HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-19 Town Council Minutes• VAIL TOWN COUNCIL
Evening Meeting - Minutes
TUESDAY, June 19, 2001
7:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
Greg Moffet
Rod Slifer
Diana Donovan
Chuck Ogilby
Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro-Tem
Kevin Foley
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Asst. Town Manager
Allen Christensen, Acting Town Attorney
Mayor Kurz noted that Councilmember Kevin Foley and Mayor Pro-Tem were absent from the
meeting. Mayor Kurz expressed the sympathy of all Councilmembers on Sybill Navas' father's
passing.
. The first item on the agenda was CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
Caleb Hurtt , a 2"d homeowner on West Meadow Drive, urged the council to allow
himself and other second home owners to vote in the Vail Center election.
The second item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Greg
Moffet made a motion to approve Ordinance #2,relating to Exemption Plats, on second
reading. Councilmember Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the
motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
The third item on the agenda was the 2000 Audit Presentation. Steve Thompson,
Finance Director for the town, presented the report to the Council. Michael Jenkins from
McMahan and Associates accounting firm was also in attendance to answer any
questions. Thompson stated there were no changes from the audit report given to the
Council at the May 8& 2001, presentation to the Council. Mayor Kurz asked if the town was
in good financial health. Thompson answered in the affirmative. Mayor Kurz then
asked for any questions from the Council. As there were none, Kurz thanked Thompson
for the report.
The fourth item on the agenda was the discussion of the Program for the Vail Center
John Horan -Kates addressed the Council stating the discussion this evening was to re-
address the components of the Vail Center and get Council's reaffirmation of the project's
go ahead. Much discussion followed regarding the project. Town Manager
McLaurin stated that a meeting involving the arts community had been held by Horan-
Kates as to what should be included in this component. McLaurin also stated that as of
the previous Friday, the demolition and rebuilding of the new parking structure was more
costly and problematic than previously anticipated and would need to be reconfigured.
McLaurin stated the purpose of the meeting was to determine what the Vail Center meant
to each Councilmember. The proposed plan was broken down into two phases depending
on their priority. Horan -Kates presented a chart of project components, including
a recreation center component, an arts center with a 1300 seat theatre, a conference and
learning center and two breakout rooms. Horan -Kates stated it would take about $33
million to build the first phase, with the learning center to be built in the second phase.
Mayor Kurz then asked for comments from the public. Kurz asked that comments be short
and to the point. Jen Brown, representing the Vail Valley Chamber, stated a convention
center was vital to the business community. Brown stated she supported the town's
efforts, but did not care to comment on the other amenities. John Zoner, Vail resident,
question the economics of raising $1.5 million from property tax. Flo Steinberg stated she
thought this was the most confusing thing she has experienced in Vail, feeling the town
was spending a lot of money and going into deep debt over something that was not clearly
defined. Tom Steinberg, 36 year resident, did not feel the town was prepared to put this
issue on ballot in November. Paul Rondeau, Vail resident, stated he firmly supported
building on the charter bus lot. Rick Scapello, Vail resident, stated the Council needed to
hear from the Vail Recreation District regarding their support of this project. Mayor Kurz
• stated the Council planned to meet with the VRD at its work session next Tuesday. Kim
Langmaid, 32 year Vail resident, supported the learning center, stating it was being
proposed based on solid planning and would bring energy and diversity to Vail. Joel
Heath, resident of Vail, expressed his concern for something exciting to visitors to be built
in the next couple of years. Eric Baumann, local business owner, expressed his support of
the project. Will Miller, 32 year resident, encouraged the Council to move forward with the
project. Several other members of the community addressed the Council, expressing their
support of the Vail Center.
Mayor Kurz thanked the community for their concerns. Kurz stated he felt the need to go
ahead with a development that is in keeping with Val, something that will put Vail back on
track. Kurz stated the town needed to address the fact that Vail was somewhat behind and
Vail cannot continue to depend on the ski mountain to sustain the economy. Kurz urged
the Council to keep looking at the Vail Center as positive for the community. Town
Manager Bob McLaurin addressed the Council, stating that if this project was easy to
implement, it would be done by now. McLaurin reminded the Council of all the meetings
and public input that took place before the main Vail roundabout was implemented and the
Vail Commons was built. McLaurin stated that this Council and previous Councils had
faced many obstacles and concerned citizens, but both projects had proved successful in
the long run. Councilmembers Chuck Ogilby, Rod Slifer and Greg Moffet felt an additional
month re-evaluating the project had been beneficial and were ready to vote on the
. components of the Center.
Councilmember Rod Slifer stated for the record he had never heard a town manager
applauded in a Council meeting before. Slifer stated the charts presanted by Town
Manager McLaurin made the project clearer.
Councilmember Greg Moffet stated there was tremendous clarity in the presentation.
Following a lengthy discussion, Councilmember Greg Moffet made a motion to approve the
Conference and Learning Center component to include a 20,000 sq. ft. ballroom with two
5,000 sq. ft. breakout rooms and one 1,000 sq. ft, boardroom with a 4,000 sq. ft.
auditorium. Councilmember Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the
motion passed 4-1, Donovan abstaining.
A motion was made by Councilmember Moffet to approve a recreation center with
components to include a climbing wall, indoor ice rink, enclosed skatepark and youth
center. Councilmember Chuck Ogilby seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the
motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
A motion was made by Councilmember Greg Moffet to approve a Performing Arts Center
component which would occur by reserving a future site for a 1,300 to 1,500 seat
performing arts facility. Councilmember Ogilby seconded the motion. A vote was taken
and the motion passed 4-1, Donovan opposing.
• A motion was made by Councilmember Greg Moffet to approve a Learning Center
Expansion, including additional breakout/learning center space utilizing the library and
space on the second floor of the conference facility. Councilmember Rod Slifer seconded
the motion, adding that these these dimensions are very specific, and the components may
change in size as the project moves forward. Councilmember Moffet amended his motion
to include these comments. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0,
Mayor Kurz stated the Council needs to reaffirm they believe these programs are important
and necessary for the community and they need to work on putting it on the November
ballot, stating this community needs and deserves programs as outlined in this
presentation.
A break was taken at 8:40 p.m.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., the meeting was resumed.
The fifth item on the agenda was the First reading of Ordinance No. 14, Series of 2001:
An Ordinance Rezoning Lot C, Vail Village Second Filing From "Public Accommodation"
To "Special Development District No. 36," To Allow For The Construction Of The Vail
Plaza Hotel West. Brent Wilson, town planner, stated this meeting was a follow-up to the
Town Council's preliminary review of the proposal on May 15th. Wilson stated that since
. the previous council review, the issues of traffic circulation, employee storage and traffic
counts had been resolved to the satisfaction of staff. Tim Losa of Zehren and Associates,
stated three issues were addressed. Those being, traffic, streetscap4t issues and
public benefits offered by the hotel. Bill Pierce, an architect representing Lon Moellentine-
owner of the Alpine Standard service station located in front of the Vail Plaza Hotel, stating
that issues regarding ingress and egress to the hotel had not been resolved and
recommended postponement of the project until these issues were settled.
Councilmember Greg Moffet questioned the egress easement on Vail Road. Moffet
was advised the easement was not on town land but is on a portion of Chateau
property. Moffet stated the town was being asked to resolve the easement dispute.
Discussion was held regarding access and easement issues with adjacent property
owners. Jim Lamont of the Vail Village Homeowners Association suggested adding an
expanded loading and delivery component as a condition of approval, as well as an
underground connection between the Vail Plaza Hotel and the Vail Village Inn, as both
properties are owned by the same person. Richard Kent, representing the Scorpio and
Alphorn condominium associations, encouraged the council to vote against the
proposal, feeling there was too much bulk and mass in the project. Rick Scalpello,
residing at Nine Vail Road, expressed access and indemnification concerns and urged
the Council to direct the applicant to implement a streetscape plan, as it ties into the
proposed West Meadow Drive plan. After further discussion, Councilmember Greg
Moffet moved to approve Ordinance #14 on first reading, with conditions as outlined
• above. Councilmember Rod Slifer seconded the motion.
Councilmember Diana Donovan stated she would be voting against the motion as she
felt PA zoning to rezone to SDD did not meet the regulations of TOV.
Bill Pierce asked for a clarification of the motion changing the condition of easement
submittal from "Temporary Certificate of Occupancy" to "building permit submittal."
Acting Town Attorney Allen stated he would address that and bring to Council on
second reading.
A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed 4-1, Councilmember Donovan
opposing.
The sixth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance #12, Curfew and
Special Events. Mayor Kurz stated the ordinance had been approved on first reading,
wth the elimination of the special event district. Councilmember Donovan noted the
words "special event district" should be removed from the title of the ordinance.
Councilmember Rod Slifer stated he was not here for first reading and felt it was important
to include the special event district of the ordinance. Councilmember Donovan stated
18-20 year olds should not be restricted from the area. Slifer stated he felt the problem
• was alcohol and that age group was not old enough to drink and were becoming a major
problem. Mayor Kurz stated he believed the police handle the new ruling in a
professional and constrained manner.
Police Chief Greg Morrison stated his department planned to handle the crowds in much
the same way as the StreetBeats were handled, with use of ID bands. Morrison stated
checkpoints would be set up while the fireworks were being displayed, and that no one
under age of 21 will be allowed back in to the designated area.
Councilmember Rod Slifer then made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 12 on second
reading, with the insertion of the Section 6.5.3 Special Event District added back
into the ordinance Councilmember Greg Moffet seconded the motion. Councilmember
Donovan stated she felt it was illegal to completely change the ordinance
from first reading. Donovan was advised by attorney Christensen that according to the
town Charter, it was legal to add the section back into the ordinance on second reading.
Kaye Ferry, Vail Chamber and Business Association president, addressed the Council,
stating she was very angry and upset with them, feeling they were conducting business in
an underhanded fashion. Councilmember Slifer responded by saying he was voting for
what he believed was fair and this was the purpose of two readings to pass an
ordinance. Councilmember Chuck Ogilby also stated he was voting for what he believed
was right. Michael Cacioppo questioned the Council's ability to approve the ordinance in
regard to a provision that allowed people to exercise their right of free assembly.
• Jim Lamont, Vail Village Homeowners Association, expressed concern of where the
people might go when not able to get into the special events area. Police Chief Morrison
assured Lamont that this was part of the plan for these two evenings.
Chris Schuck, owner of a local security business, addressed the Council, stating he had
been involved in many of these events and that it was a dangerous situation and
something needed to be done to prevent a dangerous situation.
Jonathan Staufer, a lifetime resident of Vail, agreed with remarks made by Kaye Ferry,
stating that the message going out was that 18 and 20 year olds were no longer welcome
in Vail. Staufer stated this age group would be wandering around looking for trouble.
Judge Buck Allen stated the crowds in Vail have become more aggressive in recent years.
Allen referred to an article in the Denver Post regarding the scope of alcohol consumed
by kids after the Avalanche hockey victory. Allen stated he felt parents were not aware
of the scope of activities of this age group and had little supervision. Allen stated he saw
approximately 150-200 offenders after these two holidays.
A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed, 4-1, Donovan opposing,
The seventh item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance #13, Open
Containers. Police Chief stated this ordinance had not changed from first reading.
Councilmember Greg Moffet made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 13 on second
reading. Councilmember Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion
0 passed unanimously 5-0.
The eighth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Town Manager Bob
McLaurin stated he had received word from Glen Porzak, legal counsel, that the Water
Court had ruled in favor of Golden in terms of water rights. Mctaurin stated the
SB216's are exempted, which is a good decision for Vail.
Councilmember Slifer made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Ogilby seconded the
motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
�p
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
ATTEST:
el Donaldson,
R'R__Town Clerk
Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster