HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-02-13 Town Council Minutesi
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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.
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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.
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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.