HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-06 Town Council Minutes•
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL - MINUTES
TUESDAY, March 6, 2001
7:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held in the Town Council Chambers
on Tuesday, March 6, 2001. The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00
P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
Chuck Ogilby
Diana Donovan
Greg Moffet
Kevin Foley
Rod Slifer
Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro-Tem
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
The first item on the agenda was citizen participation.
Ginny Crowley, long time Vail resident, addressed the Council representing the female
ice hockey players. Ms. Crowley stated there were 40 — 50 participants, ranging from
age 12 to 60, that have played hockey over the years at Dobson Ice Arena. These
players have recently been moved to the dome at the Vail Golf Course and have had
their playing time changed from 6:30 — 8:00 P.M. to 8:30 -- 10:00 P.M. Crowley stated
this time was not convenient for them, as there were a lot of young women who either
had school or work the next day and felt it was too late. Crowley stated the hockey
players had tried to work with the Vail Recreation District but had been unsuccessful
and asked for assistance from the Vail Town Council. Mayor Kurz requested the staff
to contact the Vail Recreation District to see if a solution could be resolved in this
matter.
Pepi Gramshammer addressed the Council, questioning the amount of money being
spent on the Donovan Park Community Center. Mayor Kurz stated discussions had
been held over the last 4-5 years on this matter, and it was the general consensus of
the Vail community to continue to more forward with this project.
Lou Meskimen, local business owner, addressed the Council, stating in his travels
. abroad he had observed the use of compost piles and suggested implementing such a
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• program in Vail for the collection of grass clippings, tree trimmings, etc. Meskimen also
questioned the use of magnesium chloride in the town limits, citing several areas
around town where trees were dying close to the streets and roads using this product.
Meskimen also suggested the placement of a courtesy sign in the parking structures for
women drivers, allowing them to park closer to the exits.
Tom Steinberg, long time Vail resident, addressed the Council, expressing concerns
about the Donovan Park project. In particular, his concern was the pavilion, feeling it
was too big and too expensive from what the original intent had been. Steinberg also
voiced his concern regarding affordable housing for employees being offered to
workers employed by Donovan Park.
In regard to Lou Meskimen's comments about magnesium chloride, Steinberg
suggested the use of sodium chloride along the roadways may also be the cause of the
trees dying in those areas. Councilmember Chuck Ogilby suggested only putting
magnesium chloride on roundabouts and the hill by Alpine Drive.
The second item on the agenda was a courtesy and information update on the Pre -
approved Booth Creek Prescribed Burn.
John Gulick, Town of Vail Fire Chief, addressed the Council, stating Cal Wettstein had
• been hired as the new district ranger in District Office. Gulick also stated the U.S.
Forest Service was again attempting to proceed with a controlled burn in the Booth
Creek area this spring, between April 1st and May 15tn. Phil Bowden of the U.S. Forest
Service gave a presentation to the Town Council, stating the burn would cover 247
acres, including 17 acres of Town of Vail land. Bowden stated the purpose of this burn
was to help improve the bighorn sheep wildlife habitat, regenerate aspen trees and
reduce the area's fire fuel load. Bowden stated that previously scheduled burns had
been cancelled due to weather conditions and resources, Bowden stated some of the
major issues involved were smoke impacts, a permit required from state, escape
routes from fires and avoiding slide areas. Councilmember Donovan stated her
opposition to the previously -approved burn, feeling it was unsafe and difficult to control.
Mayor Kurz asked who made the final decision to go ahead with the burn and how it
was communicated to the community. Bowden stated his department would make the
decision with their supervisor on the day of the burn, and then a call would be made
from their checklist verified by a line officer of the Forest Service to notify the public that
the burn, in fact, would take place. Bowden stated the actual burn would take 2/3 to 1
day to complete. Fire Chief Gulick stated Town of Vail fire engines would be stationed
in the neighborhood during the burn.
The third item on the agenda was a discussion on the preliminary budget for the Vail
Center.
Russell Forrest, Community Development Director, stated he had given an extensive
overview of the project to the Council during the afternoon work session, reviewing
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details of the project. John Horan Kates, White River Institute director, gave an
overview of the business plan. Stan Bernstein, financial analyst, gave an overview of
the capital financing plan, including $1.4 million from a proposed 2.75 mill property tax
increase to be approved by town voters, $1.5 million from sales tax revenues and
$941,580 from the Real Estate Transfer funds. Horan -Kates stated private funding had
to be raised before the bonds would be issued, outlining plans including naming rights,
foundations, corporations and individuals.
Lori Weigel, with Public Opinion Strategies, an independent firm for elections,
conducted a survey of 250 voters who voted frequently in elections. She stated the
interviews showed there is support to increase property taxes, although the amount is a
concern. Affordable housing was a major concern, but a revitalization of the town was
felt to be necessary. The consensus from the survey was that if the tax was kept below
3 mills; it would be supported, as long as voters and property owners were not the sole
funding source.
Russell Forrest, Community Development Director, asked for direction from the Council
in moving forward with the design team on how to revise the plan. He requested
direction on revenue issues, space issues, and very specific instructions in moving
forward. Forrest stated he will come back with revised plan budget after getting input
from Council. The Town Council gave some direction regarding sales tax revenue
. calculations and use of Real Estate Transfer Tax funds. Councilmember Greg Moffet
stated he would like to see a more aggressive budget for revenue projections
associated with conferences and meetings, which would generate more interest with
available room nights. He stated it was gratifying to see community interest.
Councilmember Diana Donovan expressed her opposition to using Real Estate Transfer
Tax funds for the Center. Councilmember Greg Moffet stated he thought this was an
exciting time and the costs were great but it was a time to do something spectacular for
Vail and community support was needed to make the project a success.
Dick Gustafson, local resident, discouraged the idea of a black box concept. He also
felt too many projects were going on at the same time. George Wiegers, an arts
patron, felt the project was directed at the wrong audience, and it was unrealistic to
seek private donations. He stated tourism was most important for Vail and this project
did nothing for tourists. Long time Vail local, Tom Steinberg, questioned the proposed
property tax increase regarding market value versus assessed value. Steinberg also
expressed concern over the outcome of the survey conducted by a private group. He
felt the use of RETT funds was not a problem, as long as it was used for recreation.
Several other persons in the audience spoke, sharing their concerns over the need for
a convention center, a learning center, parking issues, employee housing, and a
performing arts center.
The Town Council voiced various degrees of support of the Vail Center and thanked the
staff and public for their input. Another session will be scheduled in the near future to
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0 review today's input.
The fourth item was second reading of Ordinance No. 3, Series of 2001: an ordinance
amending the Town Code, Title 12, Chapter 6 to the Town of Vail Zoning Regulations to
allow for the addition of Article 1. Housing (H) District; amending Chapter 4, Districts
established; amending Section 12-15-2: GRFA Requirements by Zone District;
amending Title 12 Sign Regulations, Chapter 4, Sign Categories, Section 11-4A-1:
Signs Permitted in Zoning Districts and Setting forth details in regard thereto.
Allison Ochs, Town Planner, stated no changes were made to this ordinance from first
reading. Jim Lamont spoke in opposition to the ordinance. Councilmember Greg
Moffet made a motion to approve on second reading, Ordinance No. 3, Series of 2001,
and Council member Chuck Ogilby seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the
motion and the motion passed 4-1, Donovan opposing.
The fifth item on the agenda was second reading of Ordinance No. 6, Series of 2001:
an ordinance amending the Official Town of Vail Zoning Map and rezoning of the proposed
Lot 1 and 2, Timber Vail Subdivision from Residential Cluster zone district to Single -Family
Residential zone district; and setting forth details in regard thereto.
George Ruther, Chief of Planning, said no changes had been made to this ordinance after
first reading.
The property owner, David Hilb, requested a rezoning of the proposed Lots 1 and 2,
Timber Vail Subdivision from Residential Cluster Zone District to Single -Family Residential
Zone District. The Planning and Environmental Commission reviewed and recommended
approval of this request to the Town Council at their January 22, 2001 meeting.
The Town Council approved the First Reading of the proposed Ordinance 6, Series 2001
(by a vote of 7-0) at their February 20, 2001 evening meeting with the following findings:
That the proposal is consistent with the town's development objectives, development
standards for adjacent properties and the provisions/intent of the Single -Family Residential
District regulations.
Ruther stated the proposed zone district was compatible with and suitable to adjacent
uses, consistent with the Town's Land Use Plan and Zoning Regulations, and appropriate
for the area.
Council member Greg Moffet made a motion to approve on second reading, Ordinance
No. 6, Series of 2001, and Council member Kevin Foley seconded the motion. A vote
was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
The sixth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
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. Bob McLaurin, Town Manager, stated the Council had unanimously approved a contract
not to exceed $4,000 to proceed with a diagrammatic floor plan for the Red Sandstone
Elementary School proposed gymnastics add -on. Also, Councilman Kevin Foley urged the
town to keep a minimum one lane of traffic open through the Dobson Arena/library corridor
during the upcoming arena improvements through the end of ski season. Councilmember
Diana Donovan suggested leaving the library open for business to some degree
throughout the construction.
As there was no further business, a motion was made by Councilmember Foley to
adjourn the meeting and Councilmember Moffet seconded the motion. A vote was
taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
SEAL
F�
. �gE Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster
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Respectfully submitted,
Ludwig Kur
Mayor
Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes March 6, 2001