Briefs Crested Butte Town Council

Town requiring carbon monoxide detectors
Last winter, Crested Butte town councilman Dan Escalante had a close call with carbon monoxide poisoning while on a trip to Telluride. In Aspen, a Colorado family was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning while vacationing. Since last winter, Escalante has been working with the town of Crested Butte to tighten up rules requiring carbon monoxide detectors in town. In the meantime, the state has passed a law requiring such detectors in certain dwellings.

Monday, the council agreed to hold a public hearing on June 15 to discuss an ordinance that would require detectors in all rental units within six months or when there is a change in tenants, whichever is first. This is stricter than the law passed by the state that goes into effect next month. The state ordinance requires detectors be put only in single-family and multi-family units and it becomes effective in existing rental units upon change of tenancy.
Escalante said he received an email from a local property management company and they want to make sure everyone is aware of the new requirements.
A public hearing on Ordinance No. 8 will be held at the June 15 council meeting.

Sales tax down again
April sales tax numbers are in for the town and they are down 25 percent compared to 2008. Bars, restaurants and lodging all took a hit of at least 35 percent. The ski area closed earlier in 2009 than in 2008 so that impacted the amount of sales tax collected in April. The amount went from $91,893 to $69,366. For the year, sales tax is down 14 percent compared to 2008.

Butte Bucks get the go-ahead
The council allocated $7,500 for a summer Butte Bucks program. The program will be funneled through the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce, which will facilitate the program. People can purchase $100 of Butte Bucks for $80. Those bucks all have to be spent at participating local businesses. The Chamber hopes to start selling the bucks June 15 and they all must be spent by Labor Day. The town of Mt. Crested Butte is on-line to throw $2,500 into the program. Mayor Alan Bernholtz said he appreciated the simplicity and impact of the program that should spur $50,000 in local shopping.

Summer is so special…
The council approved several special events permits and liquor licenses for summer events. The Chamber of Commerce received the okay to hold events on the Fourth of July.
The Crested Butte Society got the okay for the Arts Festival to be held August 1-2. The festival will also be selling alcohol this year.
The Land Trust got the nod to close the 100-block of Elk Avenue for a wine tasting event July 24. Last year all the wine and food festival events were held in Mt. Crested Butte, so the council was grateful to see the event on Elk. Event organizer Margaret Ebeling said downtown restaurants have responded positively to the event, especially since it will finish by 8 p.m.
“I may be right or wrong, but I think having events on Elk Avenue brings people to Elk Avenue,” said Bernholtz.
Councilperson Kimberly Metsch thanked the event sponsors for all working toward better recycling practices.

Shed issues
Some members of Town Council will get together this week with members of the Crested Butte Nordic Council and look for an appropriate spot to place a shed the skinny skiers rescued from the old Peanut Mine site. The shed is intended to be used to house the Nordic snowcat groomer.
One site is located near First Street and Beckwith. The other primary site is located at the Second Street entrance to the Nordic Center. Both have issues with topography, neighbors or history. The council will revisit the issue after the site visit.

Comment to county
Council agreed to send a letter to the Gunnison County Commissioners recommending they approve a request by local developer Ted Colvin for a boundary line adjustment on his property located next to the Whetstone Business Park. Colvin wants five lots on the nine-acre parcel. The nine acres are within the town’s Area Plan, so council felt they should send a letter.

Town code update, signs and fees
Revisions in the town codes are now available online at the town website or a hard copy can be viewed at the town clerk’s office.
Council reduced the special event fees for things like Alpenglow and the Farmer’s Market that have multiple events in a calendar year. They also will adjust the sign ordinance to allow freestanding signs for events.