HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-16 Town Council MinutesCJ
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VAIL TOWN COUNCIL
EVENING MEETING - MINUTES
OCTOBER 16, 2001
6:30 P.M.
Members Present:
Staff Members Present:
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro -Tern
Diana Donovan
Kevin Foley
Greg Moffet
Chuck Ogilby
Rod Slifer
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Asst. Town Manager
The Vail Town Council first convened as the Vail Local Marketing District (VLMD) to
approve Resolution #1, Series of 2001, a resolution adopting a budget and making
appropriations to pay the costs, expenses and liabilities of the Vail Local Marketing
District, for its fiscal year January 2, 2002, through December 31, 2002. Mayor Kurz
introduced Resolution #1 into the record, asking Finance Director Steve Thompson to
concur that the town budget had been reduced by 10%, although the town was keeping
the marketing district budget in tact as written, not knowing what the season would
bring. Kurz expressed his concern that the highest priority should be given to
marketing the town during the summer and shoulder seasons and asked that the
marketing board look for ways to save dollars. Thompson stated the budget numbers
were the same as those presented in the budget hearings. Ross Boyle, chairman of the
marketing district, addressed the Council, stating the board had been looking at the
changing market and given the events of September 11kh, realizing the tourism industry
would most likely be affected. Boyle stated the international market would most likely
be the first to feel the effects. After further discussion, Greg Moffet made a motion to
approve Resolution #1, Series of 2001. Rod Slifer seconded the motion. Mayor Pro -
Tern Sybill Navas stated the marketing board needed to be very clear on the fact that
the income to this group does not come out of the town's general fund. It was also
pointed out that the lodging tax was a Vail -only tax and the marketing board should
become independent of the town in the near future. Foley stated that all marketing
groups, including the Vail Chamber and Business Association and the combined
chamber should come together to unify their message and avoid duplication. Navas
stated the special events committee will be meeting twice next week to put together a
proposal on how these relationships can be organized. Diana Donovan stated she
would be looking for improved accountability of the administrative funds.
Greg Moffet then made a motion to adjourn to regular session. Rod Slifer seconded the
motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council convened at approximately 7-00 P.M. All
members of the Vail Town Council were present. Also in attendance were Bob
McLaurin, Town Manager, and Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager.
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Mayor Kurz reminded the public
to keep their items to a minimum time period and any items requiring further discussion
would be scheduled for a future meeting. Kurz also asked that any items pertaining to
the up -corning municipal election be held for the scheduled debates.
There was no citizen participation.
The second item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. The first item on the
consent agenda was the approval of the September 4th and 18th minutes. Sybill Navas
made two corrections to the September 18th minutes. Greg Moffet made a motion to
approve the September 4th and 18th minutes as revised. Kevin Foley seconded the
motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The second item on the consent agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 25,
Series of 2001, an ordinance amending the Vail Town Code, Title 14, Development
Standards Handbook, Section 10, Design Review Standards and Guidelines, D.
Building Materials and Design. George Ruther, head of planning, presented the
ordinance to the Council, stating on Tuesday, October 2, 2001, the Council approved by
• a vote of 6-1 (Navas opposed) the first reading of this ordinance. Gibson stated the
Council had requested the phrase 'over time" be added to the proposed text
amendments during the worksession on October 2Id. After further discussion, Moffet
made a motion to approve Ordinance #25, Series of 2001, on second reading, with the
addition of "over time" in the appropriate sections. Diana Donovan seconded the
motion. Sybill Navas stated she voted no on this ordinance on first reading and would
be voting no on second reading because she felt the use of the word "may" within the
ordinance eliminated any degree of certainty during the application process, relying too
much on subjectivity by the Design Review Board. A vote was taken and the motion
passed 6-1, Navas opposing.
The third item under the Consent Agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 29,
Series of 2001, an ordinance amending the official zoning map for the Town of Vail in
accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Chapter 5, Zoning Map, Rezoning Lot 1,
Middle Creek Subdivision (Mountain Bell Site) to housing Zone District. Allison Ochs,
town planner, addressed the Council, stating there had been no changes from first
reading but Council had requested additional time to read the staff memo pertaining to
the rezoning. Rod Slifer asked Ochs if all affected property owners had been notified of
this proposal. Ochs stated yes, they had been. After further discussion, Kevin Foley
made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 29 on second reading. Greg Moffet seconded
the motion. Diana Donovan expressed her concerns over the rezoning, in particular,
notification of the community beyond the adjacent property owners, and the housing
. rezoning issues. Donovan felt that the public had not been given sufficient information
as to what was being proposed for this site. Sybill Navas disagreed, stating the Council
had continuing discussions regarding this site over the last several years. Also, the fact
that there was little public input showed that the community realized there were few
alternatives for the housing situation. Slifer expressed his concern on the preliminary
design of the project, encouraging the development team to keep in close contact with
the Council during the design phase. Foley thanked the housing authority for their work
on this project and expressed his faith in all of the town boards to see this project
through. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed 6-1, Donovan
opposing.
The third item on the agenda was a Proposed Fee Schedule for Development Review.
Russell Forrest, Community Development Director, addressed the Council, stating on
September 18, 2001, staff had asked Council whether development review fees should
reflect the cost of providing those services. At that meeting the Council directed staff to
develop a proposed fee structure that more accurately reflected the true cost of
providing those services. Forrest stated a focus group had met earlier in the year to
address the issue of better serving the customer. Forrest reported the town's fee
structure was relatively low compared with other jurisdictions in the state. Discussion
followed regarding what fees were being charged for different applications. It was felt
by the Council that the process should be as "user-friendly" as possible, encouraging
Vail homeowners to upgrade and maintain their homes with as little hassle as possible.
The Council requested Russ return to a future meeting with a fee schedule with
definitions that would be given out to applicants for further review.
• The fourth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance #30, Series of
2001, an ordinance adopting the Annual Appropriation Ordinance, adopting a budget
and financial plan and making appropriations to pay the costs, expenses, and liabilities
of the Town of Vail, Colorado, for its fiscal year January 1, 2002, through December 31,
2002. Mayor Kurz opened the discussion by stating the Council had directed Town
Manager Bob McLaurin and Finance Director Steve Thompson to prepare a budget that
reduced sales tax and lift tax revenue estimated for 2001 by 10%. McLaurin stated the
revenue budgets were decreased by 10 percent in the sales tax and lift tax revenues.
Greg Moffet made a motion to approve Ordinance #30, Series of 2001, on second
reading. Sybill Navas seconded the motion. Diana Donovan stated she would be
voting against the budget, stating it was not conservative enough, she was not in
support of using Real Estate Transfer Tax funds for the entire park, and accusing the
Council, staff and consultants of being deceptive in its dealings with Donovan Park.
Kevin Foley stated he would also be voting no on the budget, citing the cost of Donovan
Park pavilion as the main reason. Rod Slifer expressed his continuing concern over the
design of the pavilion, but in favor of the concept of a pavilion. Chuck Ogilby reaffirmed
his support of the pavilion, feeling it would make an architectural statement for Vail.
Kurz agreed with Ogilby's comments, but felt it was difficult to take the comments made
by Donovan, stating they were not reasonable or fair. Tom Steinberg, former
councilmember and long time Vail resident, requested the Council voluntarily cut their
salaries in half in response to the budget cuts. Reaction from the Council included
. Slifer's comment that he had always donated his salary to charity, and Navas stating
that when she began her first term as a councilmember, her daughter was three years
old, and she has used her salary to subsidize childcare expenses. Other
councilmembers agreed that their salaries were not large enough to make a difference
in the overall budget. Rick Scalpello, Vail resident and Vail Today founder, addressed
the Council, asking what was in the budget that would drive an increase in business
revenues. Navas responded that the Council was contributing increased funding for
special events and contributions in the 2002 Budget. Town Manager McLaurin stated
the town was not in a position to guarantee the success of private enterprises, and the
town had cut or elected not to fill positions and cut projects from its budget. Slifer felt
the nation was already in a recession before the events of September 111h and felt the
community needed to do everything it could to get people here. Moffet stated he was
proud to sit on a council that supported the community and felt the town was working as
a partner with the community and the ski company. Long time Vail resident Flo
Steinberg stated she felt the Donovan Park pavilion and the proposed Vail Center
conference center were in competition with private Vail businesses. Foley reminded the
public that an election for 4 new council seats would be held in three weeks, and
encouraged everyone to get out and vote. A vote was taken on the motion and the
motion passed 5-2, Foley and Donovan opposing.
The fifth item on the agenda was Information Update. Councilmembers were reminded
of a dinner with the Eagle County Commissioners scheduled in Eagle at 5:00 P.M. on
October 18th, as well as Friday's Colorado Ski Hall of Fame dinner. As a follow up to an
earlier discussion, Councilmembers expressed no interest in pursuing a suggestion by
Sybill Navas to consider increases to the Council compensation and benefits package.
The sixth item on the agenda was Council Reports. Kevin Foley complimented the
library staff for its coordination of a children's scarecrow -making party. Greg Moffet
noted the annual Matterhorn/Highland Meadows neighborhood trick -or -treat party would
be taking place at dusk on Halloween.
Sybill Navas said recipients of the Vail Youth Award and Vail Youth Ambassador Award
had been selected. The honorees, juniors from Vail Mountain School and Battle
Mountain High School, will be introduced at the November 6th Council meeting.
Diana Donovan inquired about the status of the athletic fields at Red Sandstone
Elementary School. Todd Oppenheimer stated the project was 80% complete and the
field should be sodded this fall, weather permitting.
Items under Other included:
Ogilby suggested the need to discuss coordination between the town and the Vail
Recreation District in pursuit of a new gymnastics center. Ogilby stated the center was
in jeopardy of being displaced as a result of efforts by the Eagle River Water and
Sanitation District to acquire the town -owned facility for expansion of its water treatment
plant.
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Foley announced the upcoming Trick -or -Treat Trot event scheduled for October 315t,
sponsored by the Vail Recreation District and the Vail Public Library. Foley also
expressed his condolences to the family of Dan Mulrooney, who passed away this
week.
The ninth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Town Manager
McLaurin invited the Council to attend the Colorado Association of Ski Towns meeting
held October 24th and 25th in Minturn.
McLaurin presented the Council with an update on the Donovan Park project and asked
for authorization to enter into a contract with J. L. Viele Construction for $3.4 million to
construct the park components identified in the Donovan Park Master Plan to include a
soccer field, restrooms, playground and on -site parking. The contract, to be completed
by next Sept. 15, provided for a fully -functional park but does not include construction of
the community pavilion. Greg Moffet made a motion to approve the contract. Chuck
Ogilby seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-
0. In voting in favor of the contract, Donovan asked for assurances that use of funds
from the Real Estate Transfer Tax be monitored closely and designated for park use
only. Navas emphasized the need to create a unique design for the playground to avoid
the colored plastic look.
Moffet then moved to adjourn to move to Executive Session. Slifer seconded the
motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
At 9:/6" P.M., Council returned to regular session to adjourn the meeting.
ATTEST:
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91
• •Town Clerk
Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster
Respectfully submitted,
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Ludwig Kurz, faayor