All trustees were present during the regular meeting on Jan. 23, with Luis Yllanes joining by Zoom. The meeting began with swift approval of the consent agenda, which included appointment of Allison Cryns to the Bike, Pedestrian and Trails Commission; an annual scope of work for the bikeshare program with the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, and First/Last Mile Grant covering $72,815 of the costs; special event liquor licenses for the Carbondale Historical Society and Colorado Mountain College; and a change of manager at Carbondale Beer Works — for the purposes of the liquor license — from Patrice Fuller to Kelly Snyder.
General comments
During updates from trustees, Marty Silverstein announced that the team planning the new pool presented initial designs to the tree board, and “what they proposed was the most feasible way to help the trees while maintaining the budget.” With more discussion on the topic to be had, Silverstein said he’s encouraging them to be transparent with the public regarding the trees.
Town Manager Lauren Gister began her update with bad news.
With the accumulation of snow and ice melting on the roof of Town Hall, a number of leaks have appeared, likely from hail damage. An insurance adjuster was scheduled to visit, with major work predicted. “If you see buckets catching drips, that’s what that’s about,” Gister said.
She went on to announce that the two new shelters are now active, each hosting 20 newcomer migrants.
One was audibly active through the dividing wall in Town Hall’s meeting room. Dinners are being served at the Crystal River Elementary School, with the school district preparing food five nights a week.
Volunteers are providing dinners on weekends at the same location, and grab-and-go breakfasts at Town Hall each morning.
All cars are parked next to Thunder River Theatre, with a few people sleeping in them, and the Third Street Center has been officially cleared out as of Jan. 19.
Town Center commitment
Moving on to action items, Andrew Michaelson with Artspace asked for a letter of support and commitment for a Colorado Housing and Finance Authority application due Feb.1; asking for 9% tax credit financing for the Town Center development.
In order to achieve a balanced budget for the project, trustees were asked to commit $1 million from the 2025 budget. At least three units of the 39-unit project would be reserved for Town employees.
Mayor Ben Bohmfalk asked about the Town’s total contribution so far. In addition to the land, Gister said it’s been $650,000 in predevelopment costs, about half of which has been paid by grants so far.
The letter of support passed unanimously.
Finance policy
Finance Director Christy Chicoine then presented two finance policy resolutions. The first, a procurement policy, was suggested based on federal standards. The policy was drafted to avoid overburdening staff while meeting compliance.
For purchases above $20,000 (or $10,000 with federal grants) three quotes must be acquired. Projects over $100,000 will go through a competitive bidding process, with some exceptions.
Next, a new fund balance policy was proposed, allowing the Town to dip to 70% of the most current approved budgeted expenses — excluding one-time transfers and capital projects — for general fund reserves and 80% for the recreation fund.
Bohmfalk pointed to Basalt’s policy being a 40% minimum fund balance, and Eagle informally at 25%.
Trustee Lani Kitching remarked that other municipalities in the Colorado Association of Ski Towns have no reserves. “I think we’re doing extremely well being prudent,” she said.
Silverstein strongly recommended maintaining unallocated reserve funds. “I’m not opposed to 70% at all,” he said. However, “I can’t live with Basalt’s 40%.” The two months of operating costs standard would be 16%.
Both policies were unanimously approved and Chicoine received accolades for making strategic moves around earning interest and responsibly managing the Town’s finances.
Pickleball
The biggest item of the evening was a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Roaring Fork Pickleball Association (RFPA) which approached Parks and Rec requesting permission to build three additional courts on public park land, financed by RFPA. Currently, there are six designated pickleball courts.
RFPA’s original MOU reserves 28 hours of exclusive use each week for RFPA members: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The MOU also allows for two tournaments per year.
There was contention around the neighboring three tennis courts, painted to serve as pickleball courts as well. Those fall outside the MOU and are always open to anybody on a first-come, first-served basis. However, RFPA overflow has used those courts with some conflicts, as suggested by several emails to the board of trustees and one public comment during the meeting.
Asked by one member of the public about the sound impacts on neighbors, Parks and Rec Director Eric Brendlinger said, “we have not gotten noise complaints” but the MOU requires sound mitigation on the southern end of the new courts.
It was approved 6-1, with Silvertein voting against. The MOU will remain in effect for five years, with annual reviews. At the end of the five years, it may be adjusted or terminated.
The meeting concluded with an executive session for the town manager’s annual review.
Election
Seven aspiring trustees turned in their petitions by Monday for three open seats. The candidates (in no particular order) are: Jess Robison, April Spaulding, Katie Tabor, Susan Rhea, Christina Montemayor, Nicholas DiFrank and Ross Kribbs. The Sopris Sun will be coordinating with other local media to host a candidate forum on Wednesday, March 20.