Briefs Crested Butte

Affordable Housing/VRBO suggestion
Former Councilperson Dan Escalante came before the council and asked them to consider significantly increasing VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) fees collected by the town. He suggested that money should then be put into the town’s affordable housing fund.
Escalante said he short-term rented a place last year but the $10 per pillow fee is miniscule. “Any renter will cover that in a few minutes of the first rental,” he said. “And with what is going on now with longtime locals having a really hard time finding places to rent, it is shocking. People are desperate. And it’s not just 20-somethings. It’s everyone, including families.”

Escalante suggested looking into a sliding scale that charges more for renters who don’t occupy the home that is rented. “The town can get more financial gain than it is collecting. It will be hard but it will be worth it.”
 
Dirt jump help
Town planner Michael Yerman said discussions are beginning about how and where to move the bike dirt jumps located on the northeast side of town, on lots that are earmarked for affordable housing. Those blocks are slated to get infrastructure installed starting in August. So the dirt jumps have to move. The most likely place will be the gravel pit.
But Yerman said he is looking for citizen input and if anyone wants to comment they should touch base with him at town hall.

Parks and Rec update/tennis, hockey boards and rakers
Parks and Recreation director Janna Hansen said a new rec coordinator to replace Lauren Alkire should be on board before the end of the month.
The town’s insurance company is sending out an assessor to evaluate the damage from the hockey rink boards collapsing last month because of an apparent wind event.
Raking crews will get an early start on the park grounds so green grass will sprout earlier.
The tennis courts still have some finishing work to be done before they are ready for play. A surface has to be laid, a backboard installed, striping painted and landscaping put in. Hansen said work should be completed by June and town programs will begin in July.

Sales tax: Up
It may not go on forever but it is going on—or off. Sales tax in Crested Butte is up again. February numbers show a 10 percent increase over last year. For the year, sales tax is up 14.7 percent.

Another historic building getting a basement
Council approved a revocable license to allow micro piles in the First Street alley adjacent to 308 First Street. They allow a structure to be raised but it will encroach on the town property. The owners of the house are digging a basement.

Executive sessions
Council will hold a special meeting on April 27 and will immediately hold two executive sessions. One will deal with the potential annexation. The other will focus on a possible land deal.