The most notable item on Tuesday’s agenda was a conversation with the Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative to get the ball rolling on a wildfire risk modeling project.
But first, all trustees were present and received a new ball cap with the Town’s logo. A consent agenda was approved including meeting minutes, a resolution with opt-out fees for the Town’s advanced metering infrastructure program (as discussed on Jan. 14), a project bid award for X Field Services to restore to service a well on the Roaring Fork River for $334,167 and accounts payable.
Doc Philip, aka Doctor Dandelion, gave public comment urging trustees to reduce the speed limit to 10 mph downtown. Trustee Chris Hassig responded, “The Bike, Pedestrian, and Trails Commission shares your concern,” he said, explaining how signage delineating areas with heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic would be cheaper than curb work to narrow the streets and reduce vehicle speeds.
Attorney Mark Hamilton announced that Town staff is beginning drought planning for the summer, which is “happening much earlier than it has before.” Town Manager Ryan Hyland stated that the new U.S. Forest Service building will soon open to the public with a ceremony in the works for First Friday, Feb. 6.
Town Clerk Patrick Thibault then revealed the candidates for April’s municipal election: Colin Laird, Chris Hassig, Joanne Teeple and Kade Gianinetti will compete for three trustee seats; Erica Sparhawk and Patricia Savoy are running for mayor.
The meeting proceeded with an update from the Carbondale Aquatics Center team. Tammy Tucker, representing Wember (the owner’s rep), told trustees, “The likelihood of spending all of the contingency is diminishing.” In other good news, Aquatics and Health & Wellness Coordinator Brian Froelich announced the project received a $25,000 grant from the El Pomar Foundation, bringing the fundraising total to over $2,114,000. AD Miller will soon begin plastering the pool surfaces under heated tents and landscaping will be installed this spring.
Trustees then heard a WE-cycle update from Executive Director Mirte Mallory and System Director Jack Dimmit. According to their data, Carbondale’s network has seen 6,732 riders complete over 152,000 trips since opening on Aug. 1, 2023, with 99% of trips under 30 minutes. Carbondale’s Park and Ride is the third busiest WE-cycle station in the Valley. WE-cycle looks to install a new station this year, likely near the Third Street Center. A consolidated base plate design could increase existing stations’ capacity by 50%. Carbondale will also debut a QR code system for unlocking bikes.
Next up, Emily Williams with Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) presented on 2025 successes and a work plan for 2026. CLEER is contracted to support the Town’s Path to Net Zero goals. CLEER is developing a rebate program making use of $94,000 in funds collected from builder fees associated with high energy demands. Among Williams’ announcements, a turf replacement program championed by Bee Friendly Carbondale and the Environmental Board will not return because most properties applying were on ditch water and ineligible.
Lastly, Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative Executive Director Angie Davlyn, data collector Nick Sparling and Fire Chief Rob Goodwin updated trustees on a wildfire risk modeling project for Carbondale. Dr. Hussam Mahmoud with Vanderbilt University has developed a tool for predicting wildfire behaviour that has so far been implemented in Marble, Snowmass Village and parts of Glenwood Springs.
“Wildfire is no longer a forest problem, it’s a problem of our urban environment,” said Davlyn. “We are less worried that wildfire is going to rip through the Forest Service area. We are very worried that fire is going to come through Carbondale and just start spreading home to home.”
With $100,000 already committed from the Town of Carbondale, as well as $50,000 from the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD), data will be collected about structures within Carbondale and the surrounding area, including Missouri Heights County Road 100 and Aspen Glen. This canvassing will help CRFPD with proactive resiliency planning, as well as the designation of evacuation routes given a variety of scenarios. Community outreach will begin in February.
Goodwin also announced that CRFPD is standing up a wildland fire division this year.