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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-06 Town Council Minutes1, VAIL TOWN COUNCIL - MINUTES . TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1998 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held in the Town Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 6, 1998. The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Rob Ford, Mayor Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Armour Michael Arnett Kevin Foley Michael Jewett Sybil] Navas STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Tom Stone, a candidate for Eagle County Commissioner, introduced himself to the Council and explained that he is running in this November's election. Council member Mike Jewett asked him what the hot topics on the agenda were for Eagle County. • Tom Stone stated the common thread and a hot topic is affordable housing. There are more and more Eagle County workers living outside of Eagle County and last year more than 40 teachers left Eagle County schools due to lack of housing. He has been a real estate broker for many years and feels his background allows him to understand growth issues. Mayor Rob Ford thanked him for coming in and wished him good luck. The second item on the agenda was the consent agenda approving the Minutes from the meetings of September 1 and 15, 1998. Council member Bob Armour made a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings of September 1 and 15, 1998, the motion was seconded by Council member Ludwig Kurz. A vote was taken and passed with unanimous approval, 7-0. The third item on the agenda was second reading of Ordinance No. 14, Series of 1998, Making Supplemental Appropriations from the Town of Vail General Fund, Heavy Equipment Fund, Parking Structure Fund, Housing Fund; Capital Projects Fund, Debt Service Fund, Booth Creek Debt Service Fund, and Facility Maintenance Fund, of the 1998 Budget and the Financial Plan for the Town of Vail, Colorado; and Authorizing the Expenditures of Said Appropriations as Set Forth Herein, and Setting Forth Details in Regard Thereto. 1 Vail Council Meeting Minutes October B, 1998 Steve Thompson, Finance Director, explained there was one additional change to the supplemental. The staff added an additional $5,000 to be taken out of the housing fund to rectify the noise issue at Vail Commons and City Market. Council member Bob Armour made a motion to approve on second reading, Ordinance No. 14, Series of 1998, the motion was seconded by Council member Sybill Navas. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The fourth item on the agenda was Proclamation No. 8, Series of 1998, proclaiming October 4- 10, 1998, "Fire Prevention Week." Dick Duran, Fire Chief, gave a brief explanation on how fire prevention week was started back in 1871 when the great fire of Chicago broke out on October 8, 1871. The fire department staff has done presentations in the local schools this week. Mayor Rob Ford read the proclamation for fire prevention week. Council member Sybill Navas made a motion to approve Proclamation No. 8, Series of 1998, the motion was seconded by Council member Ludwig Kurz. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The fifth item on the agenda was a discussion of the Vail First Request Re: Business License Fee. Mayor Rob Ford explained that there have been several presentations to Council in the past It few weeks regarding this issue and invited community members who haven't had a chance to speak about this issue to do so at this time. He requested the speakers keep their discussion to the current issue. He explained that Vail First has requested most of the Vail business license fees currently collected and funded to the regional marketing efforts of the Vail Valley Marketing Board (WMB) and the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau (VVTCB), be transferred to the Vail First group for exclusive marketing of Vail only. Mayor Ford expressed that there was a need to find a win -win solution to both sides of this issue and that there needs to be a compromise to make this happen. Jonathan Staufer handed out to Council and read out loud, a letter that his father, Josef Staufer, wrote to Council regarding this issue. Joe Staufer's letter stated that he is in favor of regional marketing, however, he feels most of the business license fees should stay in Vail and said there is $75,000 in the Vail First budget to be funded to the WMB. Joe stated that through the VVTCB there were extra incentives to their staff to make bookings down valley versus in the Town of Vail. He said this is not helping the town's sales tax revenues or helping to have guests stay in Vail. He expressed that the Vail First group is not against regional marketing, but that they want the rest of the valley to pay their fair share of marketing costs. Ross Boyle, chairman of the Vail Valley Marketing Board, stated that 65%-75% of lodging dollars in the past few years have gone directly to Vail, and not down valley. The marketing board's view is it would not be fair to say that the majority of the dollars do not come to Vail. He 0 2 Vail Council Meeting Minutes October 6, 1998 explained that without full funding from the Town, there will not be adequate regional marketing in 1999 because other entities would also reduce their marketing dollars. He stated that this is a fact not a threat. If Vail reduces their funding dollars, the Town of Avon and Beaver Creek would also reduce their funding. Ross also said he feels the sales tax revenues are flat because local people are moving down valley and their dollars are going to down valley businesses. He also stated that failure to fund regional marketing now, we will see a reduction of 3%-5% in future sales tax revenues. He requested that Vail fund the marketing board for the next two years until a lodging tax issue can go to a vote and use those fees for marketing. Ross explained that all the members of the marketing board are volunteers who work very hard to get the most bang for the buck. Council member Mike Jewett asked Ross if the marketing issue went to a vote, wouldn't the Edwards businesses have to put money into the marketing fund. Ross reiterated that this is a lodging tax only, only lodges would be taxed and those funds used for marketing. Council member Mike Jewett asked wouldn't it be fair if the businesses down valley were to start to contribute now. Ross Boyle explained that in the past, some of the businesses have contributed funds but they have been small amounts. He'stated the amount of time and effort spent conducting presentations and requesting funding from entities is substantial and to do so in unincorporated • areas would not be worth the time and effort at this point. He said the Edwards area is now taking business away from Avon as well as Vail, as Avon was taking business away from Vail in the past. This dynamic has been happening for years. Pat Peeples, representing the Vail Valley Marketing Board, thanked the Council for their patience in this process. She said, in all due respect to Joe Staufer, there has been continuity in the VVMB since 1989. The marketing board is made up of members from every facet of business in the valley and there is tremendous momentum at this time. She stated there are two concerns, and the financial concerns drive the philosophical concerns. She said It would be a shame to dismantle a great process that works and also said the volunteers do a great job. Frank Johnson, VVTCB President, clarified the incentive program at the Visitor's Center which Joe Staufer mentioned in his letter was old information from 1995 and that this practice is no longer in place. He explained that all the properties in the valley are weighted according to degrees of difficulty of rental. He said the VVTC13 doesn't require employees to book down valley first. Steve Rosenthal, business owner and Vail First member, stated they are for regional marketing, and that Vail First is only doing what other businesses do when there is change, and that is to change with the times. He said any good business looks ahead to foresee obstacles and they want to promote Vail. He broke down the costs of what could be returned to the VVMB and VVTCB and taken out of the $300,000 plus budget of the business license fees. He doesn't 3 Vail Council Meeting Minutes October 6, 1998 want the regional marketing board to go away, Vail First is just wanting more focus in Vail because expansion of the valley westward is making the businesses in Vail suffer. Beth Slifer, Slifer Designs business owner, stated this is an opportunity to appoint one or two members of the Council to the marketing board. She doesn't feel there has been enough information sharing among all the parties involved. She also said that not every business in Vail is suffering. The Squash Blossom had a great summer, in spite of the construction this summer. She stated the reason for their success is in how they changed their product to be oriented to the guests and not the local market. Kaye Ferry, Vail First member and business owner, stated all of the questions and arguments which have been raised are incidental. She said the fact is this is the third year that this issue has been addressed and nothing has changed to date, and unless the Council quits funding the marketing board, they will not find other permanent ways to get funding. Bob Fritch, owner of the Sitzmark Lodge, has nine retail tenants in the Sitzmark and has concerns for his tenants. He is in support of a lodging tax to go entirely to marketing. Vail is oriented to tourism and if Vail were to pull out funds from advertising, it would hurt the whole valley. He reiterated that when the business license fee was implemented it was stated it would be for marketing. Rod Slifer, business owner and board member of the VVi'CB, explained that through the years it was important that the whole valley pull their resources and not be separated and feels this needs to continue. He said equity is an issue but if we all keep working on it, this will get better. Herman Staufer, business owner, is in support of the Vail First group. If everyone down valley brought in money like Vail does, this item wouldn't be an issue. He wants to see the down valley businesses pay their share so it would be more equitable. He also said Vail sales taxes are flat and the only way to change it is to market Vail. He suggested that other areas in the County have a business license fee to help with marketing costs. Mayor Rob Ford stated it has become apparent that there are two issues. One is funding marketing efforts of the VVMBIVVTCB and Vail First and should the funding come from the summer marketing program. He said Vail should be able to support both marketing areas and wants everyone to work together so money is not taken from programs that are already successful. Council member Sybill Navas explained the marketing board members are made up of the best qualified members regardless of where people lived or worked in the valley. She said as a business owner in Vail for the past 24 years, there has been a positive impact to the businesses since the marketing board has been in existence. She feels the marketing board is a very effective tool and would hate to see it dismantled. She agreed with the Mayor that both funding areas are worthy but doesn't know how they can both be funded this year. Council member Bob Armour said the use of the business license fee is working, and feels the valley needs a cohesive marketing program. He stated that in 1993 Colorado lead the nation as a destination area, however, after state funding was cut, it dropped to 17th in the nation. He 0 4 Vail Council Meeting Minutes October 6, 1998 also said isolation and/or protectionism is not the direction to go. The state legislature passed a bill approving a lodging tax and will go to a vote in Eagle County in 1999. The reduction of the Vail marketing dollars would greatly diminish our power to market Vail and the rest of the valley. Bob wants more special events to occur in Vail and wants more return for Vail's dollar. Council member Mike Arnett, explained he is in favor of valley wide marketing and for marketing Vail too. He had a question about the legality of using Vail funds for down valley marketing. He went through the funding costs and found the difference between the two groups was approximately $126,000. He is willing to look for ways to fund Vail First and the VVMBIVVTCB. Council member Mike Jewett stated the bottom line is the funding needs to come back to Vail. He feels there needs to be a compromise and leans towards funding the Vail First group. He said he wants other entities to contribute more funds from down valley. Council member Ludwig Kurz, stated the points Bob Armour made reflect his thoughts. The Council needs to address both entities but if there is no way to fund both, he would vote to continue funding the WMB and VVTCB. He feels the Council cannot negate the work that has happened in the past ten years. He is concerned about some of the statements made tonight were false statements and accusations. He said it is difficult at this stage to commit it to the Vail First group when Council does not have detailed budgets, marketing plans, and business plans from Vail First to review. Who will administer the funds? The successful track record of the regional marketing program, if fragmented, would have negative consequences for Vail in the future. Kaye Ferry reiterated that $75,000 would go back to the VVMBIVVTCB, plus other funds that the Council gives to WMB and VVTCB could still go to them, however she said the difference of $126,000 should be collected from other entities down valley. Council member Kevin Foley stated this is a difficult decision because all interested parties are interested in the good of the Vail valley. He also supported trying to find funding for both entities. He also said the big special events this summer brought in lots of guests who stayed throughout the valley. Mayor Rob Ford asked what the Council what they wanted to do now, vote or table to allow for more discussion and possible solutions. He said the Council would work something out by November 1, 1998. Council member Bob Armour stated his concern is money. He asked how do we fund two marketing programs when we don't have the money. He wants to keep bringing people to the valley. He is concerned that merchants from the West Vail area may not benefit from the Vail First proposal. How do they benefit from special events held in the Village? Mayor Rob Ford asked Bob McLaurin, Town Manager, if this item was to be voted on. Bob McLaurin said the Council should make a decision. This funding is for the 1999 budget starting January 1, 1999. 6 5 Vail Council Meeting Minutes October 6, 1998 Council member Sybill Navas said her concern is if we don't fund regionally, how will we sustain the tourism trade. She is concerned that if the regional marketing board is not effective, 01 Beaver Creek will market themselves, and Beaver Creek has deeper funding pockets. Mayor Rob Ford said that during this discussion the $300,000-$400,000 funding of the Free After Three program has not been mentioned, Council member Mike Arnett said it's important to bring some funds back to Vail, specifically for Vail. Mike reviewed the budget line items again. The difference is approximately $126,000. Council member Mike Jewett asked for a break. A short break was taken. Mayor Rob Ford resumed the meeting. Council member Mike Arnett made a motion to table this item. He wants to find a win -win solution. The motion was seconded by Kevin Foley with the provision that it is brought up during the budget talks. Council member Mike Jewett said the Vail First group and the VVTCB and VVMB need to come up with solutions to resolve the issues too. Mayor Rob Ford stated a decision will be made by the first of November. Council member Mike Arnett clarified the motion to table this item with the conditions that it be resolved by November 1, 1998 and that this item is discussed during budget talks. The motion was seconded by Council member Kevin Foley. Council member Bob Armour said he wanted them to "show me the money" of where funds would be coming from and didn't want to postpone the decision. Council member Sybill Navas stated she was willing to vote tonight to fund the regional marketing board and agreed with Bob Armour about not wanting to postpone the decision. A vote was taken and the motion to table was passed, 4-3, with Council members Ludwig Kurz, Sybill Navas and Bob Armour against. The sixth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Ski Club Vail has approached the Town with a request to allow them to upgrade the shoulder of Vail Valley Drive between Gold Peak and their facility, and to use this facility for loading and unloading. The current ordinance prohibits parking and loading in this area. The proposal has been reviewed by the Development Review Team (DRT) and they feel this loading area would create additional congestion and cause delays with the bus service in the area. 9 6 Vail Council Meeting Minutes October 6, 1998 n LJ • Council member Kevin Foley requested staff bring this issue before Council to be reviewed and considered. As there was no further business, a motion was made by Council member Mike Arnett to adjourn the meeting and was seconded by Council member Kevin Foley. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at,,8,:50 p.m. „�msttntrrr a 1 OF A E T: tz wttna. Orel I Donaldson Town Clerk Respe y submitted, '4I1 ? Rob Ford Mayor 7 Vail Town Council Minutes October B, 1998 What follows will reflect motions and actions taken by the Vail Town Council at their regular work session on October 20, 1998. All members were present with the exception of Rob Ford. Item No, 1, Art In Public Places. Nancy Sweeney, Coordinator for the Art In Public Places Committee reported on work staff and the Board members had been working on over the past several months. She outlined the model used with the help of consultant Alysia Kehoe to establish mission, vision, values and goals for AIPP. The vision statement she presented was both broad and inspirational explaining the existence of the AIPP Board and was deemed to be enduring: "Enrich our community through public exposure to the arts." Additionally, she introduced the mission statement which is: "To develop artistic projects and programs that involve and educate the community." She further explained a, b and c priorities for the Board as well as defined relationships between board members, the Town of Vail Council and the Department of Public Works. Questions from Council included how AIPP will relate to and implement art within the Lionshead Master Plan process and at what stage AIPP was in regard to donors and contributions. For more information please contact Nancy Sweeney at 479-2344. Item No. 2, was a request from the Colorado Alliance for Rapid Transit Solution (CARTS) funding request. This item was tabled to the work session on 10/27/98 in order to answer the following questions: 1. Is the request for $2,000 for continuing `98 funding or for annual `99? 2. At what level are other entities making contributions for 1999? M3. How was the past $71,000 collected for the 97-98 time frame spent? Item No. 3, was an appeal of a Design Review Board Decision denying the applicant's request to construct a detached accessory storage unit adjacent to an existing duplex located at 5064 Black Gore Drive/Lot 4, Vail Meadows, 1 st Filing. The applicant, Patrick Padden. Following discussion Mike Arnett moved to uphold the Design Review Board's denial of the separation request based on the following finding: the Town Council finds that Design Review Board's decision to deny the proposed separation request was proper and in accordance with it's provisions of Title 12, Zoning Regulations and that no significant site constraints exist on this property warranting such separation. Bob Armour seconded this motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed 5-1, with Mike Jewett in opposition to this motion. r LJ