Salida City Council held their last scheduled meeting of 2020 on December 15, , which contained an expansive agenda. Council approved on first reading Ordinance 2020-13 which will transfer property currently owned by the City to the Chaffee Housing Trust. This land will be used to build residential units for sale or rental to households earning below 80 percent of the area median income. A public hearing and second reading on the property transfer is set for Jan. 5, 2021.
Council also approved a lease to Rivian, LLC for a portion of the property located at 232 G Street (west side of Safeway at Monarch Spur Trail) to install eight electric vehicle charging stations. Rivian is the manufacturer of a line of all-new, electric pickup trucks and “Adventure” Sport Utility Vehicles. As an outdoor sports mecca, Salida was selected to be a part of Rivian’s nationwide EV Charging network.
Resolution 2020-43, which adopts the 2021 Fee Schedules was also approved. No major percentage changes in fees are shown, except for the resulting small, monthly increases in water and wastewater utility rates, previously approved by Council. Next, after a lengthy discussion on Resolution 2020-44, council approved a new, public access agreement with Kitson Holdings, LLC.
The area in question is used by the public to move between the Coors Boat Ramp, the FIBArk building and Riverside Park. Previously, the city was in charge of maintaining and policing this area under an easement granted in 2008. With the remodeling of the Manhattan Hotel and its two new retail storefronts, groups now use the space in a different manner. Pedestrian, bicycle and river sports users have greatly increased in number, sometimes in conflict with the new retail, dining and shopping area on the south and east facing sidewalks.
Upright signage defines social distancing, blue tape indicates open rows and yellow X tape shows no seating areas in Salida City Council Chambers, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Merrell Bergin photo
The city of Salida was approached by the owner of Kitson Holdings, LLC, Ray Kitson over the summer regarding the new use of the space. After monitoring the area, it was evident that patrons were lingering for longer periods of time and the city was unable to keep up with maintenance of the easement. The new public access agreement still provides for a six-foot wide pedestrian access through the area. In addition, bicyclists will be asked to dismount as they enter. Finally, it removes the responsibility of the city to maintain the area, placing that back on the property owner.
In other action, Eileen Rodgers and Jane Templeton were elected as Salida members of the Board of Directors of the Chaffee Housing Authority, with Drew Nelson elected as an alternate member.
The Treasurer’s report concluded the meeting with more good news, continuing a ten-month trend. For October, Salida City Sales Taxes increased by $159,888 – a 30 percent gain compared with October, 2019. The city portion of County Sales tax also increased by 17 percent compared with October, 2019. Year to date, total sales tax revenues are almost 15 percent higher than last year and above budget by the same percentage.
Retail, Accommodation and Food Services continued to drive these gains, comprising 89 percent of total collections. “Clearly Salidans, Chaffee County residents and our many visitors continue to invest in Salida by voting with their shopping, lodging and dining dollars,” said Treasurer Merrell Bergin.
“Dollars spent in Salida, stay in Salida, both for purchases and the sales taxes added to them,” said Bergin. “Creating a unique ‘shop local’ environment has enabled our businesses to retain knowledgeable employees, keep shelves stocked with things people need and want and remit tax revenues. This allows the City of Salida to provide the amenities and services that have put Salida on the map.”
Shopping locally is the best way to ensure that stores keep Salida vibrant, both downtown and on Highway 50. Beyond that, while not everything is available in Salida, most stores are happy to special order for customers, which again keeps local stores afloat. Ordering online and shipping to local homes and businesses extends the marketplace even further and does benefit the City with tax collections, but as a distant third choice.
“Shopping away from Chaffee County at a Front Range retailer, then carrying out purchases is about the only avenue that does not help the city or its residents in any way. Salida has been much more fortunate, both healthwise and economically than many neighboring cities and counties during the pandemic. Shopping locally (and from home) offers financial benefits and it helps keep our residents safe from non-essential travel,” concluded Bergin. “Each of us can play a role in keeping our community safe and prospering as we navigate the New Year. Shopping patterns established today will carry our success even beyond the conquering of this pandemic.”
Featured image: Media covering public meetings. Courtesy The Climate Reality Project by Unsplash
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