HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-12-14 Town Council MinutesPrinted by Lorelei Donaldson 12/27/99 12:47pm
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Ffrom: Suzanne Silverthorn
To: DIST LIST GROUP
Subject: Council Highlights, part 1
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NOTE===============12/15/99==3 24pm======================================
MEDIA ADVISORY
December 15, 1999
C act: Suzanne--Silverthorn,
"Community Information Officer
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR DECEMBER 14
work ession
Council members presenti:Donovan, Foley, Kurz, Moffet, Navas, Ogilby,
Slifer*
*Arrived late
--Employee Recognition
The Council honored Leo Vasquez, an electrician., for 15 years of service to
the town. He received a check for $1,000.
--Annual Presentation of Investment Report
Councilmembers reviewed a quarterly investment report presented by Chris
Stouder, the town's finance/budget manager. She said the town maximizes its
low -risk investments by using short -and long-term strategies, consistently
bettering the Treasury Bill rate, which is used as an investment benchmark.
At the suggestion of Councilmember Sybill Navas, annual comparisons will be
added to the reports. For more information, contact Stouder at 479-2119.
---Ski Club Vail Redevelopment Discussion
The Council received an update on the Planning and Environmental
Commission's (PEC) approval of a development plan and conditional use
request for the new Ski Club Vail facility on Vail Valley Drive. The PEC
voted unanimously to approve the project with three conditions at its Dec.
meeting. The new 24,000 sq. ft. facility will triple the size of the
sting building and will accommodate 22 off -site parking spaces, including
enclosed spaces for vans. One of the conditions required by the PEC is to
n responsibility among Ski Club Vail, Vail Resorts and the Town of
for construction of a 6 ft. wide sidewalk extending from Golden Peak
to the soccer field. Ski Club Vail spokesman Rocky Christopher suggested
the town pay for the public improvements due to upwards of $200,000 in
cumulative sales taxes generated by the club's annual Ski Swap. At the
suggestion of Councilman Greg Moffet, staff was directed to review minutes
of Council meetings from 1995 to determine if Vail Resorts had been required
to install the sidewalk as part of the Golden Peak ski base redevelopment
approval. Also yesterday, Councilmember Diana Donovan expressed concerns
regarding the number of trees that would be removed to make way for the
on -site parking, while Councilman Kevin Foley suggested adding a bigger
boiler to the facility to heat the new sidewalk extension. The Town Council
will consider a rezoning request as part of the development review process
from Agriculture open Space to Ski Base Recreation. For more information,
contact Brent Wilson in the Community Development Department at 479-2140.
--Arosa-Garmisch and A -Frame Employee Housing Update
After learning of the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District's interest
in participating as a potential partner in the town's construction of 8
employee housing units in West Vail (6 at Arosa-Garmisch, 2 at "A -Frame',
site), the Town Council agreed to offer the district an option to purchase
one of the units in exchange for waiving water and sewer tap fees for all 8
units. The water district board will discuss the possibility in more detail
at its Dec. 16 meeting. Councilmembers were pleased by the district's
interest. Councilman Greg Moffet called it a great example of the Vail
Tomorrow concept of governments working together. Councilman Chuck Ogilby,
a former water board member, also expressed his enthusiasm, noting the
district has never waived a tap fee in the past. Ogilby said the town also
weds to put a timetable together to work with the district in helping it
ire the old town shop property for expansion of the sewer plant with the
ssibility of housing above. Also yesterday, Councilmember Diana Donovan
ad to receive information on the number of water district employees who
in Vail. Construction of the 8 units in West Vail will begin in April
w completion occurring next November. Town Manager Bob McLaurin has
asked Council to consider making one of the "A -frame" units available for
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town employees --either for rent or sale. In addition, the Council asked
that additional names be forwarded for consideration of a new name for the
Arosa-Garmisch development. One suggestion is Park Place Townhomes,
although several Councilmembers said it reminded them too much of the
ensive property associated with the Monopoly game. For more information,
tact Vail Housing Coordinator Nina Timm at 479-2144.
quest for Use of Dobson Ice Arena Days for Inc. 500 Summer 2000
rence
Council deferred a staff request to designate 3 of the town s free
contractual rental days at Dobson Ice Arena to be used for a July convention
sponsored by Inc. Magazine and brought to Vail through the Governor's Office
of Economic Development. The convention will draw more than 700 attendees
from the top 500 small to medium-sized companies from across the country who
will spend an estimated $2 million in Vail over the three days. Although
Councilmembers expressed support for the event, they asked to defer the
donation until more information can be gathered regarding town sponsorship
expectations and rate schedules for the Dobson Ice Arena. For more
information, contact Pam Brandmeyer, assistant town manager, at 479-2113
--PEC Report -Discussion of Vail Plaza Hotel Proposal
The Council heard an update on the Planning and Environmental Commission's
(PEC) final review of the Vail Plaza Hotel proposal. The PEC voted
unanimously to approve the request for a Major Amendment to a Special
Development District and a conditional use permit to allow for the operation
of a fractional fee club on the property. There were 21 conditions tied to
the approval. In preparation for Council consideration of the application,
several Councilmembers asked for additional information, including an
ownership mechanism for future capital improvements on the property and
underlying zoning comparisons of the Gateway Plaza building and other
components of the Vail Village Inn. The Town Council will informally review
the proposal at its Dec. 21 evening meeting and will hear from a traffic
consultant on impacts to Vail Road and the Frontage Road. The redevelopment
proposal calls for 99 hotel rooms, 48 fractional fee club units, 1
condominium, 393 parking spaces, a full service spa and health club
facility, and a 10,500 sq. ft. conference and meeting room facility. Also,
gft proposal includes creation of deed -restricted off -sate housing units for
employees. For more information, contact George Ruther in the Community
Development Department at 479-2145.
4Lncil Retreat Follow-up
As a follow-up to an earlier two-day retreat, the Council began reviewing
objectives and work plans associated with six critical strategies
(transportation, infrastructure, economic viability, housing, environment
and community collaboration). The focus of yesterday's discussion was on
transportation. The 2000 work plan will include the following: conduct
study to determine alternatives and costs for in -town shuttle; participate
in and support the CARTS demonstration project; adopt a model traffic code;
review outlying bus schedules and modify as appropriate; review loading and
delivery study and optimize resources and opportunities; implement dismount
zones in the pedestrian villages to improve safety; update the 1990
Transportation Master plan; participate in the Intermountain Regional
Transportation Planning Commission; participate in the Eagle County Rail
Initiative; and continue to participate in the Vail Valley Exchange program
for bus driver trainees.
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From: Suzanne Silverthorn
To: DIST LIST GROUP
Subject: Council Highlights, part 2
formation Update
announcements were made: the annual holiday luncheon at Public Works is
a oon Dec. 15 and the annual holiday TOV party is at 6 p.m. Dec. 17.
Also, referring to last week's agenda item regarding a funding request for
security at the Wednesday night street parties, Assistant Town Manager Pam
Brandmeyer said the additional staffing would be funded through savings
rather than the Council contingency funding requested previously.
--Council Reports
Kevin Foley reported on a Vail Recreation District meeting held earlier in
the day in which user conflicts at the Nordic Center were discussed.
Sybill Navas reported on a recent Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
meeting in which members viewed a video on a proposed rail system. Also,
the group awarded technical assistance grants, including a $3,000 grant to
the Town of Vail to help verify street addresses for emergency services.
Greg Moffet reported on his attendance at the Local Marketing District
Advisory Board meeting in which strategies were discussed in the areas of
destination marketing and group business. Moffet said the group was working
well and complimented them for volunteering their time and talents. Also,
he said it appears the advisory board is interested in expanding its
membership. The town will research whether the Council can select two
additional members from among the pool of applicants who expressed interest
previously.
--Other
Kevin Foley expressed support for the "I'm from Vail, may I help?" buttons
and said they appeared to be working in improving guest relations throughout
n. Foley also asked for a copy of the new winter bus schedule, effective
13; invited Councilmembers to attend the Eagle County Regional
ansportation Authority Christmas party; and inquired about the town's use
0agnesium chloride, which has been scaled back.
Chuck Ogilby expressed concern with the Planning and Environmental
Commission's acceptance of the Vail Plaza Hotel's request to locate employee
housing units tied to the project's approval off -site. At 300 sq, ft. per
person, Ogilby said he thinks the developer should provide housing for the
38 employees on the property, which represents just 2 percent of the total
square footage of the development. Also yesterday, Ogilby shared a
constituent idea to locate a community garden on the vacant town -owned
property across from Stephen's Park, as well as courtesy concerns about a
parking ticket issued in his neighborhood.
Lastly, at Ogilby's suggestion, Councilmembers discussed last week's request
from the skating community regarding the immediate need for a second ice
sheet. Several Councilmembers suggested consideration of a temporary
facility which would enable the ice to be used during the eventual
construction of a facility on the "Hub" site in Lionshead. Also, in
response to suggestions that the "Hub" site can be phased with construction
of an ice sheet on the bottom, Mayor Ludwig Kurz suggested the town consult
with some structural engineers to determine the feasibility. In addition,
the group expressed the need to meet with the skating community, along with
representatives from the Vail Recreation District, to discuss the options in
more detail.
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
December 21 work Session
Discussion of Ordinance re: Buffehr Creek Park Zone Change and Expansion
0sign
d Park Managed Parking
D mber 21 Evening Meeting
5�t Reading, re: Buffehr Creek Park Zoning Change and Park Expansion
nd Reading, re: Building Code Amendments
Second Reading, re: Supplemental Appropriation
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secon& Reading, re: Rockledge, Ptarmigan Road Rezoning
VgLil Plaza Hotel Redevelopment Proposal
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