TOWN OF  EBASALT  BASALT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - FEBRUARY 27, 2024  Basalt is an inclusive, sustainable, mountain community that boasts both historic charm and progressive vision. Iti is an engaging place to live, work and play while offering an abundance of creative, professional, educational and recreational outlets.  6:00PM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL  Mayor Bill Kane called the regular meeting of the Basalt Town Council to order at 6:08 pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Also present were Angela Anderson, Dieter Schindler, David Knight and Elyse Hottel. Ryan Slack attended the meeting remotely via Zoom.  6:02 2. CONSENT AGENDA AND MOTION: 2A. Minutes: February 13, 2024;  2B. Resolution No. 08, Series of 2024: Resolution oft the Town Council of Basalt, Colorado Approving the 2024 Streets Maintenance - Chip and Fog Seal Project - and Authorizing Staff to M/S COUNCILORS SCHINDLER AND KNIGHT THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.  Enter into Contract with GMCO, LLC (Matt Wagner, Boyd Bierbaum)  3. CALLTOTHE PUBLIC  John Young, 95 Lighthill Road, Snowmass, said he wanted to say a few words about the outgoing Mayor Bill Kane. John met Bill 48 years ago. Bill was Aspen's first planner, John was Pitkin County's first trail director. John had to work with City of Aspen to get a bridge built over the river to Oklahoma Flats which was incidentally built by Lee Schwaller who was also in tonight's audience. It was a different time and process of requesting and receiving permission for such a project. John said he had watched Bill throughout his career with Aspen Skiing Company, Design Workshop as one of the principals, Town of Basalt Manager, Town of Basalt Mayor - and every step oft the way he's kept his wit, good sense of humor and leadership skill. John relayed ai favorite story about Bill and the design of a ski area in Argentina. John said Bill's fingerprints were throughout this valley, the United States and throughout the world. We have all been very blessed to him in our midst, and Basalt has been blessed to have him as Randy Chase, attending remotely via Zoom, said he had started a group called Colorado Progress and would be organizing election activities in the Roaring Fork Valley related to community housing programs. He asked Council members ift they would give him permission to participate int the election in Basalt as a political organizer and activist. Randy asked again  mayor. John thanked Bill for his service and everything he does.    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27, 2024  whether he had permission from individual council members to work on the election of Basalt. He said the current laws of Basalt prohibit him from participating in the election and he sought permission from the council members as individuals. Randy said he would follow up with each council member individually asking for their permission for him, Randy Chase, to participate in this election coming upi in April. Randy said they could answer yes or no or could ignore him. He asked the council again if he could participate in the election. Mayor Kane said he was unclear on what was being asked = what Randy wanted to work on in the election = what exactly it would be. Randy said he wanted to organize voters and teach them about issues and talk to them about candidates; that's how he works on an election. Randy asked 'how do you. work on election, sir?' Randy said he would knock on doors and talk to voters. Town Attorney Jeff Conklin stepped in and suggested if Mr. Chase wanted to reach out to staff we'd be happy to talk to him. Randy again asked for council's permission to come and work on the elections; he said council was refusing to even acknowledge his question. Mayor Kane said they were acknowledging his question, but didn't know exactly what that involved and would rely on staff to advise them whether this was appropriate or not; they didn't know enough about it right now. Randy Chase said he wanted to participate in the election and help toi influence what the voters think to the people who are running for office; it's community organizing. Randy said 'TII be knocking on doors of voters.' Randy said he needed to be able to exist and live in the city of Basalt during the election period and right now they were prohibiting him from participating in  the election and it's unfair and he had said it publicly now. 4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENIS There were no council or mayor reports.comments this evening.  5. MANAGER'S REPORT  There was no Manager's report this evening.  6.P PRESENTATIONS:  6A. Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Report (Doug Pattison)  Finance Director Doug Pattison reported on the 4th Quarter financials for the town, reviewing in detail the packet items depicting the Year to Date revenues and expenditures of the Town and  the restricted funds. The budget ended the year with a surplus of $800,000.  7. COUNCIL ACTIONS:  7A. Interview and Appointment: Parks Open Space and Trails Committee: Interview and Planning Director Michelle Thibeault introduced prospective POST member Mercedes Brown who works in the outdoor lifestyle industry and has attended a couple of POST meetings. M/S COUNCILORS SCHINDLER AND ANDERSON TO APPOINT MERCEDES BROWN TO THE PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMITTEE FOR A THREE YEAR TERM TO  Appointment of Prospective POST Member (Michelle Thibeault)  POST recommends appointment of Mercedes to the Committee.  EXPIRE FEBRUARY 27, 2030. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.  2    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27, 2024  7B. Public Hearing and Second Reading Ordinance No. 02, Series of 2024: Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Basalt, Colorado, Granting Historic Designation, Site Plan Review, Special Review, and Historic Incentives for the Construction of a Basement under the Miner's Cabin and Conversion of the Miner's Cabin into an Accessory Dwelling at 159 E. Assistant Planning Director. James Lindt introduced the second reading oft this ordinance for 159 E. Homestead Drive. James reviewed the application discussed at the February 13, 2024 meeting as well as the discussion items from that meeting. The P&Z felt the proposal satisfied the goals and objectives of the Master Plan related to historic designation and ADU addition. Staff strongly believes this property warrants this historic designation. Council had approved the ordinance on first reading with a request for the applicant to look at potential grant funding for a higher level of deed restriction for the property; the applicant provided a letter outlining his findings related to the various grant potential fori the property that might keep the property as long term rental; there was research on historic property grant and on the Eagle County ADU Applicant Rolf Fraser spoke to his research on the various historic and ADU grants that were suggested to him. Financially, they just didn't work for him; the project wouldn't be viable with what the grants could offer. Elyse Hottel thanked Rolf for taking the time to look into the grants. Mayor Pro tem David Knight opened the public hearing at 7:03. There were no comments and M/S COUNCILORS SCHINDLER AND ANDERSON THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 02, SERIES OF 2024 ON SECOND READING. A ROLL CAL VOTE WAS 7C. Continued Public Hearing of Resolution No. 38, Series of 2023: Resolution of the Town Council of Basalt, Colorado, Approving a Sketch Site Plan Review, Sketch Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Review, Sketch Reach II Floodplain Review, Sketch Plan PUD. Approval and Associated Development Review Actions for the Jadwin/Black Mountain  Homestead Drive, Basalt, Colorado (James Lindt)  Incentive program.  the hearing was closed.  HELD. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.  Development at 431 Emma Road, Basalt, Colorado (James Lindt) Elyse Hottel recused herself from this discussion.  Assistant Planning Director James Lindt reviewed the last discussion held by council at their meeting on January 23. At that meeting the council heard revisions from the applicant and comments from the public. Council had comments on the application and tabled the review. The main topics council identified for further consideration include Community Benefit/Affordable Housing, Density/site Coverage, Need for Short-term Rental Cabins, and  Trafic/Iintersection Improvements.  Applicant Michael Forrest detailed the additional revisions to their application:  The glamping tent site pads were removed;  The overall density of the site was reduced by removing development of the dogleg and Childcare center, glamping and tent site pads, and reducing residential units from 72to 64 (further reducing the overall parking needs, paved parking space, visitor traffic, etc.);  3    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27,2024  Achange in the housing mix and reduction oft the number of studio units resulting in 60% of the units now being 1 and 3 bedroom units to support local families; Provide Category 2 AMI units for sale - the applicant signed a letter ofi intent with the RF School District to provide upi to 4 units of housing; and working with Blue Lake Pre Prioritize the free market units for 90 days (as opposed to 30 days as originally proposed), to those who work for a business located ini the Roaring Fork Valley; the Heather Henry, Connect One Design, discussed the proposed changes to the River Cabins and how they would interact with the residential part oft the property; Transportation Engineer Rich Follmer of Felsburg, Holt and Ullevig transportation planners, presented information from a study conducted September 2023 as well as the proposed intersection improvements and the Emma Road slip lane intersection; Stephanie Helfenbein of Sopris Engineering reported on the intersection. Additional  School to work ont their housing needs; applicant is calling this the First Tracks;  transportation  Michael Forrest reviewed the conformance with the Master Plan Goals and Objectives and how this project has delivered on those goals and objective: Mixed use development adjacent to downtown; preservation of open space; maintain a sensitivity to the river shoreline; protection of wetlands and floodplain; protection of wildlife migration corridors; a mix of housing units; affordable housing; lower density, though density higher in the Jadwin/Stott parcel; and an explanation of' "why Jadwin?" as per page 80 of the Master Plan. Concluding their presentation, Michael Forrest felt they complied with the Master Plan ini its entirety, and sought council support for approval of the sketch plan phase in order to work with partners on affordable housing agreements. Affordable housing partners include Eagle and Pitkin counties, Roaring Fork Fire, Aspen Valley Ski Club, Roaring Fork School District, Blue Lake Preschool and Aspen  Valley Hospital.  Mayor Bill Kane opened the public hearing at 7:42 PM  John Young spoke in favor of the project noting the most powerful thing he had heard was from at father who wanted his kids to live near him when they grew up. John felt this project was unbelievable. He ad done 800 affordable housing projects in his career and felt this was excellent for Basalt and the Roaring Fork Fire Rescue District whom he represented. He looked forward to placing people in these units; he said he could wholeheartedly get behindthis Susan Sullivan of Keep Basalt Special, initially moved to Basalt in 2014, but is now a Missouri Heights resident, spoke against the project noting she had taken a pay cut to move here in 2014 and found it to be pure magic. She spoke tot the things that drew to Basalt and made her feel at home and how special Basalt was. She didn't call this development progress; she felt it was turning Basalt into every other suburb int the nation. She found this sentiment to be the same for Leror Duroux, Basalt resident, spoke in favor of the project. He had urged the Town to support Basalt Vista when it was an idea and was here tonight to urge council support of this project as well. He felt it followed the Master Plan vision for that area. He thought the cabins would be full-up 12 months of the year. Itwas transit oriented which has always been a goal of the town  project.  those who had signed the petition.  4    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27, 2024  councils. This was the best use oft the property he could imagine. Leroy said you could leave the property as is, but wondered what that would accomplish; he encouraged the Town to Megan Hartman Basalt High School Principal, ?? Principal at Basalt Middle School and Grant Waller Principal at Basalt Elementary were present, not to support any specific project, but were present to advocate for housing for their teachers. There asked why ai teacher would drive the extra 45 minutes to Basalt; teachers deserved to live near where they work. They found it harder and harder to get and retain teachers; housing is the issue. Salaries here are the worst for teachers ini the nation. They cared about the character of the community, but wondered "if you can't educate your children, what do you have?" Grant Waller said that having teachers as Fire Chief Scott Thompson, said he was a little disappointed that the applicant had cut down the number of units. He looked at these units as opportunities to keep their central workers in the communities. He thanked the applicants for ? up to 50% the deed restricted units. Scott urged the council to look at this as an opportunity, and toward the public benefit this development Michael Davies, resident of the valley, explained surprise at how much this project has been reduced and would advocate for as much as possible. He appreciated the team reducing the density to what council deems more appropriate, but would argue this type of cool and EdV Williams, 529 Emma Road, said there was a basic question that remained unanswered. According to the applicant's own data, Emma Road would be over capacity. Mr. Fulmer said it wasn't necessarily this development that would push Emma Road over the line, but it would happen. Mr. Williams said it seemed the strategy was to kick the can down the road until one day the road there would become a parking lot. Mr. Williams said the critical problems with traffic on Emma Road were not even discussed in the body of the applicant's traffic study. Data on the worse sections of the road was collected but left as raw data int the appendices. He felt that information should be more forward to the public and said this information being in the appendices, rather than the body of the information, goes to issues of credibility and transparency leaving the question of what information int this project has been cherry picked, and what has been left out. Mr. Williams didn't see how an on-site manager would stop guests and their dogs from trampling the area. He spoke to the high water table in the area and the use of pesticides that will occur ini the summer months as it is full of mosquitoes. Mr. Williams felt some oft these problems should be mitigated before the project goes forward. Randy Chase, calling in, supported housing for workers who work ini the community and encouraged the developer to add additional units. Mr. Chase said he had sent an email with his entire message. He noted that he had had al heart attack a little over a year ago and his doctor was in Basalt, and as a former construction worker in the area, he needed a place to get access to health care as he healed sO he could get back to making income for paying rent. He encouraged the council to vote ini favor of this and encouraged the developer to add additional  approve this project.  a part of Basalt was 'value added'.  team has provided.  interesting project is what keeps Basalt special.  units.  5    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27. 2024  Peter Grenney, said back in 2020 he had attended the community plan open house at the high school and distinctly remember that in reviewing that plan the Jadwin Stott parcel was a key parcel for future development; this parcel had the highest density oft the nine key and primary parcels. In bold, in the comp plan, it said 'density instead of sprawl" which signals a site appropriate for multi family and mixed uses. He thought the proposal was an awesome plan with interesting elements and a great mix. He was impressed with the applicant's response to feedback from the council and community. He thought the 50% deed restricted was unheard of. The river cabins would be really cool and a fund place for anyone to come visit. Todd Brewer, owner of Western Refrigeration and Heating across the road in southside. Todd spoke in favor of the project especially with the recent changes that the developer has accommodated. He said this project was consistent with the development plan, it's unique and would be a great amenity. Todd said he has 10 employees but none of them have the ability to live in Basalt even though they make close to $100,000 per year. Todd felt that anything we Lee Schwaller, 605 Emma Road, said he was worried about the traffic. They increased the apartments for families and eventually the kids in the families get old enough to drive, sO there will be more cars. Then their boyfriends and girlfriends will be going over every day after school and it will be a quagmire at that intersection and at the post office. Mr. Schwaller said he drove through there every single day and couldn't imagine more people coming from his direction and having confrontations with people from Basalt thinking they don't have to stop. It's an accident  could do would help and he strongly recommended support.  waiting to happen.  The public hearing was closed at 8:06 pm. Mayor and Council member comments followed.  Bill Kane commended the applicants on their work and said it was one oft the best housing formulas he'd seen in his tenure with the town. Bill opened discussion seeking an assessment of the service levels to the two intersections; mostly concerned about the Midland intersection. He wondered if CDOT had commented on the turning section and design. Stephanie Angela Anderson said she like the update on the unit mix, it was more representative of the community's needs. She asked about the mix of on the other half of the units the free market units. Angela wanted to get on the record that this proposal is less than the minimum density of 80 units and far less than the maximum density of 180. She thought the First Track program sounded interesting. Itreminded her of applying for a co-op apartment in New York. She thought it sounded like a good opportunity to insure units were going to people who are actually int the community. Michael Forrest said they wanted to work with staff ont the details for David Knight said he was okay with the river cabins, understanding that from a business model standpoint, it was necessary. He was glad the Category 2 was added, but was still uneasy with the Resident Occupied (RO) versus the First Tracks program. He wondered what we would do for the next generation. He thought RO made more sense and was a sustainable benefit. David  Helfenbein noted it was a only a conceptual design at this point.  transparency and completely on the 'up and up'.  6    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27,2024  said he would support additional housing if these units would be preserved for locals forever. Michael Forrest said the Emma slip lane needed for more. On the housing, they had thought about it. Every time one of those free market units turns over, they will have to go back into that first tracks program and the 90 day timing. With RO, from at financing perspective, because 50 percent is deed restricted, Alpine Bank doesn't consider RO as free market units. He requested tov work with council and other community members to accomplish that without a full blown RO restriction. First Tracks could be modified along the way to create a program that accomplishes these goals that provide that RO component to you. Also, these 32 units could be scooped up Ryan Slack appreciated the applicants listening and taking account for all the things brought up int the previous meetings. The river cabins are still the same cabins, and the traffic is a real concern to him. He like the issues David Knight raised and appreciated what the applicants were trying to work through this, but he noted we needed as much as we can for people in Dieter Schindler said he agreed with a lot of what's been said here tonight. He appreciated the applicants coming forward on Category 2. He said they didn't take out any square footage; they subtracted some units, but added some bedrooms and that made more sense to him. Dieter said he was warming up to the project; there was a need for affordable housing. He's heard a lot of concern about hos this looks to people coming into town. The density oft the this parcel and the potential for the Stott parcel development, needs to be kept in context. Dieter said he didn't have a problem with the cabins. He appreciated the move to the 90 days. Bill Kane said he intended to vote in favor of the resolution. The reasons are, we are at our wits end in terms of housing. It's not perfect, buti it's good in terms of what we' 've seen. In the UGB, 50% affordable housing. We've spend a lot in our treasury on open space throughout the valley. Basalt alone has secured Wood's property, Rock Bottom Ranch, Saltonstall, Glasier, Billy Grange, Grace Shei, and Cerise property. Then there is Pitkin County and BLM property. We have done well to protect our UGB. We have certain development sites surrounded by deed restricted open space; these are impairments on the deed for which future generations will thank us. The time has come for us to step up and address housing. Every one of our public service entities have commented for this. I've been a strong advocate for parks and open space and he didn't worry about the parks and open space budget being covered, but he did worry about whether we'll be viable as a community. This is sketch plan, sO this is a philosophical, conceptual, values based decision about whether, in general, this is the right direction. We vote David Knight said he was willing to go forward to see what the applicant could do. He really thought they could do more. David thought this could be a great project but they could do more with it moving to preliminary. David said he definitely wanted to see RO in the preliminary plan; M/S COUNCILORS ANDERSON AND SCHINDLER THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 38, 2023. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS HELD. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-  David said the intersections were a big deal, too.  by their affordable housing partners.  Basalt - especially the teachers, firefighters, police, etc.  with the belief we can work out a lot of the details.  they applicant has to do it.  0.  7    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27, 2024  7D. Ordinance No. 03, Series of 2023: Ordinance of the Town Council oft the Town of Basalt, Colorado, Approving Easement Agreements for the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project Town Engineer Catherine Christoff explained the need for the nine draft easements ini the Midland Avenue Streetscape project adjacent to our right-of-way. Most oft these easements are situated in a quasi- public' area. The Town wants to maintain the improvements being installed and not impose that on the private landowners with that. Catherine identified the affected properties. Most agreements are approved, or close to approval. The Ordinance allows the Town Attorney to make minor changes to the easements as needed. The Town has no M/S COUNCILORS KNIGHT AND ANDERSON THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 03, SERIES OF 2024 ON FIRST READING, AND SET THE SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 12, 2024. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS 7E. Resolution No. 09, Series of 2024: Resolution oft the Town Council of Basalt, Colorado approving an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Town and Pitkin County Board of Couty Commissioners to Support a Childcare Facility (Michelle Thibeault) Planning Director Michelle Thibeault explained this Resolution would approve an IGA between the Town of Basalt and Pitkin County. Staff had submitted a grant in partnership with Pitkin County based on a conceptual floor plan to build out the interior space for $1.1 million. The Colorado Department of Eary Childcare awarded $800,000; Pitkin County has granted $250,000 inn matching funds leaving the Town with $50,000 in matching funds and responsibility for project management. The IGA formalizes the transfer and allowed uses of the Pitkin County funds in exchange for 11 priority spots at the future day care facility for the first five years of operation. Staff presented this IGA to the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners earlier today who were all very supportive of the IGA terms. It was important to note that since the grant application was submitted, the conceptual floor plan was changed, which changed the project costs by $277,000 ($100,000 of which is contingency). Staff described the increase in cost to the BOCC based on the understanding that the BOCC has $1.2 million ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds still tos spend. Several commissioners were interested in having staff return with a request for additional support. Staff has identified, if needed, reserve and general funds available to fund  (Catherine Christoff, Jeff Conklin)  pecuniary interest in these easements.  HELD. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.  the rest of the project.  Council member Elyse Hottel returned to the meeting.  M/S COUNCILORS KNIGHT AND SCHINDLER THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 09, SERIES OF 2024. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS HELD. THE MOTION 7F. Resolution No. 10, Series of 2024: Resolution of the Town Council of Basalt, Colorado, Authorizing the Town Manager to Approve a Contract for the Interior Build-Out of the Stott's Mill  CARRIED 6-0.  Childcare Center (Michelle Thibeault)  8    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27,2024  Planning Director Michelle Thibeault noted that staff did go through a bidding process and received four bids to build out the childcare center. The selection committee unanimously voted for RA Nelson based on qualifications and price. Since being awarded the Intent to Award at the last meeting, they have been working with staff to value engineer the conceptual M/S COUNCILORS KNIGHT AND HOTTEL THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 10, SERIES OF 2024. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS HELD. THE MOTION 7G. Resolution No. 11, Series of 2024: Resolution of the Town Council of Basalt, Colorado, Repealing and Replacing the Town's Personnel Code and Employee Handbook (Ryan Town Manager Ryan Mahoney noted this Resolution was basically a housekeeping item to update the Personnel Handbook. A majority of what is in the staff memo was already discussed with council during the budget process. Ryan highlighted the amendments to the handbook noting it would be made effective February 27, 2024. Ryan noted that on average,  construction documents to get tot the $1.377 cost.  CARRIED 6-0.  Mahoney, Doug Pattison)  municipalities would upgrade the pay ranges every three years.  M/S COUNCILORS SCHINDLER AND KNIGHT TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 11, SERIES OF 2024. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS HELD. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 7H. Resolution No. 12, Series of 2024: Resolution oft the Town Council of Basalt, Colorado, approving an Extension of the Lease Agreement with Loose Cannon, LLC (Ryan Mahoney, Jeff Town Manager Ryan Mahoney explained the need for the extension of the lease ont the property the town purchased some time ago for the new public works and police facility. Trevor Canon, owner of the business leasing the property, Umbrella Roofing, is currently building their new facility and requested an extension of this lease until the end of May, 2024. M/S COUNCILORS SCHINDLER AND ANDERSON TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 12, SERIES OF 2024 WITH THE AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE LEASE TO THE END OF MAY, 2024. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS HELD. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 8:25 8. INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE 8A. Accounts Payable; 8B. Advanced Agendas; 8C. December 2023 Sales Tax Update; 8D. Correspondence to the Town  Conklin)  9.A ADJOURNMENT  The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.  9    Basalt Town Council - Minutes  February 27,2024  The minutes of the February 27, 2024 meeting were read and approved this 26th day of March,  2024.  BASALT TOWN COUNCIL:  ATTEST:  By: William  phillae G. Kane, Mayor  Parela Schilling, Town glerk 4  EIR SEAL  This meeting can be viewed in its entirety on the Town of Basalt YouTube channel, or at htps/towmohasatomprecANsNE2ESembadnantisentellembecowPent-Iog  www.Grassi0olV.09. ork by using this link:  48shareMetnod-lins  10