Briefs Crested Butte

Energy Action Plan approved
The Crested Butte Town Council Monday passed a resolution adopting the town Energy Action Plan. It outlines future projects to cut carbon emissions in Crested Butte. “It’s about time and I would like to see us keep this hot and not just let it go into the file,” said mayor Alan Bernholtz. “We have some money set aside in the budget to begin some of these projects. We can start working on some stuff to get the low hanging fruit this year.”

Town building and zoning director Bob Gillie reminded the council that this EAP applied to the town. “There are other prongs to this that are multi-jurisdictional and they will come before you later,” he said.

Mountain Express update
Councilperson Leah Williams informed the council that continued sales tax reductions are affecting the Mountain Express. She is a member of that board as well. Mountain Express is funded primarily from sales tax and admissions tax in the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Bernholtz suggested the bus service consider running every 30 minutes between the two towns in the winter instead of the current 15-minute routes to save money.
Williams also said the Mountain Express would make a regular stop at the base of Snodgrass on the bus trips scheduled for Gothic this summer. And the board is looking for an “at-large” member to replace Bill Dickerson.

Watching the Strand Hill
situation
At the suggestion of councilperson Reed Betz, the council wants to keep an eye on the situation brewing between local Brush Creek ranching family, the Veltris, and the U.S. Forest Service. There is a land dispute in the works that could affect the regular access to Strand Hill. Betz suggested a letter of support for the Veltris, “who have been great for years in working with the public over access to Strand Hill.”
Bernholtz said Strand was a “great amenity for the community and we should investigate if there is a way for the community to help find a solution to the problem.” The Gunnison County commissioners were addressing the issue this week as well.

Legal matters
The council approved another year-long contract with town attorney John Belkin. Belkin also presented the council with a “Concurrent Representation Arrangement” letter, in which Belkin informs the council he works for Irwin Backcountry Guides and there may come a time he has to step aside in his role as town attorney if there is a conflict of interest. He says there is no such conflict at the moment. During the discussion, mayor Bernholtz and councilperson Billy Rankin excused themselves since they are employed by IBG.
And speaking of conflicts of interest: Belkin told the council he would review guidelines in that area and recommend some changes to the council.

Meetings and more meetings
The council agreed to a three-hour work session with the proponents of The Foothills of Crested Butte annexation. That meeting will be held Wednesday, July 1 from 3 to 6 p.m. Town planner John Hess told the council the staff hopes to have specific recommendations on issues for the council. Foothills attorney Jim Starr asked for the three-hour meeting in the hopes of making significant progress.
The town will hold a meeting July 14 at 7 p.m. for those interested in running for the Town Council this fall. The idea is to give potential candidates an idea of what to expect if they get elected. A couple of council members will attend to shed some light on reality.
The council will hold a “philosophical” budget discussion at a work session before the July 6 meeting, to help guide the staff in a general way on where the council feels budget priorities should fall.