HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-20 Support TOV Ballot Question No. 1 to Increase Lodging Tax RESOLUTION NO. 20, SERIES OF 2011 ;
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A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF TOWN OF VAIL BALLOT QUESTION NO.1 ON THE
BALLOT AT THE NOVEMBER 8, 2011 REGULAR TOWN ELECTION
WHEREAS, the Town of Vail (the "Town "), in the County of Eagle and State of Colorado
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is a home rule municipal corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of t`
Colorado and the Town Charter (the "Charter");
WHEREAS, the members of the Town Council of the Town (the "Council') have been C'
duly elected and qualified;
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WHEREAS, the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act, C.R.S. § 1 -45 -101, et seq., and
more specifically, C.R.S. § 1- 45- 117(1)(b)(lll)(A), expressly allows the Town Council to pass a
resolution in support of or against any local ballot question;
WHEREAS, the Town Council has caused Ballot Question No. 1 to appear on the ballot
at the November 8, 2011 regular Town election;
WHEREAS, in November, 2002, the registered electors of the Town approved a ballot
issue (numbered Question 2b) approving the issuance of debt and the imposition of a 1.5
percent lodging tax and a half -cent sales tax to fund the construction of a conference center;.
WHEREAS, in November, 2005, the Town submitted a ballot issue to the registered
electors of the town seeking approval of debt and an associated increase in the lodging tax, with
such revenue to be used for a conference center;
WHEREAS, the 2005 ballot issue provided that if the 2005 ballot issue failed, "the
authority to issue debt pursuant to 2002 Question 2B shall terminate immediately and the
authority to levy taxes pursuant to 2002 Question 2B shall terminate effective January 1, 2006,
and the Council shall either refund any remaining revenues from such taxes pursuant to such
refund methodology as the Council determines or submit a question to the voters on how such
revenues shall be used ";
WHEREAS, the 2005 ballot issue failed;
WHEREAS, following the 2005 election, the Town Council determined that a greater
community benefit would be derived by returning to the voters with a new question on how such
revenues shall be used rather than initiating a refund mechanism;
WHEREAS, in 2006, the Town Council invited the community to take part in surveys,
focus groups and public meetings to help identify potential concepts for reallocation of the
Conference Center Funds;
WHEREAS, a grassroots public input process has continued in various forms for more
than five years to determine the best uses for the Conference Center Funds which has grown to
$9.4 million;
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Resolution No. 20, Series of 2011
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WHEREAS, more than twenty different ideas were forwarded by members of the
community for use of the Conference Center Funds ranging from paying off the town's debt to
building parking;
WHEREAS, the opinions of community leaders were sought to collect additional insight
through the volunteer efforts of former Town Council Member Kent Logan;
WHEREAS, evaluation criteria pinpointed three projects that evolved during the public
input process that met the Town Council-directed goals to promote recreation, promote tourism
and support the economy in the town;
WHEREAS, the three projects identified in Ballot Question No. 1 are as follows:
Expansion and Improvement of the Clubhouse at the Vail Golf Course and Nordic
Center, including Multi-use Community Space
The remodel would reconfigure the existing footprint of the current 18,000 square foot
town-owned facility and would include renovated Nordic and golf locker rooms, cart barn
upgrades and a new multi-use community space for events, programs and meetings.
The community space would include a welcoming/reception area and an expanded deck
to fulfill a Town-wide need for additional gathering spaces for weddings, receptions,
registrations and activities for groups/camps/programs. The Vail Recreation District has
committed to providing $1.15 million in additional funding beyond the Conference Center
Funds to support the remodel.
Field Expansion and Restroorn Renovation at the Ford Park Sports Complex
Reconfiguring the Ford Park athletic fields would allow for the addition of one full-sized
soccer field and increase the size of the west softball fields. This would allow for
creation of two full-size soccer fields. The project would also include two new restrooms,
a storage facility and other improvements. The reconfiguration would make it possible to
accommodate lacrosse, soccer and other sports tournaments in one location, and would
keep incremental spending by participants in the community.
Ford Amphitheater Improvements, including Outdoor Seating and Restroom
Improvements
Proposed improvements to the Ford Amphitheater would include re-grading and
reconfiguring the hillside seating area by terracing the hillside. This will increase the
comfort and utilization of this important area. The current lawn seating capacity would
be preserved or increased slightly as a result of the reconfiguration. There would also
be the addition of restroom facilities on the east side of the Amphitheater. The Vail
Valley Foundation has committed $2.1 million in funding beyond the Conference Center
Funds for additional improvements to the Amphitheater.
WHEREAS, the three projects will help complete Vail's Renaissance by improving aging
community assets that are used by both guests and residents;
WHEREAS, the three projects will increase economic vitality in town with increased
event capacity at each of the three venues and associated lodging increases and incremental
spending increases;
Resolution No. 20, Series of 2011
WHEREAS, the Town Council recognizes that in addition to the long term benefits, the
three projects will provide an immediate local economic stimulus for architects, engineers,
contractors and others in the construction industry following a competitive bid process to
perform the work;
WHEREAS, the three projects will leverage both public and private dollars in which the
Vail Recreation District and the Vail Valley Foundation will join the Town as funding and
operational partners to complete the projects;
WHEREAS, the Council authorized a telephone survey to gauge the level of community
support for the three projects which found sixty -seven percent of those surveyed are in favor of
the three projects and their associated benefits to improve the community;
WHEREAS, the community has acknowledged that the Town of Vail has successfully
managed its resources while adapting to global economic forces in a responsible and
conservative manner;
WHEREAS, Ballot Question No. 1 does not require a tax increase of any kind;
WHEREAS, the three projects that have been identified follow more than five years of
information - gathering and analysis, and, therefore, the Town Council finds it would be
irresponsible not to bring these projects to a vote; and
WHEREAS, the alternative of refunding the taxes by lowering the lodging tax over a
period of twenty years would provide little direct benefit to the community; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
VAIL, COLORADO THAT:
1. The Town Council hereby supports Ballot Question No. 1.
2. The Town Council hereby urges the registered electors of the Town to vote in
favor of Ballot Question No. 1.
INTRODUCED, PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of
the Town of Vail held this 4th day of October, 2011.
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ATTEST:
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Resolution No. 20, Series of 2011