Briefs Crested Butte

Council to revisit elk limitation support
The Crested Butte Town Council will look again at its position on the Gunnison Stockgrowers Association proposal for limited elk licensing in game management units 54, 55 and 551.

When originally approached by the Stockgrowers for support last February, the council jumped on board without a lot of debate, in an effort to support local ranching. But several tourism-related businesses have spoken out against the proposal since then, saying it will keep hunters away in droves and thus hurt the local economy.
Crested Butte business owner Nick Danni of Shades of Crested Butte and Mountain Tops t-shirts asked the council Tuesday, August 4 to rethink their support of the proposal. He wanted a chance to present his side of the issue and show the council that tourism could be dramatically affected if the Stockgrower proposal is implemented.
“We feel this would have a detrimental impact on the economy,” he said. “I’d like you to withdraw your letter of support and let our side get on the agenda to show our arguments.”
He said the Colorado Department of Wildlife will make a decision on the issue September 10 and that decision could be in place for five years.
Mayor Alan Bernholtz suggested both sides of the issue be invited to make their case in front of the council at the next meeting. “Let’s give them ten minutes each, consider their points and revisit the issue.”
Councilperson Skip Berkshire said the council might be in over its head on the matter. “This is a very complex subject and both sides have strong arguments,” he said. “I think we should simply encourage the wildlife commission to work with both sides to find a compromise. We really aren’t smart enough, I think, to deal with this issue.”
The rest of the council thought that might be the case, so that will be one option at the next meeting.

Petitions being picked up
So far five petitions have been taken out for the open town council seats. The election is November 3 but petitions must be completed and returned by August 24. Current councilmember Leah William has drawn a petition to run for the mayor’s seat. Jay Harris, Megan Clark, Phoebe Wilson and an anonymous person have picked up petitions to run for council. As of Tuesday afternoon, no one had turned a petition back to the town clerk.
 
School is cool
The council received an update on the school expansion. While debating the tightness of some warranties that are still not signed, the council is comfortable with the guarantees provided by the contractors and architects.
Mike Archibold of the Blythe Group, the architects on the expansion project, told the council everything was moving on schedule at the project. He said the sod would be laid in the next couple weeks at the Tommy V baseball field.
Councilperson Reed Betz asked what would happen to any money that comes in under budget in the project… a distinct possibility at the moment. School district superintendent Jon Nelson said any additional money could be used to enhance or repair the current site, it could be refunded to the taxpayers, or it could be used on other overruns associated with the project.
“The board has committed that the dollars stay with the project so if there is any money left, it would likely stay in Crested Butte,” Nelson said.
“Our experience with these kind of projects is that the money will disappear quickly,” warned Bernholtz. “I wouldn’t count on a big refund.”

Foothills and more Foothills
The council set the official sketch plan public hearing for the proposed Foothills of Crested Butte annexation for September 14 at 5:30 p.m. They are allocating two to three hours for presentations and public comments. The council will then hold a private executive session “retreat” to discuss the proposal on September 21 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Gems
The council will get a half hour presentation at the August 17 meeting on the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign. County campaign coordinator Wendy McDermott will explain the program to the council. At the moment, four pieces of potential wilderness are being looked at in Gunnison County.

BBQ bucks
The council is leaning toward allocating $800 from the Venture Fund for a barbeque dinner with a leadership conference coming to Crested Butte from Park City, Utah September 9-13.
Led by former Crested Butte town planner Myles Rademan, the group will be in the county for four days to meet, greet, learn and share ideas with local movers and shakers. The towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte will put on a Friday night barbeque for 100 people and the cost will be split between the two towns.
Mayor Bernholtz balked at the barbeque cost, given the shaky economic times. The rest of the council felt it was appropriate money to be spent. It will be formally allocated at the next meeting.
“We are cutting funding to non-profits so it isn’t easy to give this money away,” said Bernholtz. “What are we going to get for $800? Can’t we go to a Colorado Association of Ski Towns meeting and get the same information but cheaper?”
Town planner John Hess said the Park City crew could provide insight into issues similar to what’s being debated in Crested Butte like a potential mine and proposed Snodgrass ski expansion.
“Throwing in $800 for 100 people is only eight bucks a person,” said Berkshire. “It doesn’t strike me as exorbitant. We could learn some good things and it’s neighborly. It’s a no-brainer.”
The funding discussion will continue at the next meeting.

Governor coming to Rainbow
Governor Bill Ritter will be in Crested Butte on Friday, August 21 for a town hall-style meeting. He will speak at Rainbow Park pavilion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come by and talk politics with the state’s head elected official.