Tuesday’s meeting lasted nearly four hours with an already packed agenda on top of nearly an hour of public comment on a topic not on the agenda. All trustees were present.
The topic in question was a resolution brought forth by the local Ceasefire Now group demanding an immediate end to the U.S.-backed war in Gaza, including the release of all Israeli hostages. Twenty people spoke on the issue, with several chiming in via Zoom from communities on the Front Range. The controversy was on full display, with exactly half the speakers in support of the resolution, which Glenwood Springs City Council adopted last month. The other half opposed the Town taking a stance on international policy.
“If you were to pass this,” Niki Delson warned, “it would be one of the most divisive things you could do in the Town of Carbondale.”
Jessica Richardson, who is also Jewish, stated: “Jewish people do not deserve a separate colonialist ethnostate enacting violence in our name. Jewish people deserve to be safe wherever we are in the world.”
Members of the Ceasefire Now group expressed frustration with contacting state and federal representatives without response. “We’re here as locals because we don’t have any other options,” said Maya Hunt of Glenwood Springs. Although tense, the exchange remained respectful.
According to an online tool (bit.ly/CeasefireResolutions), more than 100 U.S. cities and tribal nations have passed similar resolutions. One speaker said the issue with these resolutions is leaving Hamas in power to conduct “another genocidal attack” on Israel.
The trustees opted not to put the resolution on a future agenda. “I don’t think it’s appropriate,” said Marty Silverstein. “Our purview is the Town of Carbondale, and that’s what we should stay focused on.”
Moving ahead with local issues, trustee Lani Kitching gave the update that Garfield County’s detox facility in Glenwood Springs is now slated to open on May 8. Town Manager Lauren Gister said that the Town will receive a planning grant from the state to help make text amendments to the Unified Development Code based on updates to the comprehensive plan, in addition to other improvements like digitized files and new software for affordable housing applications.
Bodegón, the new Argentine restaurant on fourth street, received a liquor license approval after a heartfelt appeal. “The only thing we need is to be able to pair our delicious food with some good wine,” said co-owner Lucas De Cesco.
In other actions, HQ Sopris LLC received approval for retail marijuana store license and retail marijuana manufacturing facility ownership transfers to Consciously Crafted LCC, based in Denver. This came after a change to the code allowing nonresidents of Carbondale to own marijuana facilities in town, so long as they have a local agent.
Then, 5Point Film Festival received a liquor license for its flagship event at the Carbondale Rec Center, April 23-28. Luis Yllanes, executive director of 5Point and town trustee, recused himself.
Trustees were then faced with setting precedent, hearing an appeal of a staff determination to prohibit a short-term rental license. Morgan Williams, owner of a home within town limits on the edge of Satank, was determined to be in violation of a short-term license and building and zoning codes due to the conversion of a storage loft into a bedroom and inclusion of a kitchenette which he called a wet bar after removing cooking appliances.
Williams cooperated diligently with the Town to bring his unit back into compliance, but was denied by staff a short-term rental permit for all of 2024.
“This punishment seems arbitrary and capricious,” Williams said, emphasizing a potential loss of $40,000 in income, while also admitting fault.
After some dialogue, trustees decided to set the standard at a 90-day license suspension after conditions have been rectified, inspected and approved — for a first offense.
The next hot topic was an ordinance amending the Unified Development Code in reference to impervious lot coverage. Although a public hearing was conducted on Feb. 13, Mayor Ben Bohmfalk allowed for additional comments from members of the public who had only recently caught wind of the vote. Each spoke about the impacts that one change relating to pervious pavers would have on their projects in River Valley Ranch, several far along the design process.
Rather than create a grace period for these projects or go back to the drawing board, Bohmfalk suggested omitting one change which would have removed an item from the code stating: “Up to 10% of the pervious surface required … may be used for improvements such as parking, driveways and walkways if a manufactured pervious paving system is used.”
Content with that suggestion, trustees approved the code amendment with the exception of keeping that item in the code.
Moving right along, trustees heard from Travis Gleason, co-founder of the Downtowner on-demand transportation service currently operating in Basalt and Aspen. Trustees considered a proposal for a six-month trial in Carbondale for a budgeted $181,500 to be matched by the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA).
Trustee Chris Hassig expressed concern that, once implemented, it will be difficult to undo this service without public pushback. Gister stated that RFTA is working with Downtowner for Valley-wide branding and a standard app.
With five votes in favor and Yllanes and Kitching voting against, a contract will be presented at a future meeting. If approved, the service would be available for free from 7am to 10pm, Monday through Friday, beginning in July.
Chip and seal contracts were rapidly approved, as well as acceptance of public infrastructure and release of the $235,590 security for Builders FirstSource with a warranty period — though Hassig voted against this without giving reason. A license agreement with RFTA was approved for water and sewer lines crossing the Rio Grande Trail to connect with Sopris Lodge. Trustee and mayor compensation increases were also approved, setting the salary of the mayor at $2,000 per month and salary of trustees at $1,200 — which will come into effect after the election and only for newly-elected trustees.
Last but not least, Parks and Rec returned with a schematic design for the new pool including “add alternates” which bring the project back into budget at $11.6 million. This still necessitates a $1.6 million fundraising goal to supplement the bond money acquired through a public vote. In the best case scenario, the project will be completed by July 25, 2025. Find details, including renderings, at: www.carbondaleconnect.org/carbondale-aquatics-center
Next week’s work session, March 19, will focus on winding down services for newcomer migrants, with weekday dinners concluding March 22 when the schools go on spring break.
