Dave Barnes, one of Steamboat Springs’ newest City Council members, sent an email to his colleagues just hours before Tuesday’s meeting, raising questions about two topics: the proposed Stormwater Utility Fund and the structure of the Yampa Valley Housing Authority’s board.

Barnes began the email by expressing concern that the community may not be fully aware of the impacts of the potential Stormwater Utility Fund. 

“Being new on this issue, and understanding how much time and energy has gone into this process, I want to voice my concern that this is moving really fast, even if it doesn’t feel like it to you,” Barnes wrote to his colleagues. “No one I’m talking with is aware this is going on, and I believe we are going to be giving staff the green light here shortly to form this Utility Fund Dec. 16th?”

He also suggested the city revisit aspects of its intergovernmental agreement with Routt County regarding the housing authority, including downsizing the board, implementing term limits and setting standards for qualifications for future appointees, as well as whether YVHA staff should be “capped on an annual basis.”

At the meeting, Barnes explained that he wanted to give his fellow councilors some “food for thought” as they look toward a joint meeting with the Routt County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 9, where both entities will review the IGA of the housing authority, and given that council and the commissioners will interview YVHA board candidates the following week. 

Councilor Bryan Swintek noted in the discussion that while some of Barnes’ ideas were worth a conversation, such as the term limits and board size, others went beyond the council’s direct responsibilities. 

“The topic is really treading into, ‘Do we want to get into the business of affordable housing?’ I mean, that’s what Dave (Barnes) is really talking about, is managing a housing authority,” said Swintek. “Do we want to do that?”

City Attorney Dan Foote clarified that certain issues raised by Barnes, such as property tax exemptions for housing authority projects, are outside the city’s control, but that term limits and qualifications could be addressed jointly with the county.

“This would be an unusual context for term limits,” added Foote, who noted that term limits are for elected officials, whereas YVHA board members are appointed. “If a council doesn’t wish to appoint someone, they don’t have to. So I guess I would question what the purpose of the term limits would be.” 

Councilor Gail Garey suggested that some of these topics could be revisited during the city’s upcoming retreat, where members plan to discuss broader questions about current issues.

Councilor Amy Dickson suggested a review of practices for all of the city’s board and committees, noting that “it feels like we’re picking on the housing authority.”

The conversation later turned to Barnes’ concerns about the proposed Stormwater Utility Fund. 

“(Nevermind) my position, but from a council (perspective) if we want to have fiscal responsibility and transparency, we must search for more input … rather than say next November,” wrote Barnes in his email. “Why didn’t you show up to talk about it (the community that is).”

Public Works Director Jon Snyder said the motion on Dec. 16 would only authorize further study and outreach, not create the utility itself. Outreach events, including an open house this month, are planned before any new fees are enacted.

City Manager Tom Leeson also explained to Barnes that it was “very intentional” for the city to complete a level of technical work before getting it out to the public.

“This (email) doesn’t sit right with me, because it’s as if we just decided right now we’re going to do this, and it’s not. It has been in the works,” Swintek said to Barnes. “I just ask for solutions rather than pointing out the facts, because I don’t need anyone else to point out to me that nobody knows what’s going on here.”

By the end of the meeting, Barnes said his questions had been answered.

“I see this also — not in a negative way — as just a learning curve,” Dickson said. “Maybe at the council retreat, we talk about how things come to us, when we’re actually voting to move forward versus when it’s a (thumbs up).” 

In a Thursday interview with the newspaper, Barnes said that his intention had been to start a conversation, not push specific changes.

When asked whether his email implied a desire for internal reform at YVHA, Barnes said, “100%.”

“That’s what I ran on,” said Barnes. “The big question from the community that I heard throughout the election and that I’m kind of standing by is, ‘Can YVHA move forward with community support with the current leadership and board the way it is?'”

“I’m not answering that question,” he added. “I’m posing that question.”

Barnes clarified that he wanted to bring up his concerns with his fellow councilors only while he had the opportunity, versus waiting until the joint meeting with the commissioners on Dec. 9.

“It’s all a learning process, but I think it’s going well,” he said. 

“Our community is best served when we have council members with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences,” said Garey in a statement. “It is our responsibility as council members to have robust and respectful conversations that represent the input and questions we are hearing from community members.”

Dickson, who echoed Garey’s sentiment in her statement, said that “tough conversations” like those that occurred on Tuesday are often necessary, and that ultimately, “there’s a strong foundation of respect and good working relationships on this council.”

In a statement on Thursday, Swintek said that he respected Barnes’ initiative — that his forceful response was “not personal,” and that he was “excited” to work with him, but wanted the focus to stay on the solutions rather than criticisms.

Councilor John Agosta, new to council along with Barnes, described the experience as a natural part of growing into the job in a Thursday statement.

 “We’re feeding from a fire hose regarding projects that are underway,” Agosta said. “We will have some hiccups as we come up to speed.”

Councilor Michael Buccino said he felt like the council’s conversation Tuesday “needs to be happening during our council reports, and it’s the time when city council members can bring up items that the public wants us to discuss.”

“It’s really our only opportunity when something’s not on the agenda to see what the appetite is for the rest of council. The next step would be to put it on the agenda,” he added.