HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-12-19 Town Council Minutesy
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF VAi L
DECEMBER 19, 1972
A regular, meeting of the Town Council or the Town of Vail was convened at
7:45 p.m., December 19, 1972, in the Council Room of the Vail Municipal
Building.
Mayor John P. Dobson and the Following Councilmen were present:
John Donovan
Joseph Langmaid
Josef Staufer
Tom Steinberg
Gerry White
Also present were:
Terrell Minger, Town Manager
Larry Robinson, Town Attorney
Ordinance No. 17 (Series of 1972) ANNUAL, APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:
ADOPTING A BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING SUMS OF MONEY TO DEFRAY
EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO, FOR
THE TOWN'S FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1973, AND ENDING
ON THE LAST DAY OF DECEMBER, 1970, was brought before the Council
for second reading. The title of the ordinance was read in full by the Mayor
and the audience advised that copies were available. Mr. Minger explained
that the sums being appropriated were those previously discussed at the budget
hearing. The Council was polled as to whether they had read and understood
the ordinance. As there was no further discuss ion,,Councilrrua,n Donovan
moved the ordinance be adopted; Councilman White seconded; Councilmen
Donovan, Langmaid, Staufer, Steinberg, White and Dobson voted in favor.
The Mayor declared that the motion carried and the ordinance was adopted.
Mr. Minger reported that it was proposed that the traffic gate be operated
from 7 a.•m. to„11 p. m. with a total closure to traffic from 3 p. P.M. to 6 p, m.
Mr. Robinson reported that John Amato, on behalf of the Liquor Store at
Vail, is willing to affect a law suit on the basis that he has rights to the
thoroughfare if the closure is made. It is his contention that the store does
50% of its business during those hours. Mr. Robinson suggested that perhaps
a total closing is too harsh. it was also noted that many deliveries are made
during those hours to shops in that area. There is not a phone in the gate
house. Chief DiMiceli stated that their idea had been to ask service and
delivery vehicles to adjust their schedules; to only allow people through the
gate who were going to one of the buildings with off-street parking; and to
issue time --slips in order to tell how long a vehicle had been in the core.
Further discussion brought out -the points and suggestions that: 1 . guests
should not be required to carry their belongings to their lodge if they arrive
during the closure; 2. as soon as the rule is known, people can work around
the three hour period; 3. shops could cart their deliveries to the covered
bridge for pick-up; 4. if liquor were sold off the premises, this would be a
technical violation of the liquor code; 5. a two --part ticket could be issued to
vehicles going through the gate, one part would be kept at the gate and the
other stamped by the shop in question, and the two later compared; 6. a
second person could be hired to follow-up on the vehicles passing through the
gate; 7. a message could be left at the gate by the business in question if a
particular vehicle is to be admitted.
By way of summary, Mayor Dobson asked if all were agreed that emergency
deliveries would be permitted during the 3 to.6 closure, there was general
agreement with this idea. He asked if all were agreed that guests at core
lodges should be admitted; there was general agreement with this idea. In
regard •to "bulky pick-ups," the Mayor suggested that the closure be tried
for a week, with records kept of •those admitted and those denied admittance.
Mr. Minger noted that where ever pedestrian areas have been created, they
have been shown to generate a larger volume of business. Councilman
Steinberg suggested that each business be given a supply of cards which
they would give to any customer who needed to go through -the gate. There
was general agreement with this idea. Mayor Dobson summarized •that, on
a trial basis, emergency deliveries, arriving guests, and customers, who
presented a card authorizing them to make a pick-up would be allowed through
the gate between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Records wi 11 be kept of •the
requests granted and denied and whether the vehicle in question is local or not.
Councilman Donovan suggested that an effort should also be made to curtail
the incidence of shop -owners bringing their cars into the core area.
Mr. Minger reported on the Humane Animal Officer program. Rather than
impounding a dog running at large, the dog will be taken to its owner and the
problems which have been created will be explained to the owner. The second
time the dog is found at large, he will be impounded. An adoption program
will be followed for unclaimed dogs.
Upon the arrival of Charles Crowley, .manager of the Liquor Store at Vail,
• the discussion returned to the gate closure. He Felt the system which had
been devised would not be workable due to the difficulty of educating the guest
as to its operation. Following some discussion, the agreement was reached
that the closure, with the above -stated conditions, would be tried for a week
or two and a record kept of any complaints.
A resolution regarding the re -negotiation of the Cable TV Franchise had been
prepared. Councilman Staufer expressed some apprehensions that the.public
had not been enough involved in the procedure. Mr. Minger noted •that after
the initial groundwork has been done, there will be a series of public meetings.
Jim Lamont noted that group of people who understand the technical aspects
of the question have been meeting. He also noted that the legal aspects of cable
TV have been changing. A document has been prepared which recommends
areas for negotiation. After some further discussion, Councilman Donovan
moved that the resolution pertaining to the Cable TV franchise be adopted;
Councilman Steinberg seconded; approval was unanimous.
A list of units and beds available in the valley had been prepared. Mr. Minger
noted that the mountain capacity is somewhat below the bed figure. Mayor
• Dobson stated that the Council is increasingly concerned about growth and are
attempting to develop an ordinance of an interim nature addressing .itself to
the problem while the master plan is being developed. At present, the Council
is in an information -gathering stage. In addition to the figures previously
mentioned, they also have a list of pending construction projects in the Town.
Councilman Staufer noted that, from the figures given, it appears there will
be 18,000 beds next year while .the mountain capacity will be 10,000. Mayor
Dobson noted that the figures do not include day -skiers. It was acknowledged
that a reduction in construction would affect. the Town budget; however, the
failure to act would also cause financial difficulties in the long --term.
Councilman Staufer inquired if there is a lease from the. Forest Service to
the Lodge for parking spaces. There is a lease. for this land providing 33
year-round spaces. Councilman Staufer asked if they are taking credit for
the 30-foot right--of-way in the plaza area. Discussion brought out •that the
Lodge actually owns the right-of-way. Philosophically, Councilman Staufer
disagreed with giving credit for a public walk -way. Councilman Donovan
asked if any attempts were being made to correct the fallacies of the FAR
system. Mayor Dobson noted that in the new ordinance, this system may be
entirely replaced.
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Councilman White inquired if any buildings are being planned For next summer
as large as the Lodge addition. Although there are none as tall, some willbe
larger in square footage. He asked if people are being told that the FAR may
be changed. Representatives of the Building Department responded that they
are not; to do so might cause a rush to submit plans. Councilman White
emphasized that each case must be considered on its own merits. Councilman
Steinberg proposed a resolution that no building permits be issued for 15 to
30 days. Mr. Robinson noted that the Building Code allows the department to
hold an application for a building permit for 30 days; hence, a resolution is
not necessary. Councilman Steinberg withdrew his resolution and requested
that the Town Manager enforce a policy of not issuing building permits for 30
days. Mayor Dobson noted that a permit would have to be issued for Three .
Willow Place, as the town is already committed by letter to issue this permit.
There was general agreement with the instruction to the Town Manager.
Mayor Dobson suggested that a public hearing on'this proposed interim
ordinance be held on December 26; the actual ordinance will be considered
at the next regular, meeting following this hearing.
As an informational point, Mr. Minger showed an air sample which indicated
that Vail may have a pollution problem in the near future; at some point it
may be necessary to consider regulating fireplaces. The minutes of the
meetings of December 1 and December 5 had been previously submitted to
the Council; Councilman Donovan moved they be approved; Councilman Staufer
seconded; approval was unanimous.
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Town Clerk
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