MINUTES  CARBONDALE BOARD OF TRUSTEES GARFIELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JOINT WORK SESSION CARBONDALE TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM JUNE 20, 2023 MEETING  Mayor Bohmfalk called the Board of Trustees Regular Meeting to order on June 20,  2023, at 5:43 p.m.  ROLL CALL:  The following members were present for roll call:  Mayor Trustees  Ben Bohmfalk Lani Kitching Colin Laird Marty Silverstein Luis Yllanes Chris Hassig Erica Sparhawk Jessica Markham Lauren Gister Mark Hamilton Jared Barnes  Trustees Absent Staff Present: Town Clerk Town Manager Town Attorney Planning Director  The following members of Garfield County were present:  Commissioners  Mike Samson John Martin Tom Jankovsky Fred Jarman Bentley Henderson Heather Beattie  County Manager Deputy County Manager County Attorney  JOINT MEETING WITH GARFIELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  When addressing the letter to CDOT dated May 8, 2023, from Garfield County Jurisdictions, the County Commissioners agreed that all municipalities must work    Trustee Meeting Minutes June 20, 2023  Page 2  together. They want people to work where they live. They understand that does not always happen. They also stated that the county has been paying for many transportation options within the county. They concluded that growth needs to be The mayor stated that Carbondale is trying to focus on housing in the center of The conversation then turned to the Regional Housing Coalition. The mayor asked if there had been any talk about joining the Regional Housing Coalition. The county commissioners listed off some of the housing items they have been  where the utilities are, where the municipalities are.  town, close to the jobs.  working on, which include:  Zoning for attainable workforce housing $1,000,000 to Sunnyside Retirement Housing Supporting private businesses that build eco-dwellings Focusing on new and attainable housing west of Rifle  The board of trustees expressed that they don't see the housing affordability issues as an up-valley concern only. They stressed that housing is becoming less affordable in Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, and Rifle as well. The commissioners stated that they told the housing coalition they would be onboard if they also included the towns of Silt, Rifle, and New Castle. The discussion was then directed toward the Town's rodeo grounds. The County Commissioners stated that the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo has always been a welcome event. They stated that there is a need to be more parking signs, and trash and noise were also concerns. They also stated that two of the "Mexican Rodeos" (Jaripeo Ranchero) are moving to the Rifle Fairgrounds. They requested better communication between the town and the residents surrounding Lauren replied that regarding the Mexican rodeo, two meetings were held to address concerns before the first rodeo. She stated that there is a distinct event planning process that begins in late fall for the upcoming year. A special effort will be made during the planning process to reach out to those neighbors moving Acounty resident jumped up to address the board out of turn. She stated that her neighbors do not want events every weekend and were not included in the The mayor then turned the conversation to the proposed mill levy reduction that was added to the agenda by the County Commissioners. Commissioner Martin stated that he is urging taxing districts to look at their mills to reduce property taxes for property owners. He stated that property taxes are a hardship for the  the property.  forward.  planning process.  citizens.    Trustee Meeting Minutes June 20, 2023  Page 3  The mayor stated that the Town's revenue is mostly from sales tax, and the portion of the revenue that comes from property taxes is small compared to the  overall budget.  SHORT-TERM RENTAL DISCUSSION  Lauren started the conversation by reminding the board and public that Ordinance 2 of 2022 was voted in last March as a temporary measure to collect data. The town had no data to corroborate anecdotal evidence. The ordinance grandfathered in properties that were already short-term rentals. Staff is analyzing the data that has been gathered to find what is working and what is not working. She also noted that there have been some Mayor Bohmfalk read select passages from Ordinance. He stated that 2.4% of Carbondale's total housing stock is short-term rentals. Durango and Glenwood Springs have similar percentages. The purpose of the discussion is to hear what is going well Trustee Silverstein reminded everyone that the short-term rental program is still a work in progress, this will take time, and this is not the final discussion. The town doesn't want to get to 7-8%. This is the first dedicated tax to affordable housing. Nina Pederson, resident, stated that her hope is that the tax will be streamlined with John Flack, resident, stated that he is thankful to everyone who worked on this in the Zane Kessler, resident, extended his thanks to the town staff. He explained that part of the calculation of living in the valley includes the ability to rent out property for additional income. He stated that it seems that what is going on right now is working well. Kevin Reyes wanted to encourage trustees to think about how this relates to the affordable housing conversation. Don't pull back regulations. The STR tax is great for people who rent out their primary home. He explained that the tax should be higher for second homeowners and investors. He encourages trustees and staff to reach out to the county assessor to ask them to not reduce property taxes on short-term rental Mark Hamilton clarified that property taxes are driven by property type, not zoning or Arne Menconi, a renter, expressed his thanks for allowing him to help subsidize his rent. His homeowner's association is trying to limit short-term rentals. He believes this is a family affair, and essential to continue fostering this type of community. He asked the trustees to please continue having discussions about allowing renters to have short-  complaints from neighbors about licensed and unlicensed units.  and what needs to be changed.  lodging tax with quarterly reporting.  town.  licenses. use.  term rental licenses.    Trustee Meeting Minutes June 20, 2023  Page 4  Lauren stated that the staff has not had a lot of discussions about allowing rentals. Morgan Williams, resident, stated that the process was simple, easy, and well explained. He is happy to pay taxes to go to affordable housing. He also asked why short-term rentals have become the scapegoat for affordable housing issues. The mayor answered that affordable housing has many factors, and short-term rentals Camille Schuman, resident, appreciates the regulations set forth. She asked that the board continue the short-term rental program as it helps her daughter own a home close The mayor asked the board to consider options going forward. He noted that Trustee Sparhawk brought up allowing flexibility in primary residency requirements. Trustee Kitching questioned if there was a way to differentiate between outside Lauren confirmed that the town does not have corporations that own short-term rentals. Trustees Hassig and Silverstein agreed that no more needed to be done for the short- Lauren stated that the board and staff must do something because every license is expiring Dec 31, 2023. There is no vehicle for renewal in the current ordinance. Mayor Bohmfalk summarized that any changes to the current ordinance will not be more  are in the town's control.  to her.  business and established community members.  term rentals policies.  restrictive, and that license renewals will be valid for two years. QUARTERLYTOWNI PROJECT STATUS LIST UPDATE Lauren updated the board on select projects in town.  Crystal River Restoration project: Audubon Society, CPW, High Water in River has pushed dates back. No work will be done on the project until July 15th. Will put a physical display in the lobby that talks about how the river ecology will benefit. Ben Pool Project: Demolition will not happen this fall. The pool will be closed next year. Mobility project: will be focused on public engagement this summer.  asked if a similar display can be put on site.  Short-term rental tax and bag fee tax: struggling with the software company. In the final phases of getting tax documents on the website. Should be done for July 20 filing. ADUS: Jared stated a work session with P&Z is needed. There may be some confusion  on what is allowed and where they can and cannot be located.    Trustee Meeting Minutes June 20, 2023  Page 5  Mayor Bohmfalk stated that the Board wants to make ADUS easier. We can be much Jared stated that staff is working with The Historical Preservation Commission to  more permissive.  address design guidelines in Old Town Residential. Nettle Creek: Rebid for proposals due June 30th.  WeCycle: The office and shop on Buggy Circle is being outfitted. The bases for kiosks are installed. During the July RFTA meeting will be a ribbon cutting. Stations will not be operational until the first week of August. Did not want to open stations before Mountain Chacos Park: did not receive the grant, so Eric is working on RFP for planning. Public Information Officer, Board & Commissions Clerk part-time positions are still open.  Fair.  ADJOURNMENT  The June 20, 2023, work session adjourned at 8:21 p.m. The next regular meeting has  been scheduled on June 27, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.  APPROVED AND ACCEPTED  ATTEST  RDT  - a SEAL COLORADO  wL Clerk    -