By Shannon Lukens.

 

Steamboat Springs City Council swore in three new Council members at Tuesday night’s council meeting. They are Amy Dickson, Bryan Swintek, and Steve Muntean. Michael Buccino was re-elected.

 

A reception was held before the meeting for outgoing council members Robin Crossan, Heather Sloop, and Ed Briones. They all spoke about their time on council.

 

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Gail Garey was elected as Council President with Joella West as President Pro Tem.

 

Many speeches, accolades and thank yous were given at the start of the meeting.

 

City Manager Gary Suiter went over a list of achievements for the three outgoing members of which Heather Sloop and Robin Crossan served eight years.

 

Michael Buccino added that City Council is a forum where you agree to disagree.

 

Dakotah McGinlay said the outgoing council members haven’t had an easy job. They have sacrificed to be on City Council, “and we appreciate and acknowledge your sacrifice.”

 

Joella West agreed that “This has not been an easy two years. It has been challenging for all of us but the leadership got us through all of that.” She ended by telling the outgoing council members that she will see them around town, “but just not in this room.”

 

Eddie Briones said this council was “a good team to make decisions for this town.” He thanked his fellow City Council members and the city staff. He especially thanked City Manager Gary Suiter and City Attorney Dan Foote. He thanked his wife for two years of long meetings on Tuesday nights, adding, “I have a new found respect for City Council and City Staff.”

 

Heather Sloop served on council for eight years, most recently as President Pro Tem. She said in the first six months of her first term, she thought, “What the heck did I get myself into?” She says it has been a fun journey which, “literally put me through the ringer.”

She said as far as topical issues, they need to go through them, discuss them, and move on because, “We are allowed to have an opinion and then move on when you are done. You can make an impact.”

Sloop said, “Democracy works and it’s a beautiful thing to be here.”

Sloop thanked City Staff saying they are the foundation of this business, from the top to the bottom.

She said, “There is a wonderful balance within this group.” Her motto is to “look forward with hope and not backwards with regret.”

In conclusion, Sloop thanked her family and told her husband, “You’ve got me back.”

 

 

Robin Crossan served for eight years, most recently as President of City Council. She thanked her husband, Barry, and son, Brant. She said she is thankful for Barry’s patience and understanding.

 

Barry also was the only person to speak at Public Comment about the council members, which brought his wife to tears. At the end, he said, “Thank you to the council for letting me have her back.”

She said her parents are no longer alive but she said they always wanted her to be governor and that this will have to do.

Crossan works at Steamboat Resort and she thanked Rob Perlman and Dave Hunter saying they never once asked her about an agenda item.

She also thanked city staff and the staff at the Transit Center, many of whom were in attendance.

She thanked her fellow council members, citing Ed Briones for saying one thing she especially remembered at a retreat. He said, “Steamboat can’t save the world,” which put things in perspective.

She said she and Heather Sloop share a birthday, and they also shared 354 City Council meetings in the past eight years.

She concluded with a message for the incoming council members and their role as a public servant. “It is a tremendous responsibility. I wish you all the best. Thank you, Steamboat.”