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VEAC Minutes 04-09-19 DRAFT Vail Economic Advisory Council April 9, 2019 Vail Town Council Chambers 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM MEETING MINUTES VEAC Members Present: Yann Benjamin, Mike Ortiz Matt Ivy, Rayla Kundolf, Chris Romer, Michael Connolly, Alison Wadey, Mike Lange, Sarah Franke, Kim Newbury-Rediker, Bob Boselli, Brian Nolan, Mike Glass, Lori Pohl, Meredith Macfarlane, Greg Moffett, Meredith MacFarlane, Mark Gordon Town of Vail Staff Present: Mia Vlaar - Economic Development Director, Kathleen Halloran – Finance Director, Greg Clifton – Town Manager, Matt Miano, Economic Development Coordinator, Matt Gennett – Community Development Director Others Present: April Meeting Link AGENDA Financial Update, Kathleen Halloran (5 minutes) • Sales tax 2% up from 2018 in February, flat with budget • Real Estate Transfer up 8% from last year • Construction Use Tax – as expected • Parking Revenue – season to date: Passes up 35%, daily sales up 19% • Update to council on short term housing process • Nolan – Thank goodness for Florida, big groups, parties of 20-30 • Benjamin – Lauderdale, Miami Dade County all do well here • Nolan added Texas is Texas, always good • Boselli commented that Aspen and Vail were up about the same percentage, Beaver Creek also strong in March • Ivy- last week was a bit slower, Front Range didn’t materialize • Morgan – We also had a great March, fell off cliff a bit on March 31 • Kundolf – Powabunga brought a different demographic, quite a few from Denver that spent multiple nights • Wadey – Recap will be at May CSE meeting • Gordon – They received $45,000 in funding, with great production • Wadey – Also had a cool high end VIP area • Ivy – We had concerns and closed off some rooms but nice to hear and learn for next year • Nolan – last time there were 5 weekends(Fri and Sat) in March was 2013 VEAC Minutes April 9, 2019 Civic Plan, Matt Gennett (20 minutes) • Run through of presentation that was presented to Council on April 2 (see for more details) • Engagement Window Two is now open • Moffett – Do we know how much the Charter Bus Lot gets used? Data would be useful • Gennett- Special events etc. • Wadey – In summertime people use it on a daily basis • Moffett – We’ve discussed more qualitative data on parking as a whole • Gordon – Comparison of Ford Park vs. Lionshead Parking Structure (Civic Square in presentation) • Kundolf - When you say community spaces, what does that mean? Gennett – ballrooms, conference rooms • Kundolf – I don’t hear anything about event space • Gennett – these are ideas and what it is programmed for is still open • Kundolf - We’re missing a theater, could be multi-purpose • Moffet- We’re not there yet, but the technology has come along way since we last had this conversation • Nolan – Must consider long term costs of operating a performance arts theater like Vilar • Gennett- We did bring in financial consultant to council to discuss the reality of the situation • Clifton – Must consider the proximity • Ortiz – Vail Rec doesn’t want a second sheet of ice. All of this is just talk and those that will run it haven’t given input • Gennett mentioned that this presentation is available on engagevail.com • Moffet- Ample opportunity for people to participate remotely as well • Gordon – It seems like with a small investment we are creating opportunity for a lot of revenue from selling land to lodging tax etc. • Morgan – We should look at everything closely because it’s hard to imagine what the town will look like in 50 years and we need to do it right • Moffet – Is it a given that the Lionshead parking structure is fixed for good and not going away as is or are we pondering starting over on that site? • Gennett – we are not presently looking at that due to the deed restriction – no net loss of parking • Nolan – What’s capacity of Lionshead? 1700 parking spaces roughly, 125,000 square feet • Charter bus lot is not a part of the deed restricted area • Boselli – Is there need for a task force from this group to stay involved? • Vlaar- meeting this week to discuss additional engagement of various groups but in meantime engagevail.com is encouraged for now • Nolan – Vail Resorts 5-50 vision is important because lots of opportunity • Kundolf – Wouldn’t the “Roost” be a great spot? Moffet – It is private property, and the way it is presently zoned makes it extremely expensive • Clifton – TIF boundaries are limiting to look at different parcels VEAC Minutes April 9, 2019 Town Manager’s Report, Greg Clifton (5 minutes) • Thank you for your time, I appreciate the brain power when this group meets Neighboring Business Report, Mia Vlaar Handed out questionnaire, please talk to your neighboring businesses Other Business (5 minutes) Whistler contingent arrives today Guest experience initiation – meeting weekly with Vail Resorts to align mountain and town and focusing on customer service training and special event alliance - Whistler has a guest service trailing that has seen 23,000 people go through it - Created curriculum with University of Victoria and we’re looking at that very closely - Benjamin – reporting back to council in 2-4 weeks - Initiative will work closely with ambassador program from VCBA - Morgan – Community Dinners? Vlaar – yes we are brainstorming on that and working on it - Morgan – look at the link to the dinner in Buena Vista - Wadey – and there mission statement, very cool - Vlaar- Eagle Airport update at the next meeting - - Vlaar – run through of Whistle Pig concerts and dates - Kundolf – I’m really sad about what happened in East Vail, I’ve lost a number of employees because of it. Rents have jumped because of the decision and we do need more employee housing. - Gordon – I do have two deed restricted properties on the market that would be perfect for employees. - Ortiz- We have our first Level 10 gymnast in the Valley ever, very exciting because people think they have to go to Denver - Boselli- Tonight is a VVP seminar on legal immigration at CMC - Romer-Yes, it’s part of our Small Business Insight Series and will include a Q & A - Boselli – Vail Health committed $60 million to mental health and it is a massive challenge to our valley, kudos to Vail Health - Gordon – Do we have someone from Vail Health interested in sitting on board? - Vlaar- we can reach out - Ortiz – We want what will work for the Town of Vail in regards to Civic Plan. Do we really need a second sheet and is that the best and highest use? We aren’t against it but want what is best for Vail and aren’t sure that is the answer. • Adjournment Next Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2019 8:00 – 10:00 AM, Town Council Chambers VEAC Minutes April 9, 2019