Loading...
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 -2- 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 t Respectfully s itted, R. Johns16h, Mayor MCC