Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Starting next week, two new faces and two familiar ones will join the ranks of the Steamboat Springs City Council.

Towny Anderson, Kevin Kaminski and incumbents Loui Antonucci and Steve Ivancie will begin their terms Tuesday, the first council meeting after Election Day.

The meeting is scheduled to begin with parting words from Kathy Connell and Nancy Kramer, whose four-year terms are complete. The new members will be sworn in, and the council will select a president and president pro tem.

Typically, the president pro tem becomes president, City Clerk Julie Jordan said. Antonucci is the current president pro tem, but council members are free to pick whomever they want, Jordan said.

After a brief orientation, the council will "jump right into business," council President Paul Strong said. Items for review on Tuesday's agenda include two citywide issues related to affordable housing.

The council has other important issues to grapple with soon, including design standards for the ski base area, the urban renewal authority, which will fund infrastructure improvements near the ski area's base, and adoption of the West Steam--boat Springs Area Plan.

"Those are some pretty meaty issues to get a new council involved with," Strong said.

Jordan said Anderson and Kaminski, the two newly elected members, who don't have previous council experience, have been attending meetings and know the issues facing the council.

"The two new council members have been diligent in doing their homework and will have enough information to make good decisions for our community," she said. "Our community won't slow down to let the council members catch up."

To provide further background, the new members will be briefed about city services during the next couple of weeks, Jordan said. They will speak with department leaders to get the information they need.

Councilwoman Susan Del--linger said the public expects the council to make "mammoth changes" but that the first goal of a new council is to work together.

"The first thing we have to do is work as a team. Our goal is to promote that teamwork," Dellinger said.

The new and re-elected council members include:

Anderson, a consultant who works in historic preservation, historic property redevelopment and community development. He has said tourists are more likely to come to Steamboat if city officials invest in downtown.

Kaminski, president of B&K Distributing. He grew up in Steamboat Springs and has promoted a diverse economy as a way to increase affordability in the city.

Antonucci, who has served two terms on the council and is a partner in Old Town Realty and a construction manager. He has said his experience in construction and real estate helps him understand affordable housing projects.

Ivancie, who is returning to the council after serving two concurrent two-year terms. A project manager for Jake's Drafting, Ivancie's platform focused on his desire to accommodate the needs of Steamboat's working families.

-- To reach Dana Strongin, call 871-4229 or e-mail dstrongin@steamboatpilot.com