Briefs Crested Butte

Better holiday lights and a big fire?
Councilperson Jim Schmidt requested that the council and staff consider upgrading the holiday lights in town for next year. An Alpine Express bus driver, Schmidt said his passengers are wowed by the Gunnison lights and underwhelmed by the Crested Butte show.

“We as a staff would like to see it upgraded as well but it has been a matter of budget and priority,” explained town manager Susan Parker. “It could cost as much as $30,000 to hook up lights to all the lampposts. But we will certainly look into it.”
Schmidt also suggested the town consider reviving a tradition from his childhood where the town burned all the discarded Christmas trees in January. “Setting a pile of Christmas trees on fire would be pretty fun and a good attraction,” he said. “It would be a really big bonfire and everyone loves a big fire.”
“Wintertok?” asked councilperson John Wirsing. “I like it.”
So did the rest of the council members.
Parker said the staff would look into that possibility as well but said town safety officials might have a few issues and concerns with the idea.
    
Skip’s view and voices in his head
Former councilperson Skip Berkshire is becoming a regular fixture at meetings during the public comment period. He made an appearance January 3. “Once again I lost the argument with the other voices in my head,” he told the council. “So hear me out.”
Speaking of the controversial affordable housing fee debate, Berkshire admitted the council he was on could have “set the fee higher. We could have also looked at it on an annual basis and adjusted the fee appropriately. But it’s a tough pill to swallow with the numbers being discussed,” he said. “Commercial businesses are already beat up. Under state law, they pay roughly five times the amount of property tax than residential owners. That’s tough. And I haven’t heard much discussion in this debate about providing affordable rental housing. Owning a home isn’t a right. There is nothing wrong with renting. If a person makes $13,000 a year, you shouldn’t own a home. You should rent. The council should put rentals in its affordable housing plan.”
Berkshire also indicated that it sounded like the Sixth Street Station developers weren’t getting a fair shake on its latest application. “They have played the game from the get-go,” he said. “They helped craft a pretty good timeshare ordinance with the town. Think about reversing the tables. They played the game for two or three years and then the rules get changed. Think about how you’d feel. You wouldn’t like it. It’s not perfect but this proposal is an integrated development that has been well processed.”

Ice impacts
Parks and Recreation director Jake Jones informed the council that the new Big Mine Ice Arena was open and operating. The warm temperatures prohibited a grand grand opening but the kids and town league players are hitting the ice. “Strange is the new normal when it comes to the weather, apparently,” Jones said.
He did point out that the town would be hosting Bantam and Midget hockey teams that drew in about 60 families to the town. He said he worked with local lodges to get discount hockey rates for the visiting families.

Alley Loop
The council approved the special event permit for the Alley Loop. The event is scheduled for February 4 and the town normally hauls in snow for the Elk Avenue start. Snow is looking thin this year. Public works director Rodney Due promised his crew would do whatever it takes to get the job done. “It may cost more money and more manpower but we’ll do what we have to do,” he said. “I think it will work out. It always does.”

Wasted
The council approved a new contract with Waste Management for refuse and recycling collection. The five-year pact includes seven new solar compactor kiosks. It also promises a high-end recycling program. Customers will be charged $18.52 a month.
Flaming Gorge
The council will consider a letter of opposition regarding a proposed Flaming Gorge Pipeline project. Jeremy Rubingh of “Protect the Flows” will return to answer questions about the project at the next meeting.

Sales tax climbs
Sales tax revenue in November was up 1 percent over November of 2010. For the year, the sales tax was up 7 percent over to the previous year for the first 11 months.

That’s a lot of solids
The town’s wastewater systems manager Matthew Peacock came to the council with an annual review. He said that last year, 81 million gallons of wastewater were treated. That resulted in 215,000 pounds of “dry solids” that were then hauled to the landfill, or about 45 truckloads. Peacock said the department is looking at reducing energy costs and in that regard has partnered with the Office of Resource Efficiency, the National Renewable Energy Lab and the Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District.

Eagle Scout
Friday, January 13 was declared Jack Duryea Day. Jack achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. See page 11.

Give CBMR some skin
Councilperson Shaun Matusewicz asked that the town recognize Crested Butte Mountain Resort for allowing local residents to “skin” up the mountain during the ski season. “It’s a great benefit for some of our residents and they should be given kudos,” he said.
“Can’t anyone skin the mountain since it is national forest land?” asked Wirsing.
Matusewicz and mayor Aaron Huckstep explained that the ski resort controlled activity on the land under the permit and many ski areas did not allow uphill hiking.
“There were probably 100 people hiking up there the other morning,” said Huckstep. “It is really great and CBMR is really leading the charge with this activity as far as ski areas.”
Matusewicz was asked to help the staff prepare a formal proclamation of appreciation.