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Council debates third‑party property management for city facilities as Romero Group contract for APD moves forward
Summary
Councilors questioned whether outsourcing property management for the police department to the Romero Group is a model to expand across city assets; staff said the police department's 24/7 operations and tight local market capacity motivated the choice. Council approved the consent calendar, including this contract.
During review of the consent calendar the council discussed Resolution 40, which approves a property management contract for the Aspen Police Department with the Romero Group. One councilor asked whether the city should consider a broader, holistic approach to third‑party property management across its portfolio rather than approving contracts on a building‑by‑building basis.
An asset department staff member explained the rationale: the police department is a 24‑7 operation and staff live down‑valley, making immediate on‑site response difficult; the Romero Group will offload responsibility for that building. The staff representative also noted the city manages roughly 100,000 square feet of commercial space and about 80 housing units that the asset team maintains. “We have just shy of about a 100,000 feet of commercial space and then 80 housing units that those folks take care of,” the staff member said.
Council discussed market capacity for qualified property managers in the valley and the tradeoffs of public ownership versus private operators for certain housing assets; councilors asked that the trend be kept on the radar for future planning. The consent calendar, which included the Romero Group contract, passed on a roll call vote.
