HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-04-04 Town Council Minutes11
MINUTES
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 4, 1989
7:30 P.M.
A regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, April 4, 1989, 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
Tom Steinberg
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ron Phillips, Town Manager
Larry Eskwith, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Town Clerk
The first item on the agenda was the approval of minutes of the March 7 and 21,
i1989 meetings. Eric Affeldt asked that clarification be given to a statement he
made concerning the special development district at the top of page 2, the March 21
minutes. The sentence was changed to read: Eric then remarked he was not excited
about seeing applicants come in with no present intention to actually do a
development they are requesting and that improvement does not automatically equal
increased density. Mike Cacioppo added he would like clarification on a comment he
made, also. This change was at the bottom of page 1, regarding bed and breakfasts,
on the March 21 minutes. The sentence was changed to read: Mike Cacioppo
commented that short-term units and bed and breakfasts require less parking than do
long-term rental units. There was no other discussion by Council or the public.
Eric Affeldt made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, and Tom Steinberg
seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
The next order of business was a committee presentation for the proposed Television
Translator and Mosquito Control District. Mike Metcalfe, Assistant Chairman of the
Eagle Valley Television Translator Committee, gave an initial outline presentation
and introductions of the committee members. John Dunn presented the financial and
legal aspects of the district and answered questions. He stated the committee
would go before the Commissioners for a public hearing on April 10, 1989. He
explained what the district would provide and reviewed the cost for the district;
he described the particular three stage procedure the group would go through for
• their master plan; and requested the Council to give an official position tonight
so they could plan the financial aspects accordingly. John Dunn, Jerry Davis, and
Larry Eskwith answered questions of Council. Jay Peterson, representing Heritage
Cablevision, and as a Vail citizen, explained if all of Vail or other areas were
not included, then of course others would have to cover all the costs; he
recommended everyone going to the County Commissioners and telling them what we
want; he felt an existing government office could do it cheaper. Tom Steinberg
felt the proposal was not equitable to Vail. Mike Cacioppo commented why he felt
the district was a good idea and why he was for it; he felt if the Council did not
let it go to a vote it would be a mistake. Rob Levine agreed. John Slevin
responded why he felt it would be a bad idea to go to election; that Vail should
ask to be excluded and have a town election, then if the citizens agreed, proceed
to join the district. Tom Steinberg agreed. Jerry Davis explained if the Town
pulled out, then the district is dead and the issue would not come up again. He
felt this was a county issue, not just Vail, and it was such a small amount of
money he did not see what the problem was. There was then some discussion by
Council over the pros and cons of being included in the district when not all of
the Town would be able to receive the signals until later. Don Hagan, a resident
of East Vail, remarked he was glad the Town was concerned about its citizens, the
the Town should send a letter to the Commissioners because he felt the district was
a bad idea; also, he felt the Council was well representing its citizens from what
•he had seen tonight. Mike Robinson felt it was time to do things valleywide, that
it was healthy, and he hoped the Council would vote for the district. Jay Peterson
stated, in regards to a mill levy increase, that small amounts of money added up to
large amounts. Rob Levine commented that at three lodge meetings a vote had been
taken and all three times there was a unanimous vote for the district, and they
would like valleywide cooperation. Alan Best asked if the committee looked at any
other funding besides tax, to which John Dunn responded yes, and explained. It was
• also asked if the Commissioners would not approve the district if Vail was not
included, to which John responded he did not know. John then made remarks that the
lower valley voters did not intend to beat up on Vail. Tom Steinberg felt there
were too many unanswered questions, too many loose ends, and that he was not
comfortable with the fact that there would be disproportionate taxes for Vail. He
asked Council to either block it or slow the process down until the Town of Vail
voters could vote. Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal stated she was not thrilled with
layering on another special district, but recognized the committee had done all it
could do to this point. She felt the healthiest portion of the entire project was
the valleywide cooperation. She hoped they could delay the process because a major
portion of Vail would not enjoy the benefits, so she agreed with Tom. Gail also
did not understand Berry Creek Board's decision against involvement in the
district. Mery Lapin commented he was for it and the major reason was to let the
democratic process work. He did not disagree with Gail and Tom, but thought
Heritage Cablevision could use the competition. He was not happy with Heritage and
felt Vail extends to Red Cliff and Edwards. Mayor Rose explained he hoped if Vail
voted no, then the issue would be dead. He would not be supporting its citizens if
he voted for the district; Vail does not need another district; this item belongs
at the County level and felt everyone should go and tell the Commissioners;
therefore, he would oppose the formation of one tonight. John Slevin stated it was
unfortunate the County had decided to pass the buck, and that the hotels were
• trying for bargaining position with Heritage for more reasonable fees. He felt the
issue needed to go back to the County, or he would support it if the Town could
have its own local election and if the Town was guaranteed complete coverage. He
would vote no tonight. Mike Cacioppo felt the Council had no vision, and he would
vote yes so as to allow the citizens to vote on this issue. Eric Affeldt remarked
there were too many special districts now, but would agree to vote yes, that he
preferred to see it go to a public vote. He was opposed to the issue, but had no
problem with it going to a public vote. Mike Robinson stated there were no
additional funds, so if the Town did go to a vote, he hoped the Council would agree
to fund the rewriting of the service plan. Jerry Davis also commented he hoped the
Council would be willing to extend the cost if things were put on hold. Gail
responded she felt this was a fair request. Larry Eskwith stated a Town election
could be held as soon as May 9, 1989, but Council agreed they did not want an
election held in May. Mayor Rose asked one be held at a later date, which all of
Council agreed. Mike Cacioppo made a motion to support the efforts of the
Committee with its efforts to proceed with the district, which Mery Lapin seconded.
Eric Affeldt commented he wanted the motion to only allow the process to continue,
not that the Council was in support of the district. There was some discussion by
Council regarding the Town's options. Mike Cacioppo then amended his motion to
include the committee would agree to delay the District Court hearing until the
Town of Vail had had an opportunity to hold a vote of its residents, with Mery
. Lapin amending his second. Eric Affeldt stated he was supporting the issue to
allow it to go to a vote only, he was not supporting or opposing it. Mike Cacioppo
amended his motion to state the Council was voting to support it to go to a
district wide election, and the Council would withdraw its opposition at the County
Commissioner level and would call an election of the Town of Vail citizens within
the next 60-90 days. Tom Steinberg seconded. A vote was taken and the motion
passed 6-1, with Mayor Rose opposing.
The third item on the agenda was Ordinance No. 8, Series of 1989, second reading,
amending the business license ordinance. Mayor Rose read the full title of the
ordinance. Larry Eskwith explained the only change made since first reading with
the exclusion of the bed and breakfast section. There was no discussion by Council
or the public. Tom Steinberg made a motion to approve the ordinance, which John
Slevin seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
The fourth order of business was Resolution No. 5, Series of 1989, supporting
Denver for the 1998 Olympic Winter Games. Larry Eskwith stated the resolution was
self-explanatory in that Vail would be supportive of Denver holding the 1998 Winter
Games. Mery Lapin stated his concerns about Vail being a part of the Olympics, and
that the reality of being involved in one left a lot to be desired; he was also
concerned about crowds. Ron Phillips commented the Olympics Environmental
.Committee would be holding a hearing here Monday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, so the committee could receive input from citizens regarding any
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environmental concerns. There was then some discussion of the similarity of venues
of the World Championships and the Olympics. A motion to approve the resolution
was made by Eric Affeldt and seconded by Mike Cacioppo. Eric felt it was a good
move for the Town of Vail to support the Olympic Games. A vote was then taken and
. the motion passed 6-1, with Mery Lapin opposing.
There was no Citizen Participation.
At this time, Eric Affeldt stated he had received a call from Sylvia Blount of the
Vail Resort Association regarding whose 800 number to use on promotional material,
their's or the Beaver Creek Marketing Company's. She had requested Council to vote
whose number to use, that they only want one number. Eric felt he wanted VRA's
number at least on the material, to which the rest of Council agreed. Charlie Wick
commented the Marketing Board wanted the best call -to -action number to bring
business to the Vail Valley, and he would pass this information on to the Marketing
Board. Mayor Rose remarked he had heard complaints regarding the VRA 800 number,
to which Rob Levine responded he was aware of the problem and they were in the
process of taking care of it.
Mike Cacioppo stated since it was time to review the Heritage franchise agreement,
he wanted copies of other franchise agreements to compare to our proposed
agreement, to which Larry Eskwith responded he had used many franchise agreements
to come up with our proposed agreement, and he had also used franchise attorneys.
There was some discussion of Council's avenues. It was decided the item would be
discussed first at a Work Session, then presented at a public Evening Meeting
sometime in June.
• Mayor Rose announced the Eagle County Board of Commissioners would be holding a
public hearing in Vail Tuesday evening, April 11, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers for anyone interested.
Charlie Wick announced the Recreation Task Force would like to meet with Council
April 24 at 7:30 p.m., and with the Marketing Board at 5:00 p.m. He stated April
17 was a better day for the Commissioners, and that he would try to work out the
details.
Ron Phillips commented Wednesday, April 12, he and Department Heads would be
holding a pancake breakfast for the Town employees in appreciation of their hard
work this winter. It would be held at the Golf Course Restaurant 7:00-9:30 a.m.
He asked Council members to attend and mingle with the employees.
Ron then noted Peter Patten would be having back surgery this coming Friday, that
Peter had been in a lot of pain. Peter would be in the hospital for 4-5 days and
then home for 2-3 weeks total if things go well. He would be at St. Luke's
Hospital in Denver for the surgery.
• There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ATTEST:
Pa�ftl"meyert�lerk
Minute-s-taken by Brenda Chesman
•
Kent R. Rose, Mayor
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