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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-09-18 Town Council Minutes•r: MINUTES VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1984 • 7:30 P.M. A regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, Setember 18, 1984 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council.Chambers. MEMBERS PRESENT: Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor Paul Johnston, Mayor Pro-Tem Chuck Anderson Kent Rose Colleen Kline Hermann Staufer Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal OTHERS PRESENT: Ron Phillips, Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer, Town Clerk The first item on the agenda was• the presentation of a silver belt buckle to Hand Lovato for his ten year's service with the Town of Vail. Ron Phillips made a speech honoring. Hank; Stan Berryman thanked Hank for all his years work;,and Pete Burnett said it was • an honor having Hank in the Public Yorks Department. The next item was the second reading of Ordinance No. 25, Series of 1984, anordinance authorizing the issuance of Town of Vail, Colorado, Lionshead Improvement District Special Assessment bonds, dated October 1, 1984, in the aggregate principal amount of $955,000. Bill Pyka explained the bond issuance. Linda Clark from Boettcher passed out a sheet with proposed interest rates. S.ID bonds are all due in 10 years. Approximately 1/10 will become due each year. The rate starts out at 8% in 1985 and goes up to 11% in 1994. The bonds, almost without exception, go to individuals. There were no questions and Paul Johnston made a.motion to adopt Ordinance No. 25 on second reading, which was seconded by Hermann Staufer. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. The third item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 27, Series of 1984, an ordinance repealing and reenacting Ordinance No. 26, Series of 1981, which. created SDD11 (_Highland Park) to enable the SDD to be split into two different areas, each of which contains its own development Plan. Peter Patten explained how the ordinance would split the SDD into two different areas; one with the existing 12 townhomes and the other for 11 duplex sites. Peter iPatten said that both Staff and Planning Commission recommend approval. If passed, it will still have to go back to Planning Commission for final plat approval. There were no further questions. Chuck Anderson made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 26, Series of 1984, on.second reading. Paul Johnston seconded the motion and a vote was taken. The motion passed 6-1, with. Kent Rose opposing. The next item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. 26, Series of 1984, an ordinance amending Section 8.24.060 of the Vail Municipal Code providing a simplified procedure for the issuance of an amplified sound permit in situations where the amplified sound shall not be played during a period which is in excess of four consecutive days. Bill Pyka explained that the purpose of this ordinance is to simplify the procedure for getting an amplified sound permit. At present, many persons or organizations do not apply for a permit early enough to allow a public hearing. This ordinance would do away with the public hearing in cases where the sound would be less than 4 days, and allow the Town Manager to issue:a permit without a hearing. Rod Slifer explained that we were just simplifyying the procedure. Since there were no further questions, Hermann Staufer made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 26, Series of 1984, on first reading, which was seconded • by Colleen Kline. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Second reading will be October 2. The next item on the agenda was the report by the Vail Parking Structures Advisory Committee. Stan Berryman went over the report and some of the background of the committee and their purpose. The report made the following recommendations: 1. The elimination of September 18, 1984 Page 2 L �J parking along the Frontage Road when only the Village structure is full; 2. Better signage; 3. I-70 signage to divert traffic away from 4-way; 4. Vail's Traveler's Information radio messages change; 5. Continue to use commercial radio; 6. Change policy on season parking passes and coupons; 7. Change policy on charter bus and RV day parking; 8. Change loading zones at Village parking structure; and 9. Change current parking rates. The committee wants.better utilization of the parking structures by diverting traffic .into the Lionshead structure. They are trying to do this by increasing pass cost in the Village structure. The proposal is to increase the cost of season passes to $350 valid for both structures and $150 for a pass for Lionshead only. Parking coupons would be valid only in Lionshead. Chuck Anderson then spoke to clarify some comments previously made and reported inthe local media. He said these comments were not correct. Dan Mulrooney, the owner of Bart & Yeti's spoke on behalf of the Lionshead retail owners. He said that the retail people and restaurant owners had been meeting and talking for the last week. They feel this is just another way of saying put the tourist uptown and the local, without any money to spend, in • Lionshead. It is putting the conomic burden on the Lionshead merchants. They agree with recommendations 1 through 5. Recommendation 6 they clearly disagree with; no. 7 they disagree with also. Charter busses bring more people. Mike Rose explained that the buses can drop off anywhere but have to park in the Village. Kent Rose explained that he was on the committee and on the 50+ days that the Village structure filled and there were cars on the Frontage Road; the Lionshead parking structure had somewhere between 400-450 spaces not utilized. Chuck Anderson wanted to know how they felt about recommendation no. 9. Dan said that they were not concerned about the increases. We should be able to distribute the local and the tourist more evenly. Paul Johnston said there are many second home owners who will also use coupons and passes. Hermann Staufer said that they look at the Village and Lionshead as one unit and they are trying to resolve the problem. There have been many complaints in the Village about the expensive parking. Lisa Sauer.of Montaneros said that some of the recommendations are detrimental .to both areas. If town employees have to depend on the bus service, there have to be some changes. Montaneros has a problem with bus drop-offs -- it takes only 2-3 minutes for the police come to warn. a bus dropping people off. She wanted to know why buses could not also park in Lionshead. Travor Bradway said that nobody is in favor of recom- mendation no. 6. The Lionshead folks don't want the workers and the Village employees don't want to ride the bus back and forth. Why should the tourist always be more important then the employee. Rick Richards from Cyrano's has concerns about safety. Some employees do not get off until after 3:00 a.m..They cannot take the bus to Lionshead and will have to hike, which is a safety problem. Also, it is financially discriminatory and penalizes people in a lower income bracket. Chuck Anderson wanted to know whether most people use passes or coupons. Rick said that most use coupons. Bill.Wilto agreed with most of the recommendations made and disagrees with recommendation 6. This is discriminatory against employees in the.Town. Al Knoblock, who is a resident of Wall Street, was worried about living in the Village and having to park in Lionshead. Residents of condominiums without parking in the Village need a place to park. He would like no. 6 reconsidered. If the rates are to be changed, make it $350 in both places. Frank Caroselli wanted to know if there was a.minority report considered. Stan Berryman said that Bruce Timson disagreed with no. 6. Mr. Caroselli went on to say that no thought has been given to the fact that Vail is also a business community. The workers are our ambassadors. If there is discrimination against the workers, they may feel like • doing something to the visitors. Giggi Hofman, the owner of the General Store in Lionshead and the Rucksack in the Village feels that Village people should not be forced to park in Lionshead. She does not want to see the coupon book in the village go away. Kevin Clair, the owner of Sweet Basil, said that perhaps we should lower the price of parking in Lionshead. Also, the signage is the key to the whole problem. He does not know of any other ski resort that charges for parking. September 18, 1984 Page 3 Mary Sagger said that she has been in Vail for 10 years. She remembers when we needed a sign to show people where Lionshead was and now we need a sign for Lionshead parking. Bruce Timson of VRA said that he did oppose item 6. Vail has been trying to be a friendly and fun place for tourists. Asking the employees to park in the Lionshead structure could cause some potentially severe problems. feels that we should keep coupons the way they are. We should also encourage employees at busy times to alternate parking spaces. We should have signage when main parking structure is full. There should be someone directing or suggesting that there is parking at Lionshead and it is not allowed on the Frontage Road. Buses should also be allowed to park at Lionshead. If we don't have guests walking away with a positive experience, they will not come back. Packy Walker of the Lifthouse Lodge said that it was clearly discriminatory. He would like to see the Town buy some land down -valley and bus the locals in. Mike Cacioppo opposes any discrimination in pricing. He said the Town should only be charging for maintenance on the structures. There should be a tax for paying off the parking structures. Chuck Anderson wanted to know if the problem of people . getting out of work at 3:00 a.m. was every addressed. Stan Berryman said no. Rod Slifer then said that it appears that recommendations 1 through 5 and 8 can be adopted without much controversy,, but that 6, 7 and 9 are still controversial. He wanted to know whether they should try to make a decision tonight or think it over. Stan said that the only problem. with buses in Lionshead would be the electrical hook-ups, which would cost approximately $50,000. Gail Lowenthal said she'd like some time to digest the input. Rodney Slifer said that we would probably have to go back to the drawing board with some of these problems. Paul Johnston said that we.should make a decision now on pas prices and coupons. Kent Rose suggested raising the price of coupons to a more realistic figure. Rod. Slifer thought that we would need to analyze some of the impact. Paul Johnston wants to know how mahy people we -are talking about going home at 3:00 a.m.. It was.decided that the problem will be discussed again at work session next Tuesday. Citizen Participation was the next item. George Rosenberg, a candidate for County Commissioner talked about his ideas and goals. Bill Wilto was next and said that the Town made the.decision,t.to encourage mass transporation, and for that read.on.we should put electrical outlets in at the Lionshead parking structure. The next item was the Town Manager report. Ron Phillips said that he would like to use this time to mention some positive things that have taken place.. He mentioned that last year about 70% of winter bus drivers returned; this year it will be about 85%. John Curry Skating Company is back in Vail until October 13. They practice from 9-3, Monday through Friday, and the public is welcome. The library has won an architectural award from the Western Mountain Region of the A.I.A. There was no Town Attorney report. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Roney E. fifer, dayor 40 ATTEST: Faniela A. Z3ran meyer, 'own Clerk 1 �t Iowa of Vail 75 south frontage road vait, Colorado $1657 (303) 476-7000 department of public works/transportation The Vail'Parking Structures Advisory Committee was formed during the summer of 1984 in order to make recommendations to the Vail Town Council regarding the following: 1. Develop procedures relating to the operation of the Town of Vail parking structures which relieves traffic congestion and improves the flow of vehicles and pedestrians in town. A. At present, extreme traffic and pedestrian congestion occurs during the busy ski days during the season. 2. Create better utilization of existing parking facilities. A. At present, the Lionshead Parking Structure is underutilized, A survey conducted in March 1984 indicated that currently, there is adequate parking for most events. However, there is an allocation problem related to parking. The Village Parking Structure filled 53 times during the '83-184 season. The Lionshead Structure filled once. 3. Maximize parking structure revenues. A. The parking structures are increasing in age ' which necessitates increased maintenance costs. (Village built in 1974, Lionshead in 1981), Parking fees have not been increased since 1980. The Committee was composed of representatives from the Vail Town Council, Vail Associates, Vail Resort Association, and the Town of Vail staff. The Committee met July 26, and August 23, 1984. • 0 0 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Eliminate the current policy of parking cars on the Frontage Road when only the Village structure fills. A. The current policy creates..an extreme safety hazard to pedestrians and vehicles, especially when snow and ice conditions exist. B. The policy is inconsistent and confusing to guests and residents. C. 'Skiers coming to Vail on I-70 perceive cars parking on the Frontage Road and fearing crowded conditions divert to Beaver Creek or to Copper Mountain. D. The policy reduces parking revenue to the Town of Vail. From January through April, the Town lost approximately $20,000 of anticipated revenue. 2. Create more visible signage at the 4-way and Parking Structures to direct visitors to vacant parking. 3. Continue I-70 signage program which diverts traffic away from the 4-way. Motorists are encouraged to exit at the East and West Vail ramps eliminating congestion at the 4-way. 4. Change the messages on Vail's Traveler's Information Radio to be more effective in the control of traffic. 5. Continue to utilize commercial radio stations (KVMT, KRVV) to air traffic control information. 6. Change the current policy on season parking passes and coupons. -2- 6. (Continued) • Current policy: Season passes cost $250 plus $25 deposit and are valid in both parking structures.. Parking coupons cost $40 for packets of 30 and are valid at both parking structures. Recommended policy: Season passes cost $350 plus $25 deposit and are valid in both parking structures. Season passes cost $1,50 plus $25 deposit and are va1id'on1Y in Lionshead parking structure. Parking coupons cost_$40 for packets of 30 and are valid in the Lionshead Parking structure 211X. The recommended policy will have the effect of diverting local traffic to the Lionshead Parking Structure. The Lionshead Structure is presently underutilized. The policy will also free -up spaces in the Village Parking Structure for guests. 01 NOTE: The representative on the Committee from the Vail Resort Association objected to this recommendation. 7. Change the current policy on Charter bus and RV day parking. Current policy: Charter buses and R.V.'s park at either the Village or Lionshead charter lots. Recommended policy: Charter buses park only at the Village charter lot - R.V.'s park only at the Lionshead charter lot. The recommended policy will be clearer to visitors and easier to enforce. 8. Close off current passenger loading zone on the West side of the Village Parking Structure during the ski • season. Create a larger passenger loading zone utilizing the summer entrance on the East side of the Village Parking Structure. Sign appropriately. -3- n LJ • 8. (Continued) A. The current loading zone becomes extremely congested during busy ski days creating a serious safety hazard to pedestrians, autos, and buses. The recommended loading zone is larger, separates buses"from autos, and will be easier to enforce. 9. Change current parking rates. Current rates: 0-21 hours 21-6 hours 6-12 hours 12-24 hours, - Night Rate Recommended rates: 0-2 hours 2-6 hours 6-12 hours 12-24 hours Night Rate FREE $2.50 $3.50 $4.50 $1.50- FREE $3.00 $4.00 $5.00 $2.00 The recommended rate changes will generate a projected $150,000 of additional revenue. -4-