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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-16 Town Council Minutesjft TOWN COUNCIL EVENING MEETING TUESDAY, July 16, 2002 7:00 P.M. TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS The meeting was convened at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Kurz. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Rod Slifer, Mayor Pro-Tem Dick Cleveland Diana Donovan Bill Jewitt Chuck Ogilby MEMBERS ABSENT: Greg Moffet STAFF PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer, Ass't. Town Manager Matt Mire, Town Attorney • Prior to the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Kurz called for a moment of silence to honor the passing of Pete Seibert, the founder of Vail. Kurz said Seibert's dreams and vision not only produced the finest ski resort, but also shaped many people and impacted many lives. The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Georgene Burton, Vail resident, addressed the council regarding wildfire protection. Burton, noting her fire protection experience, suggested the need to change the town's building regulations to require construction of properties that would not ignite during a wildfire. Burton also criticized the Vail Dailv article suggesting residences fill their bath tubs with water, which could result in the depletion of Vail's water supply. David Belskis addressed the Council, seeking their support for the use of solar energy. After his presentation on solar hydration, Council directed Town Manager McLaurin to arrange for a meeting to discuss Belskis' proposal. Cathie Douglas, a resident on Meadow Drive, expressed her concern regarding the town's plans to do the East/West Meadow Drive streetscape project. Douglas suggested doing the necessary sewer and drainage work, but to eliminate any cosmetic improvements in order to save taxpayer's money. The second item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Dick Cleveland made a motion to approve the June 4th & 181h° 2002 meeting minutes. Diana Donovan seconded the • motion. A vote was taken and the motion was approved unanimously, 6-0. F:mcaster//min/2002/071602 1 • The third item on the agenda was the Donovan Park Pavilion presentation. Christy D'Agostino of Vail Architecture Group presented the revised design and design process to the Council. An open house was held prior to the meeting to give Vail residents a chance to view the new design. D'Agostino stated the revised pavilion had been fashioned after some of the grand lodges of national parks in the United States, with the use of cedar, timbers and stone on the exterior. The revised plan is for 5200 square feet, plus a terrace of 3400 square feet. After the presentation, Mayor Kurz thanked the committee, including Councilmembers Donovan, Ogilby, Slifer and Cleveland for their work. The $2.8 million project is expected to break ground in August. The fourth item on the agenda was Streetscape-East & West Meadow Drive/art component. Todd Oppenheimer, town parks and landscape supervisor, introduced the plan to the Council, stating the plan called for a 6 foot wide sidewalk on the south side of the street, plus a 20 foot wide sidewalk on the opposite side to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians through the area. Along East Meadow Drive, the design included a narrowing of the street at Vail Road to discourage unintended vehicles and the possibility of snowmelt. The project also included public art into the design with a fountain, walls and benches, granite paver accents and hard warming stations. Joe Kracum, project manager, advised the Council the estimated cost of the project was $2 million for the West Meadow Drive portion of the project and $1.3 million for East Meadow Drive (or $2.6 million with snowmelt). Discussion followed regarding the cost of the snowmelt, and questions • regarding traffic flow, potential bike lanes, concerns about access to the Talisman property and reaction to the art work. Rod Slifer expressed his objection to the public art components, saying they were too contemporary. After much discussion, Chuck Ogilby made a motion to finish construction documents, tweak it, and come back with final imput in next couple of weeks. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion, stating the need to get going on the project and trusting the professionals. Dick Cleveland made the statement the Council had a habit of requesting people to give the Council something and then changing their minds. Cleveland did agree with Rod Slifer's opinion on the art. Rod Slifer stated he would vote against the motion as presented and suggested tabling the vote for another 30 days. Chuck Ogilby stated he was willing to amend his motion to a period of time the Council is comfortable with. Bill Jewitt stated he would like to have a specific time set and seconded the motion to include 30 days. Town Manager McLaurin advised the Council to move it out 60 days out because of budget issues. Chuck Ogilby then made a final motion to proceed to final drawings, and then have 60 days to review (mid -September). Bill Jewitt amended his second. A vote was taken and the motion failed, 3-3,Donovan, Slifer and Cleveland opposed. Bill Jewitt then made a motion to table the discussion for 30 days. Dick Cleveland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The fifth item on the agenda was Betty Ford Alpine Gardens request to proceed through the development review process for a proposed deck to be added to the old schoolhouse • on town -owned land at Ford Park. Mayor Kurz commented the Council did have a site visit earlier in the day to the Alpine Gardens and congratulated Ry Southard on the appearance F:mcaster//min/2002/071602 2 of it. Much concern was expressed by the Council regarding changing the historic nature of the schoolhouse building. After much discussion, a motion was made by Bill Jewitt to allow the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens to proceed through the process. Rod Slifer seconded the motion, stating the town did own the land. A vote was taken and the motion passed 5- 1, Cleveland opposing. The sixth item on the agenda was Ordinance #16, Series of 2002, first reading, regarding Lionshead View Corridor #2. Allison Ochs, town planner, presented the ordinance to the Council,stating 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. Ochs stated in order to qualify for protection under the Town's ordinance, a view corridor must meet the criteria as outlined in the staff memo. After further discussion, Diana Donovan moved to approve Ordinance #16 on first reading, to include the findings in the memo. Chuck Ogilby seconded the motion. Ethan Moore, representing Vail Resorts, Inc., addressed the Council expressing his willingness to work with the town regarding protection of the view corridors and stated his company was doing everything possible to meet the guidelines. Rod Slifer recused himself from the vote, stating he did have a business relationship with Vail Resorts, Inc., the applicant. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. . The seventh item on the agenda was Ordinance #2, second reading, General Obligation Refunding Bonds,Series 2002A. Mayor Kurz stated for the record the Council had decided on the advice of the town's financial advisor to table second reading of this ordinance until now. Steve Jeffers of George K. Baum & Company, stated the decision to wait until now would save the town $450,000. Jeffers stated the savings would have been close to $380,000 if the ordinance had been passed in January of this year. Bill Jewitt moved to approve Ordinance #2 on second reading. Dick Cleveland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. C] The eighth item on the agenda was Ordinance #3, second reading, relating to Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds. Steve Jeffers addressed the Council again, stating the delayed passing of this ordinance was for the same reasons as Ordinance #2, Series of 2002. Bill Jewitt moved to approve Ordinance #3 on second reading. Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. Jeffers stated the closing of the bonds was scheduled for September 3, 2002. The ninth item on the agenda was Ordinance #18, second reading, Commission on Special Events, repealing and reenacting Ordinance #7 and Ordinance #13, correcting errors in the two ordinances. Diana Donovan moved to approve Ordinance #18. ,Dick Cleveland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. F:mcaster//min/2002/071602 The tenth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Town Manager McLaurin asked for direction regarding the installation of a video on 1-70 for traffic information. McLaurin was directed to explore the possibility of cost -sharing the installation with other towns in the area. The Council also requested McLaurin to proceed with a 50-50 cost - share with Eagle County Regional Trails for installation of a permanent deer fence at Dowd Junction. McLaurin also received approval from the Council to add improvements to the third whitewater feature in the Gore Creek whitewater park, providing the work could be done without requiring removal of the Gore Creek pedestrian bridge, which is scheduled to be replaced at a future date. As there was no further business, Bill Jewitt made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Rod Slifer seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ludwig KurMayor OF ATTEST:SEAL • V,drelei onaldson, Town Clerk E Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster F:mca5ter//min/2002/071b02 4