HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-25 Town Council MinutesMrowNOF�AIL
75 South Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157
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MEDIA ADVISORY
August 26, 1998
Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115
Community Information Office
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST 25
Work Session Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Arnett, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Kurz
(Sybil) Navas is in Australia representing the Town of Vail)
--Employee Recognition
The Council recognized Cooter Overcash, a fire technician in the Fire Department and Brian
Canepa, a carpenter in the Public Works Department, for 20 and 15 years of service,
respectively.
--Vail Valley Community TV Update
Next, the Council heard an overview from representatives of Channel 5 regarding the station's
programming as well as attempts to increase the station's revenue sources through corporate
sponsorships. The station operates on an annual budget of about $100,000, which includes
$45,000 in TCI cable franchise fees collected in Vail and passed on to the station. The Town of
Vail contributes 2% of the 5% franchise fee to Channel 5. Corporate support from TCI has
decreased in the last three years, they said, due to new franchise agreements with the towns of
Vail and Avon. This has resulted in the need for increased revenues for equipment replacement
and other operational costs. Channel 5 board members Brian Hall and Steve Miller said they
wanted to make sure Councilmembers thought the station was providing a valuable service to
the area. Assuming it is, they said they'd continue pursuing revenue sources to keep the station
afloat. The Town Council continues to discuss the status of the current franchise agreement
which provided for a total fiber optic build out. TCI has already put the town on notice that it has
selected a digital technology approach, instead, and this state-of-the-art upgrade no longer
requires a total fiber optic build out. The current franchise agreement calls for significant
penalties for violations of the agreement's requirements.
--PEC/DRB Report
During a review of the recent Planning and Environmental Commission and Design Review
Board meetings, the Council received updates on a plan to expand Timber Falls, as well as a
development request that would create 21 employee housing units, 15 fractional fee units and
11 accommodation units on the site at Cascade Village known as "the ruins." Updates also
were provided on: a request to remodel the front entryway of the Vail Village Club; a request to
use the tennis facility at Vail Cascade Hotel and Club for special events and conference
facilities; a request to expand Dobson Ice Arena for locker rooms and a gymnastics facility; a
request to revise the west entry at the Mountain Haus; a request for site improvements at the
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Vista Bahn ski yard; and a request for the placement of mechanical equipment on the roof of the to
Glen Lyon Office Building. For details, contact Dominic Mauriello in the Community
Development Department at 479-2148.
--Red Sandstone Lottery
The Council gave final approval to the criteria for the upcoming public lottery on the Red
Sandstone affordable housing development. Six units will be made available for purchase by
the public. The lottery criteria includes the following: equal consideration will be given to length
of employment within the Town of Vail as well as length of time living within the Town of Vail;
duration of residency within the Town of Vail will have to be verifiable (voter registration, former
leases, utility bills, etc.); people both working and residing within the Town of Vail will be given
higher priority than those just living within the town, based on the structure of the lottery which
combines points from both of these categories; the lottery will be open to all who currently do not
own a home within Eagle County (prior home ownership will not be a factor); the business
community will be invited to purchase or lease units in larger and/or seasonal housing projects,
but will not be allowed in this lottery. The lottery drawing for the six units will be held Nov. 5.
The remaining 12 units will be controlled by Town of Vail and its project partner, the Eagle River
Water and Sanitation District. For additional details, please refer to the news release issued
earlier today, or call Andy Knudtsen in the Community Development Department at 479-2440.
--Village Core Construction Update
Larry Grafel, public works/transportation director, gave an overview on the Village construction
projects. Seibert Circle is nearly complete with clean-up scheduled for this weekend. Sculpture
pieces will arrive after Labor Day. The snowmelt project at the Transportation Center will be
about 98 percent complete by next week. The Slifer Plaza project will be nearly complete by the
end of next week with the in -town bus route resuming normal operations by Labor Day weekend.
Also, there's been a one -day delay in the asphalt overlay project on the West Vail bus routes
due to equipment problems, Grafel said. Public Works underpass project is running about two
weeks behind schedule, also due to equipment problems, in addition to problems associated
with unstable soil. In addition, the town is in the process of receiving approval from the Federal
Highway Administration for construction of the "button hook" turn at the 1-70 eastbound onramp
just east of -the- Main Vail roundabout on South Frontage Rd. The Colorado Department of
Transportation has already given approval, Grafel said. Also yesterday, in response to a
question from Kevin Foley, Bob McLaurin explained the status of a drainage pipe associated
with expansion of the Gasthof Gramshammer.
--Common Ground/List of Ideas and Concepts
The Council reviewed a list of 60-plus affordable housing ideas that have been offered
throughout the Common Ground process and asked members of the audience to add additional
ideas to the list. This is in preparation for the next community discussion on Common Ground
which has been scheduled for Sept. 15. At that time, the list, along with a staff,analysis, would
serve as the basis for presentation and discussion. During yesterday's session, Farrow Hitt, a
resident of the Intermountain neighborhood, asked Council to consider scheduiing time beyond
the Sept. 15 discussion for a continued dialogue on the ideas. Diana Donovan, a resident of the
Golf Course neighborhood, submitted a list of additional ideas to be added to the list. She said
she was looking forward to working with the Council and that she was optimistic that the ideas
could meet the Council's housing goals without "stepping on anyone's toes." She suggested
Council provide a forum for discussion of complicated ideas and to allow citizens an opportunity
to explain why a previously dismissed idea still has merit. While the submission of new ideas is 4W
welcome any time, Councilmembers asked that ideas to be discussed on Sept. 15 be submitted
to the town by Sept. 3. Information packets for the Sept. 15 discussion will be available to
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members of the public by 2 p.m. on Sept. 11. The packets will be available at the information
desk in the Vail Municipal Building. Also yesterday, Paul Rondeau, a resident of the Golf Course
neighborhood, presented his thoughts regarding additional compromises that are in order to
move the Common Ground process forward without being tied up in the courts. Rondeau
offered suggestions for behavior improvements among those who have spoken out against the
plan, those who are actively in support of the plan and members of the Town Council.
--Information Update
In preparation for a joint meeting with the Vail Recreation District Board on Sept. 15,
Councilmembers were asked to review a list of discussion topics.
--Council Reports
Kevin Foley gave an update on the most recent activities of the Eagle County Regional
Transportation Authority in which a new name (ECO) has been introduced. Foley also
expressed frustration that an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the authority and the
Town of Vail took longer to complete than anticipated. The IGA is for operation of the Dotsero-
to-Vail bus service. In addition, Foley suggested scheduling a Council discussion on the Town
of Vail's future contractual involvement in operation of the Dotsero-to-Gypsum route. The Town
launched the route in.partnership with Eagle County in 1994 prior to passage of the half -cent
countywide transportation sales tax and before the transit authority was formed. Town Manager
Bob McLaurin has said operation of the outlying route stretches the town's capability to provide
quality bus service within the town's boundaries. Also yesterday, Foley, after representing the
Council at a meeting of the Vail Recreation District, expressed concerns about the VRD's
expansion plans for Dobson Arena, indicating the expansion has turned into a much larger
project than originally planned. He also said the VRD would address concerns expressed by a
40 neighbor at the Golf Course regarding use of speakers during the early morning hours.
Bob Armour reported on a recent meeting of the Vail 99 Organizing Committee, as well as a
Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) meeting in Gunnison. The CAST meeting featured
comments from representatives of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the
Office of Business Development, Colorado Travel and Tourism and the state chapter of the
American Planning Association. Also at the meeting, Armour learned that Vail stands to receive
$216,00.0 for local transportation projects if voters approve a statewide ballot issue to retain
excess revenues. Those revenues would be distributed throughout the state for education and
transportation projects.
Michael Arnett attended a board meeting of the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau in
which there was a discussion regarding the likelihood of "tourism -friendly" candidates for the
Avon Town Council. Camp Jeep's success also was discussed, as well as an update on the
Vail Oktoberfest event and an interest by the VVTCB to close the Lionshead Information Center.
Also, Arnett said he was concerned that a non-member business owner has reported difficulty in
receiving referrals from the VVTCB information center. He said representatives from the VVTCB
have assured him that non-members are treated fairly by the VVTCB and that an aggressive
employee training program would be launched immediately.
--Other
After describing the town's inability to enforce the use of helmets at the skatepark in the
Lionshead parking structure, Town Attorney Tom Moorhead received the go-ahead from Council
to pursue an emergency ordinance that would require use of helmets at the skatepark along with
40 any other enforcement measures suggested by the Vail Recreation District. The emergency
ordinance will be considered at next Tuesday's evening Council meeting. Despite posted signs
and verbal requests from skatepark supervisors, Moorhead said the supervisors are having
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difficulty getting about 90 percent of the users to wear their helmets. He said an ordinance
requiring helmet use will provide an enforcement tool that currently doesn't exist. During
discussion, Councilman Michael Jewett expressed interest in limiting the scope of the helmet
ordinance to the skatepark, itself.
Bob Armour thanked those who participated in the Rescue Rangers event last Saturday at Ford
Bark.
Michael Jewett received clarification from Town Attorney Tom Moorhead regarding the status of
the Common Ground lawsuits.' Moorhead said the town has been served and has responded to
3 lawsuits. At Jewett's request, the town's response will be routed to Councilmembers.
Kevin Foley also expressed appreciation to organizers of the Rescue Rangers program. He
also: noted the ultra marathon race went well; thanked Ludwig Kurz and Rob Ford for
sponsorship of his participation in a bike race fund-raiser; asked that more chairs be added to
the Council Chambers for overflow crowds; shared a constituent request that the North Trail be
renamed in memory of Lyndon 'Ellefson; suggested moving forward on a Council training
program for use of Internet e-mail; noted that Fire Chief Dick Duran had been mentioned in Golf
Digest for a hole -in -one shot in Rifle; suggested the Town Council voice mail system be adjusted
to enable messages to be routed to all Council members with one phone call, as well as an
ability to return to the main menu after leaving a message; asked that the Town consider a
proactive campaign to address the need for residents and bears to co -exist; suggested the need
to revisit the Dowd Junction recreation path closure schedule (the path is closed during elk and
deer migration season at the direction of the Colorado Division of Wildlife); asked about the
status of the daycare facility at Vail Commons to replace the Bright Horizons operation (there will
be interruption of service, but City Market is in contact with several qualified daycare providers);
inquired about the status of rebuilding the playground equipment at Stephens Park (materials
will be delivered in mid September); and inquired about the possibility of re-establishing a tot lot
for the Lionshead area.
Lastly, Joanne Glenn, a former staff member of the Vail Valley Tourism & Convention Bureau,
distributed a letter to Councilmembers explaining her allegation of questionable practices
associated with the distribution of lodging reservations throughout the valley by the VVTCB.
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
September 1 Work Session
Multi -Family GRFA Discussion
Glen Lyon Office Building
September 1 Evening Meeting
Second Reading, Bond Refinancing
Emergency Ordinance Requiring Use of Helmets at the Skatepark Facility on the Lionshead
Parking Structure
September S Work Session
DRB Review
Discussion of Model Traffic Code
Park Free After 3 Discussion
Second Quarter Financial Report
75 South Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 1998
TM
Contact: Andy Knudtsen, 479-2440
TOV Senior Housing Policy Planner
INFORMATION PACKETS AVAILABLE SEPT.1 FOR RED SANDSTONE
HOUSING LOTTERY; APPLICATIONS DUE OCT. 1
(Vail) --Information packets will be available beginning Sept. 1 for those interested in becoming
future home owners of a unit in Vail's Red Sandstone Creek housing complex. The packets,
available from the Town of Vail Community Development Department, contain floor plans for the
00 new development as well as qualifications and procedures that will be used in deciding who will
live there. Construction of the 18-unit for -sale development began in July and will be completed
this spring.
Six units will be distributed to qualified buyers through a public lottery drawing on Nov. 5. The
units include 4 two -bedroom units for $138,500 each and 2 three -bedroom units for $178,500
each. The projected sales prices for the units are 40 percent below market rates for comparable
units of similar quality and location.
Lottery applications are due Oct. 1. Eligibility requirements for prospective home buyers
include the following: must currently own no other real estate in Eagle County, plan to use the
residence as an owner -occupied primary home and work a minimum of 30 hours over the course
of the year, and plan to continue working that same amount until the sale of the property or
retirement. Longevity of employment in Vail and residency will be used to rank candidates. This
will allow participation from downvalley residents, but will give Vail locals an edge. The larger
40 units will be set aside for families with children. Resale of the property will be capped at three
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Red Sandstone Lottery/Add 1
percent annual appreciation,
Already, community interest in the six Red Sandstone units is high, with over 35 inquiries, said
Andy Knudtsen, project manager.
Of the remaining 12 Red Sandstone units,.two have been allocated to be purchased by critical
Town of Vail employees. The Eagle River Water and Sanitation District will acquire four units to
be rented to its employees, with four more units to be sold directly to water district employees.
The remaining two units, which are ADA accessible, will be sold by the Water District to the
Mountain Valley Corporation, which provides local services to developmentally disabled local
residents. The Town of Vail and the Water District are partners in the $2,6 million development,
each contributing land, coordination and project financing.
The Red Sandstone drawing in November will mark Vail's second housing lottery. In 1996, 75
applicants competed for 53 for -sale units at Vail Commons. Those units have since remained
within their original ownership, which reflects the town's goal of providing opportunities for
people to "put down roots" in'Vail, Knudtsen said.
For more information on the Red Sandstone lottery, contact Knudtsen at 479-2440.
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