The Salida City Council will meet in regular session, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tues. Oct. 4, immediately following a work session. The complete agenda and packet are here. The consent agenda contains four special event permits, which will be followed by citizen comments and a proclamation designating October, 2022 as Arts Month.
Occupational Lodging Tax Increase to Full Voter-Approved Limit
Ordinance 2022-18 faces a final reading and public hearing. It seeks to increase the City’s Occupational Lodging Tax (OLT) to its fully-voter-approved amount of $4.82 per occupied room per night. The original ballot issue dates back 14 years to 2008 when voters first approved an OLT. While the nightly rate has increased over time, it has not yet been brought to the maximum of $4.82 per occupied room per night.
According to the ballot language, the revenue stream from the current OLT can only be used for providing parks, recreation and arts facilities and programming; a separate ballot measure will be before voters on November 8, 2022, to separately tax Short-Term Rentals (which do not include commercial lodging facilities) for the purpose of funding affordable housing projects and programs.
Chaffee Housing Authority Requests Waivers of Certain Fees Associated with the Jane’s Place Planned Development
Site of Jane’s Place, 17-unit rental and transitional housing development at West Third Street and Hwy 291 in Salida. Merrell Bergin photo
The Chaffee Housing Authority (CHA) is seeking a waiver $62,500 in fees, the bulk of which is for system development (tap) fees for the Jane’s Place Planned Development project. According to the city staff memo, Jane’s Place is “a source of affordable and transitional housing for members of the community and, in essence, [the city] is already an investor in the project.”
Jane’s Place is a four-building, 17-unit affordable housing project being developed at the corner of West 3rd Street and Highway 291.
Salida Crossings Public Hearing
Salida Crossings Site Plan, 2017 versus 2022. Image courtesy BVD Investments and Phelps Engineering
A public hearing will be held regarding a request to extend the timeline and modify the site plan of the long-awaited Salida Crossings planned development at U.S. 50 west of Hwy 291.
The proposal would extend the current deadline to file building permits for the first building from Oct. 14, 2022 to April 28, 2023. In addition, the action item would allow for major amendments to the site plan.
According to a narrative and site plan provided by the developer, BVD Investments, “While this site layout has 42 less units and 9,000 square feet less retail/office space, it offers a more aesthetically pleasing and livable environment with a greater diversity of housing types that will enhance the U.S. 50 corridor through Salida.” The proposal was reviewed earlier on Oct. 4 in a joint city council and planning commission work session.
Resolution 2022-47 Considers Citizen Appointments to the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) Advisory Board
Depending on the outcome of the work session immediately preceding the council meeting, the council may select three citizen members of the PROST Advisory Board. If unable to reach a consensus, the selection process may be continued to a future work session.
Memorandum of Understanding with Xcel Energy for the Partners in Energy Program
City of Salida Climate Action Plan
The city’s Climate Action Plan proposes a partnership with Xcel Energy to participate in its Partners in Energy (PIE) program. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be discussed that spells out each party’s responsibilities.
It also outlines a schedule over the next 18 to 24 months to develop an energy plan and implement it. There is no financial impact at this stage of the process.
Resolution 2022-49 Seeks to Express the City Council’s Support for Ballot Issue 6A, for a 3.5 Mill Property Tax
With the November 8 Chaffee County election ballot language now set, the City Council may choose to take a position of advocacy of Ballot Issue 6A, which would create a property tax of 3.5 mills for the purpose of providing sustainable and long-term revenues to help fund the Chaffee Housing Authority; whose goal is to focus the creation of workforce and affordable housing opportunities.
Public funds to urge voters to vote for or against a matter on the ballot are generally not allowed. But several exceptions to the rule are cited in the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.). One of these exceptions is contained in C.R.S. 1-45-117 (Section 117). It states (in part) that “nothing in Section 117 forbids a political subdivision of the State from: (A) Passing a resolution or taking a position of advocacy on any issue [appearing on the local ballot]…”
Elected Official, Attorney Reports to Precede Executive Session
After hearing the usual reports, council members may move to adjourn and conduct an Executive Session. The purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss the City Clerk Annual Performance Evaluation.
To register to listen and participate in the Regular City Council Meeting click on Go To Meeting. You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. To simply watch the meeting with enhanced audio and video, “LIVE”, click on the City’s broadcast channel.
City Council Regular Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month in the Touber Building at 448 East First Street, Room 190. Council Meetings are open to the public and participants may choose to attend in person or virtually.
Featured image: Salida Crossings housing development at 1520 E. Highway 50, now owned by BVD Investments. Merrell Bergin photo, April 7, 2022
I would like to see the city clerk work 40 hrs and the people under her to do the same.