A dividing wall partitioned the Town Hall meeting room in preparation for receiving 20 newcomer refugees from the 60 sheltered at the Third Street Center. All trustees were present, minus Erica Sparhawk.
The unanimously approved consent agenda included accounts payable, designation of www.carbondalegov.org as the primary place for posting public meeting agendas, a special event liquor license for The Sopris Sun’s Cabin Fever Winetasting fundraiser at the Thompson Barn on Feb. 8, liquor license renewals for the Carbondale Clay Center, Plosky’s and Carbondale Arts, and previous meeting minutes.
Several members of the public addressed the trustees with general comments. First, Bob Myers aired concerns about management of events at the Gus Darien Arena, a topic which was visited later in detail. Richard Vottero spoke to the changes slated for the Forest Service building, saying “historic downtown Carbondale is a pretty magical place” compared with new construction on Highway 133, and that the new Forest Service building will “meld the two together, which is not a good thing.” Kevin Woodward asked for more information of the Town’s response to the recent influx of migrants, also a topic addressed later in detail.
During her general comment, Town Manager Lauren Gister stated that the schematic design for the new pool is taking into account the loss of mature trees on the Forest Service property and considering a smaller building to save the neighboring trees.
Town Center
The first big action item involved an update from the project team working on an affordable-housing concept for the donated land surrounding the Thunder River Theatre. The first phase of Town Center is slated for 39 residential units and around 2,000 square feet of commercial space. The purpose of the update was to authorize submission of a tax credit financing application to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority before a Feb. 1 deadline.
With minor changes to the design presented on Dec. 12, 2023 — primarily focused on the corner of 6th Street and Colorado Avenue, as well as vegetation along 6th Street and opportunities for public art — the concept was well-received and authorized to advance for a funding application.
Regarding the height of the buildings, the project team stated firmly that their preference is to stick with the 35-foot limit, in accordance with community feedback. Alternative compliance with the code will be sought to have residential units on the first floor bordering 6th Street.
Other business
Trustees next considered a second extension on the deadline for completion of public improvements surrounding the new storage facility under construction near the Park and Ride. The extension was unanimously granted, with Mayor Ben Bohmfalk requesting the sidewalk between the Park and Ride and Garcia’s Market be opened as soon as possible. The applicant, Eastwood 133, LCC, was not present.
Then, the process began for possibly annexing into town limits a small property belonging to Richard and Kathryn Camp and Terrance McGuire. This undeveloped 1,700-square-foot parcel — 111 Main Street — is on the eastern end of town and currently zoned rural in Garfield County. McGuire intends to activate a food truck at the site in the tradition of Johnny McGuire’s Deli, formerly located in Aspen.
Special Events Task Force
Parks and Rec Director Eric Brendlinger then gave an overview of 2024 events on Town properties, as determined by the Special Events Task Force. Find the complete list, which was approved, at www.bit.ly/2024CdaleEvents
The greatest source of contention is use of the Gus Darien Arena, which is a Carbondale property surrounded by Garfield County land. The post-COVID surge in Carbondale Wild West Rodeo (CWWR) popularity led to many meetings with neighbors and an impact mitigation plan implemented last year, including a shuttle service from the Orchard Church. However, because Carbondale lacks jurisdiction over County Road 100 and the neighboring streets, enforcement of parking rules fell on Garfield County and remained a problem.
Bohmfalk moved the meeting along by acknowledging CWWR events will not begin for about five months and subsequent meetings with Garfield County have been planned. In addition to the CWWR, there will be two jaripeo/Mexican rodeo events at the location in 2024.
Newcomer response
The meeting concluded with a detailed update from Gister regarding the next phase of Carbondale’s response to the sudden influx of undocumented and unhoused migrants, mostly from Venezuela.
Two new shelter sites will be opening in the next week or so: Town Hall and the Community United Methodist Church on 2nd Street. Each site will receive about 20 people and the Third Street Center will cease to operate as a shelter. Unregistered vehicles will be moved to the dirt lot surrounding the Thunder River Theatre and, after a few days’ grace period, the camping ban will be enforced. A temporary employee was hired to operate the shelters, and a security officer will remain under contract to patrol both sites.
Week-night meals are already being served at Crystal River Elementary School, and Gister was directed to continue leaning on volunteer support for breakfasts and weekend meals, considering the high cost of providing those through March.
“The minute we get the other two shelters open, we’re going to be talking about how to wind them down,” Gister stated.
The trustees’ public work session on Jan. 16 at Town Hall at 6pm will be dedicated to this topic. Find further updates here: www.bit.ly/CdaleNewcomers