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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-05 Support Documentation Town Council Evening SessionTOWN COUNCIL EVENING MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2002 7:00 P.M. TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOTE: Times of items are approximate, subject to change, and cannot be relied upon to determine at what time Council will consider an item. 1. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. (5 min.) 2. CONSENT AGENDA: A. Approval of January 8 and 15, 2002, meeting minutes. (5 min.) B. ITEM/TOPIC: -First-reading of Ordinance No. 1 Series of 2002, An ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map for the Town of Vail in accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Chapter 5, Zoning Map; rezoning Lot 3, Vail Village West Filing 2 to "Single-Family Residential Zone District'; and setting forth details in regard thereto. (5 min.) 3. Christine Stouder Steve Jeffers ITEM/TOPIC: ORDINANCE #2, SERIES OF 2002, SECOND READING, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO GENERAL. OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2002A; PROVIDING THE FORM, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE 2002A BONDS, THE MANNER AND TERMS OF ISSUANCE, THE MANNER OF EXECUTION, THE METHOD OF PAYMENT AND THE SECURITY THEREFOR; PROVIDING CERTAIN COVENANTS AND OTHER DETAILS AND MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE 2002A BONDS AND THE REFUNDING PROJECT; RATIFYING ACTION PREVIOUSLY TAKEN AND APPERTAINING THERETO; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH. (15 min.) TABLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 4. Christine Stouder Steve Jeffers ITEM/TOPIC: Ordinance #3, Series of 2002, second reading, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO SALES TAX REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 20026; PROVIDING THE FORM, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE 20026 BONDS, THE MANNER AND TERMS OF ISSUANCE, THE MANNER OF EXECUTION, THE METHOD OF PAYMENT AND THE SECURITY THEREFOR; PLEDGING SALES TAX REVENUES OF THE TOWN FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE 20026 BONDS; PROVIDING CERTAIN COVENANTS AND OTHER DETAILS AND MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE 20026 BONDS, THE SALES TAX REVENUES AND THE REFUNDING PROJECT; RATIFYING ACTION PREVIOUSLY TAKEN AND APPERTAINING THERETO; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH. (15 min.) TABLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 5. ITEM/TOPIC: Replacement of 6 inch pipe to upgrade of 12 inch pipe. Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (45 min.) George Mossman Lynn Schorr Tom Kassmel 6. Todd Oppenheimer ITEM/TOPIC: Donovan Park Community Pavilion cost update and status discussion. (45 min.) ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: • Pavilion cost update. • Discussion as to approve change order of Pavilion into JL Viele Construction contract at $2,606,091. BACKGROUND RATIONALE:. Please refer to the attached letter dated January 30, 2002. 7. Town Manager's Report. (5 minutes) 8. Adjournment (9:.35 P.M.) NOTE UPCOMING MEETING START TIMES BELOW:. (ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE THE NEXT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR WORK SESSION WILL BE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2002, BEGINNING AT 2:00 P.M. IN THE TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THE NEXT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR EVENING MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2002, BEGINNING AT 7:00 P.M. IN TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS Sign language interpretation available upon request with 24-hour notification. Please call 479-2332 voice or 479-2356 TDD for information. GRAFT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL EVENING MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2002 7:00 P.M. TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council convened at approximately 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 8, 2002. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Rod Slifer, Mayor Pro-Tem Dick Cleveland Diana Donovan Bill Jewitt Greg Moffet Chuck Ogilby STAFF PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager Matt Mire, Town Attorney The Vail Town Council then convened as the Vail Local Marketing District (VLMD) for the consideration of the following items: • Discussion of Adding a Member from the Commission on Special Events (CSE) • Introduce Term Appointments • Establish Criteria for appointment to Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council (VLMDAC) • Changing Vendor Contract periods. Mayor Ludwig Kurz stated the Council had discussed the above-stated items at length during the afternoon work session. Greg Moffet then made a 4-part motion as follows: 1) Instruct the Local Marketing Advisory Council to add a member from the Vail Commission on Special Events; 2) Assign staggered terms to the current at-large advisory council as follows: one year terms for Ross Boyle, Beth Slifer and Bob Batchelor; two year terms for Bill O'Connell and Sally Hanlon; and three year terms for Bob Llewelyn and Pam Stenmark and non person specific but designated position will be given to: 2 - Vail Chamber and Business Association, I-Commission on Special Events, 1- Town Council, 1-Vail Resorts Inc., 3) establish criteria for future at-large appointments by the town Council to included marketing expertise and a strong preference for candidates living in the Town of Vail and/or owners or employees of Vail businesses;. and 4) members of the advisory council must attend 60 percent of the meetings as a minimum. Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. Greg Moffet then made a motion directing the advisory council to alert its advertising agency contractor,Barnhard/CMI, to correct service deficiencies or face termination of its contract. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The Council then adjourned the special meeting of the Vail Local Marketing District and resumed as the Vail Town Council. The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Dick Neal, manager of Pereguine Wines and Spirits in Crossroads Shopping Center, addressed the Council promoting shopping in Vail, stating he had been in business since 1968 and saw very few "locals" shopping in his store. He encouraged more locals to take advantage of his products and free delivery, encouraging shoppers to spend their money in Vail. Georgine Burton, owner of a unit in Aspen Tree Condominiums, addressed the Council for a second time, noting that nothing had been done relative to her dispute with the condominium association regarding heat in her unit since her last appearance at the Council meeting on December 18, 2001. Burton stated she was not asking the Council to solve her problem, but was looking for answers from the Community Development Department. She stated this had been an on-going problem for the last 11 months. Mayor Kurz stated he felt Burton was asking the Council to settle a legal dispute. Town Manager Bob McLaurin stated he would be happy to sit down with Burton to try to reach a mutually satisfying resolution. The second item on the agenda was the introduction of the Australian exchange students. Merv Lapin, of the Vail Valley Exchange, asked the Council to move to the next item on the agenda, as all of the students had not yet arrived. The third item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. The first item under the Consent Agenda was the approval of the December 4 and 18, 2001, minutes. Greg Moffet made a motion to approve the minutes with the corrections from Diana Donovan at the work session earlier that day. Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The second item under the Consent Agenda was Resolution No. 1, Series of 2002, a resolution designating a public place within the Town of Vail for the posting of notice for public meetings of the Vail Town Council, Planning and Environmental Commission, Design Review Board, and other Boards, Commissions, and Authorities of the Town of Vail. Greg Moffet moved to approve Resolution #1. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The fourth item on the agenda was the Discussion of Special Events, to include the following items: • CSE Paid Facilitator/Organization • Council Transfer of Special Events/General Fund Marketing Dollars • Voting Member from CSE appointed to VLMDAC. Mayor Kurz stated after the Council's discussion that afternoon, it was decided to refer this matter for discussion at the Council Retreat scheduled for February 12, 2002. The Council then reverted back to the second item on the agenda, the introduction of the Australian foreign exchange students. Merv Lapin introduced two students from the Deletite Shire region in Australia who have come to Vail as part of a Sister Cities student exchange program. The two students, Cameron Sutton and Luke Fry, have been staying with host families for a six to eight week period and were gaining resort experience through their work at Vail Resorts. In thanking the community for its hospitality, Sutton and Fry presented Mayor Kurz with a gift from the leadership of the Deletite Shire. Sybill Navas, also of the Vail Valley Exchange, reminded the Council that Ariel Pierce of Vail Mountain School and Caitlin Wall of Battle Mountain High School, would be reciprocating with a visit to Australia this summer. The fifth item on the agenda was an update on the Gore Creek Promenade Pedestrian Bridge Replacement. Gregg Barrie of the Public Works Department gave the Council an overview of the work to be done. Council acknowledged the need to postpone action until litigation over the new whitewater park had been settled. Barrie stated proposals to improve the whitewater park and replace the pedestrian bridge are being considered simultaneously to minimize construction impacts. Several participants from the audience urged the Council to retain the bridge rather than remove it. The sixth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. 1, Series of 2002, an ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map for the Town of Vail in accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Chapter 5, Zoning Map, rezoning Lot 3, Vail Village West Filing #2, to "Single-Family Residential Zone District." George Ruther of the Community Development Department presented the ordinance to the Council, stating the owner of the property had requested the rezoning to assist in vacating the existing property line between the rezoned lot and an adjacent lot, also owned by the applicant. Ruther stated the new property lines would increase the buildable area of one of the lots. Diana Donovan expressed concern about use of the rezoning process to accommodate a development issue and hoped the applicant would avoid calling upon the town's variance process to receive additional concessions. After further discussion, Greg Moffet made a motion to approve Ordinance #1, on first reading. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The seventh item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Bob McLaurin addressed the letter he had received from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) requesting thee agency's permission to implement several short-term solutions to reduce noise on I-70. Those items included a request to reduce the current speed limit of 65 mph within the town limit, restricting the use of engine brakes on I-70 within the town limits, and to conduct an experiment using concrete barriers to limit the effects of tire-generated noise. McLaurin also noted efforts to research the possibility of 3 bringing I-70 real-time video feeds to Vail, similar to what is being done in Breckenridge. Dick Cleveland encouraged the town to continue to monitor the Breckenridge program, noting problems in the quality of the video. Diana Donovan suggested consideration of a mechanism that would provide updated drives times from Vail to Denver. A discussion of the past New Year's Eve events followed. Town Manager Mcl_aurin stated he felt the evening had gone well for the most part, and recognized Joe Russell, Acting Police Chief, and Suzanne Silverthorn, Community Information Officer, for their hard work on the event. McLaurin was not pleased with the turnout for the Alien Ant Farm concert at the Dobson Arena, although Greg Moffet stated the concert served its purpose and other activities would be considered for next year. Councilmembers in general felt the evening went well, with the feeling of safety underscored in the Village. It was generally agreed to begin planning now for the 4t" of Juiy and next New Year's Eve activities. As there was no further business, Dick Cleveland made a motion to adjourn. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ludwig Kurz, Mayor ATTEST: Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster DRAFT VAIL TOWN COUNCIL EVENING MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2002 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Rod Slifer, Mayor Pro-Tem Dick Cleveland Diana Donovan Bill Jewitt Greg Moffet Chuck Ogilby Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Bob McLaurin, Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer, Asst. Town Manager Allen Christensen, Acting Town Attorney In the Mayor's absence, Mayor Pro-Tem Rod Slifer convened the meeting. The first item on the agenda was the Mauri Nottingham Environmental Award. Steve Calimaris, town environmental health officer, presented the award winners to the Council. Mauri Nottingham, founder of the We Recycle program, thanked the sponsors who made the awards possible. Awards were presented as follows: Business Category: Sonnenalp Resort at Vail, for its environmentally-friendly practices; Individual Category: Caroline Bradford, for her efforts to preserve the Eagle River watershed; and Student Category: 15 year old Harrison Gillis for his work on a recycling program at Battle Mountain High School. The second item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Laura Bell, Simba Run resident, addressed the Council requesting assistance in lifting a deed restriction on her 595 square foot unit, saying she had been misinformed regarding the length of the deed restriction. Bell stated she had originally been told that the restriction would expire in 2003 but was later informed that it was a permanent deed restriction. Town Manager Bob McLaurin stated he would follow up on the matter. Kaye Ferry, Vail Chamber and Business Association, addressed the Council asking for resolution with the special events guidelines documents. Ferry stated the Association had been working for months on these documents and needed an answer from the 1 Council. Ferry requested her item be scheduled for an upcoming work session. The third item on the agenda was an update on the proposed development at Berry Creek 5th Filing Housing Parcel. Nina Timm, housing authority coordinator, addressed the Council, stating this was afollow-up to a presentation made by Auerbach Southwest last year where Council provided direction to the developer regarding unit types. Timm stated the Town of Vail sold its share of the Berry Creek 5th Filing to Eagle County and as part of the purchase agreement the town and the county are equal partners in the housing developed on a portion of the site. In May, 2000, Eagle County and the town issued a Request For Proposals for a developer for the housing. Through a joint interview process Auerbach Southwest was chosen as the developer. Last summer Auerbach came with some preliminary site plans and unit types for Council to comment on. Based on the input received from both the county and the town a revised site plan has been submitted to Eagle County Planning. Representatives from Auerbach Southwest, the firm selected by Eagle County and the Town of Vail to develop affordable housing on the Berry Creek 5th parcel in Edwards, presented an update on the status of the project. Since Auerbach's last presentation to the Town Council which occurred during the summer, the project has been expanded from 16 acres to 31 acres and from 150 units to 282. Four housing types are proposed. They include a mix of single family homes, duplexes, townhomes and mill-style lofts. Under an agreement signed in 1999 between the Town of Vail and Eagle County, the two entities are to be 50-50 partners in the housing development. The remainder of the county-owned property, combined with the adjacent Miller Ranch parcel, owned by the Eagle County School District, is proposed to be used for recreation, schools, a college campus and open space. The Eagle County Planning Commission will review the overall development plan at its Jan. 23 meeting with asite-specific review of the housing plan to occur within the next few months. During discussion, Councilman Greg Moffet reiterated concerns expressed previously regarding the Town of Vail's involvement. Moffet, noting the sizeable scale of the project, said he feared the development would negatively impact Vail's vitality. Moffet said he preferred abuy-out plan for the town in which proceeds from the sale could be used to spend money on housing within Vail's town limits. While Councilman Chuck Ogilby shared Moffet's concern, Ogilby suggested the town's involvement in Berry Creek could be beneficial in working with the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. Ultimately, the town could create a swap with the district in which the town would gain control of current district-owned or to-be-developed units within the town in exchange for units at Berry Creek. Councilman Rod Slifer expressed general support for the proposed new urbanism design, saying it will create a great neighborhood. Slifer also asked if the Council could review the overall plan at some point in the future. During the public comment period, former Vail Councilmember Michael Cacioppo expressed criticism of the overall plan. Calling it "Aurora in Edwards," Cacioppo said the development would produce traffic gridlock. The fourth item on the agenda was a request for the release of an employee housing unit deed restriction for the residence located at 1477 Aspen Grove Lane. The request was submitted after a review of town records was unable to document conditional use approval 2 of a type-II employee housing unit. The owner had voluntarily placed the deed restriction on the property without applying fora 500 sq. ft. credit. In researching the matter, Community Development Director Russell Forrest said it remains unclear why the original owner of the property asked for the deed-restriction in 1995. Atype-II employee housing unit requires certain physical elements, such as an exterior entrance and a separation from the primary residence, which doesn't exist in this case. While councilmembers were reluctant to remove the deed restriction without fully understanding why the restriction was put into place originally, most members said they had no choice other than to accommodate the request. Chuck Ogilby made a motion to grant a 500 sq. ft. credit if the applicant agreed to retain the deed restriction or contribute to a housing pay-in-lieu fund, or create an employee housing unit off-site. Diana Donovan seconded the motion. After further discussion, Donovan withdrew her second, stating she felt there was a reason for the deed restriction on the property. The motion failed for lack of a second after councilmembers learned the motion would violate town codes. Additionally, the applicant said he wasn't interested in more square footage. Russell Forrest suggested Ogilby's concept be the topic of a future public policy discussion. Dominic Mauriello, representing the applicant Michael Spriggs, addressed the Council. Mauriello stated Spriggs was the third owner on property. Mauriello stated an employee housing unit (EHU) had never been constructed on the property and the building complied with all zoning requirements. Rod Slifer stated three councilmembers had visited the site and the interior. Steve Lingstrom, neighbor of Mr. Spriggs, addressed the Council, stating he owned a lot immediately adjacent to the Spriggs lot. Lindstrom stated he did not remember anything about an employee housing unit restriction being put on the property. Lingstrom stated the previous owner did apply for a bed and breakfast license, but the permit was never approved. Mr. Spriggs addressed the Council, stating he was not interested in more square footage. Bill Jewitt stated that based on the presentation, he had no problem lifting the restriction. Greg Moffet stated he felt the town had "dropped the ball" and was in favor of releasing the deed restriction. Diana Donovan questioned whether it could be a requirement of a former project. Russ Forrest stated that after research being conducted, there was nothing in the records to require property to require an ehu. After further discussion, Greg Moffet made a motion to release the deed restriction . Dick Cleveland seconded the motion. Diana Donovan stated that having a care taker unit in the building should not be criteria for granting the release, as there may have been a unit in the building at one time. It was also suggested the file be "red-flagged" in case this issue were to come up again in the future. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed 4-2, Diana Donovan and Chuck Ogilby opposing. The fifth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance #2, Series of 2002, authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2002A, first reading. Steve Thompson, Finance Director, stated these two ordinances authorized a refinancing process known as "forward refunding" which involves locking in a buyer for bonds ahead of the call date. During a discussion with the town's investment banker in November, the Council learned the town could receive a net savings of $380,000 in today's dollars on $8.4 million of debt, given today's low interest rates. Prior to second 3 reading approval, the Council will review the net savings estimate again to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio. Greg Moffet moved to approve Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2002, on first reading. Chuck Ogilby seconded the motion. Dick Cleveland questioned the blank spaces in the ordinances. Steve Thompson stated these would be filled in by the bond counsel prior to second reading. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. 6-0. The sixth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance #3, Series of 2002, Authorizing the Issuance of Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 20026. Greg Moffet moved to approve Ordinance #3 on first reading. Chuck Ogilby seconded the motion. Diana Donovan suggested not copying the ordinance for second reading. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The seventh item on the agenda was the PEC Report. Russ Forrest stated during an update on the most recent meeting of the Planning and Environmental Commission, the Council reviewed PEC's approval of a sign variance to allow for two building identification signs at West Lionshead Plaza, formerly Concert Hall Plaza. Also, Councilmembers received an update on the development application for the town- owned Middle Creek site. Forrest stated the Village at Middle Creek item had been pulled from the agenda. The eighth item on the agenda was Information Update. Assistant Town Manager stated the Council's code book inserts were at their place and the staff would be happy to update the books for the Council if they cared to drop them off. Brandmeyer also stated a farewell party for Steve Thompson had been planned at the Seasons at the Green at the Vail Golf Course on January 30th from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Steve Thompson addressed the Council, stating he had enjoyed his time at the town and it was a difficult decision to make after 14 years. Mayor Kurz thanked Steve for his loyal service over the years. Bob McLaurin stated Christine Stouder would be acting Finance Director. The ninth item on the agenda was Matters from Mayor and Council. Bill Jewitt suggested the need to consider an ordinance regulating outdoor displays on private property after efforts to promote voluntary compliance have proven difficult. Kaye Ferry of the Vail Chamber & Business Association said the organization has attempted to facilitate voluntary compliance of summer displays only but has been unsuccessful due to differing opinions by the membership. Dick Cleveland complimented Vail Resorts, Inc. for introducing a weekend carpool reward program in which vehicles with four or more occupants using the public parking garages in Vail or the frontage road receive one $20 coupon valid that day at all on- mountain restaurants. The program is designed to enhance the availability of parking in Vail, ease I-70 traffic and reduce pollution. Also, Cleveland reported on his attendance at the Vail Chamber & Business Association board meeting in which Kaye Ferry was re- 4 elected president. Cleveland said the group may be looking to the town for help in resolving various sign code issues. In addition, the group asked for help in addressing maintenance problems associated with a garden wall at the Lodge at Vail and suggested earlier installation of holiday lighting in some areas of the commercial district. A suggestion was made to possibly put the holiday lights in town up in November rather than adding additional lighting during the holidays. Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer announced the bark on the Council Chambers wall was being removed next week. It was determined by the Council the map on the wall be kept in the Chambers after the wall had been repainted. Chuck Ogilby acknowledged receipt of a letter from Piet Pieters of the Vail Recreation District (VRD) regarding the status of the gymnastics program. Ogilby expressed interest in creating a plan to move forward in relocating the program once the current site was acquired by the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. Ogilby also thanked VRD board member Chris Moffet for facilitating open skating through the Vail Nordic Center. Rod Slifer suggested the town's sign code review apply to all areas of town, including West Vail. There was no Town Manager's Report. As there was no further business, Greg Moffet moved to adjourn the meeting. Dick Cleveland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ludwig Kurz, Mayor ATTEST: Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster 5 ORDINANCE NO. 1 Series of 2002 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR THE TOWN OF VAIL IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 12, ZONING REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 5, ZONING MAP; REZONING LOT 3, VAIL VILLAGE WEST, FILING NO. 2 FROM TWO-FAMILY PRIMARY/SECONDARY RESIDENTIAL (P/S) DISTRICT TO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (SFR) DISTRICT. WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that this zoning designation is compatible with and suitable to adjacent uses, is consistent with the Town's Land Use Plan and Zoning Regulations, and is appropriate for the area; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Environmental Commission of the Town of Vail has recommended approval of this zoning map amendment at its November 12, 2001, meeting, and has submitted its recommendation to the Town Council; and WHEREAS, the Town Council considers it in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare to amend the official Town of Vail Official Zoning Map. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO, THAT: Section 1. The Official Zoning Map of the Town of Vail is hereby amended as follows: LOT 3, VAIL VILLAGE WEST, FILING NO. 2 shall be rezoned to Single-Family Residential (SFR) District. Section 2. If any part, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not effect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance; and the Town Council hereby declares it would have passed this ordinance, and each part, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, regardless of the fact that any one or more parts, sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid. Section 3. The Town Council hereby finds, determines and declares that this ordinance is necessary and proper for the health, safety and welfare of the Town of Vail and the inhabitants thereof. Ordinance No. 1, Series 2002 Section 4. The amendment of any provision of the Town Code as provided in this ordinance shall not affect any right which has accrued, any duty imposed, any violation that occurred prior to the effective date hereof, any prosecution commenced, nor any other action or proceeding as commenced under or by virtue of the provision amended. The amendment of any provision hereby shall not revive any provision or any ordinance previously repealed or superseded unless expressly stated herein. Section 5. All bylaws, orders, resolutions and ordinances, or parts thereof, inconsistent herewith are repealed to the extent only of such inconsistency. This repealer shall not be construed to revise any bylaw, order, resolution or ordinance, or part thereof, theretofore repealed. INTRODUCED, READ ON FIRST READING, APPROVED, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED ONCE IN FULL ON FIRST READING this 8th day of January, 2002 and a public hearing for second reading of this Ordinance set for the 5th day of February, 2002, in the Council Chambers of the Vail Municipal Building, Vail, Colorado. Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Attest: Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk READ AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 5t" day of February, 2002. Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Attest: Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk Ordinance No. 1, Series 2002 2 TOWN OF VAIL FORWARD REFUNDING SAVINGS ANALYSIS General Obligation Sales Tax Bonds Bonds Present Value Savings (11/16/01) $68,159 $311,103 Present Value Savings (2/4/02) $49,901 $195,566 Reduction in Savings $ 18,258 $115,537 P.V. Savings as % of Refd Bds (11/16/01) 2.2% 5.8% P.V. Savings as % of Refd Bds (2/4/02) 1.5% 3.7% Reduction in Savings as % of Refd Bds 0.7% 2.1 TOWN OF VAIL (,y Department of Public Works & Transportation 1309 Elkhorn Drive Vail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2158 Fax: 9.70-479-2166 www. ci. vail. co. us To: Bob McLaurin , Vail Town Council From: Greg Hall Director of Public Works and Transportation Re: Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Joint Waterline Street /Streetscape projects Date: January 31, 2001 The Eagle River and Water and Sanitation District has a desire to replace waterlines throughout Vail Village. The Town has a desire to participate in certain projects and may see advantages to participate in others. Specifically, projects in residential neighborhoods on the Town's street reconstruction schedule have significant cost savings to both the district and the town and ultimately to the same taxpayer of both entities to construct the projects jointly. The cost savings come from using one contractor to perform all the work, and split costs such as asphalt removal, asphalt replacement, traffic control, dust control and mobilization along with design and project management costs. The cost savings on the Lupine project were upwards to 30% to each entity. Combined projects take a little bit longer to complete but save adjacent properties two disruptive periods of construction. Mill Creek Circle Mill Creek Circle, is currently budgeted to be reconstructed in conjunction with the water district in 2003. This project meets the requirements for a joint project with all the benefits. Mill Creek Circle was paved in 1967 and has come to the end of its useful life. The town recently updated its pavement management inventory and Mill Creek Circle rated second worst of all town streets. In addition to the street reconstruction, the project includes the replacement of the two culverts, which carry Mill Creek under the road. These are existing metal pipes, which we would replace with concrete box culverts having a much longer life than the current pipes. The cost of the box culvert replacement by it self would exceed over $ 200,000. ~,~~ RECYCLED PAPER Village streetscape The village core streets of Bridge Street, Gore Creek Drive and Hanson Ranch road are part of the Town's streetscape Master Plan, where the Town has envisioned enhancing the pavement treatments, reworking plaza and providing key focal points throughout the village. In addition the Town has looked at the possibility of heating these streets once the streetscape is completed. To date the town has implemented bits and pieces of the streetscape master plan in cooperation with developments, this include Siebert Circle, and Slifer Plaza. The current streetscape project budgeted is Meadow Drive. Funding It has not been decided to date as to how to pay for the entire village streetscape project. If the Town were to provide the full cost of streetscape and heating, it approaches $ 10 million dollars in cost. This does include areas in addition to the streets mentioned above. Previous financing of streetscape has included, as in the early 80's with the Lionshead Mall, Special Improvement Districts. Special assessments through improvement districts, business improvement districts which could be combined with other functions or downtown development authorities are was to share the cost of the improvements on a equal share method with the private property owners. Should RETT funds be reallocated to allow their use for streetscape improvements? Should the town pay 100% of the cost through an every dwindling capital improvement budget? Timing The waterline replacement project within Bridge Street and Gore Creek Drive are of a different nature than a neighborhood street. There are a few approaches to performing a joint project. Have the project phased in a logical manner so work is not redone and there is a sharing of planning and design and bid out a much larger combined project and see savings in an economy of scale. There are not as much savings due to the project being completed in the off seasons and the hard construction costs of asphalt removal, asphalt replacement, traffic control, mobilization along with project management are not shared. This is due to the waterline being replaced but time to complete the actually streetscape improvements would carry into the summer so the roads are temporarily paved for the summer season. 2. Work much smaller sections and work around the clock to get the waterline part of the smaller scoped completed sooner to provide time to complete the streetscape prior the beginning of the summer or winter season. This increases the cost of the waterline work, phases the waterline improvements and increases the risk of breaks over a longer time period. The increased cost of nighttime work may be off set with the sharing of hard costs. It does require the Town to commit to the project when it is constructed. 3. Construct the project as a joint project similar to a residential project and sacrifice a summer season in the core to see the cost savings and have one construction session. There would be shared cost savings to both parties, however to the Town the savings may be outweighed with regards to lost sales tax revenue. 4. The last approach is that the Town allow the district to proceed and work with the other utilities and our own underground needs and share any savings in these costs. We perform the actually streetscape improvements when the Town, knows what we are building and how we are paying for it. The improvements will need to be phased over a few off seasons(April-June) and (September-November) to complete the entire streetscape master plan and heating project. But by having the underground work completed by the utilities and the water district, we know that the improvements we construct will not need to be reconstructed in the near future at an increased cost to one of the utility companies. As a side light with the redevelopment of Lionshead, this will result in portions of that commercial area being under construction at potentially the same time as the Village Core. This is especially true if we follow the water line project with multi-year off season construction phases of streetscape project. This provides the off season guest no place to enjoy Vail without construction. It also hinders our ability to stage Special Events during these time periods without construction disruptions. TOWN OF YAIL~y Department of Public Works & Transportation 1309 Elkhorn Drive Yail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2158 Fax: 970-479-2166 www. ci. vail. co. us To: Bob McLaurin , Vail Town Council From: Greg HaII Director of Public Works and Transportation Re: Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Joint Waterline Street /Streetscape projects Date: January 31, 2001 The Eagle River and Water and Sanitation District has a desire to replace waterlines throughout Vail Village. The Town has a desire to participate in certain projects and may see advantages to participate in others. Specifically, projects in residential neighborhoods on the Town's street reconstruction schedule have significant cost savings to both the district and the town and ultimately to the same taxpayer of both entities to construct the projects jointly. The cost savings come from using one contractor to perform all the work, and split costs such as asphalt removal, asphalt replacement, traffic control, dust control and mobilization along with design and project management costs. The cost savings on the Lupine project were upwards to 30% to each entity. Combined projects take a little bit longer to complete but save adjacent properties two disruptive periods of construction. Mill Creek Circle Mill Creek Circle, is currently budgeted to be reconstructed in conjunction with the water district in 2003. This project meets the requirements for a joint project with all the benefits. Mill Creek Circle was paved in 1967 and has come to the end of its useful life. The town recently updated its pavement management inventory and Mill Creek Circle rated second worst of all town streets. In addition to the street reconstruction, the project includes the replacement of the two culverts, which carry Mill Creek under the road. These are existing metal pipes, which we would replace with concrete box culverts having a much longer life than the current pipes. The cost of the box culvert replacement by it self would exceed over $ 200,000. ~~ RECYCLEDPAPER Village streetscape The village core streets of Bridge Street, Gore Creek Drive and Hanson Ranch road are part of the Town's streetscape Master Plan, where the Town has envisioned enhancing the pavement treatments, reworking plaza and providing key focal points throughout the village. In addition the Town has looked at the possibility of heating these streets once the streetscape is completed. To date the town has implemented bits and pieces of the streetscape master plan in cooperation with developments, this include Siebert Circle, and Slifer Plaza. The current streetscape project budgeted is Meadow Drive. Funding It has not been decided to date as to how to pay for the entire village streetscape project. If the Town were to provide the full cost of streetscape and heating, it approaches $ 10 million dollars in cost. This does include areas in addition to the streets mentioned above. Previous financing of streetscape has included, as in the early 80's with the Lionshead Mall, Special Improvement Districts. Special assessments through improvement districts, business improvement districts which could be combined with other functions or downtown development authorities are was to share the cost of the improvements on a equal share method with the private property owners. Should RETT funds be reallocated to allow their use for streetscape improvements? Should the town pay 100% of the cost through an every dwindling capital improvement budget? Timing The waterline replacement project within Bridge Street and Gore Creek Drive are of a different nature than a neighborhood street. There are a few approaches to performing a joint project. 1. Have the project phased in a logical manner so work is not redone and there is a sharing of planning and design and bid out a much larger combined project and see savings in an economy of scale. There are not as much savings due to the project being completed in the off seasons and the hard construction costs of asphalt removal, asphalt replacement, traffic control, mobilization along with project management are not shared. This is due to the waterline being replaced but time to complete the actually streetscape improvements would carry into the summer so the roads are temporarily paved for the summer season. 2. Work much smaller sections and work around the clock to get the waterline part of the smaller scoped completed sooner to provide time to complete the streetscape prior the beginning of the summer or winter season. This increases the cost of the waterline work, phases the waterline improvements and increases the risk of breaks over a longer time period. The increased cost of nighttime work may be off set with the sharing of hard costs. It does require the Town to commit to the project when it is constructed. 3. Construct the project as a joint project similar to a residential project and sacrifice a summer season in the core to see the cost savings and have one construction session. There would be shared cost savings to both .parties, however to the Town the savings may be outweighed with regards to lost sales tax revenue. 4. The last approach is that the Town allow the district to proceed and work with the other utilities and our own underground needs and share any savings in these costs. We perform the actually streetscape improvements when- the Town. knows what we are building and how we are paying for it. The improvements will need to be phased over a few off seasons(April-June) and (September-November) to complete the entire streetscape master plan and heating project. But by having the underground work completed by the utilities and the water district, we know that the improvements we construct will not need to be reconstructed in the near future at an increased cost to one of the utility companies. As a side light with the redevelopment of Lionshead, this will result in portions of that commercial area being under construction at potentially the same time as the Village Core. This is especially true if we follow the water line project with multi-year off season construction phases of streetscape project. This provides the off season guest no place to enjoy Vail without construction. It also hinders our ability to stage Special Events during these time periods without construction disruptions. EAGLE RIVER VI/ATER 8c SANITATION DISTRICT ~~ 846 Forest Road • Vail, Colorado 81657 (970) 476-7480 • FAX (970) 476-4089 Vail Core Water Line Replacement Project Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Domestic water mains serving the commercial core area of Vail Village were installed in the 1960's and consist of 4- and 6-inch diameter cast iron pipe (CIP) which are experiencing breaks with increasing frequency. A hydraulic analysis of the distribution system in this area by Alpine Engineering indicated that fire flows for this high density area could be improved by up-sizing the pipe diameters. The engineer recommended the installation of a 12-inch water main through the core area, connecting to existing 12-inch mains located at the periphery of the core, to improve fire flows. The District has identified the replacement of old CIP and the installation of the 12-inch main as its highest priorities for distribution system capital improvements. Sections of water main to be replaced were prioritized based on age of pipe, rate of failure, potential damage related to water main breaks in high density/high property value areas, ability to deliver required fire flows, and whether the replacement section coincides with the proposed alignment of the 12-inch main. Because of the cost, complexity and Town of Vail restrictions on construction periods in the core area, this project will be completed in phases. Each phase will be coordinated to the greatest extent practicable with Town of Vail roadway, drainage and streetscape projects. Phase I of this project is expected to consist of the replacement of the following water mains: Willow Road/Place 1,320 feet Hanson Ranch Road 750 feet Mill Creek Circle 100 feet Supply/Return line to Tank 2 1,345 feet An additional 1,610 feet of 6-inch CIP will be abandoned without replacement. The cost of this phase is expected to be $970,000. WATER, WASTEWATER, OPERATIONS c~ MANAGEMENT SERVICES Y (~ CU O 0 cv v M 0 m ~, 0 m 3 .1 m H X W m 3 0 cu ~, m m I 0 0 a 0 SOUS FRONTq~ R / I N r E R S T g T E H I O H W g Y ~ 0 PEAK CIVI D ENOGNNEE ING,SINC.C OAp 1 ataae-eaµ aRZ atava-ee~a _ _ iooo ua's ~aocc lore vu. ca ms5t ~` X 12 EX 6" - ~ ~ -_ EgDOwORi 12" ~ CROSSROADS X 12" ~ „_~, Ir",'1 ~' > W _ PARKING y ~ ~1 EX 6" STRUCNRE - `'°^~.~ `may M'~ ~I TRANS ORTATION h+i r , O - C TER _ rr ll V EX 12" PARKING ~~~``~, V H STRUCTURE ~ °~, -,. ~ ~y '~~DO °w a Ex s" ~~(L ~ ~ r~"n~ 12" ~ -- ___ EX 12' I EX 10" ~ H ~~ ~ ~ O ,, ' ~ ~ ~~, ~_ _ EX 10" ~ r~ Q BEAV o£ GCE EX 6" ` EX 12° ~ F~ ER D~ -..;~ _ o CREEKSIDE t~ U ~,,iT '~_ a _ CONDOMINIUMS 12 _ - ~ ,. K,„ ~ __ __. ._ ~ W P p _- ----. ~ C-' .~._ ,. _ (~ ~ 'F7-1 B" - - % 8" ~ ~'~'I ~~- s.- VALLC J 12, ~ GORE EX 12" ~rl Q ~~~q EX 10• ~ H~ 12' ~ ``_ I'1~ Oq~ ~ gtis~ _' ~ . CN k0 r~~` x -~ w ~~_Syyt irr-~hh FOREST ~ ~ ~ W V ROAD ~ SEIBERT Z - l CIRCLE DRI4E h..~ ~ f 1 EX 10" _,~ ~ f+i EX 10" N ~ `~ w !N?~ 1--1 W r~ B• ~ W ~ ~ ~~y O 12' rc W B• ~ a ~ TENTATIVE WATERLINE M~>~:~, `~~~ N ~ O ~ N WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE: ~ ~ ~ ~ W _ , 2002 ~ 2" ~ I Z 2003 W 2OO`F + GOLDEN PEAK SKI BASE -..___. EXISTING WATERLINE ~ DRAWN: JRM I ra rANK z DESIGNED BY. GKM REVIEWED: JE PLC JOB#: 1120 DATE: 1/24/02 N.T.S. C1.0 MEMORANDUM TO: Vail Town Council FROM: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager DATE: January 31, 2002 RE: DONOVAN PARK PAVILION Last December the Town Council delayed the decision on constructing the Donovan Park Pavilion until February. This date was selected because that would be the earliest indication of winter sales tax revenues. Pursuant to your direction last December, we have scheduled this item for additional discussion at your evening meeting on February 5t". Attached to this memo is a letter from Chris Squadra of ARC outlining the significant .construction issues. I have also enclosed a copy of the sales tax report for the Fiscal Year 2001. As indicated in the memo from Sally Lorton, December's numbers are at this point estimates, however the year-to-date totals are accurate. At this point, the Council needs to decide how you wish to proceed on this project. On page 3 of the letter from Chris Squadra are the options available to the Council. Please note that (as indicated in the letter) any delay in decision to commence construction of this project will ultimately drive the cost of the project up. This is due to the fact that we lose shared costs between the pavilion portion of the project and the park portion of this project. Please advise me if you need additional information prior to Tuesday to help you make this decision. Attachments /Cc Architectural Resource Consultants, Inc. 4410 Arapahoe Ave. ^ Suite 220 ^ Boulder, CO 80303 ^ (303)443-0330 ^ Fax (303)443-1508 January 31, 2002 Mr. Todd Oppenheimer Town of Vail Public Works Department Vail, Colorado Dear Todd: ARC has prepared a process narrative, status update and project cost graph for your use in reporting to Town of Vail Council. The process used to date has been as follows: I. Initial Scope Verification A. Odell Architects, PC (OA) released a pricing set on June 15, 2001 and J. L. Viele Construction (JLV) submitted a construction cost estimate containing $2,808,000 for the Pavilion on July 17, 2001. The total project cost, including soft cost .allocations, was $3,506,663. B. OA released Construction Documents on July 30, 2001 to JLV, and a new estimate of $3,556,000 was submitted to the team on September 20, 2001. This created an overall project cost of $4,254,859, and a value engineering target of $1,100,000. II. .Value Engineering A. The project team identified value engineering opportunities which would have no effect on the use of the building and minimal impact on the design. Dollar targets for each change were established in October. B. OA produced design documentation for these value engineering options, and JLVWRC worked together to confirm the actual deduction for each using subcontractor input. C. The final design changes were run through the LEEDs certification model by the LEEDs consultant, Architectural Energy Consultants, Inc. This independently confirmed the LEEDs certification is still in hand; in fact, the actual LEEDs score is higher now. D. The value engineering achieved a new construction cost of $2,462,000, and a total project cost of $3,160,594. This was under the $3.2 million goal set by Town of Vail Council (ToVC). III. Status Update A. The ToVC requested the team stop work on the Pavilion portion of the project on December 18, 2001 due to concerns about the economy and possible revenue shortfalls. B. The project delay of two months has created a schedule increase of five months, as follows: 1. Upon notice to stop work, the design team immediately reassigned its staff to other projects. The Architect and their consultants now need a significant notice period to re- mobilize their resources on the Pavilion and begin the next design phase. 2. The extension of the building construction start has pushed weather-sensitive activities (e.g. roofing, concrete, masonry, framing, etc.) into the winter months with attendant inefficiencies. 3. The current Pavilion project completion date, given a "green light" by ToVC at the February 5th meeting,. is June 1, 2003. C. The current projected project cost has increased by $256,541, for a new hard construction cost of $2,588, 882 and overall project cost of $3,417,595. 1. The overlap between the Pavilion project and the Donovan Park project is disappearing, eliminating the efficiencies of onsite costs being split between these projects during the 10-month concurrency period. Five months of Park\Pavilion overlap remains in the current schedule, followed by eight months of "stand-alone" Pavilion construction. 2. The winter protection, snow removal and temporary heat costs have increased due to more outdoor construction activities taking place in the winter months. 3. Additional traffic control and pedestrian safety measures will now be required to protect Park users during the construction of the Pavilion. D. This number represents an increase of approximately $51,000 per month of delay, or $207,545 over the current approved budget. IV. Looking Ahead A. The current costs of about $51,000 per additional month of construction will continue to accrue until the projects are separated (i.e. five additional months) at which time these costs become static. B. This minimum cost escalation of $51,000 per month may begin to increase if the economy rebounds and the construction material and labor market begin to escalate again. Currently, construction prices are holding (and even dropping in many areas) but this is obviously difficult to predict or rely on. C. The major one-time schedule impacts of stopping work on the project have already been absorbed. While further delay will push more weather-sensitive activities into the winter, it will probably only result in a 1.5 day-for-day (or less) schedule slippage, rather than the 2.5 day-for-day already experienced. D. The ToVC has the following options available for consideration at their meeting on February 5th: 1. Cancel the project. 2. Continue to keep the project on hold, with the attendant cost increases (see above). 3. Ask that the current project be redesigned to achieve the $3.2 million budget. This will result in a project completion date in fall of 2003. 4. Ask that a substantially different building be designed to a much lower budget. This will result in a project completion date in winter of 2003\2004, depending on the speed of the approvals process. 5. Proceed with the current project and authorize the current project cost, as follows: • Restart the design team, go back to the Design Review Board for an approval of two modifications, begin preparation of preparation of construction documents, testing and retesting the estimate, etc. • In May, the team will take new construction documents to the subcontracting community and receive final pricing at or below the new project cost. This would be followed by a request for final Town of Vail Council approval and a Notice to Proceed in late June, with a project ground-breaking before July 1st. Let me know if this is the information you need, and feel free to ask any questions that may arise about this project or the process. Thank you for this opportunity to be of service. S Cc: Tim Brekel John Craig Greg Hall Otis Odell Bob McClaurin Via: Email with verbal confirmation US Mail 05 FEB 02 Pavilion Project Cost by Date Soft Costs i ^ Hard Construction Cost 4,500,000 a,ooo,ooo ~ 3,506,663 3,500,000 698, 63 3,000,000 ~ , 2,500,000 i i ,80 ,00 2,000,000 1,500,000 I 1,000,000 500,000 4,254,859 0 - - -- -- --- - - 17 JUL 01 18 SEP 01 06 DEC 01 05 FEB 02 H.\projeds102 -Donovan Park\Budgets and Estimates ©2002 All Rights Reserved \Council UpdatesJLV Cost Chart - 28 JAN 02.x1s Page 1 of 1 Architectural Resource Consultants, Inc. MEMORANDUM January 30, 2002 To: Vaii Town Council Bob McLaurin Pam Brandmeyer Steve Thompson Christine Stouder From: Sally Lorton Re: December Sales Tax and Lift Tax Attached please find the latest sales tax worksheet. I estimate I'll collect another $44,000.00 in December sales tax to bring December collections to $1,931,107.00. If so, we will be down 6.36% or $131,098.00 from December of 2000 and down 7.08% or $147,113.00 from budget. For the year we would be up 1.10% or $166,945.00 from 2000 and down 1.15% or $179,287.00 from budget. November lift tax is $21,107.00, which was down 70.1 % or $49,481.00 from November of 2000. December lift tax is $436,446.00, which is up 24.6% or $86,135.00 from December of 2000. So far, for the ski season, lift tax is up 8.71% or $36,654.00. onth 990 991 992 993 994 995 Town of Vail Sales Tax Worksheet 1 /29/02 1998 1997 1998 999 000 udget 001 Collections udget Variance Change from 2000 Change from Budget January 1,599,123 1,713,091 1,709,654 1,855,364 1,805,707 1,894,597 1,935,782 2,052,569 2,115,359 2,066,459 2,034,529 2,087,561 2,210,214 122,653 8.64% 5.88% February 1,695,850 1,737,343 1,780,568 1,828,766 1,814,495 1,816,107 1,993,389 2,089,673 2,153,121 2,021,486 2,223,670 2,280,739 2,365,988 85,249 6.40% 3.74% March 1,897,718 2,051,820 1,977,995 1,988,090 2,250,656 2,139,298 2,240,865 2,580,992 2,368,077 2,415,202 2,545,573 2,611,010 2,568,538 (42,472) 0.90% -1.63% April 634,174 616,648 691,163 864,303 794,668 791,092 966,993 874,427 1,107,334 952,843 926,771 950,308 1,043,087 92,779 12.55% 9.76% May 236,359 250,809 268,000 257,248 287,315 324,681 318,920 329,783 382,718 370,864 388,121 397,259 447,890 50,631 15.40% 12.75% June 448,227 468,948 468,598 475,161 548,820 590,685 594,907 630,366 633,400 692,811 721,774 739,993 751,095 11,102 4.06% 1.50% July 665,094 737,288 742,750 811,538 892,830 893,483 963,717 1,043,637 1,107,882 1,130,883 1,235,470 1,263,442 1,157,493 (105,949) -6.31% -8.39% August 678,071 761,992 767,257 825,954 891,566 867,125 990,650 1,073,430 1,183,926 1,050,004 1,038,516 1,062,475 1,122,528 60,053 8.09% 5.65% September 482,328 491,684 485,954 560,535 725,205 645,902 630,453 637,831 735,608 806,600 817,313 838,140 745,954 (92,186} -8.73% -11.00% October 364,002 324,802 367,578 400,525 408,405 461,791 413,573 472,836 515,531 536,204 547,201 560,837 485,023 (75,814) -11.36°/a -13.52% November 438,731 428,086 497,907 553,681 594,491 611,147 601,208 707,166 656,596 582,260 691,445 708,836 570,616 (138,220) -17.47% -19.50% December 1,625,219 1,691,775 1,846,223 1,974,553 1,992,855 1,994,540 2,068,851 2,254,709 2,070,834 1,883,805 2,062,205 2,078,220 1,887,107 (191,113) -8.49% -9.20% i Total 10,764,896 11,274,286 11,603,647 12,395,718 13,007,013 13,030,448 13,719,308 14,747,419 15,030,386 14,509,421 15,232,588 15,578,820 15,355,533 -223,287 0.81% -1.43% MEMORANDUM TO: Vail Town Council FROM: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager RE: Town Manager's Report DATE: February 5, 2002 SPRING CLEANING AT THE LIBRARY Staff has been discussing carpet cleaning and interior painting that needs to be done, with May 26, 27, 28, and 29 (May 27th is Memorial Day) as the closure dates. The library would be closed to the public and library staff would be asked to take vacation or work on projects in other locations. The carpet would be cleaned Sunday, drying on Monday; Tuesday and Wednesday the interior painting would take place. The library has used this timeframe for cleaning in the past, as the library has the fewest users of the year during May. UPCOMING ITEMS: February 19, 2002, Work Session Interviews for Building & Fire Code Appeals Board February 19, 2002, Evening Meeting Appointment of Building & Fire Appeals Board I-70 Signs Discussion 1St reading, Ord. #5, Amending SDD #35 ~~ Memorandum To: Vail Town Council From: Matt Mire, Town Attorney Date: January 30, 2002 Re: Council Follow-up, Council as Arbiter for Contested Special Events The issue has been raised as to whether the council would reconsider the idea of acting as arbiters for contested special events. For the following reasons, I do not think it is a very good idea and I would strongly advise against it. First, as a practical matter, I do not think it is wise to get involved in a dispute between a merchant and a promoter. Every case in which a dispute arises, and the council is asked to arbitrate, someone will win and someone will lose. As such, I can foresee a situation wherein the losing party claims that they have suffered damages as a result of the arbiter's decision. The merchant may claim that he or she suffered lost profits as a result of a decision, and the promoter may claim any number of damages if denied the opportunity to conduct his event as originally planned. Any such claim would probably not be classified as a Rule 106 action, and would likely be a suit for damages in District Court. Second, I can not find any authority whatsoever that would allow the council to act in such a capacity. As a general rule, the charter or statute by virtue of which a municipal corporation is organized and created is its organic law, and the corporation can do no act nor make any contract not authorized by that charter or statute. In other words, a municipal corporation is a creature of the law established for special purposes and its corporate acts must be authorized by its charter, or other laws. In the case of "home rule" municipalities such as Vail, there are also implied powers. However, these so-called implied powers should be reasonably inferred from the powers expressly granted and essential to give effect to the same. With that being said, I cannot. find anything in the Charter, Colorado Revised Statutes or the Code that would expressly or irnpliedly permit the council to act as arbiters in disputes of this kind. In fact, I do not even know how a court would classify the council's actions, or whether a decision of the council in that forum would be given the same deference that a decision is given when the council acts in its customary legislative and/orquasi-judicial capacity. Next, I have a very real fear that if the council chooses to act in this questionable capacity that it could. waive its governmental immunity under the Vail Town Council, Arbiter Memo January 30, 2002 Page 2 Colorado Governmental Immunity Act ("CGIA"), C.R.S. § 24-10-101 et seq. Although I could not find any case law directly on point, the CGIA states that "no public employee shall be liable for injuries arising out of an act or omission occurring during the performance of his duties and within the scope of his employment." C.R.S. § 24-10-105. Here, for the reasons stated above, it is obviously unclear whether the members of the council would be acting within the scope of their employment for purposes of the CGIA if they were to sit as arbiters. Finally, if it is determined that members of the council are acting outside the scope of their employment, it could result in a denial of coverage under the council's professional liability insurance policy. I have discussed this scenario with our carrier and our current error and omissions policy for public officials expressly provides that the carrier will pay damages for covered losses that: "result from the conduct of duties by or for a public entity." Again, I do not see this type of dispute resolution as one of your duties as part of the council. The bottom line is that I do not think it is a good idea for a variety of reasons. Primarily, I believe the council would simply being playing outside of its sandbox, so to speak. I also believe that it would invite more unneeded scrutiny and would involve an assumption of risk and liability that is completely unnecessary. Let me know if you have any additional questions on this issue and I will be happy to address them. VAIL TOWN COUNCIL Strategy Session February 12, 2002 Facilitated by Michael McNally Fisher Consulting Group PRE-WORK Event Location: Lion Square Lodge & Conference Center Event Schedule: Coffee & Continental Breakfast - 8:00 to 8:30 AM Session - 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Attachments: A) Outcomes and Agenda B) Notes from Town Council Launch Session (November 2001) C) Previous Town Council Strategies D) White Paper -Update on Current Issues from Town Council Launch Session PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Review the attached agenda -and come prepared to complete action on each of the bullet points (and sub-bullets) listed. Our time will be very short and to ensure that we complete the day successfully, it will be helpful for each of you to have thought through these topic areas. 2. Review the Town Council Launch Notes, previous Town Council Strategies, and White Paper. Given the current challenges of our community, what is the very most important focus for the council? What will be required of you and this council to ensure forward movement of the organization and the community? Town Council Strategy Session Fisher Consulting Group February 2002 VAIL TOWN COUNCIL Strategy Session February 12, 2002 Facilitated by Michael McNally .Fisher Consulting Group AGENDA Proposed Outcomes: • Define the council's top priorities for action (based on work .initiated in the November Council "Launch" Session -see below) • Design next steps and timelines • Define "implications" for the council - at group level; at individual level • Define "implications" for staff Agenda Items: I. Team Effectiveness -Making Sure that Form is Following Function • Are we living up to the leadership standards we set for ourselves in November? As individuals? As a team? • Does the current Town Council schedule and structure support council effectiveness? What are the benefits? What are the draw-backs? • What process will support "meaningful" group dialogue and conflict resolution on our top issues (especially when there is not enough time in council meetings)? • Community involvement -January Town Meeting recap; other avenues for building alliances, mutual understanding and action with constituent groups II. Top Priorities for Action • Aligning our Strategies and Actions with our Vision -discussion of Vision worksheet • Resolving the individual "wish list" and personal agenda items (strategic items from the last council and unresolved priorities from the Council Launch) • Resolving the "parking lot" issues raised during the Council Launch • Coming to alignment/consensus on top council priorities Essential Next Steps Necessary action steps Timelines IV. V. Implications for Council Members • What role will the council members play to ensure forward movement on strategic items? (individual and group accountabilities) • What will we do differently than in the past to ensure success in achieving these strategies? What will be standard protocol when last minute opposition from the community arises? Implications for Staff • Expectations of staff (level of proactivity expected; level of "report-back" desired/expected) • Avoiding "micromanagement" on the part of council (back to team agreements) • Staff roles (with council and with community) • Desired communication process with staff (in council meetings; outside council meetings) ISSUES TO RESOLVE/PRIORITIZE FROM NOVEMBER 2001 COUNCIL LAUNCH SESSION Major Issues to be Resolved & Prioritized: • Vail's Vision. Do we need to continue to work toward community wide alignment toward a common future? • New Revenue/Economic Model. How? Who? When? • Vail Center. Who's going to build it (if we do)? What's it going to look like? Do we have the stomach to let a private developer build a conference center in Vail? • Donovan Park. How will we handle this (if unresolved after 2/5/02 meeting)? • Parking. Should Town Council say the municipal government is not responsible for future public parking? Should the Town Council say Vail Resorts/other private developers are responsible for future public parking? How do we address parking on the frontage road? • Redevelopment. Will Town Council continue to embrace scrape off redevelopment (which produces bigger buildings) or will it embrace facelifts and refreshing (smaller scale). • I-70 noise mitigation. What are the immediate solutions? What are the long- term solutions? • VRI Partnership. What should this look like? How will we optimize that partnership? • COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES LIST -FROM LAST TERM. Will the new council adopt this list? Should staff continue work on these issues? Individual Council Member Perspectives (the council "wish list"): ~ Greg: I'd like to see us research annexing Highland Meadows. Chuck: I'd like to see the Vail Center added to the list. Chuck: With the deadline on conditional use coming up this spring, the Ice Dome is something we should be looking at. Bob McL: Should we talk about the possibility of folding the Vail Recreation District back into the town? Chuck: What is the town's role regarding I-70 sand mitigation? Chuck: What is the town's role regarding Tax Increment Financing in Lionshead? Greg: We need to decide who will pa~for additional public parking. Bob McL: Are we ready to take a look at reallocating RETT? Greg: We should schedule "revenue summits" every 3 or 4 weeks. Rod: We've got to be involved at the state level to create legislation that would allow towns more flexibility in funding, such as the Homestead exemption and RETT capabilitylexpansion. Greg: Should we look at an economic improvement district in Vail Village and Lionshead? Greg: We should find 2 or 3 examples of resorts that have gone in the tank and turn them into case studies to make sure we don't make the same mistakes, such as Palm Springs. Greg: Look into getting laptops and a-mail accounts for people who don't have them. Chuck: We can't sell the Vail Center unless it's in the context of a bigger picture vision . Rod: Burying I-70 creates growth issues and carrying capacity issues. Rod: Does Vail become a county? Greg: What do we want our demographics to be like in 20 years? Chuck: Should we focus on skiing as the Disney Charette suggested? Greg: We can learn a lot from the Disney model, which includes upscale retail and entertainment. Greg: Our marketing_niche is adventurelrecreation (soft and hard). Dick: The mountain and the outdoors are what help to differentiate us. Chuck: Could we sponsor a brainstorming session with the Vail Valley Foundation to see if they might take on some components of the Vail Center? Differing Views On How To Effectively Lead The Community At This Point: Chuck: I feel a need for more definition of the vision. Dick: We need to act on what we already know. We've done the studies. Greg: Let's look into polling for more scientific research on particular topics. Dick: We have too many issues. We need to Qrioritize and look at what we can reasonably do. Dick: We'll never get 100 percent community participation. We need to ask, then move forward. Bill: How are we going to pay for all of this? Rod: We need to look at all our needs and say "what will help us? What can we afford? Our funding sources will help identify the projects we can take on. Greg: Is our business model tenable? Are we on the edge of being obsolete? Greg: Another alternative is to cut services. Chuck: I'm not convinced the lines have crossed with respect to total revenues versus total expenses. Could we have Stan Bernstein make a model to show us? I want to know how much time we have. Diana: We need to eosition the situation as "How do we make Vail better?" We need to be careful how it's presented. Saying Vail has to change will freak people out. Chuck: We've taken the position over the last two years that we need to "spend money to make money " Do we need to revisit that approach? Rod:-There seems to be a community request that we need to be more prudent about how we spend money. Diana: Does "world class" have to be expensive? I don't think it does. Rod: We need to work in an environment that 2+2=8 for high impact. Ludwig: We need to work at building constituencies. We only do it when it's convenient. Greg: We have organizations that are dependent on our funding, such as Special Events Commission and Vail Chamber & Business Association. We need to be involved in helping them define their mission. This clarification of roles will produce accountability. Rod: We need to learn how to disagree constructively. Greg: Our new work session schedule should allow time for more "off-line" conversations with colleagues. Chuck: There's a need for a more common, shared understanding of our vision. We need to take it to a new level. Right now, it's just words on a wall. Rod: We need to make a shorter list of critical strategies. Rod: I'd like to enjoy being on the Town Council. There were times in the last 2 years that I didn't enjoy it. Chuck: I'd like to feel "excitement," especially around the vision. Staff Questions/Reaction To Council Report Out: Russ Forrest: Does the work you did in expanding the vision get you where you need to be to help with decision making? Joe Russell: Explanation of vision still leaves auestions for me as to what premier really means. For me, it's a tone. It's the service we provide. It's the real estate we sell. It's the merchandise we sell in stores. It's what people walk away with, a feeling. JP: There appears to be a shift away from community versus resort and more about the economic direction of Vail. John Gulick: Customer focus appears to be missing. That's a big part of our jobs. Annie Fox: Seasonal work force recognition appears to be missing. We need to make sure they're smiling and having fun. We need to ask ourselves, °are they delivering our product the way we want them to?" Also, they bring in international flavor. Russ: There's frustration in continuing to meet a premier service standard operationally with fewer employees. John. Gulick• "Do more with less" slogan doesn't cut it anymore. Employees can no longer sustain this pace. Everyone is stretched too thin. Joe Russell: Employees have been giving their heart and soul to this. They can't continue to function this way. If they let up, they think the community will see it as a lack of resolve on their part, and that's not the case. Town Council Launch Notes Recap, Actions and Initial Agreements November 14 & 15, 2001 In this document: I. Key Focus Areas from the Session II. Action Steps for the Above Key Focus Areas III. Council/Team Agreements IV. Vivid Description Outcomes KEY FOCUS AREAS 1. Become stronger community leaders 2. Explore & design a new revenue/business model for Vail 3. Define the vision ACTION STEPS FOR THE ABOVE FOCUS AREAS 1. Becoming Stronger Community Leaders Council Actions and Agreements: • We have expanded our commitment statement as follows: "To provide vision, leadership and stewardship in an environmentally and economically responsible manner." • To keep us on track, we will have a "process check" every 6 months. We'll ask ourselves, "how are we doing?" • We will operate on two tracks. One will be the day-today projects; the other is providing leadership with respect to our fiscal responsibility. Both need to be managed simultaneously. • We need to be more aligned. It doesn't mean we can't disagree. • We'll reduce our work sessions to the 1St and 3`d Tuesdays to coincide with our evening meeting schedule. We'd rather start at 4 pm, but we'll start them at 2 pm and see how it goes. This new schedule should allow time for more "off-line" conversations with colleagues. • We need to work at building constituencies. We only do it when it's convenient. • We need to demand more accountability of ourselves, the staff and of other organizations. • Our mid-term success will be measured in the following ways: No other charter amendments initiated; when Diana doesn't feel the need to call other council members to express concerns about how a meeting was handled;. meetings are more civil in that Council walks out as a group rather than individuals fighting a battle; when Council is "checking in" after 4 months and asking the public "how are we doing?"; when Council is monitoring comments from constituents. • Our increased productivity will bring projects to closure. We'll be tracking them and making appropriate headway. • We will deliver on the community's request for more leadership. We will listen, then decide and act. • We will remember to celebrate our successes. • We will do all we can to enjoy our work on the Council. • Ludwig will communicate Council expectations of the Town Attorney's role: to frame communications as follows: My legal opinion is X. If the court disagrees, here's what could happen..." • Schedule a conversation between Council and staff on the topic of how to provide staff communication to Council, including the level of detail. • Council must put a mechanism in place to identify micromanagement as it creeps into the conversation. Then, decide where the conversation should go from there. Staff Actions: • Distribute Council packets the Tuesday before the meeting so Council can be more efficient with its meetings. Create a system like PEC/DRB with agenda submission deadlines. Bob McL. will evaluate and return with a plan. • Staff has to tighten agendas. Staff must not invite micromanagement. • Bob McL. will communicate Council expectations of staff's role: to provide information, pro and con, then present a recommendation based on best professional judgement and step back and let the Council decide. • Explore laptops and a-mail accounts for Council members who don't have them. • Facilitate publication of Channel 5 schedule in the newspaper • Use Home Page community newsletter as an opportunity to informally survey readers about pertinent issues. • Continue current preparation of Council Highlights (context setting) until Vail Daily discontinues publishing them. At that point, abbreviate the notes. 2. Explore and Design a New Business Model for Vail Council Actions and Agreements: We'll review Ford Frick slides and list our individual questions and notions, re: what does it mean to me? What additional information do I want to know? Then, we'll come together to talk about it. Move forward with "Town Meeting" recommendation to include state-of--the-town address by the mayor, Ford Frick information, vivid description. Purpose is to share Council's operating assumptions and bring everyone up to speed on economic climate and the need to look at a new business model. Also, to enroll the community in the vivid description. Schedule it during the winter, perhaps President's Day Weekend, when more part-time residents are here. Video tape it and run it on Channel 5. Use an open mike format. Position the Town Meeting as a new social tradition where people won't want to miss it in the future. Outcomes would be: informing, staying in touch, inclusion, participative, enrolling. • Because we no longer believe the current business model allows the town to deliver on our mission, we need to start informing our constituencies of the. problem, such as Vail Village Homeowners Assn., Chamber, real estate community. Then, we need to work with the community in developing a solution. Our overall goal should be to leave the next Council with a new business model. • Following the Town Meeting, we need to hang some of the Ford Frick slides in the Council Chambers to serve as reminders. • We need to begin working with the state legislature to work on Homestead provision as well as RETT capability/expansion for mountain communities. Staff Actions: • Assist in the planning and preparation of the Town Meeting. 3. Defining the Vision Council Actions and Agreements: • We need to take the vision to a new level. We need a common, shared understanding. It has to mean more than words on a wall. • First order of business is to arrange for Council discussion on the 4 issues of disagreement (conference center, parking, redevelopment. and I-70 noise mitigation) and create alignment around those issues. • Next, begin enrolling staff and community re: shared vision. • We need to restate vision and mission over and over again. We don't say it enough; we don't get it printed enough. Then, we need to tie our decisions back to vision and mission. Place a checklist at our seats to remind us. Staff Actions: • Summarize vivid description work from both groups into a written statement. COUNCILITEAM AGREEMENTS What we didn't do well as a Council... • Didn't reach some of our major objectives (I-70, Vail Center). • Didn't follow the rules we created for ourselves at times; we weren't very disciplined. • We never got to a reasonable consensus on what the Vail Center should be. • We waffled on decision-making. What we'll do better as a Council... • We'll seek greater alignment between council and staff. • We'll hold each other more accountable; even call a recess if bickering starts. • We want information to be concise; assume council has read information. • We'll listen, decide and move on. • We'll discuss, listen and compromise with each other so we can reach consensus as a Council, where the minority is willing to support decision or at least not get in the way. • We've reduced the number of Council work sessions from 4 a month to 2. These will be information-gathering sessions. Leadership Commitments • We'll create clarity of the vision so people understand it. • We'll define our roles and responsibilities so we can hold one another accountable and measure. We will bring enthusiasm and excitement to the Town Council. We will enjoy our jobs. We want to work more as a team. You'll see more decisions and actions from us. We intend to listen, then decide and act. How we will measure our success • We'll leave next council with a sustainable, economically viable model. • No charter amendments will be pursued. • Meetings will be more civil, by both Council and participants. We'll revisit this work quarterly and ask ourselves, "how are we doing?" • We'll have progress on projects. We'll bring closure to projects. We will seek comments and feedback from our constituents. Introducing a Town Hall meeting concept to listen. • You'll see enjoyment from us on the Town Council. SPECIFIC AGREEMENTS & COMMITMENTS -VERBATIM A. The previous Council... "dropped the ball regarding some major objectives." We will... • Seek greater alignment among Council members and with staff. • Less "ranting" -call one another on it • Limit the number of goals -retreat to a lesser number. Drop CFU. • Drive decision making through. B. The previous Council... "forgot their own rules and process." We will... • Hold each other more accountable. • In public, in order to overcome any breakdown, call a recess. • Mayor to inform members of the public when they are out-of-line. Staff is not to read memos to the Council and when addressing the council, staff to be "more on point". Work sessions will be held on meeting days beginning at 2 PM. • Mayor to check in with Council on the success of its process every 60 to 90 days. C. The previous Council... "were not disciplined...let minorities carry too. much weight, did not hold self or one another accountable, were wishy- washy, tried to make everybody happy, etc." We will... • Council will listen to all points of view. • Members of the public with a "minority point of view" will be allowed to speak -not lobby. • Council members to "be crisp -meaning brief' in their communications. D. The previous Council... "demonstrated difficulty in making decisions." We will... • When making decisions, Council members will listen, discuss, compromise when and where they can, then vote. • Once the vote has been tallied, then the Council will practice true consensus. • True consensus meaning all members (including the minority) will support the decision and/or not work against the decision. • Council members will be more action-oriented -once decisions have been made VIVID DESCRIPTION WORK Task: Describe what it will "look like" within this council, this organization and this community when we are successfully manifesting our vision. Groua 1 Demograahic • People aspire to LIVE in Vail • Combination of second homes, owner occupied homes (retirees, families,. seasonals), working locally, working remotely. • Are we a suburb? Economic • Snowsport industry leader! • Seasonal home to "big deal" attraction • Permanent home of (such as U.S. Ski Team) • Training facilities • Environmental educational Mecca • Culinary Mecca • Performing arts center Mecca • Conference destination • Broad-based retail destination, regional specialty • Regional/national medical center • Well connected in Denver and Washington, D.C. • Decision makers invested in Vail • Coordinated economic development • Good, year-round air service • Extend Lionshead summer activities • Development of west day lot, maintenance yard, north day lot • Office space • Improved hotel bed base • Real estate development (high end, through the range) • Funding contingent Physical • Cover golf course • Monorail • Parts of I-70 underground • Simba Run underpass to connect north and south parts of Town of Vail • More retail space • More office space • Improved hotel bed base Being there is... • More diverse • More fun • More dynamic /energetic • More pride • .More opportunity • More diverse community • More prosperous • More stimulating Grou 2 Demographics • Encouragement of full-time residency and participation • Acknowledgement that "working" population adds diversity • Embrace Front Range as guests and future residents • Conversion of part-time residents to full-time residency and involvement • Encourage a culture of full-time, occupied caretaker. units • "Lights on" throughout Vail • Strong value and high impact from people's contributions. That is what enriches livelihood of community Economy • Timely encouragement of "renewing," "refreshing." Lead, not lag. • Hosting of World Championship events • Strength of nonprofit economy (more Ford Amphitheater models) • Strength of Lionshead as viable commercial center • 2010 brings new opportunities for town $$ (parking structure debt retired) • Private operation of conference/convention center on private land Physical • I-70 cut and cover in process • Strong connection with the outdoors, i.e. height sensitivity. "We want to see the mountain." • Leaders in environmental stewardship, i.e. maintenance and preservation • Gore Creek quality, i.e. sand problems addressed, carrying capacity issues addressed • We're a cultural, recreational and educational Mecca 24/7 with art museum, learning center, performing arts, etc. • Public parking has been expanded by Vail Resorts We feel...experience... • Amazing feeling of pride, connection • Expanded Bridge Street feeling of intimate scale • Excitement, life on the streets, aliveness, surprises • Variety, shopping is fun • Thriving, local economy • Flowers and trees bring mountain environment into Town of Vail • We hear nature, not highway • Diversity of experiences Vision Disagreements Between the 2 Groups 1. How to deal with the conference center issue. Who's going to build it (if we do)? What's it going to look like? Do we have the stomach to let a private developer build a conference center in Vail? 2. Parkin .Should Town Council say the municipal government is not responsible for future public parking? .Should the Town Council say Vail Resorts/other private developers are responsible for future public parking? How do we address parking on the frontage road? 3. Redevelopment. Will Town Council continue to embrace scrape off redevelopment (which produces bigger buildings) or will it embrace facelifts and refreshing (smaller scale). 4. I-70 noise mitigation. What are the immediate solutions? What are the long-term solutions? TOWN OF VAIL Town Council Critical Strategies Action Plan September 2000- November 2001 Council Status Next Council Point of Contact/ Action Timeline Date Lead Employee Community Alignment 8 Partnerships ^ Set CouncilNRl 14 month Two meetings have been retreat held with VRI . We are TBD Bob McLaurin working to schedule a third. ^ Begin report out to community at "Peer 14 month Additional meetings for 2001 TBD Suzanne Silverthorn Resort" meeting to be scheduled ^ Redefine TOVNRI The Council needs to decide Task Force 14 month how it wishes to proceed on TBD Town Council this matter. ^ Define desired outcomes by Process to be designed as Bob McLaurin creating a vivid 14 month next step in constituent TBD Suzanne Silverthorn description for 2005, Partnership efforts; Russell Forest 2010, 2015, 2020 ^ Consolidate This project has been tabled Information Booths 14 month until after next council TBD Town Council election. ^ Work w/ Merchants to define approval 6 month We are exploring the best Pam Brandmeyer procedures for method of "arbitration" for TBD Bob McLaurin special events Special Events issues. Bob will be discussing this with Judge Allen. Last printed OI /29/02 8:25 AM f/dheads/matrix .~ Council Status Next Council Point of Contact/ Action Timeline Date Lead Employee I-70 Noise Abatement 14 month Pursue "cut and cover" TBD Greg Hall ^ Identify Options project Bob McLaurin ^ Identify Funding Determine to what extent the TOV is willing to fund TBD noise mitigation Town Council ^ Potential Short term solutions include, Lower overall speed limit, 09/04 Differential Speed Limit Bob McLaurin (for trucks, Enforce Greg Hali current state. law. on Joe Russell 6 month engine mufflers, Scott Jansen ^ Restrict engine brakes. Memo outlining policy implications being prepared ^ Police Dept. will be researching existing fake brake ordinances and drafting one for Vail. Maintain natural Partnership Program with environment and town VRI infrastructure ^ Water Quality ^ Solid Waste On going Everyone ^ Foster stewardship ENSAR & partnership 6 & 14 Green Star Program months Noxious Weeds ^ Achieve Disney standards Disney Trip completed, 8/21 report, council, forth ^ Reinstitute "Adopt-a- coming Path/Street" TOV Environmental Monitoring underway TBD ^ Village Parking 14 month Project reviewed and tabled Structure (retail) by Council NA Town Council Action Council Timeline Status Next Council Date Point of Contact/ Lead Employee Review Uniform Gary Goodell Building Code and 14 month Appeals Board approved by Mike McGee Fire Code. Council. Council to select 9/01 Tom Moorhead board members in Sept. Greg Morrison 6 814 The Town Council directed 9/04/01 ^ Vail Center month staff to pursue the Review VR Russ Forrest development of a hybrid participation, Bob McLaurin alternative "c" and a 2002 project election. On 8/7/01 Council manager, and asked staff to evaluate other decision tree land opportunities. Action Council Timeline Status Next Council Date Point of Contact/ Lead Employee Special Events ^ Solicit input from 6 month We are exploring the best method of "arbitration" for TBD Pam Brandmeyer event organizers Special Events issues. Bob Bob McLaurin will be discussing this with Judge Allen ^ Identify additional 6 month 9/01 Mike Vaughan venues • Object Placement The maps staff is currently 9/01 Maps working on for special events have been mapped out by area boundaries. Currently, these maps have been designated to a subcommittee (made up of a rep. from fire, building, PD and Town Clerk) to determine maximum occupant loads in each area, then staff can determine object placements within these areas. But as of this date staff has not met to determine the occupancy loads for each area. Staff believes occupancy loads will be determined and then will move forward on the object placement maps by the end of August. Wayfinding ^ Install signage 6 month Substantially complete NA Greg Hall Suzanne Silverthorn ^ Trail identifiers 6 month Trail identifiers ordered 7/01.Installation to occur this Nq Greg Hall fall Gregg Barrie Council Status Next Council Point of Contact/ Action Timeline Date Lead Employee ^ Lionshead Public 6 & 14 Following 8/14 meeting TBD Russ Forrest Financing month Council agreed to wait until Bob McLaurin further progress on private Steve Thompson developments before discussing this again. ^ Donovan Park 6 8 14 Site work underway TBD George Ruher month Todd O Contractor selected. Contract being finalized. Construction to begin in Sept ^ Ruins 14 month Proceeding in accordance Nina Timm with Council direction TBD Russ Forrest Bob McLaurin ^ Berry Creek 14 month County has proposed Nina Timm expanding the area for TBD-Next step Russ Forrest affordable housing on the site is with the and Braun and Associates County will be submitting an updated master plan. ^ Buy down program 14 month Staff has been looking for 3 When suitable (3 bedroom units bedroom units. Council must unit is found Nina Timm for families) address appropriate budget for purchases. Units have not been available for amount previously set by council. Council Status Next Council Point of Contact/ Action Timeline Date Lead Employee Meet w/ Commissioners Recent discussions have Russ Forrest • Employee 6 month indicated a strong interest TBD Nina Timm Generation from the County to move Tom Moorhead forward. They are planning on starting a rational nexus study and would like the Town to help pay for this. Town of Avon willing to discuss the matter, but not willing to commit at this time. Timber Ridge 6 month Amended Zone District 9/04 Allison Ochs • Housing Zone ordinance passed on 8/21. Bob McLaurin District PEC to review proposed zone change on 9/13. 15~ reading of ordinance to Council On 9/18. Fire Station 6 month Pursuant to Council direction TBD Bob McLaurin ^ Decide on fire on 8/14 staff evaluation sites John Gulick station locations and in West Vail staffing. Red Sandstone 14 month Construction underway Tom Kassel Athletic Field NA Greg Barrie Red Sandstone Preliminary designs and cost Gymnastics Facility 14 month estimates complete. TBD Bob McLaurin Proposal being reviewed by School District Action Council Timeline Status Next Council Date Point of Contact/ Lead Employee In town Transportation 6 month ^ Review alternatives We are preparing refined 9/04 Greg Hall to replace in town alternative analysis of Mike Rose shuttle advance technologies report for Council consideration ^ Explore possible funding partners Greg Hall (demo project) Mike Rose Mountain Bell Housing Authority working on Nina Timm 14 agreement with developer. 8/28 Russ Forrest month Council & Housing Authority to meet in executive session on 8/28 Summary of Completed Actions ^ Mission, Vision and Values Statement Posted in Council Chambers ^ Notification of Town's intent to strengthen partnership with Vail Resorts ^ Establishment of schedule for monthly Council "walkabouts"; four walkabouts held. ^ Affordable Housing Zone District drafted and passed by Town Council • Donovan Park Agreement for design services complete ^ Donovan Park zone change approved ^ Vail Center 501(c)(3) formed ^ 2 Community meetings held (peer resort report-out) ^ TOV/VRI Retreat held ^ Completion of special event "shadowing" by Greg Moffet ^ Parking Pay-in-Lieu revisions completed ^ Meeting held with Eagle County Commissioners, re: employee generation and capital projects Unfunded Capital Projects ^ Ruins Housing Project i ~e • Information Center ^ Lionshead Public Improvements • Vail Center Improvements ^ I-70 Noise Abatement ^ Gymnastics Facility ^ Gore Creek Sediment Clean Up ^ , ^ NEXT Bus technology for outlying routes 7 ~= MEMORANDUM TO: Vail Town Council FR: Bob Mclaurin/~'-- RE: Overview of Strategic Issues DT: November 9, 2001 PURPOSE The purpose of this document is to provide the Town Council with an overview of the strategic issues facing the Town of Vail. This document is intended to assist the new Council in developing strategic intent and future direction. This memorandum does not make specific policy recommendations, but rather frames a series questions for the Council's consideration. It also serves to provide a situational report on various strategic issues. Attached is a financial overview (Attachment A) and other pertinent information that may be helpful in developing a strategic direction. Council Challenge One of the most critical roles of the Town Council is to articulate a vision, mission, goals, and actions. Since 1.997, a significant portion of the town's strategic direction has been driven by the Vail Tomorrow strategic planning effort. Many of the Vail Tomorrow recommended actions have been implemented while others have either been impacted by changing times, a lack of consensus on how to move forward, and/or a lack of interest in the community. It is important to note that the "economy" was not specifically a goal area in the Vail Tomorrow process. In addition, balancing operational issues with capital projects will be an increasing challenge. Simply maintaining basic operations, (keeping streets clean, public safety, well functioning development review process) have become greater challenges in light of budget cuts and staff reductions over the past three years. I believe reconnecting with the community in defining a strategic direction is needed. However, this should be done with an understanding of the pros and. cons of different approaches to community collaboration in Vail. Community Vision While few would dispute Vail's stated vision, "TO BE THE PREMIER MOUNTAIN RESORT COMMUNITY,"there. appears to be many interpretations of what it actually means. These differing interpretations could be why some decisions are challenged, revisited or overturned. Until we can collectively articulate and agree on a compelling description of what our resort community should look and feel like 10 or 30 years from now, major decisions have the potential to be called into question. Moreover, opportunities for continuity from one generation to the next--or from one Town Council to the next-could be diminished. By adding clarity and meaning to our vision, as well as a shared understanding and acceptance from the community, we can then align our decision-making and resource allocation functions to support this higher purpose. With these principles in place, issues we've continued to struggle with can then be evaluated within the larger context of the vision. For example, with a well defined vision, it would become clearer to us if we should actively encourage (or discourage)... • Burying I-70 • Completing the streamwalk • Affordable/Employee Housing • Second home growth • Local resident growth and associated services • Retirees and associated services • Families and associated services • Special events and night life • Redevelopment • Parking Granted, none of these issues are easily addressed. But without a clear and meaningful description of our vision, we're faced with evaluating these issues in isolation. In most communities, town government is the appropriate catalyst to bring the community and key agencies together to create a vivid description. This could include defining critical success factors and specific community indicators to be measured regularly against the vision. Once in place, these strategies could be used as the cornerstone for public policy decisions. PREVIOUS STUDIES AND STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS Over the past five years the Town of Vail has embarked on several efforts at strategic planning and community visioning. In addition to the Vail Tomorrow effort, the following is a summary of the major efforts. Peer Resorts Tours There is much to learn from our competition and from individuals that work with our competitors. The community was able to learn first hand about our competition during the peer resort trips that were organized by Vail Resorts and the Town of Vail. A group of stakeholders from Vail visited Aspen, Whistler, Deer Valley, Park City, Sun Valley, and Carmel. These trips provided extremely valuable information on vision and mission, economic development, customer service, strategic partnerships, and housing. It also allowed the Vail business community, ski company, and town officials to travel together and discuss these issues and get to know each other better (See attachment B). Disney Charette In 1998, a group of five experienced executives from companies outside the region participated in a brainstorming exercise to develop ideas that would distinguish Vail as the premier forward thinking mountain resort community in the world (Attachment C). Much of what was recommended is still pertinent today. Their conclusions and recommendations included the following: • "Vail is no longer the sparkling new built for purpose, up-to-date ski resort," • "It is at a disadvantage to the instantaneous appeal that newer resorts have, and" • "There is no longer a naturally growing industry to draw from. " 2 This group identified three choices to address the problem: ^ Recapture and solidify the preeminent position in the ski industry; ^ Grow the pie, reinvigorate the ski industry, introduce new markets to the sport. and grow the overall industry so Vail's percentage also grows; or ^ Redefine Vail and its identity around future growth opportunities TBD recognizing that the ski industry has reached full maturity and can no longer be the catalyst for growth. The report produced by this work emphasized that the Town of Vail and Vail Resorts must have one very clearly expressed, very commonly understood vision of where Vail wants to go, when it wants to get there and what it looks like when it's there. A leader must continuously reinforce the vision in an uncompromising manner again and again. This will ultimately determine success or failure. Other report recommendations included: Focus your efforts on two things: • Do everything in your power to recapture the preeminent position in skiing. You used to have it. You don't have it today. Make Vail synonymous with skiing. ^ The community has defined a list of initiatives. It is fundamentally important that action be taken immediately. What is done is far less important than doing something. Stop studying, stop second-guessing...start doing! Specific recommendations on how to make. Vail =Skiing include: • Vail must provide the best ski experience, bar none; • Vail must be the employer of choice in town and on the mountain producing motivated, satisfied, happy employees; • Vail must provide the best community amenities...a combination of programs and facilities that appeal to locals and guests demonstrating how a great ski mountain makes a great community. Other recommendations included: • Take the passion and channel it into a single focus. • Appoint a leader, clearly empowered, charismatic: • Set a deadline for solutions, act and communicate. • Choose 3-5 positive benefits that can be implemented immediately. • Recognize Vail as the flagship ski resort. • Have a group that thinks about nothing but the vision. • Create exceptional community benefits and programs:..things that make Vail, Vail. OutcaltlJohnson Retail Study In the spring of 2001, Ron Riley and the Commercial Property Owners Association, the Town, and Vail Resorts sponsored a review of our retail environment (See Attachment D). This was done by Outcalt & Johnson and presented to the Town and the business community at the Sonnenalp on June 7, 2001. The conclusions were direct and may have offended certain individuals in the community. However, there were some valid conclusions made by this consulting firm that should be further considered such as: Develop a prototype lease to help facilitate capital improvements between retailers and landlords. Provide more amenities that encourage shoppers to linger. • Create world-class shop entrances with more inviting design (air doors, wider entrances, better window displays etc.) • Create a retail turnaround fund for capital improvements. • Create and enforce through peer pressure retail excellence standards for customer service. • Focus on the quality of the experience and world class guest versus quantity sales. • Retail is detail. "Strive for cleanliness and a more welcoming environment." Questions to Consider Most residents in Vail agree we are both a resort and community. Some believe that the resort should be the first priority in our commercial villages. However, this turns into a difficult debate with few, if any, parameters for how to deal with noise, development, or special events when the interests of being a premier resort are in conflict with being a community. Several specific questions include: Does the current vision statement help decision-making when there are competing objectives? Does the vision statement need further clarity? How will a vision and mission statement speak to critical operations of the Town of Vail such as public safety, maintenance, cleanliness, and development review? What is the primary business of the Town of Vail? Is additional community input needed to define and/or reaffirm a vision statement, mission statement, goals, and critical actions? STRATEGIC ISSUES The following paragraphs discuss the major strategic issues I believe we are currently facing. These topics are discussed for the purposes of informing the Town Council on past actions and for consideration in articulating a strategic direction for 2002 and beyond. The Economy Nationally, the economy is in a recession and the events of September 11th create a higher level of uncertainty in terms of destination tourism. For the last several years that skier numbers are flat nationally and the resort industry is getting increasingly competitive. Ford Frick a ski resort economist has stated ski resorts will no longer be able to depend entirely on skiing in that skiing is increasingly becoming only one of several amenities that guests look for in a resort. Vail has a plan for every traditional topic (e.g., land development, environment, open lands, transportation, trails, signs, streetscape, public art) but does not have a comprehensive plan to address the economy. It's not clear what the town's role should be with respect to economic development. The town .has directly or indirectly been involved in at least 7 areas that impact our economy: 1) Lodging: The town has financially supported the Lodging Quality Initiative and implemented new zoning to incentivize lodging redevelopment. 2) Retail: The town working with commercial property owners and Vail Resorts supported a study of the Vail retail environment. Also, a major focus of the peer resort trips was the retail environment. ; 4 3) Marketing: The Town Council has budgeted $2 million ($1.7 million from the lodging tax and $300,000 from the TOV general fund) for marketing in 2002. The Town Council also sits as the Vail Local Marketing District Board. 4) Infrastructure: Projects like the West Meadow Drive streetscape plan, Slifer Plaza, and Lionshead Master Plan are critical to maintaining a premier resort environment. Running the largest free bus system in North America along with maintaining our streets and roads is also critical to our economy. There is growing interest after a town trip to Disney World to improve the cleanliness of the commercial areas through the Vail Standards Program (See Attachment E). 5) Public Facilities/Amenities: Skiing has become one of many amenities guests are looking for in resorts. Vail has some outstanding amenities in the form of the Amphitheater, Library, Dobson Arena, Alpine Gardens, and the Park system. Donovan Park is moving forward at this time but the Town Council will need to determine how to move forward with the Community Pavilion. The proposed Vail Center conference use was projected to create 60,000 to 100,000 new room nights per year and $25 million in additional spending per year. The economic goals versus the community goals at times were competing in the Vail Center project. The Vail Center project needs to be considered in light of other strategic goals, public input, and the physical reality of the site. In June of 2001, further design work stopped on this project when it became apparent that Vail Resorts could not assist with a more ambitious plan to redevelop the entire Lionshead parking structure. This left the 60,000 square foot charter bus lot to accommodate the Vail Center uses. This land could accommodate two of the three proposed uses (2"d sheet of ice and youth center, conference/learning center, and a space fora 1,200 seat performing arts facility). Vail Resorts is continuing to look at how to provide additional land for a conference facility. 6) Special Events: The Town of Vail contributes $1.2 million every year to special events. These are critical in providing an exciting, vibrant resort environment. Events are scheduled to bring guests to the community in slower periods of the year. The effort to quantify the economic impact of different special events should be extremely valuable in evaluating special events in the future. 7) Service Quality: Service is a critical component of a resort community. A major barrier to obtaining and retaining quality employees is housing. The town and Housing Authority are now moving forward with specific ,actions to improve housing with work on Mountain Bell, Berry Creek, Timber Ridge, and employee generation. The town has also contributed to customer service training programs the Vail Chamber has sponsored. The Town is also a funding partner of the Premier Impressions Program, which includes a secret shopper component to evaluate service as well as an employee recognition component.. There are many approaches and ideas to stimulate the economy. However, actions to improve the sustainability and encourage growth of our economy have never been comprehensively reviewed to determine the greatest leverage points. We can be assured that our competition will continue work in the above mentioned areas along with new actions that we have not even considered. Several critical questions related to economic development include: What role should the town play in improving the town's economic sustainability? • Does the Town Council want to evaluate alternative revenue sources? Does the Council want to develop a comprehensive economic development plan? Lionshead Redevelopment The Lionshead Master Plan was adopted in December of 1998 and new zoning that implemented the regulatory component of the plan was approved in 1999. Many of the property owners have hired designers to create plans for redevelopment (Vail 21, Lions Square Lodge, Concert Hall Plaza, Bob Lazier's properties, Montaneros). The Antlers is the first project to redevelop under the new master plan guidelines. However, significant redevelopment most likely will not occur until Vail Resorts moves forward with redevelopment on the Gondola site. This will trigger public improvements for new pedestrian plazas, transportation facilities, and road improvements. The latest communication with Vail Resorts is that it is working diligently on developing plans for the West Day lot, Gondola building, and the North Day lot. We need to determine the time frame for significant improvements in Lionshead. If these improvements are not forthcoming within the near future, we will need to improve our capital maintenance in this area. Affordable/Employee Housing In June of 2001, the Town Council appointed a separate five member Housing Authority. Mark Ristow is the Chair for the Authority and Chuck Ogilby is the Council representative. The town has financially been supporting the Authority with dollars and staff time. The major focus of the Housing Authority has been the Mountain Bell project (now called Middle Creek). A six acre parcel of Mountain Bell has been subdivided and rezoned to the Housing Zone District conditioned on final approval of a development plan from the Planning and Environmental Commission. The Housing Authority and the developer, Coughlin and Company, are now working with the Planning and Environmental Commission on the specific development plan. It is anticipated that there will be 148 units on the site ranging in size from studio to 3 bedroom units: The Town will retain owners of the property. The Housing Authority is currently negotiating a lease with the developer as directed by the Town Council. The Town Council, acting as the Housing Authority, in May of 2001, also initiated a condemnation action on the "Ruins" site adjacent to the Cascade Club for the purpose of developing the site into a housing project. The new Housing Authority essentially inherited this action when it was appointed. Two appraisals have been received for this property ($2.1 and $2.8 .million). Both the Council and the Housing Authority will need to decide in the future whether this condemnation should be completed. Another opportunity for both housing and a West Vail Fire Station is the Hud Wirth property, which is directly north of the West Vail Texaco. Berry Creek in Edwards is another for-sale housing project. The town sold its interest in 16 acres of land on the Berry Creek site to Eagle County with the condition that the Town would control 50% of the affordable housing that would be created on the site. Both the Town and Eagle County picked Auerbach Development as the developer. Since the developer began working on the site, the area designated for housing has grown to over 30 acres. The developer is now working through the County's Planned Unit Development process. The specifics of how many units the Town would control and how it would control those units still needs to be determined. Employee Generation is a housing policy initiative aimed at preventing further deficiencies in affordable housing when new employees are generated. The town has a policy of requiring 6 affordable housing units for Special Development Districts, hotels and development in Lionshead. This policy needs to be codified. The town has been waiting for Eagle County to begin work on an employee generation policy that they have recently begun. Chris Cares of RRC Associates has been retained by the county to do a rational nexus study (study on how many employees a particular type of business or development generates).. Because of the problems created by the competitive advantage, this policy must be implemented in concert with Eagle County Timber Ridge. An agreement has been signed with John Marks, the owner of this property to extend the use of Timber Ridge as affordable housing through the ski season. In addition, Mr. Marks participated in a design charette with staff to evaluate various ideas to redevelop the site to achieve his goals and the Town's. This was a productive meeting where an idea was identified which he would like to explore further. In the next 1-2 months, staff will be able to determine if the opportunity for awin/win solution with Mr. Marks exists. I-70 Noise/Capping The concept of burying I-70 has been discussed for some time. In 1993 a developer expressed an interest in covering the Interstate. This proposal provided the cost of the work would be off set by the development rights created above the Interstate. More recently, the ideas were reexamined as part of an I-70 noise analysis. I-70 runs 10 miles through Vail. Over 25 % of the. dwelling units within the Town are over the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Standard for noise related to highways. To mitigate the problem in the traditional sense would require construction of sound walls throughout. Vail. These walls would be as high as 16 feet in some locations and would run for ten linear miles along either or both sides of the interstate. A better solution this study suggested is a cut and cover concept. The FHWA and CDOT under no requirement to mitigate the impacts of noise from I-70 in Vail because the majority of the development occurred after the interstate was constructed (1969). The action of a cut and cover project presents numerous questions, opportunities and potential problems that require community buy-in and perseverance. The area within the I-70 and Frontage Road right-of-way equals 550 acres or approximately 55 acres per mile. The funding of a cut and cover project will need to come from public and private funding sources. Obviously the town does not have the ability to undertake such amega-project. The current estimate cost for this project is $250 million per mile. This equates to approximately $5 million dollars an acre. It may be financially feasible to pay for the cost through revenue from the sale of development rights. The current regulations of the FHWA allow the air rights of federal right-of-way to be leased. Obviously, the creation of an additional 55 acres of land would generate an intense dialogue on growth and development. Next steps in the process include: 1) Discussions with CDOT and FHWA as to how the air right leasing would be negotiated; 2) Confirm that the local community wants to pursue this idea, understanding that land created above I-70 will have to be developed by private entities for the project to be a reality. Fire Service There are two fire service issues currently facing the community. These issues are separate but very much interrelated. The first is that there is an inequity in the level of fire service in the community. Specifically, response times in West Vail are significantly longer than in other parts 7 of the community. The second issue the size and condition of the Main Vail Fire Station. This building is functionally obsolete, and needs to be replaced. The West Vail Fire Station has been under consideration for 27 years. Studies on fire service in Vail were conducted in 1974, 1990, and 1997. All three indicated the need for a West Vail Fire Station. Nationally accepted response time for residential areas is under 4 minutes. Response time to West Vail is 8 to 12 minutes. ISO and other fire rating agencies consider this standard unacceptable. Several sites in West Vail were evaluated for the location of a new station. At this point, the recommended location is on Charnoix Lane, immediately north of the West Vail Texaco. At the direction of the previous Council, I have been discussing with the owner the acquisition of the entire site. In September I made a verbal offered to purchase the entire parcel for $1.8 million, which was the appraised value. The owner has indicated this price is too low, but has not made a counter offer. The estimated cost (with only a concept design) is $4.4 million. This price includes land acquisition, construction of the fire station as well as training facilities and administrative offices. The five-year budget shows the construction of the project being funded by debt, ...This could be done with our without a public depending on the particular financing vehicle the Council chooses to use. Once constructed, this West Vail Station would require six additional full time fire fighters. The current estimated annual operating cost including personnel, utilities, etc is $250,000. The five- year model shows this $250,000 coming from a new revenue source. If there is no new revenue to fund expanded fire protection, these funds will need to come from other operating sources (e.g. budget cuts in other areas), or from the Capital Projects Fund. The questions for Council at this point are as follows: • Is the current level of fire service in the community acceptable? • If the answer is no, where should the West Vail Station be located? • How does the town want to fund the construction and operation of an additional fire station? Dovonan Park Donovan Park went through a public process that extended over a year. The major input from community members was to create "quality" facility(s). The original premise for the pavilion came from Vail Tomorrow, which identified the need for a community gathering space. Further input revealed that a community gathering space that would accommodate 150 to 175 people was needed. In 2000, the Town approved a revision to the Donovan Park Master Plan The revised plan included creating a park and a pavilion in Phase 1 and the plan reserved space for an additional facility(s) in Phase 2. Specifically, a gymnastics facility and a youth program facility were considered for Phase 2. The Town Council in 2000 determined that the town would fund $10.1 million for a park and a pavilion from the RETT fund. In 2001, the Town Council directed staff to fund the Pavilion from the capital projects fund. The Council also required that the Donovan Park Pavilion achieve the LEEDs environmental certification. The Pavilion, as currently designed is 6,000 square feet., The site work and park will be significantly under budget while staff is working with the design team to ensure that the cost of the pavilion will be on budget. The current cost break down is as follows: Dovonan Park Cost Summary Phase RETT GEN FUND TOTAL Phase 1A~ $897,598 $21,766 $919,364 Phase1 B2 $3,422,000 $2,500,0003 $5,922,000 Fees $1,110,562 $340,0004 $1,450,562 Owners FFE $88,0005 $218,6006 $306,606 Contingency $400 000 $118 297 $518,297 Total $5,918,160 $3,198,663 $9,116,829 The contracts to date provide for the completion of the park portion of this project in September 2002. The pavilion is currently being redesigned (at no cost to the town) to bring the construction costs down to $2.5 million. Once the design is complete, the Council can decide how it wishes to proceed with this building. Environmental Quality/Projects The town has quietly made significant strides in improving air quality, protecting open space, improving water quality, and developing carrying capacity thresholds. The most significant environmental issue (aside from I-70 noise) facing the town is sanding impacts from I-70. This has the potential to threaten the Gold Medal fishery of Gore Creek. This had a direct economic value to the Town of approximately $1.2 million in sales related to fly fishing and an unquantifiable value related to having a high quality natural resource. CDOT has begun to work with the Town, Water District, Eagle River Watershed Council, and Eagle County to begin developing a plan for mitigation of the problem. Mitigation will focus on creating and maintaining sand traps. CDOT has created an enclosed structure for storing sand on Vail Pass that has already helped reduce sedimentation. However, addressing this problem effectively will require a significant investment in mitigation and maintenance. Political pressure applied to CDOT will be required to ensure this investment. Other environmental project areas include: Air Quality: Fireplace conversion program has resulted in Clean Air Act compliance. Water Quality: TOV has implemented national nonpoint water quality standards. Open Space: Protected 1/3 of Vail land area. ~ Phase 1A included installation of utilities and site grading. 2 Phase 1B includes accel/cecel lanes, parking lot, restrooms, playground prep, landscaping and irrigation systems. 3 These are the funds allocated for hard construction costs of the pavilion. These funds are not yet been committed. 4 These are pro rata share of the design costs of the pavilion. 5 This is the cost of playground equipment that will be purchased by the town. 6 Items here include kitchen equipment, furniture and tap fees for the pavilion. These funds are not yet committed. 9 • Carrying Capacity: Carrying capacity thresholds have been identified. • Waste: Solid Waste Plan completed in 1998. Staff is working with PEEP to inform residents on recycling opportunities. • Environmental Certification: TOV requiring LEED certification in public building and incentivizing LEEDs in private development. • Pine Beetle: TOV working with USFS to manage the pine beetle problem. The other critical challenge from an environmental standpoint is monitoring critical environmental indicators and then communicating what the Town and the ski company are doing to be good stewards of the environment. A partnership area that the town and Vail Resorts have identified is to jointly monitor and communicate environmental indicators. However, this has been hampered by the loss of the environmental coordinator for Vaif Mountain. Partnership with Vail Resorts Over the past two years, the Town Council formally met with Vail Resorts. These discussions involved the topics of the Vail Center, Parking, Housing, Lionshead Redevelopment, and the Front Door Project. In particular, the Town Council has asked for a financial commitment form Vail Resorts to serve as a catalyst for the Vail Center. While recognizing the importance of this relationship, it is not entirely clear how the two entities will collaborate to address issues of common concern. The question for the new Council is: What relationship should the town maintain with Vail Resorts? OPERATIONAL POLICY Although the Town Manager's major responsibility is developing and directing operations, Council has spent considerable time discussing enforcement, parking violations, parking- policy, plowing, bus operations and other operational issues. Significant time can be saved and frustration avoided by ensuring that the staff is in alignment with Council's direction on operational issues. Staff will enforce the Town Code. If Council chooses a direction counter to the Code, the Code will be modified to support that direction. If needed, major operational policies and programs can be reviewed to determine if policy or code changes are needed. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION The proposed Charter Amendment, although unsuccessful, presents a timely opportunity to evaluate Vail's decision-making process. In 1995 following a controversial decision to move forward with the Vail Commons development, the Town of-Vail introduced a structured community collaborative decision-making process for major issues. Since then, five major collaboratives have been used to reach decisions, each with varying degrees of success. Generally, the processes have been characterized as follows: SUCCESSFUL • West Vail Interchange. This process was used to identify roundabouts as the preferred solution to West Vail traffic congestion and safety concerns. In addition, a second process was used to establish construction parameters which gave the business and residential community a voice in determining hours of construction, days of the week, etc. ~o r Vail Tomorrow. This process, the most extensive in Vail's history and supported by approximately 30 agencies and organizations, was used to identify Vail's 9 values, establish 11 goals around the values, plus 40 specific actions around those goals. To date, 17 actions have been acted upon; while other actions seem to receive mention on a case-by-case basis. (See attachment). A lost opportunity with Vail Tomorrow was that it did not take the next step to create a vision statement or a means of dealing with conflict between resort and community. Lionshead Master Plan: This process also involved two years of community input and work that resulted in the successful completion of the Lionshead Master Plan. The process created a wish list that resulted in goals and actions developed in the Pian. At its adoption in 1998, there was general support for the plan that was followed by redevelopment applications by the Antlers and the Marriott. DISAPPOINTING Seibert Circle Art Piece. In hindsight, although Pete Seibert's son participated in the selection of artist Jesus Moroles, the process may have lost credibility once Pete, himself, began expressing concerns. This process needed Pete's ongoing "blessing" from the outset. • Common Ground. In this case, there was strong disagreement from some members of the community regarding one of 13 ground rules which was established for the process (see attached): "Some currently undeveloped public lands will be developed for community purposes." This caused a split regarding the role Donovan Park would play in this process. In addition, disagreement over legal and moral use of RETT-purchased property caused this process to lose credibility. Then, in 1999, with one Common Ground action underway (Ellefson Park/North Trail Townhomes), the then "new" Town Council rescinded the Common Ground resolution passed by the previous Council. This action occurred with little public notice, further eroding the credibility of collaborative decision-making. Since 1995, Vail citizens have seen community collaboration at its best and perhaps at its worst. Several questions to consider include: Are the goals and actions from previous public collaboration efforts, i.e., Vail Tomorrow, still valid today? To what extent does the Town Council want to invite public input in developing strategic goals and actions? How should we solicit public input? How does the Town Council want to decide on the strategic goals and actions to pursue? How will the Town Council communicate goals and actions of the town and the approach for coming to those critical decisions? ATTACHEMENT1 ACCOUNTING STRUCTURE/FINANCIAL OVERVIEW The Town has a budget of approximately $42 million in 2001 of which $32 million is annual revenue the town collects each year to fund ongoing operational and capital costs. The single largest source of revenue for the town is Sales Tax which is $15.5 million (budgeted) in 2001 or 48% of annual revenues. The next largest revenue source is the Real Estate Transfer tax at $2.9 million and then property tax at $2.5 million. The budget is approved annually with two readings of an ordinance. Supplemental budgets or changes to the budget are considered 3-4 times per year and approved. through two readings of an ordinance. The Town Council also directs the Town Manager, through a motion, to enter into contracts over $50,000. Highlights of the 2002 budget include: • The net revenue budget is $32.4 million -the net expenditure budget is $41.3 million with a projected use of fund balance of $8.9 million. The use of $8.9 million in fund balance is to finish Capital Projects including Donovan Park and the Pavilion. • The ending projected fund balance for all funds is $10.1 million vs. $19 million projected for year ending 2001. • 2002 Budget includes 5.6 additional FTE's, however, we have not included the FTE's that may come from implementing Vail Standards or maintenance of Donovan Park. • Sales tax is projected to be $14.0 million, down 9.6% from the $15.5 million estimated for 2001. The 2002 Budget includes an increase in property tax revenue of 9.7% and the base mill levy would be left at 4.69 mills. • Total revenues for the town are projected to be $32.4 million in 2002, versus $34.8 million in 2001. • The split of sales tax to the Capital Projects Fund is 29.3%, down from 43.0 % in 2001. • The 2002 Capital Projects Fund Budget is $14.4 million, which includes the following major projects: • Bus Replacements $2,500,000 • Town Shop Storage $750,000 • Donovon Park Pavilion $2,600,000 • Parking Structure Improvements $714,000 • Capital Street Maintenance $830,000 • Debt Service $2,300,000 • The projected fund balance for the in 2002 is $506,771. 12 r ,r • The Real Estate Transfer Tax Fund 2002 Budget is $4.6 million, which includes the following major projects in 2002: Annual maintenance of parks and bike paths $1,200,000 Donovan Park $2,500,000 Open Space Acquisition $500,000 • The projected fund balance in 2002 is $3.5 million. • Transfer Tax revenue is projected at $2.5 million, a decrease of 13.8% over 2001 estimated revenue. • The five-year model for the General Fund includes $250,000 starting in 2003 for the staffing and maintenance of a new fire station and includes $250,000 of unidentified revenue to support these expenditures. • The 2002 Budget includes a 5.5 percent merit increase for full-time employees, which will be implemented upon meeting revenue estimates. ]3 ~. Take off the blinders • ~:..:~The.article ~in 3he;;I2•Jangaty- . :issue' +~~.::tle..Dujy=: fegarding• ~ :marketitig-iss~esfor Vaif ~d'the ::~.prggi'am :hashed::by;the.tov-+n of : ',.Vail.'in•:-early::January-. where ~•°i~oi-t1: ~6Y~k spoke; dnderscore ,;:the-fact tliat.Vgil needs :tc~ create ~ - a •new, matketing• strategy •for .Certain folks that live in metro- ~ markets.of the~.'2;;1st:c~~Cury. • politan Denver and the Front `r ~ ~; . .'IE is-'my'observation~that the - Range'are.potentially very good o ~, tip . atrategy'..anusc: be:6old::=and it : ~ • -eustvmiers..of traditional Vail, if 10 must reap consider markets :Vail would uit sendin them ;r'; ~ ;t'bday,-noCa remod¢t of what has elsewFiere. o.. .:,.~iisxed,igthe Qast :.; _::.' . -.: As a .gnaw) member •of the ;~; N ` ~ ;'!here •: is :'at~:.~ analogous ~ old Front :Range group that hustles - ~ Ilakota indiaii•:-~roverb.. which ` . up to` Vail every Friday after- , -:• N .says that,,whea°=a~;horse=is dead noori.~ it astonishes me haw (1) L ' oiie'disinounts '- ~ . Vail lids grouped the 2-plus mil-. °; ~ • '~ ltegrettably,::I~;think Pail still 'lion people.who live in the Front ~; ~ - has the'blinders'ob`siid=hasn't Range as a 'single nuisance ~° -' : m .~.realizecl tliat:the wonderful years ~ ~ ~ group (i.e., brown baggers who ; : of -; destination. skiing.; -:an¢ :don't spend money) and (2) that ~~ . ~ {: ~ `•`money is no "object" are ggne;: . ::(a[ least I) have oot seen any evi- ~.•. ~ . „ y; •:that=.as a: strop 'dente -of research or decent ~ := m l ~statetneat;'but~as'.one whodived.• : research) to .isolate or identify ! liei-e..For:'many years,.notab[y •markets within the Front Range: [ .•diiring~the "money ispo-object'x: `• ^rhar:st-ould be-tacgeeted~to-come: period, iC~is incumbent tag~t~iiss ';fv'/ai~ '""`' - ; town. and the businesses: in 'it tt3 ~ ' ~ What,groups . a~n `~~I'd~sccb~ :quit :bntntsiiing :tli~ie'-1os's.:~oi ;ing?:')f`tie'severa~~F;Sindi=ed~;:tiiou- .easy :money: and.,g~t with .the .~ sarid.customdrs in metro,]]enver iriarlce~;as=the.}~.are:today:.:.~:.::.: ~ •:vrrho=witti>a-IittIeiiriee'tuc vuiiiitri. . ~ Clearly:, a'dissettation- could ~ : be`.•delgbted .to' :be writteA-on•tliis'sgbject,~but:# ~ ::the:ei3Yaurant; ~- -won't: _;:.;:;.::'.~.:::~:::;"•:...:._:•.': `:::~.~Y ~ '. ~iiot~ts; .:puTcfias ' • •.[ ~~~V¢iil'•:liowever,; offee•-:obg ; ::maylie~.evezi ptir :~ exauiple•:~ of.. _a' .rsaket• -wTi'-cli: , -whichr, as':~o~ = cquld~..lie` ;~nrttier • 'identified; •' "~tiecoining;a kiey 'wilier Y#lian ~ezguQ~ud - as is :`in. iesort~:eoitiiiri rev-_~-_~.-3~~3-iiMti J•..xw. .- ... .. .....).s... r. ....- -... ,. _. .... _•_ tionary income theory of mar-.. Vaif.•~. ;Resorts, ~,.: the ~:.. Vail keting, and a bit of. simple Chamifer,' 'businesses .arid:. tt~e research: town need to.~speiid'.`soine. time 1 Thee r is •an amazing amount of wealth in Denver. The, aad money.learrt~ng hQf • mote (i.e.; hit the tibt~u dumber of homes which are far groups wliicl;,can .lle = ii in .excess of a~:half-million.dol- . as potential-`eust©met Lars is significant; 'and it'fasci1 them to Vail ~•~tiil' alio~u~ ,pates me that rrlany=of their have ~.. • • . spend money`'f`hey:`,v{ playthings .for sm'all' children .i-i:. ~ ~ and (give:::~e=a;~ bleak} their .backyards. These are the 1Vloiir-tain~st~ouYd-AOt't~ wealthy . "baby-boomers" who petitor. also have children, the next'gen- ~`.:•; eration of skiers.. Great target.: ~ (12-year involved 2. There are thousands' of dent, nbw ones ol?~tia, .folks who are mature, who Have.: ~ `~ " Ftront lta .extra time;: aud: if ,ybu~•can get- •. - ~:~ =::;~ . khem off the golf courses (sn • _ ;~~r;~,; •~ Denver one can play-through the ` ~ ~``~ ~ ~.`~= , . ~~~ a+int~er), they are great targets. 4 ~ - ` ~ 3. The• ' rofessiorials' in `. p 'F'' Whaf`~:`or~ y~r~~:~eun$r :Denver.-'The `per capita number- ~ ur i " "~ ' '" `' of professionals is significant in •. • • solutioii~J~yt?~jc';:t~e ~ tom Denver, ap¢:r`:income is also . ".~ ~ ~~:_rt ` .. -r '~ ~ ''':es ' Significant:` Soule:'; clay fit. with ffie groupa:~isc~isseci"above, but • . Vail >~4t~;:1.s~~:~d Rnols.`.4lS:o.:i:~?-'%i";,:r'ra.ct,,... Qot ail. •;~?...:~.: ~ ~::'- to y' 'L"•:. ~'~ Ad : ittfiditum:?;`'(There. 'are ~ ,., ..:. . C: So wait, .take. off the .blinders; P quit• bemoaning the end of the ,~ `Smoney is- no object" era and ~,- :.;the. ~~~-ta to .t, •-! ~~. `8 : a~:=: • su dstin teaclledT. B: usiii ' ~~'':discre- ITir ~ver:' .. `._.,; .,.. ; -. .. g$ . . g• Y`:' S : -- :9 ~fit~'. some;; gioXi~.' ~~ - - - - - - ~ -29-02 ; ~ : i 2PM; E. C. COMMISSIONERS Va I I , Town of ~....:, .1. _X:.r;~;r ~....~. .:,~.. IV@WS Eagle Count, Colorado January 29, 2002 For Immediate Release ;970 328 8629 ~~ # 1/ 1 3CMA end NACIO AWARD WINNER Contact: Helen Migchelbrink (970) 328-3560 County Commissioners designate January 29, 2002 as "Colorado Department of Transportation Appreciation Day" in Eagle County The Eagle County Boaxd of Commissioners designated today, Tuesday, January 29, 2002, as "Colorado Department of Transportation Appreciation Day". The Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution honoring C.D.O.T. for its outstanding efforts to create an interim solution to the traffic congest~;os on the Spur Road in Edwards, which significantly improved service and safety. Thirty-five individual C.D.O.T. employees were recognized for their contributions in adding additional turn lanes on the Interstate off ramps and Spur Road, as well as installing traffic signals at each of the ramps in Edwards. "C.D.O.T. really stepped up to the plate on this. They engineered and constructed the project on an expedited basis before the snow fell and the asphalt plants closed", said Commissioner Tom Stone. C.D.O.T. and Eagle County Road and Bridge personnel pooled their resources, and they were able to accomplish much more than they could have separately. Commissioner Arn Menconi was also grateful with the speed at which the project was completed. "Two days after we decided to move forward on this project, I saw C.D.O.T. crews putting the poles up. The next day Eagle County's Road and Bridge Department began the paving activities. C.D.O.T. realized thi as a safety ~~o~ concern and took immediate action", stated Menconi. This unique collaborative effort of Eagle County and C.D.O.T. brought about an urgently needed solution to a traffic problem affecting 25% of Eagle County residents. Together, these two government entities worked to solve a problem quickly and cost effectively. "I would like to commend those individuals from C.D.O.T. and Eagle County who made this project a reality", said Chairman Mike Gallagher. ## 500 BROADWAY, P.O. BOX 850 • EAGLE, CO 81631 PHONE (970) 328-8605 • FAX (970) 328.7207 Jan-1T-02 01:36pm From-Vail Chamber ~ Business Association ~„ . ~,.--. -J a a~ ~. v 0 ~~ a~ v G~ ~., 0 +~ a~~ ~~ - ~L.~ bA .~ O .-~ a, O V t4 ,---~ ca ...., ~, O 'L3 O . c~ ~S v~ ~ •~ b~A~~ ~ ~ - '--' N ~ ~ ^-+ ~bA OV ~ ct3 ,~ ~~ -~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ v~ ~„ .. V U a~ ~'~-- N .: l ~„-, ~-+ ~ ~ U ,~ ~ ~ ~~ O 5,~,., .~-+ V ,.~ ,~ ~ O ? a--~ a ~ a~ N J ~~ By Susan Barnes-Geik _ ~.~• -- D~n;vcr City CorurcilwvT~san At-Lards Employing a balance of carrot and sticlt, Denver's proposed inclusionary housing plan vvill promote a continuous and consis- tentsupply of housing aimed at atizens who are the foundation of our aty --those earning between $'.'+5,000 acid $50,000 a year' nurses, teachers, technicians, fire- lightersand police. Though Denverites experienced a vibrant economy during the pest decade -with area median income growing GG percent to $54,297, the median home puce increased an astotushing 120 percent - to more than $200,000. Investing morn public dollars in buY~ assistanceprograms -down payment, ~x-up loans, mortgage buy-downs - cre- atesmore eltgiblebuyers but does not ittereasz supply. While at any point in rime, there tray be more than 700 homes pt~ced below $150,000 for sale inDenver, an addi- tional 300 affordable units a year are need- ed tomeet the demand of households earning less than X50,000. Denver's plan w-~1 require all new, for- : sale developments of 30 units or more to include a 10 pexceut affordable compo- neat. Incentives, which help developers recoup their costs, provide a 10 perceait density bonus, or a 20 percent reduction in required parking or a combination of both. The'ciry will also give developers $5,000 for each affordable unit a ~o gP~Y an ombudsman to guide pxoj the city's bureaucracy.l'he resale price of the affordable unit will he restricted for at leapt 20 years. The homeownea vuillpar- ticipate in t11cmarket appreaation to a maximum of 35 percent A developer niay opt out of the pro~n ,by~paying a fee equal to half of the puce of ' the affordable unit--from $50,000 to ' $100,000. These funds will be used to build affordable units nut provided by the T-256 P.001~0~1°99 -~ .. deveoopez Critics argue that the plan places an unfairburden on residential developers andthat thacost ofmarket-rate housing will increase to pay foY the affordable units- On the contrary, For the pa~lh>"ee years Denver has aslted develops ~~ include affordable units in every rest- ° dential rezoning for 30 units or more. '1'ltc percentage of units, affordability level and guaranteed term of affordability has varied from deal to deal. The responsibility of providing work-force housing bas fallen nazrowly on developers who require zon- ing, wid~out the incentives included in the proposed ordinance. By abandoning this ad hue system we gain predictability, equity and legibility. Developers recover the costs of pro• riding the work-force units Uy using the incentives. Denver secures a steady sup- ply of moderately p1iced houstn~ at pgirn- rnalcost to the taxpayers Our neigh- borhoods remain diverse. since worlcing people u~r-live in Denver. Denver and cities across the counuy have applied this iuclusionary apnroacli successfully for several years vnthout disrupting t]Ze mar- ket. As an additiotk~l safeguard, Phis ordi- nattcewill bereviewed thoroughly6evexy two years by atizet~s, developt~s and poli- cy-malters. If ~c is not meeting u`~ru ed goals or if conditions change, the or nance may be amended or rescinded. Otherrevenue-based options -in- creasingthe head tax, the demolition tee, ox the cost of new building pea~mits - `Mll be examined a~ w~ continue to develop tools to address the challenge of itux'eas- ~atti ing Denver's supply of affordable housing. For now, expanding a successful policy acid ofEeringabalanceofn~centivesand requirements is a proven and modest approach. ~--a _ O.. Jan-1T-02 01:36pm From-Vail Chamber ~ Business Association T-256 P.002/002 F-488 RY Cathy Reynolds DeHVer City Councilwvn~an~ Denve~s City Council is now debating au issue of gerume importance: affordable work-force housing. This chronic problem also affects our ability to tackle issues such as rrafficcongestion, worlt-force ' availability and ensuring healthK economi;- tally diverse neighborhoods. Unfortunatelx however, the proposed inclusionary zoning ordinance poses a remedy that may actually do more harm than good. The bill's backers suggest chat the ordi- Hance will create a steady stream of new housing fur households who make 80 per- cent of the area medianincome -defined as X51,500 for a family of four, $3G,050 for • a single person. These "gap" households • make too much to qualify for other hous- ing prograinsbut too little to afford ode- : quite housing. • But by requiring developers - and only developers of projects with 30-plus unit for sale -- to set aside 10 percent of their units at di scaunted prices, the wdinarue is fraught with problems. Iii a hot real estate market such as the wee we see in our rearview mirror, devel- opers who have provided discounted units in exchange for rezoning have been abje to pass along loses by raising prices on their market-late units. But intoday`snot-so- hot market, developers may shelve pro- ; jests rather than absorb thoselosses - a couuterproduetiveo~tcome for everyone. • This spotlights a central flaw in the poli- cy: In creating a few units for the "gap" • population, we consequently drive up the cost of all the market-rate units in an impacted development, pushing the inar- ket-rate rtlllts out of reach for many other buyers. What's more, there is scant evidence of an abruldant pool of buyers for the studio ~~~ ~~ ~ 0 and one-bedroom affordable units that the bill seeks to a Bate in the downtown area. Will households with }:ids, or even young l1omebuyers dversv` to intentionally limit- ingtheir appreaation ontheir first ]twne, line up to buy a unit that miriimizes the benefits of awning a home? Affordable- uTritsales indowntown projects have not beenbrisk. The resale dynamics are even more unknown. Fortunately, llenver has a number of proven, effective options. For instance, programs that assist buyers (dawn pay- meet assistance, mortgage buy-downs and clean-up/fix up loans) have lengthy w•dit- inglists: Denver should exploz~e new dedi- catedfunding streams to generate morE resources for these popular but under- fundedprograms. On the supply side, make the incentives available to developers on a voluntary basis togenerate more units. After ail, if theyare as siaufiea~nt as the proponents , , suggest, developers won't need a law l'o "''°~ o force them to use them. As for rental housing - a high-demand choice for: downtown workers in this "gap" population - The aty could "ineen- tivize" new units through historically sue- cessfultax mechanisms entered into con- tractuallK ' Proponents have described this policy as a "modest proposal." It is modest, well- intentioned, and ill-advised. The aty's investment would be minor. The number of affordable units produced would be lirn- ited.The impacts on Denver's work fore:e housing needs would be negligible, and the overall effect infiati0nary. Instead, let's support a flexible set of proven housir~ tools that meet the realis- tic need3 of our citizens. Our citizens deserve more than a modest solution. '1,'hey deserve a real one. ~o JAN-22-02 TAE 11:01 AM CAST ' ~' ~ 01/09/02 17:07 '48804 6B8 1788 .r~, ' .. ~`~ , Uv ~~~/ 7 . •:.. ~;;:: ' r ,. ~,~ fii~ ' ?.;:'" ~.r; . FAX ISO, 970 927 $456 P, 6/ 9 ?~dMAS CONSULT'S f~1009/005 • ' , •n; ~~7gM4. • ~ y~ .• ~J; . I ~.~ w„ .. . +: ~ /•• i ~~ ~ ~~N ./• 1 ' , a.,r„~... ~ ~~ '. ^~ ' ~ i~ ~i:~+w S? ~~~ . r: ~Q!,,Y~~ ' C,~'s ~. ~I'~i i ..~ . _.., i..'' . n ~Y i~-~an~~r~~ :~r~ ,. . r~eser~ ~~t~es' ..r ux- .~ r ., r K ' -V1~iA~•9°Y 'T~•.4- 1f1'+:U ~!: .ih`•A''.~ • I~ ~ ~ .g~. ~. may. ,(U /. .r .. n:^~w3 JAI-22-02 TU,E 11 ~ 02 AM CAST • Ol./t1A/02 X7:08 V I Resort Retell B88 1798 estaDfrstletl resorts artheworld-dor evnrrr 1 pIQ, Zeman, Cltemotli>t, Cancun, Vail, Aspen, Wltistl~, and gardr~rraoe one thir{q h Common: V a menrorame nail vilfega. As the focal ptHnt d adivity thnxtp-whid- en visitors mrai pass, the read vilage ie fast becomir>g a IA1c11a at7astlon In resort develop' fnerR. ly9icat~r a main sheet with retail Dn ttoUt ydes In a seamless, continuous canf~uation, ute resort village wn creole a natural mlllatl tpr place making-paces Choi evoke romance and ndstalQa tp some, ~verrture errd d9CpVary 1A Otltet9- may form the fprAldelSdn fdr ~Isure, recreation, and social IntetaCtivn. SIICDD~ Is cansideted the favored activity of va- a~lionrrl, tb heighten SI'11a t>xuetia~, developers are usingthe Comb-natlon of retail, AntSrlitinment, and reereatlen to create visitor eNpcrlencea tea Vegas, wdOr~Dnal~ a resort end garrdn~ lows, has drversise>i Its destination appeal by InhoduCing a numbef ai • nigt,ty experknliel retail environments-Caesais Fo- nYn Shops, venetian Grand C~nel Shops, Via 8811x• Qo, and Desert Passage nave achieved some of the • I highest sates perfprrrdnce 6gwes In the country ore side New l~ortc ~X While AL~1Drlcally reSDrta hew lacked Cutting-edge reran oftedngs, devekapers today nro tummg oo dye rtsoR reCaN village a9 the rata-yst 1cr saracdng vlsihors, sfnnuleting yearround aetlvint aeatir~ additional r~renue streams. ono eoceterrrt{ng te9Dtl real t5tete sales and reYOnUt:9. !n addition, demography shins ere playing a veal rob In Itrfluendng resort retail t1@WtDpnkn<.'~ plawlh kt the number pf 5a to 64yeerolds Could also befit the irtdlsUy in lh6l this poputatim segment is Gla most likely to purtha6e second homes; states a No~rnber 2000 Lehman Brothers analyst report, Irt craa~nglK second homes are hewlning retirement ptppenle5 for this age group. h est2bfi5Detl resort ViF lagea such asVail, Aspen, antl Park city, tiecontl homes Ben haoorne pdmary dWBlling9 es Dwnets bs- Coma Ya2H0Untl rasloenta. Accordingly, buyers in• crt~sinQy ere ataacced to properly in multJpurpose, sully G11it~ted resorts w1reM there is eometlting far every member of !heir extended lamihr. The resort t¢ tell vllla¢e hecon~s the local pant for this multigener• aba~t acctivv{ty, Resorts that iraditfonalhl have Deen Sin41a puF pose and aeaspnal In their recreational offering are now incorporating retail facilldes m foster repeat Da• tranayle yeariDUnd. Resort cpmmuntdes such as carroei, td~a'e1L Vineyard, Seroa Fs, Soottsdaie, and Aspen,for example, are tmDwn aitopping deStfnatrOrlS. FAX CIO, 970 927 8456 There are a nwnber of feaSDnS Ihat pepple eryoy st~oppiAg on vacation: ^ Vacation shopping Is the antidote tolh@ t+anaga` n'¢ed. Util{tartan aspect of suburban tih4pying• ^ Shopping becomes a rar.reatlanal activity rather than Ne Chore that it Is in everyday life at ho4te. ^ shoppeti¢ is a social acthhgr in which ap aBe9, gCrrtlers, and soctoeca+omic segments can engage together. ^ to a resort u+a ahdpphg experience alien is as irt~ortam es the purchase. ^ Taudsts setecl resort deslinati0n6 fo1 Shr)ppnP not Dory for the merchandise ofte-ed, but also fcr the experielulat elements. Se~ek'srg exerting and mama cable experiences bocprnda the foremost r~nsidera• Zinn, vdth shopping Ibe byproduct of such experiences. ^ Logo mcrchendlse reoogni^e the resort visitor's need roc ego ?u)FII!merrt. n represents Instant audlen- Crciry rnrthe artdoorsoerson, end later k reminds v~si- toc9 of itffiU pleasurable experiences etthe resort. id generate sustained yearround activity feSpRs have intogratui and clustered as many layers of active try as possible ktto a singe village erntronrrrent. Si- multaneoualy Tend use planning has rediscovered the benefits of Iniegrabng Indluid~l elements both verti• cagy antl rterbontalf~ Under the guise of new urban Lem, the rrdaed•usa resort village mncspt is reeDmtng lncreaslnQly populor,'ihe success of the resort Wlage format i9 evWenced in the prising stnutures of re• sorts itke Vail, Beaver Creek, and Aspen. Rlesa mlxed•uSe resorCs now achieve rasiderrtial real estate bate ~iCQ9 Of 51,00010 $1.200 per stbrdre loot for 61ope3ide ~ndaminlums. At the same bme, t'ear'y re• tail sales haua averaged $700 to 81.000 per square foot while hotel rooms In high season average more P, 7/ 9 aoa~oD>~ than 8500 per nlgrrt, suggesting a positive correlaticn belvraen resort real estate price3 end a resort vide, increastng-~rne resort Industry Is ov8tcpming the fullawing difficulties that are hiatq~fiy associated vrrth miRed~sse developnrnt: `~ ^ Tna 56856rlaH[y and Jncarrslstenry of try': ^ Tne creation of demand and of synergy arttong mss: a The appoRldnnten[ of constrtrclipn and capRal costs among uses: and ^ Flna<rtci2r and invEStpr app'pAenslon of mixed~rse pro1a~• mere challenges have been Dversh~owe0 >~ the menu positive results that mixed•vse casort alaeges can ~{ng about, such as: ^ creating various revenuo atresms tp offset -isk and stlmu~te financial leverage; ^ Bopsting the pace-point of residrntia! re~1 Mate; ^ Accelerating market absorption of reel estate sales; ^ fioost'rrtg aocommpdation oavper~cy rates end room rates; ~ 5U'engthenln®yearrormd destination appeal; end ^ strengthening perlieipadon In p;3id cote racteatlan amertitles (I.e., ~Ir, sk6ngl. Opening in 3980, Whistler Villegd yin ArftlBh CoF umWa has trees regarded conSl j"a9 among the treat resorts -n I+tordt America, c rn~q eat resldentlal phces in Corrode. The Vfhistl r own center retail base has grown to more than 750,0tJ0 square Feet end brings in more than USSG60 fC37001 p~square foot. As the yeatround pgpuladon of Whistler Is only 8,000, WhiSFJer's Eiverea rotaY Dlter• (ng is satin ss the result ad 6trdAg vldl(Ot Spending. From the atSSeL a drYerse retail vlNa$a art In the Dort' lava of an Integrated, vBrUcab tnprad•use mein sheet has always peen the hecldrone of the reeorl'b 8trengtir. Tha Whistler Resort A650a~GPf1 ~ fawn gwemrnent now view WhistlGr'a retnh vulage as being as vital to the resort as its skiing end hot&I accrJmmo- datlon9. AcrArtiingry, t?ie town htl9 ®ntbgrked Dn a "vii loge enhencenrerrt etr8tady' Desed pn the 9trtYl~,ttr and vitaligi of the retail avast. ' elves the unprecedented suaxss of en~erging year-round resods, mayor pule ors nave probing ho<v suet resorts evolved arytl rutty they are enduring. How can'instanl" alpine resorts like Veit, 9eavetCrenk, and Whistler becrxrre so sucd2s9ful amen they lack the his[ory and main street cha `the former min- ttg Courts oFAspen, Park ~ Stec ~ elenwnla for successful yeerround tvsorts are cpnstant throU~'WUI these prligeCt9 ^ The heart and soul of a resort is the vglage- ihe gpmedngand meeting plaoa, the conxrxmiyr town square. FO U r A r# 4 L s n d Augirse 2aot tsstaE~lisked t+eiolts of the vrorld--fitse ;re~att-offer a nrenroraWo retao vlpage~ rehir~r latest twCOrnirt~ a Otlnla atlractlea in resort wferrelop~enl, JAS-22-02 Ti~E 1103 AM CAST 0X/09/02 17:09 '®'604 888 1788 ^ The backbone of 1Pre vglaga itsaM is the retail core. ^ Reta>I Is the Blue that tmndS toJ:etlr9r all the sepa• rate mixedarse wmponenl5-~msiderriial, hotel, dme~ share, and vacet{onclubs--IMo a ~eamle99 exp~er~ enrR, creathrg the placerrtakNtg dyAOmic, ^ Rate a cannot swvioe on seasonal bus(neAS; h has to be year{ound. Aspen brio whls~er have eiioclivey nauonce0 vafhC lreareen summer end Inter brLSiness. ^ Retail 11JIlo1RS derrrend; It 0008 not precede h, tr People do not ~ to a resat! with a shopp'vrg Est of what they want to buy, Shop• ning oeaomea the t>yprtrduct of tlt1Y9r @xpar~nC@5. at Restaurants. bars, and cafes Arches the >esort villa~!9 and rien compdso from one thlb to anehafl of thA total vIF toga flow space. ^ Because of ilia surrour~ing miXeduBA dAVAI¢pntAnl Df hb leis. condominhxrte, vBCatiOn cluE?s, and timesherea a$ueled horlmrrtaly ar vertically above "m8in srr2Pl," 1116 9lroetoan (h0 busy 24 hours a day-a boon to the retell stores in the vi!lag@, 3 A wermt>ed policy Is vital to ensuring an even Flow of uisrtors throughout the year, Resort developers have be- cwne resourceful et creating this kind of polky, VJlten units era not occupied by owners, Nwf are placed M e teals! pawl. h ~diGon, tlmesnaras, vacation CIU69, rr~tianel in• tereb-ts, conddminlums, and vacaUOn-COAdominlum hotels have all become pnTreo Mreys m even out demand Irom the peak seas overthe year ^ The vilage must provide somelhinB for every m@mbsr o<the famlty, Growd~gathering attractions In the vilage Square or neartry, such as rock Climbing walla, trepaxe centers, mini~gol$ and skateboard perks, end in wlnteG skalirtg dnk9, Can b0 prty b+rarnm4d vyjth entertainment from buskers, atraet musicians, and mlmlr~ to give the Impression that sorrxclhing in ak+ays happening. Bred names such as RiIY~Carltan, Four Sea- sons, Wyaa, end Nib~on are committing ce these nevr Qeneratian resorts, And new-generation developers suan as Vail Resorts, InUawest, and East Vvest Part- ners arao ere ercolohing this nrch~t. other resorts FAX CIO, 970 927 8456 THOMAS CONSIrLT'S -ushing tv round out thei- appea- with new or era paneled ulUeges Include Sun Vglfeyt Idaho; Big Mourn taln, Montona; Northstar, California; and Seven Sprfrrgs, Pannrtytvanla. Thm rna'tl tdllage phenarrrerron !s not Jusi restrict eel W alpine rosorta, but ie bearg eAfter implemented or contemplated at Sandestin in Florida, Sanctuary [;ova on Au6tralla s Gold Coast La QuUrta Resort in Pg1rn Springs, O.C, Ranch in S~ksdalA, acrd thA Lake Las Vegas Resort in tas Vegas, Wnat has led to the suceess of °instant" resort retell villages lilu3 beaver Creek and whistler? The most successful resort retell vllfakas are about creating a memaabfe recreation, shopping. and enlerlainrnent expederrce, ~odoy~ resort villages embrace a common theme and chBrarier, telling a story that celebrates a sense of pl~e and offers an area (or Congre@etion anC saclasrauon Z4 t10Ut9 a day in a diverse rrrx at vertical uses, In ~lchtion to re• tat, guest room/hosAltallty acGanmodatlons, and res- id64G91 functions, yeariaund ecdwty is stimulated by conftrerve faclliues, hezlu~/wellness spas, spvc~l events (i.e., arts. spoAs), outdoor recreation centers. e~rcation/teamingvanu@s, end other such acBvfoes, the historic math street appmech m reteiline is designed ar a pedesdlaMrlenCly scale from which su• P, 8/ 9 BOOS/tl05 tontab~e's ~ cwt rracessadly hove t0 be eIICIUQEd. In~ dNlduahaed bulldin$ facades can prey a mte in creros< inQ Streetscapes dtAt 0A! CDn3ldetCd ntdnora6fs and exciting, A mine[nrm ~ 1QO,DQO ~ro (eat oPrettdr, food/te~age, and ent~rtainmant uses ertt noedad m creole eHectivey tine rmce9sAry a0ical mesa of {anent seleCdiOn and Oh+erSNy. 5uoeessful resort vb !ogee have Iniroaucoe a verlet}r ar 21811 ancntrr funs, runs--such A9 restateants, booNstoraa, lifesgde asz petal, end ntertairlment-to strategfca~+ Indu(~ o ciradalion paltem errd to en• hence year~rotmd dastfnatlon appeal. The mastprogjessiva resort retort v1088e9 have rc~o- agrrited that a balance is re• qu4ed botween bcal and na~ tional naallers to achieve legltand diversity A turn ofthrrinr blitKtlrr 7b:S0 cure, wnerw•by rocais cansgtute 70 cercont of all offerings and nattwhela crostrirrle 30 pernent A p0~ tl~ 1rend that is coming Pram Ihls rs the" number of nat+arr~l terrems cnmtnitting to rtssarts. Suds tenants not crib eQd CfediEAiry to tine tenant ma but also add pd~~a In6egrftg resulartg!dl less pdee gouglnQ. A greaters®isction of mar cirairdisa also p~ a kry role In stlmulathrg repeat patronage. Just a5 new urhBnltrn Ie fuelln@ many new m&ed• use•araJects, Its pMCrples al6a era being recognized in the resort rata! village sector, Resort development is ~rernnty challerrgipg, and ~ng a reecvt rota;! village is even more a0, Retell Can 41fpe- rate elements togelhe- Into ono varetan attracllrxt. 9y »doptrng mixad~use practices, developers ran bring together uses mat tt~d off eAch other, reatrltirtg in greener demand. h thA nett ten years, tvlth baby ooomers reaching retlretnent agc, resort devalopnxnt and the r9dultln$ repeat r8tall dpagea are expert to reach their zenith, Next 6n the htl-lmn should ba mare fully irtteEreited resort vilhages. The ocean, the mountains, ar even golf mays be Ure ~tol,se, but the resort retail valage, in all prattldaillb, wUl be tits attrxtion,~ort F. TAaaas, President and BArI$ LeTamreur, partner,lhom8s tbrrsultents UC„ Vaneouver Canada Urban Land Aug~t~t Sl 1AI~-22-02 TUE 1104 AM CAST FAX ISO, 970 927 8456 DRAFT AGENDA Colorado Association of Ski Towns CML Legislative Nfeeting rN arch 21,, 2002 ~'lAUrsday CML Offices 12:00 Nick Teverbaugl~ Welcome and Call to Order 12:OS CNxL Staff legislative Update a :00 NNCk Teverbaugb: Housing iTpdate 1:30 Ski Country Speaker 2:00 Dee Wasor: R~TT Update 3:00 Regular Business 1Vfeeting/OtherBusines 3:30 Adjoura~ P, 9/ 9 ~,~ 5:00-6:00 Reconvene for dinner with the CAST legislators only Location to be determined ~o This is a very rough suggestion based on conversations rwith the x+,xecutive Commitxee. please feel free to offer changes at the meeting on Thursday. ~Po~ January 24, 2002 Dear On behalf of the Vail Town Council, I want to thank you for attending the Town Meeting on Jan. 4. Although we were encouraged by the turnout, we understand the format of the meeting restricted the time allocated for audience participation. If you have comments yet to make regarding format, content, ideas, etc., we hope you'll find time to share them with us. The Vail Town Council collective voice mail number is (970) 479-1860, ext. 8; or use towncouncil(cuci.vail.co.us to a-mail US. For your reference, we have posted the speaker's presentation on our web site at www.vailsov.com. Also, video copies of the Town Meeting are available by calling (970) 479-2115. Our intent in hosting this meeting was to share a series of economic trends that have caused us, as stewards of this great place, to ask an important question: What should Vail be doing to remain economically viable in the future? Responses to this question were thoughtful, intriguing and worth exploring. We only wish we could have heard from everyone in the room. As we look to schedule additional community conversations, we hope you'll continue to offer your thoughts. Thanks again for your interest and participation. We hope you'll join us again for our next community gathering, which will take place before the close of the 01-02 ski season. Watch for announcements in the local newspapers. Sincerely, TOWN OF VAIL Ludwig Kurz Mayor of Vail cc: Vail Town Council P.S. For the latest news and information from the Town of Vail, consider subscribing to our free a-mail service. To enroll, a-mail ssilverthorn(a,ci.vail.co.us or call (970) 479-2115. LOCAL AND REGIONAL - - Breckenridge .November sales revenues take dive Sales tax revenues in Breck down, but holding steady for the year By JANE S7E6BlNS SUMMIT DAILY NEWS BRECKENRIDGE - Tax revenues in Breckenridge took a dive in almost every sales sector in November, town officials reported Tuesday. The bulls of the slowdown is due to slacking sales of homes, liquor, lodging and restaurant meals, some of which reported sales tax revenue declines in the double digits. The only increas- es were seen in the sales of utili- ties and supplies. Sales of building supplies were up 17 percent in Novem- ber when compared to Novem- ber 2000; and revenue generated from utilities was up slightly, .6.. percent for November. "A lot of it, we think, is peo- ple are doing work on their properiyinstead of buying~new •houses;'''Breckenridge'town ' Manager Tiro Gagen'said of the supplies sales revenue increas- es. "People are investing in the home front: Second, homeown- ers are. workiri~ on their homes on the weekend:" According to the monthly report, :overall November. sales . . - and subsequently, sales .tax revenues =were down 21.9 percent compared to revenue reported in the same month in 2000: Revenue from sales tax hasn't been that low: since 1995, the report indicates. ~ ~, " Retail sales ~in November were down 6.7 percent, but only 2.3 percent year-to-date. Partly to blame was a late opening at the ski area and a lack of early season snow, business owners agree. "The weather was still pretty mild, the ski company was more limited in what they planned to do and opened later," Gagen said. "And right after Sept. 11, November 2007=Sales Sector Nov. 200 Retail $3,453,00 Restaurants/Bars $2,525,00 Short-term Lodging $1,753,00 Grocerylli~uor $2,339,00 Supplies ~ $1,002,00 Utilities ' $1;225,00 we were still wondering if peo- plc would come for any reason." December. revenuehistorical- ly,has made up for losses suf- fered in the fall. February, March and April also aze strong months. Merchants at a retail forum Tuesday morning said their expectations are favorable for the rest of the year, despite mixed reviews about how the Christmas and New Yeaz's weeks fared. ~ - According to Breckenridge Resort Chamber executive directorCorry. Mihni, she'd heazd business'owners: sa"y 'the pasfholidays: were the best ever. Others reported' they were down as much as' ~5 percent. Restaurants ` reported strong earnings; she said, and lodging bounced back after alackluster autumn. ' . But in November, restau- rants and bars took abig -hit, reporting a, decline in sales of 22.6 percent when compared to November 2000. Short-term.lodging also took a .large: hit, 20.7 percent, when compared.to Novembef 2000: Grocery and liquor stores, which were one of the. only sec- tors reporting increases earlier this year, were down 20.1 per- cent in November. That is most likely due to a new method of reporting City Market recently started to use, Gagen said, and he expects yeaz-end numbers to rebound: Real estate transfer tax (RETTj collections, which fund town capital improvement pro- 0 Nov. 2001 % change. 0 $3,222,000 -67" 0 $1,954,000 -22.6:`' 0 $1,391,000 -20.7 .t 0 $1,868,000 -20.1 $1,172,000 +17 $1,232,000 0 0 +,6 jests, were down 25.4 percent, . bringing in just 87 percent of the ~$2.5 million for which town offi= vials originally-budgeted. "In May and June, we started seeing substantially less activi- ty; ' Gagen said. "That contin- ued on through November. It was pretty representative of the economy starting to flatten." November and December property closings -notably at Main Street Station -boosted transfer tax revenues. In Decem- ber alone, that increase was.85 percent more ..than what .was collected in December 2000.. RETT revenue declines have forced town officials to delay . some projects, including ~ a reroute of the entrance to the town's public works 'depart- . went, undergrounding utilities, a .drainage project at Brecken- ridge Elementary..School,,trails. work, landscaping'. and. some cemetery restoration: Gagen said he is comfortable. with the town's financial situa- tion. There is $7 million- im the fund balance - enough to. retire all .the debt the town currently - . holds. Another $8 million has been set aside for the proverbial. rainy day - or couple of bad years in a row, Gagen said: He added that art-economic downturn could be w_ hat the town needs. "It may be a good thing; ' he said. "It's hazd to plan a budget that's spiking up $ or 9 percent every yeaz. That's hard to sus= taro." LOCAL AND REGIONAL N . O 0 tV M~ c' m i Economic downturn seen in annual reports County statistics show decline in building permits, planning cases, home sales By JANE REUTER SUMMIT DAll,l' NE~\'S " SUMMIT COUNTY - Down, down, down. That's the way county building permits, planning cases and real estate sales have headed in recent months. From 2000 to 2001, building permits were down 19 percent; planning cases dropped about 16 percent, and overall housing sales declined more than 21 percent. "The business before was beyond anybody's expecta- Lions; `said local realtor Butch Elich. "We're not selling mil- lion-dollar homes anymore because that kind of money just isn't floating. aroun~., A lot: of us ate saying ~ we'J'e just pleased to have the business we have." In fact, -budget cuts forced the county to stop publishing Summit Profiles . - the corn- munity development depart- ment pamphlet that releases,. such information. The' last issue of Summit Profiles, ~ub- lished in December; includes county data collected through the third quarter of 2001. Building department heads also presented Monday overall 2001 information to the Sum mit Board of County Commis sinners. "I think it was inevitable," said Larry Renfroe, director of the building inspection depart- ment. "We experienced` ap-. proximately 12 consecutive years of significant growth rel- ative to the previous year: • "Yes, it's a concern.. The downturn in activity levels is something we're monitoring closely, but the market is too unstable to provide any type of projection." The change can't be blamed on national terrorism, Renfrce said. "This was going on way before Sept.11," he said. But the news is not without a silver lining. While activity dropped, it was still robust compared with past years. "Total building inspections performed in 2001 remained at the very high level of 17,108, which is the third-highest level in the department's history," Renfrce said. The same was true in plan- ning, where the caseload dropped from 215 in 2000 to 180 last year. "Nevertheless, it still repre- sents the third-busiest plan- ning year in Summit County history,". said Jim Curnutte, director of the county's plan- ning department: The drop;: Curnutte said, "doesn't concern me because planning cases areri t like a building permit, or _ even an inspection. We might get alot- line vacation that is atwo-week staff level approval; or the Copper Mountain major PUD amendment that could take -one full-time staff person six to eight .months. It's not a real gauge (of activity), but it is what it is." it's too soon to predict what 2002 will hold,~Curnutte said. :'It's going to start picking . up hete real. soon as. people start :getting ready ~ for con- struction season," he said. "February may be one of the higher .months of the year, same 'with March and ?:pril, and then it slows down again as people realize they've missed the best construction time of the year." Curnutte's als6 seen a dra- matic drop in employees. At "February maybe one_, of the higher months of the year, same with March and April, and then it slows down . again as people realize they`ve missed the best construction time of the year." JIM CURNVI'CE County planning department this time last year, his depart- ment included 17 full-time equivalent employees; now there are 12. Some of those positions were vacated by turnover and will be filled, but others were cut by the Summit County ,Government in the wake of the declining economy. Overall housing sales from January through September 2001 declined 21. percent; according .to .Summit Profiles, and that includes all types of housing, "with original sales of condominiums declining ~ the most." While the.average sell- ing price held. its own through the _ tlurd quarter; Profiles said it was "expected to begin declining" . because prelimi- nary October datashowed it starting to fall. Sales of subdivided .lots were cut "more-than in half," according to Profiles, with the median selling . price also declining by about $17,000 ~':'' Elieh, for one, 'believes he"11 survive the current unsteadi- ness. He's banking on his near- ly 20-year history in the county and his reputation. "The key is, take care of peo- ple, and they will take care of you;' he said.. Jane Reuter can be reached at 668-3998, ext. 229, or by a-mail at jreuter~3summitdaily.com. I?ATE: .~c~ Tanuary 23, 2002 v,~ ~ v TO: CAST Members a~~~G FROM: Tacque YVhitsitt ~~ Mag Chloride Report-Summary Rewrite Certain areas of the mag chloride report that we have been working on for two years {and feels like 20~ have raised concerns among the task force members. Two of the technical members of the task force and I have revised the summary and conclusions to illustrate these concerns. We focused on the summary because we feel that the audience (non-technical elected officials and members of the public) will likely reference those sections primarily and not the heavy scientific portion of the report. In fact, the body of the report could probably be improved as well, but it has a lot of good data and we do not have the time or resources to re-research and edit those sections that are weak. Our goal was to remove perceived bias, unsubstantiated statements and errors from the summary and add information that we feel is relevant and important to understanding the issues. I am not including all the specific reasons for changes made in the mark up as that would have added another 20 pages to review. However, I have that information and can provide it in total, if you like. Instead, I offer a few .examples of why certain statements were changed or revised in hopes that it will give the general picture of the concerns and reasons for suggesting changes. The draft re-write is not in final form, but illustrates the direction we would like to take. We also have additional language proposals for the recommendations section that will be consistent with the rest of the changes. Page 1: A report prepared by Environment Canada (2000) proposed that road salts be considered "toxic" under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act of 1999. (This zvas referring only to sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride and ferroeyanide salts - not all deicers or road salts) Page 4: This statement is under the acetate-based deicers section: ~-PpiP~~ ~~ a~.iEnt~ +~~ ,,. yr,y is. J~...: ~„ . • ,.,. ~ ,~ n a ~It has been measured and established that this does NOT occur). 1 [t S ~~ ~ By DYAN ZASLOWSKY Vail, Colo., one of the nation's larg- ~ est ski resorts, turns a fit.90.this year. Celebrations of the onset of its f middle age won't be held until the i end of 2002, however, and with no new basins, bowls, lifts or lodges opening,,this season is free of hoopla. Considering the noisy distraction of I the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, the promise of sensible skiing and snowboarding in the Rockies is a mellow comeon to the ~ visitors Vail draws, themselves mostly middle-aged and sensible. The mountain's allure is not dimin- ished by this quiet interlude. Since the ski area was first envisioned by two members of the 10th Mountain Division who had trained nearby dur- ing :World War II, 11,570-foot Vaii Mountain was destined for great ski- ing. It opened in 1962 with two chair- lifts, one gondola and $5 lift tickets. NoW itsprawls over seven miles east to.west: Vail's lift capacity of almost 52,000 an hour is about equal to all the skiers the resort had during its first season. Vail,. where the ski season runs from mid-November to mid-April, has a varied terrain that is three areas in one: the welcoming front- side slopes as wide as European boulevards, 20 percent of .which are rated for beginners; its back bowls Por experts; and since 2000, the bout- der=studded pine glades of the re- mote Blue'Sky Basin, half intermedi- ate and half expert. Vail Mountain's updates have con- sistently aimed to please skiers and snowboarders, while the six-block village tries ever harder to satisfy cosmopolitan recreational shoppers, almost a third of whom never snap on skis or strap on a snowboard. Having entered its fourth decade, Vail Village is old enough that a makeover is much discussed; in the next few years, at least one hotel is scheduled to be torn down and re- built. But most recent changes em- phasize ataste lift rather than a face lift; T-shirt shops have mutated into jewelry stores or fur salons. When Vail reaches 50, much of its 1960's aesthetic of a Bavarian hamlet along an Interstate will have been consid- erably altered. Events The Budweiser Street Beat con- certs, a .free series from mid- December to mid-March, begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the west end of East Gore Creek Drive, one of the two main pedestrian thorough- fares. Coming performers include the Rising Lion reggae band on Feb. 6, and the blues guitarist Coco Mon- toya on Feb. 20. Information: (970) 949-1999 and www.wf.org. In winter, Vail's cultural calendar is dominated by the Vilar Center for the Arts at Beaver Creek, 10 miles west. The 530-seat theater's rustic elegance is'the backdrop for singers, plays, concerts and dance compa- nies. Some scheduled shows are the Kingston Trio (Feb. 8), the Montana Reps's production of "The Death of a Salesman" (Feb. 20), and the New Shanghai Circus (Feb. 27). Tickets, $11 to $50. Information: (888) 920- 2787 or www.vilarcenter.org. The white-and-blue Ecotransit bus from the Vail Transportation Center to Beaver-Creek takes 28 minutes and makes its last return run at 1:28 a.m. for $2; (970) 328-3520. The American Ski Classic, a char- ity event that includes races and exhibitions by former Olympic and World Cup skiers and celebrities, will take place March 13 to 17. There is DYAN Z.' ":LOWSKY lives in Denver. Vlta~ rJ~Bt~StICS ,' r~~' t~ ~'~.:, POPULATION (2000) o Vjllage `4,531 WEATHER IN JANUARY High ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 34° `, Low 9° :Snow in inches 35.7 HOTEL 4 Room for two with#ax $156;50 ;: s DINNER FOR ONE With tax, tip and wine $ 35.00 TAXI Upon entry. $ 2:80 .. Each additional miler $ 0.75 From the Vall/Eagle ; $ 112:50 ;:.airport CAR RENTAL FOR A DAY (at Denver Airport) ' tvlidsized car with 'unlimited free mileage $ 54:65 !All figures'except population and taxi fares are averages. 'Soun;es; U.S:-Census Bureau; WE~Srem Ragional Climefe Conro/, local 6uslnosses utes from Vail, (970) 926-2200: Equip menu-can be rented' at many s~ shops and at the Vail Nordic Centel ($18 a day), (9'r'0) 476-8366.. Sections of a 250-mile network o1 back-country routes -called the lOth'Mountaia Trail after the Army division that trained in the area - is great for day trips or overnight out' ings with stays`at log huts with mat tresses. and woodrstoves. Overnight visitors-must make but reservations (for. some; up tp, a year in advance) from '(970) 925-5775 or www.huts .org.-Most cosE $22 to.$35 a person a night. Snowshoeing, [he easiest and slowi est way to. tour the back country in winter, has. become popular. No les• sons are needed, and shoes can be rented at the Nordic Center. Adventure Ridge at Eagle's NesE at the top of the Lionshead gondola provides night life for kids and adults who want to act like them. This fam- ily recreation area offers outdoor skating, thrill sledding, laser tag and ski-biking along with restaurants and bars. Adventure Ridge is open daily 2:30 to 10 p.m., and the gondola is free to nonskiers those hours. Free admission; activities, $10 to $78. In• formation: (970) 976-9090 and www.vail.com (activities). For skating in more clement con-. ditions, the Dobson Ice Arena on. Meadow Drive east of the Lionshead: parking garage is open daily. Ses- sions cost $5, $9 for ages 5 to 12 and $2 age 9 and under; skate rentals, $3. Information: (970) 479-2271. y free seating for the events, which are The Colorado Ski Museum and Col= at Golden>Peak,• Information: ~ (970) .. orado, $ki, Hall of Fame at the Vail] ~ Village Transportation Center cov-f 949-1999 and www.wf.org. ers the 150-year tradition of Colorado skiing; with. interesting displays of Slghtseeing such artifacts as ski knickers, wood The museum is' and chairlifts ki . s s open Tuesday through Sunday, ad- mission $1 Information• (800) 950.1 Since Vail's Slopes lie within the nearly two million acres of the White River National Forest, panoramas of dark pine forests and gleaming sum- mits are visible throughout the ski area. The Lionshead Gondola Termi- nusoffers views of the craggy face of the 14,005-foot Mount of the Holy Cross. But ticket prices for the lifts that make such views accessible are as complicated as airline schedules. To avoid the $67 day rate go to www.vail:snow.com or call (800) 842- 8062 and buy tickets at least two weeks ahead. A pass good for three days in a five-day period, for exam- ple, is $177 online, as opposed to $201 at the window. Vail lift passes are also valid at the four other ski areas owned by Vail Resorts: Beaver Creek, Brecken- ridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. The last three are about 95 minutes by bus ($10 round trip) from Vail; (970) 996-8245. Cross-country skiing is free at the Vail and Beaver Creek golf courses; at McCoy. Park in Beaver Creek, (970) 895-9090; or the Lodge at Cor- dillera near Edwards, about 90 min- 7910 and www:skimuseum.net. Huddling under quilts on a hors drawn sleigh is a cozy way to tour th Vail Valley by starlight. The 9 Eaglei Ranch offers 20-minute rides, dinner:. in an 1890's cabin and transportation' to and from the ranch for $69.95, and $34.95 ages 6 to 12. The outings are. from 6:30 to 9 Wednesday through; Saturday, more often in peak weeks.; Information: (970) 926-3372 or' www.vail.net/9eagle. Where to Stay All these hotels are served by a free shuttle bus from Vail Village., The rates are generally for the high i season, through March. The Black Bear Inn of Vail, 2905. Elliott Road, (970) 476-1309, fax (970) 976-0433, www.vail,net/blackbear, is a large log house with 12 spacious bedrooms on land homesteaded five generations ago by the family of the innkeeper, Jessie Edeen. Her hus- band, David, cooks a full breakfast that could include- fresh oatmeal bread, cinnamon rolls, omelets and. r ~~ ~'` ~~ ~`, ~~, ~ L. I ` ~. ~~ ~ r, ~ ~-,~. ~" '~,a i ~ ~~ ° \ ~ ~ h., ~ i FAR LEFT Sk1erS lri ~^ Vail Village head 'K for the slopes. fr LEFT Ice sculpture '': ~~ over Gore Creek in the village. ;:Ali„ BELOW The Black '~'"t Bear Inn offers 12 ~~~~' rooms and hearty k c., ,~ Y breakfasts. -~~r >,,;,, BELOW LEFT Sweet ' Basil specializes in ;':'.'~s dramatic desserts. ,~ -<; :':;~: +~. r i y h 1 ~ P ra "q 4 it __. 7~~ ~" ~ Wyk ' or schnitzel. 0 en far breakfast ' , ~! iea ~ t ,` '`~ ;~ z ~ ~ ~^~~ ~' `I .~ n u ,~ •;d ~ ~+,~ ~~'!F;~,y - .,~~ ~~~ 111nC11 and d1MCT W111C11 IS $50 for tW0 a x~* ~tl~',~~ r io ` r ~ ; ' k ~ a * ~u i w with a glass of wine or cocktail ; ~ + ~,, E COL~R~/,1Db ` ~ti~l~. &5.. ~ h ~, a ~„~„ ;rug i;5~ "fir ~ '" r~:; ~' ~ . Sweet Basil, 193 East Gore Creek ,~ , t~~ ~' S,~ ,- ~F~~~~f~c~,~~:~`~+~ ~ ,t: ~• 'Drive, (970) 476-0125, a Vail instttu ~ I~~ Jt ~+ a` ~~ ,.~ Y,~~'t ~ ~ `Id ~~~'~ ~~~~-~ d,,~' tion still under its founding manages +~ ~r.q ,. • ? ~ ment, turns 25 this year. It serves ~''. _ fi '.~H Ed r1~ alyds ~` nt' #~ ^~',u~ ~ p .s , ~~'ep$124~= ~~,,,, ~ ~~V, ~~ ~ I ~ -- ~ contemporary fare with dramatic L -~ ~; m ,~{ , A~ 4~ "` ~ ~' ~ ,~ presentation, particularly ....the des r f,:~ ~~ ~•;}Beaver~¢, ~~ ~ ~ ? ~' it ~~~ serts. Warm pistachio-crusted. goata~" ~~ , ~ a Creek ,/F ~~ ~ r'~. ~ > ~q,~ ~'~~~ cheese salad. or seazed sesame's `` c~ ' , ,,~ r ~ ,.; ,~~1~tj~ ~~~ ~ .:j ,~~' 'eys4~ e'~ :~- crusted ahi are excellent starters ~~ t ~'~r .~, a g., ~ ,e. ; s ~ -rw n ~, ~ .r; ,~, ~ ~ main courses include maple-glazed ~~~~~~~Cti r ~~yW.l ,~~ '` ' ~ ~eb~ ~ ~+'~~~, duck breast or Colorado rack of .~~ w f~~ ' ~ ~ 8s , ~, a ~°t; a~ ~~~~ ~ ~ Iamb. Also open for lunch. Dinner for,; f ~ x ~ ? '"'?ire' " '~ i ., ~s !~ ~~~~;~ ~~ [ ;,,~~ r .~ r I two with a bottle of wine; $125. I~d~ ~~;~,,; ~ ~ F ,~-~ ~ ~ 2e5x~ La Tour, (970) 976-9903, on Mead `> rr ~~' , F,~~~~ ~"" a ~d sl ~ ~"~'~ ~ ~~ ~ ~'` ~' 'ow Drive across from the Vailpark ~~~: t ~ '~" WYOMING .. NEB. a~ .'~`~,a, .~ ing garage, features Americanized a; i ~~"'` s'4 "'~ •t aV+~ ' '~~a*~ ` COLORADO French food in a collection of eleganta ~~~ i>i~13et1''~~ , x~. ~ l+"*°` (~?~ "~ small rooms. Main courses include <u j ,~,. u~ '~iVlfl6 S ~+irAi Denver -; ~~~ Ji4 ~ ~;"~~ r.t ~ ~ x ~ , , ~; h caramelized diver scallops ands y ~ ~+ ~~ ~ F ~' `~ ~~~^`` ~~ ~ '' ~ ~ Aa.in~ hazelnut crusted venison. Poached 1„ l~~,~ ~ r ~ Miles r " ' ~; ~ pear with fig sauce and almond ,;• " _ ~ ' .z ~ e2 ~` . ~ ., z4 ` sr A, ° 10° cream is delicious. Dinner for two~~' "~ ~ • ~`n ~ '1 _ . M `~.~ ~° P w NEw MEwco, with wine, $120. .. The New York 71ma Dutch baby pancakes. Doubles with most luxurious hotel in the village, Where to Shop a queen or two twin beds are $200 a The 88 suites have gas fireplaces, __~ night until March 31, then $135. large marble bathrooms with heated _~ - ' Budget: The recently remodeled, floors, double vanities and separate Vail's makeover has resulted in a 30-year-old, motel-style Roost Lodge powder rooms: High tea is served in range of boutiques. At Squash Blos-;.n has 79 rooms at 1783 North Frontage the King's Club Lounge in late after- som, '198 Gore. Creek Drive, (970) 'Ttoadt West Vail; (800) 873-3065, fax noon, with live music. The hotel is ` 476-3T29, which opened as a South- _ i (970) 976-9158, www.roostlodges also known for its spa. Rates: $545 to west art gallery in 1973, everything " .com. A room with two double beds $1,660 a night. but'the name has changed. The Medi=, , and private bath is $119. Continental terranean interior sets off folk art "•. breakfast and apres-ski hors jewelry from Turkey, Greece, New d'oeuvres are included. The lodge Where to Eat York and-even Vail. Delicate neck- ' also has a hot tub and sauna. laces of semiprecious brialettes , 'There are 126 rooms and 7 condos strung by the local designers Katie` at Evergreen Lodge, 250 South It's possible to eat well in the vii- Jenkins and Jill Lionetti cost $500 to Frontage Road West, Vail, (800) 289- lage in all price ranges. Pazzo's; 122 $1;000: Customized storywheel neck- 8295, fax (970) 976-9509, www East Meadow Drive, (970) 976-9026,. laces -with ciicles of gold or silver .evergreenvail.com. Rooms with two serves breakfast and pizzas, lasagna with gems -start at $80. queen beds are larger than the norm, and chicken parmigiana. in a sunny Another -place for unusual jewelry and include small refrigerators, green-and-white-tiled room. Dinner is J. Cotter Gallery, 239 East Wall dataports and double sinks;' these for two with a glass of wine, $35. .Street; (970) 976-3131. A silver ring start at $150. The condos, most with The smell of chocolate and fresh with a live air fern in it is $900. two bedrooms, start at $500. beignets permeates Creekside Can- AY Contemporary Fine Arts, 193 Luxury: One of the newest hotels dy, 183 Gore Creek Drive at Willow East Meadow Drive, (970) 976-7150, in Vail Village is the Austria Haus Bridge Road; (970) 476-8999. This "Joy," a bronze girl in a bright pats- Club and Hotel, 292 East Meadow simple cafe pleases children and na dress is $295, and a ceramic shoe Drive, (800) 659-8312, fax (970) 979- serves such dishes as chili, soup and filled with likewise oreos is $165. 5499, www.austriahausclub.com. It citrus-vinaigrette chicken pits sand- Shawls woven from natural buff~- has 19 rooms and 6 suites, a heated wiches, as well as sweets. Open for to hair are $750 at the Golden Bear, outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, which is on Bridge .Street, (970) 476,4082. Gore Creek. Rooms-have gas fire- about $15 for two with sodas. Across the way at Gorsuch, an ele- places and heated marble floors in Downstairs from the Children's gant, small department store with a the bathrooms. Doubles, $365. Fountain behind East Gore Creek ski shop, (970) 476-2299, gigantic sug- The Sonnenalp Resort of Vail, 20 Drive, Blu's, (970) 976-3113, features ar pine cones are $19 apiece, and a Vail Road, (800) 659-8312, fax (970) generous helpings of eclectic fare package of chocolate covered cran- 479-5999, www.sonnenalp.com, is the like Greek salads, a hummus platter berries is $10. ^ 4