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Home My WebLink About1973-07-16 Town Council MinutesMINUTES WORK SESSION TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF VAIL JU LY 16, 1973 A work session of the Town Council of the Town of Vail was convened at __ • 1:15 p.m., July 16, 1973, in the Conference Room of the Vail Municipal Building. Mayor John A. Dobson and the following Councilmen were present: Richard Bailey John Donovan Joseph Langmaid Also present were: Terry Minger, Town Manager Larry Robinson, Town Attorney Stan Bernstein, Finance Director Doug McLaughlin Gerald Dooher Mr. McLaughlin explained that his group thinks that Town priorities should be to get a portion of the Sunburst property and lessen the expenditure on the parking structure. He supports the Town on the acquisition of the Antholz property. He anticipated that the Town should spend 3.5 to 4 million on the Sunburst property if their suggestion were followed. Mayor Dobson asked what Town problems they felt this acquisition would solve. Mr. McLaughlin replied that it would preserve and enhance the golf course and that amenities could be built upon it, although he would prefer to see it left in its natural state. He felt that a majority of the citizenry would support an effort to acquire part of the Sunburst property. Mayor Dobson noted, in regard to the parking structure, that a simple building was rejected by the Town a year ago; the opinion was that something more aesthetically pleasing was needed, Mr. McLaughlin suggested that the price was high, even for an aesthetically -pleasing product. There was some discussion of the pros and cons of ground -level parking on the Antholz' property. Mayor Dobson noted that their proposal would require the sacrifice of either the Antholz property or the parking structure. Mr. McLaughlin did not agree with this. In further discussion, Councilman Donovan suggested that a move to condemn the Sunburst property would perhaps raise the price of the Antholz property. Mr. Minger suggested that even if all three projects could be pursued, there would be no money left to build any amenities. The Mayor added that the additional amenities are needed to make Vail a viable place. In further discussion, it was noted that the proposed inclinators for the parking structure are not a source of great expense. Mr. Minger expressed the opinion that a more basic parking structure would not save enough money to finance other projects. Councilman Donovan suggested that other undeveloped properties would have effects on the golf course and that, if the precedent were set, it might be asked, logically, that they also be condemned. Mr. McLaughlin disagreed; he thought these would be a different matter. Mayor Dobson asked if Mr. McLaughlin's basic complaint was the cost of the parking structure; Mr. McLaughlin replied that it is not one thing, but rather the cast as it relates to the other two projects he feels are priority items. Mr. Dooher added that he thought preventing Sunburst from being a third core to the Town was sufficiently valuable to justify the reduction of the parking structure. Mr. McLaughlin stated that he would not have any serious objections to the parking structure if the Sunburst property were National Forest Land. Mr. Dooher asked if they could find out if the surety bonds had been posted by the Sunburst group,,, Mr. Minger replied that the letters of credit have not yet been posted. Mr. McLaughlin inquired if there was a contract binding the group to abide by the new zoning ordinance, Mr. Minger replied that there is such an arrangement. Mr. Robinson added that that was one of the conditions of the approval of their F.U.D. permit, Mr. McLaughlin asked in what way the Mayor thought their proposed initiative could jeopardize the bond election. Mayor Dobson was concerned that .the issues might become so confused that an accurate reflection of voter opinions would not be obtained in an election. Mr. Robinson suggested that if they wanted to begin an initiative, they should change some portions of the proposed ordinance. Mr. McLaughlin noted that this could be easily done. He added that they feel a need for haste, as condemnation will be more difficult the more • work is completed in the area. They would like to get a reading of what the people want as soon as possible. Mayor Dobson suggested that this is a good reason for taking a different approach to the matter. Mr. Robinson was of the opinion that the proposed ordinance must be first presented to the Council before the petitions were circulated for anitrykiative. Mr. McLaughlin dis- agreed; he thought the petitions should be circulated before the ordinance was presented to the Council. After some further discussion of the proper procedure, Mayor Dobson suggested that they agree that the ordinance be first submitted to the Council. In regard to the specific ordinance, Mr. McLaughlin noted that he would change it to allow for the purchase of portions of the property and require` negotiation for as many acres as could be purchas�d.,determined by the bonding capacity. He repeated that he would like to see the land vacant. The Mayor reiterated that such an approach would not solve the current problems. Discussion returned to the question of how much money would be saved if the parking structure were changed. Mr. McLaughlin volunteered to investigate the question of the cost of a less ostentatious parking structure. Mr. Minger agreed this would be a good idea. He suggested that a concrete frame would cost 3.3 million; Mr. McLaughlin stated that Mr. Lazier had quoted him a figure of 1 .6 million. In reply to the argument that a cheaper structure was previously rejected, Mr. McLaughlin thought that might not hold true now if the proposition was to build a cheaper one and also acquire part of the Pu [is property. In regard to the additional amenities needed, Mr. McLaughlin suggested that the Recreation District could build these. There was disagree- ment that this District could do such construction projects. Councilman Steinberg noted that as the proposal being made might cause the loss of the Antholz property, perhaps they could wait until after this election to circulate their initiative petitions. If,this were done, their proposition could appear on the November ballot. He disagreed that the Pulls property is increasing in value very"rapidly. Mr. McLaughlin objected to this proposi- tion as it does not reflect the relationship he sees between the parking structure and the Pulls property acquisitionproposal. Councilman Steinberg suggested that another approach would be to buy parcels of land throughout the Town with other monies, rather than purchasing a second large parcel. Mayor Dobson suggested that whatever action is taken by Mr. McLaughlin's group, an attempt should be made to keep it from taking an irrevocable form. The Mayor preferred that the group submit a proposed ordinance to the Council and that hearings be held on it before they began to circulate petitions. Mr. McLaughlin suggested that this would hold their group back in their efforts. The Mayor suggested that the decision in these meetings would be based on the audience input. Mr. Dooher objected that many people do not like to speak in meetings. The Mayor noted that they are willing to seek public opinion through other means. Councilman Donovan suggested that an article be. prepared for the paper with a return questionnaire at the bottom. Mr. McLaughlin stated that he would take the proposal For putting the proposition before a public forum back to his group. Mr. Dooher disagreed with the Town meetings portion of the proposal. The Mayor summarized that it was his understanding that, until the group presenting the proposal has had a chance to react, nothing further will be done. Mr. McLaughlin agreed and further noted that he will remain in contact with Mr. Robinson. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Town Clerk -2-