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Frisco Council Candidates
SUMMIT DAILY NEWS
March 26, 2008
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Eileen Davies
Age: 62
Occupation: Retired educator
Community service (last 3 years): Frisco Planning Commissioner
Education: B.A. Ursinus College, M.Ed. Lehigh University, Class of 2008 of the Keystone Center’s Leadership Summit
Years in Frisco: Nearly 5 years
Family: Married with one son
Given budget projections for the next couple of years, what would you do during your term on council to ensure the town’s long-term fiscal stability? Please be specific. Are there any services that could be cut without causing too much pain for residents?
The town’s long-term reliance on sales tax poses its own set of issues. I believe that in order to maintain the character of Frisco, we may need to learn to live with less. I think that budget expenditures should continue to be scrutinized carefully to adhere to the priorities already established. For example, in the capital fund, projects are categorized according to type and labeled as core, desired, and non-essential. Should cuts become necessary, they would begin with the non-essential in a category determined to have the least negative impact at that time. This and other strategic planning measures ensure that difficult decisions are made prior to any fiscal crisis when thinking is often of the knee-jerk variety.
Should the incoming town council move to begin development on the 9.4 acre parcel? If so, what type of development should Frisco be looking for on that property?
Yes, this is a town priority. As the last sizable town-owned commercial acreage, it is imperative that the 9.4 parcel be developed in a way that preserves the character of our town, keeps our locally owned businesses strong through fair competition, and yet enhances the town’s sales tax base. I support mixed use on this parcel. Best, I think, is a pedestrian/bike friendly community of commercial spaces interspersed with attainable and market rate rentals as well as attainable and market rate for-sale housing. Also important to this new community are safe, attractive connections to the transfer station and the Wal-Mart-Safeway strip of stores.
Besides pursuing the current process for the Peak One parcel, what can the incoming council do to make a dent in what some town officials describe as an affordable housing crisis?
agree with the efforts the town is currently pursuing to increase the inventory of affordable housing; developing town-owned lands; expanding the use of density bonuses in the mixed use and central core districts; establishing cabin/cottage in-fill zoning, investigating housing buy-downs, and others. Measure 5A, approved by voters in 2006, allows Frisco to move forward with these initiative through the revenue generated by impact fees and a sales tax percentage. It is important to note, however, that because Frisco has limited land and is approaching build-out, it may be impossible to fulfill the need that has been identified.
Should Frisco be doing more to address the impacts of the pine beetle epidemic? If so, what?
Protection of the environment has taken on new meaning since the devastation of the forests by the pine bark beetle. Town efforts to establish a defensible perimeter between our town and the forest, remove infested tress, and reforest key areas like the peninsula should continue and work in tandem with citizen efforts on private property and volunteer efforts on town owned public lands. The town must continue to search for grant opportunities for additional funding.
Should Summit County and the towns move toward consolidating more municipal services and perhaps someday forming a city and county of Summit. Why or why not?
In general, no. Each town in Summit County has its own distinct vision of its future. Our vision is the Town of Frisco Master Plan, collaboratively created by Frisco citizens, elected officials, planning commission and town staff. I believe this unique vision should advise us in making decisions that impact our future as a town. Our needs, challenges, and topographical situation are different, and the citizens of Frisco have the greatest understanding of these issues. That being said, there may be advantages in combining some services as has been done with the fire departments. However, for each proposed consolidation, Frisco must carefully weigh potential economic benefit with the level of service which may result.
What’s your long-term vision for the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area?
I see a peninsula that is not very different from what exists today. The magnificent views which the cutting has afforded us will be there for at least a generation until the smaller and newly replanted trees once again obscure some of the peaks. Some low impact (to the environment) amenities may be enhanced, as in the case of the skateboard park, sledding hill or Nordic trails; other low impact amenities may be created, such as additional disk golf course holes, a dog park or winter-only ice rink. The lodge will feel the pressure of additional users of the peninsula and be enlarged.
What can the incoming council do to start building up economic activity on the west end of Main Street?
The most important economic stimulus is to finish the project as soon as possible. Already users of the new, but unfinished, walkway requested that it be plowed (which did occur). Tourists just strolling want more of our town and locals are looking for new places to eat dinner or to pick up dinner as they return home from the post office. The planting of trees, new lighting and benches will entice shoppers to experience West Main. Tourists and locals alike want a safe pedestrian route to North Ten Mile trailhead, the kayak park and the bus stops.
Bill Pelham
Age: 71
Occupation: The Barnyard, part-time
Community service (last 3 years): Mayor Pro-Tem (currently); School Board; St. Anthony’s Medical Center Board
Education: B.A. Occidental College, Master’s from Auburn in business
Years in Frisco: 14 years
Family: Wife, Karen, 5 children
Given budget projections for the next couple of years, what would you do during your term on council to ensure the town's long-term fiscal stability? Please be specific. Are there any services that could be cut without causing too much pain for residents?
Town has a five year capital projects list broken out by year with projects categorized as core, desired and non-essential.
Should the incoming town council move to begin development on the 9.4 acre parcel? If so, what type of development should Frisco be looking for on that property?
Development of the 9.4 acre parcel has been an objective for every council since the parcel was obtained. Finding an acceptable balance and tenant(s) for a mixed-use development project appears to be the best course of action.
Besides pursuing the current process for the Peak One parcel, what can the incoming council do to make a dent in what some town officials describe as an affordable housing crisis?
Council and staff are looking at all town owned parcels including some rights-of-way to use in addressing the need for attainable housing. Other options to be explored include incentives to developers to provide units in their projects and/or perhaps some sort of inclusionary zoning. Employers also need to be encouraged to help address the housing issue in order to stabilize their work force.
Should Frisco be doing more to address the impacts of the pine beetle epidemic. If so, what?
Frisco has been a leader in pine beetle mitigation. These efforts need to continue. Council has also worked on recovery efforts to help augment nature in the reforestation effort.
Should Summit County and the towns move toward consolidating more municipal services and perhaps someday forming a city and county of Summit. Why or why not?
Consolidation of services between the County and the towns should always be given consideration when it is the best interest of the Town and its citizens. Consideration of forming a Recreation District for the County and Towns could be a possible step forward.
What's your long-term vision for the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area?
The Town has a viable master plan for the Peninsula Recreation Area that addressed citizen input for the prioritized addition of facilities and activities. Progress towards fulfillment of these ideas will enhance the viability of the PRA on a year around basis. The PRA will become the third "crown jewel" of Frisco along with the Frisco Historic Park and the Frisco Marina.
What can the incoming council do to start building up economic activity on the west end of Main Street?
With the completion of the West Main Street project this summer, visibility for Main Street from the I-70 exits should encourage more traffic to move on Main Street. Routing some events along the new/planned sidewalks/recreation paths and the programmed new foot-bridge across the Ten Mile Creek should help increase traffic in the West Main Street area and encourage more business development.
Miles F. Porter IV
Age: 63
Occupation: Second-generation Colorado newspaperperson; U.S. Army veteran and former Climax molybdenum miner.
Community Service (last 3 years): Numerous boards
Education: BA Adams State College, journalism/archaeology
How long in Frisco: 25 years
Family: Wife, Mary E. Staby; son Miles V
Given budget projections for the next couple of years, what would you do during your term on council to ensure the town’s long-term fiscal stability? Please be specific. Are there any services that could be cut without causing too much pain for residents?
With the support of voters, raise the sales tax by one penny, a revenue source increase that all Frisco shoppers will pay. “Soft” costs (like maintenance) could be reduced by selling a few of the town’s excess properties, turning them into more productive uses. And since Frisco’s already in the recreation business, what about taking over the nearby U.S. Forest Service campgrounds as another revenue generator. It’s just a thought.
Should the incoming town council move to begin development on the 9.4 acre parcel? If so, what type of development should Frisco be looking for on that property?
The town bought the land from the school district to develop with revenue-generating uses. Mixed-use seems to be what locals favor. Sending aloft a “balloon” for interested parties to submit development ideas has merit. Or what about “suggesting” Wal-Mart move over there with a larger store, producing more sales volume, and turning the current structure into a town-developed ice rink/performance/convention center?
Besides pursuing the current process for the Peak One parcel, what can the incoming council do to make a dent in what some town officials describe as an affordable housing crisis?
Providing incentives for small apartments in larger houses (old-timers know them as “bandit units”) is one possibility. Another is allowing construction of small stand-alone houses on accommodating town rights of way lands. Improved marketing of “buy-downs” on existing units could provide a quick step. Peak One — if approved — is several years down the road before any houses are available.
Should Frisco be doing more to address the impacts of the pine beetle epidemic. If so, what?
Yes, by planting and more trees — on public lands and have the town assist in buying and spraying trees with private landowners. We must continue to be aware of possible remedies to stifle the beetle onslaught.
Should Summit County and the towns move toward consolidating more municipal services and perhaps someday forming a city and county of Summit. Why or why not?
This concept surfaces now and then. It sounds good, but not likely to happen as parochial interests prevail. Fire department consolidation shows it can happen.
What’s your long-term vision for the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area?
Unfortunately, clear-cutting of remaining lodgepole forest, this time by the U.S. Forest Service, is planned for this year. The Town of Frisco cleared its quarter-share of the Peninsula last year. The town should envision buying the remaining acreage (about 600 acres) and continue to expand recreational offerings for everyone in Frisco and Summit County.
What can the incoming council do to start building up economic activity on the west end of Main Street?
The town took a welcome, positive step with the modernizing of the roadway and installing a pedestrian pathway (still to be completed) last fall. While this was being done, the Mexican food restaurant and the pizza place went out of business, and the Big Horn Property Rentals operation moved over to a side street. Tom Hallin and Mark Sabatini are building more retail and office spaces anchored by their Alpine Natural Foods, while Rob Philippe is renovating the Frisco West Professional Building into the 101 WestMain, attracting new businesses. Tony Seibert has plans to redevelop the former gas station (old Big Horn) property. Meetings of West Main property owners coupled with being aware of the situation help considerably.
Larry Sawyer
Age: 65
Occupation: Copper Mountain Ski Instructor
Community Service: Planning Commission, Christian Education at our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.
Education: BA, BS. Major: History and Political Science; Minor: Philosophy
How long in Frisco: Five years
Family: Spouse: Judy, 3 children
Given budget projections for the next couple of years, what would you do during your term on council to ensure the town's long-term fiscal stability? Please be specific. Are there any services that could be cut without causing too much pain for residents?
A budget is a history; most items included in the old budget have a real reason for being there: for example police protection. I oppose across the board reductions because they make a good service marginal and a marginal service terrible. Cuts in the base service usually provide little savings, (cause you can’t cut enough) and serve to irritate everyone. New services/improvements included in a budget are easiest to reduce/cut. (Last in first out) It is necessary to be judicial when pruning this list because it may contain essential things needing work like housing: which is a new item in the 2008 budget. The economy is moving toward a recession and Frisco could have a poor tourist year in 2009. We need to protect our reserves to insure Frisco has sufficient resources to carry us through 2009. As a council member I would work with my fellow members to rethink the 2008 budget, deferring spending on those items budgeted but not authorized with the intent of caring forward as big of a reserve as possible.
Should the incoming town council move to begin development on the 9.4 acre parcel? If so, what type of development should Frisco be looking for on that property?
Frisco needs to commercially develop the 9.4 acres. It was purchased for the purpose of adding to the Town's sales tax base and clearly we need the money. Frisco’s current revenue base is insufficient to support our old spending for services and our new program like attainable housing and reducing our carbon footprint. The only tax mechanism Frisco has to obtain new revenues is by developing the 9.4 acres.
Besides pursuing the current process for the Peak One parcel, what can the incoming council do to make a dent in what some town officials describe as an affordable housing crisis?
If we want to keep Frisco from becoming another Aspen, (importing our professional and service employees from as far away as Rifle); we will need to spend considerable amounts of tax dollars protecting and adding attainable housing. Developing the Peak One Parcel only makes a dent in the problem. Only a sustained long term effort will keep in Frisco a healthy mix of incomes, ages and interests. The only way to fund this kind of housing program is with a new revenue source, i.e., developing the 9.4 acres.
Should Frisco be doing more to address the impacts of the pine beetle epidemic? If so, what?
The pine bark beetle infestation has killed over 4000 trees and consequently Frisco is noisier, hotter, subject to wind stress, less private and dustier. The Town cannot afford to replant all the lost trees. We as citizens can! The Town can help homeowners choose the right trees, purchase trees in bulk, create an overall site plan, and help with tree planting. I propose a low cost effort to help us replant Frisco. Any tree we plant today is a tree for the next generation
Should Summit County and the towns move toward consolidating more municipal services and perhaps someday forming a city and county of Summit. Why or why not?
Metropolitan areas that start on this path stall out after consolidating sewage treatment, transportation, and water and fire protection. Summit County has done well with transportation and fire. I would not support using scarce resources, (time, talent and treasure) chasing an effort with limited prospects of success.
What's your long-term vision for the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area?
Replant it as soon as funds become available. Otherwise I have not thought about it.
What can the incoming council do to start building up economic activity on the west end of Main Street?
I think of the West End as Frisco’s portal to Copper Mountain. Currently the west end lacks a viable anchor to attract people. It has no sense of entry or arrival. Those who would most benefit by developing an enticing portal, the businesses on Main St. are not engaged in its development. I would seek and use their input. Second, I want to revisit zoning that mandates that all new construction on Main Street allocates commercial space on the first floor. I am not sure that a town with only 2,500 citizens can support that much commercial activity. Where clearly we need more land for attainable housing.
Gary Wilkinson
Age: 57
Occupation: Licensed Professional Land Surveyor in Colorado. Project Manager and Senior Party Chief for Range West Inc. in Frisco. Appointed Summit County Surveyor in March and hope to be elected to the position in the general election in November. Volunteers as a certified ski race official in the winter.
Community Service (last 3 years): Member of the Ten Mile Planning Commission, Countywide Planning Commission, Frisco Citizen Advisory Committee for the Frisco Master Plan.
Education: Graduate of Summit High School; BS in mining engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
How long in Frisco: 41 years
Family: Wife, Dianne, daughters Valerie and Sharon
Given budget projections for the next couple of years, what would you do during your term on council to ensure the town’s long-term fiscal stability? Please be specific. Are there any services that could be cut without causing too much pain for residents?
Closely watch spending and revenues during the year, not just at budget time. Work with staff on continuing incentives for cost savings by town employees. Carefully look at capital projects and their long term effect on the general operating costs of the town. Encourage partnering with other governments on projects that benefit Summit County residents and guests. Support diversity in revenues to reduce large dependency on sales tax. Support the town’s efforts in applying for grants and other funding.
Cutting any service will be a pain for some residents. My priority is to maintain a safe and healthy community for residents and guests. All services should be evaluated and looked at during review of the town’s budget. Until the new council has an opportunity to analyze the cost and benefits of current levels of service, and prioritize future needs, it would be short-sighted to say at this point to say a particular service can be cut.
Should the incoming town council move to begin development on the 9.4-acre parcel? If so, what type of development should Frisco be looking for on that property?
The town council should continue to look at development opportunities for the best use of the parcel. It should also work with the neighboring residents on any proposed development. The type needs to fit the current zoning, which is commercial and residential. And it should account for future transportation needs.
Besides pursuing the current process for the Peak One parcel, what can the incoming council do to make a dent in what some town officials describe as an affordable housing crisis?
Evaluate and put the revenues from the funding initiative passed in 2006 to best use. Encourage the use of incentives for new developments to include affordable housing. Work with major employers in the county in providing housing opportunities.
Should Frisco be doing more to address the impacts of the pine beetle epidemic? If so, what?
The town should encourage the planting of diverse tree species to avoid such infestations. It should support uses of pine beetle trees to encourage their harvesting.
Should Summit County and the towns move toward consolidating more municipal services and perhaps someday forming a city and county of Summit. Why or why not?
Such a proposal is not in the current goals of any of these groups. Long before I came to Summit County, the different towns and basins had strong parochial interests, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I have seen very beneficial cooperation between governments and hope to expand on that if elected.
What’s your long-term vision for the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area?
The town adopted a Recreation plan in September and I will evaluate and follow those goals and recommendations. I support having a year round recreation park with diverse uses and a slightly larger lodge that can support larger events. We must continue to work on reforestation and forest management. In the future I think a grade separated crossing on Highway 9 will be needed.
What can the incoming council do to start building up economic activity on the west end of Main Street?
The council should avoid focusing on one specific spot in town when building up economic activity. The town is currently spending a substantial amount of funds on West Main street in sidewalks, parks, landscaping and signage. This project will be completed this year and improve the appearance along this entrance to town, and hopefully stimulate new and existing businesses along the street. A more holistic, balanced strategy should be taken to maintain and enhance the economic vitality throughout all of Frisco.
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