HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-21 Town Council Minutes0 VAIL TOWN COUNCIL
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL - MINUTES
TUESDAY, November 21, 2000
7:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held in the Town Council Chambers
on Tuesday, November 21, 2000. The meeting was called to order at approximately
7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro-tem
Chuck Ogilby
Diana Donovan
Rod Slifer
Greg Moffet
Kevin Foley
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manger
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney
Mayor Kurz asked Chief Gulick to update the Town Council on the cause and origin of the
fire at the Marriott. Chief Gulick said that the cause was a chimney fire. The flue (pipe)
was not supported properly with strapping and screws. The pipe dropped and separated
allowing embers to escape in the sofit and insulation. Eventually the fire extended into the
chase and on to the siding and balconies.
The first item on the agenda was citizen Participation. Joel Heath and Kim Cobb, both of
the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau (VVTCB), presented a brief overview of
recent accomplishments, including the upcoming completion of the Gore Creek water park.
They thanked Todd Oppenheimer and Gregg Barrie, town special projects architects and
coordinators, for their tireless efforts and expertise. Additionally, Heath announced that
Brad Ludden, one of the top three kayakers in the U.S., has offered to help bring the top
eight kayakers in the country to Vail for the Memorial Day weekend Whitewater Festival,
if Vail will help sponsor a kayaking clinic for kids with cancer in August 2001. Kim Cobb
reported the VVTCB had recently concluded a successful negotiation for another three-
year contract with Discover Card. She also handed out a stakeholder's report for this past
year's special events.
Paul Rondeau, a Vail resident, congratulated the Council on its successful de-Brucing
effort. He requested additional mill levy funds be accounted for in a specific manner,
. identified in conjunction with a special project, such as funding for non-profit groups. He
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also suggested the funds be enacted annually so voters would be better able to track and
sign -off annually on the use of the additional funds generated by removal of a mill levy
credit that had been tied to the TABOR amendment. Rondeau also asked that "de-
Brucing" terminology no longer be used. Instead, he suggested use of the term "TABOR
Incremental Tax Adjustment."
The second item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 27, Series
of 2000 - Annexation of 1-70. Portions of the 1-70/Frontage Road right-of-way are not
within Town of Vail limits. As part of a contract agreement with CDOT to take over
maintenance of the Frontage Road, the Town of Vail is annexing portions of the right
of -way not already within the Town of Vail. Moffet moved to approve Ordinance No. 27,
Series 2000. Foley seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously,
7-0.
The third item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 28, Series of 2000
- 2001 Budget. Through a series of work session meetings, Council has reviewed the 2001
Budget. To comply with the Town Charter, the budget must be formally adopted by
December 1, 2000. The changes have been made to the Capital and RETT Funds as
discussed at the November 14 worksession. Council revisited several line items which had
been changed from the previous week, to better reflect capital and Real Estate Transfer
Tax -funded projects that correspond more closely to Council's critical strategies. Moffet
• moved to approved Ordinance No. 27, Series 2000. Slifer seconded. A vote was taken
and the motion passed, 5-2 with Donovan and Foley opposing. Donovan said she voted
against the budget as she feels the use of RETT funds for construction of a community
pavilion at Donovan Park is illegal, while Foley said he believed the budget needed to be
leaner. Kurz said he disagreed with Foley's assessment, noting the Council had "cut
reasonably close to the bone." Slifer agreed, noting that nine positions had been cut last
year and another five this year. Ogilby commented that Council was walking a delicate
tight rope and would need to spend money to make money in order to "get its vitality back."
The fourth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. 26, Series of
2000 - an ordinance amending the Town Code, Title 12, Chapter 22, Section 4,
adoption of view corridors, by adding two view corridors in Lionshead and setting forth
details in regard thereto. On May 20, 1997, recognizing the importance of visual
connections, the Town Council approved the use of the existing Town of Vail view
corridor ordinance to designate the first protected public view corridors in Lionshead. In
order to qualify for protection under the Town's ordinance, a view corridor must meet
the following criteria:
• The proposed view corridor protects and perpetuates a view from public pedestrian
areas, public ways, or public spaces within the Town which fosters civic pride and is
in the public interest for the Town.
• The proposed view corridor protects and enhances the Town's attraction to residents,
guests, and property owners.
• The proposed view corridor protects a view which is commonly recognized and has
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inherent qualities which make it more valuable to the Town than other more
common views.
The Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan identifies five view corridors. However, it
recommends that only two legally protected view corridors be established. The
remaining three views are to be established as critical design parameters, not as
benchmarked and surveyed corridors. Lionshead View Corridor 1 is seen from the west
end of the Lionshead parking structure, standing at street level at the main pedestrian
exit, looking southwest toward the gondola lift line. Lionshead View Corridor 2 is seen
from the pedestrian plaza at the east end of the Lifthouse Lodge, looking south directly
up the gondola lift line.
Navas said she was not satisfied enough with View Corridor No. 2 to adopt it at this
time because the view corridor should have been expanded to incorporate the entire
width of the slope. Slifer was concerned that the homeowners in Lioinshead should be
notified prior to the second reading of the ordinance. Moorhead was asked why there
was a need to adopt view corridors when there is a master plan in place. Moorhead
said the master plan is not set in stone. Ogilby said he would be in favor of tabling it
and bringing VA to the table before they spent a fortune on something that would ruin
the view corridor. Moffet was not in favor of tabling this ordinance, as it would cost the
staff more time and funds. Moffet noted that as the development process occurred
projects would have to address the master plan. By setting up a separate process the
Council would be allocating resources and staff that the Town does not have. Navas
moved to approve Ordinance No. 26, Series 2000, in regard to View Corridor No. 1
only. Foley seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-3 with Moffet, Kurz
and Slifer opposing. Moffet, Kurz and Slifer said they wanted to approve both corridors
at the same time.
The fifth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. 29, Series 2000 -
setting the mill levy. The Town Council must set the mill levy for the next fiscal year and
certify to the County Commissioners by December 15, 2000. Since the de-Brucing of the
Property Tax passed last week, the Town Council can assess a base mill levy of 4.69 mills
without a mill levy credit. If that is done, the Town will collect an additional $225,779, over
what is currently budgeted if the assessed valuation does not change in early December.
Foley moved to approve Ordinance No. 29, Series of 2000. Navas seconded. A vote was
taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. Donovan noted town property taxes
represent just $2 million of the town's annual $44 million budget. Paul Rondeau said he
hoped his comments made earlier during citizen participation would be considered.
The sixth item on the agenda was the Peer Resort Visit Report -out. The Council heard
from representatives of a community delegation who traveled to North America's top ski
resorts over the past year to collect information on behalf of the community and to gather
and share key insights. The group traveled to Aspen, Deer Valley, Park City, Sun Valley
and Whistler/Blackcomb. While Vail faces many of the same challenges as the other
resorts, delegation members have begun calling the community's attention to several key
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insights as well as a list of near -term and long-term imperatives. Key insights include the
need for focused leadership and strategic partnerships among the town, Vail Resorts,
merchants, commercial property owners and part-time residents, they said. This list of
near -term imperatives includes acquiring affordable seasonal housing; committing to a
shared vision and growing summer business; advertising Vail's strengths; building
community infrastructure that generates energy; and generating community spirit. The
group then called upon the Council and the community to work collectively in improving
communications and building strategic partnerships. A first step will occur Jan. 3'd and 41"
when the Vail Town Council will meet with representatives from Vail Resorts in a public
retreat. Included in Tuesday's presentation was distribution of a 28-page report.
The seventh item on the was the Colorado Open/Sonnenalp of Vail Foundation.
Johannes Faessler, owner of the Sonnenalp Hotel and administrator of the Sonnenalp of
Vail Foundation, and Dave Deminston, Executive Director of the Colorado Open, provided
an overview of this event which will be held for the first time at the Sonnenalp Golf Club.
They explained that all proceeds for the tournament will go to the University of Colorado
Cancer Center and to the Edwards Cancer Treatment Center. Now in its 37" year, the
tournament will provide a premiere destination for golfing, as well as an excellent place for
corporations to entertain clients. Faessler said organizers may request assistance with
signing, buses, etc., at a later time. Faessler also asked permission to approach the Vail
Local Marketing District Advisory Board for possible marketing assistance.
The eighth item on the agenda was the Sonnenalp redevelopment proposal presentation.
Johannes Faessler, represented by Braun and Associates and Resort Design Collaborative
presented plans for the redevelopment of the Swiss Haus and a major addition to the
Bavaria Haus. Faessler and his design team were quick to point out to the Town Council
that the plans were very preliminary and that a formal submittal to the Town of Vail
Community Development Department was not anticipated in the immediate future. The
conceptual plans call for the construction of a 200 space underground parking structure,
61 new hotel rooms, 11 fractional fee club units, and 12 new condominiums. Of particular
interest to the Town Council was the roughly 10,000 square feet of new retail space
anticipated along East Meadow Drive, beginning in April of 2002. Slifer thanked Faessler
for bringing Council what he said as a "true sketch plan" and commended Faessler for
considering additional retail space.
The ninth item on the agenda was the Ford Park Management Paid Parking Plan
Approval. The Ford Park Management Plan was approved in April of 1997, this
following a two year period of public input and debate. One of the components of this
approved plan is Goal #4: Resolve parking and South Frontage Road access problems.
Objective 4.1: Develop and implement a parking management plan for Ford Park. The
action step calls for parking attendants to manage entrances and exits, setting a
parking fee to generate sufficient funds to cover the attendant, and fee parking to be in
effect for high -parking demand days only. The Ford Park Managed Parking Committee,
composed of members of the VRD, VVF, VAGF, Bravo!, residents at -large, and Town
4 November 21, 2000 Town Council meeting minutes
Council representation and town staff, began meeting in September to establish a
calendar for the Y2001 summer managed parking program. An earlier approval of this
calendar was requested by the user groups in order to expedite and clarify their
individual programming and ticketing programs. The dates and times included in the
Council packet have been arrived at through discussion and consensus. This will mark
the fourth summer this program has been in effect. Councilmembers stressed their
appreciation to the team members and noted the plan has improved each year.
Recognizing that "choices" are what make the plan work, Councilman Foley thanked
Town Clerk Lorelei Donaldson for coordinating the various user group schedules. Foley
moved to approve the Ford Park Management Parking Plan for 2001. Moffet
seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The tenth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Slifer said he was looking
forward to seeing "a kid on every rock" on Gore Creek. Kurz noted the park was a great
addition that has already, through construction, generated a lot of attention. He said the
town would be well served to host the kid's cancer kayak camp this coming summer.
Moffet moved to adjourn. Foley seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
C]
E T: Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
Minutes taken by Beth Salter
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