HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-10-18 Town Council Minutes01
MINUTES
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 18, 1988
7:30 P.M.
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A regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, October 18, 1988, at
7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Vail Municipal Building,
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Rose, Mayor
John Slevin, Mayor Pro Tem
Eric Affeldt
Michael Cacioppo
Mery Lapin
Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Steinberg
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ron Phillips, Town Manager
Larry Eskwith, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Town Clerk
The first order of business was Ordinance No. 31, Series of 1988, first reading,
•setting the 1989 Town of Vail budget. Mayor Rose read the full title of the
ordinance and gave brief background information of the budget process. Steve
Barwick reviewed the general budget figures and funds and explained each of what
they were for and how the dollar figures were arrived at. He then explained what
the expected revenues and expenditures would be and where they would come from. He
ran through what was happening with all the funds, what was planned, and why. There
was then discussion regarding cloud seeding. Mayor Rose stated the Council had
requested more information on the subject, and therefore, Professor Lou Grant,
Professor of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, who was also a
consultant to the Colorado Legislature on the long term effects of cloud seeding,
was asked to appear. Professor Grant read a summary statement of experiment results
that cloud seeding represented negligible environmental hazards. He stated the most
comprehensive studies done were conducted in the Rocky Mountain area. He explained
how silver iodide is used and how small the quantities are that are used annually.
He then answered questions of the public. Afterwards, Council gave their opinions
of approval/denial on the item being included in the budget. All commented on their
approval, with the exception of Mike Cacioppo opposing. Next, there was discussion
concerning a Bravo! Colorado donation. Brad Quayle explained what Bravo! Colorado
was, that it was formed to take advantage of performing arts in the Vail Valley and
was to be community funded. He also explained their goals. Harry Frampton
expressed his pleasure with Bravo! and why the Town should support it. Rob Levine,
Chairman of the Vail Resort Association and Manager of the Antlers, echoed Harry's
• sentiments and felt it was very worthwhile. Peter Barber of the Westin Hotel,
commented it was good to see a cultural balance in the community. Cynthia Steitz
questioned if the Town of Avon contributed, to which Brad responded not yet, but
they hope so. Al Weiss stated he thought the concerts were not well attended,
handicapped people were not able to get down there, and the problem with parking was
the reason. Ann Sansbury, Secretary to the Board of Bravo! Colorado, responded
that people just needed to be educated, and they were working on it. John Fisher
commented he had problems with Bravo!, that they were not responsive to the market,
and that out of eleven concerts set up, six were held at Beaver Creek. Bill Clayton
gave reasons why he was for the funding of Bravo!, to which Rob Schilling agreed.
Lou Meskiman asked that future concerts be set so attendees could reserve early or
late restaurant sittings. Colleen McCarthy stated she supported Bravo! Mayor Rose
read a letter from Lisa Rogers, who was not able to attend the meeting, in which she
wrote she was not pleading for funds for Bravo!, but if the taxpayer should/should
not support the arts in the Vail Valley, she thinks it should be looked at in a
larger scope, and believed the Council could use a committee to look at the broader
scope. At this time, Council gave their opinions on whether the $25,000 donation to
Bravo! Colorado should be included in the budget. All commented on their approval,
with the exception of Mike Cacioppo opposing. Property tax increase for street
improvements was discussed next. Mayor Rose gave brief background information on
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the reasoning for this. Stan Berryman explained where the Town is in the street
program and how they got to this point. He then gave a slide presentation of before
and after streets. Steve Barwick explained some financial aspects of the project.
Moni Beal asked questions of Steve, to which he responded. Ralph Davis asked what
would happen if the project took ten years instead of five, to which Mayor Rose
responded. Al Weiss commented the roads were bad, and that Stan was doing a good
job. Mike Cacioppo spoke out that the public needed to voice their concerns to give
the Council direction, and reviewed the problems he had with the budget. Hermann
Staufer thanked the Council for supporting Bravo! Colorado and cloud seeding, he had
seen lots of improvements, but wanted to convince the Council not to raise the mill
levy and gave his reasons why. Chris Neuswanger aired his grievances about the
project. Susan Hertzog commented that savings could be made. Al Weiss remarked why
he felt the Town could pay for the improvements without raising the mill levy by
using the money held in reserve. Mery Lapin responded why this could not be done.
Neal Donaldson felt money could be taken from the staff, not from the taxpayers.
After some discussion by the Council and the public, Hermann Staufer stated he felt
the program could be spread out two to three years. Colleen McCarthy agreed with
Hermann, commenting the largest percentage would be paid from businesses in the Core
area, to which John Slevin responded the largest percentage would be paid by the
hotels, lodges and high-rises, usually second homeowners. Rob Levine felt he would
rather raise taxes than have any service decreases, that he had faith in the staff
and Council that there is not any $500,000 fat in the budget, and felt there would
be a cut in service if taxes were not raised. Rod Slifer mentioned that Town of
Vail taxes were quite low of the total real estate tax everyone pays, and that this
was the way to go because the streets need to be fixed. Cindy Jacobson aired her
problems with the program and raising taxes, to which Mike Cacioppo responded. At
.this time, Council gave their opinions on whether the property tax increase for
street improvements should be included in the budget. Mayor Rose, Eric Affeldt,
John Slevin and Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal commented on their approval, with Mike
Cacioppo and Mery Lapin opposing. Eric stated his displeasure over such small
public input in the budget process for the third year in a row, which is the most
important item the Council tackles. Council members each expressed their general
comments regarding the budget. Eric Affeldt made a motion to approve Ordinance No.
31 on first reading, which John Slevin seconded. A vote was taken and the motion
passed 4-2, with Mery Lapin and Mike Cacioppo opposing.
The next item on the agenda was Ordinance No. 30, Series of 1988, first reading,
amending agriculture/open space zone district to allow cemeteries as a conditional
use. The full title was read by Mayor Rose. Rick Pylman gave background
information on the topic, reviewed the criteria used in evaluating the use for the
zone district, and explained staff felt all criteria were met. He also commented
the Planning and Environmental Commission reviewed the request and voted unanimously
to approve it. Al Weiss stated his concerns of using open space for a cemetery,
that it would be a violation of the real estate transfer tax fund ordinance, and
that the Minturn cemetery had an additional five acres of land for this use, to
which Mayor Rose responded. After some discussion by Council and the public, Judy
Sibley aired her concerns and problems with placing a cemetery near them. After
•some discussion, Mery Lapin added Jerry Sibley to the Cemetery Committee. Rick
Pylman noted that Gordon Pierce had been the appointed Council member on the
committee and a replacement was needed. It was decided that John Slevin would be
the replacement. Cindy Jacobson stated her problems with the ordinance, to which
Ella Knox agreed. Eric Affeldt made a motion to approve the ordinance on first
reading and John Slevin seconded. After a short discussion by Council, Eric added
the deletion of Item G to his motion. A vote was then taken and the motion passed
5-1, with Mike Cacioppo opposing. John asked Larry Eskwith to check into the real
estate transfer tax question posed by Al Weiss. Peter Patten apologized for any
mix-up with Jerry Sibley receiving notification of any cemetery meetings, and was
looking forward to working with him and John on the committee.
The third item was Resolution No. 38, Series of 1988, allowing the Town to rent a
safe deposit box at FirstBank of Vail. Mery Lapin made a motion to approve the
resolution, and Mike Cacioppo seconded. After a brief discussion by Council, a vote
was taken and the motion passed unanimously 6-0.
There was no Citizen Participation.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m.
ATTEST:
Pamela0radme ea,
r Town Clerk
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Minutes taken by Brenda Chesman
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Respectfully submitted,
% nt R. ose, Mayor
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