This week, the Basalt Town Council convened to discuss both a petition against the Midland Streetscape Project as well as some exciting new events coming this summer.
Mayor Kane was absent during the meeting, so Councilor David Knight took his place leading proceedings.
The meeting opened with a period for public comment during which several residents from the Twin River condominiums returned to critique the lighting fixtures installed on the Midland Spur. Residents of the condominiums on the spur complain that the commercial-style lights for the expanded parking lot shine into their homes, and although the Town has mitigated the brightness through the use of shields, the residents continue to push to switch to lower light poles, more reminiscent of the area’s historic character.
Afterwards, Councilor Elyse Hottel voiced her distress about three trees that were recently cut down just outside of Town Hall. While the identity of the vandal is still unknown, Town Manager Ryan Mahoney stated that the incident has been investigated and new trees are coming.
Midland petition
Town Attorney Jeff Conklin provided an update on the petition submitted in December of 2023 for the Town to reconsider its plans for the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project. The petition underwent a mandatory review process, during which many collected signatures were considered invalid for reasons such as being collected outside the appropriate time window, being collected from ineligible voters and being collected in a disassembled packet — meaning a signature sheet was separate from the affidavit. After this process, it was determined that the petition does not have a sufficient number of signatures to proceed to the Council for review.
However, there is a state statute which allows petitioners to submit supplemental signatures and corrections to signatures already taken. The Town notified the petitioners of this, who took advantage of the statute. Even still, it was found that there was an insufficient number of signatures for the petition to proceed.
Luckily for the petitioners, Colorado has another statute which allows them to request a protest hearing during which evidence can be presented against the Town’s determination that certain signatures were ineligible. They have requested this protest hearing and the Council made a motion to appoint a hearing officer.
Should, after the hearing, the petition make its way to the Council, Conklin stated that the timing is such that the Council can decide either to attach it to the upcoming general election in April or hold a special election afterwards.
In other news …
There were three brief presentations at this meeting, the first by Ali Naaseh-Shahry of YouthZone, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local families with youth between 6 and 18. In 2023, YouthZone served 17 clients, some of whom were directed to the nonprofit by Basalt public schools due to lack of resources there. Conklin praised YouthZone for being a tremendous resource for juvenile defendants in the municipal court system and voiced his gratitude for their services.
Next up, Planning Director Michelle Thibeault presented briefly on 2024’s summer concert series. After last year’s hugely successful season, this year’s series will expand to include smaller, more intimate shows every other Friday at Triangle Park starting May 31. In addition, a whole day of music and a boat parade have been planned for July 6 (scheduled just after the holiday so as not to interfere with local parades). However, this event is still yet to be named, so clever Basaltians should submit their best ideas to the Town’s Facebook page.
Town Engineer Catherine Christoff provided the Midland Avenue Streetscape update and highlighted some business-support initiatives and events planned during the construction season. Midland Money, a town voucher program used last summer, will be making a return this year. In addition, the Sunday Market will be back home this year on the new and improved Midland Spur. Between that and the summer concert series, Town staff hopes visitors will continue to be attracted to Midland as renovations resume. Furthermore, Christoff pointed citizens to “Let’s Talk Basalt,” a website where one can sign up for weekly construction updates. Visit www.letstalk.basalt.net for more information.