware that the Sheriff’s Office is conducting Community Methamphetamine Awareness Training. He explained that it is a four-hour class sponsored by the Sheriff’s office and all the Police Stations in the County along with the Colorado Regional Community Policing Institute. It is aimed to educate and inform the citizens of Garfield County on what methamphetamine is, how to identify it, and how to deal with it in their community. Classes will be held February 22, 23 and 24, 2005, in Parachute, Rifle, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale.
Jerry Vanderbeek, 830 Blake Avenue, thanked Council for approving free bus service for the duration of GAPP. Mr. Vanderbeek would like to see broader service to assist in getting more cars off the road to help with the traffic problem that Glenwood Springs is experiencing. He would like to see funding used in the proper way to construct Park-N-Rides to make it easier for people to get out of their cars and onto a bus.
Jan Girardot, 830 Lincoln, handed Council a flyer that was prepared by the Rails and Trails group. He explained that the group feels that everyone should be able to enjoy the RFTA rail corridor. The need for funding is understood but they don’t want to see the rails torn out and sold for salvage. Mr. Girardot feels that by doing that, the corridor will be forever closed to any persons that are unable to hike or bike. His group would like to propose to the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority to form a committee filled with both Rail people and Trail people. This committee would be given three months to develop a plan where Rail and Trail people alike can share the corridor from Glenwood Springs to Carbondale.
Sheila Markowitz, 824 Blake, and Abby Lochhead appeared to address a safety issue in the Red Mountain trailhead parking area. Ms. Markowitz and Ms. Lochhead were involved in a four-car accident due to icy conditions in the parking lot. By speaking with others, more accidents have occurred in this area and it has been an ongoing issue. A lot of people use this area for parking so they can hike the Red Mountain Trail and they would like to see the Red Mountain parking area plowed each time snowplows are sent out to clear other City streets.
ITEM NO. 4 Consent Agenda:
A. Consideration of Resolution No. 2005-3; A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Supporting the Colorado Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division Grant Application.
B. Consideration of Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2005; An Ordinance of the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Amending Various Sections in Chapter 070 of the Glenwood Springs Municipal Code Regarding Multiple Residential Buildings, Accessory Dwelling Units in Multi-Family Zones, Parking Requirements, and Hillside Preservation Overlay Zone. (SECOND READING)
C. Award of Bids: Three Police Vehicles
D. Payment of Bills
Mayor Emery announced that Items 4(A) and (B) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.
Councilor Merritt moved, seconded by Councilor McGovern, to approve Consent Agenda Item No. (C) and (D).
Council registered their votes on the electronic lighting system. The motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 5 Recognition – Morris Buckmaster.
Mayor Emery read the Proclamation honoring Morris Buckmaster. Mr. Buckmaster has served the City of Glenwood Springs’ citizens for over thirty years in the skiing industry by teaching our citizens how to ski. He originally moved to Glenwood Springs in 1925 and this is where he grew up. He left to serve in the US Air Force and defended our country during both World War II and the Korean War and when he retired, he moved back to Glenwood Springs in 1975. In honor of his 30 years of service, Sunlight Mountain Resort named a ski run in his honor.
Mr. Buckmaster thanked Council and told them that he was very honored to be introduced to Council and for them to recognize him.
ITEM NO. 5(A) Consideration of Resolution No. 2005-3; A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Supporting the Colorado Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division Grant Application.
Jeff Hecksel presented the grant application to Council. He stated that he is bringing this back to Council after gathering the additional information that Council requested which included the cost of the project and what the fiscal requirements consisted of. The total cost of the project $71,709. Of that, $57,367 was grant money and the remaining monies would come from the Airport Fund that was already allocated. He explained that the useful life of the asset, which is a new runway lighting system, is 30 years with an annual depreciation of $23,090. In the event that the City closed the airport prior to the expiration of the useful life, the City would be responsible for paying back the State the un-depreciated portion.
Mayor Emery asked for public comment and there was none.
Councilor Merritt moved, seconded by Councilor Christensen, to approve Resolution No. 2005-3, understanding it’s with a ten- year life.
Councilor O’Donnell expressed concern that they would be obligating future Councils to pay for this grant for the next thirty years, which would cause an expensive obstacle if they were to decide to close the airport. He added that this is a lot of unearned money being spent.
Councilor Christensen questioned the thirty-year life of the lighting system. He would like to see staff talk to the State regarding a more realistic life of the lights. In his opinion, 10 – 15 years is a more realistic number. In response to Councilor O’Donnell, he pointed out that the City is currently running the airport, and if the City has an opportunity to make improvements, it is there obligation to do so.
Mr. Hecksel stated that the useful life of this kind of equipment was derived from the airport manager.
Councilor Christensen would like to know if it is possible to state in the contract that the useful life span is closer to twenty years rather than thirty.
Mr. Hanlon replied that it is possible to state it in the contract.
Councilor McGovern passed on a concern of a citizen and asked if the application meets the City’s Lighting Codes.
Councilor Christensen explained that the lighting system is referred to as PAPI lighting. PAPI stands for Precision Approach Path Indicator and it is a glowing light at the end of the runway. The lighting system is for daytime use only and it is to indicate if your landing approach is on or not. If you are coming in too high, it will be green and if you are too low, it will shine yellow.
Councilor Merritt stated that he too disagreed with the amount of the useful life of the lighting system.
Mayor Emery said that he does not have a problem with the grant application but he is not comfortable on getting into a contract with a life span of twenty to thirty years and will not support one. He added that in the future, they do need to sit down and have a serious discussion regarding the fate of the airport.
Council registered their votes on the electronic lighting system. The motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 5(B) Consideration of Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2005; An Ordinance of the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Amending Various Sections in Chapter 070 of the Glenwood Springs Municipal Code Regarding Multiple Residential Buildings, Accessory Dwelling Units in Multi-Family Zones, Parking Requirements, and Hillside Preservation Overlay Zone. (SECOND READING)
Karl Hanlon brought this Ordinance back to Council for the second reading and asked if anyone had any questions.
Councilor McGovern gave him an example of an ADU request. The home was built in 1925, it is 1500 square feet and there was room to build a 500 square foot ADU above the garage and asked if the request would be reviewed by Planning and Zoning or would it be reviewed by City Council.
Mr. Hanlon replied that it would be reviewed at the building permit level and that the main requirement of that ADU would be for an additional space for parking to support it. He explained that this is not part of the change though. He explained further that this ordinance change is mainly focused to allow dwellings that are not currently zoned to have an ADU to allow them to build one. He expressed that this change would hopefully prevent historical structures from being torn down to accommodate a rental unit.
Councilor McGovern moved, seconded by Councilor Christensen to approve Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2005.
Council registered their votes on the electronic lighting system. The motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 6 Council Reports on Board, Committee, and Commission Meetings.
Councilor Merritt reported that, on February 10th, he attended the Airport Committee meeting where they discussed developing a long-term financial plan. That evening, he was in attendance at the Ruedi Water and Power Authority meeting. Discussions included the upcoming operations and the snow pack. Colorado Department of Transportation conducted a meeting on the 12th to discuss the I-70 Corridor. Glenwood Springs joined a group of thirty other communities along I-70. The next meeting would be with the CDOT facilitator asking for input from this group. They are encouraging CDOT to look at mass transit in this corridor. He was also at the River Trails meeting to discuss the continuation of the trail from South of the 27th Street Bridge to below the Hagar Lane properties. A lot of property owners in that area have expressed their concern. In the end, the committee decided to revisit the plan again. Finally, this morning he attended the Rural Resort Regions and NWCOG bi-monthly meeting where they discussed their recommendations to CDOT regarding the I-70 Corridor EIS.
Councilor McGovern also attended the River Trails meeting and she feels this topic needs to be addressed. Many property owners have contacted her with concerns over privacy and safety issues. Other concerns that they voiced were to keep the transportation and trail corridors in Glenwood Springs efficient and usable for everyone in the community. She explained that she would not be able to discuss these issues as a City Council member or able to address City Council on this issue due to a conflict of interest since she owns two pieces of property on Hagar Lane.
Councilor Beckwith attended the Historic Preservation Committee where they discussed their 2005 Goals. One of the goals they plan to pursue is the quasi-judicial committee for the district and would request a future worksession with Council. They also decided to tap the resources of Mike Pelletier to assist with the preservation work of the South Canyon Coal Camp. The vision for the project would be to place a three-dimensional map of the Coal Camp and offer tours. He thanked Sue Plush and Oscar McCollum for their time and effort that they spent serving on the Historic Preservation Committee as their terms have ended.
Councilor Christensen also attended the River Trails meeting. The intent of the meeting was to gain ideas on how to make the trails work for everyone. He explained that he has been involved in similar meetings before and so far, they have always had a positive outcome. His hopes are that it will continue with this group of property owners. He attended the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting the week prior and he was pleased to see the memberships continuing to grow. He feels the pool has been a great asset to the Community Center. He also attended the RFTA Board meeting the week prior and he feels there are a couple of issues that Council needs to be made aware of. First of all, there is continuing concern regarding Garfield County’s refusal to give financial support to them. Second, RFTA is continuing to assess the means of obtaining financial means to uphold their commitment to CDOT and they are looking more closely at rail salvage. Councilor Christiansen feels that Council will need to take a stand at the March 1st City Council meeting.
Councilor O’Donnell reported that he attend the V.A.L.E. meeting where they had a large number of requests for victim’s assistance to theft and/or vandalism of vehicles. He encouraged citizens to report any suspicious or unusual behavior in their neighborhoods. He met with BLM on the 16th to discuss the cooperative agency status regarding the Roan Plateau.
Mayor Emery asked Councilor O’Donnell if he feels it is important for Council to be a participating agency or should they be a non-participating agency.
Councilor O’Donnell stated that it is important that they continue to be a participating agency but he needs better advisement from Council on their position. BLM is more apt to listen to their stand on the situation if they are a participating agency.
Mayor Emery asked Council if they are comfortable with Councilor O’Donnell being the official representative as a cooperating agency. Council agreed.
Mayor Emery stated that the meetings that he attended had already been covered.
ITEM NO. 7 Ratify 2005 Goals.
Councilor Merritt moved, seconded by Councilor Christensen, to ratify the 2005 Goals and revisit them in six months.
Council registered their votes on the electronic lighting system. The motion passed unanimously.
ITEM NO. 8 Annual Appointment to Boards and Commissions. (City Clerk)
Robin Unsworth brought Council’s attention to the many applications that they have in their packets for vacant positions on the City’s Boards and Commissions. She explained to Council that the Building Contractors Licensing Board, the Financial Advisory Board, the Volunteer Fire Fighter Pension Board, Housing Commission and Transportation Commission have just enough, or not enough, applicants to fill the vacant seats. Therefore, if Council wishes, they can appoint the applicants by acclamation.
Councilor McGovern moved, seconded by Councilor Christiansen, to accept all people that have volunteered to be on the Boards by Acclamation.
Council registered their votes on the electronic lighting system. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Unsworth stated that there are two regular seats and one alternate seat available on the Liquor Board. Because this is a quasi-judicial board, the three applicants are present if Council would like to visit with them.
Don Kauffman stated that he served eight years on the V.A.L.E Board and would like to be considered for the Liquor Board. He understands what the quasi-judicial board is.
Tom Boas stated that he is currently serving on the Liquor Board as Vice-Chairperson and he would like to be reappointed for another term.
Ken Jones stated that he is a new applicant to the Boards and Commissions and would like to be considered.
Councilor Beckwith asked him if he was aware of the responsibilities and duties of the quasi-judicial board.
Mr. Jones replied that he needs to learn more but has appeared in front of the Board as an applicant.
Councilor Beckwith moved, seconded by Councilor McGovern, to appoint Mr. Kauffman and Mr. Boas as regular members and Mr. Jones as an alternate.
Council registered their votes on the electronic lighting system. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Unsworth stated that the applicants for the Airport Board are Randall Kempton, Jerry Pradier and Steve Shute. There are two seats vacant with terms to expire February 2008. Council registered their votes on the paper ballots provided. The results were:
Randall Kempton: McGovern
Jerry Pradier: Merritt, Beckwith, Christensen, O’Donnell, Emery, McGovern
Steve Shute: Merritt, Beckwith
Jeff Hecksel announced that Pradier and Shute are appointed to the Airport Board with terms to expire in February 2008.
Ms. Unsworth announced that the next appointments are for the Historic Preservation Commission where there are three vacant seats with terms to expire February 2008, and one seat to expire February 2006. Ms. Unsworth asked Council to vote for three applicants. Council registered their votes on the paper ballots provided. The results were:
Mary Nelle Axelson: Christensen, O’Donnell, Emery
Maurice Doll: Beckwith, Merritt, O’Donnell, McGovern
Kim Doose: Beckwith, Christensen, Merritt, Emery, McGovern
Jean M. Martensen: Beckwith, Christensen, O’Donnell, Merritt, Emery, McGovern
Mayor Emery said the next appointments they would be voting on is for two people on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ms. Unsworth pointed out that we received an application for the Youth Representative, Savanna Cochran; a seat that has been vacant for a long period of time. Councilor Beckwith noted that Ms. Cochran is appointed by Acclamation.
Laura Ayers: Beckwith, Christiansen, O’Donnell, McGovern
Joan Bates: Beckwith, McGovern
M. Susan Cashel: Merritt, Christiansen, O’Donnell, Emery
Dr. Heinz O. Gronau: Emery
Nancy Hess: Merritt
At 7:47 p.m., Mayor Emery called for a break.
At 7:57 p.m., Mayor Emery reconvened the meeting.
ITEM NO. 9 City Manager’s Report – Ongoing Business
Mayor Emery asked Cousncil if anyone would like to comment on the report that Mr. Hecksel had given them.
Councilor Christensen stated that he has had many citizens approach him regarding the limited hours at the Recycling Center and by reviewing the report he was given and seeing how much it costs to run the Recycling Center, he does see the drawback of extending its hours. He offered some alternatives for making recycling easier such as working with the trash companies or running a self-serve recycling.
Mayor Emery said that, by looking at Mr. Hecksel’s report, the Recycling Center is being consistently used but it is a tremendous cost to the City. He suggested looking at opening up on a volunteer basis to try to keep costs down. He echoed Councilor Christensen’s comments that he would like to work something out with the trash companies and have the Recycling Center run on it’s own.
Councilor McGovern pointed out that the City pays $14,700 in personnel costs and approximately $25,000 in rental and hauling on the four recycle containers. This service does not save the City money but rather is an expense to the City. She does agree that it is a good thing to recycle but it is costly. She would like to eliminate Tuesdays and Thursdays and extend the Saturday hours to twelve hours. Eight hours by hired personnel and the other four by volunteers from the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts or another organization like that. She feels that this schedule could accommodate anyone that wanted to use it.
Mr. Hecksel ended his report by telling Council that staff would move toward removing the kiosks from downtown and then communicate with the Chamber and DDA to decide what to do with them.
ITEM NO. 10 Public Hearing – Consideration of Adopting the Bus Transit Operations Plan.
Melissa Laeser stated that she was in front of Council to present the Transportation Commission’s recommendations on the Bus Transit Operations Plan. The plan has been in the making for three months with the assistance of consultant Landsman Transportation Planning.
Ms. Laeser explained that the Ride Glenwood Springs Transit Plan’s purpose was to develop a five-year plan for the bus service, the capital needs for the bus service and the overall budget of the bus service. The goals that the Transportation Commission assisted in developing were to fund the bus service completely through the revenues generated, they wanted to provide basic transit service to the transit dependent people, provide targeted transportation to meet the tourists needs, to maximize the cost and service efficiency, to develop programs to attract new riders that do own a vehicle but instead make the choice to ride the bus, and to actively solicit new funding to improve bus service over time.
In reference to the financial plan, she explained that the consultant recommended that the operating cost stay within the budget of $550,000. The consultant also recommended maintaining a budget of $50,000 for in-house cost and overhead, another $50,000 should be budgeted for capital expenses i.e. bus replacements and also to eliminate fares to attract new riders.
Currently, RFTA provides the City’s service and the consultant recommended the City send out a Request for Proposal for bus service. Under the RFTA contract, the 2005 costs per hour, not including the vehicles but just operating the system, are $68.33. Ms. Laeser explained that the consultant did speak with other for-profit bus services and they stated they could run the system for $60 per hour. By lowering the operating cost, they are able to provide more hours of service.
There are two operation plans that are being presented. The first is the Coverage Option that is less frequent service to a wider geographic area. It will serve most of the City with half-hour and hour intervals. At first it will generate a new group of riders and eventually level back out. The second is the Frequency Option that would service a smaller area every twenty minutes. This is the preferred option of the Transportation Commission and it will run from Wal-Mart to West Glenwood Mall every twenty minutes. Unfortunately, it cuts out a lot of service area including Cardiff Glen and other areas of the City. The Transportation Commission would set discussions with RFTA to work on a deal to service these areas but there would be no promises at this time.
Councilor McGovern stated that, at one point in discussions of the Frequency Route, it was decided that the route would drop down to S. Grand at 23rd until 27th and then cut back up. She wanted to know if this was still included in the plan.
Ms. Laeser replied that it is still in the route but was mistakenly left off the map given to Council.
Councilor O’Donnell asked if the Transportation Commission had a recommended option.
Ms. Laeser replied that the Frequency Option is the Transportation Commission’s preferred option.
Councilor Merritt asked what the consultant’s recommendation was. Ms. Laeser stated that it was the Coverage Option.
Councilor Beckwith asked if the two options could be combined and still stay within the revenue source.
Ms. Laeser replied, unfortunately with the cost of bus and the drivers, the options could not be combined and still fall within the budget.
Councilor McGovern asked if RFTA is providing services that the City really doesn’t necessarily need and asked if the consultant found any services that the City may not need.
Ms. Laeser said that the consultant did not state any specific services but if the RFP goes out, they would look over the services and get the best to fit the City’s needs.
Councilor Christensen pointed out that RFTA provides back-up buses for the City and this would need to be included in the RFP.
Mayor Emery opened discussions up to the public.
Renee McCullough and Chris McCullough, 1000 Mt. Sopris Drive, appeared before Council. Ms. McCullough explained that Chris is handicapped and has been riding the bus since he was in the 8th grade and continues to ride it everyday to work. The bus service has provided him his independence and this is very important to him and his family. As a parent, she no longer has to drive him to work nor does she have to get him up in the morning. She asked Council to consider the people that truly need to ride the bus when making their decision. She pointed out that Chris would never be able to drive a car in his lifetime and is dependent on the transit service.
Michelle Vogel, 721 Blake Avenue, stated that she is one of the 55 people that ride the bus every day from Cardiff Glen. Ms. Vogel has not driven since 1995 and is very dependent on the bus. She encouraged Council to please keep in mind the citizens of Glenwood Springs that do not or cannot drive when considering the new transit plan.
Alice Davenport, 713 Bennett, does not live in Cardiff Glen but feels that a bus service in the City should be able to service the entire town. She would like to see a plan worked out that there could be more frequency and better coverage.
Nancy Stevens, 814 Minter Avenue, moved to Glenwood Springs because of the excellent public transportation that the City provided. She doesn’t want to see coverage, nor hours, cut because people that don’t drive are very dependent on the bus. She encouraged Council to reconsider shortening the hours because this would disenable a lot of people from enjoying the nightlife and recreation that the City has to offer. She thanked Councilor O’Donnell for e-mailing tonight’s agenda because she would have never known about the meeting if he had not done so. She also encouraged Council to air important agenda items over the radio for those who don’t read the paper.
Eric Cook, 1505 Shephards Lane, serves on the Homeowner’s Association at Cardiff Glen and asked Council to consider those people in Cardiff Glen who utilize the bus every day. He understands when cutbacks are needed but would like them to consider alternatives such as running on the hour if they cannot continue with the ½ hour intervals. This is a developing area, and he would hate to see the service cut.
Tom Holslag, 1000 Mt. Sopris Drive, would like to see Council compromise when approving the new routes and consider the Cardiff Glen area as a growing section of town. He encouraged them once again to think of the disabled/handicapped that use the bus system every day to get to work.
Matt Decino, 293 Mikala Ln. New Castle, has been a driver for RFTA for ten years and drove the trolley when it first started. The trolley attracted a lot of tourist for the sheer fact that it took them anywhere they wanted to go. He asked Council to speak with the drivers who actually drive the routes and get their input. He feels that they can come to a compromised decision by taking a bit of each plan and combining them.
Stan Trulock, 824 Blake Avenue, does not ride the bus because of the short distance to his work and uses alternative transportation. He understands keeping a bus system running within a budget but he feels that a mass transit system is a service that the City has a responsibility to provide. He told Council that he was in attendance at the City Council meeting where the parking variance was granted for the new development at the Volkswagen dealership. He pointed out that one of the reasons the parking variance was granted was due to the bus stop being in that location. Mr. Trulock explained that if the hours are cut, the bus stop would not make a difference to those employees and they will need to drive anyway. He stated that he is not an expert in mass transit nor does he feel that any transit system is profitable but it is a service that a municipality needs to offer and he would like Council to consider providing more service to the people that need it since it is the taxpayers who fund it.
Monet Harrington, 192 Riverbend Drive, New Castle, stated that, after reading in the newspaper about the transportation and traffic problems, upgrading the buses and broadening the area might be the solution to the problem. She told Council that she has a teenage son that rides into school with her but has to be to work in New Castle before she gets off work and him riding the bus works out great. She said she would like to see more buses and help get our teenagers onto them and out of their cars. It would also assist to solve the problem that the school is having with parking for teachers and students.
Having no more public comment, Mayor Emery brought the discussion back to Council.
Councilor Merritt said that he is bothered by the ‘Frequency Option’ plan due to the loss of bus service to Cardiff Glen. He explained that this is a growing area and acts as 20% of the bus use. He feels it is not right to abandon the loyal citizens who ride the bus every day to chase after the visitor. He also pointed out that, in November, they have to bring the transportation tax back to the taxpayers on the ballot and it has to be passed. What will happen if we have alienated 20% of the voters by cutting service?
Councilor Christensen asked Mayor Emery to continue this topic until the next meeting so more public input can be heard since it was not publicized very well and it is of great public concern.
Councilor O’Donnell agreed that this is a hot topic and feels that it should be deferred until the March 3rd meeting
Councilor Beckwith feels that the plans can be combined to accommodate both frequency and coverage.
Mayor Emery announced that the item will be continued to the next meeting and only those who did not speak tonight will have a chance to speak at the March 3rd meeting.
ITEM NO. 11 Planning Items: (Director of Community Development)
A. Consideration of Amending the Fee Schedule at Airport.
Applicant: City of Glenwood Springs
Owner: City of Glenwood Springs Airport
Zone: Light Industrial
Mayor Emery asked if Council had any questions on the new airport fee schedule that they were given, and there were none.
Mayor Emery asked if anyone in the public would like to address Council on this issue, and received no reply.
Jeff Hecksel stated that, if Council approves the fee schedule, staff will return with an ordinance and resolution at a future meeting.
Councilor O’Donnell is comfortable with the fee schedule and would like them to come back with an Ordinance.
Karl Hanlon explained that, since this was an Airport issue and, in the past, any issues involving the airport have usually drawn a lot of discussion and that is why they came to Council first to find out their comfort level. He told Council that they would be back with an ordinance to amend the code and set the fee in the resolution. Therefore, in the future, the schedule could continue to be amended by resolution.
ITEM NO. 12 Discussion of School Siting.
Mayor Emery told the public that he hoped Council had not misled anyone this evening. He explained that the City has no control over RE-1’s bond issue that was voted on in November but his hope by putting this on the agenda was to gather input and see if Council needed to try to set discussions with the school district.
Councilor Christensen suggested that Council make a formal request to the school district to facilitate discussions and hopefully exam other alternatives for a compromise on the school siting.
Mayor Emery and Mr. Hecksel agreed to contact the School District to set up a meeting.
Mayor Emery reiterated that Council has absolutely nothing to do with decisions being made on this issue. He urged the public to take their concerns to the School District.
Sheila Markowitz, 844 Blake Avenue, explained that she understood that the decision is not up to Council but wanted to express the need of any discussions to be open to the public. She feels this is the only way to convince the School District to listen to the large number of people voicing their concerns. She showed up this evening to ask Council to take the leadership role, which they already have, and ask them to have a public meeting since it is the public that it affects.
Councilor Christiansen assured Ms. Markowitz that was his intent. He wants to see Council take a role to hold a meeting between the School District and the public.
Monet Herrington, New Castle, stated that she submitted to Council a petition with 400 signatures against the land acquisition. She understands that this was publicly voted on but feels that it was presented in such a manner that the voters were not educated or actually understood what they were voting for. She is in favor of the schools as she has three children in Glenwood High School but feels that they need to fully understand the impact on the community when they acquire the land. As of now, True Value, The Print Shop, the gymnastics center and other businesses occupy that area. She pointed out that land is prime commercial land along Grand Avenue and will be replacing it with a parking lot. She read the figures of True Value alone and the impact that it would have on the community. True Value alone provides $120,000 in Sales Tax, thousands of dollars in Property Tax, and $10,000 in donations (a lot of that going to the schools). She did not have the numbers for the other businesses. She added that the business that would be allowed to remain would see a decrease in revenue due to the lack of parking. She ended by saying they are on the School Board Agenda on the 23rd and invited Council to come.
Julie Nesbit, currently living in Rifle but previously lived in Glenwood Springs for thirty years and is the owner of Print Works, said that the Print Works is located next to True Value and has been in business for 23 years. She expressed that this issue is very hard for her as the School District is a very important client to their business. She stated that she is definitely not against them as her son attends Glenwood Springs High School but after speaking with community members, she is finding shock among them due to not understanding the affect of the bond issue. Ms. Nesbit feels that it is very important that Council brings this to the community as a community issue. This is prime commercial land and the Van Rand Center, including True Value, is the integrity of Glenwood Springs and she would hate to see it leave.
Wayne Pleasants, Manager at True Value, would like to know how Council would deal with the sales tax and property tax revenue loss. He pointed out that True Value has investigated other land options in Glenwood Springs and either it is not available or not feasible. He feels truly that if the School District goes through with their plan for land acquisition, True Value would have to leave and he would like to see City Council get involved.
Alice Davenport, 713 Bennett Avenue, has been a patron of True Value on a personal and business level. She does not want to see them get pushed out of their location. She pointed out that she has no children but has always voted in favor for the schools and feels that the way the School District put this issue on the ballot was misleading.
ITEM NO. 13 Report From City Administration:
A. City Manager
Jeff Hecksel had no report.
B. City Attorney
Mr. Hanlon asked if he could have the ability to have the Mayor excute a couple of resolutions that are not on the agenda. He explained that in the original Glenwood Meadows Annexation agreement the City agreed to acquire properties necessary to complete improvements at 8th and Midland and Exit 114. The resolutions would combine on one form to submit to the Court, rather than attaching the 75-page annexation agreement, that the action had historically taken place
Council did not have any objections.
ITEM NO. 14 Citizens Appearing Before Council.
Mayor Emery asked if anyone in the audience wished to address Council on an item not on the agenda, and received no reply.
ITEM NO. 15 Comments From Council.
Councilor McGovern wanted to acknowledge the City crews that groomed and trimmed the trees downtown and she is very impressed with their work.
Councilor O’Donnell stated that he has received a lot of phone calls due to the mass congestion at 27th and Midland and wanted to know if anything can be done
Mr. Hecksel replied that the City is aware of it and are addressing these problems as quickly as possible.
ITEM NO. 16 Executive Session to Conduct a Conference with the City Attorney for the Purpose of Receiving Legal Advice Regarding Potential Litigation Under C.R.S. 24-6-40-2(4)(b).
Councilor Merritt moved, seconded by Councilor Beckwith, to go into executive session to conduct a conference with the City Attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice regarding potential litigation under C.R.S. 24-6-40-2(4)(b)
The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Mayor Emery announced, it’s February 17, 2005, and the time is 9:21 p.m. For the record, I am the presiding officer, Mayor Larry Emery. Also present at this executive session are the following persons: Councilors David Merritt, Chris McGovern, Joe O’Donnell, Bruce Christensen, and Larry Beckwith; and City Manager Jeff Hecksel; and City Attorney Karl Hanlon.
Mayor Emery cautioned each participant to confine all discussion to the stated purpose of the executive session and that no formal action may occur in the executive session. If, at any point in the executive session, any participant believes that the discussion is going outside the proper scope of the executive session, please interrupt the discussion and make an objection.
Karl Hanlon advised, “(A)s City Attorney, it is my opinion that the discussion of the matter announced in the motion to go into executive session constitutes a privileged attorney/client communication. I am therefore recommending that no further record be kept of this executive session.”
Mayor Emery stated that the City Attorney has recommended that no further record be kept of this executive session. The time is now 9:23 o’clock, p.m., and he tape recorder will be turned off at this time.
Mayor Emery concluded the Executive Session and stated, the time is now 9:44 o’clock p.m. and the privileged attorney-client communication is finished. We now conclude the executive session and return to the open meeting.
ITEM NO. 17 Adjournment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.