Each space will cost between $10,000 and $12,000

By Aimee Eaton

Despite nearly an hour of testimony against the project, the Mt. Crested Butte Town Council decided last week to move ahead with the development of a 150-space surface parking lot to be located north of the Nordic Inn on Treasury Road.

The parking lot is part of a larger planned unit development (PUD) proposal that includes the rezoning of several lots owned by the Nordic Inn for future development and business growth. While the PUD would increase the Nordic Inn from its current 28 rooms to 120 rooms, the parking lot was the only contentious aspect of the plan.

Part of the opposition seemed to stem from the town’s purchase of the land for the parking lot from the owners of the Nordic Inn several months ago. The sale would make the lot town parking, but also created a situation where Town Council is the deciding vote on whether the PUD proposal is appropriate. This created a perceived conflict of interest for members of the community.

“I understood where the town was coming from with the Biery Witt building and the need for parking,” said Mt. Crested Butte community member and potential neighbor to the parking lot Steve Mayberry. “My understanding is the BWC would have displaced 149 parking spots and this would provide 150. Do we really need 300 parking spots? How can the town have a vested interest in this working? What I’m seeing is the town saying bring us a PUD with our own interest.”

The decision to move forward with the lot was based largely on recommendations from the town Planning Commission, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and town staff. It was suggested that if the lot is left undeveloped, parking is going to become an increasing problem for the town and without adequate parking commerce would suffer.

This argument was underlined by the uncertainty surrounding the so-called Snowmass parking lot, a 160-space lot located south of the Plaza Condominiums on Snowmass Road.

“When it was first formed, the DDA identified parking as the number one concern facing the commercial area,” DDA chairperson Gary Keiser told the council at its January 16 meeting. “There is no reason to believe the lease for the Snowmass lot won’t be extended, but there is also no reason to believe it will be. It holds 160 spaces and 50 percent of the time the lot is full. The Rasta lot is full 25 percent of the time. The existing parking garage is dedicated to the Grand Lodge. We looked at building a two-story structure on top of that for $6 million for 200 spots. That’s $30,000 per spot.

“This is a long-term solution,” Keiser continued. “More parking is going to be needed at some point. This option is for $10,000 to $12,000 a space, including the land, which is significantly less than other options.”

Community-voiced problems with the parking lot were varied, but focused on three primary issues: changes to the character or the neighborhood; safety, especially along Emmons Road and the entrance of the proposed parking lot; and landscaping.

“I’m opposed to the parking lot in its entirety,” said Mt. Crested Butte resident Michael Blunck. “My biggest concern is safety. Coming downhill, it’s about a 90-degree angle right-hand turn and in the winter, it’s blind coming into what will be the exit of the parking lot. The traffic study suggested widening the road… the road wasn’t designed for 150 more cars and more roadwork will be needed. Ponderosa driveways are right across from the entrance and are driven by people who do not drive in snow. It’s an accident waiting to happen. It’s up to you if you want to deal with the liability.”

Tim Greydanus owns the property at 26 Treasury Road, which is directly adjacent to the proposed lot. Greydanus told the council that he is most concerned about the shift the parking lot could have on the neighborhood.

“When we bought the property we liked that it was close to the base area but we also knew that there was going to be some more noise, traffic, etc.,” he said. “The plan was for a transition from base area to residential area. Transition is an important piece of the Nordic project. This could be done through landscaping, berms, or other options. We hope that there is an opportunity in the plan to provide some buffering and some transitioning that the original people who laid out these plats intended.”

Several members of the community voiced concern over the Planning Commission’s decision to eliminate landscaping from the parking lot. Councilperson Janet Farmer agreed with the sentiment.

“Landscaping should definitely be a part of this,” said Farmer. “I have a major problem with the section that says to do away with the landscaping. … When we first started looking at this, I felt we had to do something for the Performing Arts Center, now I’m not sure it’s necessary. I don’t have a problem with what the Nordic wants to do in terms of its expansion and growth, but I am not comfortable with this parking lot.”

Town community development director Carlos Velado responded to Farmer’s concerns over landscaping, but said he could not weigh in on whether the town should move forward with the lot.

“There’s a DDA requirement that says one tree for every three stalls,” said Velado. “We were really looking at that in terms of snow removal. No one wants islands of trees that will be in the way of snow removal or getting destroyed by snow. I can’t speak for the Planning Commission, but I would be surprised if they would be opposed to landscaping for appearance.”

The Town Council voted to approve the PUD application with recommendations. Specifically, council members requested additional planning be put toward landscaping and examining potential safety issues with the entrance and exit to the lot.

There will be another public hearing before the Planning Commission for discussion of PUD Final Plan on February 21.

Issues from Big Mine to Brush Creek addressed by Schmidt and Ladoulis

by Mark Reaman

The two candidates in the Crested Butte mayoral runoff election took the stage of the Mallardi Cabaret Thursday, December 7 in front of a holiday set and tried to distinguish themselves for voters who will choose the leader of the Town Council for the next two years.

Chris Ladoulis and Jim Schmidt topped the votes in November’s election in a four-man race and were thrown into the runoff that ends December 19. The candidates showed many areas of commonality, some differences on issues, and differences in style.

When each had the opportunity to ask a question of the other, they both went to the perceived negative issue of the other candidate: the general perception of Schmidt as a representative who often sits on the fence over controversial issues until the last minute; and the perceptions of Ladoulis as sometimes having had lukewarm enthusiasm and a lack of time commitment to the council during his recent four-year term.

Schmidt touted his experience as a primary reason for running. “No member of the current council has more than two years’ experience and three are brand new,” he said. “With the recent retirement of much of the senior town staff it is essential to have a person with institutional knowledge and proven leadership to lead this council.”

Ladoulis said the town is always struggling to find a balance with almost any issue and he wants to help find a good balance moving into the town’s future. “The changes coming at us are coming faster and are more powerful. I feel like we need a mayor who will be thoughtful but very decisive and be very consistent so you will always know where I stand.”

Citizens submitted questions for the candidates and Schmidt and Ladoulis touched on several topics.

Short-term rentals

When it came to the recently passed ordinance limiting vacation rentals in town, Schmidt voted for the new regulations and Ladoulis voted against them.

“The STR [short-term rental] ordinance was one of the most difficult things to come before council because both sides had very good reasoning,” said Schmidt. “The end result was a compromise. It is different from other communities’ rules on short-term rentals. I think it is a fair compromise that gives something to the locals but limits the commercialization of the residential areas. It is a good step.”

“I supported the idea but not the final version,” countered Ladoulis. “A lot of my issue was that the compromise struck was to expand short-term rentals into places like the Verzuh annexation, the tourist [T] zone and the mobile home zones that were previously insulated from the short-term rental market with some small exceptions. I felt the higher density area just east of Sixth Street and the mobile home district needed to be preserved so there wasn’t STR pressure. The Verzuh annexation had also been somewhat insulated from STRs. That was why I voted against Ordinance 6. I am glad we have caps on short-term rentals. Our town needs it. I consistently argued we needed a way for a distinction to be drawn between those who own and live in their homes and wanted to rent their houses and those who own property for STRs.”

Top priorities for each

Answering a question from the audience, Schmidt said his top two priorities are affordable housing and the Mt. Emmons mine situation. “We probably need to up the density for deed-restricted housing on the town-owned land at Paradise Park and land coming in with Cypress annexation. The second important issue is the mine,” he said. “It has faded a bit into the background but we need to be aware of that situation and keep on top of it.”

Ladoulis said the mine issue was important as well. At the top of his priority list, however, is a strategic plan. “Without a plan I fear that we will have more change and growth than we want and end up with a less desirable place than we hoped. We need to plan and prioritize what is most important to us and figure out how we execute it. We need to look at our economy and one challenge is that we have a July-focused tourist economy with lower-paying jobs. I’d like to see employers have opportunity for more full-time, year-round jobs in our community with less reliance on tourism as the primary driver.”

Off-season

Asked by Jim Michael if either candidate would totally embrace Jackson Petito’s recent political statement that the town “should not grow by one more visitor or shorten off-season by one more hour until we make what we have today sustainable,” both said they agreed with the “sentiment” of the statement.

Ladoulis, however, disagreed with Petito’s off-season stance. “I believe there are a lot of people, especially in the business community, who would like to be busy in October and November. We are so busy in July that we need October and November to rest. But I would happily give up half our business in July if you’d give it to me again in October and November.”

Schmidt agreed with Petito’s sentiment as well but didn’t think it was realistic. And he said Ladoulis’ vision to significantly grow off-seasons was also probably not realistic. “We are what we are,” he said. “It’s beautiful in the summer and a ski area in the winter. That’s when most people can come here. We have two long off-seasons. I happen to love June because it’s not that busy and it is beautiful. It’s the right amount. The weather is great and I am glad I’m not working all the time in June.”

Asking each other about their perceived weakness

When it came time for the candidates to ask each other a question, Schmidt noted that Ladoulis had missed a lot of council meetings and his enthusiasm for council had “waxed and waned… Do you have the time and dedication for the job of mayor?”

Ladoulis said he thought he could do a better job as mayor than as councilmember. “The mayor has the same vote as the other six but has tremendous influence over the agenda. I was on the fence going into the election and decided I needed to be either all-in or all-out. As for the time, you make the time when something is important. I will be committed and be here every week and make every single meeting.”

Ladoulis said Schmidt’s position on a proposed Comedy Festival last summer has changed. Part of the proposal was to expand the Big Mine Arena to accommodate 1,000 people for shows associated with the festival. “You were for it then and it sounds like you are against it now. Where do you stand on the Comedy Festival?”

Schmidt gave some history of his association with the idea and then went to the bigger picture. “People have accused me of being wishy-washy over the years,” he said. “If I’ve been wishy-washy it’s been to get good results. You don’t get a town this good by being wishy-washy. You take in comments from everybody and listen. One of the toughest things on the council is if you are on the minority on the council is to not just fight for the minority position but to go with the majority position and make it the best it can be.”

Brush Creek conundrum

Both candidates support more affordable housing but had real issues with the 240-unit rental project being proposed at the corner of Brush Creek Road and Highway 135.

Schmidt said the pushback on Brush Creek is primarily because of the density and the income figures involved with the project. “Over the years I’ve fought strongly for every affordable housing project ever proposed in the valley except the Brush Creek project,” said Schmidt. “This project is way too big. I never imagined 240 units on that parcel of land. Given AMI [Average Median Income] figures and the amount of money people need to make to even get to the 100 percent AMI figure of $49,000, what they are talking about out there is a false affordable project,” he said.

“There’s a lot not to like about the Brush Creek proposal,” said Ladoulis. “But I think we often get sucked into the details because that’s the way the proponent wants it. Sometimes the devil is the details. What we should be talking about is what should affordable housing look like in the town and in the north end of the valley. We need people to live and work in the same community. This project is two miles south of town when the need is in Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte. With master leases with Crested Butte Mountain Resort, the hospital and Western tying up most of the first phase, we have an employee housing project funded by taxpayers that impacts the town of Crested Butte more than any other municipality.”

Ladoulis said based on the Needs Assessment study, the free market should be participating in building housing and the actual amount of public subsidized housing needed should be 93 units, not 240 units. And he said only 30 of the proposed Brush Creek units apply to people making less than 80 percent AMI. “To me that’s like fishing with dynamite. The Brush Creek project needs to get smaller, be more affordable and be split up to put the housing where the jobs are.”

Strategic planning

Ladoulis wants to see more concrete planning in town. “I absolutely support the idea of a strategic plan. And then we need to execute the plan,” said Ladoulis. “I have said repeatedly that we need to know where we are going if we hope to get there. We need to have a plan so we can follow it. The best way to be effective is for everyone to know what we’re talking about and what is important to us. I want it to guide every meeting and not just collect dust on a shelf.”

“We differ on this because I think we already have a lot of plans,” said Schmidt. “We have a traffic plan, housing plan, energy plan, parks plan. Zoning is a very strong plan. We should review them all. But I think in some ways we have been overly consulted. I really think we have the resources between the planning department and the council. We have a good feel for where we are going. And I am afraid a new strategic plan will sit on the shelf. We don’t have to reinvent everything every five or six years.”

Other stuff

Other topics they touched on were improving communication and relationships with the county, which have lately been strained. Both said they have good, personal relationship with the county commissioners. Both said mitigating the impacts of increasing backcountry use was important and lauded the Crested Butte Conservation Corps and Mountain Manners programs the town has helped fund. The Big Mine Warming House expansion project has not been completed and several people wanted to know if the candidates would commit to seeing it finished. Both noted the high cost of the proposed expansion but said they would work to move it along. In a similar vein, both candidates said they would commit to help the Trailhead Children’s Museum find a permanent home. Both candidates said they wanted the town to become more “green” and sustainable. Both said they would commit Crested Butte to be run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and ask the council to vote to commit to the Paris Climate Accord.

The entire forum can be heard at KBUT.org.

Public raises concern over PUD plan

By Aimee Eaton

The town of Mt. Crested Butte is looking to expand public parking options around the base area with the development of a 150 space parking area to be located just north of the Nordic Inn.

According to Mt. Crested Butte community development coordinator Todd Carroll, the current plan is for the area to be a paved surface parking lot, not a structure.

The move, which is currently being considered as part of a larger planned unit development submitted to the town by the owners of the Nordic Inn, is raising some concerns from local residents who claim that the proposed parking area will change the character of the area and negatively impact the nearby residential area.

In a letter to the Mt. Crested Butte Planning Commission and Town Council, homeowner Michael Blunk wrote, “I could not be more displeased with the concept that the town of Mt. Crested Butte wants to enter into a purchase contract for the vacant land next to the Nordic Inn for parking. I have no problem with the Town and the Downtown Development Authority purchasing the property, but not to be used as a parking lot… it seems that this desire for more parking stems from the few weekends last year when Crested Butte Mountain Resort could not accommodate their drive market guests. Why is it the Town’s responsibility to find more parking for a private business?”

The town entered into contract with the owners of the Nordic Inn for the proposed parking area property back in April. However, both the owners and the town were aware that the project, which includes updates to an additional five lots owned by the Nordic Inn and the expansion of the lodge from 28 rooms to 120 at build out, would have to go under review by the town planning commission and council. Also written into the contract is an option for the owners to purchase the parking area back from the town at an unidentified future date and cost. Should that occur, the parking spaces would remain.

According to acting town manager Karl Trujillo, development activity in Mt. Crested Butte is continuing and parking is a necessity. A current objective of the town is to insure the infrastructure exists for successful growth and visitor experience. Parking is part of that, and while there are several lots currently available, their longevity and practicality is unclear.

“The Town Council approved the purchase of this vacant land for parking and the Snowmass lease ends in 2018 which doesn’t mean they won’t renew the lease but we shall see,” said Trujillo.

Area residents Tim and Sarah Greydanus, submitted their concerns about the proposed parking solution to the planning commission. They wrote, “[We] know that the Town is concerned about losing the lease on the Snowmass Rd. Lot, and the proposed parking lot is a hedge against the potential loss, as well as providing for anticipated parking needs in the future. But, [we] would like to know if any studies have been conducted to quantify current and future parking needs…”

Other concerns submitted to the Planning Commission by neighbors and residents of the PUD area focused on lighting, overnight camping, line of sight, drainage, trespassing, ancillary costs of the proposed structure and safety.

Area home owner Richard Saperstein noted that the traffic study that had been conducted for the area was done during the summer months and did not adequately address issues that would arise during the winter.

“This study omits the busiest time of the year and when we experience the most hazardous driving conditions on upper Treasury Road, which is steep and has no sidewalks. The road narrows significantly with snow banks… During the winter months, the steep grade often results in a vehicular descent that is a controlled slide off a 90-degree turn. By locating this parking structure and setting in/egress just below the steepest section of the road, a dangerous condition is being created.”

Saperstein stated that some of the safety concern could be mitigated by requiring all access to the area be from Emmons Road, which comes in below the lot, rather than where it is currently sited on Treasury road.

The public comment period for the PUD has been closed, but the planning commission will continue its discussion of the proposal at its Dec. 20 meeting. After completing its discussion the commission will make a recommendation to the town council to either approve, deny or approve the proposal with conditions.

Mining Co. a good partner

By Mark Reaman

While nothing definitive has been settled with the new owner of the molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons, those involved with the Freeport McMoRan and its subsidiary, Mt. Emmons Mining Company, feel positive about the direction things are going.

A meeting between representatives of MEMC, Gunnison County and the town of Crested Butte in late October was described as “positive” and “fruitful.” Gunnison County attorney David Baumgarten said the mining company really didn’t know what it had when it took over the site from U.S. Energy. ‘

“They are doing their own characterization of the site right now,” Baumgarten said. “They are also working well with the Colorado DRMS [Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety] doing some work on the private land on the mine site to investigate the best way for remediation of some of the waste rock that sits on Mt. Emmons. The conversation also now includes the best way to find a method where improvement work can continue with local jurisdiction and control.”

“However the process goes forward, the town wants to make sure that activities on public lands are subject to public input and transparency,” added Crested Butte town attorney Barbara Green.

“Things still have good, active, forward momentum,” said Baumgarten. “They are working well with the state and there is a high level of respect between Freeport and the state.”

“We have worked well with them on several issues,” agreed Green. “I feel very positive with the direction that things are going.”

Meanwhile, the Red Lady Coalition has dissolved its 501(c)3 since it is moving from education to advocacy. The RLC board members said they still will remain involved to protect the Coal Creek watershed and ultimately get a Congressional withdrawal of mineral rights on the approximately 6,000 acres of unpatented mining claims on Mt. Emmons. They are willing to go along with the idea of partial privatization of land where the water treatment plant is located as part of total solution. But the former RLC board is adamant that strict contractual agreements are part of any such deal.

The High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) continues to be involved as well. “HCCA continues to remain engaged in water quality and other aspects of the Red Lady issue. We’ve been to the water treatment facility and surrounding area multiple times with a representative from Freeport-McMoRan,” said HCCA executive director Brett Henderson. “We’re still working to find a permanent solution that cleans up our watershed and includes a withdrawal of mineral rights on Red Lady. We are open to a creative approach to accomplish this shared objective so long as our community has sufficient legal assurance in place.”

Henderson said overall, HCCA also feels progress at the mine is moving in a positive direction.

“At this point Freeport has been a communicative and willing partner. Last June was the first time we’ve ever entered a water quality hearing in agreement with the mining company in charge of the wastewater treatment plant. Freeport appears to be forthcoming with information and has been willing to discuss options that would be agreeable to all parties,” Henderson said.

He continued, “We’re open to continuing to discuss a range of options that could best facilitate these goals, for Freeport and our community. It is important to HCCA that there would be sufficient oversight of site reclamation so we are assured that our watershed is protected. It’s also crucial that our shared end-goal, a permanent withdrawal, is a core component of any agreed-upon path forward. We look forward to continuing to talk with Freeport and other local partners to design a solution that secures a permanent mine-free solution that protects Red Lady and the health of our watershed.”

Planning Commission supportive of plan

By Aimee Eaton

The Adaptive Sports Center’s new Kelsey Wright building has cleared the first hurdle of the Mt. Crested Butte Planning Commission process.

At the November 22 Planning Commission meeting, the seven-member board made a motion to recommend the Mt. Crested Butte Town Council approve the ASC’s preliminary plans with a few conditions. Those conditions included allowing a five year vesting for the project, having the applicant provide a landscaping plan and more details on Emmons Road circulation, and the snowmelt plan among other items.

One other point raised during the meeting had to do with parking for the new building. The proposal includes two covered parking/loading spaces on site that the ASC plans to use for their vans. The ASC also has an agreement with the Crested Butte Mountain Resort for the use of up to 10 spaces in the resort’s main lot, having spaces directly in the base area is rare.

The next step in the planning process for the new building will be a public hearing before the Town Council and then discussion and possible approval from the Town Council. The public hearing for the Adaptive Sports Center preliminary plan before the town council is scheduled for December 19.

Send us your questions

by Mark Reaman

The Crested Butte mayoral race is on until December 19. Ballots will be mailed to town voters starting November 27. Voters get to choose between former Town Council members Chris Ladoulis and Jim Schmidt, who topped the four-man race for mayor on November 7.

The official election day is December 19. All ballots must be returned to the town clerk by then, and will be counted after 7 p.m.

The Crested Butte News and KBUT radio are teaming up to hold a mayoral forum on Thursday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mallardi Theatre at Second and Elk. We anticipate it will last about an hour and be broadcast live on KBUT.

We are asking that people send in questions that will be asked of the two remaining candidates. We ask that the questions set up differences between the candidates. After the regular election, we know both candidates see affordable housing as something that needs to be addressed. Both want the town to be more “green” and both want a permanent solution to the Mt. Emmons mine situation. What else do you want to know from these two leaders?

So please send potential questions for the mayoral candidates to either editorial@crestedbuttenews.com or chad@kbut.org.

The forum will be on the stage of the Mountain Theatre holiday production, so that should add an element of interest. People are welcome to attend and the theatre’s bar will be open. That too could add to the “interestingness.” See you there or email us a question.

Send us your questions

by Mark Reaman

The great Crested Butte mayoral race is on until December 19. Ballots will be mailed to town voters starting November 27. Voters get to choose between former Town Council members Chris Ladoulis and Jim Schmidt, who topped the four-man race for mayor on November 7.

The official election day is December 19. All ballots must be returned to the town clerk by then, and will be counted after 7 p.m.

The Crested Butte News and KBUT radio are teaming up to hold a mayoral forum on Thursday, December 7 at the Mallardi Theatre at Second and Elk. We anticipate it will last about an hour and be broadcast live on KBUT.

We are asking that people send in questions that will be asked of the two remaining candidates. We ask that the questions set up differences between the candidates. After the regular election, we know both candidates see affordable housing as something that needs to be addressed. Both want the town to be more “green” and both want a permanent solution to the Mt. Emmons mine situation. What else do you want to know from these two leaders?

Please send potential questions for the mayoral candidates to either editorial@crestedbuttenews.com or chad@kbut.org.

The forum will be on the stage of the Mountain Theatre holiday production, so that should add an element of interest. People are welcome to attend and the theatre’s bar will be open. That too could add to the “interestingness.” See you there or email us a question.

Council backs off resolution until meeting with Gatesco

By Mark Reaman

Tension between the town of Crested Butte and Gunnison County exploded a bit early this week. Then elected officials found a way to settle it down after further discussion.

At Monday’s Town Council meeting, the council was considering a resolution put forth by councilman Chris Ladoulis that would have reaffirmed the town’s opposition to the idea of the publicly owned Brush Creek land being sold to a developer for an affordable housing project before county land use approval is given. The town is a one-quarter owner of the property, along with the county, the town of Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

But the title to the land is held by Gunnison County, and the county has sent the developer, Gatesco Inc., a proposed contract to sell the 14 acres of land to Gatesco for $100,000, over the town of Crested Butte’s objections.

Gatesco is proposing a 240-unit rental complex, of which 65 percent would carry a deed restriction. The remaining 84 units would be rented at free market rates with no restrictions. The plan is currently before the county Planning Commission.

The proposed resolution stated that before any sale of the land takes place, an amendment to the 1998 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) governing the partnership had to be approved by the partners. That has not happened and the other partners have shown no interest in pursuing such an amendment.

Crested Butte mayor Glenn Michel told the council on Monday that the county was taking great offense to the proposed resolution. “The county has said that if we pass this they will take it as a threat and they will cease all communication with us,” he said.

At Monday’s meeting, Michel said he felt county commissioner Jonathan Houck also lightly implied to him last Friday that if the town approved that resolution and continued to fight the Brush Creek project, the action could fray county-town relationships on any number of issues, and even adversely impact how much the county participated in any future effort to alleviate the threat of the molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons.

“The implication was that this issue could impact other matters between the town and the county. Our relationship with the county is very problematic right now,” Michel told the council. “I was a big supporter of the One Valley Prosperity Project and so had hoped for a better dialogue with them and we have not had that. Something has to change with our relationship.”

On Tuesday, Houck said he did have a conversation with Michel last Friday after Michel called him expressing concern about the potential resolution on the council agenda. In a voice mail Michel left for Houck (that he shared with the Crested Butte News), the mayor stated that he was concerned that the language was harsh and he thought it was the wrong approach.

Houck offered the following view of the Friday conversation: “I asked Glenn that if the point of the resolution was simply bomb-throwing, then what really was the point? I said we had too many places where we worked well together, and used the mine issue as one example. I also cited how the county plows the highway through town, our cooperative efforts to work on water quality issues in the northern valley and the Standard Mine reclamation, to name a few.

“We agree on a lot of things,” continued Houck, “including affordable housing needs. We happen to have a disagreement on a particular issue with the Brush Creek process. But passing that resolution I believe would have marginalized our greater relationship. From my perspective, never did I suggest or imply that a passing of the resolution would result in the county pulling away on those other issues and I am regretful that I did not communicate that with enough clarity and that Glenn walked away with the impression he did.”

Michel said he talked with Houck Tuesday and both concluded the Friday conversation was misinterpreted. Both agreed their words could have been better chosen and feel the two bodies need to focus on ways to work better together. Houck reiterated that it has not been, nor will it be his position, that support or collaboration hinges upon total agreement on issues. He emphasized that he “respects the town’s processes and positions and hopes that the same generosity will be forthcoming from the new mayor and council toward the county’s positions and processes.”

“I don’t think we should provoke the county and pick a fight,” Ladoulis said Monday. “I took a sentence out of the resolution they found particularly offensive. But this is meant to represent the town’s interest in the MOA and is meant to help preserve the town’s future options and rights under the MOA.”

In a memo to the Town Council, the town staff recommended the council “postpone consideration of the resolution until after the opportunity for direct discussions between the council and Gatesco.” The staff was hoping to arrange a work session between the developers and council later this month.

“It is a double-edged sword,” noted councilwoman Laura Mitchell. “Unfortunately, the county is not pleased with our actions. It doesn’t feel comfortable with them and I think Chris is just trying to protect our butts. Will it anger the county? They’re already angry at us.”

Crested Butte’s David Leinsdorf, a former four-term county commissioner and attorney for the Friends of Brush Creek, said he had never known of any county board “to conflate one issue with another. It is astounding that the county is threatening to not support the town on the mine because they are mad at you about Brush Creek. I don’t think that would happen. This resolution is saying you stand up for the citizens of Crested Butte.”

Larkspur resident Bob Pannier said the resolution protects residents in the north end of the valley. “You are four equal partners and the county is saying to just go away,” he said. “This is a chance to protect your rights. If you don’t do it, who will?”

Another former county commissioner, Jim Starr, took a more conciliatory approach. “We all agree we need a regional approach to the issue. I am so tired of hearing all the attacks. It is a good step to meet with Gatesco in a work session. If you continue down this confrontational path, the mining company could see a fracture between the partners in the valley and question the strength of our coalition. I’d urge everyone to try cooperating instead of fighting.”

“I disagree with Jim,” countered Joanie Windsor of Crested Butte. “I think it is appalling that the county is threatening us. You are just asking them slow down, not stop.”

Mayor Michel said his feeling was to not consider the resolution until the council sat down with Gatesco. “I don’t want to jeopardize our voice in the future,” he said.

“I’m all for collaboration and don’t want the county to think otherwise,” said Ladoulis.

Councilman Roland Mason said he didn’t appreciate the path the proposed resolution traveled. “This resolution didn’t come through our town staff or town attorney,” he said. “Even since the last meeting, the wording was changed with an outside attorney. I am not in favor of selling the land to the developer but I definitely don’t like how this came to us.”

“I, too, will go with the staff recommendation,” said Mitchell. “We need to think positive that things will get better between us and the county.”

“This has been an ugly process that’s left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth,” said councilman Jim Schmidt. “I’m having a hard time with this. We need to continue to work with the county in any fashion we can. It seems like we’ve lost the vote 3-1 with our partners in the property so I’m not sure what this resolution really accomplishes.”

Ladoulis said it was apparent the council would not support the proposed resolution at the November 6 meeting.

The council moved to postpone consideration of the resolution until after a meeting with Gatesco in a work session. That passed 6-1, with Petito voting against it.

Boulder firm would charge a flat $16K a month

By Mark Reaman

The Crested Butte Town Council would like to put the interim town attorney firm, Sullivan Green Seavy, into the permanent position.

Longtime Crested Butte special counsel Barbara Green would be the lead lawyer for the town but would rely on the firm’s partners for support, particularly John Sullivan, who has attended several Crested Butte Town Council meetings. The board will officially consider the move at the August 21 meeting.

The council interviewed Green and Sullivan at an afternoon work session on Tuesday, August 8. They then convened a special meeting where they held an executive session to discuss the matter behind closed doors. At the regular meeting later that night, they asked Green to return with paperwork formalizing the arrangement at the next meeting.

Green’s firm replaced attorney John Belkin, who resigned at the beginning of the summer. Green has provided legal work on various issues to the town since the 1980s.

“The council felt that we might have a qualified candidate who could step into the role and provide what we were looking for,” explained mayor Glenn Michel. “We asked them for a proposal. The council felt that given the comfort level it was worth interviewing and taking time with them before considering expanding the applicant pool if necessary.”

The firm submitted a proposal that would charge the town a flat fee of $16,000 per month. That would include the primary legal work, travel from their main office in Boulder and expenses for the trips for two council meetings a month. It would not cover long-term litigation matters, work where the developer reimburses the town for legal fees, or the Mt. Emmons matter.

“We felt a flat fee that you could count on might be easier to work with,” Green told the council at the work session. “It has worked in other locations. We looked at the workload and made our best estimate.

“We are optimistic we can hit that figure in part because of the good staff and town manager you have in Dara [MacDonald],” Green continued. “In our view she is working well and efficiently and we are comfortable with her. We need a good partnership with the town manager and you have a great staff here.”

Green and Sullivan represent other municipalities on the Western Slope. Green has also worked as a town planner and town manager. “Municipal law is an art form,” she said. “It is not a science. The attorneys in our firm talk to each other and bounce things off one another.”

While most legal matters would be covered under the flat-fee set-up, if an extraordinary situation arose such as a court case, the two parties would discuss how to pay for the additional legal service.

The council asked that a one-year contract with a six-month review be drawn up for consideration at the next meeting.

Chefs battle it out Friday at the Center

The loudest culinary event of the year is this Friday at the CB Center for the Arts! Chefs on the Edge is the gastronomic game show where your best boisterous behavior is the perfect table manner. Competition begins at 6 p.m. with three teams. They’ll clash knives and sauce pans trying to impress Celebrity Judges Michael Busse (Garlic Mike’s), Danielle Riesz-Gutter (Wildflour Sweets) and Kathy King (Guest Sous Chef with Soupçon Bistro). Emcee Michael Marchitelli will keep the audience informed of the cooking acrobatics on stage with audience members participating in culinary trivia and a chance at door prizes.

Ski resort parking lot closure for Outerbike starting Monday

CBMR’s main parking lot at the corner of Treasury and Emmons Road will be closed starting Monday August 14 for the Outerbike demo village set up. It will reopen the morning of Tuesday August 22 after cleanup is complete. Take the Mountain Express bus from town, or try to carpool and make sure to park in the lower free lot on Snowmass Road starting Monday August 14.

Final Public Policy Forum to address climate change with Wirth and Harte

Former U.S. Senator Tim Wirth will be speaking with John Harte on climate change and his research at RMBL at the Crested Butte Public Policy Forum on Wednesday, August 16. This is the final forum of the summer and is guaranteed to be entertaining and informative.

Shofar Fellowship offers weekly messianic honoring of Shabbat

The Shofar Fellowship and Discovery Time each week is on Shabbat (Sabbath/Saturday) at 9 a.m. at 1825 N. Highway 135 in Gunnison (house in Discount Self Storage complex). Whether you are Jewish, Christian, seeker, searcher, non-believer, committed or curious, join the fellowship every Shabbat for praise and worship of Adonai and to learn about the rich Hebraic Covenant Heritage of faith in Yeshua HaMashiach (the Messiah). Shabbat Brunch to break bread while people fellowship together is $3 per person. For more information call 349-1899.

Film Fest presents I Am Not Your Negro at the GAC

In collaboration with the Crested Butte Film Festival, the Gunnison Arts Center presents the film I Am Not Your Negro in the monthly film series, this Saturday, August 19 in the Black Box Theater. Doors open at 6:30 and the movie starts at 7 p.m. I Am Not Your Negro is a challenging and deeply insightful account of what it means to be black and white in America. The PG-13, 95-minute documentary is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. Admission is $10. Full bar and popcorn will be available.

Salsa Rueda & Rum at GAC

Enjoy a night under the Gunnison Art Center Courtyard lights in a fun and easy Dance AND Series event, Salsa Rueda & Rum, on Friday, August 11 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy sipping on refreshing rum-inspired cocktails and Latin-style apps, with instructor/caller Linny Ramundo, for  $20 per person. Dancers will learn and execute basic salsa moves in a circular formation while listening to a caller and consistently changing partners. This is a no-pressure way to get exposed to basic salsa rhythms.

Birthdays:

August 10- Chris Gaither, Bruce Alpern

August 11- Amy Williams, Kathleen Ross, Steve Cook, Doug Kroft

August 12- Linda Priest, Mert Theaker, Jewel Millard, Spencer Madison

August 13- Peter Chase, Rick Gaither, Cea Anderson, Faith Gasparrini, Tina Curvin, Bill Husted

August 14- Mary Kunes, Katie & Maddie Thomas, Rosie Ewert, Aidan Gunderson

August 15-Chris Morgan

August 16- Marc Shellhorn, John Councilman, Jay Leonard, Allen Beck, Ian Hatchett

CAMEOS: What do you do to beat the summer crowds?