HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-15 Town Council Minutes•
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VAIL TOWN COUNCIL - MINUTES
VAI L COUNCIL CHAMBERS
May 15, 2001
7:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at approximately 7:00
P.M.on Tuesday, May 15, 2001, in the Town of Vail Council Chambers.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
Diana Donovan
Greg Moffet
Rod Slifer
Chuck Ogilby
Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro Tern
Kevin Foley
Pam Brandmeyer, Ass't.Town Manager
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney
The first item on the agenda was citizen participation. Tom Hopkins, East Vail
resident, addressed the Council expressing his and his neighbors' opposition over a
proposed street light on Main Gore Drive in East Vail. Mayor Kurz stated staff would
be directed to follow up on his request.
Galen Aasland, a member of the Planning and Environmental Commission and
representative on the town's Open Space Committee, asked the Council to consider
creating a public access point across Gore Creek to provide a connection to a town -
owned open space parcel across from the Vail Public Library. Aasland suggested the
use of some real estate transfer tax money for this purpose. Mayor Kurz stated he
would have staff check into this request.
Jim Lamont, Vail Village Homeowners Association, commended outgoing Town
Attorney Tom Moorhead, stating although they had had some differences of opinions
over the years, how much he respected admired him for his work, and wished him the
best in his new position as Eagle County Attorney. Lamont then encouraged the Town
Council to listen to the tapes from the latest Planning and Environmental Commission
meeting regarding the Donovan Park Pavilion. Regarding the Vail Center, Lamont
suggested developing a 12-month decision -making path which would emphasize an
open dialogue process. Lamont felt this would be more productive than forcing a vote
of the electors in November. Lamont also stated his group was planning to oppose any
0 1 property tax increase to be used for the Vail Center.
Dave Blossom, East Vail resident, added his comments regarding the street light in
East Vail, stating that something needed to be done about speeding in the area, rather
than installing a light.
The second item on the agenda was the approval of the April 3, 2001 minutes and the
April 17, 2001 minutes. Several corrections were noted to amend the minutes.
Councilmember Greg Moffet made a motion to approve the minutes with the so noted
corrections and Councilmember Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and
the motion passed 5-0.
The third item on the agenda was Proclamation #2, Series of 2001, a Proclamation
designating the week of May 14, 2001 as Police Week in Vail, Colorado and across the
nation. Mayor Kurz read the Proclamation into the record, stating a special section had
been dedicated in memory of Ryan Cunningham, a Vail police officer recently killed in
the line of duty in Vail. Councilmember Greg Morrison made a motion to pass the
proclamation and Councilmember Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken
and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. Police Chief Greg Morrison accepted the
Proclamation . Morrison also expressed condolences to Ryan's wife and daughter,
thanked the Vail community for the outpouring of sympathy and support, stating the
• community had lost a fine young man. Mayor Kurz also expressed condolences and
was proud of the support and attendance at Cunningham's memorial services held in
Lakewood, Colorado.
The fourth item on the agenda was the appointment of three vacancies on the Local
Licensing Authority. Mayor Kurz stated there were four applicants for the three vacancies
on the board: David Chapin, Kathy Vieth and Mary Zarba, incumbents, and Robert
Rothenberg. A vote was taken and the appointments were as follows:
David Chapin
Kathy Vieth
Mary Zarba
A motion was made by Councilmember Moffet to approve the appointments of the liquor
board. A second was made by Councilmember Ogilby. A vote was taken and the motion
passed unanimously, 5-0.
Mayor Kurz thanked all for applying and hoped that Rothenberg would consider applying
for another vacancy in the future. Kurz also thanked all the volunteer board members for
their time and energy in filling this need.
. The fifth item on the agenda was the First Reading of Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2001,
amending Title 7, Motor Vehicles and Traffic to include Chapter 8, An Ordinance
Regulating Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.
• Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney, presented the ordinance to the Council, stating the Town
of Vail has had no Municipal Ordinances regulating the use of electric vehicles or golf carts
within the Town of Vail. Moorhead stated there had been a traditional use at the golf
course for golf course maintenance and for players on the course. The Sonnenalp has
used these vehicles in their loading and delivery plan. This item was addressed in
response to a request by the Vail Mountain Lodge to transport skiers to the lifts at Golden
Peak. As a result of that discussion, while it was determined that it is not appropriate to
increase the use of these vehicles for delivery of skiers to Golden Peak, it is appropriate
to adopt regulations consistent with the present use at this time in the Town of Vail.
Scott Jansen of the Vail Police Department stated that after receiving a request from one
of the hotels to provide transportation to Golden Peak, he researched the request for the
proposed use, noting the carts were prevalent in and around the golf course as well as the
Sonnenalp. After presentation to Council, he was directed to come back to Council with
an ordinance pertinent to the uses in the town of Vail. Jansen stated there were three
common uses for the carts: the employees of the Sonnenalp driving along the length of
East Meadow Drive and occasionally transporting passengers between their hotels; on the
Vail Golf Course and on public areas of Vail Valley Drive; and at Ford Park, transporting
patrons to the Gerald Ford Amphitheater. Jansen stated that a licensed driver was required
to operate the carts and the carts must be equipped with head and tail lights, as well as
adequate breaks and tires. Jansen stated that exemptions must be approved by the Chief
of Police. There was discussion regarding the terms "rounds of golf' as opposed to
"playing golf'. Attorney Tom Moorhead stated he would redefine the meaning and make
the change to the ordinance before second reading. Jim Lamont, Vail Valley Homeowners
Association, addressed the Council regarding clarification on special uses of the carts.
Attorney Moorhead stated that any change to the intent of this ordinance would need to
be reviewed by the Police Department. A motion was made by Councilmember Moffet to
approve Ordinance #11, Series of 2001, on first reading, with the change of language
regarding the playing of golf and changing the number sequence in the ordinance. A
second was made by Councilmember Donovan. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 5-0.
The sixth item on the agenda was the Year -End Financial Report. Steve Thompson,
Finance Director, addressed the Council, stating the report being presented was
unaudited, and the audited financial statements will be presented to the Council on June
19, 2001. Thompson stated the $1 million in revenue was due mainly to expenditures
being under budget, mainly in the payroll area. Thompson advised the Council the town
had funds of approximately 4 months of operating expenses. Thompson did note that the
Real Estate Transfer Tax fund balance was down slightly in 2000. Mayor Kurz asked that
the third paragraph from Thompson's memo be read into the record.
The town was able to increase the general fund balance by $1 million, which is $1.3
million in excess of the amended 2000 budget. We had anticipated a $300,000 loss
in fund balance in the Y2000 amended budget. This $1.3 million came from revenue
exceeding budget by $605,247 and expenditures coming under budget by $761,441.
The departments with the largest savings included police, $226,071; fire, $119,994;
and public works, $115,816 (see page 4 for more details). The excess revenue of
$605,247 is made up of several revenue sources, including sales tax, $167,101;
resort fees (lift tax revenue), $71,723; and parking revenue, $217,417 (see page 3
for more details).
Kurz also commended Thompson for the "belt -tightening" this past year and not impacting
services, all showing very positive results. Councilmember Moffet stated this was a
testimony to the staff, and their integrity in holding the line on expenses. The Council
thanked Steve Thompson for the report, and they are looking forward to the audited
financial statement report in June.
The seventh item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Councilmembers
Ludwig Kurz and Greg Moffet were appointed to serve on the Parking Task Force
Committee to develop parking strategies and objectives. Councilmember Donovan offered
a suggestion to combine an implementation team into the strategy task force.
Councilmember Moffet asked staff to notify the liquor licensing authority applicants
immediately of the outcome of the vote and to encourage Robert Rothenberg to reapply
in the future.
As there was no further business, Councilmember Moffet made a motion to adjourn.
Councilmember Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
4
SEAL
Ludwig Kurd Mayor
ATTEST:
L 4eialdson,
town Clerk
0 Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster