HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-12-16 Town Council MinutesMINUTES
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 16, 1986
7:30 p.m.
A regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, December 16, 1986,
at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS NOT PRESENT:
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT
Paul Johnston, Mayor
Kent Rose, Mayor Pro Tem
Eric Affeldt
John Slevin
Hermann Staufer
Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal
Gordon Pierce
Ron Phillips, Town Manager
Larry Eskwith, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Town Clerk
The first order of business was a ten year employment anniversary award to John
Gulick, Assistant Fire Chief. Ron Phillips briefly gave John's background and the
presented the ten year Vail belt buckle to John. Dick Duran, Fire Chief, stated it
was a privilege to work with John and he felt John was a real ambassador for the
Town of Vail. Mayor Johnston commended John on his longevity.
The next item was the approval of the November 4 and 18, 1986 minutes. Hermann
Staufer made a motion to approve both sets of minutes, and Kent Rose seconded. A
vote was taken on the November 4 minutes, and the motion passed 4-0, with Eric
Affeldt abstaining due to his absence at that meeting. A vote was then taken to
approve the November 18 minutes, which passed 4-0, with Hermann Staufer abstaining
due to his absence at that meeting.
At this time, Mayor Johnston noted there had been a Colorado Association of Ski
Towns meeting last week, and he felt it was appropriate to discuss the results. He
stated there would be a Winter Legislative Tour held the end of January in Durango,
and a new idea, a Summer Legislative Tour, was being contemplated. Steamboat
Springs had committed $10,000 to sponsor the Summer Legislative Tour, which they
felt would enhance the summer program. Other topics discussed were the major
expansion at Winter Park, marketing competition with Utah, the tunnel construction
through Berthoud Pass, Aspen's change of attitude, and the second opening of
Breckenridge's golf course next summer. He stated that Colorado is changing to take
an aggressive marketing position for tourism.
isThe third item was discussion of the proposed purchase of the Singletree Golf
Course. Mayor Johnston reviewed what had been discussed during the Work Session
that afternoon with the Avon Town Council. Roger Tilkemeier stated he believed a
golf course was important to the area, but the Town should not own it; all who would
benefit from it should own it. Michael Cacioppo asked several questions which
Council and Ron Phillips responded. Bruce Gillie, on behalf of David Kanally and as
President of the URA Lodging Committee, gave reasons why he and his associates
wanted the golf course. Steve Goodling of the Marriot's Mark Resort gave some facts
to support his reasons to buy the golf course. Bob Fritch, owner of the Sitzmark
Lodge, gave his thoughts on the purchase; he wanted the Town to research building a
new golf course, not buy part of Singletree, and asked some questions which Council
answered. Jim Morter, a resident of Vail and property owner at Singletree, stated
that as a resident of Vail he wanted the golf course, but as a property owner at
Singletree he had concerns which he explained. Doug Bitteto, a Berry Creek property
owner, had questions for the Council on why they are considering this purchase; he
thinks the hotel owners should help pay because they will benefit so much. Don
Hagen gave his thoughts on why he was against the purchase to be paid for from real
estate transfer tax funds. Richard Crosby thought the purchase was not prudent at
this time and gave his ideas. Craig Denton, a property owner at Berry Creek, gave
his reasons for no purchase. Ken Wilson, President of the Vail Board of Realtors,
stated the majority of Realtors believed it was a good idea, but had problems with
the use of the real estate transfer tax fund money to pay for it. Marka Moser
stated she was concerned that open space was not all purchased yet, and the Town
should really look at open space here in Vail. Ken Shapiro, a Vail resident and
Singletree property owner, thought the real estate transfer tax money was
inappropriate for funding the purchase and melt the lodge and hotel owners should
help pay by being taxed. Eric Affeldt took a straw vote to see who was in favor of
the purchase (a small group in the room) and who was not in favor (over half of the
public in the room). David Kanally, representing the Vail guest and out of town
property owners, asked that the Council think of how it would affect their
experience. Steve Miller, a member of the Avon Town Council, stated both towns
needed to continue a strict level of communication and keep the lines of
communication open for the well being of both municipalities and the Vail and Avon
guests. Bill Wilto, a resident of Vail and a property owner at Singletree, thought
the extra 30 acres would give an opportunity for the Town of Vail. Diana Donovan
explained her concerns over the purchase. Jim Sheehan, a resident of.Vail and
Singletree property owner, explained he thought everyone should step back and look
again, there had been some good thoughts and questions brought up, and then gave his
ideas on tee times and number of rounds. Al Weiss, a property owner in West Vail,
stated his concerns and ideas on the golf course. Kevin Payne, a property owner at
Berry Creek and President of the Western Vail Valley Resort Association, expressed
his concerns over the purchase and that the Avon Town Council was still open to
discussion and wanted to be included in the deal. Ken Sortland, a member of the
Board of Directors of the Avon Metropolitan District, raised questions for the
Council and stated his concerns. Jo Brown had questions on guests renting
condominiums and not in lodges, to which Mayor Johnston responded. Jack Rush, who
lives in Eagle -Vail and manages the Manor Vail Lodge, also responded to Ms. Brown's
and Mr. Weiss's questions. Michael Cacioppo had questions for the Council and
reviewed statements made and then again stated his concerns. Roger Tilkemeier asked
what the community would have to give up to get the golf course, to which Mayor
Johnston stated he could not give an answer. Diana Donovan asked the Council for a
straw vote on their feelings about the purchase. Mayor Johnston stated if he felt
it would be helping the community he would vote for it, so for now he would vote
yes. Hermann Staufer stated he would not be able to vote on it tonight, there were
too many questions left, but he wanted to expand the shoulder seasons; if buying
this golf course would help, he probably would vote for it. Kent Rose stated he had
heard so many yes's on the street than in the meeting tonight that he would be in
favor of purchasing the golf course, but would not rush into it before the end of
the year. John Slevin stated he was in favor of it now, that they may have to wait,
but he was not concerned. Eric Affeldt stated he had received more negative than
positive responses, and stated his concerns. Mayor Johnston stated he had received
a memo from Gordon Pierce favoring the purchase. Kent Rose stated he had received a
memo from Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal favoring the purchase, but she was concerned over
using real estate transfer tax funds for the purchase.
The next item, Colorado River Water Conservation District report on Denver Water
Board was tabled until a later date.
The fifth item on the agenda was Ordinance No. 31, Series of 1986, second reading,
regarding the Texas Townhome street vacation, conveyance and easement. Mayor
Johnston read the title in full. Larry Eskwith explained the ordinance and stated
no changes had been requested or made at first reading. There was no discussion by
Council or the public. Hermann Staufer made a motion to approve the ordinance and
quit claim deed. John Slevin seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion
passed unanimously 5-0.
The next item was Ordinance No. 34, Series of 1986, second reading, to apply
previous Town of Vail zoning to reannexed land known as Matterhorn. The title was
read in full by Mayor Johnston. Kristan Pritz explained that staff was proposing
the exact same zoning as was previously to the deannexed areas in question, and that
no changes had been made at first reading. There was no discussion by the public or
Council. Kent Rose made a motion to approve the ordinance, which Hermann Staufer
seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 5-0.
The seventh item for discussion was Ordinance No. 36, Series of 1986, second
reading, a supplemental appropriation to the Town budget. Mayor Johnston read the
title in full. Steve Barwick explained the reasoning for the appropriation and
commented that the ordinance had been changed to include real estate transfer tax
funds for $3,500,000 for the Singletree purchase and also that $35,000 had been
added for the Dobson Ice Arena fund, to cover plans for a five day Christmas ice
show. Diana Donovan expressed questions on the ordinance, which Council discussed
with Steve. Don Hagen and Michael Cacioppo again stated their concerns, to which
Larry Eskwith, Ron Phillips and Mayor Johnston replied. Ken Wilson asked question
on the amount from the real estate transfer tax fund, to which Ron Phillips
responded. After some discussion by Council, Larry Eskwith stated they could make
second reading at a Special Meeting and table the item for the evening. Ken Wilson
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requested the Council do that. Fred Hibberd requested the Council to take more time
on the purchase. Diana Donovan stated her concerns again. At this time, a motion
to table the ordinance until a Special Meeting on December 23, 1986 was made by Kent
Rose, and Hermann Staufer seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously 5-0.
The next item was Ordinance No. 32, Series of 1986, first reading, concerning
amendment of the zoning map for a parking district. The full title was read by
Mayor Johnston. George Rosenberg, representing Breakaway West Condominiums,
requested the ordinance be tabled until a later date, and Jay Peterson, representing
Bill Fleischer, agreed.
The ninth item on the agenda was Vail Associates' appeal of the Planning Commission
decision denying extended use of the modular buildings at Golden Peak. Peter Patten
gave background information on the buildings and staff's recommendation for denial.
Joe Macy of Vail Associates introduced Nancy Nottingham, Manager of the children's
programs for VA. She explained the programs they have, which were discussed by
Council, Joe Macy, Larry Lichliter, Nancy Nottingham and Larry Eskwith. Jack Rush,
General Manager of the Manor Vail Lodge, stated his misgivings on the buildings.
Joe Macy agreed with the statements made, but there had been no complaints from
anyone that he was aware of, and the reasons why they needed to request the
extension again. Jack Rush responded to these statements. After some discussion by
Nancy Nottingham and Larry Lichliter, Kent Rose stated the Council and Vail
Associates needed to have meetings to work on priorities. He then made a motion to
approve the request with the stipulations that 1) the facility be two modular
buildings in a similar configuration as now, 2) the ten conditions of staff as shown
in memorandum to the Planning Commission dated November 24, 1986, and 3) the permit
be granted for two years with an annual review. Mayor Johnston commented the
programs were good and needed, but that two more years would be the end of
approval. He stated that at the first year review or before, Vail Associates must
present to Council a permanent solution. Hermann Staufer seconded the motion, but
amended the third stipulation to be granted for only one year. Kent Rose then
amended the motion. Michael Cacioppo asked questions of Council, to which Mayor
Johnston responded. Peter Patten asked for clarification that at the annual review
next summer, Vail Associates will have to bring a permanent solution to the
Council. Eric Affeldt stated it was a suggestion only. Jack Rush and Michael
Cacioppo made remarks, to which Joe Macy responded. A vote was taken and the motion
passed 4-1, with Eric Affeldt opposing.
The next item, the Ambrosia Restaurant sign variance request, was tabled until a
later date.
There was no Citizen Participation.
The Town Manager's Report was next. Ron Phillips stated the Nutcracker Suite was
going to be shown at the Ice Arena. Monday, December 29, there would be a benefit
show with an orchestra and wine tasting for $25 per person.
It
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:52 p.m.
ATTEST:
ame a . �randmeyer, 6wn 1erk
Minutes taken by Brenda Chesman
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Respectfully s itted,
R. Johns16h, Mayor
MCC