HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-03 Agenda and Supporting Documentation Town Council Afternoon Meeting1.Shift Bike Tour from Vail Golf Club to Ford Park (12:00pm)
1775 Sunburst Drive to 530 S. Frontage Road E. Vail, Colorado 81657
2.The Regular Town Council Afternoon Meeting will convene at 2:30pm in the Town
Council Chambers
3.Presentation/Discussion (2:30pm)
3.1 Fire Free Five Discussion (2:30pm)50 min.
Listen to presentation and provide feedback.
Presenter(s): Paul Cada, Wildland Battalion Chief and Mark
Novak, Vail Fire and Emergency Services Chief
Background: At the May 6, 2025 Vail Town Council meeting,
Council directed staff to provide additional information on an
implementation plan for adoption of mandatory wildfire
mitigation requirements for all properties in the Town of Vail.
3.2 Energy Performance Presentation (3:20pm)40 min.
Listen to presentation and provide feedback.
Presenter(s): Kristen Bertuglia, Environmental Sustainability
Director, Cameron Millard, Clean Energy Specialist, Ashley
Brasovan and Stephen Rank, McKinstry
Background: The Energy Performance Contract (EPC)
Program by the Colorado Energy Office allows municipalities
to utilize savings from energy efficiency measures to fund the
capital requirements for facility improvements. Staff will
update Council about project options aligning with strategic
plan goals.
3.3 Transportation Impact Fee Schedule Update (4:00pm)10 min.
Listen to presentation and provide feedback.
Presenter(s): Tom Kassmel
Background: The Town of Vail Transportation Impact Fee
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Afternoon Session Agenda
Vail Town Council Chambers and virtually by Zoom.
Zoom meeting link: https://vail.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WeUr8nWGRQSukXXyFo_vjg
12:00 PM June 3, 2025
Notes:
Times of items are approximate, subject to change, and cannot be relied upon to determine what time
Council will consider an item.
Council Memo - Fire Free Five
TC_FFF_06032025.pdf
Council Memo - Energy Performance Contract
Attachment A. Energy Performance Contract Measures
Staff Presentation - Vail EPC Measures
1
schedule was adopted by Resolution in 2017. The impact fee
was based on 2016 transportation related construction costs.
Staff recommends increasing the fees relative to the CDOT
Construction Cost Index.
4.DRB/PEC (4:10pm)
4.1 DRB/PEC Update (5 min.)
5.Information Update (4:15pm)
5.1 May 2025 Revenue Update
6.Matters from Mayor, Council, Town Manager and Committee Reports (4:15pm)
6.1 Matters from Mayor, Council, and Committee Reports
(15 min.)
6.2 Town Manager Report (5 min.)
6.3 Council Matters and Status Updates
7.Executive Session (4:50pm)
Executive Session (30min) Executive Session pursuant to:
C.R.S. §24-6-402(4)(b) - to hold a conference with the Town Attorney, to receive legal advice
on specific legal questions on the topics of:
1. Ordinance Number 13, Series 2025, imposing a temporary stay on the processing of
applications related to certain conversions of ‘Eating and Drinking Establishments’ to
other permitted uses; and
2. TOWN OF VAIL and EARTHSCAPE PLAY INC., Court File No. T-1403-24.
8.Recess 5:20pm (estimate)
Council Memo - Transportation Impact Fee Update
Attachment A. Resolution No. 27, Transportation Impact Fee Schedule
Attachment B. Exhibit A for Resolution No. 27, 85% Fee Schedule
DRB Results 5-21-2025
Revenue Update 6-03-2025
Town Manager Update 6-03-2025
Future Topics - June & July
Council Matters 6-03-2025
Meeting agendas and materials can be accessed prior to meeting day on the Town of Vail website
www.vail.gov. All Town Council meetings will be streamed live by High Five Access Media and available
for public viewing as the meeting is happening. The meeting videos are also posted to High Five Access
Media website the week following meeting day, www.highfivemedia.org.
Please call 970-479-2460 for additional information. Sign language interpretation is available upon
request with 48 hour notification dial 711.
2
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.1
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
TIME:50 min.
SUBMITTED BY:Mark Novak, Fire Department
ITEM TYPE:Presentation/Discussion
AGENDA SECTION:Presentation/Discussion (2:30pm)
SUBJECT:Fire Free Five Discussion (2:30pm)
SUGGESTED ACTION:Listen to presentation and provide feedback.
PRESENTER(S):Paul Cada, Wildland Battalion Chief and Mark Novak, Vail Fire and
Emergency Services Chief
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
Council Memo - Fire Free Five
TC_FFF_06032025.pdf
3
To: Vail Town Council
From: Mark Novak, Fire Chief
Paul Cada, Wildland Program Battalion Chief
Date: June 3rd, 2025
Subject: Fire Free Five Implementation
I. Background
The science of structure loss from wildfire is a rapidly evolving field. Fires such as the
2018 Camp Fire in Paradise CA, 2021 Marshall Fire in Louisville CO, 2023 Lahaina
Fires, and the most recent Eaton and Palisade Fires in LA this past winter provide a ri ch
and unfortunately tragic laboratory. Research groups such as the Institute for Business
and Home Safety, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, Headwaters
Economics and many research universities are turning out new peer reviewed literature
and updated best practices at an astounding rate. This updated science is making a
clear pathway for communities to truly address wildfire risk at a community scale.
The large-scale losses of the fires mentioned above have also caused the insurance
industry to re-evaluate how they assess wildfire risk and what level of risk they are
willing to be exposed to. Throughout the west, and within our community residents are
receiving insurance renewals with substantial increases or worse yet non-renewal
notices. Real estate professionals are beginning to report challenges with closing real
estate transactions due to cost or availability of insurance for the property.
Numerous wildfire risk models, including models developed by the state, USFS and
insurance carriers, show the Town of Vail and its surrounding area at high risk of high
intensity wildfire. Due to the density of the community, singular buildings ignited during
wildfire are likely to result in large scale loss within the community. Because of this
identified risk, the Town has aggressively pursued community education, implemented
cost share assistance programs, provided free chipping services and progressively
implemented building codes which require the use of ignition resistant building materials
and fire-resistant landscaping on new construction and exterior alterations. While these
measures are significant, they fall short of addressing wildfire risk of the existing
building stock.
Beginning in 2017 every structure in the Town of Vail was evaluated for its individual
wildfire risk and the results were shared with every property owner. This forward-facing
proactive risk assessment provides each property owner with specific vulnerabilities to
4
Town of Vail Page 2
their building as well as connecting residents with resources including technical
assistance, curbside chipping and financial assistance to address their specific risk. In
addition to property assessment the Town adopted its first wildland urban interface
(WUI) building codes which addressed ignition resistant building materials and fire -
resistant landscaping for new construction and substantial additions. Since that time
the WUI codes have been strengthened and applied more broadly to additional
maintenance and development projects.
In 2022 Vail Fire and Emergency Services presented the Town Council with a draft
ordinance which would require the development and maintenance of 5 feet of non -
combustible landscaping around every building in the town. While Council chose not to
adopt the ordinance at that time, they did authorize funding of the Fire Free Five
Community Assistance Program (FFFCAP) which has provided financial assistance to
community members to voluntarily implement Fire Free Five. Participation in the
program was initially strong; however, it has faded in the 3 years of its existence. In
2022 22 properties participated with $179k in assistance provided, 2023 had 39
participating properties with $187k in assistance and 2024 had 23 participants with $75k
in assistance. While demand for the program remains, many of the active and engaged
community members have already participated.
II. Current Situation
A community’s vulnerability to large scale loss during wildfire events is contingent on
several factors including density, building design and vegetation in the near building
environment. Traditional wildfire models do a very poor job of modeling fire spread
through a community because they do not account for the complexity and fire pathways
throughout the built environment. In 2022 the National Institute for Standards and
Technology (NIST) presented a framework which identified fire spread risk in the
community based on proximity to the nearest structure. This research showed that
buildings that are 30 feet or less from the nearest burning structure have a very high risk
of igniting. The larger the distance (up to 100 feet of separation) the less connection the
two structures have to a point where they have very little influence over each other.
This framework has been further explored by researchers at Colorado State University
to determine how much a high-density community, such as Vail, needs to have structure
hardening and defensible space to measurably reduce wildfire risk in the community.
The current belief based off predictive modeling is that at least 80% of structures in a
community need to be wildfire ready to make a measurable difference. Not all actions
have equal weight so additional research has been conducted to determine which
mitigation measures are most important.
A. Mitigation Best Practices
The Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safey (IBHS), a research group of the
insurance industry, has identified a list of “Mitigations that Matter”
https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/ibhs-wildfire-
roadmaps_executive-summary.pdf in its Suburban Wildfire Adaptation Roadmaps
document. The five mitigations that matter are:
Replacing unrated roof materials or unmaintained Class C roofs
5
Town of Vail Page 3
Ensuring that a vertical noncombustible zone, including siding/cladding,
sheathing, and structural framing, extends at least 6 in. above grade
Keeping the area under decks free of combustibles
Covering vents with 1/8-in. or finer metal mesh
Removing combustible mulch and vegetation well as boats, RVs, sheds,
and other combustibles from the 0–5 ft zone around the home or business
(noncombustible zone)
In addition to the IBHS five mitigations that matter, another impactful mitigation that is
relatively easy to implement is the practice of pruning the lower limbs of trees which can
prevent surface fires from “laddering” up the tree, creating potent embers and radiant
heat which can ignite other vegetation and nearby structures. The best practice for
limbing trees is to remove the limbs to a height of 6’ or 1/3 of the crown height,
whichever is less.
As the research institution for the insurance industry these mitigations are becoming the
recognized standard of insurers and are often required of a property to obtain or
maintain insurability.
While all of these mitigations that matter are required of new construction or exterior
modifications in the Town of Vail, none of these are currently required of existing
properties. In 2021 Vail Fire staff identified that 79% of properties in the Town of Vail
did not have an adequate Fire Free Five. Of the 559 wildfire property inspections Vail
Fire completed in 2024, 84% of the properties had at least one item identified within
their Fire Free Five that needed to be addressed.
B. Recommendation
To best address the community wide wildfire risk Vail Fire staff is recommending that
the Town Council adopt a mandatory Fire Free Five ordinance for all structures. If
enacted, this ordinance would require the implementation and ongoing maintenance of
the most critical zone of defensible space around every structure in the Town of Vail.
Currently to meet the Fire Free Five standard, properties must have a five-foot-wide
area extending from the foundation wall or furthest point of attachments such as a deck
free of combustible vegetation or landscaping materials such as mulch. Within this area
the department does allow for a small list of low flammability n on-woody plants such as
irrigated and maintained turf grass, perennial flowers and low growing non-woody
ground cover. Trees, including branches, are required to be pruned to maintain 5 feet of
horizontal clearance to the structure and 10 feet of vertical clearance from the building.
Trees which are pruned to meet the FFF standards are also required to have the
branches removed from the bottom 6 feet of the tree or 1/3 the total height, whichever is
less. Combustible mulch may not be used in this area and no flammable materials such
as firewood; construction materials or stored items may be present. This approach is
consistent with Colorado State Forest Service and Firewise recommendations.
This approach does differ however from the IBHS standards in its Wildfire Prepared
Home program which provides a certification recognized by many insurers. The W ildfire
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Town of Vail Page 4
Prepared Home standard requires that no vegetation is present in the first 5 feet and
that only noncombustible materials such as stone, pavers, and concrete may be used.
Additionally, their standard requires “remove all trees, limbs, branches, and vines that
are within and that overhang the 0–5 Foot Noncombustible Zone”.
C. Fire Free Five Enforcement
To implement a Fire Free Five requirement, staff recommends that the town’s current
Dead Tree and Wildfire Fuels Abatement code, (Chapter 11 Title 5), be amended to
include the requirement to create and maintain a Fire Free Five adjacent to all
structures. Under these requirements the Fire Chief or designee would be responsible
for ensuring compliance through the use of existing systems and processes.
Staff propose that council adopts the Fire Free Five Ordinance this year and provides
an extended compliance phase of 3 years before enforcement actions are taken in
2029. During this compliance phase a wildfire hazard assessment of every property in
Vail could be completed and results shared with each property owner. During this time
there would also be ongoing public education regarding Fire Free Five requirements.
Beginning in the summer of 2029 and continuing on a rotating basis every 3 years each
property would be inspected, and non-compliant properties would be addressed utilizing
the Town’s established abatement process in the municipal court.
The Town’s current abatement process is robust and well supported. When a suspected
violation is reported, staff can assess the situation from a public right of way. If the
violation is not visible from a public right of way, the owner is contacted to allow access,
if no contact is made or access is not granted, the municipal court may issue an
inspection warrant. Once a violation is confirmed the owner is noticed with a notice of
violation and provided an appropriate amount of time to correct the violation. If the
violation is not corrected the town may seek an abatement order through the municipal
court, and if necessary complete the corrective action and recover the costs through
court action.
D. Fire Free Five Exemptions
Recognizing that unique situations exist throughout the community where existing
vegetation may not pose a significant community hazard, staff proposes creating a
process for property owners to apply for exemptions from the Fire Free Five
requirements for vegetation that does not present a significant hazard. The exemption
process would be handled on a request basis and property owners would need to
demonstrate that the vegetation in question does not represent a hazard to their
structure or the surrounding community. To meet this standard the vegetation must be
well maintained, healthy, deciduous vegetation planted in an area that has no
combustible vegetation or mulch. The vegetation must be pruned away from the
building so as to not entrap embers during a fire. Vegetation must be in an area
adjacent to non-combustible siding and at least 5 feet from openings such as vents,
windows or doors. Exemptions would only be granted for existing vegetation; no new
planting of non-compliant vegetation would be allowed. Exemptions can be easily
identified in inspection software currently used by the VFES and would be visible to
inspectors during future inspections. Vegetation which is granted an exemption would
7
Town of Vail Page 5
be required to be maintained in a manner which does not create a hazard. If the health
or vigor of the plant diminishes over time, and it presents a hazard to the community the
owner may be required to remove the vegetation at that time.
E. Public Outreach
Public outreach is a key component of the current approach of voluntary compliance
and will be a more important component of achieving future compliance. If adopted as a
mandatory requirement the first step would be for VFES to contact every property which
had previously had non-compliance with FFF standards. The notice would inform them
of a previously identified issue and provide resources on how to address the identified
issue and inform them of the enforcement time period.
In addition to individual outreach the department would continue to place FFF as a focal
point at community events such as community meetings, picnics and open houses.
F. Fire Free Five Considerations
Town Council has previously identified the cost to the property owner of implementing
the FFF as a concern. The FFFCAP has provided a good snapshot into actual costs for
implementation of the FFF. Below is an average project cost broken out by property
type.
For the past 3 years the Town has provided financial assistance to community members
to voluntarily implement FFF. For 2025 the Fire Department has included
approximately $100k into the budget to support continued voluntary implementation.
III. Questions for Council
1. Does the Town Council support maintaining the current approach of allowing
select low-flammability plants and pruning trees in the Fire Free Five or should
the standard be changed to follow the more rigorous IBHS Wildfire Prepared
Home program standards?
2. Does Council wish to supplement additional funding to incentivize community
members to comply with FFF?
3. Does council support inclusion of other “Mitigations that Matter” in the Fire Free
Five Ordinance, such as:
Requiring 6” of clearance between the ground and combustible siding
Screening vents to prevent ember intrusion
Limbing all trees in the defensible space zone to a height of 6’ or one-
third of the crown height, whichever is less
Property Type
Average
Project Cost
Single Family 3,702.45$
Duplex (half)2,536.09$
Small Multi-Family (Less than 20 Units)7,060.29$
Large Multi-Family (More than 20 Units)13,112.00$
8
Fire Free Five-
Community Wide
Solutions for
Community Wide Risk
Mark Novak- Fire Chief
Paul Cada- Wildland Battalion Chief
9
2001
20 of the
largest fires
in Colorado
history
occurred
since 2001
2008
16 of the 20
largest fires
have
occurred
since 2008
2015
11 of the 20
largest fires
have
occurred
since 2015
2018
9 of the 20
largest fires
have
occurred
since 2018
2020
4 of the 5
largest
occurred in
2020
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
The New Normal
10
Speed
•3% of fires cause 88% of
damage
•Fires are 248% faster
than in 2000
Marshal Fire:
6000 acres
1000 structures
$ 2 billion
Lahaina
2170 acres
2200 structures
$ 6 billion
Speed
11
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire | 12
Fire Free Five- Community Wide Solutions for Community Wide Risk
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
•Between 2017 and 2021 every property in Vail had a curbside
wildfire evaluation completed
•79% of properties (1532 parcels) evaluated did not meet
recommendations for the Fire Free Five
•Of the 559 wildfire assessments conducted in 2024 84% had
at least one item in the Fire Free Five to address
•Best available science from the Institute for Business and Home
Safety (IBHS), National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST),and Colorado State Forest Service describe the first five
feet from the structure as the most critical zone for fuels
reduction within the home ignition zone (HIZ)
13
Fire Free Five- Community Wide Solutions for Community Wide Risk
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |14
Fire Free Five Requirements
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire | https://www.vail.gov/government/departments/fire/wildland/fire -
free-five -landscaping-guide
FFF allowable landscaping includes:
•Hardscaping such as on -grade patios, walkways, driveways, etc.
•Non-combustible mulch
•Well maintained and irrigated lawn
•Perennial flower beds
•Perennial ground cover
15
Fire Free Five FAQ
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
What if a tree is in the 5-foot zone?
•Trees and shrubs should not be planted (stem within
five-foot zone) within the Fire Free Five.
•Trees planted outside the five-foot zone that hang over
into the zone should be limbed up to a height of six feet
or one-third the total height whichever is less and
should be trimmed to leave at least a five -foot
horizontal gap and ten -foot vertical gap between the
nearest branch and the building.
What about other items next to the building?
•The Fire Free Five would also apply to material placed
or stored within this area. Combustible materials such
as firewood, construction materials or other
combustibles may not be stored within this zone.
•Combustibles may be allowed to be stored within this
zone if they are enclosed in a manner to prevent the
ignition from flames or embers
5 Feet
6 Feet
10 Feet
16
Potential Additional Mitigations
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire | https://www.vail.gov/government/departments/fire/wildland/fire -
free-five -landscaping-guide
•6" of clearance between the ground and combustible siding
•Screening vents to prevent ember intrusion
•Limbing trees outside the FFF to a height of 6' or one -third of
the crown height, whichever is less
17
Commonly Observed Hazards in the Fire Free Five
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire | 18
Aesthetics of Fire Free Five
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire | 19
Exemptions for Existing Vegetation
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
•Some existing vegetation in the Fire Free Five presents a minimal risk to
community safety
•Property owners may apply to the Fire Department for exemptions of existing
vegetation that is:
•Deciduous
•Well maintained
•Healthy
•No combustible mulch or other plants or combustibles below
•Adjacent to a structure that has non -combustible siding and not within 5
feet of openings such as vents, doors or windows
20
Costs of Implementation
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
•Costs vary by project however FFFCAAP has
provided a snapshot of more than 100
project costs.
•Most expensive landscape changes include
the installation of non-combustible
landscape features such as rock, concrete
or pavers.
•Long term maintenance is critical however
the cost of maintenance is substantially less
21
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
Most respondents find adoption of regulations in fire-prone areas
very or extremely acceptable
45%
Temporarily
shutting off the
power grid
during extreme
fire risk days to
avoid new
wildfire ignitionsNo
u
n
P
r
o
j
e
c
t
i
c
o
n
s
:
L
e
f
t
m
o
s
t
i
c
o
n
;
r
i
g
h
t
m
o
s
t
i
c
o
n
(
a
u
t
h
o
r
Ni
n
e
j
i
p
j
i
p
)
79%
Building codes
that require fire-
resistant
materials for
structures in
fire-prone areas
51%
Building a new
road to provide
an emergency
evacuation
route
70%
Development
standards that
require
vegetation
management on
lots in fire-prone
areas
Codes, policies, and regulations
75%
Growth policies
or land use
regulations that
limit new
development in
fire-prone areas
150-153 respondents to 2022-23 survey question, developed with the Wildfire Research Center (WiRē)
22
Fire Free Five Implementation Process
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
•Adopt changes to Chapter 11, Title 5- Dead Tree and Wildfire
Abatement code in 2025
•Utilize a 3-year compliance phase for all properties to
comply with new regulations
•Provide updated hazard assessments and targeted
outreach during the compliance phase to ensure robust
community outreach occurs
•Continue ongoing community Fire Free Five outreach
•Summer of 2029 begin enforcement of Fire Free Five
regulations though the town’s established abatement
process
•Properties would be evaluated on a continuing basis at least
every 3 years
23
Questions for Council
Town of Vail | www.vailgov.com/fire |
1.Does the Town Council support maintaining the current approach of allowing select low -
flammability plants and pruning trees in the Fire Free Five or should the standard be changed to
follow the more rigorous IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home program standards?
2.Does Council wish to supplement additional funding to incentivize community members to comply
with FFF?
3.Does council support inclusion of other “Mitigations that Matter” in the Fire Free Five Ordinance
such as :
•Requiring 6” of clearance between the ground and combustible siding
•Screening vents to prevent ember intrusion
•Limbing all trees in the defensible space zone to a height of 6’ or one-third of the
crown height
24
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.2
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
TIME:40 min.
SUBMITTED BY:Cameron Millard, Environmental Sustainability
ITEM TYPE:Presentation/Discussion
AGENDA SECTION:Presentation/Discussion (2:30pm)
SUBJECT:Energy Performance Presentation (3:20pm)
SUGGESTED ACTION:Listen to presentation and provide feedback.
PRESENTER(S):Kristen Bertuglia, Environmental Sustainability Director, Cameron
Millard, Clean Energy Specialist, Ashley Brasovan and Stephen Rank,
McKinstry
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
Council Memo - Energy Performance Contract
Attachment A. Energy Performance Contract Measures
Staff Presentation - Vail EPC Measures
25
Town of Vail 1
To: Vail Town Council
From: Department of Environmental Sustainability
Date: June 3rd, 2025
Subject: Energy Performance Contract
I. Purpose
The purpose of this work session is to provide the Vail Town Council an u pdate on progress
made on the town’s Investment Grade Energy Audit towards a package of improvements that
could be executed under an Energy Performance Contract with the town’s contracted Energy
Services Company McKinstry.
II. Background
The Vail Town Council has a strategic goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions both within the
town organization and community wide by 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Reducing emissions
in town facilities requires projects that are engineered for performance, energy savings, and
reliability in harsh conditions. To achieve these goals, staff were directed to utilize the State of
Colorado’s Energy Performance Program, a unique financial and contracting tool available to
local municipalities in Colorado.
Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) is a program within the Colorado Energy Office which
allows municipalities and other organizations to apply utility bill savings from energy efficiency
measures to fund the capital requirements for facility improvements.
In the past 28 years, Colorado’s EPC program has achieved $846 million invested into facility
improvements and communities have realized over $52 million in annual energy cost savings.
The program allows municipalities to achieve energy and carbon reductio ns and to improve
facilities while reducing the burden of utility bills. The energy savings from facility improvement
measures are guaranteed and must offset the cost of financed capital by at least $1. After the
financing period, the measures continue t o save the town money and energy. This program has
been previously utilized by the Town of Vail in 2012, but enough time has passed that
technology, facilities, incentives and energy rates make an EPC worthwhile again.
The IGA portion of the contract has been underway for the past 9 months and has achieved a
60% design milestone. The findings have been presented to town staff internally, including
public works, facilities management, finance, and environmental departments.
26
Town of Vail 2
III. Discussion: Project Details
The investment grade audit has identified three comprehensive packages of improvements to
town facilities that will save energy, reduce emissions, and improve the quality of the facilities
for employees and visitors to the town.
In preparation for a final project selection, the following information is presented about energy
costs, emissions reductions, and savings opportunities for the town’s municipal-owned facilities:
• Total approximate annual utility spend: $1,061,678 (average 2021-2024)
o Electric: $350,320. Natural Gas: $711,358
• Total Projected Project cost: $8.7 M (recommended)
• Potential Progress towards the Town’s Adopted Climate Goals : 32% of 2030 emissions
goal by 2030.
• 20 yr Utility and Operational savings: $5.5M
• Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant funding (if awarded): $1.0M
• Potential Investment Tax Credits – State and Federal: $3.2M
• Payback Period: 20 years
The recommended package improvements will advance the town’s leadership on decarbonized
and highly efficient energy use, and improve guest and employee experiences, including:
• Net zero emissions at the library
• 1,180 metric tons of emissions reduced annually
• Battery storage pilot at Donovan Pavilion
• First node for the geothermal energy district project
• $1M+ end of life avoided equipment replacements
• Enhanced lighting levels in the Vail Village parking structure
IV. Action Requested of Council
To finalize the project details, staff request council consider the three scenario projects, ask
questions, and recommend a project direction for staff and McKinstry to build out for further
Council consideration.
V. Next Steps
Staff will present the project to DOLA in support of the Grant Application on June 17 th and apply
for the state’s Investment Tax Credit to support the geothermal component of the project on
June 30th.
27
Town of Vail 3
Staff will work with McKinstry to finalize the project details, financials, and return to Town
Council with a proposed package of improvements to achieve the towns’ climate, energy, and
financial goals.
VI. Attachments
a. EPC Project Measures
b. Vail EPC Project Presentation
28
Energy Conservation Measure
(ECM) Name Facility(s) Energy Conservation Measure Description
Annual CO2
Savings
( Metric
Tons)
Total Annual
Savings
Recommended
Scenario Reduced Scenario
Additional
Electrification
Scenario
Energy Conservation Measures that Self-fund (E)
System Controls Snowmelt System Implement snow melt control strategy. 877 $103,000 X X X
Fire Flame Reduction Fire Pits Use a smaller burner at the fire pits to reduce natural gas. 9 $1,000 X X X
PowerED
Community Development, Vail Fire Station 1 , Vail
Fire Station 2 , Vail Fire Station 3, Golf Club,
Library, Lionshead Transportation and Welcome
Center, Municipal Building (Office, police, etc),
Public Works Admin (office), Public Works Shop &
Bus Barn, Vail Rec District Gymnastics Center*,
Donovan Park Pavillion*, Vail Tennis Center*,
Buzzard Park Housing**, Information Center**
[*Process Only, **People Only]
Occupant and operator 3-year engagement program focused on both
identification of low to no cost operational savings and occupant
engagement/awareness programs to promote educational awareness.
Some level of community campaign support may be included.
146 $30,000 X X X
Install New LED Fixtures with
Controls Lionshead Parking Structure, Vail Parking Garage Replace existing, end-of-life LED Lighting, and install lighting controls
in spaces.0 $30,000 X X
Energy Conservation Measures that may Require Additional Funding to Fall within Target Payback (E+C)
Solar Photovoltaics Gymnastics Center, Vail Library
Install roof mounted solar PV Systems. Option to add Crop Elements
to the roof at the Library for an additional $2500.0 $5,000 X X X
Weather Stripping & Building
Insulation
Golf Club, Vail Fire Station 1, Vail Fire Station 2, Vail
Fire Station 3, Vail Library, Public Works Admin,
Town Managers Residence, Gymnastics Center,
Donovan Park Pavillion, Community Development,
Municipal Building, Tennis Center, Donovan Park
Restroom, Information Center, Lionshead
Transportation and Welcome Center, Lionshead
Parking Structure, Public Works Shop and Bus Barn,
Ski Museum, Vail Transportation Terminal Building,
Wall Street Restrooms, Vail Buzzard Park, Vail
Village Checkpoint Charlie, Vail Parking Garage
Add weather stripping and insulation to building envelope to reduce
infiltration and improve occupant comfort. investigation of roof
coatings to reduce heat gain.
86 $14,000 X X X
Heat Tape/ Tracing Controls
Gold Club, Information Center, Lionshead
Transportation and Welcome Center, Vail Fire
Station 1, Vail Fire Station 2, Vail Fire Station 3, Vail
Library, Public Works Admin, Town Managers
Residence, Gymnastics Center, Vail Transportation
Terminal Building, Vail Bighorn Park Restroom,
Community Development, Municipal Building, Tennis
Center
Add snowmelt to BAS, wireless breaker (BERT), or other strategy on
heat tape.0 $6,000 X X
Controls Upgrades Lionshead Parking Structure, Vail Village, Library,
Municipal building, Public Works Shop and Bus Barn
Upgrade controls at multiple buildings ro better understand how the
systems are working and implement control strategies for savings.80 $5,000 X X
Solar Photovoltaics and Battery
Storage Donovan Park Pavillion Install roof mounted solar PV Systems and include a Battery Storage
for resilency.0 $2,000 X X X
Window Inserts Municipal Building
Install window inserts on existing windows to improve window
performance.4 $1,000 X X X
Test and Balance Community Development
Test and balance airside or waterside equipment to get equipment
back to design operating conditions.0 N/A X X X
Air Source Heat Pump for Domestic
Water Community Development Replace existing domestic hot water heater with a air source heat
pump to serve the domestic hot water to the building.3 ($200)X X
EV Charging Stations
Donovan Park Pavillion, Ford Park, Stephen's Park,
Golf Club, Public Works and Bus Barn, Municipal
Building
Install twenty-three (23) level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at
Donovan Park Pavillion, Public Works and Bus Barn, Stephens Park,
Golf Club, Ford Park, and Municipal Building. Install six (6) level 3
electric vehicle charging stations at Donovan Park Pavilion and Ford
Park.
0 N/A X X X
Ground Source Heat Pump Library
Install new ground source heat exchanger and fourteen (14) water to
air heat pumps for each zone. The design includes forty (40) vertical
boreholes at 500 feet each.
58 ($4,000)X X X
Install Heat Pump- Air Source Community Development
Install new air source heat pumps to offset heating and cooling loads
in occupied spaces.24 ($2,000)X
VRF heating controls upgrade Vail Fire Station 3
Reprogram the existing VRF fan coils in the space so that they provide
heating. Update controls sequences to only allow for in floor radiant
heating when fan coils cannot maintain a higher temperature.
9 $1,000 X
Strategic Asset Planning
Bighorn Park Restroom, Buffehr Creek Restroom,
Checkpoint Charlie, Community Development,
Donovan Park Pavillion, Donovan Park Restroom,
Vail Fire Station 1, Vail Fire Station 2, Vail Fire
Station 3, Ford Park Restroom. Golf Club,
Information Center, Library, Lionshead
Transportation and Welcome Center, Municipal
Building, Public Works Admin, Public Works Shop &
Bus Barn, Ski Museum, Stephens Park Restrooms,
Town Manager’s Residence, Vail Rec District
Gymnastics Center, Vail Tennis Center, Wall Street
Restrooms
Asset condition and end-of-use replacement assesments for
mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems planning. The inventory and
capital budgeting will include evaluation of what the best future
replacement will be for the lowest carbon impact. This will help the
town to include its carbon reduction goals during future asset
replacements.
0 N/A X X X
NOTES:
* Since design, project management and other project related costs are distributed among the ECMs, the project cost will not go up or down by exactly the amounts shown here if a ECM or ECMs are removed from the final contracted scope of work.
** Zero carbon savings are attriubted to electric because of the PURE program at Holy Cross Energy
`
Town of Vail Energy Performance Contract
60% Rough Order of Magnitude - Energy Conservation Measures
Facility Improvement Measures that Are Primarily Capital in Nature (C)
29
Town Council Working Session
Energy Performance Contract Project Updates
Town of Vail
June 3, 2025
30
Make a positive
difference
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Build trusted
partnerships
Put people first
Our Focus
Zero-Carbon Future Re-Engineered Supply Chain Connected and Intelligent Buildings
Our Clients
Local Government, Education, Commercial
About McKinstry
31
What is Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)?
28yrs.
292M
$52M
Colorado’s EPC program began in 1997
Public buildings have achieved 292
million energy (kWh) savings
Communities have realized over $52
million in annual cost savings
A financing & contracting
tool that allows Public
entities to use future
savings from energy
improvements to fund
capital projects
$846M
$846 million invested into facility
improvements
32
How Energy Performance Contracting Works
Annual
Operating
Costs/
Budget
Unidentified
Savings
Potential
Identified
Savings,
Grants,
Incentives
Savings,
Grants,
Incentives
Used as
Payment
Annual
Operating
Costs After
EPC
Annual
Operating
Costs During
EPC
Before EPC Guaranteed
Savings
During financing
period--savings pay
the loan!
After financing period--
savings are yours!
Op
e
r
a
t
i
n
g
E
x
p
e
n
s
e
33
Project Goals
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
Cost-Effective
Innovation
CollaborationFlexibility
50% REDUCTION IN GHG EMISSIONS BY 2030
Economically &
Technically Feasible
Long-term Mindset Actionable
Recommendations
34
6
Energy Performance Contracting Process
Project Kickoff
Preliminary Development
30% Preliminary Findings Meeting
Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Development
60% ROM Presentation
GMAX Pricing, Savings Development, M&V Workshop
90% Pre-Final Meeting
Town of Vail helps
prioritize opportunities
and removes
opportunities that are
not feasible or desired
Town of Vail selects
individual measures to
move forward to pre-
final development
Town of Vail makes final
selection of measures to
be included in the
project
Collaboration
Throughout
Construction + 3yrs of Savings Measurement/Verification
35
Utility Baseline
Total Approximate Utility Spend: $1,061,678
Electric: $350,320, Natural Gas*: $711,358
*Average over the last three years (2021-2024)
$350,320
$711,358
Utility Breakdown- Town of Vail
Electric Natural Gas
36
These measures self-fund and generate excess energy savings to fund other scope items.
•Snowmelt Optimization/Controls
•Staff and community engagement program
•Fire Pit Flame Reduction
•Parking Garage Lighting & Controls
Recommended Energy Measures
37
Recommended Energy + Capital Measures
These measures generate energy savings may self-fund but do not fund other measures.
•Weather Stripping & Building Insulation
•Heat Tape/Trace Controls
•Solar PV at 3 sites
•Electric domestic water heating
Donovan Pavillion - 19.6 kW Library – 27.8 kW Gymnastics Center – 19.6 kW
38
Recommended Capital Measures
These measures generate relatively little to no energy savings and
are primarily capital in nature. These measures will require
funding from other sources (grants, capital contribution or excess
savings from Energy measures) in order for the total project to hit
the target payback.
•Control upgrades
•Battery storage (1 site)
•Window inserts
•Test and balance
•EV charging (5 sites)
•Library HVAC Electrification (GSHP)
39
Project Highlight: Geothermal at Vail Public Library
Project Summary
•New ground source heat pump system will offset heating and
cooling loads at library
•Design utilizes waste heat from Dobson Ice Arena
•Proposed well field will be next to library.
Benefits
•Progress Carbon Goals
•Carbon-free heating and cooling
•Adds cooling to galleria
•Ability to connect to future thermal energy network (TEN)
•Creation of TEN first node at ice arena/library
•Net zero emission building
•Potential for ~$2.7M in tax credits Location of proposed well fields
40
Project Scenarios – Financial Summary
Recommended +
Additional
Electrification
Recommended
Project
Recommended Minus
Lighting/Heat TapeProject Scenario
$10.1M$8.7M$7.5MTotal Project Cost
($1.0M)($1.0M)($1.0M)Potential DOLA Grant Funding
($3.2M)($3.2M)($3.2M)Potential Investment Tax Credits - State & Federal
($1.8M)($1.8M)($1.8M)Town of Vail Capital Contribution
$4.1M$2.7M$1.5MNet Amount (after all buydowns)
$5.4M$5.5M$4.4MEstimated 20 yr Utility & Operational Savings
41
Recommended Project Highlights
•1,180 metric tons carbon offset annually
•12% carbon emission reduction
•22% energy use reduction
•Net zero emissions at Library
•Battery storage pilot project at Donovan
•First node for Energy District project installed
•Additional EV charging at multiple locations
•$1M+ end of life avoided equipment replacements
•Improved lighting levels (2-3x’s brighter) and
enhanced coloring in Vail Village & Lionshead garages
42
Vail’s Emission Goals Impact
Progress towards Town’s Sustainability goals for
Municipal Facilities:
Vail’s 2050 Emissions
Goal
Vail’s 2030 Emissions
Goal
20% of Total 2050
Goal Achieved
32% of 2030 Goal
Achieved
EPC Project Only
28% of 2050 Goal
Achieved
44% of 2030 Goal
Achieved
All Vail Efforts since
2014 + EPC
43
RebatesRebates
GrantsGrants
Utility &
Operational
Savings
Utility &
Operational
Savings
Capital &
Internal
Funding
Capital &
Internal
Funding
Third
Party
Financing
Third
Party
Financing
McKinstry has helped secure over $300 million
for municipalities in the last 10 years!
Funding Updates
Rebates
•Maximize available utility incentives through Holy Cross Energy
•Power Plus Program, charging program
Grants/Stimulus
•CEO Geothermal Grants/Incentives
•State tax credit – due June 30th
•DOLA Energy & Mineral Impact Grant
•Submitted April 1, 2025
•Federal Tax Credit – storage, solar, ground source, EV
Savings
•Guaranteed utility and operational savings
Capital & Internal Funding
•Leverage available capital $s – geothermal & EV charging
•Enterprise or General fund “borrowing”
44
Next Steps
Target DateMilestone
Due June 30thState Geothermal Tax Credit Applications
July 202590% Pre-Final Presentation (guaranteed costs and savings)
Early Fall 2025Delivery of IGA Report / ESPC Contract (predicated on grant awards)
Fall 2025ESPC Contract Executed
2026Implementation Phase
2027-2029Measurement and Verification Phase
45
Thank you!
46
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3.3
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
TIME:10 min.
SUBMITTED BY:Tom Kassmel, Public Works
ITEM TYPE:Presentation/Discussion
AGENDA SECTION:Presentation/Discussion (2:30pm)
SUBJECT:Transportation Impact Fee Schedule Update (4:00pm)
SUGGESTED ACTION:Listen to presentation and provide feedback.
PRESENTER(S):Tom Kassmel
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
Council Memo - Transportation Impact Fee Update
Attachment A. Resolution No. 27, Transportation Impact Fee Schedule
Attachment B. Exhibit A for Resolution No. 27, 85% Fee Schedule
47
To: Vail Town Council
From: Public Works Department
Date: June 3, 2025
Subject: Resolution XX, Series 2025 - Transportation Impact Fee Schedule
I. SUMMARY
The Town of Vail has Transportation Impact Fee to help offset costs of transportation
infrastructure. The Fee was adopted in 2017, based on 2016 construction costs and
projected improvements. The Transportation Impact Fee Ordinance allows for periodic
increases based on construction costs and projected improvements.
In the past 9 years the Colorado Construction Cost Index for transportation related
projects has doubled. Staff recommends the Transportation Impact Fee schedule be
increased accordingly.
II. BACKGROUND
A transportation impact fee is a development fee assessed to offset costs that a
jurisdiction will incur to improve transportation infrastructure as a result of increased
traffic from new developments.
On July 11, 2017 the Town of Vail adopted an amendment to Title 12 of the Vail Town
Code to add a new Chapter 26, Transportation Impact Fee. The proposed
transportation impact fee applies to new developments, including creation of any new
residential dwelling units, or any new commercial floor area. The fee does not apply to
residential remodels where no additional units are added, or to commercial remodels
that do not increase square footage or change use. This new fee is paid by the owner or
developer, and is collected by the Community Development Department at the time of
issuance of a building permit. Revenues from this fee are used by the Town of Vail for
new transportation related infrastructure projects that are necessary due to the
increased traffic from incremental new development.
The original Impact Fee Schedule was adopted by Resolution No. 29, Series 2017. The
Fee schedule was based on 2016 construction costs and when adopted the recommend
fee was reduced by 15% by Town Council.
Since that time the Colorado Construction Cost Index (CCI) for transportation related
projects has doubled. The CCI is tracked by CDOT and a report is issued quarterly.
48
Town of Vail Page 2
When comparing 2016-Q4 to 2025-Q1, the specific CCI has increased from 1.19 to
2.30. When a trendline is added the CCI increases from 1.1 to 2.2, or 100%.
III. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends directing staff to adopt Resolution No. XX Series 2025 with attached
fee schedule, doubling the existing fee schedule.
IV. ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Resolution No. XX, 2025
Attachment B – Fee Schedule
0
0.5
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3
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3
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2
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3/
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0
/
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0
1
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3/
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/
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6
CCI
CCI Expon. (CCI)
49
RESOLUTION NO. 27
Series of 2025
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TOWN OF VAIL TRANSPORTATION IMPACT
FEE SCHEDULE PURSUANT TO TITLE 12-26
WHEREAS, Title 12, Chapter 26 of the Vail Town Code requires the adoption of
a Transportation Impact Fee Schedule (the “Fee Schedule”);
WHEREAS, the Council finds and determines that the Vail Transportation Impact
Fee Study dated March 10, 2017, supports the Fee Schedule, adjusted for construction
inflation, attached hereto as Exhibit A,; and
WHEREAS, the Fee Schedule shall be updated from time to time to account for
construction cost, inflation and updated Town Master Plans.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO THAT:
Section 1. The Council hereby approves the Fee Schedule.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect on June 9, 2025.
INTRODUCED, PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town
Council of the Town of Vail held this 3rd day of June 2025.
Travis Coggin, Town Mayor
ATTEST:
Stephanie Kauffman, Town Clerk
50
Resolution No. 27, Series 2025
Exhibit A
Residentail Dwellings (per Unit)
Dwelling, Two Family or Multiple Family (In the Core Area)10,132$
Dwelling, Two Family or Multiple Family (Outside the Core Area)12,665$
Dwelling, Single Family 16,466$
Employee Housing Unit $0
Accommodation Unit (per Unit)
Accommodation Unit (In Core Area)10,132$
Accommodation Unit (Outside Core Area)12,665$
Commercial (per square foot of floor area)
Restaurant & Retail Establishments 23.63$
Facilities Health Care 16.88$
Office & Other Services 10.54$
Core Area is defined per Figure 1 in the Vail Transportation Impact Fee Study.
Per Unit is defined as any type of Dwelling Unit, Fractional Fee Unit,
Accommodation Unit, Lodge Unit, or Timeshare Unit as listed below.
Per Square Foot of Floor Area is defined as, per each net new gross square foot of
enclosed floor area constructed, excluding; enclosed vehicular loading and delivery
areas, and vehicular parking facilities.
The above Trasnportation Impact Fee schedule rates are equivalent to $19,040
per net new PM-Peak hour vehicular trip.
The categories within the Transportation Impact Fee Schedule are further defined
below, and within Title 12-2-2. Any uses or development types not specifically
defined below or within Title 12-2-2 shall be interpreted by the Administrator in
accordance with the Vail Transportation Impact Fee Study.
Dwelling, Two Family or Multiple Family includes;
Dwelling, Two Family
Dwelling, Multiple Family
Fractional Fee Club Unit
Accommodation Unit includes;
Accommodation Unit
Accommodation Unit, Attached
Lodge Dwelling Unit
Lodge Unit, Limited Service
Timeshare Unit
Restaurant and Retail includes;
Eating and drinking establishments
Retail stores and establishments
Theaters
Office & Other Services includes;
Professional offices, business offices and studios
Banks and financial institutions
Personal services and repair shops
Child Daycare Center
Health Clubs / Spa
Commercial Ski Storage/Ski Club
Religious Institutions
Vail Transportation Impact Fees
51
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4.1
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
SUBMITTED BY:Greg Roy, Community Development
ITEM TYPE:DRB/PEC Update
AGENDA SECTION:DRB/PEC (4:10pm)
SUBJECT:DRB/PEC Update (5 min.)
SUGGESTED ACTION:
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
DRB Results 5-21-2025
52
Design Review Board Minutes
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
2:00 PM
Vail Town Council Chambers
Present: Roland J Kjesbo
Anthony J Grandt
Herbert B Roth
Kit Austin
Absent: Mary Egan
1. Virtual Meeting Link
Register to attend Design Review Board Meetings. Once registered, you will receive
a confirmation email containing information about joining this webinar.
2. Call to Order
3. Main Agenda
3.1 DRB25 -0041 - Willow Bridge LLC/Cherry Vail LLC
Final review of new construction
Address/ Legal Description: 1498 Spring Hill Lane A & 1498 Spring Hill Lane B/Lot 16, Block 3,
Vail Valley Filing 1
Planner: Jamie Leaman-Miller
Applicant Name: Willow Bridge LLC & Cherry Vail LLC, represented by KH Webb Architects
DRB25-0041 Documents.pdf
DRB25-0041 Plans.pdf
DRB25-0041 Renderings.pdf
Anthony J Grandt made a motion to Approve with the findings it meets 14-10-4 & 14-10-5;
Roland J Kjesbo seconded the motion Passed (3 - 0).
3.2 DRB24 -0449.001 - Apres Vous Investments Final
review of a change to approved plans (siding/brick)
Address/ Legal Description: 483 Gore Creek Drive 1/Lot 1, Vail Village Filing 4
Planner: Jamie Leaman-Miller
Applicant Name: Apres Vous Investments, represented by 159 Design
DRB24-0449.001 Proposed Plans.pdf
Texas Townhomes Existing Photos.pdf
Dec. 18, 2024 Approved Plans, DRB24-0449.pdf
Anthony J Grandt made a motion to Approve with the findings it meets 14-10-5; Roland J
Kjesbo seconded the motion Passed (3 - 0).
3.3 DRB25-0038 - Bjorn's Honey
Final review of a sign application
Design Review Board Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2025
1
53
Address/ Legal Description: 186 Gore Creek Drive 154/Lot 1, Lodge Subdivision
Planner: Jamie Leaman-Miller
Applicant Name: Bjorn's Honey, represented by Zuni Signs
DRB25-0038 Plans.pdf
Roland J Kjesbo made a motion to Table with direction to staff; Anthony J Grandt seconded the
motion Passed (3 - 0).
3.4 DRB25-0108 - 1692 Matterhorn LLC
Conceptual review of new construction
Address/ Legal Description: 1699, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1710 Geneva Drive and 1692
Matterhorn Cir/Lots 1, 19B, 2, 18, 3, 17A, and 19A Matterhorn Village Filing 1
Planner: Greg Roy
Applicant Name: 1692 Matterhorn LLC, represented by John G Martin Architect
DRB25-0108 Plans_Part1.pdf
DRB25-0108 Plans_Part2.pdf
DRB25-0108 Plans_Part3.pdf
Conceptual application only, no motion
4. Staff Approvals
4.1 DRB21-0266.003 - Sheridan Residence
Final review of a change to approved plans
Address/ Legal Description: 2447 Garmisch Drive/Lot 10, Block H, Vail Das Schone Filing 2
Planner: Heather Knight
Applicant Name: Stephen Sheridan, represented by Martin Manley Architects
4.2 DRB24-0478 - SJZ LLC
Final review of an exterior alteration (deck/stairs/railing/landscape)
Address/ Legal Description: 1500 Lions Ridge Loop/Lot 22, Daphinais-Moseley Subdivision Filing 1
Planner: Jamie Leaman-Miller
Applicant Name: SJZ LLC, represented by Ceres + Landscape Architecture
4.3 DRB25-0057 - Hannen Residence
Final review of an addition
Address/ Legal Description: 1320 Westhaven Drive 1B/Cascade Village - MIllrace Condominiums
Planner: Jamie Leaman-Miller
Applicant Name: Kevin Hannen, represented by LKSM Design
4.4 DRB25-0064 - Forestside Investments LLC
Final review of an exterior alteration
Address/ Legal Description: 107 Rockledge Road/Lot 7, Block 7, Vail Village Filing 1 / Raether
Minor Subdivision - Replat
Planner: Greg Roy
Applicant Name: Forestside Investments, represented by KH Webb Architects
4.5 DRB25-0072 - Kerr Residence
Final review of an exterior alteration (windows/door)
Design Review Board Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2025
2
54
Address/ Legal Description: 1815 West Gore Creek Drive West/Lot 18, Vail Village West Filing 2
Planner: Greg Roy
Applicant Name: Kason Kerr, represented by Renewal by Andersen
4.6 DRB25-0087 - Austria Haus
Final review of an exterior alteration (re-roof)
Address/ Legal Description: 242 East Meadow Drive/Tract C, Block 5E, Vail Village Filing 1
Planner: Greg Roy
Applicant Name: Austria Haus, represented by Turner Morris Roofing
4.7 DRB25-0121 - Boyd Residence
Final review of an exterior alteration (awning)
Address/ Legal Description: 2249 Chamonix Lane 2/Lot 4, Block A, Vail Das Schone Filing 1
Planner: Greg Roy
Applicant Name: Tania Boyd
4.8 DRB25-0122 - Gravity Haus
Final review of an exterior alteration (sliding door)
Address/ Legal Description: 352 East Meadow Drive/Tract B, Vail Village Filing 1
Planner: Heather Knight
Applicant Name: Gravity Haus, represented by The Reynolds Corporation
4.9 DRB25-0123 - NYCWEST LLC
Final review of an exterior alteration (AC)
Address/ Legal Description: 1328 Vail Valley Drive West/Lot 22, Block 3, Vail Valley Filing 1
Planner: Heather Knight
Applicant Name: NYCWEST LLC, represented by Balance Point Construction
5. Staff Denials
6. Adjournment
Roland J Kjesbo made a motion to Adjourn ; Anthony J Grandt seconded the motion Passed
(3 - 0).
Design Review Board Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2025
3
55
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5.1
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
SUBMITTED BY:Jake Shipe
ITEM TYPE:Information Update
AGENDA SECTION:Information Update (4:15pm)
SUBJECT:May 2025 Revenue Update
SUGGESTED ACTION:
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
Revenue Update 6-03-2025
56
1
TOWN OF VAIL
REVENUE UPDATE
June 3, 2025
4.0% General Sales Tax
Upon receipt of all sales tax returns, April 2025 collections are estimated to be
$2,125,813, up 15.4% from 2024 and up 2.0% from the budget.
Historically, the timing of the Easter holiday has influenced sales tax collections
for the months of March and April. To account for this variability, collections for
both months are combined. Total sales tax collections for March and April of
2025 are $8,353,494, up 1.2% compared to 2024.
2025 YTD collections of $20,560,802 are up 2.1% from 2024 and up 2.3% from
the budget. Inflation as measured by the consumer price index was up 2.3% for
the 12-months ending April 2025. The annual budget totals $42.1 million.
0.5% Housing Fund Sales Tax
Upon receipt of all sales tax returns, April 2025 collections of the 0.5% housing
sales tax are estimated to be $256,099, up 15.4% from 2024 and up 2.1% from
the budget. Total housing sales tax collections for March and April of 2025 are
$1,016,808, up 1.2% compared to 2024.
2025 YTD collections of $2,503,495 are up 2.1% from 2024 and up 0.8% from the
budget. The annual budget for the housing fund sales tax totals $5.2 million.
Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT)
RETT collections through May 27 total $3,443,088, down (7.4)% from 2024. The
number of property sales (excluding time-shares) is tracking down (25.9)% from
2024, while the average collection is tracking up 25.6%. The budget for RETT
collections totals $7.7 million for 2025.
Construction Use Tax
Use Tax collections through May 27 total $860,342 compared to $848,244 in 2024.
The budget totals $2.5 million for 2025.
Lift Tax
Lift tax collections for April 2025 total $5,037,750, up 2.0% or $97,718 from April
2024. The budget totals $6,915,427.
Summary
Across all funds and excluding one-time grants and reimbursements, year-to-date
total revenue of $45.0 million is up 7.2% from the proposed amended budget and
is down (0.1)% from prior year. The majority of the positive variance compared to
the budget is due to higher-than-expected real estate transfer tax collections,
interest earnings, and sales tax collections.
57
2025 Budget % change % change
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Budget Variance from 2024 from Budget
January 4,076,145$ 3,422,209$ 5,217,125$ 5,911,572$ 5,805,199$ 5,791,927$ 5,941,486$ 149,559$ 2.35% 2.58%
February 4,285,633 3,691,850 5,686,585 6,041,108 6,080,349 6,063,693 6,265,823 202,130 3.05% 3.33%
March 2,243,518 4,364,797 5,912,059 6,055,992 6,412,535 6,162,148 6,227,681 65,533 -2.88% 1.06%
April 427,518 1,751,528 2,234,296 2,264,892 1,842,893 2,082,859 2,125,813 42,954 15.35% 2.06%
YTD 11,032,814$ 13,230,384$ 19,050,065$ 20,273,564$ 20,140,975$ 20,100,627$ 20,560,802$ 460,175$ 2.08% 2.29%
May 503,828 1,061,516 1,227,974 1,118,011 1,176,629 1,152,860 -
June 1,023,517 2,149,312 2,317,931 2,272,457 2,361,482 2,355,770 -
July 2,084,644 3,491,668 3,507,973 3,412,277 3,643,192 3,629,309 -
August 2,138,838 2,877,550 2,997,389 2,932,111 3,052,213 3,038,643 -
September 1,767,393 2,359,528 2,441,331 2,508,064 2,415,397 2,414,174 -
October 1,371,727 1,734,964 1,729,558 1,773,358 1,753,419 1,752,419 -
November 1,425,461 1,880,397 1,902,643 1,901,141 1,844,461 1,843,961 -
December 3,625,189 5,749,365 5,602,018 5,811,950 5,789,893 5,776,237 -
Total 24,973,411$ 34,534,683$ 40,776,882$ 42,002,933$ 42,177,661$ 42,064,000$ 20,560,802$ 460,175$ 2.08%2.29%
2025 Budget % change % change
2022 2023 2024 Budget Variance from 2024 from Budget
January 645,487$ 720,906$ 705,167$ 711,525$ 723,153$ 11,628$ 2.55% 1.63%
February 702,730 736,788 741,549 753,337 763,534 10,197 2.96% 1.35%
March 719,717 738,244 783,123 769,644 760,709 (8,935) -2.86% -1.16%
April 269,018 271,930 222,032 249,107 256,099 6,992 15.34% 2.81%
YTD 2,336,952$ 2,467,868$ 2,451,871$ 2,483,613$ 2,503,495$ 19,882$ 2.11% 0.80%
May 146,657 132,333 139,793 143,483 -
June 280,460 275,113 284,485 291,846 -
July 424,602 412,849 439,142 448,039 -
August 361,165 352,887 369,212 377,205 -
September 294,861 304,068 293,066 299,772 -
October 207,397 213,568 210,364 217,051 -
November 230,383 229,092 222,639 228,495 -
December 671,982 703,050 699,750 712,030 -
Total 4,954,459$ 5,090,828$ 5,110,322$ 5,201,534$ 2,503,495$ 19,882$ 2.11% 0.80%
0.5% HOUSING SALES TAX
2025 Budget Comparison
4.0% Collected
Sales Tax
Actual 0.5% Collections 0.5% Collected
Sales Tax
Town of Vail Revenue Update
June 3, 2025
4.0% GENERAL SALES TAX2025 Budget Comparison
Actual 4.0% Collections
58
Town of Vail Revenue Update
YTD 4% General Sales Tax Collections By Year
June 3, 2025
Through April 30
April 4% General Sales Tax Collections By Year
Through April 30
•April collections of $2,125,813 are up 15.4% from prior year and are up 2.0% from the budget.
•Historically, the timing of the Easter holiday has influenced sales tax collections for the months of
March and April. Total sales tax collections for March and April of 2025 totaled $8,353,494, up 1.2%
compared to 2024.
$1,751,528
$2,234,296
$2,264,892
$1,842,893
$2,125,813
$0 $500,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $2,500,000
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
$13,230,384
$19,050,065
$20,273,564
$20,140,975
$20,560,802
$0 $5,000,000 $10,000,000 $15,000,000 $20,000,000
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
•YTD collections of $20,560,802 are up 2.1% from prior year and are up 2.3% from the budget.
•Inflation as measured by the consumer price index was up 2.3% for the 12-months ending April
2025.
59
Town of Vail Revenue Update
June 3, 2025
April 0.5% Housing Fund Sales Tax Collections By Year
Real Estate Transfer Tax by Year
YTD Through May 2025
April Collections YTD Collections
•This chart shows YTD collections of 1% RETT, segmented by real property values. 2025
collections are down (7.4)% from the prior year.
$4,056,565 $3,936,168
$2,584,277
$3,717,760 $3,443,088
$0
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,000,000
$3,500,000
$4,000,000
$4,500,000
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Sales Less Than $2.5 Million Sales $2.5 to $5 Million Sales $5 to $10 Million Sales Over $10 Million
•April collections of $256,099 are up 15.3% from prior year and are up 2.8% from the budget.
Historically, the timing of the Easter holiday has influenced sales tax collections for the months of
March and April. Total housing sales tax collections for March and April of 2025 totaled $1,016,808,
up 1.2% compared to 2024.
•2025 YTD collections of $2,503,495 are up 2.1% from 2024 and up 0.8% from the budget. The
annual budget for the housing fund sales tax totals $5.2 million.
$269,018 $271,930
$222,032
$256,099
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
2022 2023 2024 2025
$2,336,952 $2,467,868 $2,451,871 $2,503,495
$0
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,000,000
2022 2023 2024 2025
60
Town of Vail Revenue Update
June 3, 2025
Construction Use Tax by Year
YTD Through May 2025
YTD Lift Tax Collections
YTD Through April 2025
•Use Tax collections through May 27 total $860,342 compared to $848,244 from this time last
year. This is an increase of 1.4%.
$2,138,087
$965,715 $1,074,782
$848,244 $860,342
$0
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
•2025 YTD lift tax collections of $5,037,750 are up 2.0% or $97,718 from the same time last year.
$3,919,631
$4,677,161
$4,650,293
$4,940,032
$5,037,750
$0 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
61
Vail Business Review
April 2025 and Ski Season 2024-2025
June 3, 2025
The Vail Business Review breaks down the 4.5% sales tax collected for the month of
April and the 2024-2025 Ski Season. The 4.5% sales tax includes the town’s general
4% sales tax and the 0.5% housing sales tax supported by Town of Vail voters during
the November 2021 election, effective January 1, 2022. The housing sales tax sunsets
on December 31, 2051.
April 4.5% sales tax was up 15.3% compared to the prior year. This is largely
influenced by the timing of the Easter holiday which occurred in April 2025 and March
2024. In April, retail increased 15.3%, lodging increased 19.3%, food and beverage
increased 22.5%, and utilities/other decreased (7.1)%. Excluding the out-of-town
category, sales tax for the month of April was up 19.3% compared to the prior year.
Ski Season 4.5% sales tax was up 1.7% from the prior year. Retail increased 2.3%,
lodging increased 0.4%, food and beverage increased 4.6%, and utilities/other
decreased (2.5)%. Excluding the out-of-town category, sales tax for the Ski Season was
down (0.2)% compared to the prior year.
Town of Vail sales tax forms, the Vail Business Review, and sales tax worksheets are
available on the internet at vail.gov. You may email me to request to have the Vail
Business Review and the sales tax worksheet emailed to you automatically.
Please remember when reading the Vail Business Review that it is produced from sales
tax collections as opposed to actual gross sales.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call me at (970) 479-2125 or
Carlie Smith, Finance Director, at (970) 479-2119.
Sincerely,
Lauren Noll
Revenue Manager
62
Town of Vail Business Review
April Sales Tax Collections by Year
April 2025 Sales Tax
April 2024
Sales Tax Collections by Business Type
April 2025
971,382
Lodging
620,496 Food &
Beverage
565,165
Utilities &
Other
224,816
$0
$200,000
$400,000
$600,000
$800,000
$1,000,000
15.3%22.5%(7.1)%
Retail
1,797,641
2,503,608
2,538,103
2,065,645
2,381,859
$0 $500,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $2,500,000
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
General Sales Tax
Housing Sales Tax
• April 2025 retail sales increased 15.3%, lodging increased 19.3%, food and beverage increased
22.5%, and utilities and other decreased (7.1)%.
• The figures above reflect 4.5% sales tax.
Retail
842,475
Lodging
520,019 Food &
Beverage
461,287
Utilities &
Other
241,864
$0
$200,000
$400,000
$600,000
$800,000
$1,000,000
19.3%
• This report represents collections of Town of Vail sales tax, as opposed to actual gross sales.
• On January 1st, 2022, Town of Vail sales tax increased from 4.0% to 4.5% on all items except food for
home consumption. 2022-2025 above include the 0.5% increase to sales tax, depicted in light blue.
2021 shows 4.0% sales tax collections.
• Total April 2024 collections were $2,065,645; April 2025 collections were $2,381,859, up over the prior
year 15.3%.
63
Town of Vail Business Review
April 2024April 2025
Geographic Area Trends by Year
April Sales Tax
Sales Tax by Location
April 2025 Sales Tax
Other Areas
14%
Lionshead
14%
Out of
Town
34%
Vail Village
38%
• Vail Village sales tax increased 24.6%, Lionshead increased 14.2%, Other Areas increased 9.6%, and Out
of Town increased 7.6%. Excluding Out of Town collections, all areas were up 19.3%.
• The figures above reflect 4.5% sales tax.
262,797
327,185
225,131
378,713
611,750
774,394
697,963
1,023,316
$0 $250,000 $500,000 $750,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Vail Village
Out of Town
Lionshead
Other Areas
1,074,875799,805347,466
315,958
• This chart shows April sales tax collections by geographic area over time.
• 2022-2025 include the 0.5% increase for housing sales tax, depicted in lighter shades. General
4.0% sales tax collections are shown in darker shades.
294,461
282,237 697,872
791,076
985,839
322,409 750,759
322,853
Other Areas
14%
Lionshead
14%
Out of
Town
31%
Vail Village
41%
64
Accommodation Services Sales Tax by Year
Retail Business 4.5% Sales Tax Detail
April 2025 Sales Tax
Town of Vail Business Review
Apparel
$159,611
Grocery
$140,363
Gallery
$9,720
Gifts
$5,470
Jewelry
$44,150
Retail Liquor
$34,166
Retail Other
$322,411
Sporting Goods
$156,735
Online Retailers
$98,755
Retail Home
Occupation
$0
• April 2025 accommodations services increased 19.3% from the prior year. Short-term rentals increased 14.3%
and hotels and lodges increased 21.4%.
• The figures above reflect 4.5% sales tax.
• Short-term rental sales tax collection numbers include online marketplace facilitators like Airbnb and VRBO.
Revenue collections from facilitators may include some hotels and lodges that advertise and rent properties on
these platforms.
447,523
234,212
370,445
149,574
449,570
170,926
$0 $100,000 $200,000 $300,000 $400,000 $500,000
Hotel and Lodges
Short-Term Rentals
2025 2024 2023
65
Retail 143,587 133,218 7.78%
Lodging 103,320 92,178 12.09%
F & B 73,016 64,469 13.26%
Other 2,930 4,596 -36.26%
Total 322,853 294,461 9.64%
Retail 85,187 70,162 21.42%
Lodging 138,957 121,776 14.11%
F & B 92,184 87,281 5.62%
Other 6,081 3,019 101.44%
Total 322,409 282,237 14.23%
Retail 372,775 323,998 15.05%
Lodging 165,816 149,607 10.83%
F & B 929 628 47.85%
Other 211,238 223,638 -5.54%
Total 750,759 697,872 7.58%
Retail 369,833 315,098 17.37%
Lodging 212,403 156,457 35.76%
F & B 399,036 308,909 29.18%
Other 4,567 10,611 -56.96%
Total 985,839 791,076 24.62%
Retail 971,382 842,475 15.30%
Lodging 620,496 520,019 19.32%
F & B 565,165 461,287 22.52%
Other 224,816 241,864 -7.05%
Total 2,381,859 2,065,645 15.31%
Retail Apparel 159,611 138,840 14.96%
Retail Food 140,363 124,355 12.87%
Retail Gallery 9,720 4,794 102.77%
Retail Gift 5,470 3,101 76.43%
Retail Home Occupation - 197 -100.00%
Retail Jewelry 44,150 31,750 39.05%
Retail Liquor 34,166 34,467 -0.88%
Retail Other 322,411 272,282 18.41%
Retail Sport 156,735 153,517 2.10%
Retail Online Retailer 98,755 79,171 24.74%
Total 971,382 842,475 15.30%
Cascade Village / East Vail / Sandstone / West Vail
Town of Vail Business Review
April 4.5% Sales Tax
2025 Collections 2024 Collections YoY % Change
Total - All Areas
Lionshead
Out of Town
Vail Village
Retail Summary
66
Ski Season 2024-2025
Town of Vail Business Review
Ski Season Sales Tax Collections by Year
Ski Season 2024-2025 Sales Tax
Ski Season 2023-2024
Sales Tax Collections by Business Type
10,451,153
Lodging
13,100,446
Food &
Beverage
6,447,009 Utilities &
Other
1,690,846
$0
$2,000,000
$4,000,000
$6,000,000
$8,000,000
$10,000,000
$12,000,000
$14,000,000
2.3%4.6%(2.5)%
Retail
18,315,841
29,098,525
31,239,293
31,159,707
31,689,454
$0 $5,000,000 $10,000,000 $15,000,000 $20,000,000 $25,000,000 $30,000,000 $35,000,000
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
24-25
General Sales Tax
Housing Sales Tax
• Ski Season 2024-2025 retail sales increased 2.3%, lodging increased 0.4%, food and beverage
increased 4.6%, and utilities and other decreased (2.5)%.
• The figures above reflect 4.5% sales tax.
Retail
10,214,375
Lodging
13,047,946
Food &
Beverage
6,162,809
Utilities &
Other
1,734,578
$0
$2,000,000
$4,000,000
$6,000,000
$8,000,000
$10,000,000
$12,000,000
$14,000,000
0.4%
• This report represents collections of Town of Vail sales tax, as opposed to actual gross sales.
• On January 1st, 2022, Town of Vail sales tax increased from 4.0% to 4.5% on all items except food for
home consumption. 2022-2025 above include the 0.5% increase to sales tax, depicted in light blue.
2021 shows 4.0% sales tax collections.
• Total Ski Season 2023-2024 collections were $31,159,707; Ski Season 2024-2025 collections were
$31,689,454, up from the prior year 1.7%.
67
Ski Season 2024-2025 Sales Tax
Town of Vail Business Review
Ski Season 2023-2024Ski Season 2024-2025
Geographic Area Trends by Year
Ski Season Sales Tax
Sales Tax by Location
Other Areas
14%
Lionshead
18%
Out of
Town
23%
Vail Village
45%
• Vail Village sales tax increased 1.0%, Lionshead decreased (2.5)%, Other Areas decreased (1.4)%, and Out
of Town increased 8.0%. Excluding Out of Town collections, all areas were down (0.2)%.
• The figures above reflect 4.5% sales tax.
2,723,790
4,163,460
3,102,125
5,185,715
4,784,038
7,067,108
7,705,889
12,682,242
$0 $3,000,000 $6,000,000 $9,000,000 $12,000,000 $15,000,000
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
24-25
Vail Village
Out of Town
Lionshead
Other Areas
13,709,7857,751,572
5,497,3954,280,541
• This chart shows Ski Season sales tax collections by geographic area over time.
• 2022-2025 include the 0.5% increase for housing sales tax, depicted in lighter shades. General
4.0% sales tax collections are shown in darker shades.
4,442,638
5,486,666 7,318,339 13,912,063
14,053,657
5,350,056 7,907,060
4,378,681
Other Areas
14%
Lionshead
17%
Out of
Town
25%
Vail Village
44%
68
Accommodation Services Sales Tax by Year
Retail Business 4.5% Sales Tax Detail
Ski Season 2024-2025 Sales Tax
Town of Vail Business Review
Apparel
$2,218,717
Grocery
$1,346,283
Gallery
$59,983
Gifts
$58,306
Jewelry
$426,177
Retail Liquor
$372,433
Retail Other
$2,472,953
Sporting Goods
$2,678,442
Online Retailers
$816,994
Retail Home
Occupation
$865
• Ski Season 2024-2025 accommodations services increased 0.4% over the prior year. Short-term rentals
decreased (0.2)% and hotels and lodges increased 0.7%.
• The figures above reflect 4.5% sales tax.
• Short-term rental sales tax collection numbers include online marketplace facilitators like Airbnb and VRBO.
Revenue collections from facilitators may include some hotels and lodges that advertise and rent properties on
these platforms.
8,952,740
4,010,817
9,117,224
3,930,722
9,179,230
3,921,216
$0 $2,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000
Hotel and Lodges
Short-Term Rentals
24-25 23-24 22-23
69
Retail 1,393,638 1,516,794 -8.12%
Lodging 2,310,126 2,270,731 1.73%
F & B 643,207 618,703 3.96%
Other 31,711 36,410 -12.91%
Total 4,378,681 4,442,638 -1.44%
Retail 1,404,578 1,477,227 -4.92%
Lodging 2,785,316 2,840,755 -1.95%
F & B 1,129,423 1,086,739 3.93%
Other 30,738 81,944 -62.49%
Total 5,350,056 5,486,666 -2.49%
Retail 2,938,565 2,507,201 17.21%
Lodging 3,487,629 3,369,713 3.50%
F & B 12,811 11,720 9.30%
Other 1,468,054 1,429,705 2.68%
Total 7,907,060 7,318,339 8.04%
Retail 4,714,372 4,713,153 0.03%
Lodging 4,517,375 4,566,746 -1.08%
F & B 4,661,568 4,445,646 4.86%
Other 160,343 186,518 -14.03%
Total 14,053,657 13,912,063 1.02%
Retail 10,451,153 10,214,374 2.32%
Lodging 13,100,446 13,047,946 0.40%
F & B 6,447,009 6,162,809 4.61%
Other 1,690,846 1,734,578 -2.52%
Total 31,689,454 31,159,707 1.70%
Retail Apparel 2,218,717 2,169,229 2.28%
Retail Food 1,346,283 1,394,148 -3.43%
Retail Gallery 59,983 62,115 -3.43%
Retail Gift 58,306 44,537 30.92%
Retail Home Occupation 865 1,542 -43.90%
Retail Jewelry 426,177 409,498 4.07%
Retail Liquor 372,433 413,530 -9.94%
Retail Other 2,472,953 2,150,094 15.02%
Retail Sport 2,678,442 2,906,478 -7.85%
Retail Online Retailer 816,994 663,204 23.19%
Total 10,451,153 10,214,374 2.32%
Total - All Areas
Lionshead
Out of Town
Vail Village
Retail Summary
Cascade Village / East Vail / Sandstone / West Vail
Town of Vail Business Review
Ski Season 4.5% Sales Tax
2025 Collections 23-24 Collections YoY % Change
70
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6.1
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
SUBMITTED BY:Steph Johnson, Community Development
ITEM TYPE:Matters from Mayor, Council, Town Manager and Committee Reports
AGENDA SECTION:Matters from Mayor, Council, Town Manager and Committee Reports
(4:15pm)
SUBJECT:Matters from Mayor, Council, and Committee Reports
(15 min.)
SUGGESTED ACTION:
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
71
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6.2
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
SUBMITTED BY:Steph Johnson, Town Manager
ITEM TYPE:Town Manager Report
AGENDA SECTION:Matters from Mayor, Council, Town Manager and Committee Reports
(4:15pm)
SUBJECT:Town Manager Report (5 min.)
SUGGESTED ACTION:
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
Town Manager Update 6-03-2025
Future Topics - June & July
72
Town Managers Update
June 3, 2025
1. STR Excise Tax Ballot Update
On May 26, Magellan distributed a survey on behalf of the Town to gather feedback from registered
Vail voters regarding a potential STR excise tax for the November ballot. Since Council's initial
review, staff has added language to the sample ballot question to allow the Town to issue debt
backed by the STR excise tax revenues. This type of language is not uncommon across jurisdictions.
If approved, this would give the Town the ability to issue debt within 20 years of the ballot measure
passing, allowing the revenue from the excise tax to be put to use immediately rather than waiting to
accumulate funds. Debt approved by voters and supported by a dedicated revenue source is typically
viewed differently by rating agencies than debt like Certificates of Participation which rely on general
Town revenues. Voter-approved debt will also receive better interest rates, whereas COPs are
automatically rated one notch lower.
Preliminary survey results indicate that voters support an STR excise tax.
In addition, the Town is working with Magellan on a separate survey targeting the lodging community,
which will be sent out within the next two weeks. The goal is to provide Council with well-rounded
feedback from both residents and lodging stakeholders as they consider next steps for the proposed
tax.
Staff is planning on coming back with results from both surveys in July to get feedback from Council
on a potential ballot.
2. 2026 Budget Retreat
Staff would like to schedule the kickoff of the 2026 budget discussions with a budget retreat on
Tuesday July 15. Timing of this retreat will be dependent on other meeting topics that day. During
this meeting, staff will review reserve projections, provide preliminary revenue projections, and
discuss Council priorities for the upcoming year.
3. Construction Update
The Communications Department will continue to update the Town’s website on construction Weekly
Construction Update, May 12 | News List | Vail, CO. Also, the Town is initiating an ad campaign to
inform the community of the significant construction projects occurring in the Town of Vail.
4. Other
There may be other topics the Town Manager needs to share with the Town Council.
73
Future Topics, June & July 2025
TOPIC DEPARTMENT
Groundbreaking Ceremony for West Middle Creek Town Manager’s Office
Joint Meeting with Design Review Board Community Development
Exterior Energy Offset Presentation Environmental Sustainability
Greenhouse Gas Study Presentation Environmental Sustainability
Bus Barn Discussion Public Works & Vail Fire
IT Support IGA with Vail Recreation District IT
2024 Audit Presentation Finance
2026 Budget Retreat Finance
US Forest Service Update Town Manager’s Office
74
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6.3
Item Cover Page
DATE:June 3, 2025
SUBMITTED BY:Steph Johnson, Town Manager
ITEM TYPE:Matters from Mayor, Council, Town Manager and Committee Reports
AGENDA SECTION:Matters from Mayor, Council, Town Manager and Committee Reports
(4:15pm)
SUBJECT:Council Matters and Status Updates
SUGGESTED ACTION:
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM REPORT
ATTACHMENTS:
Council Matters 6-03-2025
75
COUNCIL MATTERS
Status Report
Report for June 3, 2025
Social Media Listening
Sprout Listening link https://share.sproutsocial.com/view/476fa515-552a-4456-afa5-
15552ac456fe
Social media posts encouraging engagement with the Single Hauler survey have been
part of the larger number of responses than many other Engage Vail surveys:
https://www.facebook.com/100063598838642/posts/1245102394286377/
In the News______________________________________________________
May 17
Checkpoint Charlie Tree
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/vail-checkpoint-charlie-new-christmas-tree/
Summer Parking Passes
https://www.realvail.com/vail-summer-parking-passes-now-on-sale/a22353/
May 19
Fourth of July
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/vail-fourth-of-july-curfew-zero-tolerance/
May 21
Timber Ridge Construction
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/timber-ridge-village-construction-vail-on-schedule/
Chad and JT Visit
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/what-up-council-comedians-chad-jt-speech-vail/
Evacuation Game Night
https://www.realvail.com/community-members-invited-to-join-vails-evacuation-game-night-may-
28/a22407/
May 22
Summer Travel Outlook
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https://www.vaildaily.com/news/colorado-summer-2025-tourism-outlook-tariff-anxiety/
May 27
Dobson Arena Remodel
https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/dobson-ice-arena-renovations/73-
f4a14d03-04f5-461f-b604-d9f565fddd84
Summer Bus Service
https://www.realvail.com/town-of-vail-expanded-its-summer-bus-service-on-memorial-
day/a22444/
Lunch w/ the Locals
https://www.realvail.com/vail-hosts-lunch-with-the-locals-on-wednesday-may-28/a22442/
May 28
STR Survey
https://www.realvail.com/town-of-vail-conducting-ballot-question-survey-on-str-excise-
tax/a22462/
https://www.realvail.com/town-of-vail-conducting-ballot-question-survey-on-str-excise-
tax/a22462/
Single Hauler
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/vail-resident-feedback-municipalized-waste-collection-program/
Upcoming Dates
June 24 Board & Commissions Appreciation Night at Ford Park
Amphitheater Hot Summer Nights
July 8 Community Picnic!
August 12 Community Picnic!
September 9 Vail Social!
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