HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-01-19 Town Council MinutesMINUTES
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 1988
7:30 P.M.
A regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, January 19, 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
Mery Lapin
Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal
Gordon Pierce
Tom Steinberg
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ron Phillips, Town Manager
Larry Eskwith, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Town Clerk
The first order of business was a Visitors Center Task Force presentation by Harry
• Frampton and Jim Morter, members of the Task Force. Harry stated the benefits of a
Visitors Center would be an increase in the number of cars stopping by, visitors
would stay longer, they would spend more money, the town could move to a one stop
shopping center at the Visitors Information Center, the Center would provide an
opportunity for merchants to sell more and the Center would provide a best first
impression. He estimated the construction cost would be $1.75 million and the
operating cost would be about the same as the two Information Booths the town
presently has. Jim Morter showed examples of the committee's recommendations and
sites proposed, and also pros and cons of each site. Harry and Jim then answered
questions from Council. Mike Cacioppo asked questions about location and access and
David Kanally had questions about size and site, to which Harry Frampton responded,
He then stated the Task Force would need $30-40,000 for the next phase, which Jim
Morter stated would be the selection of a site and specifics of,the building design.
After much discussion, Mayor Rose stated the Council was in favor of a Visitors
Center and a site needed to be picked and funding approved for the next step. Harry
Frampton explained how the architect was chosen for the public's information. John
Slevin, Tom Steinberg and Eric Affeldt noted the Lionshead parking structure site
deserved more study; Eric requested proposed off ramp traffic effects information.
Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal, Gordon Pierce and Kent Rose agreed they liked the Vail
village site. Gordon Pierce requested staff investigate financing alternatives.
John Slevin suggested Council look at the sites in question, to which all Council
• members agreed. Mery Lapin suggested there be a deadline of March 1 for a decision.
Mike Cacioppo stated his concerns, to which Ron Phillips responded. Pepi
Gramshammer gave reasons why he was in favor of a Visitors Center and urged the
Council to move forward; David Kanally agreed. Mery Lapin thanked the Task Force
for all their hard work.
The next item was a Cemetery Committee presentation. Rick Pylman gave brief
background information on the subject. Ed Drager, a member of the committee, gave
an introduction of the committee's recommendations. Peter Jamar explained the
committee had looked at thirteen potential sites and their recommendations are by no
means final decisions. He reviewed the sites they had looked at. Peter then gave a
slide presentation and reviewed each parcel in general, gave specific site analysis
information on each and explained why the committed suggested Donovan Park upper
bench as the site for a cemetery. Rick Pylman noted two areas which were omitted
from the review and explained why. Peter Jamar and Rick Pylman then answered
questions from Council and the public. Rick stated the committee would research the
soil creep issue. At this time, John Slevin made a motion to approve the site as
presented and instructed the committee to continue working on their goals. Gail
Wahrlich-Lowenthal seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 7-
0. Rick Pylman proposed a workshop meeting with committee members, Council and
neighboring residents be held to discuss the issue, but to make no decisions; to get
• input before scheduling public hearings. Council agreed it was a good idea.
The third item of business was a public hearing and Resolution No. 4, Series of
1988, establishing Town of Vail policy regarding street improvements funding. Stan
Berryman gave background information regarding street improvements. Steve Barwick
then briefly explained the impacts of property taxes being used to fund street
improvements. Steve then presented a slide show giving estimated figures and
projections and explained the pros and cons of funding by property taxes. After
much discussion by the public and Council, Mayor Rose explained what the resolution
would actually do. After more discussion, Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal suggested a
public committee sit with Council through the budget process. Mery Lapin then made
a motion to approve the resolution, accepting Option No. 1, with a mill levy, if
necessary, of 3.09 mills, and John Slevin seconded. A vote was taken and the motion
passed unanimously 7-0.
The fourth order of business was Ordinance No. 2, Series of 1988, second reading,
regarding West Vail assessments. Mery Lapin made a motion to continue this item for
two weeks until the Council could get proper wording from bond counsel. Tom
Steinberg seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously
7-0.
The next item was Ordinance No. 4, Series of 1988, first reading, repealing
Ordinance No. 39, Series of 1987, business license fees. Mayor Rose read the title
in full. Larry Eskwith explained the reasoning for the ordinance. A motion to
approve the ordinance was made by Eric Affeldt and seconded by John Slevin. After
short discussion, Mike Cacioppo read a letter from Michelle Belson, of the
referendum committee, giving alternatives of raising sales tax .3%, instituting a
head tax, or using a vendors fee to pay for marketing instead of raising business
license fees. Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal and Eric Affeldt responded. After more
public comments, a vote was taken and the motion failed 2-5, with Gail Wahriich-
Lowenthal, Eric Affeldt, Kent Rose, Gordon Pierce and John Slevin opposing.
The sixth order of business was Resolution No. 3, Series of 1988, setting the date
for a special election. There was no discussion by the public or Council. Mery
Lapin made a motion to approve the resolution and setting the date of the election
as February 23, 1988 (the earliest possible date). John Slevin seconded the motion.
After a brief discussion by the public, a vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously 7-0.
The next item on the agenda was a Town of Vail sign improvement program
presentation. There was a brief discussion by Pepi Gramshammer and Stan Berryman.
Colleen McCarthy suggested lighting be included with new signs. Mayor Rose stated
the report was very good, and after Council has had time to work through the
complete report, they would plan an upcoming Work Session to begin planning for
implementation. Tom Steinberg made a motion to accept the program, which was
seconded by Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously 7-0.
There was no Citizen Participation.
There was no Town Manager's Report.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 a.m.
ATTEST:
Pamela A. Bran meter, own Clerk
Is Minutes ta.ken'by Brenda Chesman
Respectfully submitted,
Kent R. Rose, Mayor
WA