Carbondale’s last regular board meeting began with an introduction from Boden Hamilton, a Roaring Fork High School elder and non-voting board member representing a youth perspective.

During administrator comments, Erica Sparhawk shared her excitement at the recent Colorado Mountain League conference, saying the climate was discussed in each concurrent session and that she came out inspired.

Ben Bohmfalk referred to the full plan update meeting hosted by Clean Energy Economy for the Region on September 23, saying: “It was a productive meeting” but “not as well attended as I had hoped”, reckons given the amount of advertising and promotion. . The meeting assured all the usual suspects that Carbondale has made great strides towards sustainability with more progress to come. This meeting is archived on the YouTube channel titled “CLEER: Clean Energy Economy for the Region”.

According to Lani Kitching, 19 mussel infested boats have been intercepted at Ruedi Reservoir this season. The Ruedi Water and Power Authority is seeking to install solar at the reception kiosk in 2022 and is studying the possibility of a solar farm on the surface of the reservoir.

Several directors congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on their successful Business Confluence event. Mayor Dan Richardson explained, “Two hours is worth every minute. Richardson also addressed the letter delivered by 350 Roaring Fork requesting that the city’s investment portfolio abandon two oil and gas bonds (see page 5). There was no opposition to this proposal.

Then Michael Durant, who served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for over 10 years, received a special award, having recently stepped down as chair of the commission. Durant helped adopt the city’s current unified development code and zoning district map.

“You have been a model of service to the community,” said Bohmfalk. “The City thrives when people come forward and put the best interests of the City first.

Continuing, Fire Chief Rob Goodwin and architect Michael Hassig asked the City to use a water meter for a fire hydrant serving the new multifunctional training center currently under construction. Meter costs vary between $ 25,000 and $ 30,000 and overall project costs are $ 1.2 million. The facility is estimated to use up to 25,000 gallons of water per year, and no other standpipes in the city are measured.

Acting City Manager Kevin Schorzman, who is also the city’s director of public works, insisted it’s important to measure this non-emergency fire hydrant, “to get a sense of how much water used there “. Based on a long-standing agreement, the fire department will not be charged a fee for the use of water. Rather, Schorzman’s interest is in determining where the water goes to help the City remedy any potential leaks in the system.

“We’re all on both sides here,” Bohmfalk said. “Whether the City pays for it or pays for it, we all pay it. “

A motion by Bohmfalk to waive the meter requirement was seconded by Kitching and failed.

A motion from Kitching to split the cost of the meter and installation by reimbursing the fire department 50% of the cost, up to $ 15,000, was accepted with four out of six votes (Heather Henry had not still joined due to a conflicting meeting). Richardson and Bohmfalk were the dissenting voices.

Next, the trustees considered a fee schedule change for two items outside of the normal fee schedule update. With October 1 being the anniversary of the City’s agreement with Mountain Waste for the transportation of waste, an increase in tariffs for customers was considered. In addition to the 4% annual increase made possible by the contract, an additional 0.605% was added to recognize the sharp increase in fuel costs. “The way it’s offered here,” Shorzman said, “I think it’s fair.” The rates for the city-managed recreational vehicle fleet have also been increased to better reflect the market value of the services.

Regarding the 2022 budget, additional requests totaling $ 65,000 were assessed with special consideration given that the City eventually plans to spend $ 2.4 million from reserves on various projects, including real estate acquisitions.

The proposed budget will be presented at the next regular meeting on October 12th. The City’s new public engagement platform (https://carbondalekaleidoscope.org/) will be used for awareness raising.

Finally, the administrators reviewed the plans for Eighth Street and received comments from the public. Pressed to narrow the street further, they stuck to the plan approved in April with 10-foot lanes of traffic. The tree board will be asked to weigh in on the plan, as it affects the vegetation. “More efforts have been made to protect trees other than elms,” Schorzman admitted.

Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, the Trustees entered into an executive session “to discuss the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of real, personal or other interests”.

The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on September 30 at 7 p.m. will include an update from Cushing Terrell on the full plan update.

Trustees will review candidates for the city’s management at their next meeting on October 12.