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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-02-15 Town Council MinutesR . ' 1 YI MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF VAIL • FEBRUARY 15, 1972 A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Vail was convened at 7:45 p.m., February 15, 1972, in the Council Room of the Vail Municipal Building. Mayor John A. Dobson and the following trustees were present: C. P. Tod Anderson Richard Bailey John Donovan Dr. Thomas I. Steinberg Albert G. White Also present were: Terrell Minger, Town Manager Larry Robinson, Town Attorney • Dan Schler, Director of Urban Studies, University of Colorado Denver Center George Thurston, Manager, Holy Cross Electric The meeting was opened by Mayor Dobson, and after a brief introduction by Mr. Minger, Mr. Schler began a presentation regarding Vail institute, its proposed goals and organization. A central theme of this presentation was that the relationship with the community was hoped to be a cooperative one. In terms of organization, the program will be administered by the Center for Urban Affairs of Colorado University. Gene Kaprowski, who will serve as director of the Vail Institute, was introduced and spoke briefly. Jim Lamont added that this summer there would probably be about 150 students. At the end of the 8-week course, a specialist degree will be awarded. Mr. Nuzum, another member of this group, made the sugges- tion that, as there is no history of Vail as a new town or of how it evolved from Vail Associates, this would be an area their students could study. The Mayor added to the foregoing that the group would be housed and hold most of their sessions in the Lion's Head area. Also, this institute does not involve a financial involvement of the Town. One question asked of the . group was whether they would be involved in specific problems of the Town. The general response was that such interest on the part of students is likely. The Mayor then introduced George Thurston of Holy Cross Electric who prefaced his group's remarks with an explanation of the delay in presenting a franchise proposal. Mr. Parkinson, the attorney for the group, stated that two important aspects of any franchise agreement were the franchise tax and the length of time of the agreement. An exception to the latter was that at the end of ten years and every five years thereafter, the Town does have the legal privilege of ending the agreement. An additional item of inter- est in Vail is the provision of underground equipment. Mr. Parkinson then stated that Holy Cross Electric would like a 15-year agreement. In regard to the franchise tax, the Public Utilities Commission has set a pattern of not allowing more than a 3% tax; due to unique factors in this case and if both the Town and the company would agree to it, the PUC might be willing to allow 5/0 or more. Holy Cross was also willing to agree to put all existing above -ground equipment underground within 1972 if an agreement was soon reached. In the matter of extension of the lines, if the area served had little density, these lines would be above --ground; a formula would be worked out that would require Holy Cross to put these lines underground when a certain density level was reached. Mayor Dobson asked what basic power sources they were now using and when other sources would be available. The new source their wholesale supplier is trying to develop is the Hayden Plant. There has been some controversy over the location and environmental effect of this plant, but Mr. Thurston felt that it should be ready at least by the summer of 1973. After this new facility is completed, the old source would still be retained. Mayor Dobson inquired whether the franchise agreement would mention the dates for completion of the new source. Mr. Thurston felt they would not be adverse to it if they could get a guarantee from their wholesale supplier. An additional topic of interest was whether the franchise agree- ment could require that areas outside of Vail bury their lines. The legal opinion given was that this could not be written into the franchise between Vail and Holy Cross. Trustee Anderson asked what was the formula to determine when the lines were to be buried. This is a matter that would be determined in further meetings with the Electric Study Committee. Trustee Donovan asked why they wanted a 15-year contract when the Town could revoke it after 10 years. The reasoning is that after TO years it would still require a positive step for the Town to take this action. Mr. Hills of the Vail Trail suggested that it would seem to be a wise step to begin putting wires underground in advance of growth in some areas. The Public Utilities Commission would probably frown on such action on the basis of its requirement that there be as equitable an apportionment of costs among all members as possible. The costs of going underground in areas of little population would be borne by users in other areas. Mr. Clark asked who paid the franchise tax. This is ultimately borne by the consumer and paid out of the general operating budget of Holy Cross. The Town could, if it so desired, impose a surcharge on utility bills. Trustee Steinberg inquired what percentage of sales in Eagle County come from the Gore Valley; this figure is roughly 70/0. He then asked if the franchise were granted would it be possible to have another service person in Vail. It appeared this request could be accommodated. The Board was then provided with the information that it would cost approximately $200,000. to place underground the wires that had not yet been done in Vail. Mayor Dobson then asked if the Board wanted the matter, as presented to the meeting, considered by the Electric Study Commission; there was unanimous agree- ment on this course of action. The proposal should be submitted in writing. Further suggestions were made that this group be given an idea of the amount that would be generated by the 5% tax and that they could consider the ques- tion of whether a surcharge should be imposed by the Town. • The next item of business was a proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No. 7 (Series of 1969), Article III, Section 3 (a) as follows: • (a) The minimum number of off-street spaces required of every new or substantially reconstructed building shall be as follows: ZONE PARKING REQUIREMENT Residential District 2 spaces per dwelling unit Multi -family District 1-1/2 spaces per dwelling unit High Density Multi -family District ) Public Accommodations District ) Commercial Core District ) Commercial Core II' District ) Commercial Service Center District ) Heavy Service District ) -2- Floor Area- 0 to 600 sq. ft. I space 601 to 1000 sq. ft. 1-1/4 spaces 1001 to 1300 sq. ft. 1-1/2 spaces 1301 and more sq. ft. 2 spaces The Mayor commented that although we are going to do a study of parking problems, it was felt a firm answer, was needed at this time for those with building projects pending. Mr. Robinson noted that as this proposal was an amendment, we would need to publish notice of its proposal before it could be formally adopted. Mayor Dobson asked for a motion to the effect that this be published; Trustee White made this motion; Trustee Anderson seconded and the motion was unanimously passed. The minutes from past -regular and special meetings held on July 12, 1971; September 7, 1971; September 16, 1971; October 12, 1971; November 2, 1971; November 23, 1971; December 1, 1971; December 7, 1971, December 21, 1971; January 3, 7972; January 4, 1972; February 1, 1972; and February 8, 1972; had been previously sent to the Trustees. The Trustees, having read these minutes, made one correction; Trustee Bailey was present at the September meeting, although not listed in the minutes as sent. Trustee Anderson made the motion that these minutes be approved as corrected; Trustee Bailey seconded; passage was unanimous, Trustee Bailey moved that the Voucher Lists from September, 1971, to January, 1972, inclusive, having been previously sent to the Trustees and read by them, be approved as prepared. This motion was unanimously passed. is Mr. Elias then brought before the Board the fact that some citizens have been meeting to discuss a common problem of people parking on private property. The question was to what extent the Town can be of service to them in solving this problem. Mayor Dobson suggested they meet with the Board and the Town Administration at some later date to discuss this. Mr. Elias agreed and said his group would work through the Town Manager. As there was no Further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p. m. lh • • -3- To n erk /