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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-12-04 Town Council Minutes/ \ MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE TOWN OF VAIL DECEMBER 4, 1973 The regular meeting of the Town Council for the Town of Vail was convened at 7:40 PM, December 4, 1973, in the Council Room of the Vail Municipal Building. Mayor John Dobson and the following councilmembers were present: John F. Donovan Josef Staufer Joseph Langmaid Gerry White Kathy Klug Tom Steinberg Ordinance No. 22, A SUPPLEMENTAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURES OF FUNDS BY THE TOWN OF VAIL IN EXCESS OF THE TOWN BUDGET FOR 1973, AND SETTING FORTH MATTERS AND DETAILS IN RELATION THERETO, was introduced for second reading. The title was read in full by the Mayor and the audience advised that copies of the ordinance were available. Councilman Donovan moved that'Ordinan6i-No-: 22 be approved as read; Councilman Steinberg seconded the motion; Councilmembers Staufer, Langmaid, White, Donovan, Steinberg, Klug and Dobson voted in favor; the motion carried and the ordinance was approved on second reading. Ordinance No. 24, A SUPPLEMENTAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE,. EXPENDITURES OF FUNDS BY THE TOWN OF VAIL IN EXCESS OF THE TOWN BUDGET FOR 1973, AND SETTING FORTH MATTERS AND DETAILS IN RELATION THERETO, was introduced for second reading. The title was read in full by the Mayor and the audience advised that copies of the ordinance were available. Councilman Staufer moved that Ordinance No. 24 be approved as read; Councilman White seconded the motion; Councilmembers Donovan, Steinberg, Langmaid, Staufer, White, Klug and Dobson voted in favor; the motion carried and the ordinance was approved on second reading. Ordinance No. 25, ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE: ADOPTING A BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING SUMS OF MONEY TO DEFRAY EXPENSES X` AND LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO, FOR THE TOWN'S FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY I., 1974, AND ENDING ON THE LAST DAY OF DECEMBER,.1974, was introduced by Councilman Steinberg. The title was read in full by the Mayor and the audience advised that copies were available. Mr. Minger explained that various revisions have been made to the budget regarding certain contingency items listed therein as a result of the energy crisis. These would include withholding the purchase of new equipment, hiring of personnel and not proceeding with planned projects. Councilman Langmaid moved that Ordinance No. 25 be approved on first reading; Council— man Donovan seconded; Councilmembers Donovan, Langmaid., White, Steinberg, Klug and Dobson voted in favor; Councilman Staufer voted against; the motion carried and the Town Clerk was instructed to publish same for public hearing'. Mayor Dobson commented that a meetingwas held this date with representatives from Vail Associates, Vail Restart Association and the Town of Vail present at which time the Vail Community Committee was formed. The committee members include: Dale McCall, Dick Elias, Warren Klug, Paul Johnson, Chuck Johnsos, Dick Peterson, Terrell J. Minger, John Dobson, and Bill Pierce. The purpose of this group is the mobilization of whatever programs or F\ December 4, 1973 Page 2 activities are needed to meet the needs of the community as a result of the energy crisis. The committee is involved in raising funds to maintain i the operation of the information center at Stapleton Airport in Denver, has guaranteed the addition of extra Trailways buses to their schedule for Vail, has made arrangements to aid stranded visitors, and is providing 24-hour telephone service for the visitor through the V.R.A. Mayor Dobson commented on revisions to the design of the Transportation Center and directed the audience to the most recent plans from the architect. He indicated that certain changes had been made with economics in mind,. The Town Council has signed a contract with Hyder Construction Company` for the purchase of the pre -stress concrete. He explained that there is flexibility in the matter, and the Town has the freedom not to proceed with the parking structure as late as March 1, 1974. With regard to the Continental Trailways bus terminal Facilities, the Mayor, noted that preparations are underway for terminal to be located in the west end of the Lions Head parking lot in the very near future. Shuttle bus service will be extended to the bus station in order to meet late arrivals. The reason for moving the terminal to another location is the difficulty experienced by the buses in entering and exiting the present east Lions Head parking lot during the winter months. Resolution No. 35, RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY`BY TOWN OF VAI L EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, was introduced and read by the Mayor. A discussion ensued regarding .the consumption of energy for swimming pools in the town. , Mr. McCall was asked his opinion and replied that V.P.A. has not yet taken a stand, but he has found that most hotel owners are in favor of closing the pool. Councilman Staufer commented that the heated pool is the single greatest waste in town. Mr. Shapiro questioned whether an emergency ordinance could be passed to shut all the pools in the town. Mayor Dobson noted that there is no legal counsel for the meeting. Mr. McCall then suggested that the resolution be amended to include members of the community at large in the recommendation for the use of car pools, in addition to town employees. Councilman Donovan moved that Resolution No. 35 be adopted as amended; seconded by Councilman White; Councilmembers Donovan, Staufer, KLug, Steinberg, L_angmaid, White and Dobson voted in favor; the motion carried and the energy conservation resolution was adopted. Judy Leman, Director of the Rumplestiltskin Nursery, thanked the Town of Vail and its staff for being very helpful in providing a location for the nursery and giving assistance where there was really a need. John Carmody, Director of the winter ice skating program, reported on the status of the ice rink and thanked the townspeople for having him back For another year. He announced the following events: 1) December 26 -- special holiday event program; 2) December 29 -- benefit by World Skating Team; 3) January 19 -- invitational ice dancing weekend; 4) February 16 and 17 -- carnival of ice skating; 5) special programs for Battle Mountain High School students and Avon children to use the ice during the day From [2 - 2 pm; 6) hockey program -- last year's program was very successful with three junior hockey teams. Dave Sage reported that fifty 5 - 13 year old children played their first hockey game earlier in the evening. Men's games will take place on Saturday mornings. Mr. Carmody noted that the rink will be open for public skating until 5 PM for the convenience of the school children. 1PI December 4, 1973 Page 3 Mr. Jay Peterson, the attorney representing Dr. Peter A. Wells, a new 16 dentist in the area, presented to the Council details of a request for a parking variance in CCI. Dr. Wells is converting two rental units in the Pension Isabel/Schober Building to office space thus changing the use from one type of commercial use to another. He stated that Dr. Wells has already applied for both a variance and an exemption in order to meet the parking requirements. After a discussion with the former town attorney, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Peterson advised Dr. Wells to apply solely for an exemption, based upon previous determinations by the Council, in particular the granting of an exemption to The Slope. He urged the Council to make a similar determination. Mr. Sage re --stated the opinion of the Planning Commission which is opposed to granting the variance. Mr. Schober, owner of the building, stressed the difference between applying for a 'change of use' and applying for a building permit, the issuance of which is subject to the fulfillment of the parking requirements. Councilman White asked for the reasons for turning down the variance and Mr. Sage replied that increased traffic to the area due to the presence of the office (doctor, secretary and patients), would constitute a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the community. Mr. Peterson tried to impress upon the Council the similarity of this request to that of the Slope and that if a parking variance were granted for that establishment, then Dr. Wells should also be granted a variance. Mr. Lapin commented that the planning commission r_ is attempting to lessen the density by eliminating the need for traffic in the core area. In agreeing with Mr. Peterson that these are important problems, Mayor Dobson stated that the Council and the Planning Commission should meet as soon as possible to decide how the whole situation should be handled immediately. Mr. Peterson suggested that the Council seek legal advice. Mr. Warren Klug and Mr. Jinn Cunningham presented their request for a parking variance for Lionsquare Lodge. They requested a change from parking space to meeting space in an area of approximately 3,000 square feet due to the inadequacy of their present meeting facilities. Mr. Klug presented petitions from residents of the LionsHead area in favor of the additional meeting space. Mr. Cunningham commented that the present contractual agreement with the Vail Associates LionsHead Terminal Building is not adequate, and that the additional meeting space would be a benefit to the whole LionsHead area. The present contract with V. A. is rather ineffectual, according to Mr. Cunningham, since the school is located in the same building, and in the summer the Vail Institute uses it. Mr. Cunningham disagreed with the Planning Commission's recommendation that the granting of this variance would generate more parking spaces, but emphasized its benefit to the Town. He asked that his situation.be regarded individually and stated that his problem causes a hardship. Mr. Jack Fritzlen, of the Planning Commission, stated that the Council is actually rehearing,the presentation made to the Planning Commission and that they are getting the wrong opinion since Mr. Cunningham is making a different proposal than the one the Planning Commission heard. On Councilman Steinberg's request, Mr. Cunningham agreed to sign an agreement stating that he would buy or reassign the area in question to parking if needed. Mr. Bud Benedict, from Antlers Condominium, reemphasized the necessity of having convention space in the area for the benefit of LionsHead. Without convention facilities, it is felt that summer business cannot survive... Mr. Schober commented that his understanding was that the Planning Commission'is an advisory board; he cannot see how this board could make recommendations that have no legal basis at all. Discussion ensued regarding the necessity of having this space available in LionsHead. Mr. Fritzlen noted that need was not considered, but felt that the precedent would be set if this variance were granted. The following options were discussed; 1) purchase of parking spaces in a transportation center built in Lionshead; 2) purchase of parking spaces in a transportation center in Vail Village; or 3) to take out the convention space if the parking spaces are needed at a later date. December 4, 1973 Page 4 Councilman Steinberg asked if Mr. Cunningham would be willing to add eleven spaces without the consideration of financial handicap. Mr. Cunningham replied that this would be physically possible. Mayor Dobson stated that he would like to proceed with this variance request in the same manner as Dr. Wells' request and meet with the Planning Commission on the issue. He stressed the function of the commission as being advisory in nature, thus being unable to make such decisions as need be made by the Council. Mr. Minger appointed Rosalie Jeffrey as the new Town Clerk according to Section 6.5 of the Home Rule Charter. Mr. Minger then gave the following statistics for winter parking facilities: total spaces - 1 ,495; Antholz - 1 , 000, on -street parking - 125. Parking approval is pending for use of the Frontage Road during the winter months. Approval will be granted by the State Highway Engineer's Office on a temporary basis. Mr. Benedict requested better shuttle bus service to the west end of the Lions Head parking lot. Mayor Dobson replied that the Town will provide a bus stop at a point near Antlers on the road to the Continental Terminal. A member of the audience asked why the area near the Crossroad Shopping Center will nd: be pedestrianized this winter. Mr. Minger replied that while he is in favor of pedestrianizing this area, complete details have not yet been worked out. Mr. Staufer suggested that the area be used as a pedestrian area on a temporary basis, and changed to permit vehicular use during a snow storm. A proposal was brought before the Council with regard to the use of Vail facilities again next summer, by the Rocky Mountain Soccer Camp. The Council gave its unanimous approval to the proposal, with Councilman Donovan's comment that it is a very worthwhile project and was well - handled this previous summer. Mr. Ben Frank commented on the 'Golden Eagle' Bus Service and recommended that there be an employee weekly ticket voucher to en- courage bus usage. Mayor Dobson reported that he and Mr. Minger had a meeting with Mr. Bill Brazeal and John Malone of CATV. The T.V. franchise will be made available to other companies with the condition that a new franchise would commence after the purchase. Several cable systems have shown interest in the franchise. Mr. Minger commented that the service will impi�Ove and be provided at a lower cost. Mr. Donovan queried the delay in presenting the monthly voucher lists. Mr. Bernstein replied that there will not be a time lag with future voucher lists. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P.M. Rosalie Jeff Town Clerk 0_, December 4, 1973 Page 5 Local Liquor Licensing Authority The Council then convened as the local liquor licensing authority to consider a request for permission to expand the premises of the Red Lion Inn, Inc. Mr. Langmaid moved to approve the addition; Mr. White seconded the motion; Messrs. Donovan, Staufer, Klug, Dobson, Steinberg, Langmaid and White voted in favor; the motion carried and the request was granted. The Authority then considered a request for a change of partnership from The Wine and Liquor Shop at Crossroads, from Harald Westbye to Westbye-Hickox, a partnership. Mr. Donovan moved that the change of partnership be approved; Mr. Steinberg seconded the motion; all members voted in favor; the motion carried and the request was granted. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10.40 P.M. Rosalie Jeffre Town Clerk 6