HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-01 Town Council MinutesVAIL TOWN COUNCIL - MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1998
7:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held in the Town Council Chambers on
Tuesday, September 1, 1998. The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Rob Ford, Mayor
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Pro-Tem
Bob Armour
Michael Arnett
Kevin Foley
Michael Jewett
Sybill Navas
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation.
Bill Suarez, Ore House employee and a tennis coach at Ford Park stated the current policy
regarding paid parking at Ford Park wasn't what everyone wanted to see happen. He received
• a lot of negative feedback from the softball players, tennis players, and lacrosse players. He
said he felt the paid parking at Ford Park had a negative impact this summer. He is concerned
about how guests view paid parking at Ford Park. He also stated that paid parking starting in
the morning for events held in the evening, when the VRD events were in the morning, was
difficult to explain, also having customers pay parking each time they entered and exited the
parking area during the day was difficult. He would like to see the parking at Ford Park free and
be on a first come- first serve basis as it was in the past. And if the Town has to charge, the
parking should be for paid parking in the evening only. He does not want to discourage people
from coming into town because they would have to pay for parking again. He is willing to
donate his time to come to the Ford Park committee meetings.
Pam Brandmeyer invited Bill to the upcoming Sept. 17, 1998 Ford Park Management meeting.
Mayor Rob Ford explained to the audience that because Ford Park is heavily used by various
entities and the public, the development of the Ford Park Management Plan and a charge for
parking on high -use days was implemented. He also said this was the first year for managed
parking and there are issues that need to be addressed and improved upon. With
modifications, next year's parking plan will be better.
0 1 Vail Town Council Minutes September 1, 1998
The second item on the agenda was the consent agenda to approve the minutes from the
• meetings of August 4th and 18th, 1998.
Council member Bob Armour made a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings of
August 4th and 18th, 1998, the motion was seconded by Council member Ludwig Kurz.
Council member Mike Jewett stated his name is misspelled throughout the August 18, 1998
meeting minutes. Council member Bob Armour's name was also misspelled. Corrections of
the names will be made to the minutes by Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk.
A vote was taken and the motion was passed unanimously, 6-0.
The third item on the agenda was an Emergency Ordinance No. 13, Series of 1998, an
ordinance requiring use of helmets at the Lionshead Skateboard Park and Prohibiting the Use
of Skateboards, Roller Skates, Blades and Bicycles within the Town of Vail Transportation
Center and Lionshead Parking Structure and Declaring an Emergency.
Tom Moorhead stated for the second year there is a skate park in place at the Lionshead
Parking Structure and that it has been in place since Memorial Day. The town is having
difficulty in getting users of the park to comply with the requirement of wearing helmets while in
the skate park. At the initial meetings to create the skate park, the young people involved at the
meetings voted to make helmets a requirement. At this time the park is not supervised. The
Vail Recreation District (VRD) staff and the Vail Police Department monitor the park at
intermittent times and the park is intended to be self -policing. Tom also stated there have been
. problems within the Lionshead Parking Structure with skateboarders attaching to vehicles as
well as no compliance of wearing helmets.
Tom explained this is an emergency ordinance because of the heavy use of the skate park and
asked that Council specifically find that it is an emergency. The number of votes required to
make this an emergency ordinance is an affirmative vote of five members of the council.
Mayor Rob Ford stated that the council is in support of the skate park and it was the Council's
understanding that helmets were required and he also said he went by the skate park and 90%
of the users were not wearing helmets.
Officer Mike Knox, a Vail Police Officer, stated he is a supporter of the skate park and finds that
the youths take off their helmets once the staff of VRD or the Vail Police officers leave. He also
said skateboarders have been riding the cars in the structure. He gave examples of guests
having skateboarders riding the cars, and if the car stops suddenly, the skateboarder is in
danger of getting hurt.
Mayor Rob Ford stated when this skate park initially came into being, someone stated that
these problems would come to pass.
Council member Ludwig Kurz said he also stops at the skate park when he is in the Lionshead
Parking Structure. He also finds that the users are not wearing their helmets. He asked Officer
Knox how this ordinance helps the police department with enforcement.
0 2 Vail Town Council Minutes September 1, 1998
Officer Mike Knox, stated the police officers can ban repeat offenders from the park and peer
• pressure can help reinforce the rule otherwise the skate park could be lost if it doesn't work.
Mayor Rob Ford stated the option of the skate park going away is not a good solution.
Officer Mike Knox said another alternative would be to have a supervisor there and charge for
playing in the skate park.
Diane Johnson of the Vail Recreation District (VRD), thanked the Council for the skate park and
said it is a positive effort. She also said the kids want to come to Vail to skate in the park. She
also reiterated that through the Vail Tomorrow process the community wanted this skate park
to happen. The park has the support of mothers around the Vail Valley. She said the VRD
staff are trying to enforce the helmet requirement proactively and the kids are in support of a
helmet ordinance. She said Brian Hoffman had loaner helmets last year and would like to see
loaner helmets available again. Diane stated the older guys don't wear the helmets, however,
the smaller kids do use helmets. She also said if the older guys don't wear their helmets in the
park, the VRD will have to hire staff to have the park monitored then they will have to pay.
Tom Moorhead stated there is a ban on bicycles, roller blades, roller skating, and skateboards
allowed in any of the town's parking structures. He also stated there can be other
consequences besides ticketing and prosecution, such as requiring that the offenders supervise
others at the skate park as part of the consequences to earn their way back into the skate park.
Council member Bob Armour made a motion to approve Emergency Ordinance No. 13, Series
. of 1998, and the motion was seconded by Council member Ludwig Kurz.
Additional discussion ensued. Council member Kevin Foley asked about the liability insurance
stipulation.
Tom Moorhead stated the liability insurance requires that signs be posted requiring helmets and
that helmets be worn.
Council member Bob Armour said the riders at the skate park should view the Council's action
as a "wake-up call" to use helmets or risk losing the skate park. Council members were
disappointed the emergency ordinance was necessary.
A vote was taken and was passed unanimously, 6-0.
Jim Lamont, representative of the East Village Homeowners Association, asked if this
ordinance could be amended to include specific areas of town besides the parking structures.
Tom Moorhead stated there will be a review for additional areas in the future.
The fourth item on the agenda was second reading of Ordinance No. 12, Series of 1998,
Authorizing the Issuance of Town of Vail, Colorado Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series 1998A and Taxable Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 199813; Providing the
Form, Terms and Conditions of the 1998 Bonds, the Manner and Terms of Issuance, the
0 3 Vail Town Council Minutes September 1, 1998
Manner of Execution, the Method of Payment and the Security Therefor; Pledging Sales Tax
Revenues of the Town for the Payment of the 1998 Bonds; Providing Certain Covenants and
Other Details and Making Other Provisions Concerning the 1998 Bonds and the Sales Tax
Revenues; Ratifying Action Previously Taken and Appertaining Thereto; Repealing all
Ordinances in Conflict Herewith.
As this was second reading of this ordinance, Mayor Rob Ford asked if the Council had any
questions or if the community had any questions on this ordinance.
Council member Bob Armour asked Steve Thompson, Finance Director to highlight the
ordinance for the community that didn't see or hear about this ordinance prior to this evening
and to refresh his memory.
Steve Thompson, Finance Director, highlighted and reviewed the ordinance. He stated the
proposed refinancing of a portion of the Town's debt would provide level debt service payments
from 1999 until the year 2012. This refinancing would free up additional funds and enable the
Town to fund additional capital projects. The interest rate for this transaction will be lower than
the current debt service.
Council member Ludwig Kurz made a motion to approve on second reading, Ordinance No. 12,
Series of 1998, and the motion was seconded by Council member Mike Arnett. A vote was
taken and was approved 5-1, Council member Kevin Foley against.
The fifth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. There was nothing to add to
the town manager's report.
As there was no further business, a motion was made by Council member Bob Armour to
adjourn the meeting and was seconded by Council member Mike Arnett. A vote was taken and
the motion passed unanimously, 6 -0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
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Vail Town Council Minutes September 1, 1998
TOWN OF PAIL [y
75 South Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157 .
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MEDIA ADVISORY
September 2, 1998
Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115
Community Information Office
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER 1
Work Session Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Arnett, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Kurz
--Red Sandstone Lottery Guidelines & Restrictions
The Council approved guidelines and restrictions for the sale of units at the Red Sandstone
affordable housing development. The approval clears the way for a public lottery on Nov. 5 for 6
of the 18 units. Ten of the remaining twelve units have been allocated by the Town of Vail and
• its project partner, the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, to their employees. The
remaining two units, which have been designed as ADA accessible units, will be sold to
Mountain Valley Corporation, which will house local disabled individuals. The guidelines and
restrictions for Red Sandstone are similar to those used for the Vail Commons development.
They include the standards for occupancy and resale. Among several elements, the key points
of the documents require that the deed restricted unit be owner -occupied, that at least one
resident be a full time employee, working an average of 30 hours per week at a business located
in Eagle County, and that the resale price be capped at an annual appreciation rate of 3%.
Potential buyers with the longest track record of local employment and residency achieve the
highest ranking. Years of employment and residency within the Town of Vail are weighted at a
3:1 ratio to years of employment and residency elsewhere in Eagle County. Once the entire pool
of applicants has been ranked, it is divided into quadrants, and names are drawn randomly from
the top quadrant down to the lowest quadrant with the first names pulled having the first pick of
available units. More than 40 people have expressed interest in the public lottery. The deadline
for applications is Oct. 1. For more information, or to request an application, contact Andy
Knudtsen in the Community Development Department at 479-2440.
--Multi-Family "250" Discussion Timetable
The Council approved a timetable for review of an amendment to the town's zoning regulations
that would allow the ability to construct exterior additions to multi -family structures utilizing
additional GRFA ("250") and to allow for interior conversions. The changes would be compatible
with standards that now presently exist for single-family dwellings. The timetable, as approved,
is as follows: PEC work session to discuss alternatives and receive input, Sept. 14; Town
Council work session to discuss alternatives and receive input, Sept. 15; PEC final review of
proposed text amendment; Sept. 26; Town Council work session and first reading of an
ordinance, Oct. 6; Town Council final review and second reading of an ordinance, Oct. 20. For
more information, contact George Ruther in the Community Development Department at 479-
2145.
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L'"'a RECYCLED PAPER
Add 1/TOV Council Highlights/9-1-98
--Glen Lyon Office Building Development Plan
The Council reviewed two conceptual development scenarios presented by owners of the Glen
Lyon Office Building complex. One option, which was presented to the Planning and
Environmental Commission on Aug. 10, is to add 8,000 sq. ft. of office space to the east end of
the site, plus a 6,400 sq. ft. high -end residential duplex on the east end. A second option, which
was created in response to concerns expressed previously by the PEC, is to extend the current
office building to the west with 14,000 additional sq. ft. of office space, plus the addition of two
employee housing units and a free-market condominium on the east end. .The previous
development plan for the site, approved in 1988, called for a micro brewery, office uses, one
dwelling unit, two employee housing units and structured parking.. Yesterday, the project's
general partner, Andrew Norris, said his team had been working for the past two -and -a -half
years on a plan to finish out the site. All six Councilmembers who attended the meeting
expressed support for the second option, which is designed to maximize office space on the site.
Additional Council comments included a suggestion by Mike Arnett to consider a pitched roof on
the original structure, while Bob Armour expressed a preference for adding additional floors to
the existing building to help consolidate building mass. Armour also suggested improving the
architectural character of the existing building. Kevin Foley asked that additional employee
housing units be considered, if possible. He also suggested either revamping or doing away
with the bike path connection on the site due to its current ineffectiveness. Next steps in the
process will include a return to the PEC for a work session to review a more detailed
development plan. For more information, contact Dominic Mauriello in the Community
Development Department at 479-2148.
--Village Core Construction Update
Town Manager Bob McLaurin provided a brief update on Village construction projects. Seibert •
Circle, he said, is substantially complete with the exception of benches and the three sculpture
pieces; at the Transportation Center, concrete has been poured with the exception of the east
stairs; the Checkpoint Charlie'paver reconstruction project is scheduled to begin Sept. 21 and
should take approximately four weeks to complete; and the Village overlay project will begin
around Sept. 21 and will take about two weeks to complete.
On a related matter, Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer shared concerns expressed by
some of the merchants regarding skateboard activities that have already begun at Seibert Circle
Council was asked if they were interested in addressing the issue during consideration of an
emergency ordinance requiring helmets at the Lionshead parking structure skate park (this was
heard later in the evening). Although several Councilmembers said a possible dismount zone in
pedestrian areas is worthy of consideration, they suggested scheduling a separate discussion
on the matter to provide ample notice for citizen participation. That discussion will be scheduled
for the Sept. 8 work session.
Also yesterday, Larry Grafel, public works/transportation director, said an end -of -construction
party had been suggested by Vendetta's, the Red Lion and Los Amigos, in partnership with the
town. The party will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Seibert Circle and will include
snacks, music, food, drink and a celebration of the art piece's completion.
--Information Update
In response to a request by Kevin Foley to have more chairs on hand for overflow meetings in
the Council Chambers, the Council reviewed a $3,400 proposal to add another 24 stacking
chairs to the town's inventory. Instead, at the suggestion of Michael Arnett, the town will
experiment by renting additional chairs when overflow crowds are anticipated. •
In preparation for this week's meeting on the Village at Avon, Town Manager Bob McLaurin said
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Add 2/TOV Council Highlights/9-1-98
a letter was being drafted by the town that continues to express concerns about the project.
Those concerns were originally outlined in a letter dated Oct. 14, 1997. While the project's
jurisdiction may have changed, McLaurin said the proposal remains too big with too many
impacts, At the suggestion of. Michael Arnett, the town will also recommend that Avon tighten its
control of design guideline standards for the development rather than allow the project to create
its own guidelines. For a copy of the new letter, contact George Ruther in the Community
Development Department at 479-2145.
Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer confirmed a list of topics to be discussed during the
Sept. 15 joint work session discussion between the Town Council and the Vail Recreation
District Board.
Next, Community Development Department Director Russell Forrest introduced two new
planners. They are Allison Ochs and Jeff Hunt.
--Council Reports
There were none.
--Other
Kevin Foley shared interest from constituents who wish to participate in the Sept. 8 discussion of
the model traffic code. The discussion will be centered upon local street traffic speeds and
regulations. Foley said there's a concern that increasing the speed limit along the Golf Course,
in particular, will create additional safety risks for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Also,
Foley said he witnessed Channel 5's equipment woes first-hand when he appeared as a guest
on the station's signature show, "Vail Valley Sunday." Several board members had appeared
before the Council last week to discuss equipment needs and other issues facing the non-profit
organization.
Rob Ford distributed a draft of an open letter to the community from the Town Council regarding
the Council's commitment to work with citizens on the housing issue. He asked that comments
and suggestions be forwarded to Suzanne Silverthorn in the Community Information Office.
Evening Meeting Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Arnett, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Kurz
--Citizen Participation
Longtime resident Bill Suarez, a tennis coach at Ford Park who also works at the Ore House
Restaurant, shared concerns about the managed summer parking program at Ford Park.
Suarez said numerous tennis and restaurant patrons have complained about the program,
saying they're being "gouged." Suarez volunteered to serve on an assessment committee, if
created. In response, Mayor Rob Ford summarized evolution of the managed parking
program, which was created as part of the Ford Park Management Plan.
--Helmet Requirement for Lionshead Skateboard Park
The Council voted 6-0 to approve an emergency ordinance that requires use of protective
helmets at the Lionshead skateboard park. The ordinance also strengthens the existing ban on
skateboarding, roller skating, rollerblading and bicycling in the Village and Lionshead parking
structures. During discussion, Town Attorney Tom Moorhead said the measure would provide
enforcement tools for the area when voluntary compliance isn't working. Moorhead said at times
isas many as 90 percent of the skateboard park users have been failing to wear helmets, as the
town has required. The emergency ordinance now allows tickets to be issued for those in non-
compliance. Councilmembers said they were disappointed the emergency ordinance was
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Add WOV Council Highlights/9-1-98
necessary. Councilman Bob Armour said riders should view the Council's action as a "wake-up •
call" to use helmets or risk losing the two -year -old park. For more information, contact
Moorhead at 479-2107.
--Bond Refinancing
The Council voted 5-1 (Foley against) to approve second reading of an ordinance that enables a
portion of the town's debt to be refinanced at a lower interest rate. The refinancing levels off
.payments to about $2.3 million per year from 1999 to 201-2. That compares to the existing debt
service which calls for payments as high as $3.4 million between now and 2005. Refinancing
now frees up about $7 million in funding between 1998 and 2006, according to the town's
financial advisors. In voting against the measure, Kevin Foley has said previously that he'd
prefer to pay off the bonds by 2006 rather than burden future councils. For more information,
contact Finance Director Steve Thompson at 479-2116.
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
September 8 Work Session
DRB Review
Discussion of Model Traffic Code
Park Free After 3 Discussion
Second Quarter Financial Report
September 15 Work Session
Joint Town Council/Vail Recreation District Discussion
I'FC Review •
Discussion of Dotsero-to-Gypsum Bus Route (Transportation Authority currently contracts with
TOV to provide this service)
Multi -Family GRFA Discussion
September 15 Evening Meeting
First Reading, Supplemental Budget
Common Ground Presentation on Alternative Housing Suggestions
Rails and Trails -in the Eagle and Vail Valley by M.K. Centennial
n