October Mayor's Minute

Hello neighbors, Fall colors may be starting to fade but we are busy here preparing for what promises to be another banner winter. Last month, Natalie Binder was appointed to Town Council to fill the empty seat left by Paul Oupadia’s resignation. I want to thank all the candidates who stepped up and volunteered to serve our community. While it makes it hard to choose, we are lucky to have so many engaged and highly-qualified community members willing to serve. Before we review last month’s meeting highlights, I would like to share three updates.

• The Design Review Board and Town Council convened in a special joint meeting on October 5, to review and approve the proposed amendment to add a red-light beacon to the already approved communication tower at the top of Lift 7. The red-light is a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration and a mandated condition of the crucially-needed upgrades for communication and public-safety. Telluride Ski Resort hopes to have the new tower and upgrades completed by August 2018.
• On October 11, Town Council convened a Special Town Council meeting focused on the 2018 budget where council members reviewed the details of each department’s budget, received the Grant Committee’s recommendations, and discussed upcoming capital improvement projects. Stay tuned in the next month for a more in-depth email dedicated to the budget.
• On October 12, the Town of Mountain Village held an open-house to discuss a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Lot 30, Parcel M, slated in the Comprehensive Plan as a potential flagship hotel site in the Village Center Subarea. We believe public input is a key component of any comprehensive plan and comprehensive plan amendment and were very pleased to see so many neighbors turn out to learn more and share their feedback.

September 21 Meeting Highlights

• Town Council approved a new fire mitigation incentive program that will reimburse homeowners up to $5,000 in building permit fees related to replacement of cedar shake roofs with approved fire-resistant roofing materials. The program is funded in partnership with TMVOA and reimbursements will be retroactive to January 2017.
• Council reviewed the preliminary draft 2018 budget and the results of the recently completed employee salary and benefits comparison study were reviewed.
• We approved an intergovernmental agreement with San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) that will fund the town’s transportation. The proposed funding to the town will be approximately $120,000 for 2018 services.
• The following appointments to committees and projects were made:
  • San Miguel Authority for Regional Transit (SMART): Natalie Binder – alternate member
  • Mountain Village Community Grant Committee: Natalie Binder – regular member
  • Telluride Mountain Village Gondola Committee: Patrick Berry – regular member
  • San Miguel Watershed Coalition: Sam Starr – regular member
  • EcoAction Partners: Natalie Binder – alternate member
  • Green Team: Patrick Berry, Bruce MacIntire, Jonathan Greenspan, Savanna Wagner, Martinique Davis, Jeff Proteau, and Garrett Brafford

If you would like more specifics about any of these topics, you can review minutes from the meeting or review the meeting video at the town website. October 19 Agenda Highlights

• Town Council will hear an update about Phase II of the Town Hall Subarea Plan and an additional council member will also be appointed to this committee to replace Cath Jett.
• Additionally, we will discuss a proposed work plan and focus for the 2018 Village Center Subarea. Preliminary discussions have been concentrated on landscaping and site improvements of the plaza areas to meet and refine the resident, guest, and business experience and continue to positively augment the plazas. We will also be discussing whether this committee will conduct an infrastructure analysis that would focus on existing and future plans for an engaging Village Center. This analysis could explore whether we have adequate roadways, parking, pick-up and delivery zones, pedestrian pathways, trail integration, and could potentially include a review of undeveloped parcels in the village core.
• The Telluride Conference Center will provide their annual update.
• We will have a first reading of an ordinance approving an amendment to the Municipal Code to adopt statewide definitions for sales taxes.

A full agenda has been posted on our website; we welcome your input by any means you are comfortable with and hope to see you at the meeting. Warm regards, Laila Benitez Mountain Village Mayor