MINUTES CARBONDALE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORK SESSION CARBONDALE TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 Mayor Bohmfalk called the Board of Trustees Work Session to order on September 20, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Trustees Ben Bohmfalk Colin Laird Lani Kitching Erica Sparhawk Chris Hassig Luis Yllanes Marty Silverstein Lauren Gister Cathy Derby Christy Chicoine Kevin Schorzman Kirk Wilson Jared Barnes Eric Brendlinger Public Information Officer Staff Present: Town Manager Town Clerk Finance Director Public Works Director Police Chief Planning Director Parks & Recreation Director Tom Karrel YOUTH AND FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL YOUTH SYMPOSIUM Roaring Fork School District employee Anna Cole explained that the Youth and Family Advisory Council tasked students with identifying places they feel safe/unsafe in Carbondale. The students presented their findings to members of the Board, parents, and community members. The takeaways include: Add crosswalks on Highway 133 Expand the circulator bus to the schools Install lighting on the Rio Grande Trail Places where kids feel safe are Peppino's and City Market Places where kids feel unsafe are the cemetery, 7-Eleven, skateboard park at The kids would like the old City Market converted into a roller skating rink, midnight, park-n-ride lot bowling alley, or arcade, preferably with a food court Make it easier for kids to get health care/therapy Anna suggested the Board use their research to decide where to spend tax revenue. Trustee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Page 2 YOUTH AND FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL GRANT APPLICATIONS In the 2022 budget nicotine tax revenue amounting to $253,000 was allocated to the Youth and Family Advisory Council. At a previous meeting it was agreed that $95,000 would be earmarked to grants. Anna stated that only four organizations applied for the grant because the parameters for eligibility (prevention, intervention, treatment) were stringent. The school team, not non-profits, reviewed the applications and agreed to fund all four as follows: Stepping Stones $40,000 - serves approximately 500 kids Valley Settlement $25,000 = focuses on pre-school kids Spanish speaking community, families, and early intervention Youth Zone $10,000 - helps kids under 18 years old Family Resource Center of the Roaring Fork Schools $20,000 = assists the Trustee Silverstein stated they did an excellent job quantifying needs, and they covered Trustee Laird questioned if we are addressing everyone who needs help. Anna stated that in the future she would like measurable outcomes and data tracking. Mayor Bohmfalk asked Anna if they would like to continue the program next year? Anna said yes, they would like to continue distributing grants, providing mental health services, and offering professional development to people who work with youth. She said in the future they would like to better align with the town budget schedule. Anna will work with Lauren on the Youth and Family Advisory Council budget request. all ages - he feels the money was well spent. BUDGET REVIEW - DEPARTMENT GOALS & OBJECTIVES Public Works and Utilities Discussion ensued on Public Works and Utilities budget. The following points were Kevin told the Board to keep in mind that there are several vacancies in different Kevin asked the Board if they want to complete the 8th Street project. It will cost approximately $500,000 - $550,000. The Board agreed that they want to finish the Mayor Bohmfalk inquired about the Industry Place roundabout design/construction cost. Kevin estimated that the roundabout will cost $3 million. Mayor Bohmfalk asked what is the trigger to build a roundabout? Kevin answered that roundabouts don't have a trigger/criteria. You need to figure out how to make it work for the neighbors. Trustee Hassig stated that he would like to see a roundabout plan/design next year. made: departments that have been difficult to fill. project. Trustee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Page 3 Trustee Sparhawk stated that citizens want bike sharrows put on the streets. Kevin The Board inquired about the Crystal River Restoration Project. Kevin stated the goal is Trustee Hassig asked about energy consumption at the waste water treatment plant. Trustee Sparhawk explained that the town offsets its electrical usage with a solar Mayor Bohmfalk suggested Public Works have a goal of water conservation by reducing outdoor water use on town-owned land. Trustee Laird suggested removing grass in Kevin told the Board that he will need clarification on what the Transportation Master Kevin informed the Board that Utilities has had four vacancies throughout the entire stated that Public Works can accomplish that. toc complete it next year. subscription. places it is not needed. Plan is trying to accomplish. year, and it is not sustainable. Building Lauren explained that John Plano will be leaving in two weeks. Staff is working on interim arrangements to fill his duties which include plan review and inspections. A consultant has been working on building code updates. Lauren stated that there is very little availability of building officials. Trustee Laird stated he supports hiring two building department employees. Police Kirk made the following points: The police department struggles to maintain staff = they currently have one vacancy - they try to hire bi-lingual officers Succession planning is in place -1 they have structure They are a modern police department and they would need to purchase two additional vehicles Officers want a benefit of take-home vehicles The police department is requesting to hire two Student Resource Officers (SRO) The Board stated that the decision to hire additional SRO's would need to be made at a future meeting. They asked what is the school district's role in funding a SRO? What is the cost? They would like staff to provide evidence that additional SRO's would make schools safer. Trustee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Planning Page 4 Jared stated his main goals are: The on-boarding and training of new staff Prioritize the goals from the Comprehensive Plan matrix Perform UDC updates Provide more information on the planning page of the town's website Participate on the Town Center Selection Committee and development process Assist with the Transportation and Housing Plans Parks and Recreation Eric made the following points concerning parks and recreation's (P&R) 2023 goals: Fund and finalize the Crystal River Restoration Project - to date the town has contributed a total of $400,000 - Carbondale's partners asked if Carbondale will contribute additional funds - Eric thinks they want $200,000 P&R put the South Highway 133 irrigation project out to bid and no one responded - Eric thinks staff should look at alternatives to irrigating Weed management - train staff on chemical applications They will purchase electric mowers The want to brand signage Trustee Laird asked Eric to provide "hang outs" for kids. Finance Christy told the Board that her goals include: Providing excellent customer service Focus on recrutmenu/retention Complete the salary survey and find ways to be competitive in hiring employees Review accounting and Human Resource processes and make them more efficient CARBONDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE Executive Director Andrea Stewart gave a recap of the Chamber's 2022 accompishments. The key points include: Chamber They have 458 members - the highest ever They sold $21,000 in gift cards Communications happen electronically through many social media outlets They are working with Carbondale Arts on the First Friday Dia de los Muertos The annual Business Confluence is tomorrow Trustee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Tourism Council Page 5 They are very active on social media (Facebook and Instagram) They are the lead fori the Roaring Fork Destination Alliance Participating in Farm Fest (new event) The Colorado Creative Corridor is in its fifth year Focusing on Destination Stewardship strategy Their website is a big focus Trustee Sparhawk stated that the Chamber Board is well represented and has quality Trustee Hassig stated that lots of ebikers are riding on the Rio Grande Trail and he believes that adding wayward signage to the trail would be beneficial to local Andrea stated that in the Chamber's economic development community request Trustee Silverstein commended Andrea on doing a remarkable job making the Chamber more inclusive and surviving and helping businesses during the pandemic. discussions. businesses. application there is an ask to fund the "Take It Easy" Campaign. CARBONDALE CREATIVE DISTRICT UPDATE Amy Kimberly and Michael Stout, representing the Carbondale Creative District (CCD), gave a presentation on their accomplishments. The following takeaways include: CCD is seven years old and art park They have procured $350,000 in funding which they spent on signage, murals, They do not have a sustainable funding source The Creative District brand is strong They invest in the town The Youth Art Park has broken ground after it was re-designed They are involved in the Town Center project - Space to Create they are involved in Express Yourself KDNK radio program The do a monthly eblast with an artist showcase, participate in social media, and They participated in the Comprehensive Plan update and continue to work on Their goals are to nurture a creative ecosystem, foster a more just, equitable and affordable housing authentic place, and cultivate a vibrant local economy The Board asked CCD if they would partner with Eric to design creative signage for the parks; CCD agreed. COVENTURE Michael Lowe gave an update on CoVentures' accompishments. Key points include: Trustee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Page 6 They are co-hosting the Chamber Confluence tomorrow Currently have 1,000 members The annual Pitch event continues to be a success They have created 135 jobs in the valley Humanity, BOCES, and Aspen Strong Onboarded seven consultants and 72 people are using the consultants The upcoming Pitch is pivoting towards non-profits and will feature Habitat for CoVenture is asking for $10,000 to support the Community at Work Initiative Mayor Bohmfalk asked if CoVenture has sustainable funding. Michael answered that they rely on grants. ADJOURNMENT The September 20, 2022, work session adjourned at 9:10 p.m. APPROVED AND ACCEPTED ATTEST Ben plws BBa Cathy Derby, Town Clens EO SEAL ACGNED