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Home My WebLink About1997-02-25 Town Council MinutesWORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, February 25, 1997 2:00 P.M. Town of Vail Council Chambers What follows will reflect motions and actions taken by the Vail Town Council at their regular work session on February 25, 1997. All members were present. A motion was made by Paul Johnston to proceed with the bid process for the West Vail Interchange with a second coming from Sybill Navas. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 7-0. (See attached) 00 6 TOWN OF VAIL O75 South Frontage Road eail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2100 FAX 970-479-2157 MEDIA ADVISORY February 26, 1997 Contact; Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115 Community Information Office VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY 25 Work Session Briefs Council members present: Armour, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, Navas --PEC/DRB Review During a review of the Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC) agenda, Bob Armour noted that both the Grass Residential Floor Area (GRFA) topic and the •� proposed Ford Park management plan are showing up on the same agenda. Council members directed that the topics be staggered, beginning with the Ford Park proposal. --Discussion of Roundabout at West Vail re: Funding and Schedule The Council voted 7-0 to move forward with the bid process for construction of roundabouts at the West Vail interchange. However, funding continues to remain an issue and will impact the timing of the project. During discussion yesterday, Town Manager Bob McLaurin said the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has agreed to help cost -share the $5.5 million project. CDOT's proposal would require the town to front the costs for the project, with CDOT reimbursing the town up to 50 percent of the project cast, not to exceed $3 million, no earlier than 2003 and no later than 2005. McLaurin said other potential funding partners, such as Vail Associates and Eagle County, have not yet responded to the town's preliminary discussions with them. The town has budgeted $1.5 million for the project this year. 'therefore, moving forward with construction would mean displacing other capital projects planned for this year, McLaurin said. Those possibilities include deferring the $2.5 million Uonsridge Loop/Buffehr Creek street reconstruction project; $1.7 million for affordable housing land acquisition; $600,000 for improvements to the Public Works shops; and $600,000 for Village streetscape improvements for the 1999 championships. In discussing the ramifications of accepting CDOT's funding offer, the Council considered deferring the project to 1998 or beyond (with no assurance CDOT's offer would still be on the table); waiting for actual cash up -front from CDOT (which in all likelihood would involve being included on its next five year budgeting cycle); taking the shortfall from fund balance to Mbe repaid in order to honor the 10-year projected budget shortfall; or considering a (more) `�♦ RECYCLRbPAPER TOV Council Highlights/Add 1 combination of deferring the project and borrowing from fund balance. Council agreed to continue the discussions at next week's work session, including funding, construction incentives, completion dates and penalties. The tentative schedule for the project is as. follows: publish notice of bids, Feb. 28; plans available for contractors, March 3; open bids, March 25; award bids, March 25; construction begins, April 7; and essential completion of project, Oct. 17. For more information, contact Bob McLaurin at 479-2105. --Discussion of Village Area Snowmelt System Cost and Phasing The Council heard a staff report on the feasibility of a snowmelt system within the Village. After consulting with an engineering firm, Todd Oppenheimer, the town's parks superintendent, said the cost is estimated at $8.5 million for installation of a system that would cover 146,000 sq. ft., or three -and -a- half acres. Installation could occur in eight phases, he said. Phase one --construction of a central boiler plant and heating of Slifer Plaza --would be the most costly phase at an estimated $1.6 million. The annual operating cost for the total system would run about $101,000, he said, based on today's natural gas costs. That compares to an annual cost of about $200,000 for current snow plowing and snow removal in the Village. Town Manager Bob McLaurin said a heated system, particularly from the top of the Transportation Center to the top of Bridge • Street, would be of significant benefit to the community. However, he said the project can't be funded by the town alone. The town's 1997 budget contains $600,000 for streetscape improvements and another $400,000 earmarked for 1998 in preparation for the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championships. Bob Armour wondered if a lodging tax with a sunset provision could be a possible funding source, while Rob Ford suggested exploring a business improvement district. Paul Johnston expressed concern about the ramifications of a lodging tax. Instead, he suggested the possibility of moving forward with phase one at the town's expense to help attract funding partners for the remainder of the project. McLaurin suggested probing interest in a business improvement district as next steps. For more information, contact McLaurin at 479-2105. --Information Update Public Works/Transportation Director Larry Grafel said the expanded free parking program from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. was ready to be implemented beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 1. Bob Armour stressed the importance of promotional assistance by the merchants to maximize success of the pilot program. Rod Slifer, representing the Vail Village Commercial Property Owners Association, said distribution of a "Park Free After 3" logo would begin today. Recipients will be asked to add the logo to their existing advertising to help push the program. The Council was also informed of funding difficulties impacting the Grundig/UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, scheduled for July 10-13 in Vail. The Vail Valley Foundation, National Off Road Biking Association (NORBA) and Union Cycling International (UCI) have until Feb. 26 to resolve the issues. Otherwise, the event will likely be canceled. For more information, contact John Dakin with the Vail Valley Foundation at 949-1999. (more)