First 37 Days – A Whirlwind!

Posted on May 24, 2015 by ktrauger@rof.net

My campaign and subsequent election to Glenwood Springs City Council has impacted my blogging, both in time and substance. However, during my campaign, one thing I said I would do was to periodically recap what Council has been doing. This blog will highlight some of the events of the last 37 days since I was sworn in. It has been a whirlwind!

Orientation.

Fellow Council member Steve Davis and I teamed up to visit with every department at the City of Glenwood during the first month. It was truly an eye opener! In all we met with at least 20 departments or areas over multiple days, usually spending at least one and a half to two hours with each area. Both Steve and I are convinced that this is something Council members should do every couple of years. I still need to sign up for a ride-along with Police Chief Terry Wilson’s crew, but it is something I intend to do.

The Bridge . . .

Somehow I think this will show up in every update from now on. We are currently working on agreements that will move the project forward. We approved a Memorandum of Agreement, or MOA concerning the protection and mitigation of sensitive historic structures, and aesthetic treatment of the bridge. (May 7, 2015) Other agreements including joint use agreements and maintenance and operations agreements are coming.

I attended an open house April 27th at the library presented by the Downtown Development Association (DDA) on the planned improvements under and near the new bridge. The reaction I heard was they still needed quite a bit of work. Lisa Neuman, a former Disney designer, presented some alternative designs in the lobby of the library, which generally met with more public approval – at least from what I heard.

Cooper Avenue looking North from 8th Street

Improvements suggested by the DDA along Cooper Avenue met with more favorable responses.

Leslie Bethel, Executive Director of the DDA, presented information to Council at a work session May 21 on design elements to be incorporated into the Grand Avenue Bridge. Council was generally pleased with the direction the aesthetics seem to be moving. There is a bit of disappointment that the sandstone we hoped to be used along the entire length of the outside of the bridge cannot be used. Because of the movement within the bridge, there does not seem to be a cost effective way to attach it in a way that it will not pop off, creating a potential problem to motorists along I-70.

Organizational Change.

Council voted to eliminate the in-house City Attorney position and outsource legal services. Many thanks to Jan Shute for her years of service as City Attorney.

Alternative Pedestrian Connection for 7th Street.

At the urging of Councilman Steve Davis, work has begun on making what is essentially a very large culvert usable to pedestrians when walking from the downtown and meeting up with pedestrian path along the Roaring Fork by the old wastewater treatment plant in the confluence area. Public works is putting a hard surface and a new fence in this area. This will be fantastic for folks parking in the public parking lot along 7th and heading to summer music in Two Rivers Park. I’ll let you know when that is completed.

City property/GSES Land Swap Election.

Council has authorized a special election in November that would allow a trade for the city property currently occupied by the recycle center and city storage facilities for Vogelaar Park. This would be good for GSES as it fits well with their master plan for the site, allowing for better traffic and bus circulation, as well as taking a first step to allow the city to move forward with plans for the Confluence area.

8th Street Connection.

City staff has heard from Union Pacific Railroad that their preferred alignment of 8th Street is a straight alignment. However, they have not completed their review of the 30% design submitted several months ago, so we wait. Senators Michael Bennett and Scott Tipton have both contacted UPRR asking for their cooperation in making a timely decision.

RFTA Access Control Plan

There seems to be some movement to seek additional opinions about the best method to protect the trail. From my perspective, as a Glenwood Springs Councilor, we need to protect the rights of the property owners in the Cole Subdivision as well as being able to connect and cross the trail that runs through and impacts Glenwood Springs. More to come on this important issue.

Marijuana Regulations.

Currently the hot topic is the regulations surrounding retail marijuana. Councilor Steve Davis, Police Chief Terry Wilson and I met with a group of neighbors in the area of 11th and Cooper to discuss the impact of the retail marijuana stores on their neighborhood. I have also received several calls and emails concerning this issue. At the City Council meeting May 21, we heard from residents and business owners as well as representatives from Youth Zone. Based on concerns and a need to review the regulations, we have scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday, May 26th at 9 a.m. to consider an emergency ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications of marijuana establishments. From there, we will make plans for a review of our current regulations.

Goal Setting.

Council met in an all day session Monday, May 18 to identify some key goals for the next two years. I will have more information on this in another post within a day or two.

Development Code Update.

(Also a City Council Goal) This is very important for our community. Council, just before the election, chose to begin the process by requesting an RFQ be prepared by Community Development. As Chair of the Planning Commission I, and other commission members, have requested this for several years. I will give you an update as soon as I hear something.

Stop Signs at 7th and Colorado.

Council approved installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of 7th Street and Colorado Avenue. Site distance is compromised at that intersection making it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to negotiate safely. Additionally, it is causing backups along Colorado as people attempt left hand turns off Colorado. I will give you more information on the timing on this installation a little later.

Other issues that I have been made aware of or that have come before City Council:

Blake Street Gate near Walmart: A final decision has not been made to open this gate but it is budgeted for 2015 and preliminary design work is being done. This will be an agenda item in the very near future so stay tuned.

Fluoridation levels. Currently the city staff is waiting for State directives to change before making changes to our current fluoridation levels.

Development of Mountain Biking Trails on Red Mountain, South Canyon and Iron Mountain. Funds have been allocated for a study of the South Canyon and Red Mountain areas. Watch for additional information.

Hot Water Issues at Manor I – HUD housing. Issues

Glenwood Annual City Cleanup – I have been made aware of issues with this including illegal dumping of items by non-residents and other issues. Is it time to look at other options?

And finally some issues that I have requested be placed on future agendas:

Sales Tax Vendor Fee Reinstatement

Budget Process

Discretionary Grant/Tourism Grant Process

There are other things that we are working on and I will be trying to update everyone at least monthly, if not more often.

Other Items:

Boards & Commissions Mayor Michael Gamba will officially make appointments to city boards and commissions at the next regular City Council meeting. However, it looks like I will be serving as an alternate to the Transportation Commission and RFTA Board, and the representative to the Financial Advisory Board, the Northwest Council of Governments and Club 20. I am excited to work with these groups to help make positive changes for Glenwood Springs.

I also had the privilege to participate with students from Glenwood Springs High School in Project Citizen. My thanks to Wayne Smith and his students for allowing me to take part in the final presentations of their projects. I hope to be able to continue to engage students in our schools at all levels.

Please contact me about any issue you wish to discuss. (970) 379-4849 or email me at

kathryn.trauger@cogs.us. I would be happy to talk with you at any time.

Addressing Homelessness Glenwood Springs!

Posted on March 20, 2015 by ktrauger@rof.net

Paul Wilm, Veteran. Photo by Christopher Mullen / Post Independent

Joe Mollica asked a valid question in a recent Letter to the Editor in a the Glenwood Post Independent. I have to say that Ward 1 candidate Steve Davis gave a much better response during the Issues and Answers night than I. This is not an issue simply of homelessness. As Steve pointed out, for some, this is a lifestyle choice. For others, like some veterans it is the result of circumstances beyond their control. And for others it is due to mental illness.

Steve Carcaterra who was the director of Lift Up at the time, was among the first to recognize the severity of the problem in Glenwood and from that evolved the Extended Table which continues at the First United Methodist Church. My children and I cooked, served, and did clean up detail for a number of years when this program was in its infancy. While my focus has changed, my understanding of the need in this area has not.

Homeless. By Dmitry G (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The photo of Paul Wilm, above, was from a Glenwood Post Independent article last November addressing the homeless issue. However, to address this issue completely, we must also address another significant issue within our community. That issue is mental illness. A year ago I penned a column for the Glenwood Post Independent titled You Are Not Alone. The Glenwood Post has since provided numerous columns including some from Publisher Michael Bennett on the ravages of mental illness.

Here are some facts from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

One in four adults experiences mental illness in a given year. One in 17 people live with serious mental illness like schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder.
Approximately 20 percent of youth ages 13-18 experience severe mental disorders in a given year. For kids ages 8-15, about 13 percent experience a severe mental disorder.
About 60 percent of adults and 50 percent of children and youths with mental illness have received no mental health services in the past year.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death — more common than homicide — and the third leading cause of death for those in the 15-24 year range.
Veterans represent 20 percent of suicides nationally. Each day about 22 veterans die by suicide.

Like it or not, the issues are related. But Mr. Mollica is asking for solutions. The City certainly has some responsibility but little money. Currently the City earmarks over $140, 000 in discretionary funding for grants. Much of the grant money goes to organizations like the Salvation Army, Feed My Sheep and Catholic Charities. Could it do more?

Cooter by Kelley Cox Post Independent 2008

Developing public/private partnerships and relationships to effect change is critical. Most of the homeless population, including those suffering from mental illness, range throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. A start might be a regional group including Aspen Hope, Mindsprings, NAMI, Veterans Administration, Valley View Hospital, Aspen Valley Hospital, the counties and municipalities coming together to get three critical facilities done: 1) a detox facility 2) an inpatient facility specializing in mental illness and 3) an emergency homeless shelter with access to help from Mindspring and/or Aspen Hope.

The city cannot do this alone, nor should it. But there is opportunity to make progress in this area one step at a time. As usual, the issue is location. I am not an advocate of this infrastructure being in downtown Glenwood, however, the issue of transportation must be considered. To house these facilities in Glenwood’s core is to invite conflict.

Perhaps it is time to start these discussions. Again, this is one area that we know that something is needed . . . so we don’t need a study or to hire an outside consultant. We just need get the major players at a table, find a viable location, and get the show on the road. It may need to be done in stages due to funding constraints. But that should not keep Glenwood Springs, in cooperation with others, from moving forward!

Issues: FOUR Ways to Support Our Business Community

Posted on February 17, 2015 by ktrauger@rof.net

Support our local business community to insure a strong community!

1. Reinstate the Sales Tax Service Fee

In 2009, due to the economic downturn the city eliminated the two percent service fee (also known as a vendor fee) that had been allowed. This fee represents the portion of the sales tax retained by the business to cover the cost of collecting and remitting the sales tax.

Sales tax is up within the city and nearing pre-recession levels. It is time for the city to reinstate the Service Fee. It is one way the city can support the businesses that keep Glenwood Springs vibrant.

2. Rework the Discretionary Grant Process

The Acquisitions and Improvement Tax approved by voters in 1998 included a provision for a discretionary fund. $140,407 has been allocated in the 2015 budget

Although the city’s web page does not specify, over the years these funds have been largely used for human service grants to entities like Lift Up, Feed My Sheep, Catholic Charities, etc. While absolutely worthwhile, human services entities generally have a variety of other funding sources. However, many of these entities have come to assume these funds will be awarded in at least the same amount, if not greater, year after year.

Additionally, currently there is little accountability or reporting required of these entities to assure funds are being used for the purpose intended. I would recommend that any group, business, charity, or other not be funded for more than two consecutive years. Additionally, any entity receiving funding should be prepared to file a report documenting the use of the funds. Any entity not meeting the filing requirements will not be eligible for funding for a two year period. These are normal requirements for grants.

Additionally, in order to assist our business community through the Grand Avenue Bridge construction, I would recommend, that beginning with the 2016 budget, at least half of the discretionary funding be earmarked for local businesses. With the 2017 & 2018 I would recommend that three-quarters of the discretionary fund be funneled into local businesses. The application process, reporting and restrictions would follow the revised discretionary grant process. Funds could be used for improvements such as awning replacement, repainting, remodeling and refreshing an alley entrance or facade improvements.

Once construction is completed, we need to re-evaluate the process to see what the needs of the community require.

3. Re-write Land Use Code

The regulations are complex, confusing and, in some cases contradictory. It is time to rewrite the land use codes which include sign and parking codes. We need to clarify and simplify this information. Investors in businesses in Glenwood need to be able to move forward, clearly knowing what is expected of them when they want to build, expand, move or upgrade. Glenwood Springs currently has commercial design standards. However, a search on the website simply refers one to the municipal code or to various minutes from City Council or the Planning Commission.

There is no need to lower our standards. In fact, they could be tightened. However, they must be clear and concise. Staff has been working on a technical specification manual. Due to some other major projects, they have not completed it. Keep staff working on the major issues, but move this forward and take it off of staff’s plate by outsourcing the writing of this manual and of the Land Use Code.

4. Provide Great Community Places

While last on this list, this may be one of the most important elements of supporting the business community. People drive the economy and people are attracted to lively, vibrant community places. Revitalizing areas as has been done along 7th Street is critical to supporting our business community. It is important to provide places where people feel safe and connected.

Currently the DDA is exploring revitalization of Cooper, between 7th and 8th as well as the alley ways between 7th and 8th and Cooper and Colorado. Areas on the north side of 7th and the area on 6th between Pine and Laurel are also areas of focus. These visions are wonderful. But we need to make them a reality. We also need to focus on other areas of Glewood including West Glenwood and South Glenwood and the Confluence area. We are one community and as we make each area of our town stronger the entire town will benefit.

According to CommunityBuilders.net vital communities have elements that connect people where they live to where they shop and work and play. They are truly walkable community spaces. It is of critical importance that the city of Glenwood be the catalyst to providing these great community places.

Kathryn Trauger

Glenwood Springs City Councilor At-Large

Community