The Glenwood Springs City Council staff is presenting the 2024 budget on Thursday. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the budget at a public hearing on Oct. 26, after which Council will need to approve the budget by Nov. 2.

The Roaring Fork School District was granted $260,000 from the tobacco and marijuana tax funds (separate from each other), for mental and behavioral health programs provided by the Hope Center. A remaining $130,000 has been requested by the district, and the question of whether Council should accept the request and how the request will be divided up from the tobacco and marijuana tax funds will be discussed during the meeting.  

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is presented to the mayor for approval, which would create collaboration between surrounding districts and cities when a fire has been started. The MOU acknowledges that fires don’t respect county or city lines and all entities mentioned within the MOU agree that Colorado wildfires are dangerous to everyone. While these separate entities have their differences and ideas, they have agreed to enter the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative to keep everyone safe from fires.

Discussion of waiving certain building fees for Cohen-Esrey, an affordable housing developer, is also scheduled. The fees are for what is referred to as Glenwood Gardens, a 131-unit residential building, which will be built at 51993 Hwy. 6 and 24. An exchange will be made between the city and Cohen-Esrey; the city will waive building and city system improvement and Cohen-Esrey will see a large number of the units in Glenwood Gardens restricted to people with incomes that the city doesn’t often see considered by developers. 

The council will be discussing parking in certain cul-de-sacs due to problems with emergency vehicles, specifically fire engines being able to turn while other cars are parked in the cul-de-sac. The fire department will be recommending “No Parking, Fire Lane” signs in eight cul-de-sacs:

1. Stoneridge Court
2. Ptarmigan Drive
3. Sopris Avenue
4. Glen Oak Lane
5. Parkwood Lane
6. Cottonwood Lane
7. Brush Creek Lane
8. Red Bluff Lane

The outdoor dining fee, originally created in 2014, was for leasing city-owned right-of-way spaces like sidewalks and on-street parking spaces for businesses at $1.75 per square foot and $75 annually for the business. The Council’s discussion will be about increasing those fees, which would impact costs for businesses. 

On the topic of updates and action regarding the search for city manager, City Council applications for the city manager position closed on Sep 20. The council received one application and found that the applicant fulfills the qualifications of the city manager position. Council must discuss whether they will move forward with this applicant as it is acceptable in Colorado to have only one applicant.

Lastly, a potential collaborative project between the Chamber of Commerce and Community Builders is also on the agenda for discussion.