Briefs Crested Butte

Sales tax up up up!
Sales tax continues its big climb in Crested Butte. August sales tax was up 11.2 percent. “That was an all-time record for August,” pointed out town finance director Lois Rozman. “It’s the biggest August ever for Crested Butte. And we still have some people that need to report.” For the year, town sales tax is up 8 percent.

Trashy trash talk
Consideration of two bids hoping to land the town’s residential trash and recycling contract got interesting. Waste Management and Intermountain Waste Recycling of the Roaring Fork Valley submitted bids. The council saw initial information two weeks ago but wanted more questions answered before awarding the bid.
At the Monday, October 3 meeting, town manager Susan Parker recommended the town give the contract to Waste Management. That firm was charging $18.52 per household per month compared to Intermountain’s bid of $22.26.
There was some discussion over council questions from the last meeting concerning where the trash and recycling was hauled and what the bid proposal details really meant. The council however, was instructed by Parker to not ask questions of the firm representatives and instead direct questions through the town manager.
When Parker on Monday couldn’t provide answers to some of Councilman Jim Schmidt’s questions, he said he wasn’t prepared to vote on the matter. As other questions arose and Parker attempted to respond, Intermountain owner Scott Eden became agitated. Finally he exploded that Parker’s answers and characterization of his company’s bid to the council were “patently false. Just go ahead and give it to them,” he said.
Williams told him his behavior was not appropriate and that both parties had submitted bid documents that the staff has reviewed. “It’s been a very awkward, difficult situation,” she said.
“I agree,” said Eden.
Williams called for a vote and the council approved a motion directing Parker to negotiate specifics of a contract with Waste Management. Schmidt and Councilperson Reed Betz voted against that motion.

Budget includes staff raises
The council is moving ahead with the budget that includes an increase in water fees and a slight raise for town employees. The budget includes a 5 percent increase in health benefit expenditures and a 2 percent increase in salaries. The council felt the town staff deserved the increases but weren’t overly enthusiastic about granting the increase.
“I know it’s tough but any raise doesn’t reflect the reality of what people are experiencing in this valley or the country,” said Councilperson Dan Escalante. “There are times we can do things and times we can’t. This still might be a time we can’t give raises.”
“The medical is going up 10 percent so the employees will have to absorb this no matter what,” said Mayor Leah Williams. “There will be an impact to the staff. Two percent is barely a cost of living increase. We have a professional, dedicated staff and because of the staff we have healthy reserves that are keeping the town running.”
“The 2 percent is probably $900 on average and it will likely be wiped out by the medical increase,” said Lois Rozman.
“I too think the staff is incredible,” said Escalante. “They do a great job. But these are hard times for people.”
“I’m comfortable with the 2 percent,” said Councilperson Jim Schmidt. “We are up 8 percent in sales tax and that helps and hopefully will continue.”
“I’m making less money now than at any time in my 14 years here,” said Councilperson John Wirsing. “I hope the staff appreciates the 2 percent. It’s huge compared to what a lot of people are seeing here. People are struggling to make it.”

And the council wants a raise too…
The council asked the staff to look at starting the process of giving the council a raise. Currently council members receive $300 per month and the mayor rakes in $600 per month. Betz pushed for a 2 percent increase. Schmidt suggested raising the salaries to $400 for the council and $800 for the mayor. No sitting council people could receive the raise. Williams suggested the new council keep it on the radar. It will be discussed further at the October 17 meeting.

MMJ revisions
The council is looking at tweaking the medical marijuana ordinance. The changes will bring the town into line with state regulations. It will also allow five permits in the town. Currently there are three operating permits. Grow operations and infused product manufacturing will be prohibited under the proposed ordinance.

Vinotok no frat party and… Do bears Tweet?
Chief Marshal Tom Martin told the council that the 2011 Vinotok was a good one. “It went great,” he said. “It had a tourist/festive flavor to it. There was definitely alcohol but sometimes it feels like a frat party where no one respects the town. This didn’t have that feel. The fire was great and manageable. And while it was a crazy, busy night for the police, it was a success this year.”
In other marshal news, Martin pondered if bears social network. “Since we put down the problem bear about two or three weeks ago, the bear problems in town have disappeared,” he said. “I don’t know if bears Twitter or what, but since that time, we haven’t had any bear problems.”
Low altitude concerns
The council will ask the federal government to enter an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) process and try some test flights in response to a proposal to make this part of the country, including Gunnison County, an area for low altitude military test flights out of Cannon Air Force base in New Mexico.
“It’s important to understand the need for such military training but we need to protect our quality of life,” said Williams.
High Country Citizens’ Alliance public lands director Matt Reed said there were still a lot of unknowns in the low altitude training proposal. “I’d request that you guys ask for an EIS,” he suggested.
“I appreciate the protection but a lot of people move up here because there isn’t a big military presence,” said councilperson Phoebe Wilson.
“While they indicate they’ll try to avoid ski areas, all of the mountains around here are our ski area, given the backcountry access,” said Wirsing. “It’s not just where the lifts are.”
“I’ve spoken with CBMR’s Tim Mueller and he has voiced some concerns as well,” said town planner John Hess.
The staff and mayor will craft a letter to send to the Air Force and present their concerns at an October 13 public hearing to be held at Western State College in Gunnison. Comments are due by November 5.

Farmers Market update
Jennifer McGruther updated the council on the Crested Butte Farmers Market. She gave some background and said the market was a model for other farmers markets in the region, especially with some of the charitable elements associated with the market such as the Crested Butte Real Food Bank. “We want to be a premier farmers market,” she said. “We did a recent survey and found people are extending their stays or even coming in specifically for the farmers market.”
She also said based on the survey of customers, the Sunday morning event brings in significant business to other Elk Avenue establishments. “A lot of the people said they wouldn’t even come downtown on Sundays if it wasn’t for the farmers market,” she said.