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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-02-13 Town Council Minutesi _6 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 13, 1967 The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Ted Kindel at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL: Roil Call found the following Members present: Mayor Kindel Trustee Willett Trustee Langmaid Trustee Burdick Trustee Hoyt Trustee Seibert Trustee Dobson Peter Cosgriff, the Town Attorney, attended. MINUTES OF THE MEETING 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The Minutes of the Special Hearing and Special Meeting held on February 6th, were read by Mayor Kindel. Regarding the notation in the minutes that a separate ordinance be instituted to deal with air pollution, Trustee Seibert suggested that instead of the words air pollution, it should be changed to a posi- tive approach. Trustee Burdick made a Motion to accept the Minutes as amended. Trustee Seibert seconded the Motion and the Minutes were accepted unanimously by the Board. 2. ORDINANCE NO. 7 - "AN ORDINANCE FOR THE REGULATION OF TRAFFIC UPON THE PUBLIC STREETS OF THE TOWN OF VAIL, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE "THE MODEL T2.AF IC CODE FOR COLQ.'"70 MUNICIPALITIES 1966, AS AMENDED HEREIN, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF. The Town Recorder read the addition concerning penalty assessments that was not considered at the special hearing. A discussion was held regarding these fees. Mayor Kindel stated that although the penalty assessment for failure to stop at a stop sign may appear to be high, it is for the protection of the ped- estrian, and the accident rate at intersections is much higher than in most other areas. It was mentioned that the purpose of the penalty assessments is to serve as a convenience to the motorist who feels he is guilty and does not wish to spend the time to go to court and plead guilty. These fees are set by the Trus- tees and the Police Officer may not change the amounts, although he may exercise his discretion by refusing the penalty assessment and demand the violator appear in court. The assessments, of course, vary with the nature of the violation. Town Attorney, Cosgriff, pointed out that any person who wishes to appeal the ticket may do so in court, and the Town will not be represented by a prosecuting attorney unless the defendant retains an attorney. From the floor, George Knox asked why it was necessary to make Gore Creek Drive a one-way street. He suggested that the police direct traffic rather than set up restrictions through signs. Claude Martin made the suggestion that the one-way street be reversed in direction. Trustee Hoyt made the recommendation that a penalty assessment should be added for going the wrong way on a one-way street. The Trustees determined that the assessment for this offense should be $10.00. The Trustees were polled, and Ordinance #7 was approved unanimously. jr `40 Page 2 - Minutes of the Meeting Held February 13, 1967 4. RESOLUTION NO, 3, SERIES, 1967 - HOUSE BILL #1141 w AUTHORIZING STATUTORY CITIES AND TOWNS TO LEVY A SALES TAX. The Town Coordinator read the Resolution. It was amended to read "municipal facilities" instead of "tourist facilities" upon the suggestion of Trustee Seibert. The Trustees were polled for approval of the Resolution and it was approved unanimously, 6-0. Trustee Dobson brought to the attention of the Board another bill that is important - the Sunday Store closing bill which if it were passed would be detrimental to resort areas, It was moved that the Board of Trustees write a Resolution opposing the passing of the Bill concerning Sunday Store Closings, The Trustees were polled for approval of the writing of the Resolution and it passed unanimously. 5. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS NO. 24 THROUGH NO, 40. Trustee Burdick indicated all was in order. Mayor Kindel asked if there was any discussion or questions. The Trustees approved the payment of the Vouchers unanimously, 6-0. 6. LIQUOR BILL - A LATER CLOSING HOUR ON SUNDAYS. Mayor Kindel requested the Town Coordinator write a resolution for consideration at the next trustee meeting supporting the bill pending in the State Legislature that would extend liquor hours from 8:00 p.m, to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays. 7. SLEDDING Trustee Dobson stated that there is a traffic hazard where children are sledding on the streets and drivers cannot see them until they are immediately upon them. He suggested that some area be designated for the purpose of sledding to make Vail a total winter resort community. Trustee Seibert said it should be the consideration of the Vail Recreation District and perhaps the driving range would be suitable. 8. REPORT FROM THE TOWN COORDINATOR: A. Parking lot - 50% of the people are using the Pay Lot for less than one hour, and 25% are using it for more than four hours. Mayor Kindel asked the question if the public in general were aware that the municipal parking lot was available. Not posted too well. The Vail Traf- fic Attendants haSe been told about it. Trustee Seibert made the suggestion that we had to be very careful about signs, and felt that signs north of the stream referring to parking should be of good quality and not mention price. He also felt that the parking attendants should emphasize that this lot is for short-term con- venience parking for shoppers. Mayor Kindel asked Trustee Dobson and Blake Lynch to make the appropriate sign changes for the Municipal Parking Lot. B. The Town Coordinator read a letter from Mr. Morgan of Eagle, who asked that the Board consider granting his firm a CATV franchise. It was determined that the request should be referred to someone with specialized tech- nical knowledge. A franchise would not be granted to anyone unless there was a guarantee of a clear signal. The question was aked from the floor, 10Do we want .TV in Vail?" A discussion was held with John Donovan asserting that TV would be detrimental to Vail and Trustee Dobson maintaining that it would be wrong to deny a communications media of such importance to the poeple of Vail. C. UTILITY FRANCHISE A letter was read from Leonard Campbell, legal consultant on utility franchises. Mayor Kindel requested that copies of the letters from Leonard Campbell be sent to Mr. John Amato. The letter essentially maintained that there is no way the Town can obtain any gas service from Public Service Company rather than Gas Facilities. 0 7 04 Page 3 - Minutes of the Meeting Held February 13, 1967 The Board felt that Mr. Campbell should go ahead and conduct nego- tiations with Gas Facilities after the telephone and electric franchises have been handled. 9. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION A. Fred Froehlich made the following comments from the floor. The Police Department has failed in not notifying people of the changes in traffic signs. Residents have become accustomed to areas where short term parking or parking is permitted and then a sign is posted with- out notice and the resident gets a ticket. The Public in general should be warned. The Police Department would receive a lot of cooperation if they would issue warning tickets to both the locals and the guests. "Improper knowledge or administration by the Police Department was quite evident." B. Bob Parker asked for the floor to defend the Police Depart- ment. In fairness, Number One, the Police Department is in the process of having developed, and printed a warning ticket which would be a polite and even a posi- tive public relations measure when received by a guest or a resident. Number Two, I had a meeting with the Police Department the other night and felt that all of them were very responsive to the idea which some of have felt that should be the kind of police work in Vail. Vail owes its existence and livelihood to the tourist and they must be taken into consideration. Due to the loads that the Town Coordinator and the Police Commissioner have, it would seem that the time element would prohibit or would have prohibited action in some areas. Per- haps it would be a good idea to have the Publisher of the Vail Trail call on the Town Coordinator and the Police Commissioner to get the facts and publish them. In all fairness, I don't know when they have had time to do anything regarding that and to do all the other things that they are trying to do. I personally think that they have been considerate and for the most part tried to wear two hats - one of law enforcement and the other the "care and feeding of the tourist" too. I personally think that in view of the difficult situation that the Police Department should be given a vote of thanks. Mayor Kindel said I don't think that it would be safe at all to say that we are satisfied with the Police Department or that we are satisfied with the performance of anyone relating to that responsibility. We have in mind some improvements, some of which will be underway very shortly. Perhaps we assumed that if we had posted "NO PARKING SIGNS" that they would be taken seri- ously. I am sorry we had to learn the apparent disregard for them by our citizens. Fred Froehlich - I am not critical of the Police Department in other areas. I just think it is a question of public relations. I think the Police Department should have worked more diligently prior to this time. Trustee Hoyt made the comment that we are not in disagreement with you. With no further business to come before the Board, the Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. The Motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Hoyt and seconded by Trustee Dobson.