Park City Councilman-elect Andy Beerman plans to step down as the leader of the Historic Park City Alliance at about the same time he takes the City Council oath of office, he said in an interview on Thursday, two days after he captured a seat on the City Council.
Beerman’s position as the president of the alliance, an interest group that represents businesses on Main Street and nearby streets, was a key to his campaign platform. He argued that his background in business prepared him well for a City Council spot.
Beerman said in the interview he will remain in an advisory role in the alliance and will maintain himself as a member of the group representing the Treasure Mountain Inn. He and his wife have a substantial interest in the Treasure Mountain Inn and co-owns with his wife the lodging firm that operates the inn.
Beerman’s term as president runs through June. He has been the president since June 2010. He said Maren Mullen, a gallery owner, is expected to succeed him as the president of the Historic Park City Alliance, pending approval of the group’s board of directors.
He said it would be inappropriate for him to lead the Main Street group at the same time he is a City Councilor. Main Street often has business before the City Council, with issues including licensing, events and parking.
“I think it would be confusing to people. It’s too many hats to wear,” Beerman said.
He will be taking his City Council seat, though, as the Main Street group prepares to ask City Hall to set aside money for upgrades to the street. The group earlier in the fall outlined upward of $5.7 million of improvements that could be made to the street. Main Street’s leaders say the work, if it is funded, could spread over the course of five to 10 years. The funding talks between the City Council and Main Street could commence in earnest next spring, during City Hall’s budget season.
Beerman said after his Election Day win he will likely support, as a concept, the package of Main Street improvements that could come before the City Council. He argues a vibrant Main Street area is important to Park City’s overall economy. He said, though, he has not committed himself to a ‘Yea’ vote, and he would weigh the timing of the Main Street upgrades as well as their price tags.
Beerman on Thursday morning began a series of meetings with City Hall staffers in preparation for his swearing-in, which will be held in early January. He was allowed to sit in during a closed-door City Council meeting on Thursday. Mayor Dana Williams and the City Council were scheduled to discuss litigation and property issues, two topics that are allowed to be discussed in closed-door sessions.
The unofficial totals from Election Day were:
Peek, a former member of the Park City Planning Commission, won his first full term after succeeding the late Candy Erickson earlier in the spring. Simpson won her second term on the City Council. Bransford is a member of the Park City Board of Education who had hoped to serve on the City Council as well.
The results will be finalized during a canvass scheduled on Thursday.