MINUTES WORK SESSION JUNE 20, 2017 CALLTO ORDER: CARBONDALE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mayor Pro Tem Frosty Merriott called the Board of Trustees Work Session to order on June 20, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room. The following members were present: Mayor Pro Tem Trustees Frosty Merriott Katrina Byars Ben Bohmfalk Marty Silverstein Erica Sparhawk Heather Henry Dan Richardson Jay Harrington Cathy Derby Absent Mayor Staff Present: Town Manager Town Clerk Boards and Commission Clerk Angie Sprang JOINT MEETING WITH THE GARFIELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Garfield County Commissioners John Martin and Mike Samson and the Carbondale Board of Trustees held their annual work session. Topics discussed included: 2018 Financial Challenges The County is facing a $5 million deficit due to decreasing oil & gas revenues, rising health care costs, etc. The Commissioners said that they are confident that they can make adjustments in their budget to make up the deficit. To date, Carbondale has experienced a 2.9% increase in sales tax revenue. Health insurance premiums continue to rise, the highly anticipated new City Market has stalled. The Trustees recently passed a water and sewer rate increase. Road and Bridge Fund The Commissioners stated that the Road and Bridge Fund continues to be healthy. They have three (3) years of operating budget. The Commissioners stated that during budget discussions they will consider giving the Garfield County municipalities a grant using the same formula as they did in2 2016. Trustee Meeting Minutes June 20, 2017 Page 2 Historic Preservation Concept and Funding Mayor Pro Tem Merriott stated that the Historic Garfield County Citizens Initiative recently gave a presentation on the mill levy tax increase ballot question they are proposing. He noted that the tax seems to be a luxury compared to mental health funding shortfalls. Commissioner Samson explained that Grand River Hospital is putting a bond question on the November ballot. Other groups wanted to put a tax increase question on the ballot but Commissioner Samson convinced them that if you put too many tax questions on the ballot they will all fail. He noted that if the bond Commissioner Martin stated that he is in favor of the Historic Preservation tax. Ifit passes it will only affect Rifle residents. passes it will affect the whole county. Snowmass Drive Trustee Bohmfalk stated that he and Commissioner Jankovsky walked Snowmass Drive on Monday. There is no sidewalk or trail from Sopris Drive to Main Street. The street is heavily used by students. The lack of a sidewalk/trail is a safety concern. The Commissioners will talk about funding the installation of a sidewalk at their next meting. Broadband Study Jay explained that Carbondale has been working with Cedar Networks on broadband. He asked what can Carbondale do to team up with the County? Garfield County Manager Kevin Batchelder responded that the County is focusing on implementing wireless plans for rural Garfield County areas. He encouraged the Town to form a broadband coalition. Regional Cooperation - housing, detox, and SANE Housing - Trustee Henry stated that there is a group working to create a regional affordable housing authority that would extend to the western part of Garfield County. Trustee Martin noted that Rifle, Silt and Parachute do not have a housing problem, rather they have a glut of housing. He asked if the new housing authority would Detox- Commissioner Martin stated that detox is done by case management and it is SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) = Currently the closest SANE nurse (to Carbondale) is in Rifle. The Commissioners are looking at the possibility of adding a Protecting Open Space That Surrounds Carbondale - Commissioner Martin noted that some of the open space has conservation easements (it can never be developed) and the rest of the land is in public ownership. Jay noted that the Town is working with compete with the existing housing authorities. not working. SANE as part of a Riverbridge extension. Trustee Meeting Minutes June 20, 2017 Hill. Page 3 Aspen Valley Land Trust and Garfield County to acquire property at the bottom of Red Trustee Merriott stated that he hopes the Commissioners will continue to support clean energy. He also thanked the Federal Mineral Lease District (Commissioner Samson is on the Committee) for funding the rodeo lighting. UPDATE ON CREATIVE DISTRICT Carbondale Creative District Governance Council members Amy Kimberly, Megan Amy stated that the top five (5) projects that the Council wants to implement in Currier, Kat Rich and. Angela Bruno were present for the discussion. 2017/2018 include: 1. Install Main Street information stations. 2. Improve the entrance to Main Street gateway 3. Install smaller way finding signage 4. Install a sculpture in the Rio Grande ARTway 5. Space to Create Affordable Housing Amy also noted that: DeRail Park is under construction. The Latino Folk Art Garden design has been completed. The garden, located on the Rio Grande Trail, will have a hammock area, table and benches, big RE-1 Carbondale Public Schools are transforming to Creative Learning Campuses. They hope to showcase students work, provide mentorships, and flower/pepper pots, murals and mosaics. involve the senior Capstone project. Discussion ensued on the Space to Create project. Amy and Jay have been working with the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) on this project. DOLA may fund one-half of the cost of a needs assessment. There is also a possibility that the Town may be eligible for tax credits. If the project moves forward the Town will submit a planning grant to DOLA. Trustee Meeting Minutes June 20, 2017 ADJOURMMENT Page 4 The June 20, 2017 work session adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next regular scheduled meeting will be held on May 23, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. APPROWED AND ACCEPTED WMOnft Merriott, Mayor Pro Tem ATTEST: Cathy Derby, SEAL COIORIRO G