Briefs Crested Butte

Request to grow food on a town lot
Chris Sullivan of the Urban Agriculture Program of the Paradise Food Project asked the Crested Butte Town Council on Monday, February 7 if they would be interested in having some food grown on town property. Sullivan’s group last summer converted a lawn at First and Gothic into a 2,800-square-foot garden farm and produced 500 pounds of food. Much of that produce was donated to local food banks.

“We want to make a presentation to the council explaining the concept and ask to use some land located over by the Paradise affordable home area and recreation path,” he said. “There are issues like electricity and water that need to be worked out but we think it can work.”
The council was receptive to the idea but asked Sullivan to make a formal proposal to town manager Susan Parker before coming to the council.

Council gives Art Festival money for business promotion
The council awarded the Crested Butte Arts Festival $1,250 to expand their event brochure to tout local businesses. The festival’s executive director Diana Ralston said some businesses had complained that the festival actually hurts their business so this was a way to help showcase businesses beyond the tents.
“We want to try to get the 12,000 people who come into the valley for that weekend into more of the local businesses,” she explained as she asked for a $2,500 contribution.
“I sat on the service grant subcommittee and it was a tough year,” said councilperson Dan Escalante, “so I can’t go with the full request amount. I’m thinking $1,250.”
There were some concerns voiced that instead of throwing money at the situation, more adjustments could be made for the businesses. But in the end, all the council people said they understood the value of the Arts Festival and approved the request.

Hashing out MMJ changes
The council will hold a work session on the continuing medical marijuana ordinance. The state is getting ready to announce its regulations and the council wants to make sure the town and the state are on the same page. They are moving toward allowing transfer of local permits to fall in line with state regulations but will continue to debate other changes that might be needed in the near future.

Ready to fund more Kochevar open space
The council is moving toward officially purchasing more of the Kochevar Open Space property. The town will release $400,000 in open space funds to buy the next phase of the project.
We can all be friends
Councilperson Dan Escalante wants to make nicey-nice with his council counterparts in Mt. Crested Butte. He’d like to see a resolution stating that the two towns work together. Mayor Leah Williams liked the idea and said she would approach Mt. Crested Butte mayor William Buck about joining hands in more fruitful efforts of mutual benefit.

Sales tax revenue increase
Sales tax revenues for December in Crested Butte were up 4.3 percent. That made 2010 up .8 percent for the year over sales tax in 2009. “That is good news,” said town finance director Lois Rozman. “Overall, the staff kept expenses down and continued to provide great service. They are doing a great job. We’ll pull less out of reserves than we had anticipated.”