With both Mayor Ben Bohmfalk and Mayor Pro Tem Erica Sparhawk absent at Tuesday’s meeting, Marty Silverstein took charge as acting mayor. All other trustees were in attendance.
The room was filled with members of the public, many wearing white in solidarity with a revised resolution brought forth by Ceasefire Now RFV — a group of local activists dedicated to ending the war in Gaza and allowing humanitarian aid to reach civilians devastated by Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in retaliation for a brutal terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Despite an email sent to Ceasefire organizers by the mayor stating that their group would be limited to a total of three minutes to speak, all who signed up were allowed to speak.
There were several comments in favor of trustees putting the resolution on a future agenda, and one overtly against that action. Another attendee presented an alternative resolution which acknowledges Hamas started the war and affirms unwavering support for the continued existence of Israel and Israeli Jews.
Moving along, Silverstein encouraged everyone who is eligible to vote in Carbondale’s municipal election by April 2. Three new trustees will be sworn in on April 23, with Silverstein, Lani Kitching and Luis Yllanes rolling off the board.
During her update, Town Manager Lauren Gister informed the public that less than 10 newcomer migrants continue to shelter at Town Hall, and a number have found housing locally.
Bus tickets have been given to those interested in relocating and the Town’s temporary shelters will officially close on April 1, with some services like shower vouchers continuing for a few additional weeks.
The consent agenda included: accounts payable, construction contracts for a Gateway RV Park roof replacement and Sopris Park gazebo repairs, the January sales tax report (with a 27% increase in sales tax compared to January 2023), a mosquito control agreement with other Garfield County governments, a retail marijuana license renewal for Tumbleweed, liquor license renewals for RVR Master Association and Pollinator Chocolate and, finally, a contract with Downtowner for a tax-funded, on-demand taxi service.
Hassig voted against approval after asking about the Downtowner contract which pledges $181,500 to match a RFTA grant toward a six-month pilot program in 2024. A full year of service in 2025 would cost an estimated $726,000, half of which could possibly be matched by RFTA.
Clean Energy Economy for the Region received unanimous approval for a letter supporting their grant application to the Colorado Department of Transportation requesting $100,000 to launch a transportation management organization.
Carbondale may be asked to contribute between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on how many partners are willing to support this initiative, which is being led by the City of Glenwood Springs.
Next, the Dandelion Day committee received approval for park and street rentals, a parade permit and special event liquor license. Dandelion Day will be hosted on May 11, with KDNK managing the booze corrale. In addition to vendors, there will be games, live music, educational talks and live screen printing for commemorative t-shirts.
The meat of the meeting involved a combined application for 111 Main Street: a subdivision exemption, rezoning, annexation, conditional use permit and a site review with alternative compliance.
The alternative compliance allowed the indoor portion to be less than the 14-foot height minimum for ground floor commercial properties as prescribed for the Historic Commercial Core zone district.
The proposal involved annexing a 1,700 square foot parcel on the far east side of Main Street into town limits for the creation of a food truck court.
The applicant agreed to a 1% real estate transfer assessment (RETA) condition on the property should it sell again, benefitting the Town’s Community Housing Fund. Staff also requested a $8,950 initial contribution toward housing initiatives reflecting 1% of the property’s value when it was sold to the current owners. The item changed from a recommended continuation to approval with conditions.
The public hearing had a single participant: former mayor Stacey Bernot. “I’m so excited about this, I decided to brave the evening to visit you all,” she said. The property was once her grandmother’s home. She remarked that that end of Main Street is quieter now than when the coal trains flew by. As far as the future RETA, she thought it was wise, but considered “the other bite at the apple” to be “not in the best interest of the project,” referring to the initial contribution asked of the applicants. Marty suggested the RETA be increased to 2% for future sales and the $8,950 ask maintained. This passed unanimously. Staff will now prepare the necessary approval documents.
“Folks, I think this is a funky, creative use of a very weird shaped parcel,” Silverstein concluded. “I’m looking forward to your food.”