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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04. Town_Manager_Report_12.5.17 TOWN MANAGER REPORT - DEC. 5th TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Newsletter Date TOPICS • Bicycle Friendly Community • Regional Mayors & Managers • Clubhouse Update • Holiday Decorations • Vail Board of Realtors • Intermountain Project • Holiday Party • Looping Enforcement • Community Meetings Bicycle Friendly Community We’ve retained our ranking as a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists following a recent assessment. Vail was elevated to a silver designation in 2014 after earning a bronze status in 2009. The award recognizes communities with remarkable commitments to bicycling. With the announcement of 65 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Communities for 2017, Vail remains in a leading group of over 500 communities across the country that are transforming neighborhoods and destinations. Thanks to the hard work of Gregg Barrie and Mark Hoblitzell on our staff for facilitating the application process. Our silver ranking is good through 2021 and is due, in part, to Vail’s extensive recreation trail system and mountain biking facilities as well as the community’s longstanding enthusiasm for biking. In recent years, we have widened shoulders along frontage roads and added bicycle markings on other streets. We also manage the Sole Power Challenge which encourages bicycle commuting throughout the summer. In addition, the new Sandstone underpass includes bicycle lanes and an improved access point to the Gore Valley Trail. Regional Mayors & Managers Meeting The meeting was held in Eagle on November 17th and was well attended. Jill Ryan, BOCC Chair, led the discussion. Topics for discussion included (1) an update on Ballot 1A, the Mental Health Ballot Initiative, and next steps; (2) an update regarding the International Mountain Bike Association Designation, being sought in April, 2018; (3) an update re the Eagle County Climate Action Plan; and (4) an update from the USFS regarding its parcel in Down Junction, currently used for administrative purposes (the agency is seeking to consolidate its facilities in one location in Eagle.) Town Manager’s Report Page 2 Golf & Nordic Clubhouse Update Temporary remedial work has been performed to correct some flooring issues, as depicted in the image of newly installed carpeting in the most problematic area. As noted previously, we will likely be seeing a complete replacement of the flooring in the spring. There are numerous other items that remain on the punch- list, which remains a work-in-progress at this time. As the warranty period for many of the improvements approaches, we will need to regroup and strategize our best approach going forward, with emphasis upon correcting those issues that present more immediate problems. Holiday Spirit The beautiful Holiday wreath now adorns Town Hall, courtesy of Dave Richardson with Public Works. When Dave is not serving as an electrician, he fills his time by beautifying the town. In between all that, he stays busy in the kitchen, and is quite known for his talents there as well! Vail Board of Realtors Mayor Chapin and I attended the Vail Board of Realtors meeting in Edwards on Nov. 28th and presented an update on current issues and topics with the Town of Vail. The presentation was well received and numerous questions were entertained afterward. Intermountain Fire Mitigation Project Pile burning on Phase I of the Intermountain Fuels Reduction Project was initiated the week of Nov. 27th. During the first week, 750 piles were burned on a total of 37 acres. While efforts were taken to notify the public, including the usage of the CDOT variable message sign, we did receive numerous phone calls inquiring about the smoke, and one complaint which was promptly addressed. Pile burning will be conducted in the Buffer Creek and Intermountain areas when conditions are favorable for smoke dispersal and fire control. Pile burning on the Intermountain phase II units (helicopter logging) will occur next winter. Town Manager’s Report Page 3 Holiday Party A friendly reminder: The Town employees are excited to celebrate the holiday season. The annual employee holiday party is scheduled for Thursday, December 7th from 5:30 to 9pm at Pepi’s. The Town Council is of course invited and encouraged to attend. Keep an eye out for the official invitation and please RSVP. Reigning-in the Loopers With utilization of existing infrastructure and monitoring systems at both parking structures, the Town is taking enforcement action against those drivers who are “looping” within the parking facilities. Warning tickets will be issued until December 10th, and citations will be issued subsequently thereafter. Meeting Community Members Recent meetings have involved the folks at Bravo!Vail, Chris Montera with Eagle County Paramedic Services, Chris Romer with Vail Valley Partnership, Ross Iverson with Vail Centre, and Stephen Connolly. We continue to have discussions with the Vail Valley Foundation related to the Velorama Bike Race (stay tuned), and we look forward to our continued meetings and a soon-to-be- scheduled joint retreat with Vail Resorts. Chamonix Update George Ruther will be providing a verbal update regarding this project during the Council meeting.