HomeMy WebLinkAboutPEC140011 Public Comment TC 030315Warren Campbell
From: Pam Brandmeyer
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 10:38 AM
To: George Ruther; Matt Mire
Subject: FW: VVMC helipad
From: Dave Chapin
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2015 10:35 AM
To: RPMBBBB0)A0L.00M
Cc: Council Dist List; smiller @vaildaily.com
Subject: Re: VVMC helipad
Thank you for your letter. I look forward to our discussion at council meeting on the 17th. I was able to attend
all of the PEC meetings where the helicopter pad was discussed. The process was well done and there decision
was not arrived at easily,ultimately the council will have the final say.
Sent from my iPad
On Feb 10, 2015, at 5:13 PM, "RPMBBBBgAOL.COM" <RPMBBBB(a),AOL.COM> wrote:
Dear Council Members
Thank you for allowing me to address the council regarding the VVMC proposal
presented on February 3rd. I will not be able to attend the meeting on the 17th and
would like to offer some additional thoughts.
Access to onsite emergency air transport seems modern, progressive and cutting
edge. Images from television and movies reinforce our notion that this is the new
standard. No surprise that the first bullet point of the thirteen goals for the master
plan is the helipad.
And yet as one example, New York City does not allow any helicopter
takeoff /landings on any building. All helipad activity is dockside on the Hudson at
designated locations. Emergency transport must navigate the streets of the city to
get to or from a hospital or ER. The risk to citizens. property, air transport
personnel and patients is greater than the presumed medical benefit. There is no
community more modern, progressive or cutting edge medically than New York.
Reconsidering an onsite helipad, in favor of other locations already discussed at the
PEC, for emergency air transport in the Vail Valley will not reduce the modern,
progressive, cutting edge capability of local medical services, would maintain
maximum safety for persons and property, and allow reconfiguration of the VVMC
site plan to maximize options for the other 12 project goals.
Sincerely yours,
Bruce Bowling, rpmbbbbgaol.com (Scorpio owner)
Warren Campbell
From: Pam Brandmeyer
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 10:37 AM
To: George Ruther; Matt Mire
Subject: FW: VVMC Helipad
From: Dave Chapin
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2015 10:42 AM
To: Eileen Jacobs
Cc: Council Dist List
Subject: Re: VVMC Helipad
Thank you for your letter. I look forward to our discussion at council meeting on the 17th. I was able to attend all of the
PEC meetings where the helicopter -pad was discussed. The process was well done and their decision was not arrived at
easily, ultimately the council will have the final say.
Sent from my iPad
On Feb 11, 2015, at 5:52 PM, Eileen Jacobs <manager @mountaincaretaker.com> wrote:
Dear Vail Town Council,
Although I do not live in Vail, my husband and I have managed Scorpio and Alphorn Condominiums for
over 25 years and the welfare of the owners there is very near and dear to us! We have followed the
VVMC development, specifically with regard to the helipad. I worked in the Pan Am Building in New
York City in 1977 when they regularly landed helicopters in mid -town Manhattan. In May of that year, I
vividly remember the helicopter crash that I believe caused them to cease all flights into the area as it
was simply too dangerous. I worked on the 39th floor and a helicopter blade sliced through the window
and desk on the 36th floor. I'll never forget looking up from the ground outside at that blade sticking out
the window. Five people were killed including one on the ground.
http: / /nycl977.blogspot.com/ 2006 /10/5- killed -as- copter -on- pan- am- building.html
https: / /www.Rooele.com/ search ?a = Dan +am +helicoater+ crash &esDv= 2 &biw= 1920 &bih = 955 &tbm =isch
& imgil= siOEsyf8g46T8M %253A %253BOTv9F9gokamM rM % 253Bhttps %25253A %25252F %25252Fwww.fl
ickr. com% 25252Fphotos% 25252F20976994% 252540N06 %25252F2138403138 %25252F &source= iu &pf=
m& fir= si OEsyf8g46T8M %253A %252COTv9F9gokamMrM %252C &usg= JncpJf6CgBsAdOn6GFFtp vTNg
8% 3D& dpr= 1& ved= OCDIQyic& ei= 6PXbVOfAD4gvggSculHIBA #imgdii= &imgrc= slOEsyf8g46T8M %253A%
3BOTv9F9gokamMrM % 3Bhttps %253A %252F %252Fc1.staticflickr .com %252F3 %252F2171 %252F2138403
138 b3654655a5. iDg% 3Bhttas %253A %252F %252Fwww.flickr. com %252Fahotos %252F20976994 %2540
N06 %252F2138403138 %252F %3B500 %38350
To compromise the safety and well -being of many to shave a few minutes time off transport of an
injured person who already has medical attention for immediate care just doesn't make sense by the
numbers.
56eeem f4ca4, CMCA*
Mountain Caretaker, Inc.
P.O. Box 1093
960 Chambers Ave., #13203
Eagle, CO 81631
(970)328 -6226
*Certified Manager of Community Associations
Broker Associate, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Contact. realestateRmountaincaretaker com
Warren Campbell
From: Pam Brandmeyer
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 10:39 AM
To: George Ruther; Matt Mire
Subject: FW: VVMC Helipad
From: Margaret [mailto:mwk1851(cbaol.com1
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2015 8:26 AM
To: Eileen Jacobs
Cc: Council Dist List
Subject: Re: VVMC Helipad
Thanks for your support,Eileen!
On Feb 11, 2015, at 5:53 PM, "Eileen Jacobs" <managerkmountaincaretaker.com> wrote:
Dear Vail Town Council,
Although I do not live in Vail, my husband and I have managed Scorpio and Alphorn
Condominiums for over 25 years and the welfare of the owners there is very near and dear to
us! We have followed the VVMC development, specifically with regard to the helipad. I
worked in the Pan Am Building in New York City in 1977 when they regularly landed
helicopters in mid -town Manhattan. In May of that year, I vividly remember the helicopter crash
that I believe caused them to cease all flights into the area as it was simply too dangerous. I
worked on the 39th floor and a helicopter blade sliced through the window and desk on the 36th
floor. I'll never forget looking up from the ground outside at that blade sticking out the
window. Five people were killed including one on the ground.
http: / /nyc l 977.blogspot.coml2006l10 /5- killed -as- copter -on- pan -am- building.html
httDs: / /www. gooL,le.comisearch ?a= Dan +am +helicopter+ crash &eSDv= 2 &biw= 1920 &bih = 955 &tb
m= isch &im_ig 1= sjOEsyf8g46T8M% 253A% 253BOTv9F9gokamMrM %253Bhttps %25253A %25
252F% 25252Fwww. flickr. com% 25252Fphotos% 25252F20976994 %252540N06 %25252F21384
03138 %25252F &source= iu &pf =m& fir= sjOEsyf8jz46T8M %253A %252COTv9F9gokamMrM%
252C &usg= JncpJf6CgBsAdOn6GFFtp vTNg8% 3D &dpt- 1 &ved= OCDIQ,yjc &ei= 6PXbVOf
AD4gvvggScuIHIBA #imgdii =_ &im rg c sjOEsyf8g46T8M %253A %3BOTv9F9gokamMrM %3B
https %253A %252F %252Fc l .staticflickr.com %252F3 %252F2171 %252F2138403138_b3654655
a5. jpg% 3Bhttps% 253A% 252F% 252Fwww. flickr. com% 252Fphotos %252F20976994 %2540N06
% 252F2138403138 %252F %3B500 %3B350
To compromise the safety and well -being of many to shave a few minutes time off transport of
an injured person who already has medical attention for immediate care just doesn't make sense
by the numbers.
Sdem f4cak, CMCA*
Mountain Caretaker, Inc.
P.O. Box 1093
960 Chambers Ave., #13203
Eagle, CO 81631
(970)328 -6226
*Certified Manager of Community Associations
Broker Associate, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Contact. realestate @mountaincaretaker.com
Warren Campbell
From: George Ruther
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2015 8:27 PM
To: Warren Campbell
Subject: Fwd: Flight for Life pilot. Gore Creek and Vail flight path violation
Public Record.
George Ruther, AICP
Director of Community Development
Town of Vail
(970) 376 -2675
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Ronald J. Snow" <rsnow @burlesonllp.com>
Date: February 23, 2015 at 10:12:51 AM EST
To: Mery Lapin <mervlapin @hotmail.com>
Cc: "Mayer, Kathleen" <KathleenMayer @Centura.Org >, "Kate Curtis (katercurtis @gmail.com)"
< katercurtis @gmail.com >, " Strate, Leslie" <LeslieStrate @Centura.Org >, "lamontvail @vahoo.com"
<lamontvail @yahoo.com >, "GRuther @vailgov.com" <GRuther @vailgov.com >,
"gary.w.dahlen @earthlink.net" <gary.w.dahlen @earthlink .net >, "bhardin113 @gmail.com"
<bhardin113 @gmail.com >, "Betsy Bowling (rpmbbbb @aol.com)" <rpmbbbb @aol.com >, "Caryn J.
Clayman, Esq. (cic @ciclayman.com)" <cic @ciclayman.com >, Richard Kent <rkent @iohnson- united.com >,
"kirchner @vvmc.com" <kirchner @vvmc.com >, Council Dist List <TownCouncil @vailgov.com>
Subject: RE: Flight for Life pilot. Gore Creek and Vail flight path violation
Thank you, Merv.
Ronald J. Snow
Partner
Burleson LLP
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80203
Direct: 303.801.3248
Main: 303.801.3200
Fax: 303.801.3201
Email: rsnow(a)burlesonllp.com
www.burlesonilp.com
Houston * San Antonio * Pittsburgh * Denver * Midland
From: Mery Lapin [mailto:mervlapin @ hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2015 5:19 AM
To: Ronald I Snow
Cc: Mayer, Kathleen; Kate Curtis (katercurtis @gmail.com); Strate, Leslie; lamontvail @yahoo.com;
GRutherC&vailgov.com; gary.w.dahlen @earthlink. net; bhardin113 @gmail.com; Betsy Bowling
(rpmbbbb (&aol.com); Caryn J. Clayman, Esq. (cic (a cjclayman.com); Richard Kent; kirchner @vvmc.com;
Council Dist List
Subject: Re: Flight for Life pilot
Dear Ms. Mayer,
Although I did not note the exact time of my observation, I did see a Flight for Life helicopter flying over
the south side of Gore Creek out of my bedroom window. This is a heavily populated residential area. I
am available to discuss this at your convenience. This is not an uncommon occurrence. However, over
the past year the number of residential overflights have been greatly reduced.
Sent from my Whone
On Feb 18, 2015, at 15:26, Ronald J. Snow <rsnow @burlesonllp.com> wrote:
Ms. Mayer,
Your pilot is lying.
If you need to pursue this, I am available to meet with him and you for complete
clarification.
Ronald J. Snow
Partner
Burleson LLP
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80203
Direct: 303.801.3248
Main: 303.801.3200
Fax: 303.801.3201
Email: rsnow(a)burlesonllp.com
www.burlesonlID.com
Houston * San Antonio * Pittsburgh * Denver * Midland
From: Mayer, Kathleen [ mailto :KathleenMayer(a)Centura.Orq]
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 5:02 PM
To: Ronald J. Snow
Cc: Kate Curtis (katercurtis (&gmail.com); Strate, Leslie; mervlapin @hotmail.com;
lamontvail @yahoo.com; GRuther @vail. oq v.com; gary.w.dahlen@earthlink.net;
bhardin1130gmail.com; Betsy Bowling (rpmbbbb@aol.com); Caryn J. Clayman, Esq.
(cic (a cjclayman.com); Richard Kent; kirchner(a)vvmc.com
Subject: RE: Flight fo Life continues disregard of FAA safety regulations to fly over
center of Vail
Importance: High
Mr. Snow and those copied above,
I'm responding to your email below, and regret that I wasn't able to do so earlier. Due
to the extensive nature of our chief pilot's investigation into your claims, including
interviewing our pilot and our medical crewmembers on board that flight, it's taken a
while to assemble the information. Hopefully this email reaches you in time for
consideration at your meeting this evening.
Our flight on February 8th, 2015 into and from the Vail helipad next to 170 was
conducted in accordance with FAA regulations and our operating procedures for that
helipad. On departure, our pilot lifted from the helipad with an extremely critical
patient on board, departed to the west toward Eagle and above descending terrain over
170, gaining altitude before turning eastbound to head toward the receiving hospital in
Denver. Our choice to fly over 170 itself is safety related, as the median is a potential
landing zone should we have a loss of power —and a much better one than the
congested area with hotels and homes that you describe. The pilot did not overfly those
areas.
As for the references by Colonel Dahlen to out of ground effect and the transition from
in ground effect on departing the helipad, that is factored into every one of our flights
with the requisite 10% safety margin required by our helicopter service provider. That
transition is common to every kind of powered vehicle that flies, whether airplane,
helicopter, or tilt rotor. His suggestion to relocate the helipad to the Eagle County
Airport would extend the patient's out of hospital time by at least 40 minutes, requires
that the Eagle County Paramedic Service be available for a round trip transport, and is
subject to traffic and road conditions that could significantly extend that travel time —
as well as taking the patient in the opposite direction of the hospital where his /her care
is to be provided in Denver. ( The distance between the airport and Vail Valley Medical
Center is actually 40 miles, and substantially more than a "20 minute trip" at normal
highway speeds. )
Re the reference to fuel, our helicopters are required by the FAA to carry a 20 minute
reserve, and by our provider to carry a 30 minute reserve. Our helicopters have more
than adequate power to carry the required fuel for flights into the Vail Valley, whether
we're required to hover out of ground effect on a ski slope, or landing and departing
from the Vail helipad.
In our chief pilot's history of more than 20 years flying into and from the Vail Valley, we
have not damaged property or an aircraft, nor have we received any notice of violation
from the FAA, the agency charged with enforcing the regulations. Safety —for our
crewmembers, our patients and the public —is our top priority and is lived out in our
program every day.
Finally, your statement that our program would compromise a critical patient's care by
engaging in a sightseeing excursion is unfortunate, and uninformed. Our flight time
recorded for that flight demonstrates that it was carried out with commitment to the
shortest out of hospital time possible for our patient, and with the appropriate safety
procedures as agreed upon, in place.
Respectfully, KM
Kathleen Mayer, MS RN
Program Director
Flight For Life Colorado
720 321 3920 Office
303 589 7889 Cell
720 321 3915 Fax
St. Anthony Hospital
11600 West 2nd PI.
Lakewood, CO 80228
kathleenmayer @centura.org
flightforlifecolorado.org
<image001.png>
<image002.png>
Accredited since 1993
From: Ronald 1. Snow [ mailto:rsnow(a)burlesonllp.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 10:30 AM
3
To: Mayer, Kathleen
Cc: Kate Curtis (katercurtis@g mail . com); Strate, Leslie; mervlapin@hotmail.com;
lamontvail @yahoo.com; GRuther @vailgov.com; gary.w.dahlen @earthlink.net;
bhardin1130)gmail.com; Betsy Bowling (rpmbbbb@aol.com); Caryn J. Clayman, Esq.
(cjc Pcjclayman.com); Richard Kent; Deborah and Joe Morris - Prapoulenis
Subject: Flight fo Life continues disregard of FAA safety regulations to fly over center of
Vail
Kathy,
I am distraught and disappointed to have to return to you and report that your
helicopters still ignore the most basic FAA prohibition against flying over residential
areas.
Despite your efforts to control the situation and assurances that dangerous flights
would cease, I personally witnessed an orange FFL helicopter depart the temporary
emergency helipad located alongside 1 -70 in Vail on Sunday afternoon, February 8,
2015. The flight occurred at 3:15 PM, local MST time on a beautiful, cloudless, almost
windless day. The helicopter departed the helipad and proceeded south over the
medical center campus which is adjacent to the highly populated Evergreen Lodge and
Skaal Hus condominiums. Upon arriving at Gore Creek, the helicopter turned and
proceeded Easterly above many single family residences, and adjacent to the Alphorn
Condominiums, the Four Seasons, the Sonenalp, the Sabastian, the Solaris and the
many other high density residential buildings and high density gathering places that
make up the center of the Town.
I am sure that the pilot and his passengers enjoyed the sightseeing excursion over the
World Ski Cup sites and the highest numbers of tourists to ever visit Vail.
How exhilarating! Even if in total disregard of your instructions to your pilots and the
most fundamental FAA safety regulations.
Ronald J. Snow
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80203
Direct: 303.801.3248
Main: 303.801.3200
Fax: 303.801.3201
Email: rsnow .burlesonllp.com
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