Steamboat Today (Steamboat Springs): A transcript of a closed-door meeting the Steamboat Springs City Council held last month gives the public insight into how the council privately authorized the city to file a lawsuit against a developer and landowner over the neglect of a historic barn.

The council voluntarily released the transcript Tuesday after Steamboat Today requested a recording of the meeting and alleged the council had violated the Colorado Open Meetings Law by making a decision to file a lawsuit outside of a public session.

However, the city and the council denied they did anything illegal at the executive session.

According to the transcript, council members worried at the executive session that if they didn’t take a hard line against the parties who have been neglecting the Arnold Barn, it would set a bad precedent and potentially encourage more developers to take advantage of the city.

One council member also advocated for taking a “kitchen sink” approach in filing litigation.

“I think there is a bigger issue here too and that is every time a developer thinks there is like a little bit of an opportunity to avoid something…” City Attorney Dan Foote said at the Nov. 15 executive session.

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