The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1999-06-08 Town Council Minutes0 OF VAILY 5 Sourh Frontage Road Pail, Colorado 81657 970-479-2100 FAX 970-479-2157 MEDIA ADVISORY June 9, 1999 Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115 Community Information Office VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR JUNE 8 Work Session Briefs Council members present: Armour, Arnett, Ford, Jewett`, Kurz *Jewett was excused from the meeting prior to adjournment --Site Visit and Discussion of Proposed Marriott Redevelopment Following a site visit, the Council offered conceptual support for a redevelopment proposal that would "re -skin" the exterior of Marriott's Mountain Resort in Lionshead as well as construction of 66 interval ownership club units on top of the existing parking structure. The proposal also includes conversion of the "Windows" restaurant to four condominium units and the conversion of existing ski storage/retail area to six employee housing units. The proposal is among the first to be considered under the guidelines of the newly approved Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan. During discussion, Councilmembers applauded the developer for modifying the project • based on concerns expressed by the Design Review Board, the Planning and Environmental Commission and the adjoining neighborhood. Additional refinements suggested yesterday by the Council included: additional loading and delivery improvements; an increase in the multiplier for the employee housing component; additional architectural treatments on the east and south sides of the Gore Creek Club; breaking up the west elevation of the Gore Creek Club; and additional discussions to determine an equitable formula for impact fees associated with improvements to the Frontage Road. After spending two -and -a -half years developing the Lionshead Master Plan, Mayor Rob Ford said he's "pleased to see this kind of project come through." The Council will formally consider the proposal for first reading at the July 6 evening meeting. For more information, contact George Ruther in the Community Development Department at 479-2145. --Vail Marketing Ballot Issue Representing a coalition that includes Vail -based lodges, restaurants and Lionshead merchants, Rob Levine presented the Council with a request to ask Vail voters to consider a 1.4 percent lodging tax in November. The percentage would keep the total tax in Vail under 10 percent, he said. Levine, the general manager of the Antlers, also said the group prefers to use Vail's boundaries as a local marketing district for the tax as specified by state legislation. He said the local marketing district would give the lodging community security in that the $1.6 million generated annually would be spent on marketing rather than diverted to other uses. In addition, he said the Council could choose to expand the district if circumstances change in the future. Support for the lodging tax, he said, is contingent on the town's continuation of its current funding levels for marketing, which includes $318,000 funding from the business license fee, plus $183,000 from the general fund, as well as $170,000 for special events and $110,000 for operation of the information centers. Although LeVine said the lodges have suggested an increase in the business license fee to create more equity from those who will benefit from increased marketing, they've agreed to set the discussion aside until after the election. Also • (more) 16#* RECYCLEDPAPER Add 11TOV Council Highlights16-8-99 speaking yesterday was Ross Boyle, chairman of the Vail Valley Marketing Board, who said the voluntary board had agreed to develop a Vail -only marketing plan for 2000 based on a $2 million budget, assuming the lodging tax is approved in November. He said the plan would be presented to Council the first week in August and could be used as part of an informational campaign for the election. Next to speak was Kaye Ferry of the Vail Village Merchants Association, who said her organization would be meeting later this week to discuss the lodging tax proposal. Also yesterday, the Council heard from Joe Staufer, representing 30 members of a new organization called the Vail Community Chamber of Commerce. The former owner of the Vail Village inn said the group supports a IA percent lodging tax under a home rule ballot proposal rather than the local marketing district. He said a home rule approach would eliminate the possibility of a walleywide marketing effort down the road. Staufer has been a proponent of Vail -only marketing. Next to speak was Carol Alleman, manager of the Galatyn Lodge, who urged the Council to maintain the town's current funding level for marketing. Without it, she said support of the lodging tax will diminish. Stan Cope, manager of the Lodge Tower and Vail Athletic Club, reminded the Council that a 2.5 percent credit card fee will cost Vail lodges approximately $40,000 out of pocket to collect the 1.4 percent lodging tax and that 70 percent of the tax will be collected from winter guests. Gary Fries, general manager of the Cascade Club and chairman of the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau, offered the membership's 100 percent support for the 1.4 percent lodging tax proposal advocated by LeVlne. Council reaction included remarks by Michael Arnett who said he wasn't comfortable with a request to maintain the town's funding levels for marketing, given the town's latest efforts to cut its operational budget. Arnett also asked the group to consider a specific sunset clause in the ballot issue. Mayor Rob Ford said he was encouraged to see the business community step forward to champion the effort. As the Council awaits presentation of a local marketing district petition, Ford suggested the groups continue to discuss contribution ideas that would create participation equity throughout the community. For more information, contact Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer at 479-2113. --Discussion of False Fire Alarm Ordinance The Council reviewed a draft false fire alarm ordinance in preparation for first reading at the June 15 evening meeting. In developing the ordinance, Fire Chief Dick Duran said the department met with various property owners and contractors to incorporate their suggestions and concerns. Overall, Duran said the business community has been supportive of the proposed legislation, which is aimed at reducing the number of false fire alarms in Vail by 30 percent. This would be handled by citing repeat offenders to Municipal Court, where penalties could range from a fine of. up to $999 andtor incarceration of up to 180 days in jail. Currently, the department uses a six- month process, to work with property owners. Fire Marshal Mike McGee has said the process is tedious and ineffective in bringing about a quick remedy. As a result of feedback from the business community, the proposed legislation includes a mitigation clause that gives fire officials the discretion to waive the issuance of a summons to Municipal Court, provided the owner takes reasonable steps to mitigate the cause of the false alarm within a reasonable time period. Chief Duran has said previously the court action would be used as a last resort for a small group of violators. During discussion, Councilman Bob Armour, a longtime proponent of a false alarm ordinance, wondered if the legislation "shows enough teeth." Armour suggested consideration of structured fines rather than leaving the penalty up to the discretion of the Municipal Judge, Town Manager Bob McLaurin said the staff would continue to research the possibility of structured fines with a discussion to occur prior to second reading of the ordinance. Last December, Councilmembers reviewed statistics that showed 2,823 false alarms at 302 properties in Vail within a two -and -a -half year period. Since those discussions began, Chief Duran says his department has already seen a reduction in the number of false alarms. For more information, contact Duran at 479-2252. (more) 0 Add 21TOV Council Highlights16-8-99 --Discussion of a New Housing Zone District and Potential Changes to Employee Housing 40 Chapter This discussion was tabled to the June 15 work session to enable Councilmembers to attend the Vail Tomorrow Community BBQ. --information Update Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer announced that more than 800 rooms have already been donated by the lodging community to assist with the West Fest event over Labor Day weekend. Organizers have asked for a donation of 950 rooms. Other announcements included: the Colorado Department of Transportation has received permission from the Town of Vail Community Development Department to construct a berm at the East Vail parking lot on Fall Line Drive; and paver repairs will be occurring in Slifer Plaza beginning Wednesday and will last the remainder of the week along East Meadow Drive. Bus service will be maintained throughout the project. --Council Reports There were no council reports. --Other At the suggestion of Mayor Rob Ford, Councilmembers agreed to establish a three -minute limit for constituents appearing before the Town Council under the citizen participation agenda heading for increased efficiencies during Council meetings. Bob Armour said he had asked Town Attorney Tom Moorhead for clarification regarding Council call-up of Design Review Board and Planning and Environmental Commission decisions. Armour . has questioned whether the action should be considered an appeal, which requires notification of adjacent property owners. UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS June 15 Work Session PEC Review John Ervin 15 Year Anniversary Jack Owen 10 Year Anniversary Housing Zone District and EHU Discussion Vail Mountain School, Site Visit and Appeal June 15 Evening Meeting TOV Annual Community Survey Results First Reading, False Fire Alarm Ordinance Second Reading, Glen Lyon Office Building SDD Amendment Resolution, IGA & Wildfire Protection Plan June 22 Work Session Joint Meeting with Eagle County Commissioners DRB Report Model Traffic Code Discussion Consideration of Amendment of TCI Franchise Agreement Lodging Quality Discussion & Site Visit